If you’re like me, you’re thinking, huh, what vacation?
When I was a kid, my parents took me and my brother on some wonderful excursions. Not every year, but as often as they could. One year we went to Disneyland and up the west coast. In other years we went to the Grand Canyon, DisneyWorld, Washington, DC, the Bahamas, and even Hawaii.
At the time, I never appreciated the effort it took to treat us to such fabulous adventures, but now I understand the expense and struggle they underwent to make us happy. That was love!
My husband and I traveled quite a few miles too. It was usually for a specific reason– pilot examiner training in Oklahoma, a possible move to another state, or weekend motorcycle rallies. However, we did goof every once in a while and had some pleasurable two-wheeled rides through the mountains of Virginia. I will always treasure those pleasant memories.
Reminiscing reminded me it’s been a while since I had a vacation. So, during the next week or so, I plan on taking a day off and spending it at the Lumber River State Park with my dog, Tiger. It’ll be sort of a one-day working vacation. We’ll spend the cooler morning hours exploring the local landscape noting how many bumble bees join us in investigating the native vegetation. I’ll record how many we see, catch, photograph, and identify for the Xerces Society’s Bumble Bee Atlas. It’ll be fun, and we’ll be doing something beneficial. And Tiger will get a kick out of watching me run around trying to capture the little buzzing things with a net. A picnic lunch will follow our adventure, and then maybe we’ll chill out for a couple of hours under a shade tree next to the river.
Nowadays, that’s the closest I’ll get to taking a vacation. But then again, what’s wrong with my little mini-getaway? Why should I have to travel somewhere far away in order to have a relaxing time? Actually, I think spending a day with my trusty four-legged companion at a quiet, peaceful nearby park is much better than going to the beach surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of tourists.
I’m not one for anything elaborate. I prefer to make my holiday simple and inexpensive. I can have fun doing anything I want or do nothing at all. It doesn’t take anything fancy, just me and my furry friend doing something we enjoy.
In Patchy and Calico’s Summer Vacation, I guess I subconsciously used that philosophy in the stories I made up for the two friends during their summer vacation. They spend a day at the beach, go camping, and visit a circus – typical summer activities. But, of course, Patchy’s curiosity turns everything inside out. His quest for adventure results in all kinds of trouble for the mischievous duo as they come nose to claw with a fiddler crab, meet an unfriendly bear, and accidentally join the circus.
You’ll have to read the stories to find out how they get out of the sticky situations. Their misadventures will bring a smile to your face and entertain the young ones while everyone’s sitting around a campfire. Just make sure there aren’t any hungry bears hanging around looking for a lost dog and cat.
When I was a kid, my parents took me and my brother on some wonderful excursions. Not every year, but as often as they could. One year we went to Disneyland and up the west coast. In other years we went to the Grand Canyon, DisneyWorld, Washington, DC, the Bahamas, and even Hawaii.
At the time, I never appreciated the effort it took to treat us to such fabulous adventures, but now I understand the expense and struggle they underwent to make us happy. That was love!
My husband and I traveled quite a few miles too. It was usually for a specific reason– pilot examiner training in Oklahoma, a possible move to another state, or weekend motorcycle rallies. However, we did goof every once in a while and had some pleasurable two-wheeled rides through the mountains of Virginia. I will always treasure those pleasant memories.
Reminiscing reminded me it’s been a while since I had a vacation. So, during the next week or so, I plan on taking a day off and spending it at the Lumber River State Park with my dog, Tiger. It’ll be sort of a one-day working vacation. We’ll spend the cooler morning hours exploring the local landscape noting how many bumble bees join us in investigating the native vegetation. I’ll record how many we see, catch, photograph, and identify for the Xerces Society’s Bumble Bee Atlas. It’ll be fun, and we’ll be doing something beneficial. And Tiger will get a kick out of watching me run around trying to capture the little buzzing things with a net. A picnic lunch will follow our adventure, and then maybe we’ll chill out for a couple of hours under a shade tree next to the river.
Nowadays, that’s the closest I’ll get to taking a vacation. But then again, what’s wrong with my little mini-getaway? Why should I have to travel somewhere far away in order to have a relaxing time? Actually, I think spending a day with my trusty four-legged companion at a quiet, peaceful nearby park is much better than going to the beach surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of tourists.
I’m not one for anything elaborate. I prefer to make my holiday simple and inexpensive. I can have fun doing anything I want or do nothing at all. It doesn’t take anything fancy, just me and my furry friend doing something we enjoy.
In Patchy and Calico’s Summer Vacation, I guess I subconsciously used that philosophy in the stories I made up for the two friends during their summer vacation. They spend a day at the beach, go camping, and visit a circus – typical summer activities. But, of course, Patchy’s curiosity turns everything inside out. His quest for adventure results in all kinds of trouble for the mischievous duo as they come nose to claw with a fiddler crab, meet an unfriendly bear, and accidentally join the circus.
You’ll have to read the stories to find out how they get out of the sticky situations. Their misadventures will bring a smile to your face and entertain the young ones while everyone’s sitting around a campfire. Just make sure there aren’t any hungry bears hanging around looking for a lost dog and cat.
Get your copy of Patchy and Calico’s Summer Vacation
Book two in the Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat series
Print - https://www.amazon.com/Patchy-Calicos-Summer-Vacation-Patchwork/dp/1479125962/
Kindle - (Free on Kindle Unlimited) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UDGKWG/
Universal link - http://viewbook.at/pandcsummervacation
Book two in the Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat series
Print - https://www.amazon.com/Patchy-Calicos-Summer-Vacation-Patchwork/dp/1479125962/
Kindle - (Free on Kindle Unlimited) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UDGKWG/
Universal link - http://viewbook.at/pandcsummervacation
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