The Perfect Tree

Yesterday my son Bucky built a treehouse in the gnarly Manitoba maple tree in the corner of the pasture. He did it by himself. He got some scrap wood from my Dad, borrowed my hammer and a handful of nails and got busy. We have a nice Maple tree in our own backyard but it isn't a good treehouse tree at all.

Today the Girl got involved. They now have a rope ladder and a bucket on a string to take things up. The horses have been over to check it out- they sniffed curiously then took off snorting.

For a few years now, my kids have spent much of their farm time in that tree, but now, with an actual platform, and handholds, I might never see them again. Well I know at least they'll come in for food and to watch The Simpsons.

I am so glad I marched into the living room and turned off the TV a couple of days ago. "Get out," I said. "We're at the farm. The weather's perfect. When we get home you'll be pissin and moanin that you're bored. Now get outside and find something to do!"

So they did.

This morning Dad took me into town to pick up a few things and when we got back, a little willowy elf of a girl jumped out of the tree grinning. Later on this afternoon, as I was fixing myself up with some highly effective Barn Sweeping Therapy, I heard them both singing in the tree. Can you imagine what a beautiful sound it was? First it was radio jingles, such as one for a national music store chain:

"Long & McQuade, where the music begins!"

Perfectly in tune, I would like to add...

Then, as I pulled a few cobwebs down with my broom:

"Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling you give loooooove a bad name"

Soon after that it turned into something like shot through the heart and you're SO LAME but the point is they were singing in the treehouse.

The Girl ran back into the barn to return my hammer. I wanted to tell her that I want to buy a farm NOW and I don't want to wait til next year but there was no point. They're having fun. Moving will be traumatic for them even if it's something they want too. It'll be hard to leave our home and our friends and yes even our schools. But I didn't say anything. They're having fun and why ruin it? They've had this place as a second home for their entire lives. It may not be the best situation but they are lucky to have this taste of country life. We appreciate it so much.

The Pug is tied in the yard sniffing country stinky air, the kids really earn their baths, and the horses are kept busy. Country life can get costly- I am reminded of this when I drive to town and see the massive tractors some of the neighbours have to use, and kids with dirt bikes and 4 wheelers to keep them busy, not to mention how many inflatable pools, playgrounds and swing sets. Nobody out here is driving into to town to take the kids to the park. I still don't get the whole "going to the park" thing! But here, really, all we need is a twisted tree with nice spreading branches and some scrap wood!

I love it. I love the treehouse and I love that they are 13 and 11 and they built it themselves.

(If I'm not reading or replying to your blogs it's because of nasty old dial up. I'm telling you, when we make the move and get our own farm, I will find a way to get hi-speed internet. I will dammit.)