...my safe place...

I hadn't been to Castlewood since the Great Ice Hike of 2014. I only just discovered it last year, and it is probably my favorite place in St. Louis.

The neon greens of new buds were popping out of the
tips of the tree branches.

There could not have been a better day to explore the great outdoors than today. The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, and every once in a while there was some cloud cover to offer relief to the weary traveler.

I hiked a few new paths today, but interestingly, they all led me back to the same one I usually take. I wondered if that relates to my life at all. Do I seek new paths, only to be mysteriously redirected to the path I'm already on?

As today was also Father's Day, there were many more hikers than I've ever seen on the trail.

I wanted to take pictures of the beauty and wonder that is Castlewood to share with you, but, per usual, my phone died halfway through the hike. Not sure how my phone died at 10am, but ok. So instead I decided to use my sense of hearing to set the scene.

My phone played these songs before biting it for the morning. Did you ever feel like music could speak to exactly where you were in a given moment? You're swept away by it, because for a moment, someone understands you and has voiced your hearts quiet contemplations.

Beautiful Things Gungor

Dream Priscilla Ahn

You could hear her incessant chattering before you could see her tiny frame. Three, going on thirteen, she was a ball of words and thoughts, though they didn't seem to make sense to an outsider. As I passed by, her mom gave me an exhausted and apologetic look, as if to say, so sorry my kid is ruining the peace and quiet of this place. I smiled back warmly. Little did she know that I would have given anything to trade places with her.

The sounds of birds were drowned out my the sound of people. Laughing, talking, skipping and stumbling along. The mighty trees allowed the breeze to rustle their leaves only slightly. The river was silent as it rushed passed. The rocks ground into the earth beneath my sure feet.

I saw a familiar looking little boy, only to look up and see his mom trailing behind him. Brandi and Jeff and their boys were out on a hike for Father's Day. We paused and chatted for a moment, and then went off in opposite directions. It's always nice to see a familiar face on any adventure.

(Side note: When you come across another hiker on the trail, look up and say hello. You are not too cool to acknowledge your fellow traveler. Neither are you too uncool. Funny how the later holds us back more often than the former...)

Two little girls, possibly aged two and four, concerned over a potential "wil' aminal" attack, demanded begin held by their daddy as they trekked down the steep mountain. When the end of the trail was in sight, they pointed and cried, “Look! A way out!” Apparently, they had spent so much time hiking through the woods this morning that they were convinced their parents were lost. To be fair, it is a long hike.

My thoughts were screaming at me this morning. I was desperate to get away and ignore their little lies. Hiking in Castlewood allows that for a few hours. It is a sweet, serene place of peace in a hectic world. It's towering trees and tall grasses offer refreshing from the stale day to day. It's slower pace bids the hiker to relax and reflect. (Sometimes, I pretend I'm in Fangorn Forest, waiting for the trees to wake up from their sleep.)

It has become my safe place, where I run when I need to be brought back to life.

Do you have a safe place?

...Shakespeare...

Loved seeing some many come to support the arts!

Blankets were strewn across the soft, green grass, in varying patterns like a giant patchwork quilt. It was a perfect day to be outside, lying in the shade, the sun peaking through cracks in the leaves and branches of trees, creating all kinds of shadows across my legs and body. The cool breeze carrying on it a faint summer scent of cut grass and other green things.

I was prepared this time. Armed with a blanket, a stadium seat, a pillow and more books than were necessary, I began to look around at the amalgam of people as I snacked on some cherries I had purchased at the farmer's market earlier that morning. Some chatted to me. Dogs sniffed me, seeking to determine if I was friend or foe. And the more I watched, the more the crowd multiplied.

Pre-show practice followed by a bear hug. We felt the love!

Henry the IV began, and I stretched myself out and watched as these men and women created characters from long ago. As I became engulfed in their drama, the sun continued its steady westward crawl, and I soon found myself baking in the hot sun, with only a moment of respite here and there when the breeze would blow.

