OUTDOORGEOUS.COM

Winter Kayaking Adventure

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:54:00 GMT

A report of rain by early afternoon gave me a time line for a winter kayaking adventure. The bright blue sky begged to differ. It was not warm, but required just a couple layers to make us comfortable. My companion was my four year old son, Cody. He got a couple bites on his Spiderman fishing pole. His pole bobbed. He tried to set the hook, but then... nothing. So, he reeled in his bait to check for any evidence of a bite. Out again, his line was trolling behind us. The excitement of the bites were enough to satisfy my little fisherman.

In the distance, across the lake, I could see the dark clouds that had been in the weather guesser's report, as we affectionately call our local meteorologists. Our calm water transformed into a more aggressive entity that seemed to be telling us that it was time to paddle back to the cove for departure. I dug my paddle into the water, propelling us in the direction of the cove. Cody laughed and cheered as a rolling wave splashed onto the bow of the kayak. He hollered for me to paddle faster, wanting a larger splash yet. I wanted to reach the safety of the cove with its water smooth as glass. With improved effort I did as he requested. We seemed to stay that much more above the water the faster I paddled, and so his plead for speed continued. As we coasted into the cove, Cody, exclaimed, "That was the best fun ever!" . He had no fear in the rough water. The adversity was taken on joyfully. This is the life lesson I will take from such a memorable outing, an outdoorgeous adventure.

Fishing in the Rain

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:45:00 GMT

Fishing in the Rain

They say you can tell a lot about a girl when it rains on her wedding day. It seems to me that you can also tell a lot about a girl when it rains and she keeps on fishing. Bringing the kids out fishing on a less than optimal day for weather and potential for actually doing any “catching”, I wondered how the outing would turn out. Bryan and I got the kids’ poles ready. Bryan and Cody fished together and Gracie and I walked down the dock a little way and threw our lines into the water. The mist changed to rain. Gracie smiled and swung her feet below her. She talked about what the fish might be doing under water and how big they might be. We discussed, with the whisper of rain falling around us, how fun it was to go fishing as a family, the ducks swimming by out ahead of us, and how worms get their nutrients from the soil. Gracie’s naturally curly hair spun into ringlets as it became saturated. Joy came over me as I realized Gracie was truly having fun and taking in the adventure for all it was worth. Contentment is something I have learned to value in my life and I want it desperately for my children. Setting and reaching goals is imperative to a positive existence and yet without contentment we are never satisfied. We don’t have everything that money can buy and still we are not without everything we need to be happy. There is a balance worth finding and I am pleased to see that in my family.

Breathe

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:09:00 GMT

When learning to shoot archery, it seemed advice came at me from every angle. I would smile and nod with understanding, though it wouldn't be long before I knew if the advice given would work for me or not. With previous sports and hobbies I took pride in being "coachable". Archery is different. Archery is a sport that you feel as much as you physically do. Every archer must find what segments make their perfect shot and practice for consistency. Of the advice given to me, I have spent the most time focusing on one aspect, which is breathing. I can practice this through visualization or with an actual arrow knocked. From the time I first draw the arrow back until after its release, there is purpose and timing for each breath. Though there are many vital aspects of my archery technique, and of my daily living, I must not take for granted the moments meant for a purposeful breath.

Mom, I Got One! ~ Picture

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:21:00 GMT

Mom, I Got One!

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:12:00 GMT

At three years old my son, Cody, could nearly out cast me, but was yet to bring in a fish of his own. The serenity of the evening was suddenly disturbed by Cody hollering, "Mom, I got one!" Seeing the bend of his pole and hearing his reel whine, I knew this was no false alarm. I said, "Reel, Cody, reel!" and did he ever. He looked like a seasoned fisherman aside from his asking me to take the pole from him. I said, "No, this is your fish." Then, with a jerk, his pole flew out of his grasp and went quickly under the water. He hadn't caught his first fish, but he had his first, "the big one got away story".

