Vignettes by B

With the winding down of another school year, the boys have been bringing home schoolwork. Among the papers in B's backpack were a couple of vignettes he'd written. He gave me permission to share them with you.

Cats      by B.
I have three cats and they are all odd. One hides at the slightest noise, one sits around all day doing nothing, and one leaps around like a bird chasing imaginary prey. When I look at them funny, they look back and their eyes say: "I don't care. I don't care what you think of me." They have no acknowledgement of what people think or have thought about them. People may be able to keep them in cages and as pets, but I personally think cats are smarter when you look at people socially, always worrying about what people will say or think. Cats are wise in that they are the carefree, the worriless, the relaxed, and the bravest. Yes, we people could really use a lesson on how to break free, and to be oneself. So I look at my cat and ask "How do you do this?" Of course no reply comes, only a soft, caring purr.

Hiking       by B.
In Canada we hiked all the time. Sure it was just a vacation, but we were on the trails a lot. I love it. The trees dancing in the wind, the water gurgling and laughing along. There I walk along the trails, there I stand at the top of a hill, looking down at the rest of the treetops. There the world is a painting, beautiful and abstract, to jump into and explore. By the end of the day I can look back and remember it in the photos on my camera, a small tribute to the amazing outdoors. The next day we explore and venture out again, taking in all the wonders around us and surveying the perfect landscape. More photos snapped, more wide-eyed gazes, more clean, calm fresh air. The pristine outdoors. Eventually we must leave, and we take with us the memories, the pictures, the experiences. We will go back someday, and remember the wonders, with new ones to come.