One of my favorite things to do on a beautiful day like today is walk my dog from my house to the park, sit on a bench, and just be-- look out at the lake, watch the people walking by, write in my journal... It seems like an "old man" thing to do, I know, but something about it brings about a sense of calm to me that can't be accomplished any other way. As great as it would have been to see snow on Christmas, I was grateful for a beautiful and sunny post-Christmas day.
I think the last time I saw so many geese and ducks on the lake was when I lived in Germany. My dad was in the army then and was stationed there when I was 3 years old to 5. So.... that was over ten years ago. NO..... twenty years ago! Something about my memories in Germany brings me to a different, almost ethereal, place. Back then, I didn't have a lot of places to call home, considering we were moving around so much due to my dad's job, but Germany, the way I look back on it now, was definitely the closest thing I had to that "home" feeling as a child.
My best Christmas memory was in Germany, when Santa (and a scarecrow-- I don't know if it's the culture, or if they couldn't come up with any other costume) came to the door with a brand new Safari Barbie. And then my dad came home not an hour later with the giraffe to match. The best part, I think, was when my parents started laughing at how unplanned it all was.
So, the park definitely reminds me of Germany. Maybe that's why I love it so much. Now, if I could just get Bella to stop eating the goose poop off the ground....
Today will hopefully be a momentous day when I can finally say everything is listed on etsy. Either today or tomorrow.
