Mandy's other garden

I'm posting some great videos on Facebook of the boys, but here I'm putting up a couple of pictures of the flowers here in Mandy's other garden.

Hugs

Just thought I would publish a quick clarification: I have hugged Finn, Henry, and Jake four times each for Meg, five times each for Tom-Tom, five times each for Grammy Kris, and another dozen extra for outside interests.
From Mandy, I have hugged Finny and Henry five times each, but Jakey got three hugs from Mandy on Thursday, four hugs from Mandy on Friday, five hugs from Mandy on Saturday, only two hugs from Mandy on Sunday because we were busy running around to church and I was tired, and four hugs from Mandy yesterday. Today isn't finished, but there's been two hugs from Mandy so far...

I'm in a Hawaii state of mind

It is so strange.
Going to Indiana and Minnesota was like a dream. I was so happy to see my parents and family, but I also felt a little sad and anxious generally because everything seemed to be the same. I felt the same, my family seemed the same, even the season is the same as when I left. South Korea has felt like a strange dream that maybe I have made up--fictionalized, probably, like I do so many other things in my head. The whole experience must have been a strange dream that didn't exist because I have come back to America, back to my parents' home (as lovely as it is and as grateful as I am), and back to the university that has the same politics I'm not sure I want to jump back into.
Hawaii feels different, though. Obviously and most directly, Mandy is not here. This simple fact seems to permeate every aspect of what I know to be Hawaii.
I wish Mandy could come in the door, and I would try to make her laugh in my feeble way. Usually I ended up annoying her, but I was just glad to have her nearby for a few minutes. Between her six hours of sleep and her eighteen hours of work.
Well, I'm doing a good job of this with Kate and James, too, but Finn thinks my jokes about putting cat food and whisky in the baby food are funny, so at least I'm entertaining someone.

Canoeing

Really, in the last few days, I haven't done anything. I have a list (surprise! a list) of things that I am trying to get accomplished, but right now, I'm only chipping the fun ones off the list. And, of course, I'm doing plenty of really great things.
Like taking the VW out for drives. I forgot how fun it is to drive--and how fun it is to drive this little bug.
Like playing cards with Mom and Dad.
Like taking one of the old bicycles down and peddling around this little town.
Like canoeing.
The first times that I remember boating or paddling were with the Furlers: that memorable little motorboat on Lake George and the funny rowboat somewhere behind their house in a random marsh. Those were such imaginative and wonderful days.
Then, our family and the Furlers started appreciating the quiet float trips, especially on the Delaware Water Gap and the Youghiogheny River (spelling is questionable, but this was certainly the most life-threatening and exciting canoe ride I have experienced).
And now, I find myself paddling around the lake here in Indiana, trying not to scare the egrets and the herons, and trying to maintain control when the wind picks up. I sit high in the water when I'm alone, so trying not to blow around the lake can be a bit of a challenge. But there certainly is something about watching the fish jump out of the water, exploring small inlets, and watching the clouds float overhead, there is something about this time that is so familiar.

Back in the USA

After a long trip (I don't think I'm exaggerating with the moving, the 20-hour layover, the 12-hour flight from Japan, and Dad and I's drive back from Chicago), I am home with Mom and Dad. We ate tacos with avocado and played cards while I was falling asleep.
It's strange that the memories of the past year are fading into a sort of warm memory. I am back at Mom and Dad's, by the lake, watching Good Morning America, and drinking coffee with Mom. Nothing seems terribly different: sure the paint is different and the house looks great and the screened-in porch is awesome, but everything seems the same.
I can see the tomatoes ripening on the vine outside, and I can see an egret wading in the lake outside, and George is sitting on the window sill next to me. It is very quiet.
A canoe ride is in order before it gets too hot, and I will try to talk Mom and Dad into getting take-out Chinese in the next couple of days (yeah, I like Asian food, but American-Chinese take-out is in another category that does not quite fall into either genre), and I still need to exchange a bunch of won to dollars.
Generally, though, South Korea seems like a strange and beautiful dream. On to the next adventure--any ideas?