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By:
Mary Cunningham,
on 7/15/2010
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Cynthia's Attic Blog
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After many decades, I still have fond memories looking back on my scout camp experience. I was probably 10 or 11—at that vulnerable age just shy of the terrible teenage years.
I went to camp two years in a row and the first year was, by far, the best. Although, the 2nd year taught me much more about life and relationships.
The first year, four of us friends who grew up together, went to school together and played sports together, resided for two weeks in a three-sided Gypsy Camp cabin. While there was some mild bickering amongst our quartet, we remained fiercely loyal to each other and pretty much stuck together. As I remember, we came in 2nd in the end-of-camp talent contest performing a skit to the tune of Junior Birdmen.
This is the way I remember it:
Up in the air Junior Birdmen
Up in the air upside down
Up in the air Junior Birdmen
Keep your noses off the ground
When you hear the doorbell ringing
And you have your badge of tin
Then you know, Junior Birdmen
That you sent your box tops in.
(If you have another version, please post it, or post your favorite camp song)
The 2nd year wasn't quite as much fun. We graduated to the next level; a full-size cabin with 8 scouts, one of which was the daughter of the head counselor. "Lynn" (not her real name - I'm afraid she'll find me and beat me up, again) was a real, uh...snot. It was either done her way or she ran to her mother to squeal on how mean we were being to her. Like the four of us who grew up together, "Lynn" had 3 life-long friends in the cabin with her. Only difference was, they couldn't stand her either.
As stressful as that was, I learned some valuable lessons:
1) Those in charge are not always kind to the masses.
2) Life is not always fair.
3) I'm never going to be able to get along with everyone.
4) I can rise above injustice and have fun in spite of disagreeable people.
So, to all you Junior Birdmen out there..."Keep your noses off the ground!"
I have no idea what that means, but it seems like a good way to end this blog post.
'Tween time-travel series, Cynthia's Attic.
Download the series on Kindle today!
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'The Kayak' is a novel published by Thistledown press. This novel was entertaining and a page-turner! It begins... "THE CHOPPY WAVES RISE AND FALL. My kayak bobs like a cork in the swirling waters of Georgian Bay." The first line enticed me to read the entire novel. It drew me in for more. Teresa, a sixteen year old, is bound to a wheelchair. Every summer she goes camping and kayaking. Her kayak is her freedom.
One day, she is out in the water during a storm and rescues a windsurfer named Jamie. Their relationship flourishes and she learns eventually that her insecurities can be conquered.
I give this novel four out of five books. It's a great read!
Stay tuned for the next review of the 'Silver Anklet'.
By:
Bill Kirk,
on 4/30/2010
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billkirkwrites
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April 30: “For today's prompt, write a letting go poem. The poem could be about letting go of a relationship; it could be about letting go of anger; it could be about letting go of a tree branch; or it could even be about, yes, letting go of this April challenge. There are so many things we can let go.“
Alas, the end has come to National Poetry Month and to the Poem A Day Challenge for April. Writing a "letting go" poem offers many paths. But in honor of squeezing yet another poem into a day, busy-ness came to mind. Today's offering is short and sweet because now I must get busy so we can leave for a weekend camping trip---lots to do. Busy, busy, busy....
Letting Go Of Busy
By Bill Kirk
Busy is as busy does.
So, why are we so busy?
Should busy bees our mentors be
And life be all a-tizzy?
Why not add a little sloth—
Try letting go of busy?
Moderation in all things
Will make you far less dizzy.
Guess I’ll kick back and enjoy
A few things I have missed.
But first I’d better check things off
My daily duty list.
From Matthew and Tall Rabbit, by Susan Meyer, Down East Books. I love painting shadows. This is one of my favorite.
By:
Bill Kirk,
on 3/21/2010
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Boys and rocks and water. What more do you need? There's something about that combination of ingredients that is unlike any other. The locations where the ingredients are combined may vary. But in the end when it comes to skipping stones, location is totally inconsequential.
This weekend, the location happened to be on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay---not bad as real estate goes. On Saturday morning a small but determined group of Sacramento Scouts ferried across from Tiburon to Ayala Cove on the island. With our backpacks securely strapped on, our party of 11 made the short hike to the Kayak Group campsite on the west side of the island. After setting up camp, the water's edge was calling and all in our group answered that siren's call.
