A Second Chance at a Last Day

"Sage got to the creek and laid down his water baskets, letting them soak and expand in the shallow water's edge. It was a warm day, and he splashed the cold water over his face, arms and head. If he caught at least six fish, he reasoned, he would allow himself a long swim in the hole before heading back up the steep mountain. Watching the water carefully, Sage began tracking the fishes below the surface. He concentrated so hard at becoming one with the fish that the rest of the world didn't matter. One by one, Sage pulled fish out of the creek. He had just caught his sixth fish when his senses alerted him to something moving toward him from the woods. Bear! The bear hadn't yet seen him, though he knew it could smell him. The bear might have been coming for a drink or perhaps to fish as well. But it was acting rather strangely and moving fast. It didn't take long for Sage to realize that this was the bear his brothers and father had been tracking. A faint bird call let Sage know he was correct. It was his father's signal. He had to move..."

In the end, I decided to do a "make-up day" so that we could have a proper closing to our first session of Poppy Mountain. It turned out to be a beautiful day in many ways. The children were captivated by the story of Sage and the bear. Working with clay was so satisfying . And, the weather was perfect for a trip to the swimming hole, which everyone was so excited to do.

I am getting into the groove, and allowing the rhythms to carry me through the afternoons. It's a lovely creative process for me, and a lot of work as I find my way managing a program in my home and with my own children. I am grateful for the children who came to me as I began this adventure. I'm also looking forward to growing and stretching, and welcoming more children as the summer unfolds. The second session of Poppy Mountain begins next Tuesday, so stay tuned. Until then...