Perfectly Mad

We (the children and I) went out on a search for tadpole eggs.. or are they frog eggs... yes. Anyway, we did not find any yet, but I have a feeling with a sharp eye and our determination we will find a successful mud hole (or in our current case, drainage ditch).

We heard a rumor from our good friend Sue, that a duck was guarding her hatching nest by the lake last night, so we decided to investigate. Low and behold the rumor was true. All ducklings were hatched except 4 that I suspect will not. We spent a good hour trailing the little duck family, 8 ducklings in all. How fun it was to watch my little ones following and mimicking her little ones. Then momma duck decided to cross the road to take her crew for a swim. We noticed as they all took the leap off the curb that there was a special little runt in the group that could not make it and was straggling further and further behind. I know, I know, I happen to be a believer in nature takes her course and the fittest survive, but my little ones were terrified as they heard the baby quacking desperately for its' momma. She was quacking for it too, but with no apparent intent to come back. So, I caved to the pleading and scooped said runt into my hands to transported it to the lake. After a while of playing catch up, it was reunited with family.

At the lake we saw fish and many many fish bones on shore from leftover bird dinners. A & B were seeing who could find the largest, most intact skeleton, and then threw them all back into the water.

The lake.... what fond memories I have of 'my' lake in Spring... actually year round. I miss 'my' lake like my dearest and oldest friend. It was always there waiting on me to enjoy... with crowds of people or very often all to myself. Sleeping all night there just for lack of reason to return inside. How I ache for this gift for my family. It seems like a side of me that is completely absent.

Back to our adventure today, we saw a black snake and studied it for a long while with lots of questions/answers.... I know we will have to do a proper study of them now. I wet an appetite for these creatures. Mesmerizing how the forked tongue flickers so. The snake was ever so polite to stay still enough for us study and yet move around enough for us to see it in action. He was sitting atop some bushes so it was a perfect level for curious eyes. He was about 2.5 feet long & skinny. We determined he was on a hunt for those before mentioned duck eggs.

Tired, hot, & thirsty, we returned to our dorm to find a group of musicians playing out in our square. Not just any musicians, but a cello, violin, & guitar. Now, violin and guitar we've seen before, but never have they seen a cello up close and causal. We stopped and asked if we could watch and listen for while. It was beautiful... especially amongst the breeze & trees. A gift. I like to point these gifts out to myself simply because I want us to have a more rural home... someday. But I LOVE the fact that my kids are learning different cultures from people all around our planet. People, not that they meet, but that they have relationships with are from Columbia, England, Haiti, Africa. This is something I hope they treasure and will create an appreciation for others.

The 'mad' part of the post title??? The day is perfect with plans for a bike ride journey tonight.... BUT I have not one picture of all the waddling, snake spotting (what wonderful posing he did), and fish from our adventure.