We have been out of town for three weeks. We just got back from a roadtrip going East, but still very much West. We went through and stayed in the towns of Santa Fe, Taos, Manitou Springs, Colorado, The Black Hills of South Dakota and then to Sioux Falls, where we visited my husband’s family for a few weeks. I always like being in the pious solitude of the Great Plains.

As cute as Kaya is, I think I have decided that she may be an only child. I am worn out by this childcare business as we have no relatives nearby to share the responsibility of raising a child. I say this now, but maybe things will change as Kaya gets older. I enjoy my time doing solo projects; yoga, hiking, writing, reading, all activities I haven’t had a chance to do in awhile.

We have had a lot of moisture in the air and it looks like a jungle. Yes, lots of rain dumping. Monsoons they call it. I love the monsoon time, but it is not exactly the best hiking weather. The autumn should provide a time for getting back on the trail.

I also feel stuck sometimes, nestled in a quaint but boring and slightly redneck historic town. I like urban life or a trendy village. Who knows if we will ever be able to sell the house though as the stupid development companies are overbuilding and leaving older homes in the dust. The buyers all want the big kitchen overlooking the “great room” and mini-mansion style master bedroom and bath.

Sorry I am in a pissy mood. I think this calls for a lemon fizzy with tequila. My husband suggested it for me, who now has Kaya so I could write this post.

We woke up early and as usual went on our morning stroller walk. Today was different though. It is one of the days when hundreds of people decend upon our little town of Clarkdale. It was the annual Clarkdale Fourth of July. It began early due to the heat with a pancake breakfast in the park. Drew was still sleeping. He is the later riser, which suits him because he is more of a night person.

Kaya is manuevering well but still not with the classic crawl. We spend hours on the floor as she practices climbing over me. She is a bit impatient though and would rather be swimming than crawling. I suppose all babies go through angst as they move in and out of their developmental stages. It is that angst, that striving for more, that brings us forward.

What’s up?

We have been enjoying the local community pool, but its 100 degrees today and so we have decided to stay cool in the air conditioning of the house.

Kaya is such a tough little bean, she wants to move about all the time. I guess this is what people call an “active” baby. She doesn’t want to sit down anymore without making mock crawling efforts. The image you see below is a rare one of her relaxing on the bed.

Throughout the day, she tests her athleticsm by pulling herself up to a standing position. She does this by using the handles on her diaper basket.

hee hee.

The joy I have in my heart for Kaya the Papaya is so beautiful. We are an interesting species aren’t me? The intensity of emotion, the ability to reach out into spirit, how do you think this profile relates to our evolution? Consciousness.

Hello friends and family. In this photo, Kaya is being held by Drew’s mom in an heirloom baptismal dress.

This delicate white and yellow ribbon dress was sewn together by Great, Great Grandmother Kaja. Along with her trunk of belongings she sailed across to America from Norway looking for the promised life. Even though her name is spelled, “Kaja,” it is pronounced “Kaya.” Kaja was a strong-willed prairie woman who birthed four sons, one of which was Drew’s father’s papa. The family mentions that Great, Great Grandmother Kaja was a talented seamstress and also was gifted in working the land.

I had fun taking photos of Kaya. She loves gazing at the goldfish pond and going for summer walks with Mommy.