A Gnome Home

Yesterday after church, we loaded up the kids and the saw and headed out to spend the afternoon in the woods.  It was a gorgeous autumn day, and while my Beloved was cutting firewood, the girls and I went for a walk in the woods.  As we traveled deeper into the forest, we came upon this tiny little hole, and I wondered what lived inside.

"Perhaps it's a hobbit's home, or a place for a fairy to take a nap", I told my girls.

"On second thought, I'm pretty sure this is the home of a gnome."

"Yep...it's definitely a gnome's home." I said matter of factly.

"Can you see the gnome?....I think I see it."

Do you think she bought my story?  Nope.  She's a skeptic. 

She looked at me like I was crazy too.

 Kids today aren't nearly as persuadable as they used to be.  My oldest girl was sure that it was nothing  more than the home of a field mouse.

  Yeah, yeah.... little smartypants. 

It may very well be a mouse house, but what fun would that be to imagine?

Meanwhile, back at the truck, my boy was too busy shooting his BB gun at a target to be bothered by silly little walks in the enchanted forest, or any other girly nonsense.  Nothing but steady aim and slow trigger squeezing for this boy.

He's gearing up for next year when he can go hunting for "real".

The afternoon was lovely, and the warm sunshine made the last of the autumn leaves glow with bright yellows, oranges and reds.  I have a feeling the next time we're in the woods the trees will be bare in preparation for the long winter.  The vibrant colors of fall only last for a brief period of time, as if the trees are putting on one last finale of color before they sleep for the winter. Their splendor beckons me to the woods every year, and each time I savor their magnificent show, knowing that snow is just around the corner.