The sibling assignment this week came from Raymond Pert. "What do you understand about The Wizard of Oz as an adult that you didn't understand as a child?"As a child Judy Garland was my idol so I paid more attention to Dorothy. I knew all the words to " Over the Rainbow" and " We're Off to See the Wizard" and I was pretty good at clicking my shoes and saying, " There's no place like home." The scarecrow always stuck in my mind more as a child that her other two friends. Perhaps I could relate to a scarecrow and the tin woodsman seemed somehow different or odd. The lion certainly provided some comic relief that was needed during a few scary parts of the film, but again it was harder to relate to a scared, talking lion.
As an adult I do relate more to the Tin Woodsman. One scene that always sticks in my mind is when he has tears running down his cheek and feels emotion again. In my early adult life I wore my heart on my sleeve and cried over everything. I was sentimental over old birthday cards and favorite songs. I felt gentle love for puppies in a commercial on TV. I sobbed when I said good-bye to friends at summer camp or college roommates.
Because of a series of events in my adult life I forced myself to stuff those tender, gentle feelings inside. I didn't trust myself and thought sometimes if I started crying I may never stop. I almost had to walk away from students as the year ended because I knew I would tear up and sob at saying good-bye. When I met somebody I really liked I was afraid to get too close. I couldn't sort out my emotional self. I often felt a sadness that I couldn't shake when I left home after a family gathering.
The lesson I have learned as an older adult is the importance of having heart. I trust myself again to show those emotions and not fear a crying breakdown. I am able to show my love through simple gestures or big demonstrations. I can love my pets unconditionally, but am prepared when I have to say good-bye. At least five people in my life have lost husbands or fathers in the last month. Rather than feeling sadness and falling in a black hole for them I now find ways to show love whether it be simple words, a promise for dinner out, or a card. Writing has helped me sort those emotions, whether with a journal, a blog post, or a memoir piece.
I surround myself with people that accept me unconditionally. I try to remove myself from situations when people are hateful or negative. I care deeply for the well-being of my students, and "I am tender, I am gentle" and have a better balance in what I can handle. I put my heart into the beauty of nature, art, the written word, a circle of people, my pets, my faith, and photography.
When you knock on my chest now it doesn't sound hollow. I may still have an emotional breakdown when a student loses a mother or my dog is injured, but the upside of that is the warm feeling that comes when my husband kisses me good-bye in the morning and says he likes that color combination I are wearing or when my sister says thanks for helping her daughters surprise her for Mother's Day.
I just found out when my husband was in elementary school he played in the Wizard of Oz on stage. What part did he play? Of course, the Tin Woodsman! Take a few minutes and enjoy once again "If I Only Had a Heart" from the original movie.
Each year we always love to have a friendly bet on which rose in the gardens will bloom first.
The America is in a close second as the bud is getting close to opening.
The Pink Iceberg will take third, but outdoes the other two with the number of buds. 
This image caught Annie and Shelby in the window seat of the tent trailer watching for squirrels.
I love this way this one frames Annie in the screened window.
This looks like an old-fashioned photo capturing our bridal wreath spirea in full bloom.
Here is the picnic table and the gazebo sitting in the morning stillness.
On Saturday we took the 1.5 mile hike around Swan Lake. It was an easy hike, but between keeping the dogs out of swampy water and watching for mud and fallen trees, it was an adventure for all. 
The hike begins at an old, rustic covered kitchen that can be reserved for large groups. 
The fireplace inside is so inviting. You want to bring in a group for a wiener roast!
No bridge over this creek which didn't bother JEJ, Shelby, and Annie.
I was glad this part of the trail had a wood plank boardwalk that helped us through the swampy part. 
As we stood across the lake from the campground we could observe people loading canoes and kayaks into the water for some morning enjoyment. The trees mask the tents and campers above the beach.
As we drew near the end of the hiking trail the path opened up creating an aisle through the cedars. It was so peaceful. I almost wished we hadn't reached the main road to hear some noisy pick-ups a few minutes later.
On our hike around the lake Saturday at Swan Lake I studied the uniqueness of the trees. Here are some of my observations.
Though rocks kept these roots from moving deep into the ground and the wind blew it over, the tree was still alive!
Eagles have good taste in choosing a spot for their nest.
Woodpeckers add their own form of beauty to a tree.
Finding the forest for the trees in this cedar grove reminded me of how soothing trees can be.
" I never knew how soothing trees are- many trees and patches of open sunlight, and tree presences; it is almost like having another being." D.H. Lawrence