The adults among us mostly enjoyed the momentary respite from the weekly grind as small, wake-driven waves lapped at the narrow rock-strewn beach. But the boys? Well, for anyone who might declare that imagination is dead, this day told a different tale. Each Scout became an instant expert in the fine art of stone skipping.
What makes a good skipping stone, anyway? Is it a particular rounded edge that cradles perfectly in the curve between index finger and thumb? Must it be thin and flat? How large should it be? Too heavy and the toss results in a resounding "SPLOINK!" Too small and whatever happens is just not very satisfying. And almost intuitively, all stone skippers know shape is important for a great skip. Yes, you can almost skip anything once. But to get the repeating hops across the surface in rapidly increasing succession takes a shape within certain generally accepted tolerance limits.
But, ultimately, a good skip doesn't just depend on the stone. It also requires the right speed and the right angle, both of which are totally in the hands of the skipper. There's almost nothing worse than wasting a good skipping stone on an insufficiently serious toss. Rarely will a casual approach to skipping earm the accolades of one's fellow skippers. But a good skip is pure joy.
However, much like the short-lived laurels awarded to ancient Olympians, a record breaking skipping toss is transitory and in the moment. Judging is instantaneous by those present and not subject to review. To witness a great toss is its own reward. In fact, even being lucky or attentive enough to see a great toss, sets one apart from those who might have missed it either because they weren't present or simply because they blinked or looked away at an inopportune moment. Yet even the declaration of a record-breaking toss is sufficient to lay down the gauntlet to all others who might attempt to best it.
And so, as boys have done for as long as there have been rocks and water, our Scouts followed suit on this March day on Angel Island, California. They joined all past, present and future skippers, bound in silent brotherhood, standing at water's edge, searching for just the right stone to fling with just the right speed, at just the right angle, hoping to catch the most air or the most bounces across the surface.
Such is the way of the stone skippers.
The Fossil Hunters by Marilyn Helmer, illustrated by Dermot Walshe is published by Orca Book Publishers. It is part of their ORCA ECHOES series for children seven to nine.
Here's an excerpt: "Kyle and I are too busy to play kid's games," said Marcus.
"Monopoly is not a kid's game," Shelley declared.
"Last Summer everyone played."
"So, go play with everyone else," said Marcus.
"Kyle and I are busy."
Shelley was mad and sad.
Three children are camping together during summer at Gray Rock Lakes. Shelley finds a fossil and Marcus wants to have it. Did Marcus take the fossil? Read and find out.
I enjoyed reading this book. I give it 4 books out of 5 books!
By: Becky,
on 10/12/2009
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Young Readers
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Ferber, Brenda A. 2009. Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire. FSG. 215 pages.
Tammy said we'd be best friends forever, and I believed her. I was standing on her driveway, squinting in the August sun. The moving truck had left, and Tammy's parents and older brother were already in their minivan. Tammy and I did our secret handshake, complete with butt bump and shimmy. We hugged and promised to call. Then Tammy climbed into the van, and they drove away. The Eriksons were moving to Chicago, only thirty minutes away by car from our life here in Deerfield. But when you were about to start fifth grade, anything further than a bike ride was another world.
It's almost been a year since Jemma said good-bye to her best friend, Tammy. Now the two are getting ready to go to summer camp together. And everything will be perfect again, right? Two girls, two best friends, everything falling
exactly into place, right? After all, how much can a girl change between fourth grade and sixth grade? Yes, these two sixth-graders-to-be are getting ready to reunite...but is Jemma ready for the new Tammy?
Six young girls in a cabin together for four weeks. What can go wrong?!
Jemma's summer may not be going according to the way she had planned it. But can Jemma learn to deal with life, to make the best of every circumstance?
I really liked this one. Jemma is not a perfect heroine. She makes mistakes now and then. But she's a heartfelt girl. And I could feel her pain and confusion. I understood her jealousies and insecurities. I felt like I could completely relate to her as a character. And I thought the other characters: Annie and Kat, Delaney, Brooke, and Tammy were all well-done too. Perhaps not as fleshed out as the heroine herself. But certainly more than two-dimensional.
© Becky Laney of
Young Readers
Despite a lot of ill-advised changes, there is still a lot to love about the festival and though it gets harder to justify the expense each year, we come home quite happy about it nonetheless. - The MusicThe biggie. Although each year is filled with it's fair share of acts that leave me feeling "Meh" and this year in particular, there seemed to be a lack of true bluegrass bands, the music is
Posted on 8/16/2009
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Time Machine, Three Trips: Where Would You Go?
