Author Archives: ashleekiser

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About ashleekiser

“For in Calormen, story-telling (whether the stories are true or made up) is a thing you're taught, just as English boys and girls are taught essay-writing. The difference is that people want to hear the stories, whereas I never heard of anyone who wanted to read the essays.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Horse and His Boy Join us on our family adventures as I try to tell our stories rather than bore you with more online essays.

Winter Is Here

Posted on 01/25/2018 by ashleekiser

House Stark’s motto cautions all to remember “Winter is coming.” Winter found Tennessee early this year, and brought a hard freeze that transformed our local creek into an ice covered splendor. After a few days of below freezing temps, we … Continue reading →

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You Can Drink the Hemlock

Posted on 01/24/2018 by ashleekiser

Christmas came and went quickly this time, and 2017 quietly wound down with time spent at home. January, however, has found us off and going and we’ve already experienced a variety of activities. To kick off the New Year, the … Continue reading →

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Christmas Time’s a Comin’

Posted on 12/07/2017 by ashleekiser

Doesn’t it seem like time really accelerates about mid October? Once the fall festivals hit, it just seems like a roller coaster of events clear through to Martin Luther King Junior Day. We’ve already zoomed past so many fun events … Continue reading →

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“We Can Take My Flashlights”

Posted on 11/09/2017 by ashleekiser

It rained in middle Tennessee this week. A lot. So of course all of the creeks jumped up and the paddlers rejoiced. But daylight savings time ended this week, leaving Cookeville in darkness by 5:00 PM, with no hope of … Continue reading →

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Let’s Get This Show Going!

Posted on 10/27/2017 by ashleekiser

The sound of fish hitting the surface of the water and birds chirping as yellow and red leaves fluttered down from the autumn trees provided a calming backdrop for our evening after a busy day. Ian participated in the Tomahawk … Continue reading →

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Ian’s Ocoee PFD

Posted on 09/28/2017 by ashleekiser

All the time I hear friends jokingly talk about how it takes a village to raise a kid, especially from our like-minded friends who tend toward more free-range parenting. I would say that Ian’s upbringing also takes a village, but … Continue reading →

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5 Methods that Helped Us Introduce Our Kid Under 5 to Whitewater

Posted on 08/04/2017 by ashleekiser

    IMPORTANT This entry is not meant to be a substitute for common sense, or a treatise on child care. The purpose is to provide suggestions as what has worked successfully for my family and friends who have ventured … Continue reading →

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Class of 2030

Posted on 06/13/2017 by ashleekiser

Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you’re in diapers; the next day you’re gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul.      The Wonder Years Parents belong to a club. This club requires tears … Continue reading →

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Puh-puh-puh Paw Patrol!

Posted on 05/21/2017 by ashleekiser

As Ian approached the big 5, he decided that he wanted to have a Paw-Patrol birthday party playing laser tag. With the help of Amazon, Joy, Lauren, and Cookeville Cyber Tag, this was not a hard feat to pull off. … Continue reading →

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15 Years

Posted on 04/20/2017 by ashleekiser

15 years ago today, a raft guide yanked me out of my boat and dropped me in the Ocoee. 15 years ago today I agreed to a first date with a raft guide. 15 years ago today my life forever … Continue reading →

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