Path Work ~ Search and Surrender

Today's walk started on the woods trails. I built these trails.  Except for an occasional bit of chainsaw work the trails are my project.  I keep them open and occasionally expand the network.  The trails work began when my son started Kindergarten.  I found I had a bit of extra time and I wanted trails.  I love to be and work in the woods.  I tend to stay on the path.  Today I was thinking of the idea of path. Why is that we tend towards this order and ease. I crossed the path of deer.  They too seem to stick to their repeated track.  Staying on track, follow your path, the path of least resistance....

I came to the were the trail ended in the field and decided it was time to turn off the beaten track.  A little wandering was warranted on this lovely day.  The walking conditions were very good the bit of snow was well packed and frozen. A turn....

As I wandered so did my thoughts.  I had no destination in mind just whichever way I could get though.  I saw a few interesting sights...

 a yellow leaf cradling snow

a captured pine cone

Then a thought came to me.  A couple of years ago when I had wandered off the trails I had found the remnants of a fort built by my son.  Not really a fort.  It was a pallet and a rope hanging off a branch.  I was surprised to find it then.  I thought I had known of all his doings in the woods.  But this was a secret place.  Today I wanted to find it.  It was a strong desire.  A mini obsession.  I just wanted to see it.  I know it must still be there.

I went though brush and had tree branches whack me in the face.  I zigged and I zagged.  I went one way then doubled back.  I set up a search grid.  I just wanted to see that little creation.  I craved that remembrance.  I was yearning for yesterday...

   I climbed over stone walls and then back again.  I wasn't going to give up.  It had to be there.  The woods are so open right now...how could I miss it?  I continued to search...

I finally came near the house and I stopped.  Tears rolled down my cheeks.  I took a breath.  I felt my feet touching the earth and came back to the present.  My son is just 18. He will be graduating this spring.  The teen years have not been easy.  Not bad, but not easy.  Before puberty it was bliss between he and I.  It was the most wonderful time of my life.  I have been telling my self that I am healthily detached from his impending leaving and I will NOT have the empty nest feelings.  It is as it should be.  But today, how I felt in the woods, pointed me to another path that needs to be created.  It is a bittersweet byway of joy and grief as my one and only child goes his merry way.  So I surrendered my search.  I will let that place in the woods be among his many secrets.  I am content with the knowledge that time did exists.  It is now, it is now, it is now....

Happy Trails

Advent Fun...with Upcycled Baby Socks!

The Story:

This is a very special holiday season for my family.  Our only child is in his senior year of high school.  Certain realities of endings are sneaking up on us, one in particular is our Advent tradition.  It all started when I just couldn't bear to part with my son's baby socks.  They are just so cute!  Also, I was trying to make some holiday traditions that would truly be ours alone.  We are a small family of 3 with all of our extended family more than a few states away and in some cases across the ocean. Though we are blessed with many good friends and a wonderful community holidays are a time for family.   So  we happily celebrate with just our little trinity.

I had not grown up with the tradition of Advent.  But my husbands relatives across the pond would send us nice paper calenders with little windows to open each day.  I started to look at the idea of making one that could hold  surprises.  My son was 3 at the time and I thought this would be fun!  I am a big advocate of the 3 - R's ~~ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!  (Now~~this is called upcycling)   The sweet little socks my son had out grown were in my own sock drawer so I could give them a kiss now and then.  One day while communing with the baby socks I thought...Christmas Stockings!  

Now the real fun!! 

Everyday there is a little prize in each sock.  A bit of candy in some, little cars during the car years, little Legos during the Lego years.  When he got older and could read I would put clues in some socks and hide presents around the house.  I usually saved these for the weekends.  (NOTE: make a list of where you hide things...the first year I didn't...found some things in January!)  My favorite year was when my son was into the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.  (I read all 4 books aloud to him but he would never let me read the Elvish...I didn't speak it correctly so he read those parts)  That year I wrote all the clues in Elvish!  The past few years cash, candy, and other "forbidden" food items have been popular.  The clues are more cryptic, my notes are more necessary!

So this year is the last hurrah.  Next December 1st our son will be away at college. So I am going all out this year.  I saw my son a few days ago checking out the socks  to see if I had filled them yet!  ;)

How To:

This is so easy it is nuts!  I had some left over wreath ribbon that I punched 24 holes in with a paper hole puncher. (I had every intention of making a beautiful handwoven ribbon with inlaid numbers...great thing about being creative...too many ideas!)  I numbered the holes with a Sharpie marker.  Then I used matching gold safety pins to attach the socks.  I used the safety pins just in case I am ever lucky enough to be a grandma and the socks need to be used as socks again!  Glad to be passing on this tradition.  I would love to hear if anyone else tries this...or...had the same idea!  What do you think...should I put a baby sock back in my drawer when he has gone his merry way....???

The hand knitted socks were made by his Oma.

Fully Loaded!

My Notes

Clues!

Treats!

This little birdie has been showing up in the Advent for years now!

Fancy college interview shoes...my how his feet have grown!