Summer Country

When the girls were here a couple-three weeks ago, we tried creating our own countries (an idea I saw somewhere on the internet, the coordinates of exactly where, now escapes me -- though at the time I read about it, it reminded me of a page I remembered from one of the 'Uncoloring Books,' B had when she was young - I think I loved those books, as much as she did --  so the Uncoloring Book might be the country-inventing idea's true origin).

The girls played along willingly though (I typed out some prompt ideas for building their country profiles) - and they came up with the island countries of Opollo (a tribal nation)  and Serenityland (a "monarkee" :). Despite both countries being heavily populated - in the several billions or even trillions, as I think the two countries' founders competed to add the most digits to their census numbers (perhaps they'd get more funding, per capita?) -- anyway, their countries apparently still managed despite their lack of population control, to retain a simple, yet rich life, with such national pastimes as playing the 'Turtle-Mooseboard game' and reading, while exporting pies, cakes and wood carvings. Sounds idyllic, to me...

I decided to tackle the assignment of designing my own country too, and created the Imagi Nation, populated by the Imagi natives. Their national pastime is imagineering and they export imagery, of course  ;)

Coincidentally, just a week or two after we played around with the idea, this year's local summer musical production was '1776,' based on the birth of our own nation (with artistic license, of course - as there doesn't seem to be any musical notes in the congressional record). It was all local actors in the production, including this cameo -  whose entrance was a big hit with the audience (and he managed to exit gracefully without making more work for the stagehands or chewing the scenery -- either literally or figuratively :)    All in all, it was a great production.

Though I tend to not wax overly much about things political here, it did have me comparing then and now, wondering what those founding fathers would think of what we've done with the place today...Like how you might drive past a former home, seeing the changes the new owners had made - how you might nod and say, 'oh good, they fixed that garage door, I always meant to get around to that,' or 'oh no! they took that tree out - I loved that tree!'  Or "why did they plant all those shrubs on that side, they'll grow till they block the view!" The play just had me wondering whicfh parts they'd think we've gotten right, and what they'd advise us on the things we're still struggling with...Also, pondering how much thought and very real blood, sweat and tears, must have actually gone into creating this great social experiment we live in...

Whew! How I do go on...all that from one little musical. Perhaps I'd have paid better attention back in history class, if there'd been more singing and dancing  :)

Just kidding. Actually, I really liked history. I could have used the singing and dancing in math class, though...

Anyway, the girls are spot-less again - coming back to visit for a few more days, before school starts again, next week.. How quickly the summer goes by - especially when school starts up so early in August. In my mind, September is always the proper month for starting school....

 But for now, the only things on our schedule for this week are water-splashing, ball tossing, bubble-blowing, and sidewalk chalking. Mornings of watering the garden and each other. Late night movies and popcorn. Maybe an afternoon of apple-picking (and eating). Definitely some nectarine and watermelon-eating, in between feeding the ducks at the pond down the hill or visiting the horses that live up the hill. Some leisurely reading and lounging in the shade, any time we can. Maybe they'll teach me how to play that Turtle-Mooseboard game... Wish we could go to the beach, but that's extra $ and gas - and there are bizarre, monstrous waves, now, besides...Though there's no lack of things to do here, closer to home. So much summer juiciness we want to squeeze out of this week that it's still a busy schedule - but at least it's flexible, and it's our own. 

So that's where we are this week. Enjoying wandering freely around summer country, at least in our own Imagi Nation, imagineering as we go...What are you doing (or what do you wish you were) doing with these handfuls of remaining summer days? Feel free to join us in the Imagi Nation - I think we're all natural Imagi Natives  :)

Comments

[Judie]

What a fabulous idea, making your own country. That was obviously lotsa fun. You are so creative with your girls, Tink! And now, watersplashing, bubbleblowing, and, um, maybe a watermelon seed spitting contest? I wanna play too. xoxoxo

[rochambeau]

I want to move in to the Imagi Nation. Is there any property up for rent?

You clever girl~
xox
Constance

ps
Glad you have fun with the girls. How are the cats? Are they still infatuated by your floor shrine?

[gemma]

Now that you've discovered the Imagi Nation, You will always have somewhere to go and something to do even if you don't leave home!
Hope you have fun.

[violetismycolor]

Making up your own country is something that my son, Ross, does in D&D. He has a lot of fun doing it, too. It does sound like fun.

[pam aries]

I LOVE it all! I made an imaginary map//I'll try and post it this week. It was the land of Artopia! haha I mailed your wand on Wednesday morning so be on th lookout!

[Caroline]

Love the way you entertain yourselves and also the rest of the entertainment too... its all so entertaining... mmm... I think I'll make up a country called Enter Terrain!