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*Senior pranks can be cause for trouble within the school or law. Make sure the prank is appropriate and doesn’t harm any person, property, or animal. I am not held responsible for any of the punishment, damage, or any other causes of these pranks. Trespassing, vandalism, or any other crime is not acceptable in the process of carrying out a prank.
Fulfilling the Prank
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A great idea for a senior prank is to fill an office, classroom, gym, or car full of balloons, popcorn, packing peanuts, or any other item that consumes up space. This is a hilarious prank that is pretty harmless.
Dixie Cups
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This classic prank will also create problems within the school. Buy 700-1000 Dixie cups or how many you find appropriate. Fill them up with a little bit of water, but not to much. And place them all next to each other but very close so that you cannot step between the cups without knocking them down. Make sure you start on the opposite side of the room and make your way backwards toward the exit!
Bouncy Halls?
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Order and Buy thousands of bouncy balls, most likely online. Get a good group of friends and distribute them amongst each other. Plan out a certain time in the day where everyone is spread out throughout the school and then just make it rain bouncy balls! This prank would definitely cause chaos and confusion, but would be hilarious.
Saran Wrap
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An easy prank would be to saran wrap other student’s cars. Juniors would be the primary target seeing they are the other grade that can drive. Faculty may be a risky idea, but they would be an option. This may be one of the more expensive pranks, but it deserves to be on the list.
Forking
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Forking the school yard would be another senior prank. Students would go to a store and buy hundreds of forks, and during the middle of the night they would stick them into the school’s courtyard, lobby, or football field. This prank would be a risky one seeing that it could be considered vandalism. A vulgar message may cross the line.
Just Classic
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This classic prank is known all over. I don’t think I need to explain, but I will. Buy a bunch of toilet paper rolls and just go crazy. You can never buy too much toilet paper. Throw them all over the school’s building, trees, and anything else that works.
Camping Out
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This prank involves getting as many seniors as possible and camping out for a night in the parking lot or any other good area. This would be a fun prank that seems pretty harmless if everything goes right. Grilling out, chilling, and playing some sports would make this a fun night.
School for Sale?
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This prank involves putting as many for sale signs as possible in the front lawn of your school. This would be a pretty humorous prank not to mention harmless. Another option is to put a real estate ad in the local newspaper.
Vaseline Doors
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For this prank you need to get a group of seniors, and while class is in session this group needs to run around with numerous jars of Vaseline and rub it all over door handles and lockers. This will definitely cause students to be mad and will leave a mark in your school’s history.
Better Post-It Note It
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This final prank is pretty self-explanatory. You need to get a whole group of seniors and buy a bunch of post-it note packages. Then during school sometime or after when no one is in the hallways cover everything with post-it notes. Completely yellow-out the school hallway and it will look flawless.
We've spent the last week deep in the various wildernesses of Montana, attending a family reunion on my Mother-in-law's side of the family, slogging through Yellowstone National Park and spending an all too brief time at a set of rustic cabins in an area that will some day be discovered by Eastern explorers and incorporated into the United States. It was an interesting trip.We left bright and
Cover Art "Summer Fun"
Stories for Children Magazine (June 2009)
Watercolor
© 2009 Michelle Henninger
To view Michelle's portfolio go to:
www.michellehenninger.com
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By:
DIANE SMITH,
on 6/7/2009
Blog:
DIANE SMITH: Illo Talk
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A portrait of the artist as a multitude of cravings. As the saying goes: you are what you eat.
My effort with acrylic paints were slightly better this time. However, I was rather annoyed with the whole thing for a while into it. I have so much more of a grasp on drawing, but I'm still figuring out a lot of things with acrylics (and painting, in general). I had enough gumption to stick with it and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.
I think acrylics was a good medium to use on this subject, partly because of all the creamy frostings involved. By the end of it, I did have a better understanding of the medium and how I work with it:
1. I much prefer the heavy bodied Liquitex paints I have rather than the Grumbacher tubes which are more "runny." The Liquitex feel more like the thicker oils I was more used to in college.
2. The extender I have is pretty useless.
3. I'm beginning to like the quicker drying time - it serves my impatience well, allowing me to rework areas almost immediately and to utilize dry brush effects that I like.
