After that, on to Grandpa Shorty's farm, where the kids roamed the yard, investigating the heifers and taking turns on the swings. More stories shared - did you know that the farm house where Grandpa raised his family had no running water when he bought the farm? Did you know that Grandpa dug out the basement of that house, to make room for a furnace? (Reminds me of when Nana told me about her dad digging a basement in the house she lived in as a girl.) So, while Grandpa shared stories with David and me, our kids were out and about, making new stories of their own. At one point, Archer ran into the kitchen and asked for a plastic container. To catch fireflies. Who is this kid? He's afraid of bugs!
Something about the country air changes a person, my kids began the quick transformation from city to country kids and as they ran in and out of the house, showing off their prizes (captured fireflies), I was so happy to be in this place of stories. Stories from our past, creating stories for my kids to tell their kids someday, stories for their future.
The next day the story-making continued, Dad took us to Hidden Valley for a little fishing trip. Archer caught about a hundred (or maybe just fifteen) little bluegills and sunfish, David caught a nice sized large mouth bass, and I caught a lot of seaweed. A lot. When I got tired of cleaning the weeds off the lures, I announced that we were done and we went back to Grandpa's to see what E and Shell had been up to with Grandma. Of course, E had no clothes (too HOT!) and the kids faces were red from running around outside. More snacks, more visiting, and then David and I came home. The kids stayed behind for a few more days of fun. And story making.