Notes From the Dog by Gary Paulsen

Author:Gary Paulsen [Paulsen, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, Diseases; Illnesses & Injuries, Dogs, Animals, Boys & Men, Health & Daily Living
ISBN: 9780375894503
Google: v87jI1I7jzgC
Amazon: B002HMJZ82
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Published: 2009-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

10

“What’s this?” I asked. Johanna had thrust a fistful of papers into my face.

Grandpa and I were in the backyard late one afternoon. He was “trying out the new hammock,” meaning he was sound asleep in the shade.

“These aren’t more additions to the binder, are they? Because—”

“No,” she interrupted me, “the university’s arboretum is offering a gardening seminar this weekend. I want you to register.”

“The what?”

She looked at the papers. “An arboretum is a living collection of primarily woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study.”

“A plant laboratory?

“Sure.”

“Never heard of it. Where is it?”

“Across town. If Matthew wants to go, I’ll drop you guys off Saturday morning and pick you up Sunday after breakfast. You get to sleep in the arboretum.”

“Uh, well, er … don’t you think we’re too old for … um, sleepovers?” I saw her fight back a smile. “The whole thing sounds kind of girly.”

“Think of it as camping. More manly, right?”

“Uh …”

Johanna pulled another brochure from her backpack and handed it to me. “See,” she said, “the program just screams Finn.”

I read aloud. “‘Spend a weekend sharing the wonders of nature. Designed especially for the serious gardener.’ Are you trying to tell me I need help with the garden? I got the stench under control and the mud dried out. Things have been going really well lately. And the front and side yards look good. Anyone would say so.”

“Not help so much as inspiration. You seemed a little dispirited by the stench and mud drama,” Johanna said.

Grandpa came over and kissed Johanna on the cheek. She handed him a brochure.

I read the schedule:

SATURDAY

9 a.m.—Check in, pick up tent, meet hiking buddies, stow gear

9:30 a.m.—Welcome

10 a.m.–12 noon—Two 1-hour breakout sessions (see options)

12 noon–1 p.m.—Lunch

1–5 p.m.—4-hour intensive session (see options)

5–6 p.m.—Prepare dinner

6 p.m.—Dinner

7:30 p.m.—Twilight hike

10 p.m.—Campfire snacks, storytelling competition

11:30 p.m.—Lights out

SUNDAY

6 a.m.—Sunrise hike

8–9 a.m.—Breakfast and farewell

Hiking. Sleeping in a tent. Peeing … I wasn’t going to think about that now but it was probably outside. Breakout sessions—just another way of saying classes. Homework, probably, or tests.

“How … um, did you find out about this?”

“Auntie Bean is working the conference.”

“I’ll go with you, my boy,” Grandpa said. “Sounds fascinating.”

Sounds like someone wants to spend more time with Auntie Bean, I thought.

“What’s fascinating?” Matthew had come around the corner of the house.

“Spending the weekend with Finn and Mr. Duffy at the arboretum.” Johanna handed him some papers.

Johanna and Grandpa started putting together a list of supplies and gear. Matthew was reading a brochure. He looked up, studied the yard and then stared at Johanna. He set the papers down and walked away to find Dylan’s tennis ball to throw. I picked up the brochure, scanning the front flap:

The Arboretum’s Tribute and Memorial Gift Program is an opportunity to honor the memory of a family member. Tribute gifts provide lasting recognition, and donors can select from trees, plants and flower beds.

I shrugged and put it back. What had captured Matthew’s attention?

Matthew decided to come along, probably because of the pictures of girls in one of the brochures—high school cheerleaders did community service at the arboretum.

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