Tender Tracks Thurs. Day 64

May 23, 2019
Waning Gibbous Moon
Lake Alpine

Everyone was here today, Josie and Mom and all the rest.  The Sun came too though later in the day the Dark clouds showed their face again and covered up Sun’s warmth for a bit. More on that further down.

This day was so beautiful, rich and filled with explorations, observations and growth.

The children instantly explored this area we have not been too in a time.  The big rock, the very full lake, the plants and, the wonder.  Holden came with a shirt that had a Rattle Snake on it and I, in my morning meditation asked the question ” What would be a good story to share on this day?” The answer I received was ” Tell the tale of How Rattlesnake Came toBe and Why they always rattle their tail for protection.  At the beginning of this year  Theo found many LARGE Rattle Snake skins tucked into the rocks at this place. Today the ranger came and shared with us that they just are now finding the Snakes coming out of Hybernation. We are all aware of our Rattle Snake friends and coming together with that awareness. How fun and delightful is that?!

So, we came together for circle, and story though we changed our spot to another because, a dogs large poop was left in the grasses. I covered it up but it was clear, we all agreed, it really smelled and was very close to our usual spot. No worries, we just went to our other spot next to the big rock.

We had our story, songs and snack and then, got ready for our adventure, to find the TURTLES!!!  But oh yes, before that, Ruby took out a rope and a great game of jumping over the rope as it was made like a slithering snake in the grass.  At first it was just the girls but then, the others came in to play as well.  A great deal of fun was had. From there they all hung onto that rope for a time as we went up the big hill. At the top they looked over and saw the water flowing down, down, down.  We then took Josie’s Mom up to see where, when the water wasn’t there, how they used to slide up and down and up and down on the concrete water flow. Theo shared that that was how he got so many holes in his pants.  We then went down another big hill to find the turtles. And, WE DID!  At one point Ruby had counted 31?

There was much exploration down by the water but I will share the most beautiful part for me was when all the children were working/playing together on these boards in the water and having such a good time.  The thing of it was however, the clouds came over, the warmth went away and when they were done playing and we had to go…COLD set in!!  And, we still had to walk back no matter.  Josie’s mom had some extra out layers of varying grownup to child size and helped the girls with that and then we just went off. The more we walked the warmer they got and, so, it happened.

It was a glorious day of air, wind, sun, clouds, so many animals to see. Ruby and I saw a muskrat, the children saw many Turkey Vultures soaring, playful crows and Canada Geese with five baby ducklings.  A Kingfisher sat upon the wires above us at the lake and the turtles were of great fascination to watch, particularly at lunch time as we sat facing the waters together.

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Tender Tracks Wed. Day 32

May 22, 2019
Waning Moon
Lake Alpine

Gideon gone on holiday and our friend Terry came to play and visit again.

We were to go to Sorich. When I went by just a day ago the road was clear with no road block signs. But today, ROAD CLOSED the sign said. What to do?  We turned around and, since the day was so beautifully sunny our goal was to go to a sunny place. Off to Lake Alpine we went. And, indeed, it was sunny and beautiful all day. Gentle breezes would come in on and off and cool us down and freshen up the air. Rain clothes and extra coats were taken off for the day and hats were put on, NOT RAIN HATS that is. 🙂

We had such a fine ride just going to Lake Alpine. They so love feeling the bumpiness of the rocky road right before we get there and all the twists and turns of the road.  They always laugh with joy and delight.

We decided, since it took us longer to get to our place today, that we would just have them play and explore straight away and then have a standing circle where we sing our songs, eat a little easily held snack and then make our way to the TURTLES!  Nelly and Addie were “fishing” with Ruby down by the lake when we got there. The boys went to go play by the water.  Siena and Ellery wanted to go over and build and such with them. Rohin said something along the lines of to Ellery, ‘You might not want to come and play because we are playing boys games.’ Those were not his words but the jist of it.  Ellery was quite fine playing with them so they all were playing with logs and in and around the water quite happily.

When we got together to sing our songs they were just grand and so present and involved.  And then, backpacks on and down the road to find the turtles.  We found so many treasures and delights with the birds flying around us, Poison Hemlocks growing up tall right now, poison oak all over and continually helping each other out with where it is.  Going up the big hill Sienna was saying “My legs are so tired!”  And, not long after that, those legs got to go DOWN hill.  At the top however, we watched the water from both sides of the bridge go down singing it’s grand song and changing shape in different parts of it’s adventure down to the still water.  We wondered, if we were to do down in a boat, could we then paddle to our bus? Nathan did not think that down below would allow that.  Many things to ponder and , at some point in time, discover the answer!  But, for now, curiosity and observations.  And then, we went on to go down a hill that looked like what they remembered and then again did not as the grasses all around were very tall.

When we got to the bottom and nearing the bend where we would find the turtles we went very, very, very quietly as the turtles are SO sensitive and leap in the water so quickly.  We did a great job with our stealth and, only about half of the turtles or less went plopping into the water.  They came back fairly quickly too, which was grand!

I believe it was Beau that noticed that our “boat”, the one that you see when you go to the Website with two children sitting on it with their backs towards the on looker, was gone.  I have been coming here for a long time and the huge log/boat truly was not there. So, “WHERE WAS IT?” we all asked. The children scrambled here and there and said they could not find it.  I went back to where they went and Ruby and I think that truly it was over on this other side, slightly submerged and looking a bit different yet, truly the log.  WOW what winter storms and wind we had to move such a large log as that.

