LOLA.

Before you read this blog, there are a few things you should know about . . . Tess. Tess is the sort of girl who plays by the rules! Especially in the woods. She only rides on designated trails. She picks up other people's trash. She doesn't even pick the wildflowers she photographs! With all of that said, the story you are about to hear is in some ways out of character for Miss Tess. And that means she did what she did because she absolutely had to! Morally, she had to do it! Regardless of what the rules might say.

On Mother's Day I was, of course, in beautiful Cascade to spend the day with my mommy! It was a busy day for me actually. Laura and I prepared a fantastically large brunch for Mom and then I was off to shoot a photo session in the afternoon before stopping back by to say a quick goodbye. I had big plans to leave Cascade PROMPTLY at 5 pm. Well, that wasn't exactly an easy plan to stick to! I think it was somewhere close to 9 pm before I finally left!

Dad had been encouraging me to fire up my four-wheeler so that she would be ready for our first ride. So, in an effort to NOT drive home, we went out and got Miss Lowbelly running. I rode around their property a bit, intending just to blow-out the cobwebs but it felt SO GOOD to be riding that . . .

WE DECIDED TO GO FOR A QUICK RIDE!

WE ENDED UP AT HERRICK'S RESERVIOR.

DAD IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A GOSLING SWIMMING (AND PEEPING WILDING) IN THE WATER--NO MAMA GOOSE TO BE SEEN ANYWHERE. THE TINY LITTLE CHICK SWAM TOWARD US AND CLIMBED OUT ON TO THE BANK. NO MAMA GOOSE ANYWHERE!

SO . . .

I'LL JUST LET YOU FILL IN THE DETAILS!

MEET LOLA!

LOLA NOW HAS A HOME . . .

WHERE SHE IS HAND FED CLOVER,

AND AN OCCASIONAL WORM!

BUT SHE SURE DOES HAVE A STRANGE LOOKING MAMA!

SHE DECIDED I SHOULD BE HER NEW MAMA AND

I'M PRETTY OKAY WITH THAT IDEA!

I LOVE HER!

MY LOVELY LOLA

UNCLE JIM EATING DINNER WITH LOLA ON HIS LAP!

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SUCH A SPOILED GOOSE?!

BUT DON'T THINK ALL OF OUR TIME TOGETHER IS SPENT CUDDLING . . .

I TOOK HER SWIMMING--IN THE KITCHEN SINK!

(BUT IT WAS UNCLE JIM WHO INSISTED WE USE WARM WATER)!

SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

SHE IS QUITE THE DIVER!

AND THEN WE TOOK HER OUTSIDE TO WARM UP IN THE SUN . . .

SHE HAS STARTED HISSING AT AND ATTACKING MY CAMERA!

SHE LOVES HER CLOVER!!!

BUT EVEN MORE SO WHEN YOU PICK IT FOR HER!

LOVING THE SUNSHINE!

AND ATTACKING MY CAMERA AGAIN!

DOING HER HAIR! ")

_______________________________________________________________

As I worked to finish this blog, I learned that my sweet Lola passed away.

Little Lola's spirit spoke to me from the moment I laid eyes on her! When I rescued her that night, I had no idea I would grow so attached to her, that I would actually LOVE her, nor that I would mourn so deeply when she was gone. I am beyond grateful for the days I had with her though and do not for a minute regret my decision to scoop up that little orphan and make her mine! I shed a ridiculous amount of tears for my Lola--for the loss of such a bright, lively, loving personality. She brought innumerable smiles to my face and I simply adored her. She was absolutely wonderful and I regret that I did not get a chance to share her with more of you before her passing. It is for this reason that I have chosen to share Lola's story with you now, despite how I might feel about the ending.

~LOLA'S LIFE LESSONS~

BE BRAVE. BE DARING. TAKE A CHANCE.

they will either love you or eat you!

FIND STRENGTH IN THE PROTECTIVE COVER OF FAMILY.

seek the warm hands of your mama!

PLAY WITH WILD RECKLESS ABANDON!

especially in the kitchen sink :)

RECEIVE WITHOUT GUILT.

let them feed you clover and scratch your head!

SHOW GENUINE GRATITUDE.

coo with absolute delight!

LOVE.

and you will be loved in return.

Lola, you called me mama and I will NEVER forget you!