Stuck in the Mud
This is a story about how Traci got stuck in the mucky-muck while trying to clean up some litter. Saving Mother Earth can be sticky business.
In May of 2012, my family took an impromptu vacation to our cabin on Sugar Island in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The water level has been extremely low over the past several years and this year it was the lowest we'd seen, yet.
Everyone in our family loves to kayak including the kids. The trick is getting them out into the water. One afternoon, Traci took her kids out past the reeds on a reconnaissance mission to see if we could get out into the "big water." It was there that Aedan spotted an abandoned soda can at the water's edge. Aedan is very in tune with her need to save mother earth and took this opportunity to rescue the can. After about two steps, Aedan realized that the ground was not as solid as she'd hoped and she was in the Michigan version of quick sand! As she began to sink, she called out for help. Her mommy, Traci, quickly came to her rescue. Without hesitating, Traci ventured out and successfully rescued Aedan.
But while one Spencer lady was safe, the other was in serious trouble. Traci's boots were firmly stuck in the quick-mud. As hard as she tried, she couldn't budge either foot. Uh-oh. As Traci desperately tried to work herself free, I spotted her from the window. Never one to miss the opportunity to document my sister's ability to overcome obstacles on film, I grabbed my camera and raced to the water myself.
As soon as I got close, Aedan explained the situation to me. She told me mommy might need some help, so I asked Aedan who should help.
"Oh, I know!" cried Aedan, "The EAGLE can help us! EXCUSE ME, Mr. Eagle! We need your help!!!"
Sadly, Mr. Eagle either couldn't hear Aedan's pleas or perhaps he was too distracted by the fish he had in his claws, but either way, he flew off without a backwards glance. The seagulls that were chasing the eagle failed to respond, either. How rude.
That meant it was up to Aedan, Willy and me to rescue mommy. Aedan and Will helped by bringing mommy handfuls of grass and pebbles to put down on the ground to stabilize the mud. I helped by cheering for Traci and telling her she's great while taking pictures. When she lost her balance and fell she was secretly grateful because suddenly she had leverage.
I handed her a stick to help dig out her boots and after a few minutes of some serious digging, she rescued one of her boots. As she worked on the second, Aedan, Willy and I continued to "help." I'm quite sure that she couldn't have had success without our moral support.
After a grueling battle, Traci beat the quick-mud and rescued not only both of her boots, but also the evil piece of trash that initiated the whole adventure.
**Notice that instead of helping her, I'm taking pictures to document the situation. I'm such an awesome sister.**
In May of 2012, my family took an impromptu vacation to our cabin on Sugar Island in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The water level has been extremely low over the past several years and this year it was the lowest we'd seen, yet.
Everyone in our family loves to kayak including the kids. The trick is getting them out into the water. One afternoon, Traci took her kids out past the reeds on a reconnaissance mission to see if we could get out into the "big water." It was there that Aedan spotted an abandoned soda can at the water's edge. Aedan is very in tune with her need to save mother earth and took this opportunity to rescue the can. After about two steps, Aedan realized that the ground was not as solid as she'd hoped and she was in the Michigan version of quick sand! As she began to sink, she called out for help. Her mommy, Traci, quickly came to her rescue. Without hesitating, Traci ventured out and successfully rescued Aedan.
But while one Spencer lady was safe, the other was in serious trouble. Traci's boots were firmly stuck in the quick-mud. As hard as she tried, she couldn't budge either foot. Uh-oh. As Traci desperately tried to work herself free, I spotted her from the window. Never one to miss the opportunity to document my sister's ability to overcome obstacles on film, I grabbed my camera and raced to the water myself.
As soon as I got close, Aedan explained the situation to me. She told me mommy might need some help, so I asked Aedan who should help.
"Oh, I know!" cried Aedan, "The EAGLE can help us! EXCUSE ME, Mr. Eagle! We need your help!!!"
Sadly, Mr. Eagle either couldn't hear Aedan's pleas or perhaps he was too distracted by the fish he had in his claws, but either way, he flew off without a backwards glance. The seagulls that were chasing the eagle failed to respond, either. How rude.
That meant it was up to Aedan, Willy and me to rescue mommy. Aedan and Will helped by bringing mommy handfuls of grass and pebbles to put down on the ground to stabilize the mud. I helped by cheering for Traci and telling her she's great while taking pictures. When she lost her balance and fell she was secretly grateful because suddenly she had leverage.
I handed her a stick to help dig out her boots and after a few minutes of some serious digging, she rescued one of her boots. As she worked on the second, Aedan, Willy and I continued to "help." I'm quite sure that she couldn't have had success without our moral support.
After a grueling battle, Traci beat the quick-mud and rescued not only both of her boots, but also the evil piece of trash that initiated the whole adventure.
**Notice that instead of helping her, I'm taking pictures to document the situation. I'm such an awesome sister.**