A Lazy Day

I was recently talking to my gal pal Margaret about the Tongan way of life.  Why are things so slow?  Why does it take 10 hours to have an event?  She remembered a quote from a book in which the Tongan gentleman explained, "Because once we finish this, we're going to have to figure out what to do next."

The Saturday before Memorial Day I was frantically searching for a way to make a day without commitments (no soccer games, raquetball matches, invitations to go anywhere, etc.) somehow seem like a holiday instead of a long, boring, sit-at-home and wonder-what-the-fun-people-are-doing day.

I only found ONE venue to help us escape, and that was the World's Largest Brat Fest.  I decided we were gonna go all day.  They had live music starting at 11AM and playing all day.  Okie dokie!  So I packed a huge bag with watermelon slices, bottles of water, trail mix and sundry other non-brat foods, as well as Uno, pass-the-pigs, slamwich, and a handful of other card games.  We didn't forget a squishy baseball, either, and the red radio flyer wagon to haul the lot.

So, most people go to the fest, eat a brat, sit for a few minutes, and leave (at least that is how we've done it in the past.)  We arrived shortly after 11AM and bought our first round of brats, which my boys ate in 20 seconds flat.  Good thing it wasn't time to go already!  We played some games and relaxed to some music at a shady table.

At the end of hour #1, we decided to use the bathrooms and get another round of brats.  I left all 3 kids and a wagon right outside the door while I went in, and when I came out... there was just an abandoned wagon.  Argh!  I frantically ran this way and that, trying to figure out which way they had wandered.  It took me at least 90 seconds to notice the willow trees by the small stream and correctly conclude that they were probably poking in the stream, hidden by the dangling branches.

My first instinct was to march over, bark out a reprimand for wandering off, and demand, "Stop that right now, and let's get moving!"  But I realized...get moving where?  I'm so accustomed to always rushing everyone out the door, into the car, into the store, into the school, up to bed... when I open my mouth my militant marching orders just want to spring out unbidden. "Go! Go! Go! We're late! Let's go! Come ON!"

But I stopped myself.  Instead I said, "This is a willow tree, you know.  Aren't they lovely?  What did you find in the water?"

We played under THAT tree for 20 minutes, then ate some brats and listened to music for a while, then found another shady (and somewhat muddy) spot on the lake where we set up camp and played baseball and cards for the longest time.  The kids ventured to climb short distances into the trees, or swing on the branches, all the while to the rockin' backdrop music of "I Slay Dragons," a band that seems to base several of its fun songs on video game ditties.  The boys LOVED hearing blips of Mario music mixed in with the rest of the song.

When we went for a 3rd round of brats, some kind lady volunteers donated their free ice cream coupons to us, so we all got free ice cream cones, too!  

By the time we left at 4:00PM, the total consumption was: Mom 1.5 brats, Zoe 1.5 brats, Guy 2 brats, Xander 3 brats.  The kids were all happy, full, and covered in mud.  My idea of a successful holiday!

I think I need more practice at lazing away the days.  I miss the beach we used to visit in Massachusetts, where I'm sure I mastered the art.  

I remember when I was a child, one friend's family were pros at the art of leisure.  They'd take me with them to our annual parade.  We'd not only show up EARLY, but we'd come the night before with blankets and sleeping bags and food, and camp out in our parade-viewing spot.  We chatted, played games, and maybe even slept.  The parade in the morning was fun, but then we STAYED at the park for the rest of the day as well!  We had a cookout, played sports, and ran around until evening.  We had all the time in the world to enjoy the moment!  It was a little bit of Tonga come to us.

Well, I found my lazy day VERY refreshing.  It makes me wonder that sometimes it takes several days of vacation to really feel the impact of not stressing out.  I found a single day to be a delight, and the mud washed off pretty easily.