Life in the Slow Lane

 

January has brought with it some days with absolutely nothing on the calendar

and I have selfishly appreciated time for reading, napping and spontaneity,

even though, at the end of the day,

the Mennonite girl in me has a difficult time

with the feeling of not having accomplished something.

Could it be that sometimes it is more about what happens in my heart

than by my hands?

 The other night we dropped in on our little family, now living at the missionary house,

 and I asked Paeton when he wanted to come for breakfast.

Being homeschooled right now, his teacher can be flexible. 

So, on Friday Chris dropped him off at eight in the morning

 and he joined me and Doris on our walk.

 

 

It was a gorgeous morning to be on the trails looping Fishtrap Creek.

 

 

The sun, coming up, created a golden halo over the treetops.

 

Paired up mallards and other ducks . . . the names of which Doris knew . . .

looked like they were enjoying the promise of Spring.

We sighted an eagle perched high on a  poplar,
a heron who took off when he heard us . . .

 

as well as telltale signs of a beaver having been around.

One creature we would have loved to see was the turtle.

I thought that maybe he would appear as a unique gift on this day

. . . just for a boy who loves them.

But . . . I guess he is still in hibernation.

When we got home it was high time for breakfast
and so we made "sugar roll up" pancakes at his request.

He cracked the eggs and used the beater to mix them.

I made a few with  the Dutch apple variation . . . my favorite.

After breakfast, I got out a new book and he read for me.

 

As to the surprise I had waiting for him . . .
it made up for what we missed on our walk.

I enjoyed this morning in the slow lane
and the fact that there is still room for stuffies in his life.

Somehow I get the feeling that this day and this tortoise will travel far!