Field Trip

The alarm rang at 4:30 am, never mind though, we're all awake, eagerly awaiting this new day. The girls run downstairs, tails wagging, jockeying for position at the back door while I put on my shoes. Pat prepares the coffee, then heads out to feed Puff and the horses.

Back inside, we meet at the table for breakfast, me on one side, Pat on the other with Luna sitting squarely on his lap, her nose tucked into his armpit. She knows daddy's goin' bye-bye. She knows she's not. And so, the sad look of disappointment covers her face as she buries her head.

A half hour later, breakfast is done, every one's eaten--the dogs, the cats, the horses, us.... Nothing left to do but load up. First Boots, then Koda, and finally Liam, a bit hesitant at first but excited knowing he's made the grade and is joining the boys. He's not sure what it all means, where they're going, what they'll be doing, just glad he's one of the pack. Last one in, but first one out. The first to see the mountains, smell the fresh clean air, and view the trail that marks his first adventure.

As the truck and trailer roll down the hill out of sight, I return to the house where Luna cuddles up on my lap--sad that she's left behind--but glad she's not alone. She listens curiously as I read daddy's horoscope out loud: "You might enjoy a field trip today..."

And so it is.