Hot and exhausted, I sank deeper and deeper into my seat. I put the pillow under my head and leaned back until I was almost lying down. My head began to droop, until...

...I woke up to applause. Sigh...

On the Cake Hunt: The Shakespeare cake

The actors were truly spectacular, and I'm so thankful that Shakespeare Festival St. Louis puts this on each year. If you've never been to a show, put it on your calendar for next June. For those of you not in the St. Louis area, inquire around and see if your city hosts something similar.

Other adventures had this past week:

Had my hair fixed from the horrific black dye job. That was an adventure in trust since I hadn't been to a new hair dresser in 10 years...

Registered for the random draw of the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco this October. Fingers crossed!

...swing around fun town...

Andy is a manager for an ever-expanding chain of quality convenience stores, QuikTrip. If you've ever been to a QuikTrip, you'll most likely never go anywhere else. The employees are heavily trained in fast, friendly customer service, they are stocked with delicious food options from their own kitchen, and even your own restroom won't be cleaner.

They have also been listed on Fortune 100's "Greatest Companies to Work For" every year since 2003.

One of the many ways that they show appreciation for their employees is by hosting an annual company picnic. For the past two years, they have rented out Swing Around Fun Town, a local family fun park and immediate family members of QuikTrip employees can enjoy an afternoon playing together.

My favorite story from the day: We walked in and Andy's supervisor was sitting at the welcome table. He and Andy chatted and I stood by waiting patiently as two young women handed us our tokens and put on our wristbands. Hilariously, when we went out to the batting cages, Andy asked, "Babe, should I have introduced you?" I said, "Yes, babe, of course. But that's ok. Next time."

I'll take baseball over softball any day.

Our first stop! Batting cages!

After that, we went to the Go Carts. I insisted on a two-seater (much to Andy's chagrin) and we were off. I, of course, let him drive...sort of. A man drives the car with his hands on the wheel. A wife drives her husband with her hand on his knee. I might have squeezed a bit too hard as he fishtailed me around corners and tailed the father-son team in front of us.

Here's a little video. It's bumpy, so brace yourself.

Oh, I dominated Andy at SkeeBall!

My first air hockey experience.
Andy insisted I take a pic of the score.
He won. 

Pac-Man Smash!
Basically air hockey but with, like...40 more pucks!

Total tickets won: 428!

Deal or No Deal?

This is where we spent the majority of our time. After playing the game many times, we mistakenly believed that we had figured out a pattern. So when we won the 200 tickets, the highest you could get, we were celebrating like crazy. Until they asked us if we wanted to spin the mega wheel.

As if we could say no! The computerized spin began and our hopes were flying high. Even as it slowed down, we believed we could win. Then, it suddenly jerked to a stop at 100 tickets! Hahaha! Lesson learned.


We are so thankful for how well QuikTrip takes care of Andy. He is rewarded for his hard work, he receives great benefits and he genuinely enjoys his job. A wife couldn't ask for more.

The best part about today? Watching our kid-selves emerge and play together. Boy, were we silly!

Make time to be silly with the ones you love in the next few days. We all grow up way too quickly!

...lessons learned...

Lesson #1: No matter how kind and loving you are, some people are simply not in a place to receive it.

In fact, some people are dead set against receiving love and kindness. They create drama where there is no drama. They are desperate to play the victim. They denounce the faults in others while diminishing their own failings. And no matter how kind or loving you might be, they will always find a way to turn it around into something awful and ugly. Always. 

Lesson #2: This shouldn't deter you from being kind and loving to everyone...even that same person.

Loving the unlovely is...sigh...impossible. Arguing, screaming and spewing hate would be way more gratifying but, aside from a moment of vindication, it has no lasting benefits, and it steals way too much from you to be worth it. 

Lesson #3: Never let these people suffocate your joy!