4. I really need to invest in some better paint brushes.
I also fell back on the "easier for me" expressionistic color palette rather than taking the time to mix more natural colors. But the, sweets tend to be more colorful anyway. So, it works.
Anyway, my family arrived home from camping today. My oldest daughter made me a portrait of her own from nature as a present as today is my birthday.
Ah, I feel like a person again. It takes me a whole day to recover from one of those camping trips. I realized today that it’s not just the lost sleep, but that it takes time to shake off the stress off being in charge. Being a supremely unorganized person, the lead-up to these Girl Scout Encampments is torture. Packing for me, my two daughters, and the troop — remembering the forms, maps, special activities, and supplies — is exhausting. Once we’re there, I have a great time and I’m laid back about whatever happens. Someone falls in the river? Huge spider inside the tent? Inadvertently inviting a large and somewhat odd troop to join our campfire? Hey, teens can change clothes, spiders can be swept out, and prankster girls who decide to scream “Vampire!” at a passing troop learn their lesson when that troop thinks that they yelled “Campfire!” and comes to join them. We all had a good time in spite of the rain, but it was good to see flush toilets again. Really good.
Now, I didn’t get back to the Summer Blog Blast Tour yesterday, so today I’ve got both schedules. Looks like I’ve got a lot of interview reading to do today.
Monday’s SBBT Schedule:
Today’s SBBT Schedule:
Tomorrow I’ll have my interview with
Barbara O’Connor. At least one of my questions was close to that
Chris Farley sketch: “You know how you write these amazing books about small towns without giving the characters all these bizarre traits and you make your endings so real and satisfying at the same time? That’s awesome.”
I have to do a ridiculously abridged post because I need to be at work shortly, and yet cannot shirk my posting responsibility entirely. So...
From my Facebook update, I can let you know that I survived the camping trip. No rain the first evening and night. One thunderstorm the second afternoon, then rain the second evening and overnight. So, I’m seeing the rain gauge as half full.
From the Summer Blog Blast Tour, I can tell you that it starts today with many great author at many great blogs that I don’t have the time to list and code for you. In the meantime, I’ll point you to the master of ceremonies, Chasing Ray with the full schedule.
From the 48 Hour Book Challenge, sign-ups are going great and will continue up to the last minute... because “Last Minute” is my middle name. (Which makes filling out official forms a real bitch.)
And last minute is exactly how I’m leaving for work now.
After I got back from the Kidlitosphere Conference at 6:00 a.m. on Monday morning, and after a full week of work, blogging, and activities, I got to go to Girl Scout Camp. Oh joy.
Now I like nature, but mostly as viewed through a screened window — as God intended it.1 However, I make sure our troop goes camping because I believe that we should all stretch our comfort zones.
The first word I heard about the camp was not promising, but the trip was a wonderful experience. We kept a laid-back approach and gave the girls freedom to explore and fall — literally, in the actual creek water. Here’s our weekend in a series of haiku. (Oh, Anastasia’s got today’s Poetry Friday round-up.)
Mice? In the cabins?
You have to be kidding me.
Should have picked the tents.
Finally let loose.
teens buck sophistication
to play on the rocks.
Into our silence
the creek babbles, birds chatter
the forest leaves speak.
Taking off our shoes
The cold water feels so good
On our tired feet.
Nine middle-school girls
and three leaders in one room.
Sleep proves elusive.
Morning hike reward
a sun-dappled waterfall
Complete enchantment.
I don't want to brag but it's our 2-year anniversary today and I feel really lucky because I have the loveliest husband ever. For example, yesterday he went to the workroom to find the "single girl" Denyse Schmidt quilt pattern for me because he knew that's the one I was hoping to use for my next quilt. How sweet is that? Unfortunately it wasn't in stock in the shop yet, which made me realize how much I depend on Karyn for my craft supplies. I was sure I had seen it there. But of course I have lots of other projects to keep me busy in the meantime.
I like taking candid pictures of people, but it doesn't always work out... I got the impromtu smile but it's pretty blurry.So today I was thinking of what I should post for our anniversary and decided to show some pictures from our last camping trip in August.
This photo is pretty terrible too but I had to show you - we saw a bear! You really don't have a lot of time to compose the photo when you see a bear. I didn't even get the chance to zoom in so you can pretty much see how far away he was. I wasn't scared of him because he just seemed very slow and ambly (not a word - I mean ambling along-ish). Like he's had his main meal but was just sort of mildly interested in an extra snack. Luckily we're good campers and all the food was tucked away.
