July Excursions: Kronicles of Kuna, Part Three of a 3-Part Series

Yeah! This is the last vacation post I have to write, but it's a doozy! After I get this monster behind me, I'll be free to return to blogging all my deep thoughts about the world around me and my inspirational ideas for bettering society.

Our last vacation stop was my parents' home in Kuna (technically Nampa), Idaho. I entitled it Kronicles of Kuna as a good-natured tribute to my high school's mascot. Near Kuna is a natural phenomena called the Kuna Caves. To honor this local natural wonder, our mascot was the "Kuna Kaveman." Any respect for the ferocity of cavemen is immediately diminished by the misspelling because it pushes cavemen from rugged to cute thus-ly: "Look, they spelled Caveman with a 'K' so it matches 'Kuna!' Isn't that cute?" Apparently, the group of German students who visited our school one year for a week found our choice of mascot hilarious as well. Their schools' mascots are chosen to symbolize wisdom (the owl, the fox, etc.) Obviously our mascot doesn't quite showcase that particular strength. So don't bother making any jokes. I've heard them all. And just so you know, I LIKED being a Kuna Kaveman. On with the post!


One of the first things I did was get a picture of the great-grandparents who have been honored in the names of two of my children. Here's Grandma Rhea with Rheanna, and Mitchell with Grandpa. Mitchell's middle name is a Celtic version of Grandpa's middle name. You may argue that this doesn't count, but we were thinking of Grandpa when we did it, so phooey on you!

And, as always, I try to smother my kids with experiences that hearken back to simpler times when Mommy was a country bumpkin. It's my way of connecting with them and making sure that a part of me always haunts them. Ian expressed an interest in fishing, so I was quick to pull out the ol' fishing pole and had Grandpa take them to the ol' fishin' hole. Actually it was a few ponds by the fish hatchery that they keep stocked for the kids to fish in, and I have never fished there before in my life, but they didn't catch anything, which is completely in keeping with my first fishing experience. Ahhh . . . the memories.

Then I felt it imperative that they get in touch with the soil like I did. My family doesn't live on a farm anymore, so I couldn't send the kids out to dig furrows for irrigation (my "favorite" chore), but they do have a large garden. So they spent some time with Grandpa and Aunt Sarah picking squash and, yes, potatoes (I must tell you at this point that I NEVER worked on a potato farm while I lived there, so you can forget the potato jokes, too).
I mean it! Forget them.
Another experience they were eager to have was sleeping outside in the yard. Unfortunately, the very first night they did this, there was actually thunder, lightning, and a rainstorm. I have no idea where it came from. I just know that in the middle of the night, I was awakened by a crack of thunder. I immediately thought of the kids outside in the tent, and wondered if they were a little scared. I nudged Tim awake and said, "There's thunder and lightning. Do you think the kids heard it?" Then there was a huge flash of lightning and another crack of thunder, and we suddenly hear all the terrifed cries and frantic pitter patter of feet as the kids burst out of the tent and start pounding on the back door. Tim got up to help set their sleeping bags up inside and I walked out a little bit later to see how everyone was. I didn't have my glasses on, but I did notice Keller in the corner hugging his knees and rocking back and forth while wimpering in his little voice, "Now we know better. I am NEVER going outside again." Don't worry, he eventually did, but only during the safety of day.

Other activities included the main focus of our trip--my sister Donna's farewell. She's now happily entrenched in Florida on her mission. The kids also got to experience a small-town 24th of July parade in Kuna (too few children spectators being saturated with too much candy thrown from every float and decorated bicycle because most of the kids in the area are actually in the parade, not watching it).

Now, remember my mention of Keller's stomach flu in Tahoe? I told you it would be a recurring theme. Sometime on Tuesday, it hit him again. I chalked it up as an unsettled stomach due to so much traveling and slightly different food. But then I woke up a little queasy on Wednesday myself(we were supposed to go to the zoo). By mid-afternoon, I was praying for the sweet relief of death while my body tried again and again to vomit every last ounce of moisture out of me. By late evening I was on the mend and drinking the best-tasting juice I have ever had in my entire life (I reck'n it tasted so good on accoun' of th' dehydration an' all). I tried to quarantine myself a little, but this same stomach bug would continue on a march of destruction that would eventually bring down every last person in that house EXCEPT for Meriel. I saw Meriel with new eyes after that week.

The flu didn't stop the flow of fun that week. We pressed on in our feverish search for meaningful activities that would create memories to last a lifetime. The next day we did get to go to the zoo. Here's Ian's front and Meriel's very determined backside. Yes, she does indeed radiate determination from every angle. Ian is the picture of patience.

Rheanna looks happy in this zoo picture, and she was, but that was taken moments before she threw up (this is why you keep grocery bags in your purse at all times!). She was still able to make it with everyone to see the penguins. We really liked the penguins.

And here is Meriel mocking the geese. She's not very tactful or sensitive. Her actions shame me.

While I was there, I also made it my duty to finally wean my parents from white walls. It seemed that all I ever knew growing up was white walls. They were more than willing for a change, but never had the time. So I did it for them. I didn't get pictures of the result. Just video.



I try to do something like this each time I visit. It's my way of ensuring that a piece of me haunts them as well.


And, of course, our trip included lots of family time. That's probably why everyone got sick, but that's why we came! All of my siblings made sure that Mitchell was always held (he went through attention-withdrawal when we got home). Here's Stephen with Mitchell, and Lizzy with Mitchell. They all played with the kids, and Sarah provided Rheanna with the "big sister" experience she's never had. I hope Sarah doesn't mind me posting this picture of her with her fabulous untamed curls, but I thought it was cute. And I think it also shows the family resemblance.

All in all, in spite of the high gas prices and the illness, the trip was well worth it. We all had a beautiful time. Ian was so sad to leave, he almost couldn't bring himself to say goodbye to everyone. But it was definitely time to come home to other family members, pets, and a new year of . . . . SCHOOL!

And you'll have things you want to talk about.
I . . . will . . . too. (Mister Rogers)