You’ve all heard the phrase, Looks can be deceiving. Well, there is no doubt we’ve all experienced the truth in that statement. For instance, when you first glance at this picture it appears I’m participating in one of my favorite past times, fly fishing. It appears to be a stunning early morning out alone in nature.
There are few things I find more relaxing than standing in a stream or beside a pond and casting a fly I’ve carefully crafted. There is something in the quiet act of fly fishing that relaxes me like few things. I think it has more to do with what I don’t think about than what I do while I’m out there.
But let’s pull back on this particular photo and get the entire, more accurate view.
Yes, that’s one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight kids. Eight kids attempting to help me in my search for solitude.
It’s true. Looks can be deceiving.
What did you guys do for Memorial Day?
Kids always find a way to interrupt you when you need the space. There are times when I need a minute as a teacher and that’s always when someone gets paint in their hair or they have an accident in their pants. Kids don’t get the need for solitude.
I actually went to visit a sister for Memorial Day weekend. Both of my sisters had girls within 4 weeks of each other so I got to hold my 6 week old niece and spend time with my sister.
.-= Chelsea´s last blog ..A testimony among millions =-.
Now that sounds fun!
TOO FUNNY!
My cousin marched in his 1st parade with the cub scouts so that was my day….and a lot of eating.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..On Vacation… =-.
That looks like my attempts at solitude. Me, journal & Pen…pan out: four kids and a playground can be found in the wide-angle.
We chilled at home just the 6 of us for the weekend. Hours at the pool. Grill. Smores. Great quiet…amidst the noise.
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..I Am Not Powerless =-.
Pete,
On closer inspection, it appears that you’re rocking a jinormous fanny pack while fishing. And wearing it “side saddle” style doesn’t lessen the shame of it all.
Seriously, my Memorial Day involved burning my burgers. And now it appears I’m burning my bridges with a beloved blogger.
Dave
.-= Dave Wilson´s last blog ..New Testament In A Month Plan — DAY 1 =-.
Ha! Totally busted. If you have fishing gear in the side pack I think it’s OK. Right?
You get a pass, as long as there is no hair brush or lip balm.
.-= Dave Wilson´s last blog ..New Testament In A Month Plan — DAY 1 =-.
GREAT picture!!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Busy, Busy, Busy =-.
Catch anything?
I didn’t but my son did. He got bored and left his pole and sure enough he catches something.
I did catch some branches. I’m real good at that.
.-= Rodney´s last blog ..Wednesday 9-2-09 Day Nine =-.
A couple perch and a few small mouth. We had a blast.
LOL…none of them seem that impressed
We went with some neighbors up to NC and did some tubing down the river. Very relaxing until we actually got there
…60 degree water, rapids that they don’t tell you about with a 19 month old and 6 year old, oh and, being loving to my wife as my stress level increases!
I spent mine not moving… pulled a muscle in my back on Saturday night… no fun! But I did get some rest!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Parenthood =-.
Laughing out loud at the fanny pack. HA!
We went hillbilly style this Memorial Day and walked our goats and alpacas in a local town parade (complete with my braids and cowboy hat)
….of course I mastered my parade wave earlier so I was totally prepared.
.-= *~Michelle~*´s last blog ..Agape Love =-.
That is a very interesting way to look at things. I love the body language of the kids.
.-= Jason´s last blog ..The power of community =-.
They were impressed weren’t they?
I had a pretty relaxing Memorial Day weekend – was able to spend some time in solitude, which was definitely nice, but also spent a lot of time with friends – hanging out, watching movies, etc. I was trying to avoid ministry “duties” this weekend, as I am on a short sabbatical for a few weeks, but ended up visiting and prayer walking a university where we want to launch another college ministry. Was pretty exciting.
.-= Jason Vana´s last blog ..The Blogs I Follow =-.
ohmyword.
am i not supposed to laugh at this? cuz im laughing.
.-= tam´s last blog ..crush crushed =-.
me too. Oops.
