Souvenir

I’m a huge fan of souvenirs.  I always have been.  Family vacations were only complete, when I could bring home a keychain or postcard or some other trinket that proudly proved the fact that I had visited that specific location.  Years down the road, I would randomly come across said souvenirs and smile, remembering trips taken and memories made.

In my adult years, my souvenir shopping has gotten a little more reasonable.  Sure, I’ll still purchase those keychains and postcards for our kids, because it’s fun and it makes memories for them.  However, when it comes to myself, I’ve gained restraint.  For instance, I did not purchase the Nativity walnut that I found in a gift shop in Costa Rica, even though I actually do have a fondness for Nativity scenes and for walnuts (separately).  I’ve learned to decipher between things that seem cool on vacation (i.e. those coconut monkeys that are just so cute) but aren’t so much when you get them home and they just become clutter.

All that being said, on this past trip, Jeremy and I did come home with a souvenir that was pretty awesome.  And it’s called, a hammock chair swing.  And after a trip to the East Moriches Hardware Store for a few supplies, we finally hung it up today.

We went to the hardware store to get strong rope and a few sturdy clips.  Jeremy wrapped the rope around the tree and after Googling “How to tie a knot for a hammock” I climbed up the ladder to secure our swing.  I tried to follow the step by step instructions for how to tie some sort of super knot, but it didn’t really work out so well, so I just tied a bunch of knots, a bunch of different ways.  Jeremy looked confused, but impressed and we both had a good laugh when I confessed that I didn’t have a clue how to tie the knot from the website.

Either way, it seems like our swing is pretty secure.

And I have a feeling that it’s going to become a new Herr family favorite for all of us.  It’s incredible useful and incredibly comfortable.

And it has a great view for peering up into our big, beautiful tree.  I’m guessing that many thoughts and prayers and hopes and dreams will be made from our swing, while looking up.

Here’s to awesome souvenirs.