July 4th, 2020, was wonderful, despite all the social changes we have all experienced because of COVID-19.
Our day began like many others, dragging out late, because of staying up the night before to watch a movie. The movie was the Broadway production of Hamilton, aired on Disney+. Wish I could say I loved it, but I just didn't, not sure I even liked it. But I really wanted to.
Our morning was filled with the usual, tidying up the house, fixing breakfast, and tending to our many pets. At this point in time, we have a pond full of koi and goldfish, 12 tortoises of varying breeds and sizes, and 2 young gosling. We acquired the goslings 4 weeks ago. I will do a full post later on the goslings-as they are the highlight to this summer.
By early afternoon we were bored, and Ryan and I wanted to make the day memorable and special. We'd planned to make dry-ice root beer and cake for dinner- but what to do in the middle of the afternoon? In past years we have invited friends over to BBQ and swim. But this year, we had chosen to isolate. Ryan wanted to go on our usual hike up in the Hualapai Mtns., 20 minutes from our house, but I didn't really want to hike and felt like doing something a little different. I suggested we go discover a new place--maybe Pine Lake.
Ryan agreed and thought we should take the goslings to swim in the lake! The kids were beyond thrilled!
We loaded 3 kids, gear, and 2 young goslings in the back of the pick-up truck and took off. We got up to where Pine Lake was supposed to be and learned it was private and mostly just a mud puddle.
Disappointed--and wanting water for the geese- Ryan remembered a little pond and creek about 30 miles from Kingman that he and Jace went to for Father and Sons a few years ago.
Water in this part of the desert is really hard to find!
We took I-40 east about 25 miles to the Silver Springs exit then turned off. When the paved road ended, we were greeted by a bumpy and dusty dirt road that proved interesting and fun! It's not everyday you are greeted by a herd of grazing cows that are annoyed you want them to move off the road. They mooed and flipped their tails in annoyance--but did move as we crept towards them.
Miles later, with geese quacking their disaproval of the bumpy road-we came to this small, round culvert that ran under the I-40. Ryan, relieved and delighted he had remembered how to find it, exclaimed--this it it--right through here.
What! Was he kidding?! We were a bit panicked. It was small and long and bats (which turned out to be birds in mud nests) were flying out of it as we got closer. I thought he was kidding, but he drove us right through with no problems and found a place to park.
Our geese are needy and clingy and follow close by; and quack loudly when they fall behind. Jace and I are totally smitten. They followed him through the thick brush and down to the water's edge. A tiny creek--but full of minnows!
The geese were thrilled! They waded and grazed on the grass.
We followed the creek a good 1/2 mile downstream. When we came to places where little ponds had formed, we stopped for the geese to cool themselves in the clear water.
What a beautiful place it was!
And how pathetic the creek would be to our mid-west and Eastern friends! But to us--a little desert gold mine.
We finally rested on this big rock and had water and snacks. And Ryan found a tiny toad! We also saw two-yes--2!!- snakes. One was sunning itself on a rock and climbed a tree when it saw us coming. I then imagined snakes falling on us as we went through the bush. It was lovely.
It was getting late, and we were getting hungry for homemade root-beer, tacos and cake.
We got home by 8:00PM. We rushed to throw dinner together, and the root-beer. We always go see the city fireworks at 9:00.
This was our first time making dry-ice root-beer! It was super easy, quick, and fun! I think this will be a tradition from now on.
We then rushed across town to see the fireworks. I LOVE sitting in the back of the truck for the firework display. If you don't own a truck, this is the reason to get one--fireworks and off- roading in the desert! Wonderful evening pastimes. This year the fairgrounds were closed, so we found our own secluded spot. It was perfect! We always play patriotic music over the truck's sound system. So we watched a beautiful display of color while listening to God, Bless America, The Star Spangled Banner, and many other favorites.
Home by 9:40pm---we began making our own display of fire. We haven't lit fireworks in our own yard in years! We always get home super late from the fireworks because of traffic at the fairgrounds-and we feel so tired after hosting friends all day--so we don't do it-and Ryan usually has to be to work the next day. But because of home church--what was the rush for bed this year?
Jace was our official lighter of the fireworks. A job he will happily keep for the next four-five years until he'll leave on a mission....sniff......sniff......
I dished everyone up a slice of this delicious strawberry and whipped cream cake- to enjoy during our fireworks. And it was really yummy! And cute!
Then the girls danced with sparklers to more patriotic music.
We cleaned up and all cuddled up on the couch for a viewing of Independence Day Resurgence!! The girls weren't fans and left to do do their own things, but the rest of us made it through with eyes still open until we crawled into bed around 12:30AM.
It was a wonderful day, and my heart was filled with gratitude once again for our wonderful country in which we live. Despite all our Nation's turmoil at this time, we still live in the greatest country on earth-and I am trying to teach my children to know this and to honor and respect her.
Words to a Favorite Hymn of Mine:
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
On an unassuming day in mid- June, Gracie and I snuggled up on the white couch in our living room to complete another lesson in her Good and The Beautiful homeschool language arts curriculum. I love this curriculum, but that is beside the point. The point is, we read Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling. I had never read this tale in it's original unabridged form. It left us longing to have a baby duck or swan to put in our koi pond in the backyard. 
We were entranced. They brought so much life to the yard. We love our tortoises, but they want us to ignore them, and tend to be on the quiet side. These babies were needy and noisy. They cried if we left their side. How endearing! We had to take shifts baby- sitting them. 
and then hallelujah for nap time. By then we were exhausted keeping the babies happy.
With all things cancelled for the summer of COVID-this was the perfect pastime. 
At first they slept in a large Rubber made bin in the garage and swam in this water fountain during the day . But everyday, they were noticeably larger. 
So, the kind Dr, who didn't, and doesn't want geese, lent us his strength to help us lift rock and dig a large hole.
And just like that the sun sets on childhood, and all we have left are the memories. And what lasting memories I hope to create in the wake of my childrens' childhoods. 
