Life on the other side

We did it. Thanks to some outstanding planning on my friends' K&S part and our own intrepid natures, our trip to the Kingdom of Fife in Scotland was a fabulous adventure from start to finish. I spent no time before the trip thinking about what was probably the most challenging aspect of the trip... the fact that renting a car in Scotland meant that I was about to embark on a week of driving on the left, sitting on the right, and shifting with my left! But despite the dire warnings from the folks at the car rental desk ("Call this number if you run into a curb and get a flat tire, call this number if you're in an accident, and we'll just be holding a $1000 pound surety on your account in case of any damages."), I drove all over the place without too much trouble. (Occasional lurches into first gear when I was aiming for third notwithstanding.)

I've uploaded a bunch of our pictures from the trip at http://08scotland.shutterfly.com, and will try to post a few stories over the coming days here.

It was great to go, and it's good to be back.

08-08-08

Yes, an auspicious day here at Auntie Camp... and no wonder! Did you know that eight is my favorite number?


The campers were smiling. (Okay, they were smiling because I told them to, but still.)

Individually, these are some excellent children:




But it's the getting them together that has made this week so fantastic:





Here are the official Auntie Camp traditions (because the campers are talking about next year as if it's a done deal):

First night tradition ~

Woodrow Wilson School Pool in whatever you've got on.

Last night tradition ~
Dinner at Stewarts

(Many thanks to my sister and brother-out-law
for allowing us to scoop up their girls for a whole week.
And to the Princeton Friends School Summer Camp
for giving each of them such wonderful times
in community, in the woods, and at the swim quarry.)

My Kind of Activism

This video is about 4.5 minutes long, and describes a win-win form of internet-enabled environmental activism. I love this stuff.

Lessons From Camp, 2008

Bring a friend.

Our boy has loved this boy like a brother for as long as he can remember. This was our third year of having JT & his mama "along for the ride," and both the boys and the mamas wouldn't have had it any other way. Bringing a friend along means having someone to say, "Remember when..." to.

Bring books.

Books are perfect travel companions. They're quiet and compact. And no matter where you go, they can take you to yet another wondrous place. (Disclaimer: books shown here are being read at the Hilltop Inn in Niantic, CT, en route to camp. Reading in camp is also eminently possible.)

Share the work.

This year, more than any, the jobs we gave D to do before, during, and after our trip were real jobs. Turns out he is a terrific rope untangler, kayak stuffer, water fetcher, ice purchaser, tent cleaner, and even sandwich maker. That last one was his idea. Lucky moms, we are.

Define civilization on your own terms.

When we tell people that our idea of heaven is two weeks of tent camping in North Truro, MA, the reactions are interesting. Some people seem a little envious, while others shake their heads, saying, "I could never do that." But really, what could be more civilized than a morning bike ride to the local cafe? The way we see it, coffee + today's NYT = civilization. Birdsong and ocean breezes provided at no extra charge.

Turn the treats into traditions.

At home, we are a relatively low-sugar family, at least as far as breakfast goes. In camp, I take orders each morning before I head off to the village cafe. When I almost balked at buying elephant ears two days in a row, my partner wisely said, "It's not a treat. It's a tradition." His bliss proves the point. (We used to get special food while on vacation, too, now that I think about it. Thanks, Mom!)

Make something special
with your own two hands.

(We made ourselves all manner of bracelets
and felt quite fancy!)

Cherish the earth.

Make friends with the ocean.


Enjoy whatever weather comes your way.

It's hard to feel trapped in the tent when you're playing endless rounds of Underpants Uno! He was the champion, of course. And was even a tiny bit disappointed when the rain let up.

(Until he discovered the joys of deep puddle riding!)

And leave some sand
for the next camper.

(Thank you so much to Grammy & Grampy,
Aunt Chelle, Nancy Bea, Wendy Cook, Van,
and others for helping to bring a little special delivery joy
to our lives at camp this year.
Only 332 days until Camping 2009!)

Rainy Day Plan

People are often amazed to hear that we camp for two weeks in our tent. Here's the secret: rainy days can actually be fun! The trick is to have some cool stuff planned that you'll ONLY do if it rains... it gets to the point where you're almost eager for the rain to start. (The other secret is to pack plenty of tarps, ropes and bungees.)

One of this year's rainy day options looks something like this:



Don't tell our young men... we don't want them to start rooting for rain quite yet.

Gone Campin'

Yes, it's that time of year again... we hear the ocean calling our names, and we are outta here! You can leave us messages in the comments below (although we probably won't read them until we get back), or, even better...

Send us snailmail at camp! Last year we got tons of mail and it was SO GREAT! If you're reading this between July 11th and July 20th, here's your big chance to make our day at camp.

Send a little note (and/or dark chocolate!) to:
Riendeau-Krause campers, site 19-I
c/o North of Highland Campground
52 Head of the Meadow Road
P.O. Box 297
North Truro, MA 02652-0297

If you'd prefer, you can call the camp and ask them to leave us a note on the camp message board, which is also a big thrill. That number (good from July 13th through the 24th or so) is 508/ 487-1191, and office hours are pretty much all day with the exception of meal breaks from noon-1pm and again from 6-7pm.

Even if you don't have a chance to send a message our way, we know we can count on you to send warm and sunny thoughts... right? And a special thanks to the excellent neighbors who are keeping watch on our little house until we get back.

Let the family togetherness begin!

(For those among you who might enjoy a little vicarious camping,
links to the the photo essays from the last two years are here and here.)

summer nights —
falling asleep to the drips
of the day's swimsuits

(We have pretty much been living at the pool;
only an act of will kept us home tonight
to set up our tents in preparation for the upcoming trip.
Cross-posted over at Summer Haiku 2008.)

(flickr/ Chris Jones)

broken windows —
each empty house
someone's story

(Thanks to the folks at One Single Impression
for their continuing inspiration.)

Little moments and big thoughts

summer roof rack —
two bicycles, a surfboard,
and a rocking chair

(You can't make this stuff up, folks.
Cross-posted over at Summer Haiku 2008.)

Leo Babauta over at Zen Habits has a post up today about life goals, asking folks to post their top three in the comments (yet another example of the new internet rule: the genius is in the comments).

Here's what I said:

Keep matchmaking.

Keep writing haiku.

Be present to myself and others.

I'm not sure how stable this list is, but it's interesting to think about.

Head on over and chime in, if you're so inclined...