Lisa-Jo gave us a break, a prompt free week. But a few lovely writers want to go anyway. so the prompt became break, and the link host moved for one week, and still I write on Thursday. Some things still happen as expected.
Go.
I could have used this break as a time to skip a week. Get the rest of the things done that I need to get done (like finish the Christmas cards <-- don't judge!) and finish the laundry. Pack for the trip tomorrow. Write the letters so overdue. But I was craving a break in my day. Overwhelmed at work with a new project and a 4 day weekend looming ahead in all its splendor. And still I needed to stop for a minute. Refocus my brain. Or think about something else. Perhaps inconsequential, but the refreshing mind break. So I can tackle this afternoon and get it all done. And then walk away tonight not having to get out 3 status reports in the middle of the night and being able to leave my laptop at home this weekend. Means no good pictures of the trip until I get back, but also means a break from email and the temptation to work because I have an extra minute without the kids asking for this or that. so, taking a break now to ensure I have a break this weekend - this is a worthwhile 5 minute pause indeed.
Stop.
THIS week, link up over here!
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
Grateful (Five Minute Friday)
Today, I want to take a minute (or 5) to share my gratitude for a special community of people. Some strangers, some friends, but all united with a common mission.
May is Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month. NF is a disease that affects roughly 1 in 3,000 people worldwide, and yet it's highly likely that you've never even heard of it. We're on a mission to change that. A community of people, brought together by a love of the Washington Nationals, has teamed up with Ian Desmond, Nationals' star shortstop.
For the basic rundown on what NF is, you can read this post. Get to Know NF (Thank you, Nationals 101!) To hear the story of how the project started, you can read more: The Nats Blog’s follow up post, a post from Patrick Reddington on Federal Baseball, and Matt’s Bats post as well. And District Sports page has added their EndNF post.
To join our team, follow this link and spread the word. Every bit helps. The first step to Ending NF is to know what it is.
We started with a goal of $10,000 in the month of May, and as of tonight we're over $18,000 with 24 days to go. There's some great perks available if you're a baseball fan or know someone who is. But even if you aren't, don't let that stop you.
NF isn't just "one of those things" for me. Ian Desmond talks about his friendship with Ethan. I had the privilege to meet Ethan and his family at Nats Park last summer and we've become friends.
It's personal for me. One of my dearest friends from college is now an NF advocate. Because it affects BOTH of her sweet children. Her kids are the same age as mine. And I see how they're fighting - every day. With faith and strength and courage. She's a mama warrior, and she's using her family's story to blaze a path. There's a lot of unknowns with NF as of today. The path to knowing is paved by people like you and me. We can talk about it. We can share information with others. We give what we can financially - for some it's a lot, for some it's a little, and for some it's not possible, but we can ALL give our time. We can ALL spread the word. We can ALL retweet a tweet for someone else to see - to share the information in a bigger circle. That's the first step. And YOU can be a part of that. Reminder: here's where you do it.
Tonight I am grateful for Ian Desmond and the community of writers, fans, and friends who have joined forces to spread the word and make a difference. #EndNF.
------
linking up with another great community - the Five Minute Friday crowd. For the full story on how it works, read here. And to read this week's collection on GRATEFUL, follow this link.
May is Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month. NF is a disease that affects roughly 1 in 3,000 people worldwide, and yet it's highly likely that you've never even heard of it. We're on a mission to change that. A community of people, brought together by a love of the Washington Nationals, has teamed up with Ian Desmond, Nationals' star shortstop.
For the basic rundown on what NF is, you can read this post. Get to Know NF (Thank you, Nationals 101!) To hear the story of how the project started, you can read more: The Nats Blog’s follow up post, a post from Patrick Reddington on Federal Baseball, and Matt’s Bats post as well. And District Sports page has added their EndNF post.
To join our team, follow this link and spread the word. Every bit helps. The first step to Ending NF is to know what it is.
We started with a goal of $10,000 in the month of May, and as of tonight we're over $18,000 with 24 days to go. There's some great perks available if you're a baseball fan or know someone who is. But even if you aren't, don't let that stop you.
NF isn't just "one of those things" for me. Ian Desmond talks about his friendship with Ethan. I had the privilege to meet Ethan and his family at Nats Park last summer and we've become friends.
