growing up is hard to do

i skip down my street, walk on sidewalks like balance beams, but my favorite:  swing.  maybe it's because i can't do it everywhere.

one of my friends told me how a few years ago she would go out to the lake almost every night after dinner.  so far this year, i started that tradition and i love it.  i've had limited days so far, but i'll go out and read, talk on my phone, people watch, whatever i feel like on that day.  but i always wrap up my trip (across the street) with swinging.

it takes me back to our house we lived in from when i was 1ish-like 3rdish grade.  we lived across from the park and swings!  i remember making jeff (and probably karen too) give me lots of underdogs.  (i was a little brat.  i watch home videos of myself and feel embarrassed for my 5 year old self.)  there i looked at at lots of trees and hills and baseball fields and a soccer field.  here i look out at belmont harbor and the lake and very expensive boats.  so different, but i still feel the wind as i push up higher and higher.  that's the important part that needs to be the same.

and now i get a lot of stares, which i understand.  they don't bother me though.  don't worry i'm not a jerk.  if a kid comes up while i'm there i'll leave.  i won't make them wait for a swing.

sometimes it's hard to grow-up, even as i cling to a few things that help me feel like a kid.

i mean i have to start thinking about retirement!  unbelievable.  which, by the way, is super de duper confusing.  i really need to figure out all the lingo.

i have to buy tires... for my bike of course.  

it's a hard place to be sometimes.