[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000VMyamSakv6Q” g_name=”Summer-2015″ f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”950″ height=”633″ bgcolor=”#AAAAAA” btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”t” twoup=”t” trans=”xfade” tbs=”5000″ bgtrans=”f” linkdest=”c” f_constrain=”f” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_show_caption=”f” f_smooth=”f” f_ap=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ] Summer hangs there like a basket, waiting to be loaded full of memories and feelings. We paddled the Columbia River Slough,… Continue reading Recreational Vessel
Category: family
Message in a bottle
I thought it was a pop bottle that was snuggled tightly into the sea kelp near Crescent Bay, on the Juan de Fuca Straight. The canoe bumped it gently and the boys reached to retrieve the discovery. It quickly became clear the bottle had a different story. Upon noticing the papers tucked inside, Leo shouted,… Continue reading Message in a bottle
The Leo and Jack Trail
When you become the proud owner of two explorers, it’s best to just sit back and observe. I try to direct the flow, to keep up, but in the end I wind up watching. They dig, throw, study, pick, prod, poke, run, swim, whittle, balance, heave, crunch, crank, grind, balance, jump, leap, run, sprint, crawl,… Continue reading The Leo and Jack Trail
Arts, Crafts and Fishing Gear
I sighed quietly. Seated across the table, Leo, 7, looked up from his homework and asked with such gentle concern, “Papa, is it hard to be a parent?” “No,” I told him. “Well sometimes things might be challenging, but it’s a pleasure to be a parent.” Later, he and Jack, 5, sat in their room,… Continue reading Arts, Crafts and Fishing Gear
To the Horizon
© Tim LaBarge As Leo struggled to fall asleep tonight, I leaned on the doorframe, willing to talk just a little longer. I didn’t want to get sucked into his tricky ways though. He has a knack for chatting late into the night, asking questions, asking for stories, wanting more. I told him it was… Continue reading To the Horizon
Life in the trees
San Juan Island, Washington I might have to start calling him Cosimo, after Italo Calvino’s character in The Baron in the Trees. Leo has been spending a lot of time in trees these days. It’s no doubt a quest for a little independence, a search for his own place, a spot to sit and think.… Continue reading Life in the trees
Puppyville
This puppy thing. I thought it might be easier this time after experiencing the tiny years with a couple of boys. After all, you can put a puppy in a crate and walk away. They eat and drink when you put the bowl down. No diapers. Some mess. But no diapers. These critters can learn… Continue reading Puppyville
Paradise Found
Leo and I were reading a book recently. A character mentions that living in a country with libraries in every community must be paradise. Leo stopped me. “What’s paradise, Papa?” I told him it was the most perfect place you could imagine. A place of infinite happiness. Sounding a bit wistful, he said, “For me,… Continue reading Paradise Found
Cyclocross: Learning to compete, and be sweet
A few weeks ago after pounding out a kiddie cross race, Jack, age 4, asked with a slightly disgruntled tone, “Papa, why doesn’t anyone ever win the kid race?” It’s true, I told him, no one wins. This race is about having fun with your friends and riding your bike. This past weekend at the… Continue reading Cyclocross: Learning to compete, and be sweet
Clown control at Pickathon
We were at a little Mexican tienda up in St. Johns the week before Pickathon and couldn’t resist getting piñata for Leo’s birthday morning bash, which fell on day two of the festival… All smiles. Nobody got hurt…except the clown. all images © Tim LaBarge 2011