Jingle
We attended the SummerQuest kickoff @ the Cambria County Library for a little mid-June rocking, rolling, and reading. The Evergreens set the mood on the outdoor patio as kids frolicked the grounds. The adventure themed event was perfect for this pioneer. Our library's outdoor upgrades are inviting to inspiring while the programming is consistently creative and colorful. Rock painting power to flower sniffing satisfaction, the Great Outdoors were truly great on this night. On the inside of this book kingdom, we personalized adventurous book markers and then entered a planetarium for a short film.
Sitting inside a giant inflatable globe, the parents learned a lot surrounded by galaxy children. First off, sitting criss-cross applesauce is hard. As I was learning about the intense training astronauts have to endure just to qualify for intergalatic adventuring, I got hot and bothered by sitting. My astronaunt application would get rejected faster than a shooting star:
NASA: "Tell us about yourself..."
Me: "I don't like tight spaces, I can't sit still, and I just recently realized that sitting criss-cross applesauce is hell. I understand that if I am not sitting, I will be floating. I also like having control. How do you control floating? Also, is there barbecue on board? I love barbecue."
NASA: "Here is a trail map. Stay on Earth."
While the film played, I fidgeted like a caveman desperate to stand up for the first time while my wife admired the library's floor. Legend has it that child birth has increased motion sickness in her body/brain/being. I tried to comfort her by reliving the moment when I almost passed out the first time I saw an epidural needle.
After the movie, like good parents, we blamed our kids for our problems and bought them ice cream.
Jolt
While commanding the Subaru on Franklin Street one mighty fine June evening, I peered over the river wall. Brakes slammed. Bald Eagle.
I abandoned my vehicle and family - after putting on my four way flashers and safely exiting The Ascent. I did leave my door wide open, but we all make mistakes and forgiveness is a part of marriage. My youngest daughter followed me to see this patriotic bird stoically perched on a river rock. This predator was hunting and peering into the American aqua.
It reaffirmed I would be a terrible astronaunt and I love this country.
Jingle
My daughters sung the National Anthem @ a Johnstown Mill Rats baseball game. My 9-year-old was the lead singer and her younger sister was her backup vocalist. They were as poised and patriotic as that river rock Bald Eagle. Their musical talent and stage presence is a testament to so many great teachers and mentors along the way. It should be noted that Dad's driving and shower singing provided a strong musical foundation.
I also taught them to never sing, shower, and drive at the same time.
Jolt
At Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana, I was part of a waterway adventure crew that spotted a killdeer on land. A killdeer is actually a sweet looking bird and not a murderous whitetail. This particular killdeer was a parent protecting a clutch of eggs directly behind a park bench. We got some National Geographic pictures of this wetlands bird and the four dinosaur looking eggs lying in this peculiar shady spot. The John Muir in me was beaming like the sun.
Jingle
Our family of four went to the see Inside Out 2 @ the Westwood Plaza this month. The best way I can describe Pixar films is that they have "get you" moments. There are times in life where these incredibly smart animated movies hit home depending on where you are on the journey. Inside Out debuted the same year my first daughter was born - a story about the complex emotions inside a little girl named Riley. Nine years later, the sequel catches us up with Riley as she is speeding toward and through adolescence, introducing a barrage of new emotions.
Beyond the emotions, characters, and outstanding animation, the soundtrack is brillant. As a Girl Dad, the movie was as heartwarming as it was heartwrenching - the adult audience challenged to navigate through the hopes and perils of growing up, surrounded by the kids we are rooting for every step of the way. If John Muir would have been inside my brain during that hour and a half, he would have said, "Good God boy, we need to get you to Alaska."
I am so very proud of my girls.
Damn you, Pixar. You did it again.
Jolt
Later in the month, we went back to the library to get an education on frogs. This was shortly after my youngest daughter almost stepped on a toad in the backyard. She seems to attract amphibians. There is no rush growing up, my froggy princess. Keep finding backyard beasts while I patrol the front lawn and keep the boys away.
On this Monday night, the library's adventure series was a Frog Friends workshop where we listened to frog calls, learned about local species of leapers, and even got to watch a froggy feeding. Seated on a chair in the front row, I was much more comfortable than my "Planetarum Caveman Experience (PCE)". Special thanks to PA Woods and Forests for providing the amphibious education!
Jingle
On the second Saturday in June, we celebrated a good friend who entered into ordained ministry. When a full church, a collection of interconnected community members, sang "Your Grace Is Enough", the lyrics spoke for themselves. But if there was an emotion to pinpoint, it was arguably the most importatnt character from Inside Out 2....
Joy.
As June turns to July, bring the joy. Visit your local library and gain some knowledge. Support local artists and teams. Soar with the eagles and hop with the frogs. Get lost in the magic of the movies. Realize that growing up today is not an easy adventure. Cheer on kids each and every day. Kids, cheer on the parents - we need the encouragement too. Strength in numbers gets stronger with an attitude of gratitude.
Grateful for community and family.
Adventure on.
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