Acton, California - Summer Mud Magic
Matt smears the mud on his body grinning ear to ear. As he bends over the huge metal bowl filled with gooey brown mud he grabs the spoon to give it a stir. Just a few more swirls for the perfect consistency. There is an art to the perfect mud cake and he has it down. A commuter train rumbles in the distance blowing it's horn as it nears the RV park. Jonathan, Matt's older brother, looks on and wonders if the train is tooting its approval; probably not. Matt hears the train so often that he no longer responds. He is too engrossed in muddy endeavors to notice anyhow. "Put it on your face! I dare you, Matt." Jonathan knows how to get his brother to do almost anything - especially for laugh. Sinking his hands into the dark chocolate mud Matt flashes a mischevious grin. Mom is going to be pissed, the anticipation he feels is electric. He pulls up a handful of mud the size of a horse turd and starts to dab his cheeks. "Oh man! You did it! I can't believe ...