It's personal for me. One of my dearest friends from college is now an NF advocate. Because it affects BOTH of her sweet children. Her kids are the same age as mine. And I see how they're fighting - every day. With faith and strength and courage. She's a mama warrior, and she's using her family's story to blaze a path. There's a lot of unknowns with NF as of today. The path to knowing is paved by people like you and me. We can talk about it. We can share information with others. We give what we can financially - for some it's a lot, for some it's a little, and for some it's not possible, but we can ALL give our time. We can ALL spread the word. We can ALL retweet a tweet for someone else to see - to share the information in a bigger circle. That's the first step. And YOU can be a part of that. Reminder: here's where you do it.
Tonight I am grateful for Ian Desmond and the community of writers, fans, and friends who have joined forces to spread the word and make a difference. #EndNF.
------
linking up with another great community - the Five Minute Friday crowd. For the full story on how it works, read here. And to read this week's collection on GRATEFUL, follow this link.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Mess (Five Minute Friday)
MESS.
Most days my house is more a mess than not. But I can usually find what I need and the kids can too, and this is always a work in progress. Room to improve on the mess. Remove some chaos, find some order, finish mount washmore, and the like.
But my heart is thankfully no longer in the mess stage. At least not all the time. WHen everything was going on... when it was raw and new, when my ex left, and then I slowly unraveled the lies and the crazy mess that my life was becoming - with each new thing I learned my heart turned into a bigger mess. By the time I hit the bottom - the messiest place - it was like those days when I was a kid (and honestlly like my kids need even now) - when it just takes a big black trashbag and you need to purge and start again.
Black is important here. Kids can SEE in the white bags. They can see the scrap of paper with 2 marker lines that is their most precious creation of the last 30 seconds they colored, which may have been 3 days ago. Mommmmmyyyyyyy - how can you. throw. away. my. favoritest. art. EVER. Mean mommy, I am.
But that's exactly what they need. They can't even find their white paper to make a new creation because it is buried in the mess. That they won't let go of. And so it was with my heart. Buried in a pile of hurt and tears. Memories I wanted to keep and memories and moments I NEEDED to forget. To stop reliving every single day. The questions I needed to STOP ASKING. It was as if I was picking up the list on top of the pile. The why, where did I go wrong, how can I fix it questions. WHen what I really needed was to throw out that paper and start a new list. How do I get through today? What is good in today? What do I need to do next - for me, for the girls. What is the thing I need to do next. Not all the next things - not the long term plan. Just the next right thing. And so at the bottom of my mess, the Lord grabbed a giant black trash bag, helped me pile all that mess in there. And then He tied it up, carried it out to the curb. And handed me a set of colored pencils and a brand new sketch pad.
Stop.
To join us in Five Minute Friday:
1. Write your post. 5 raw minutes (no edits, typos welcome) on the word of the week
2. Link up here
3. Visit the one who linked before you and leave them some virtual sunshine.
Most days my house is more a mess than not. But I can usually find what I need and the kids can too, and this is always a work in progress. Room to improve on the mess. Remove some chaos, find some order, finish mount washmore, and the like.
But my heart is thankfully no longer in the mess stage. At least not all the time. WHen everything was going on... when it was raw and new, when my ex left, and then I slowly unraveled the lies and the crazy mess that my life was becoming - with each new thing I learned my heart turned into a bigger mess. By the time I hit the bottom - the messiest place - it was like those days when I was a kid (and honestlly like my kids need even now) - when it just takes a big black trashbag and you need to purge and start again.
Black is important here. Kids can SEE in the white bags. They can see the scrap of paper with 2 marker lines that is their most precious creation of the last 30 seconds they colored, which may have been 3 days ago. Mommmmmyyyyyyy - how can you. throw. away. my. favoritest. art. EVER. Mean mommy, I am.
But that's exactly what they need. They can't even find their white paper to make a new creation because it is buried in the mess. That they won't let go of. And so it was with my heart. Buried in a pile of hurt and tears. Memories I wanted to keep and memories and moments I NEEDED to forget. To stop reliving every single day. The questions I needed to STOP ASKING. It was as if I was picking up the list on top of the pile. The why, where did I go wrong, how can I fix it questions. WHen what I really needed was to throw out that paper and start a new list. How do I get through today? What is good in today? What do I need to do next - for me, for the girls. What is the thing I need to do next. Not all the next things - not the long term plan. Just the next right thing. And so at the bottom of my mess, the Lord grabbed a giant black trash bag, helped me pile all that mess in there. And then He tied it up, carried it out to the curb. And handed me a set of colored pencils and a brand new sketch pad.
Stop.
To join us in Five Minute Friday:
1. Write your post. 5 raw minutes (no edits, typos welcome) on the word of the week
2. Link up here
3. Visit the one who linked before you and leave them some virtual sunshine.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Friend (Five Minute Friday)
Catching up again after a long week. With enough time to spare that I am not nervous the link will be gone when I get there. It's this (last) week's edition of Five Minute Friday. Late posters always welcome. Because that's what friends are for, right?!
