Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to. ~John Ed Pearce
You barely get into the north and you notice the change in the air. It is so fresh and sweet.
(My eldest son in Papa’s boat. This was his and my eldest daughters first fishing trip!)
(Wild rice field they had to cross to get onto the lake.)
(Wild rice field they had to cross to get onto the lake.)
Happily I feel at ease, a break from the vast expanse of the prairies, as the trees and rocks close in. It is all so familiar, so comfortable, when I return home to lake land.
(My oldest three on a mini hike with me around the cliffs and trees that I frequented as a child.)
This year had a special feeling to it because my older two are now old enough to really get a feel for what it was like for me to grow up in the bush. They have always been eager to hear stories and see where I used to play but this time was different. Both got to go fishing (first time ever) with my Dad, and the fishing stories where large and lovely. 
My big girl insisted on climbing my favorite tree in Nanny and Papa’s yard. She wept when it was time to leave. ‘Papa calls me a real fishing girl Mom. I love Nanny’s yard it is so different!” shared my big girl. She is now old enough to carry the memories, all her days, of visits to Papa and Nanny’s. My daughter, especially, will never be the same after this last visit.
My big girl insisted on climbing my favorite tree in Nanny and Papa’s yard. She wept when it was time to leave. ‘Papa calls me a real fishing girl Mom. I love Nanny’s yard it is so different!” shared my big girl. She is now old enough to carry the memories, all her days, of visits to Papa and Nanny’s. My daughter, especially, will never be the same after this last visit.
(My mother’s garden. It used to be a good portion of their seven and a half acres and the three large green houses. Now there is one lovely little green house, built by my dad and more lawn then garden. They still keep it well cared for.)
(My big girl and big boy enjoying the freedom of the farm life!)TTFN
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Very nice post! I like you’re opening quote. And I feel as if I’m right there with you.
I’ve never seen wild rice. Does it really produce a crop?
Blessings,
e-Mom
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it looks amazing and beautiful and i’m sure the memories will never be forgotten. so glad you got to go home and have that time with your kids and show them your childhood!
Yes wild rice produces crops. You can buy it in most grocery stores up north and for sure on the prairies but it is very expensive due to limited growing season (the lakes freeze up completely in the winter) and due to all the work involved in harvesting. I have a few friends up north who rely on it for a big part of their income.
beautiful Becky! You are bleesed to have experienced that and your kids seemed to enjoy it too! Your quote is so true about leaving and wanting to come back.
well shiver me timbers, I had no idea about the whole wild rice thing! So glad you guys had a great “home” coming.
woops, didn’t mean to delete my last comment! sorry ’bout that.
we’ll say hi to the trees and lakes for ya, when we’re there next week! 🙂