What's in my backpack for hiking...

 Getting ready to have an active summer and thought I would share what's in my hiking backpack with you. It's time to BE on the move again. As the weather gets nicer I can't wait to hike again and go kayaking. It's important to be prepared for any situation.  For anyone interested I will put in links for where I purchased items.  Make sure to check the weather before you go so you dress properly and add clothes for wind or rain and wear proper footwear. 

 

1. Back pack

2. Brightly colored bandana

3. Hair scrunchie or hair tie

4. bug repelant clip

5. CPR mouth guard

6. Tic remover

7. Hand sanitizer

 

1. Water bladder or water bottle

2. Headlamp

3. Bug spray

4. Sun block

5. Toilet paper in zip lock

6. Folding hiking poles

7. Micro fiber quick dry towel

8. Trail food, granola bars

9. Rain cover for backpack

10. Map

11. First aid kit (with survival blanket included)

12. Lip balm

13. Soap sheets

14. Small note pad, pencil and highlighter

15. Monocular

16. Compression knee brace

17. Compression ankle brace

18. Extra socks

19. Gallon bag to keep things dry

20. Whistle, knife & rope

 

Girl Scout Memories Thru the Years Camptured in Photos

Girl Scout memories thru the years camptured in photos.

I have so many more but these are some of my all time favorites.

Free time at camp to just sit with friends

 Tie Dye Porch

Get to Know You Ball

Human Knot

Girl Scout Tree of Gratitude 

Campfire Friends

Bridging Bridge Built by Troop 2245

Service Unit Encampment Candle Opening Ceremony

Service Unit Encampment Platform Tent Camping

Some time to sit and read

Moonlit Hike at Camp by Flashlight

The perfect spot for my shoes 

Teaching the younger girls Cats in the Cradle

Froggy Fun

Service Unit Day at Camp Woodhaven

Platform Tent Peak-a-boo

Friendly Game of Spoons

Friendly and Helpful even when they think no one is looking

Eyes Wide Open

 11/9/21

Eyes Wide Open

        by Laura Brittain

Remember to keep your eyes wide open.
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
Around the next corner could be something amazing.
Everyday places you've been before can still surprise you.

If you remember to keep your eyes wide open and not shut.

Open to new possibilities, both visible and invisible.

Everyday things can make impossible become possible.

You don't always have to be able to see it to dream it.

Dream BIG, do, go, be, ArtsyBE.

Old Bench

Old Bench

by Laura L. Brittain

Old bench, chipped paint that has been repainted again and again
Sturdy it is not, but stable it is
Memories it holds of younger days and old
Thoughts of days gone by watching my children sit and talk
Trivial lessons taught, news of the day discussed, memories shared of years gone by
Veteran, Teacher, Neighbor missed a lot
No grandchildren to carry on these memories
We will hold him our hearts for eternity

I did it! I made my first Etsy Listing, plus 2 more.

I made ArtsyBE “the Original” painting card, 7 years ago for a Girl Scout camping trip. It was a success and the girls had a lot of fun.  After that weekend it has been in my idea notebook, along with ideas for other versions. In reinventing myself and trying to make a name for myself I finally dusted off the old notebook and started plugging away at making a set of cards to sell on Etsy. My very creative daughter has been helping me digitize and firm up my logo. My family has been an amazing support system to me the whole time. It’s because of their belief in me that I made my first listing on Etsy tonight for not just one, but 3 different card games. It’s official, check out my page. I'm excited to share the latest addition to my #etsy shop: artsyBE "The Original" Painting Card Game https://etsy.me/3rdOkgp

And then as if the night couldn’t get any better. I made my first sale. It still gets better…my first and favorite art teacher bought it. Unbelievable! The women who shared her talent and  love of art with me for my formative years. I wanted to be just like her.  I hope I can stand up to her example of excellence.

 

Sometimes This is All I Need

Sometimes This is All I Need

by Laura Brittain - 10/14/21

A place to breathe

To be one with nature 

Take it all in

Foggy morning paddle

Same place ever changing

Fog wraps around the distant mountains

Colors fading

Sun shines through and the sky turns to blue

Spider webs glisten in tree branches with no leaves

Peaceful silence, birds singing, babbling water, splash of my paddle 

Amazing wonders of nature

Beaver dams changing currents 

A reminder to be flexible and open to life’s changes like nature changes with each season

Photos taken October 12, 2021 at the Kunjamuk, Speculator, NY

"The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry."

"The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry." 

This is a well know quote from Robert Burns very old poem called, "To a Mouse," written in 1785.

This saying keeps running through my head as I try to find enough time to do all the things running through my head, all the ideas and dreams.  And the fear of what could happen, the unknown, so many things I don't know, where do I  begin and what's the next move.  I start, and stop and start again.  Anxiety fills my chest and my heart races.  I have a vision of a card game, a studio, a coffee shop, but I don't know how to really do it.  I've been printing and laminating my deck of cards from home and I really want to get them printed so they look professional, but then I think that it will lose it's charm. None of the decks come out perfectly, is that the charm of the homemade deck of cards.  Should I just post the games on Etsy? What's holding me back?  Fear...Anxiety...I created this card game 7 years ago for a Girl Scout Camping Trip and it has been written out in a notebook ever since, and I created 2 other versions since that have also remained in my notebook.  Recently my daughter has been helping me create the logo and we have printed cards.  I have given them to 3 friends to try them out, they all say it's a good idea.  So what's really stopping me...

I keep thinking about that saying, "The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry," it keeps coming back to me again and again.  I think what it's trying to tell me is to go for it, that no amount of planning will ever plan for everything.  That no matter how much I plan it, think and over think it, there is always something that can and will go wrong.  I'm trying to not let that fear get in the way.  I need to be flexible and ready to make changes, start over and do it again if neccessary.  Lets see if I can get past the planning and just do it. Ready or not here I come.

 

I watched this recital of the poem and I really enjoyed it, have a look and listen.  The poem sounds so much better with an accent then read by me.