Why the Title, Katherine?

I launched this blog May 31, 2007 as a way to separate my "fun" writing from my more serious pieces on Tenacious Poodle (originally entitled "Luxurious Choices" to match my old website's name).  While I like the title "Bull Run Writings," mostly for the alliteration and memories garnered at Bull Run Regional Park, I find there is not much writing going on here and that it's certainly not all about Bull Run, perhaps because initially, I was merely attempting to escape my obsession with Manassas Battlefield and redirect my attention.  I soon discovered, however, that the historic and hiking experiences I had in Manassas were not those I found at Bull Run.

Bull Run Regional has a history of its own, and it's left in me indelible memories of digging in the sand playground with its unique concrete tubes, swimming and splashing in the water park and toasting marshmallows at night next to our camping cabin.  The trails, alive especially during Bluebell season, provided Shiba and I hours of easy strolling.  (In fact, someone even wrote an article about the park and interviewed me, asking questions about why Shiba and I walked there.)  Wading up to our knees in the cool creek, seeking salamanders, spotting minnows and other small fish and collecting fresh water shells have been part of our Bull Run experience.  And yet, I've not written about these adventures for a long time.

I have taken plenty of photos, however.  In fact, you will discover at least half of this blog is devoted to photos of family, friends and nature, as well as short vacations.  But again, not much writing has been posted, and for that, I feel a bit guilty about abandoning the original purpose of this blog.  I feel bad for it, like it's lonely or something.  Ridiculous, right?  However, writing is a living thing, a fluid thing, similar to things in Bull Run Regional Park.  Photos, kids' quotes and art are also alive in their own way, but the name of this blog is misleading, and I don't like to mislead people. 

I could change the name name, maybe to something like "Inspired by Bull Run Regional."  That would have the alliteration I like, as well as the accuracy I'm seeking. I'll think about it, brainstorm, as writers are wont to do.  Then I'll decide.

In fact, I think I just did.

Erika's Poem

My elder daughter Erika is showing signs of becoming a great poet! Check out this imagery.

Storm

Black clouds fill the sky,
rain lashed the trees,
thunder threatened the earth,
lightening clashed its bright blades,
the wind was like a banshee
screaming in the night.
The trees were bent over,
cowering and hiding their faces.
The storm has come.

Found Under Daughter's Bed

Among other things....

1. One carved up piece of big, pink chalk, a large stone, and a dirty white sock tucked into a heart-shaped jewelry box.

"WHAT is THIS?" exclaim I, immediately calling the all-wise mother-in-law.

"Well obviously, she was using the rock as a chalkboard."

But of course! How could I be so entirely stupid??

Thank God for my MIL!

2. One note to parents:

"Please do not disturb Erika in her tent unless
1. It's an emergency.
2. You need to wake me up.
3. You need to check on me."

So in other words, I can disturb you whenever I like?

I just love this child!

Dragon, Salad Head and Sailing

Erika's Dragon and Alexandra's "Salad Head."

Erika's Dragon took shape en route to home. It's a monster of her own creation, something she said would "be the scariest thing ever." Alexandra said, "You wouldn't want it in your room."

Alexandra's "Salad Head" is made up of fruits

and vegetables. See if you can identify which part is which!

Alexandra has also been doing a bit of painting with me. Here we see her sailboat.

Here is Alexandra's World.

Erika's Elicat is a crossbreed of an Eagle and a cat. It can climb or fly, and it obviously prefers trees.

Quotes from the Kids

Erika, age 12, December 31, 2009

"I'm never going to wear makeup again."

We'll see how long that lasts.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Erika: I can't find my glasses! I've looked everywhere!
Us: Let us help.
Hours later with no success.....
Girls: Mom! Dad! Can we watch a movie?
Mom and Dad: Yes.
Five minutes later...
Girls: WE CAN'T GET THE TAPE IN! IT'S JAMMED!
Dad (fiddling with it for five minutes): I don't know what's wrong with this thing. The tape won't go in.
Five minutes later....
Daddy: ERRRRRRRIKA......what are your glasses doing INSIDE THE VCR????
Erika: I don't know! I don't know! I didn't put them there!
Daddy: Did you put them there Alex?
Alexandra: No.
Ten minutes later.....
Alexandra: Okay. Yes. I did put them there. I wanted to play at trick on Erika. (ages 10 and 11)
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Me: I have a lot of papers to grade. I don't know how I am ever going to get them done.

Alexandra (age 9): My teacher has to grade lots of papers. She has forty!

Me: Teachers have to do so much work! I don't know where they get the energy."

Alexandra: "They get it from food when they eat!"

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The geese had bands around their legs. "Oh!" I said, pointing to one male. "He has a band around his leg. Do you know what that means?" I asked the girls.


"Yes," said Erika, nine at the time. "That's for social security." (Erika, age 9)

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Daddy was holding Alexandra's stuffed bunny rabbit, and she wanted it back. Daddy pouted and held it close to his chest, pretending he didn't want to give it up. "Don't worry, Daddy," she said. "You have ME!" (age 7 at the time)

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Erika, age nine at the time: "Some people say that butterflies are the souls of people."
What a lovely thought! (Erika, age 9)

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"Alexandra, take chill pill," I said.

"A chill pill? Is that like amoxicillin?"
(age 8)

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After watching the movie and listening to music from Phantom of the Opera: "The Phantom should watch Hunchback of Notre Dame. That would make him feel better. Quasimotto looked ugly, too, but his friends loved him and helped him and he didn't hate anyone. "

They might not have said this had they read the original book, but.....they have the right idea, don't they? (ages 9 and 10)

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Erika shouting at the bus stop: "Bye Mom! Love you! Don't let Shiba eat cat puke today!"

I'm going to get her for that. (age 10)

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Erika to her teacher at the teacher's conference: "Ms. M. You have bed head!"

After giving Erika my "look" : "It's okay. Sometimes I have bedhead too."

We're still working on those social skills. (age 10)

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Erika (age 10): "I know how you met Daddy."
Mom: "How?"
Erika: "On e-Harmony.com"

Pause. Mom: (after fits of laughter, because it's just not the same world it used to be) "Well, you're kind of right. Except it was Yahoo Personals."

Kind of makes me wonder how THEY will meet their future loves.

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At three years old, Erika was accustomed to a baby gate across her door, giving her time to play quietly before she took a nap in her toddler bed.

One day, I decided to see if she would nap without the gate.

"Mommy!" I heard, as I walked down the hall.

"What honey?"

"I can't sleep without my nap-time cage!"

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Something to picture:

Alexandra, age ten, riding on her bike, holding a dead beaver by its tail.

"I wanted to bring it home to bury it."

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Erika, age 12, talking to Sallie, the dog, who apparently felt her be-hind wasn't as clean as it could be: "Sallie--stop butt surfing!"

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Alexandra, age 11, upon seeing a wig: "That thing freaks me out. I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON YOU, WIG!"