So we’re going home to Delaware tomorrow, after three weeks in Vermont. The car will be loaded with all of our gear and bicylces plus a gallon of maple syrup and loads of new books purchased for a quarter apiece at the library sale at the Waitsfield Farmers Market. We’ll also be virtually weighed down with treasure, all of it collected from the Mad River.
Tommy took it upon himself yesterday to make a treasure tally. He counted 111 pieces. He sorted all of them into different categories such as “sea glass,” “dirty white treasure,” and “unusual treasure.” Then he drew a graph to show how many we had of each kind (the rocks in the picture cover his full name, which he proudly printed on his handiwork).
I don’t know what I like more, his careful arrangement or his accounting.
But now it’s time to go and we’ve packed the treasure along with a number of river rocks that will be used as votive holders, worry stones, and garden decoration back home. These are not the only treasures that I’ll carry though. There are lots of memories that will be coming with me. Memories such as:
Both my children playing in the sun-dappled water of the river – water so clean that it’s possible to see the polished rocks lying at its bottom, even in the mysterious and dark deep places.
The duck that joined us one morning at the river, swimming circles and quacking companionably.
Listening to lots of Queen, especially Bohemian Rhapsody, sung by the other three members of my immediate family.
The feeling of sitting on the porch in the late afternoon, sipping a beer, looking out over the pond that adjoins it, and having Matt look at me and say “you look sun clean and river washed” and realizing that both things were indeed true.
The taste of heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil warm from the sun.
And the leap into silky, cool, green water on a hot day, Tommy’s hand in mine.
Summer is almost over and these memories will have to last me through a long winter. I have a feeling that they will though. And I feel very rich indeed.
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Ah….what a great place to be and you described it well. Kudos to Tommy, too. Love the visual aid that took stock of his summer fun.
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Hierloom tomatoes and basil… my mouth is watering. It looks like the trip was a success. I love the pictures of the river and Tommy. Have a safe trip back.
.-= Cate´s last blog ..Looking up, down and back: Putting the see back in the city =-.
Thanks for sharing a little taste of Vermont. Wish I could taste some of that maple syrup, too. What a fantastic idea to take little bits of treasure with you and make some artistic souvenir. I’m sure it will keep the warm memories fresh into winter.
.-= Lora´s last blog ..EUREKA! Gold! =-.
How cute! He must be good in math.
Look like you will have great memory to last you through the whole winter. Love the picture that you jump off the rock with your son. Brave one!!
.-= Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..Things to Do with Kids in San Diego =-.
OH i love this. i esp love his counting. what glorious photos. thank you for taking us along with you, this summer!!
.-= jessiev´s last blog ..A Cross-Cultural Earthen Building Workshop, Mali =-.
amazing stuff here! love it!
.-= amy´s last blog ..A for Alfie =-.
A beautiful post, Mara!
Agreed with Mountain Mama, this is a beautiful post Mara. If there were an award to give for choosing an ideal family getaway, I’d have to vote for these Vermont visits. It sounds like you were able to savor so many great moments.
.-= Lorraine´s last blog ..Why Waikiki? =-.
Thanks for making us feel extra bad we missed it. There could be a graph of how many times Tim looked at me and said – “lets just go, we can be there tomorrow!”