Friday Faves

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I love my new Friday  summer hours with the preK agency: 8 a.m-1 pm.  It's because we're working a longer day  Monday-Thursday, now that we are teaching in-person for 4 weeks. It's been a hectic week. 

For now......let's share in 5 favorite blessings from our past week.  I had to dig deep for mine to complete the list.  It's been an emotionally draining week due to some circumstances I'm involved  with....cannot share details at this time due to confidentiality laws but please do pray me. I would so appreciate it. Pray for justice to be done. I'm sharing my fave and linking up at Susanne's site to join others doing this same thankfulness meme.

FIVE FAVES

Stewart Flow on the Oregon Falls Trail
Wilcox Lake Wilderness Region
southern ADKS
18 July 2020

Stewart Creek looking upstream from Oregon Falls

Oregon Falls

Opposite side of gorge from rock beds on falls

• DEEP WOODS HIKE!  On Saturday I met my friend Cheryl B from central NY at this very remote trail-head on the eastern edge of the southern Adirondacks. It's in the Wilcox Lake Wilderness Area and it's so remote there are is no cell coverage for miles and no homes or camps.  It's actually pretty cool if you know what you're doing. Our destination was Oregon Falls and it was only a mile in from the road but that mile was a tough one. Small incline at beginning and then very rocky and muddy with a lot of blow-down and high grasses from lack of being maintained. We had to watch our step most of the way.  But our destination was so worth it. These are 4 of my fave photos and they don't do the spot justice. I'm just thankful for time in the beloved mountains and woods. I really needed that.

Lake Algonquin
Wells, NY

• AFTER HIKE SWIM:  After that hike mentioned above, we traveled down to the nearest village where my fave mountain lake is located in the southern ADKS and we hung out on the beach to talk, swim, etc. We stayed until about 5 pm and then went our separate ways to drive back to our homes. I'm thankful for this day with my friend and so thankful at we stopped at this beautiful lake. 

• PHONE CALL:  one of my very best friends since the early 1990s, who happens to be my former counselor,  texted me while  I was in the woods Saturday.  Of course I didn't get the alert until I was back in civilization later that evening.  I pulled in to a DD to grab a hot coffee as I was traveling home in my wet bathing suit and called her in a lovely little parking area.  I really needed this chat and she really helped me sort a couple of things out. I'm so thankful for this friend in my life. 

• IN-PERSON SCHOOL:  the preK where I work started our last 4 weeks of summer school Monday!  We were so excited to welcome the children back. We've seen some growth and it's just amazing.  Yes, all staff have to wear face shields or masks (i tend to go between the two...i use the face shield if direct teaching). It was a very good first week, especially given the fact that the routine is a bit different, we have more cleaning policies to follow and now have 2 short sessions with the children, vs the longer 4 hour one. I'm thankful to work in an environment where children and their families are valued and with a great team of professionals. 

• Advocating for Change: I had the opportunity to advocate in a certain situation this past weekend/week.  I cannot go into details at all due to confidentiality laws and a sensitive nature to this case but let's just say I can so relate to this young person and I'm willing to do what it takes  to see change and justice. When I'm able, I will share more to this story. I'm thankful I can come alongside this person, even if my role in the matter is somewhat small.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend doing the things you love in summer weather!

Happy Weekend!