Note: my son came up with the title of today's post.Grand Ledge, MI held its annual Color Cruise & Island Festival this weekend. Eager for a road trip, my son & I made the trip and took our turn down the Grand River on the Princess Laura riverboat.
The Ledges have played an important role in my life. I find peace there; my restless spirit is quieted the moment I see the Big Rocks. I could (and have) spent hours wandering through them, climbing waterfalls and drinking from the natural springs. The majestic beauty of the place never fails to bring a smile to my face and happiness to my soul.
Yesterday was no exception. We explored the vendor booths set up in Island Park, sampled fresh-pressed apple cider and warm kettle-korn, cooed over two adorable 7-month-old puppies
that some girls were carrying around, made a ring from a horseshoe nail, and even pet a llama (whose picture still makes me laugh!).
Despite the great fun to be had at the festival, we had to leave early to visit some family. We fell in behind a large family with a stroller, enjoying the general din that the kids were creating. I wasn't really listening to what they were saying until the oldest boy suddenly screeched, "YOU BOUGHT THE PUPPY!" Pandemonium broke out, and the child continued, "IT'S IN THE STROLLER, LOOK! THE PUPPY IS IN THE STROLLER!" Sure enough, there was the tiny black and white puppy we'd seen earlier in the park, hidden underneath a cozy fleece blanket in the stroller basket. As the pandemonium commenced, I turned to the mom and congratulated her on being the best mom ever! She smile broadly and told me that they had been considering a puppy for awhile, and the kids had all wondered why they had to leave the festival so soon after arriving. Her excuse was, "We've spent enough money already... don't worry, I promise you'll be happy with what we got," and indeed they were. I will never forget the look of sheer joy on the children's faces. Shawn & I were both thankful that we were a part of the celebration!
We had planned to see my brother in the afternoon to give him birthday hugs, but some sad circumstances involving his mother-in-law prevented our visit. Thoughts and prayers go out to his extended family in this sad and difficult time...
So we traveled a little further to see my parents, who were very happy to receive us! My dad and Shawn talked guy stuff and shot pellet guns while my mom helped me out with homeopathic remedies for my hip pain. We went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Mason, had Nutter Butter cookies and coffee for dessert and watched my parents' crazy dog Maggie show off her latest tricks. She's quite the stinker, that one - my parents have their hands full!
The hour grew late and it was time to say goodbye, but the day is imprinted in our memories as one of the best we've had in a while!
