All material (photography and writing) on this blog is copyrighted © Megan Oteri ~ All Rights Reserved
Earth Day
Happy Earth Day! (It was April 22) Earth Day should be everyday.
I am madly in love with the Earth. It is where I get my inspiration and where I find myself closest to my Higher Power. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and moved to Wyoming when I was 15. Nature was always a part of my life. My parents always took us to the park when we were kids. And living in Wyoming taught me about the beauty of the natural world.
I remember just moving to Wyoming and thinking it was no man’s land. I was horrified when we had to hop off the activity bus and squat outside in the snow for a pee break. I really had to go. We had a bus load of high school basketball players. I remember looking around at the scenery; there wasn’t anything for miles. Not even a single light. The night sky above me was absolutely beautiful and luminescent. As I was squatting, I actually saw a shooting star in the sky. The envelope of white from the thick winter snow reflected, creating a show of shadows, light, and beauty. It was the most beautiful pee break I ever took — right there underneath Mother Nature.
I remember this change that slowly happened in me — this awakening — this acceptance of Wyoming. I began to look out the window more, perhaps this is where I was becoming a writer as well. When we arrived in Sheridan, Wyoming for a conference basketball game (it was 8 hours away and yes, a conference game) I stared out the back of the bus, awe-struck by the Big Horn Mountains. Right there in the Sheridan High School parking lot, were these majestic snow-covered mountains. I had never seen anything like it. It took my breath away. The coach had to come on the bus to get me. I couldn’t stop staring at them. The beauty almost brought me to tears. I think it actually did.
Big Horn Mountains in Sheridan, Wyoming. You can see why I couldn't take my eyes off of them!
Balance and Boundaries
There just isn’t any (balance or boundaries living with a toddler). Still adjusting to motherhood — will always be adjusting. I have accepted that it will never be like it used to be and either will I. It is really hard to get anything done with an active toddler. I am finding myself constantly trying to ward off disaster and find ways to get him engaged in activities. As I write this post now, the clock is ticking until I have to stop, drop, and roll my way over to him. I am trying to roll with it, and just go with the flow, but the thing is — there is no flow. Just ten minute segments here and there that I attempt to patch together to write. I just have no idea how people work at home with a toddler or multiple children. I can barely blog. I do most of my writing at night, when my son sleeps. I also write on the weekends when my husband is home.
First Poo
Since I already have talked about peeing, why not talk about poo! Ben, my almost two-year old, went the bathroom in the toilet. He put up his “Wait one minute” signal, that I thought was solely for counting, but apparently, it means, “I’m going the bathroom.” I picked him up, raced him to the bathroom, slide on the potty training seat, and he did it. We were proud — you’d have thought he graduated from college.
Bull Riding
I interviewed world champion bull rider, Jerome Davis, at his ranch in Archdale, North Carolina. His wife, Tiffany, and him were so wonderful. He has a bull riding school every year. There was even a young bull rider who came all the way from Ohio. I was able to spend the day at his ranch and watch him coach kids on bull riding. He truly is a world champion and the most down-to-earth guy. I was a little nervous, but Tiffany and Jerome’s kindness put me at ease. I will be telling you more about the interview as I develop it into multiple stories for several publications. I felt like I was in Wyoming, surrounded by bulls, cowboys, and a dirt filled arena.
Jerome Davis Bull Riding School in Archdale, NC
New Camera
My husband bought me a new camera for my birthday. It has two lenses. I love it. It feels like my old 35 mm Pentax. I can zoom in and out by moving the lens with my hand. I love that feeling. And you actually feel the moment when you “have the shot.”
The slideshow below is of a local horse pasture my son and I like to go visit. We go at least three times a week. The horse’s name is Silk. She loves Ben and Ben loves her. Someday I will have my own horse farm or ranch. Someday…
Since a picture is worth a thousand words — why not give you ten thousand!
Have a great Monday Museday!
Hope. Wish. Dream. Be.
~ memomuse
