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Today is my birthday. I tried to think of all the birthdays I remembered and I could come up with only a handful, most of which involved parties when I was little. Which led me to thinking about the ordinary days of life and how many of those I remember. You know, now that I am so old. Out of 365 days a year for oh so many years, there really are only those few that stick out each year over time, and maybe that’s sad or maybe that’s the way life is meant to be because we move on. But there are days that are worth remembering, even if they are ordinary. Maybe especially if they are ordinary.
I want to remember yesterday, the first really lovely spring day, and how Princess came home and said, “I’m going to walk down to the river and swim.” And how she could, because we live on a farm by the river.
She jumped right in, clothes and all, to that old swimming hole that her grandfather jumped in when he was a boy.
It’s deep, and for a hundred years and probably more there has always been a rope hanging from a tree over that swimming hole.
She took our big overgrown puppy, Bluebell, with her. Bluebell’s scared of the water so she barked at it.
Across the river is my great-grandfather’s new house. Okay, so it’s the house that was built on the spot that was my great-grandfather’s house, but I like to call it my great-grandfather’s new house. Cuz, you know, it’s still his farm, even if somebody else owns it now and built him a new house there.
See how the river turns shallow really quick when you come out of the swimming hole? Princess is walking the river.
And there’s the river ford where I drowned my car a few months ago. Looks benign now, doesn’t it?
And what is that?
Well. It looks like my car. Okay, so I drove down the driveway instead of walking down. Maybe it was the walking back up part that put me off. Or maybe, just maybe, there is a cosmic reason, understood by the Universe alone, that I drove my car down the driveway……
Oh, look! (Distraction tactic.) There is the old one-room schoolhouse where my grandmother taught. My father went to school there to eighth grade.
Wait, forget that! Princess has dragged the dog-who-is-scared-of-water into the river. This can’t be good.
Bluebell manages to escape–to the wrong side of the river.
And the chase is on.
Up and down the road and around my great-grandfather’s new house.
Until I realize why I drove my car down the driveway and I go back to it and drive it across the river ford to bring home my bedraggled overgrown puppy.
Those ears aren’t so perky now, are they, missy?
It’s going to be a long first spring and summer on the farm.
Thank goodness.
:smile:
I sure hope you are winning the contest. With your dedication, you deserve it - 
6:41
am
you will remember this birthday for years to come as the first bday you spent on your farm. nothing compares to country livin’…no matter what all those city folk say!
6:53
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6:55
am
Suzanne – Happy Birthday to you. Hopefully this one you will remember for years to come – its the first one in you new farm house!
How are the chicken eggs coming along?
Tell Princess – she looks like she’s having so much fun down there at the river swimming hole.
Patricia
6:58
am
:birthday2:
Have a beautiful birthday!!!
7:01
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7:12
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There is NOTHING better for a kid than a good ole swimming hole and a rope to swing from – she will be in there for hours come the hot summer.
What a beautiful river/creek –
Did you meet your deadline? or did they give you a little break with all the stuff that has been going on for you?
Its rain/snowing here today…. so that green grass makes me SO ENVIOUS!!! but happy for you!!!
7:15
am
I can’t believe that water was warm enough to swim in!
-Kim
7:34
am
Well enjoy the day, eat cake, stand on your big proch and sigh and know how wonderful it all is.
sara
7:35
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7:40
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…sit back and soak it in….you’re on the farm now!
Cheers, for a great day!
…wonderful post.
7:54
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8:09
am
With a birthday gift to yourself, a farm, how can it not be good?! :birthday1:
Seeing Princess in the river brings back so many memories.
I grew up in Elkview within walking distance from the Elk River. Oh the memories!
Have a great day! :birthday2:
8:09
am
“Love and be loved!”
Amelia in Oklahoma
8:15
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8:16
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Love ‘N Stuff,
Sandy N.
8:18
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8:29
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Jen
8:35
am
I am so envious of your property, the view and the history you have there! So great for the kids…I grew up on 40 acres and a big creek with high banks….that is what I remember about my childhood days….and of course at the time I totally did not appreciate it…I was in the creek because I was so bored! ha…but actually once I was out there with my Border Collie, Frisky, we would spend hours…many a days were spent catching tadpoles!
Tresh
8:37
am
Really, that’s a river???? (okay so I’ve lived next to the Mississippi my whole life) What fun to just be able to go and jump right in!
8:40
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8:42
am
Thank you, everyone, for the birthday wishes!
8:49
am
BTW… how warm IS it there!!!???
8:56
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9:23
am
Secondly, was that rive not freezing col??? :drowning:
9:29
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9:33
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10:08
am
Birthday’s were not celebrated when I was a child. No party, no presents, the only thing that set it apart was that mother cooked your favorite meal and there was always a cake of some kind. Nothing decorated, just your favorite kind.
It wasn’t until my kids came along that I started having birthday parties for them. These usually consisted of family members.
Now my grandchildren get parties and lots of presents and sometimes celebrate their birthdays multiple times.
10:28
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10:29
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11:00
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I love the swimming hole and the arrival of spring. Yay!
11:22
am
We are having about 30 degrees below normal temperatures here, and the Mississippi looks big, scary, and not even warm enough to dip a toe in. The little creek in our village is roaring along, full of spring melt and rain.
I want spring, okay? And more about the cosmic reason, or am I just reading too much into it all?
11:27
am
12:00
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :birthday2:
1:40
pm
Love all the green. I was just noticing today that everything was FINALLY gettig green…because of the late ‘winter’ we’ve had. I picked a few newly blossomed flowers for my kitchen table, before the in-coming storm beat them to death. Speaking of the storm…I hear rumbles…I’d better get off.
Again…happy birthday.
Blessings from Ohio…
1:52
pm
In Idaho we still have snow on the ground, so swimming in a river doesn’t sound fun at all right now!
2:02
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2:15
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The river looks great, but I’m too old to get in water until it’s a bit warmer. Thanks for sharing your home, friends & family and life with us on the web.
2:49
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Just to let you know I laughed at the picture of the dog in the car! *G*
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3:31
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I envy weather warm enough to swim. It sure isn’t where I live.
3:35
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Have a wonderful birthday! I love all the green. It’s warm here today (Chicago) but not nearly as warm and green as it is by you.
I hope you get some nice birthday surprises, especially since it’s your very first birthday in your new house! A day to remember.
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8:01
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What a nice post today, I could pretend I was right there with Princess in that swimming hole. It looked so refreshing!
8:28
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:birthday2:
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11:44
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:birthday2:
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1:34
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Happy Birthday!!
I SO enjoy your blog..one country girl to another…I can so relate to the things you write about. Love the swimmin’ hole and we have a few crossings like that too!
You make my day!
10:40
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8:20
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What a cute pup and I love the stories you share. The land is sooo pretty!