We went back and sat for awhile watching the turtles. There was a Mallard boy duck sitting sweetly on a part of the log where only one turtle was and as the turtle was about to get off the duck began pecking at its leg!  The turtle went away from that duck.  Later on most of us saw the duck leave it’s cozy spot, climb up on the other log where all the turtles were and start pecking at one of those turtles. The pecked turtle just pulled himself inside its shell and waited until the duck went away.  We all guessed for awhile why that duck might do that.

The children were sent on an adventure to find a rock that they really liked. They ran off to do so and came back with great stories about what they liked.  Then Nathan, Ellery and Sienna found great rocks with sharp edges to clean up sticks that they had.  Rohin, Beau, Nelly, Addie were having fun throwing things into the water.   Addie and Beau went down further with Terry and found a great log to play with. Most others came with them for awhile and then, it was lunch time.  Watching some Merganser Ducks be with the turtles was fun.   After eating Ruby was fixing Sienna and Ellery’s hair. They began playing with hers for awhile.  I went with Nathan, Beau, Rohin and Addie back to the log to try to get it closer to shore. When we did we found great creatures on it.  Then Sienna, Ellery and Nelly played “Family.”

We all just merged in with the land, the birds, the plants, and all of their own unique curiosities about the Earth but then, it was time to go. Beau so honestly said NO, it is not time to go.  But alas….

We had fun hiking up the big hill, going down the big hill and getting back into our bus where Ruby, again, played the Kalimba and told a story of the day that was sweet and mesmerizing.

 

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Tender Tracks Tues.Week 32 Day 63

May 21, 2019
Waning Moon
Lake Lagunitas

Josie absent.

Well, another cold, threatening rain, and blustering wind at times kind of a day.   It was actually quite an exhilarating day with lot’s of fun.

We began in the bus, as often times happens, with noticing what is different, what has changed.  Please note, you can do this at home in every room and all around.  It is fun.  The children look around and take in as much as possible. Then, they close their eyes, you move something, they open them up and look all around to see what has changed. During this process they use their ears too.  Another way, is to have something already changed when they come into a room. That is what happened this morning.  We played with the two things that were changed and then, the big question, where was it before it got moved??  There are many wonderful reasons this is good to do. Here, for the moment, I will leave that up to your imagination.  Holden passed out the stuffed animals today.

There was a mumble and grumble about going to Lake Lagunitas  “Again!”  some said.   Which of course is quite interesting considering they go to the same house, the same in door school, the same stores all the time with out such a thing.  With some playful inquiry I think they are looking for a sunny spot!  So with that, we set up in our sunny spot above their favorite Redwood home.

When they got out they got their buckets to take to the hill and there were squeals of, ” Let’s see if the scorpion is still there!!”    I don’t think they checked it out though as they got really involved in their house.  Later on, Ruby went to go in and they said “NO, you can’t come in!” “We’re not ready.” And, when they were ready they let her in and gave her “tea and cookies!” ( pretend mind you:) )

As they were getting ready for circle Trilly Trully and Trippy Troopy went on an adventure leaving a jeweled path laid out for them.  Off they went looking on the ground for the jewels as well as for these lovely friends.  All found, back to circle and, “Can we take the jewels home???”  Jewels back in a shell and then, they each went into quietness and one by one picked the jewel that they felt most drawn to. They were instructed to keep it well and put their wishes for the day into it. And, if they lost it, there would be no other one to come their way.  So they did this all and, at the end of the day, they ALL had their jewels!!  Luna had remembered loosing a sparkly hair clip she found a couple weeks ago and crying the whole way back home. This time she DID NOT want to loose this so she REALLY kept vigilant attention and guardianship of this little jewel. She beamed at the end of the day as she saw that she really did keep track of it and still had it!

I told a story based on Princess in the Pea but the Princess was unusual in that she was so sensitive because she felt, heard, and knew many things because, as mentioned, she WAS so sensitive.  It was a good thing and she taught the family that took her in and tested her with the pea under the 12 mattresses, how they too can listen to all the beings of the air, land, water and wind and feel these things, with delight and joy.

After circle, jobs, and, oh yes, Luna, with my help, lit the match for the candle, Eamon held the candle for her and Ellie got the top of the candle to put on after it was lit.  They all got their jobs and, as you can see, helped each other out. Luna gets quite scared to light matches or be around spark flying fire so this was a grand edgy and triumphant moment

After circle and such we packed up and went on our adventure.  We explored all the way to our trail across the bridge to a place we have not been in MONTHS!  The weather this year has changed a great deal of adventures that typically take place so now, we got to go back here and explore.  The trail brought us to the biggest Banana Slug any of us might have ever seen. The Dark Eyed Junco’s were alarming when we got to close to them. There were Spotted towhees and Sparrows flitting about and the waters waves were moving swiftly. Ellie, Theo and I were up in the front and found the place for us to set up for the afternoon. Our original place was covered by water.

As soon as they all got here, POOOF, out the boys went to find pirate ships and grand adventures.  Luna and Ellie were delighted to be playing near the trees and, in the end, making fishing poles and such.  Oh yes, earlier they were Monster Babies and Ruby and I were Monster Parents. We ate terrible and nasty things and later just had to eat the boys!!! AHHHHH the chase and fun happened.  In and out of this game and games like it happened through out the rest of our afternoon. Flute playing, cordage making, eating lunch, and avoiding Guardian Oak/Poison Oak.  And then, the walk back was playful and fun.

On the way back Ruby drove so I could tell them the story about how Chipmunk got its strips.  The children have now entered the world of “Tell another story, Tell another story!!!”  So that is what did happen and that is what happens often of late.

 

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