Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

Does being around younger people (Millennials) energize you?  It does me!  We do not have tons of friends that age and probably would not have any at all if we did not have children that were in that demographic.  Recently a young couple has "adopted" us.  Yes, they like the fact that we have canoes and live near the river, that I am a better than average cook, and that we are liberals and not prejudiced against their marriage (an Asian and a Caucasian) as some elders are, including some members of their family.  So let them take shelter in our friendship.  Let them present the mantle of "Elder Wise Woman" on my shoulders.  I am rarely seen as that either by others or myself.

It was a gorgeous day to head out.  As with canoe trips that are not on our river, it means packing and loading gear and heading elsewhere...someplace new.

Once we got to our departure dock it was fairly easy to unload even though the car access had been blocked for road repairs.  We were soon on our way on a calm day.  Both were new to canoeing, so hubby took the gal and the guy "tried" to work the stern in my boat.  It was a bit difficult as he was learning and I had to do lots of draws and attempts to keep us on course.  My left shoulder was pretty tired at the end of the over two hour trip.

I remain anonymous on this blog and feel that if I am going to write about them, they also deserve some privacy.  I packed a lunch of curry chicken on croissants, grapes, cookies, and chips and they brought some of the sweetest fresh peaches I have ever eaten.

We found the edge of a county park that bordered the other side of the river after we were done with poking into fingers on the other side.  It was complete with a picnic bench and fairly clean port-a-potty.

Later in the day we stretched our legs on pocket beach that is used by those who hunt for shark's teeth.

The young man above is lost in thought and I probably know what he is thinking.  When he married his love she was not sure she wanted to have children at all and now she is pregnant!  Both of them are over the moon, of course.  He spent time in our canoeing together asking me advice about raising children.  What had I learned?  How had I adjusted?  Etc.  It was sweet and I tried to encourage him to go with his gut on most issues and give 160% effort.

This is a lovely quiet beach, and while others were there, it is not hard to get away from the crowds and look for fossils or bald eagles or just sit and enjoy the scenery.  They escaped from city life and hubby and I were welcoming fall.

She is starting that very special time in her life where she will no longer get any sleep and there will no longer be extra money, but life will be so very rich in other things.  I am envious.