No matter who you encounter this week, I'm praying that you will display immeasurable amounts of love and kindness toward all, with a healthy helping of Buddy-the-Elf-esque joy.

...festivals...

This afternoon, we headed into Kimmswick for their annual Strawberry Festival.

But there was this awesome kiddie train!

I had never been to a Strawberry Festival, but it sounded amazing, as I love all things strawberry. I had visions in my mind of strawberry shortcake, strawberry jams, strawberry cheesecake, strawberry pie, strawberry/rhubarb pie, strawberry lemonade, endless amounts of strawberry stands and people dressed up as giant strawberry mascots, dancing to the gods at the endless supply of strawberries the harvest had produced.

I have high expectations.

And an overactive imagination.

Yeah, so obviously it was nothing like I imagined. In fact, there seemed to be very little pertaining to strawberries. Mostly there were vendors selling their wares, jewelry, art, crafts, etc, food stands, great, big bouncy houses, and bands.

One man was selling these really cool rubber band guns with targets and I decided that if we ever have a boy, I'd like to get him one of those. If we had had money, I probably would have bought one right then and there. I'm sure it would be useful. Squirrel nibbling on your garden? Rubber band gun! Mouse in the house? Rubber band gun! Husband not doing chores? Rubber band gun! (Just kidding...or am I?)

Amidst the enormous crowds and endless vendors, we only found two strawberry jam stands, two strawberry lemonade stands, and one strawberry stand.

Mouth watering!

But then, there it was. The mecca at all festivals and carnivals, the fried food stand. There's a lot that gets fried nowadays, particularly in 'Merica! Deep fried bubblegum. Deep fried Koolaid. Deep fried White Castle burgers. (I feel like I'm dying just typing this.) And do you know why? Because it's just yummier! Funnel cake? So good! Deep fried pinapples? Lick your lips delicious! Deep fried oreos? The double stuff dreams are made of.

And here is my saddest news. Because I agreed to do the Whole30 with my friend, Karen, for the month of June, there were no fried oreos for me. Woe!

Does this help you
grasp it's deliciousness?

We left soon after, but I felt the afternoon wasn't a total bust since I had the privilege of introducing Andy to the joys of deep fried oreos for the first time. His words, spewed through a mouthful of melt-in-your-mouth sweetness, "Oh, wow, babe. So good!"

I think Kimmswick is more known for it's Apple Butter Festival in October, and we'll be sure to attend. I'm already preparing myself to not over hype the event by expecting giant apple mascots dancing through the streets.

(Though, I'm secretly hoping they'll read this and surprise me!)

(Also, did you know that deep fried butter is a thing? Well, it is. Not sure who would want to eat it, or why, but there's at least one person out there who loves it, or it wouldn't be a thing. Dare you to try it!)

...carnivals...

Do you dare? Andy and I hate spinny rides, so we didn't.

Local carnivals.

When you hear the words your mind might conjure up vivid images of large crowds and laughing children. Maybe you can almost smell and taste the most delicious fried foods. Perhaps you think of the games, with little trinkets to be won, and the carnival workers provoking you to play. Or could it be the terror and fear of the dreaded carnival ride? Put up in a matter of days, you sincerely wonder, can this hunk of metal really be trusted?

Saturday evening Andy and I headed a town over to attend the annual Ballwin Days. I've had many friends who have attended, but I was never really interested, so in the spirit of trying something new, we headed out for just an hour to see what all the fuss was about.

This poor woman's legs. She wasn't the only one.

It had been pouring earlier in the day, causing the soggy, wet grass and mud to cling to and cake the feet and legs of all in attendance.

We walked the perimeter first, to see what we wanted to do, and then headed to the ticket booth. Yikes! Carnival rides are expensive! With only a few dollars for the evening, we chose one ride (the one that looked the least terrifying) and headed in it's direction.