This is my favourite part of Kilbear where we were staying, the beach at Granite Saddle. It has this pretty grove of trees near the beach which is fairly small but rarely crowded.
The first day was a bit cloudy but we still did some swimming in case it was rainy on the next day. And this is what I like to do on the beach...
We're also big readers. We read at the campsite, on the beach, and in our hammock. I don't have a picture of it though because the only one (taken by Bradley) is me falling out of it. It wasn't very flattering.
But I will be brave and show you a picture of me:
Chipmunks are a-dime-a-dozen at our Canadian campgrounds, but I'm remembering that blogs are international so I'll show a picture of this small visitor. My friend Sogut is from Turkey and she was amazed when she first came to Toronto at all the "cute" squirrels everywhere. Just boring ordinary everywhere-you-look squirrels. It made me think.
And in the same vein, our lovely Canadian landscapes...
Because we did get that sunny day after all.
And one last picture, just to make Bradley laugh... Fifi and Francis getting ready to watch Dr. Who.
Happy Anniversary Bradley!
Where does the time go. I've had a little time of rest, but I've also had to get books and lessons together for the upcoming school year - lots of meetings to attend. There've also been several doctors appointments - I think I've had more blood drawn than should be allowed.
We went on our camping trip last week - about an hour and a half away in the Los Padres National Forest. Everyone - including the dog - was looking forward to it.
Manzana Creek ran by our campsite and the kids spent many hours splashing and keeping cool.
There were many frogs to catch (and the dog did her share of chasing tadpoles).
I did manage to spend a little time drawing some of the scenery and even a little frog who posed for me on top of a rock. It was hard to find as much time to draw as I would have liked with family hikes, meal preparation, etc. I brought watercolors along, hoping to do some color studies, but never got around to it.
I'll share some of the sketches I did next time as I haven't uploaded them yet.
Well, tomorrow is the first day of soccer games.
And so it begins...
Hi everyone! Just checking in briefly. We're getting ready to go on our camping trip this weekend and I hope to relax and do some drawing there.
It has been difficult to get to the studio recently. A big reason is now visible in my sidebar - we're expecting baby #4 due March 20. SURPRISE! That was probably my 4th choice of sidebar widget, but I couldn't get any of my favorites to work properly.
Anyway, one of the early pregnancy side effects I always have is extreme sleepiness. I feel OK first thing in the morning, but quickly hit a wall and have to lay down. I'm taking advantage of that while I can, before the school year gets underway.
I don't get morning sickness too bad - just a little queasiness and have to keep eating little snacks to feel better. Drawing has been a bit of a problem - something about being so focused close up and the motion of my hand. It's kind of like reading in a moving car. I guess that explains why my last drawing made me nauseous.
Of course, this might change the timeline as far as an illustration career goes. We'll see how it all unfolds!
(Click to enlarge!)
In the water...
And on land,
Alone...
Or surrounded by friends,
By day...
And by night,
We basked in God's good gifts!
---Nature, in the midst of His creation; fellowship, within a body of believers; prosperity and leisure, when many have nothing; and freedom, from war, and to worship Him publicly.
So much to rejoice in and be thankful for!
Right now, there are some things that I need to do around my home to prepare for the upcoming school year (coming too quickly). We're also going camping in a week, so we'll be away from technology for a little while.
I hope to be sketching and exploring some different avenues during this time. I just won't be posting anything.
Check back soon.
Blessings!
Hubby got his trees in the mail last week . . . the trees we order every year for the campground's Clean Up Weekend. For me, this rates right up there with getting new books in the mail!
Ellen (B's boyscout leader) and I asked Dave to show the troop how to properly plant a tree. We thought it'd be a great opportunity to teach them about conservation . . . . about how replacing trees that are damaged each year by foot traffic, tents set up between the sites, and cars backing over them, is an important ecological responsibility . . .
The boys (and one sister) thought it'd be a great opportunity to use a shovel, dig a knee deep hole with permission, and play in the water.
printed with parent's permission
We passed out trees to all our campers this weekend, and it's such a joy to see how eager the kids are to plant them! It warms my heart.