Fishing with an Angel ~ Picture

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:01:00 GMT

Fishing with an Angel

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:47:00 GMT

One warm fall evening the sun was setting on Offut Lake where I had the kids fishing off the dock. An orange haze kissed the tops of the trees and the quiet water. A glance to the left found what looked to be an angel from heaven. Her auburn hair was luminated by the setting sun and her white dress flowed in the gentle breeze as she patiently waited for a tug on the line. The angel that took my breath away in awe was my five year old daughter, Gracie. So many precious moments get taken for granted. Not this one! I will always remember the moment captured in my minds eye.

Wynoochee River Morning Date with my Husband

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:18:00 GMT

Fishing: A Sacred Affair

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:00:59 GMT

Fishing, not necessarily "catching", is a spiritual event. Standing at the river side, floating in a boat, sitting on a dock or on shore, you have the sounds of the breeze, the birds, the whispers of the water, and though all is constantly moving, constantly changing, you are still. Having your line in the water, feeling and searching for something you cannot see is like experiencing faith. You don't see what is under the water, but you know it is there. As your line drifts down stream from where you've cast it up stream, you learn the river bed by feel. Cast after cast you memorize the river bed, the way the water flows faster or slower in areas. How refreshing it is to have something new before you repeatedly, washed clean as with repentence. If by chance, luck, or skill you get a fish on your hook while waiting and watching your line as it breaks from your world to the world underwater, it becomes tangible. The mortal world versus the spiritual. Fishing is a sacred affair.

For you WA gals that don't think you are interested in jumping in with two feet to buy a fishing license, but want to get out there to see if its something you would enjoy, this weekend is "Free Fishing Weekend". Try it, you might LOVE it! Make it a date with your man or an early Father's Day date with your dad. The serenity and chance for adrenaline is amazing.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/weekender/

Our Garden as a Parallel to the Garden of Life, Free of Weeds

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:01:00 GMT

Trowel of Life

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:45:00 GMT

As I paced on the narrow paths of our garden the other evening I plucked a few growing weeds that were in what will eventually bring nourishment to my family. Occasionally, they would come out with minimal effort. Some, on the other hand, had roots that needed a trowel to be removed. Weeds by definition are considered to be a nuisance, unsightly and out of place. They steal from the nutrients that might otherwise be used for the growth and development of intended vegetation. This reminds me of life in that there are things that pollute our existence. Somehow, they grow fast and strong and are not always easily plucked out. A few weeds that come to mind are gossip, negative thoughts, and spending time on worthless endeavors rather than focusing on things that will bring joy and build on our lives or the lives of others. So, today I am challenged to get out my trowel of life and remove the weeds, cultivating my life for substantial yield.

Out-door-geous (adj.)

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:46:00 GMT

Out-door-geous (adj.) Beauty found within through appreciation of the outdoors.

Slowing the Drops from my Watering Can
I want to slow the drops from my watering can just enough to absorb the beauty and lessons found in outdoor adventures, a passion of mine and of my family. I also have interest in contributing toward conservation so that our children might have the opportunity to share all we do with their children someday. I have dabbled in many outdoor hobbies over the years. Currently, we are enjoying our first family garden, fishing, kayaking and camping. And, my husband is in the process of designing, for our yard, a backstop for target practice with our bows. I am a nurse in an acute care setting which lends itself to small talk in some of the most precarious situations. In sharing favorite "the big one got away", and "catch of the day" stories, I began to realize that these hobbies and passions in outdoor adventures, specifically between women, are an identifiable common denominator. The topic of women in the outdoors is nothing new, but is just beginning to be celebrated. I hope anyone who shares common interests and feels compelled to do so, will interject their thoughts, questions and concerns. So, this is my plan...to savor the moments spent in solitude, with friends, with my children, with my husband, and with my God. In reflection of outdoorgeous experiences, I will slow the drops from my watering can as to not take for granted details meant for enrichment.

Livin' Outdoorgeously

Livin' Outdoorgeously — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:43:00 GMT