"All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was."
~Toni Morrison
So, it has been a crazy week. The beginning of the semester always is! And this year it was more crazy because my oldest started his Sr. Year in high school and my youngest started Kindergarten. And I work at a University so my life has been insane. My intention at the end of this week was to write a blog about education in America. That will come later in the weekend and I am going to go back to my vacation.
We spent a week in New Hampshire exploring along the Pemigewasset river. A week later, Irene hit! I was watching news reports about Campton and the Turkey Jim Bridge and the campground we spent a week at. I am amazed by the fact that my five-year-old walked along in this river - searching for minnows & tadpoles (directly under the covered bridge). We walked over those bridges, I drove over the car bridge.
I have spent summers in these mountains for as long as I can remember. As a child I too chugged along these river beds and searched for small animals that swam near the surface. I so fell in love with the mountains and the river that I moved to New Hampshire in my 20s. My oldest son was born there. I started my College career at Plymouth State - and sometimes after classes I would walk along the river or go swimming just to relax. But this just reminds us that "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!" And boy has Mother Nature been angry lately - floods, eathquakes, drought, fires. My husband says that these are patterns in nature and weather that have occured many times over the years. My response usually is something like .... that's nice, doesn't mean I have to like it!
I have spent summers in these mountains for as long as I can remember. As a child I too chugged along these river beds and searched for small animals that swam near the surface. I so fell in love with the mountains and the river that I moved to New Hampshire in my 20s. My oldest son was born there. I started my College career at Plymouth State - and sometimes after classes I would walk along the river or go swimming just to relax. But this just reminds us that "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!" And boy has Mother Nature been angry lately - floods, eathquakes, drought, fires. My husband says that these are patterns in nature and weather that have occured many times over the years. My response usually is something like .... that's nice, doesn't mean I have to like it!
So, below are the photos I took on our vacation - when the rivers were calm and the bridges in one piece. I will get into deep philosophical observations on another day.
I've been dying to start a wildflower garden at our house...those pics made me want it even more!
ReplyDeleteI'd really love to visit New Hampshire - beautiful area =)
ReplyDeleteI know these are all just weather patterns, but I agree with you that it seems like Mother Nature is mad these days!
I remember the start of a new term well from my four decades in schools both teaching and working in teacher education - so I can empathise with you - especially as you have family/children responsibilities. Your comments too about the effect of Irene on your part of the world are also a timely reminder of how small we all are in the face of nature.
ReplyDeleteNext year, my wife and I are (hopefully) planning to spend a few weeks in the western states - doing the tourist thing - Grand Canyon, LA, Yosemite etc. and the following year doing the eastern seaboard - especially Washington, Boston, Gettysburg and the like - I might be asking you for advice as to where we should visit to sample some of your lovely countryside.
Enjoy the new term, or as you say, semester.
Thank you, Leann, for your comments on my taxation blog - but don't get too envious about Sherwood Forest it really isn't terribly special! I'm sure that many people who visit from other countries must go away slightly disappointed - but perhaps familiarity has bred contempt!
ReplyDeleteAnd if my wife and I ever do get to your side of the pond you might regret your very kind offer!
Best wishes - have a good week.