It’s actually really hard to write a blog post when you’re in a REALLY BAD MOOD. Just like you wouldn’t want to TALK to someone who’s in a REALLY BAD MOOD, why would you want to READ someone who’s in a REALLY BAD MOOD?

But, we’re old friends now, right? So, I can tell you EVERYTHING. And, you won’t judge me, right? And, you won’t LOATHE ME if I say the wrong thing or bring you down with me? Right?

Anyway, really bad mood. I think it’s because I’m absolutely exhausted. These long weekends are not relaxing like they used to be. And, the weekend plan of trekking out to Centre Island? Big mistake. HUGE.

Mind you, there were a few redeeming things from this weekend. And, me in my big bad mood should hang on to them if I ever want to SNAP OUT OF IT. After all, tomorrow IS the first day of school. HALLELUJAH! Monkey’s only in school from 9-11:30 everyday, but it’s SO much better than the everyday chaos that’s characterized this summer. OY!

One of the redeeming things was Monkey. She had the TIME OF HER LIFE at Centre Island. Makes it ALL worth it. Look at her go!

I can’t say the same for the — still-rashy — Rascal, however…. He was feeling a little closer to what I was (still am) feeling….

I had a really hard time there. I didn’t get to go on any rides. WAH. The monkey and I were GOING to go on this one crazy ride, and we waited in line, and when it was our turn? She threw a hissy-fit. WAH. No rides for me. Just more lines. Lines for the washroom. Lines for fareaking ice cream (that I’m avoiding like the plague these days). Lines for rides. Lines for the ferry. Lines. Lines. Lines. Screaming kids. ANGRY parents: “MEGAN COME. HERE. NOW!” “JACKSON! GET OVER HERE!” “AAAAAAALVIN!” Screaming kids: “MOOOOOMMA! I WANNN ICE CREAM! I NEEDA PEE!”

My only saving grace were the swans….

But, even they wanted something from me. They were CRAZY aggressive for food…. I could BARELY eat my lunch!

But, I loved them so much. In fact, I thrived in the natural beauty of the island, the calm, underlying the chaos of the amusement park….

While Monkey went on rides with her Dadda, I sat down with Rascal in the grass by the pond. He loved picking at the weeds, giggling and messing about in the dirt. It was beautiful.

It made me sad, though, to think of this island as a microcosm of our planet: the noise of humanity usurping (more and more) the Earth’s beautiful natural resources….

It made me want to protect the earth more than ever — if not for us, then for my own children who, thankfully, have no idea yet….

…But, I’ve started to teach her. Find strength in the trees. They’re alive. They’re beautiful. Paper. Water. It’s all sacred. A gift. Not to be taken for granted.

Yes, I told her that in her room this evening. Where I put her to “THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU DID.”

Sighhh….

Another redeeming thing about the weekend? This movie. I loved it. It made me SING. It made me CRY. It made me PINE (James Sturgess? ME?)

I want ice cream….