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Written by Rowonna McNeely – This last week, our family took up a new hobby. What is your new hobby, you might ask.  We are painting rocks! Sounds strange at first if you haven’t heard about it. Let me see if I can explain. You take a rock, paint a picture, phrase or encouraging words and then you hide it in a public place. Once it is hidden, you can post a hint and picture of the painted rock on the Brown County “ROCKS” (Texas) #325 Rocks! Facebook page. Other people go out searching for them, find them and hide them somewhere else.

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It’s kind of like a long Easter egg hunt, except the Easter eggs keep changing. The best part is, it is something we can do as a family. The group’s objective is to encourage being creative through art and also to encourage community interaction.

Friday, as I began to shut my computer down for the weekend, Aaron sent me a video message. “I found something that we are going to have to do more of when you get home.” He stated as he focused the camera on Kiera sitting in front of our coffee table, painting on a rock.

I quickly responded back. “That looks like fun!”

Now, I sometimes tend to go all in when starting something new. I know this comes as a shock to some of you.

I finished shutting down my computer, grabbed my purse and headed for the nearest craft store to purchase paint. As I studied the large selection of paint, I began to wonder if we had enough rocks.

Stop. I know. I know. It wasn’t one of my brighter moments… and yes. I did find an aisle in the store where they sold rocks. I bought a bag. I paid $2 and some odd cents for rocks.

Once home, I unloaded my stash of new paints… and bag of rocks. I wish you could have seen the look on Aaron’s face when I pulled out that bag of rocks.

“You do realize we have a driveway full of rocks?” He said.

Obviously, I did not remember that, otherwise I wouldn’t have paid for rocks.

We gathered around the coffee table after dinner and proceeded to paint several rocks; discussing what ideas we had, what colors to use and just having fun.

Sunday, we gathered our rocks and headed off to hide them. We decided to hide our rocks in the Margaret & Stuart Coleman Plaza. Kiera bounced excitedly as she looked for the perfect place to hide her rocks.

She actually went with a theme when she went to hide the rocks. We had painted a t-bone steak, watermelon, sandwich, a landscape, among several other designs.

“I’m going to hide all the foods first.” She stated as she scurried off to a bench.

I aimlessly walked along, waiting for the perfect spot to jump out at me. As I walked, I noticed the beautiful trees and plants that were decorating the plaza and took a few moments to admire them.

“I’ve hidden all mine!” Kiera exclaimed as she bounced up beside me. “Can I help you hide yours?”

“Absolutely!” I responded, handing over my landscape rock.

“This one needs to go right here.” She said as she bent over and placed it next to a blooming purple plant. “See? The purple in the rock goes perfect with the purple flowers.”

Never let it be said that she does not have a reason for everything she does.

Kiera has had a blast searching for rocks. As a result, she is more aware of her surroundings. It’s a fun little hobby. Not only is it fun, but it also gives us another reason to put our phones down and walk away from the TV while getting out and exploring Brownwood and the surrounding communities.

The best part of it all, we spend that time exploring as a family.

Thank you for sharing in our weekly journeys. If you have missed any of our past stories, check out our new blog page at www.lifea2k.net or drop us a line at [email protected].

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Rowonna McNeely works with her husband, Aaron, at Willie’s T’s in the Art Department, regularly volunteers in the community, and has her hands full with her daughter, Kiera, along with two dogs and one cat.

Rowonna is a graduate of May High School (Go Tigers!) and grew up on a dairy farm. She enjoys reading, creating, swimming, and planning events. She’s also a bit of a klutz.

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