We had a few minutes of sunlight left after dinner, so what did we do? The only thing there was to do — head out to the wilderness that forms the border between our neighborhood and the one next to it and explore.

On the way down, the Boy taught me some ninja tricks, like how to sneak around. Quite a light step that boy has.

Every time we get back here, the Boy suggests that the next time we come, we need to bring some snippers and take care of all the thorns we have to navigate. I’m of two minds about this: on the one hand, it would ease our journey, and it would make some portions accessible. Still, the challenge is half the fun. And it gives us a chance to toughen up.

“Oh, I have a thorn!” the Boy will cry out.

“Tough it out. Push through it,” I reply.

Plus, it’s not our property, I explain…