The Wall and The Pit

For years we have been wanting to fix up our garden and around the fire pit but we just didn't know what to do.

Finally dad decided to get busy and quit procrastinating.

He had to dig trenches, add some sprinkler lines, and smooth the "pit" area.

Then we picked out some pavers for the divider wall and fire-pit and went to work.

First thing we had to do was put some gravel down for the paver base.

Then our pavers were delivered.

The first row is complete.

The progress on the second row.

The second row is complete.

Now the finishing touches on the third and final row.

I had dad put an entrance to the garden.

Complete. Now we will begin on the fire-pit area.

I helped dad with the first row and then I went in to watch Women's Conference.

It started to rain a bit so dad got a clever with the patio umbrella.

Then the sod. That stuff was heavy!!

Here is the completed project.

This weekend we will have our first marshmallow roast since the redo.

Great job, Dad!

Go me as well. I hefted almost as many blocks as dad did on this project.

So I can say that it was OUR project.

We make a great team!

Camping is good for the soul!

My second writing assignment was something that "I Believe".

As I started writing, the words and memories just started to flow. However, we are only allowed so many words but it made me think how nice it would be if I would write more of my memories.

I usually have a hard time remembering anything.

Camping is good for the soul

I believe that camping is good for the soul. Why? Because when I was a little girl, our family started making strong bonds by camping together as a family. I love most of my memories of camping. Not all were good, but most of them still make me giddy inside.

When I was about the age of four, we first started with a camper shell on the back of our pickup, preparing and eating our meals on a picnic table or the tailgate of the truck. Then about the age of six, we upgraded to a camper. Finally, when I was about a fourth or fifth grader, we went upscale and purchased a camp trailer. Can you say indoor plumbing?

Most of our summer vacations were camping at various places. One of my earliest memories was traveling to Nevada City, Montana, and visiting the “Two-Story Outhouse”. We thought that was quite the hoot! However, my favorite camping trips were on the weekends when we would take our trailer and go camping in the canyons. My only sibling was my brother, who was a grade older. He and I had the freedom to go hiking on the trails, riding our bikes around the camp ground, and exploring in the woods, even without our parents. I made many friends on our camping trips and often exchanged addresses with our “friends”. We would pen pal for a while until we lost the addresses.

As I got older and had my own family, we carried on the camping tradition, but for me it was a different awareness. Now, I enjoy the relaxation, the walks under the canopy of the trees and falling leaves, the hikes on the narrow trails, and crossing streams on bridges, or on dry rocks in the stream. I also like hearing the crickets at night, or while we share stories around the crackling fire, as we fumble with our sticky, roasted marshmallows.

Just the other day, I heard a radio host mention that researchers show that nature is good as a calming effect. In an Express article, Sound of nature: People become more calm when they hear natural sounds. MICHAEL KNOWLES  writes: “The gentle burbling of a brook or the sound of the wind in the trees can physically change our mind and bodily systems, helping us to relax.”

Thus, my favorite time of the year is camping season. Is it any wonder that my favorite theme is leaves, and forest green? I love camping, nature, and the wonderful memories that were made when I was a little girl. As an adult, I loved teaching my children all about the camping world.

Now that the kids are grown, and don’t go camping with us as often, I love to sit in the trailer with no phone, and no tv, while it is raining outside. I love to listen to the sound of the pitter patter of rain falling, knowing that it will smell wonderful and new when we step outside, after the rain is done.

                Yes! Camping is good for the soul!