My husband Steven and son Alex and I were in one of our favorite parks. As we hiked through the woods, (okay it was really a walk), we traveled over a wooden bridge where a slow moving brook was passing underneath. Bright green leaves of skunk cabbage plants were dotted along its banks.
“I have to say I absolutely LOVE this time of year!” I said as I stopped at the center of the bridge, leaning against the railing looking down in the water. “Is that a turtle?” I asked as I pointed to what looked like a dark shell half submerged in the water.
Alex leaned further over the railing. “Could be.” He said but neither one of us wanted to admit it could really just be a rock.
“Look at all those tadpoles!” Steven called as he pointed to a school of tadpoles swimming together close to the bottom of the brook.
“I wonder how long it will take for them to become frogs?” I asked as I looked over at Steven waiting for his answer.
Steven shrugged his shoulders. “I guess it depends on what kind of frogs they grow into.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Seems like a good answer.”
We started back on our walk. Leaving the bridge we climbed up a steep embankment before we walked into an open field filled with buttercups.
“Oh, my gosh!” I cried as the little yellow flowers danced in the breeze. “They’re beautiful!”
I reached down ready to pick one of the flowers and hold it under my chin.
“If you see the reflection of yellow under my chin it means I love butter!” I looked over at Alex to see if he was watching me.
“Don’t even bother picking one!” Alex laughed. “I saw how much butter you put on your English muffin after you toasted it this morning!” Alex looked over at Steven. “Let’s just say she LOVES butter!”
“Hey! That’s not fair!” I laughed.
“How’s that not fair?” Alex asked as he pointed to the flowers surrounding us. “You don’t even need to pick one for me to know you’re thoughts on butter.”
I stood back up placing my hands on my hips. “Well, everyone knows you have to put a butter base on your toasted muffin before you can put the jelly on it.”
“Everyone?” Alex’s eyebrows went up with the question.
“Everyone who wants to eat a deliciously toasted English muffin with jelly on it for breakfast!” I countered.
“Okay.” Steven said as he stepped in between us. “Have either of you seen any flowers around here that will tell us if you like ice cream?”
Alex and I both looked at him confused. “What?” We said in unison.
“I was planning on stopping for ice cream on the way home and I wanted to know if either of you are interested?”
“Sounds good to me.” I said headed for the parking lot.
“I’m in.” Alex agreed catching up to me.
“And that’s how you end a perfect day in the park.” Steven said we he caught up to us.
Slice of Life 