Pharaoh's Fury is basically a giant swing, moving forward and backward, in the shape of a ship. I honestly thought it would be much tamer. (Sadly, it probably was.) As we were the first two (and only two) in line, Andy insisted we sit in the very back. After a few minutes, two others hopped aboard and we were off!

I actually really love roller coasters, but for some reason, the first dip so shocked me that I screamed. I grabbed Andy's arm and pushed my knees into the seat in front of me, mistakenly thinking I could counteract the effects on my stomach, but it didn't work. The woman across from us then screamed as her end of the ship plummeted back to earth. And there we were, two grown women, screaming back and forth, most likely scaring away any potential riders. (I didn't feel so badly when I heard many others screaming later on.)

The men working the ride certainly got a kick out of it. They laughed and tried to get us to put our arms up in the air. When I did manage to let go of Andy's arm, I was shaking so intensely that I could barely move my arms let alone raise them. I was woozy the rest of the evening.

Winning things for me.

Deacon!

Then, Andy displayed his manly prowess with darts and won me this super cute little monkey! Though we asked for name suggestions, we settled on Deacon, since his foot said Dakin Co. and Deacon sort of sounded like Dakin. If we're ever blessed with a baby, Deacon will grace the jungle inspired walls, though I'm thinking I'll have to give it a good cleaning first.

Soon we settled down for the best carnivals have to offer: food. A turkey leg, caramel popcorn and a water. We listened to the musical stylings of the Kids Rock students and then walked back to our car.

This is when it was slowing down.
Felt you needed to see to understand.
Amazed I didn't drop my phone.

Though we only stayed an hour, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at Ballwin Days.

As I was still shaken up, I couldn't get Pharaoh's Fury out of my mind. I awoke this morning and considered the few times in my life that I have chosen to raise my arms, screaming, flailing, allowing the full force of inertia to pull me up and out of my seat and then throw me right back down again. It's been a while since I've trusted like that. But I think, if I'm going to live out a great adventure, I'll need to ride this roller coaster of life with a bit more abandon.

Sometimes, the only way to survive and thrive is to raise your arms to the sky and let the moment take you where it will.

...I don't know how to put this, but..I'm kind of a big deal...

...I have a leather bound book and my townhouse might smell of rich mahogany...(it doesn't.)

This evening, I went to an art show opening at the Sheldon where one of my photographs was featured...in a slideshow...along with 150 others...

A friend even noticed my name on a plaque. Mmm, hmm.

Don't worry, I won't let it go to my head.

I hope you can read into my subtle (or not so subtle) self-deprecating humor, but I'm still beaming. This was a first for me.

Do you remember this post when I asked you to help me choose which photos I should submit to Capture St. Louis Photo contest hosted by the Sheldon Art Galleries and the St. Louis Beacon? And then this post where I announced which three photos I was submitting?

Well, I got word a few weeks ago that, though I hadn't been chosen as one of the 100 winners, my picture would be featured in a slideshow along with 150 other photographs.

And what a privilege! As Andy and I walked through the halls, I was so impressed with what I saw! Some people have such an eye for capturing the beauty all around them. I'm still not sure why my photo was chosen.

Truly, this is worth a few moments of your time this summer. Stop by the Sheldon during their open hours and see the beauty of St. Louis through someone else's eyes.

Not only have I never won anything...ever!...I have never been to the Sheldon, so this was a double adventure. Here are a few pictures from our evening.

Here's the photo they chose. Do you see my name in the left hand corner? 

Can you find my name?

And...we found another cake to scratch off our list!

This has meant a lot to me, more than I expected. Thanks so much to everyone who gave their feedback on the blog or on Facebook, or sent me a message with what pictures they thought I should submit. Thanks to Crystal for running around Soulard with me, snapping photos. Thanks to Andy for being excited for and proud of me.

Thank you, thank you all for loving me with your time and energy. Though, I'm definitely not a big deal, your love has meant a great deal to me. And I'm a better me because of it.

xoxo

We had so much fun, even this couldn't dampen our evening:

Sigh...