It’s my life.
There’s a reason I stay up until 2:30 in the morning most nights. Its because it’s QUIET and I’m ALONE.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Prayer Chain =-.
Perception is everything right? To many it doesn’t matter what is really happening, it only matters what they believe or think is happening…
For M Day I played in the pool both in our community and the kiddie pool in the backyard with my 2 and 4 year old girls.. I think I had more fun than them! Nothing better than being a 6ft tall, 300 pound guy in an 8×8 kiddie pool with his kids!!!
I’m going to need to see a picture of that Scott.
The trick is learning to find solitude in a crowd.
I sank barefoot into freshly turned earth and planted a garden.
I want to see some pics of that garden. Mine is coming along nicely.
Haha… love that picture. I always have little ducklings following me around as well.
Spent the day walking the parade route with my kids so they could be in the “Bike Brigade” and then listened to them whine and complain when they realized they would indeed have to ride back home without the fanfare. The route was at least a mile, so it was quite a hike for all.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Clutter =-.
HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! That…was…awesome. Thanks for the pick-me-up laugh today.
=-.
.-= John W.´s last blog ..The Christian Atheist (pt
I had to run into Nashville, so EC and I went by Bi-Centenial Park to the WWII Memorial. Have you ever taken your boys there? It was early in the day and there were not alot of people around. The globe was broken because of the flood, but we still had a nice time. Such a humbling place. We were even interviewed by WKRN and got to see ourselves on tv last night. FUN!
Very Cool!
That entire scene is mostly hilarious because none of you seem to be paying any attention to each other. It’s like they’re just waiting for you to hurry up and finish or something, not actually wanting to fish themselves. What a hoot!
I’d be happy to trade you, though. I’m up to my eyeballs in solitude around here
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Gitz Bits 2010: Week 21 =-.
I have detailed my Memorial Weekend in my latest post. (If you happen to stop by, the answer is ‘No, I am not comparing my wife to an old beast.”)
I will just say that it involved a lot of lubrication and specialty tools.
.-= Tony York´s last blog ..When the van’s a rockin, don’t… =-.
“Looks can be deceiving.” How true! And that is why only God is capable of judging the hearts of men and women (and children). Any other judge would be looking at the picture with only a partial/human perspective.
Took our 5 year old to feed the ducks.
.-= Michael´s last blog ..Transforming The Church In Rural America By Shanon O’Dell =-.
NCIS marathon. Home alone with my baby. Not the most interesting holiday but I cleaned my house so that was good.
loved this post. made me smile.
.-= Jamie Willow´s last blog .. =-.
Great pic, Pete. Sounds a lot like my long weekend. For the gory details, check out my latest post!
.-= Andy´s last blog ..Of Scouting, Kamping with a K, the Eagles, Gloria Gaynor and Neil Young, and Ted’s Excellent Adventure; A Memorial Day Weekend Reflection =-.
Nice pic / Photoshop crop Pete! Thought you might enjoy yesterday’s photo (fisherman) I snapped for the http://www.1PhotoPerDay.com project. Shooting photos is what I enjoyed doing a bit of over the weekend
.-= Gabe Taviano´s last blog ..Is your faith asleep? =-.
Love that photo Gabe. Amazing!
Pete, I have a rarely used LL Bean chest pack you can have, flip down fly holder, tippet pouches, and I think there may be a built in zip reel clip, if I remember correctly. Small, lightweight, and infinitely more manly than your fanny-pack.
heh.
And I put sheet rock mud on the walls of my Grandparent’s home that was flooded and then Carrie and I grilled and chased our insane toddler until he fell out. Memorial Day was great.
.-= Alan Binkley´s last blog ..Catch a Glimpse Photography =-.
I might have to check that out!
Classic! For Memorial Day we spent the day at a horse ranch. Played with ponies, cows and other barnyard animals.
.-= Daniel Decker´s last blog ..BE A GIVER OF HOPE =-.
Oh, that is awesome! MIss you guys. H
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