spring
Spring is right around the corner. This semester is halfway over and I'm just getting into the swing of things. Lately I've been sick non-stop and I'm really just tired of being tired. I need something to look forward to. It was this time of year when I was little that I would start preparing myself for the next camping trip. Oh how I miss that. Sitting under the stars with my favorite people, beginning to feel the sunburn on my face from spending the day on a boat. Smelling like bug spay. Starving after playing and finding that an olive loaf sandwich with too much ketchup and a chocola really hits the spot. Flip flop blisters between my toes, wearing my bathing suit wet or dry all day long and not caring what I looked like in it. Being dusty and dirty until the next time I jumped into the lake. Giggling in the tent with Sharlie long after the flashlights were out and having someone shush us only to start giggling some more late into the night. Sleeping until noon. The freedom to wander around in the woods chasing salamanders, chipmunks or anything else that sparked an interest. Listening to Uncle Jack's ghost stories, having Aunt Jane paint my toenails. Learning how to play euchre by lantern light. Acting tough enough to hang out with the boys or big enough to talk with the adults. Making luxury living room arrangements out of sleeping bags in our tent and having Aunt Marilyn and Uncle John lounge around in there with Shar and I. Having that one inevitable rainy day where we all crammed together under the food tent. My Dad giving me $5 to get something from the campstore, usually a fuzzy raccoon bank, and snagging me everyonce in awhile to give me a hug. My Mom and Jamie, more relaxed than ever sitting in lawn chairs soaking up a good book. Jason perfecting his dance moves and learning how to waterski. Uncle Scott turning the boat so sharp that we all get splashed, and Sharlie sleeping through the whole thing. Aunt Donna making sure I'd eaten and slathering me with sunblock now and then. Seeing how happy Grandma and Grandpa were together. Him giving a tutorial to Johnny, Jeff, and Michael about how to clean the catch of the day. And her frying it up on a 20 year old electric skillet. And me watching the whole thing only to reinforce that an olive loaf sandwich hits the spot. Wearing Grandma's adorable sun hats and posing for pictures. Getting early birthday presents on the last day. Making a thousand memories that stand out beyond anything in my childhood. Camping for me was so much more than roasting marshmallows, I can't even describe it. But I wish I were there right now, I can almost hear the crickets chirping.