We had lots and lots of help this weekend in spite of the rain! Here's a before Clean Up weekend picture
And an after shot
One hundred thirty two sites, the roads, a playground, around the buildings and pool . . . . all raked in about three hours.
How lucky am I!???
AaBi and Roy
Benny & Jacob in the window BoBo fishing
Jacob fishing & Continental Divide
I understand that is a very weird title, but so much has happened since my last post. To bring you up to date, our little bitty baby is now up to 15 lbs. and so healthy and happy! Thank you God for answering prayers. Our other little granddaughter, Clyr is growing fast and now saying MaMa and Dada. We had a visit over the 4th of July from the boys, AaBi and Roy. We tried so hard to go camping but something came up all week and "we still didn't get to go camping!" That ended up being the motto for our entire week! It was chaotic, the house looked like it threw-up, and the 4th became a day to try to forget! Our son, Jon, was involved in the Kansas floods and had to flee as his house became submerged, he arrived here on the fourth with what he could put in his car and a dog and cat. Thankfully he works at WalMart and was able to transfer to Colorado. So at the present he is living with us until he can get back on his feet. So at one point during this chaotic week we had six adults, two children, and six animals living in our small home. The blessing was having two bathrooms - and the washer ran non-stop! Benny, our littlest grandson ate some meds and spent two days at the emergency room, the transmission went out on the kids car so they ended up staying a couple of days longer, our air-conditioner went out; the list is just to long to continue...plus I want to forget part of it!
But all-in-all, we had a wonderful time together and finally at the end of the week we managed to get to the mountains and go fishing, geocaching, and even had a bear encounter. I will add some pictures on a new blog tomorrow and expand on our bear encounter (and snake).
The time just flew by and I really wasn't ready for them all to leave, I seem to never get enough hugs and love from the kids. I desperately miss living by them and watching the boys grow up. If I had my way (see MomMo's Cobb house story) we would all live together on a working communal farm. Can you tell I grew up in the 60's??? HaHa!
I have been in a lot of pain recently, so part of the time they were here, I was a bit crabby. I'll admit it. (Does that make you laugh, AaBi?) I am having surgery on my cervical spine in Sept. so I am in a soft neck brace to stop further damage and support my neck. The doctor is going to fuse two vertebra together and try to fix another vertebra that is pressing on my spinal column and causing extreme pain in my neck, head, arm and even leg. I have had so many tests and MRI's that I am just ready to get this over with. The good news is...they did find a brain when I had a brain MRI and there wasn't a stroke! This is actually forcing me to use the headset at work when I answer the phone and my Blue tooth device with my cell phone. The scary thing is if I fall, had a wreck, or somehow damaged my neck further (before surgery) I could become paralyzed. I pray my angels are working overtime to help me not be so klutzy! My good friend from work (who's job I took over) had the very same problem and her surgery was on the 6Th of August. She is doing well. I do believe our work (station, ergonomically disastrous desk, lack of headphones and hundreds of calls a day contributed to this problem!) is responsible for where we are today. I am now a headset advocate for everyone at the college. I tell them they do not want to be a little old lady like me someday. Right now they are young and can cradle that phone and type or write when calls come into their department, but it will get you!!!
My 50th birthday is in a couple of weeks and I know I have been blogging about mortality and how fast time goes. Live each day to the fullest and be full of joy. Life is too short not to enjoy yourself. Laugh every day!
I stumbled across a two-year-old essay in the NY Times when I went looking for another Roz Chast cartoon. From the article “In a recent New Yorker cartoon by Roz Chast, a wild-eyed man behind a desk is talking on the phone. ''Mud-wrestle in my underwear on national TV while holding up a copy of my new book?'' he says. ''NO PROBLEMO!'' The caption above reads, '’Thomas Pynchon's Evil Twin.’”
The article talks about how it helps if writers are tireless self-promoters, drop-dead gorgeous, and already possess a platform.
I’m afraid it’s all still just as true today, if not more so. I don’t think you HAVE to have those things, but they certainly help. How else do you explain Ann Coulter?
You can read the article here.
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I love your stroll down memory lane and, boy, can I relate! Scouting was an amazing experience and you got to eat smores to boot!
My favorite song was "Make new friends but keep the old--one is silver and the other gold." I've thought of that many times now that I'm older and it's truer than ever!
Who could forget s'mores, Eileen! Definitely the best part of camping.
I look back on those days as memory-building and character-building.