1. find the word and write for 5 minutes. raw, unedited, typos welcome.
2. link up over here with the crew
3. The unbreakable rule: visit the link before yours and leave a little love on their post
FRIEND
I have been blessed with some amazing friends in my life. Some who have been here for only a time and some who have been here from the time they showed up (or we were thrown together) and have stayed on the scene. We don't always live in the same places, or the same time zones and we never get together as often as I would like. But these are the gals I go to immediately when I have a crisis. A question. A "you won't even believe what just happened" moment.
The first ones I called when I learned my marriage was over. The ones who held me, or listened to me cry it out or scream it out or whatever words I had to share for the entire several year long process where I tried to hold it together. The ones who helped me start over.
The ones who even now will stay up all night and we'll laugh and share stories. The ones who call when it's been too long and who never let it get REALLY too long in between. The gals who open their homes. Who embrace the crazy - every kind of crazy - and who love my kids like adopted aunts.
The ones who schemed with me about school spirit missions and the ones who asked me to pick orange m-n-ms out of their wedding party bowls. Every one of them is like a sister to me, and their friendship is something I'll forever be thankful for. From Seattle to Nashville; Delaware to DC; and every which way in between, you ladies are my core. My inner circle. My chosen family. And I love you.
Stop.
PS ... YES! I stuck to 5 minutes this week!!
1. find the word and write for 5 minutes. raw, unedited, typos welcome.
2. link up over here with the crew
3. The unbreakable rule: visit the link before yours and leave a little love on their post
FRIEND
I have been blessed with some amazing friends in my life. Some who have been here for only a time and some who have been here from the time they showed up (or we were thrown together) and have stayed on the scene. We don't always live in the same places, or the same time zones and we never get together as often as I would like. But these are the gals I go to immediately when I have a crisis. A question. A "you won't even believe what just happened" moment.
The first ones I called when I learned my marriage was over. The ones who held me, or listened to me cry it out or scream it out or whatever words I had to share for the entire several year long process where I tried to hold it together. The ones who helped me start over.
The ones who even now will stay up all night and we'll laugh and share stories. The ones who call when it's been too long and who never let it get REALLY too long in between. The gals who open their homes. Who embrace the crazy - every kind of crazy - and who love my kids like adopted aunts.
The ones who schemed with me about school spirit missions and the ones who asked me to pick orange m-n-ms out of their wedding party bowls. Every one of them is like a sister to me, and their friendship is something I'll forever be thankful for. From Seattle to Nashville; Delaware to DC; and every which way in between, you ladies are my core. My inner circle. My chosen family. And I love you.
Stop.
PS ... YES! I stuck to 5 minutes this week!!
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Glue (Five Minute Friday)
Do you see a pattern emerging? I do. Write oh-so-very-close to the deadline. But it's still in. So that works.
Welcome to the very-very-late Five Minute Friday that gets written 2 hours before the new prompt arrives. =)
It's fast. It's easy. It's fun. And yet I am late. That's life. You can read more about our Five Minute Friday community over here. Link up and write with us.
GLUE.
I like glue. It's permanent. At least when compared to tape, rubber cement, thumbtacks, nails, etc. So when I try to repair something, if it's a repair I want to last - or something I treasure, then I fix it with glue when it breaks.I could throw it away, or I could work at it and glue it back together.
I envision that's how Jesus heals us. It takes some time and effort. But something of value is worth the time and effort, don't you think? Think of a vase. A treasured vase. The Lord refers to us as vessels. If a vase breaks, you can't tape it back together. Instead, you dig out the super glue. The crazy-stick-your-fingers-together powerful glue, and you fit each piece together one at a time. You put glue on both edges, and then you hold it until it sets. And then you move on to the next piece.
Just like the Lord takes my broken self - mistakes and hot temper and exasperated moments and all my messy dramatic sobs - and He patiently puts me back together with the good glue. To transform me into a vessel He can use.
Stop.
Welcome to the very-very-late Five Minute Friday that gets written 2 hours before the new prompt arrives. =)
It's fast. It's easy. It's fun. And yet I am late. That's life. You can read more about our Five Minute Friday community over here. Link up and write with us.
GLUE.
I like glue. It's permanent. At least when compared to tape, rubber cement, thumbtacks, nails, etc. So when I try to repair something, if it's a repair I want to last - or something I treasure, then I fix it with glue when it breaks.I could throw it away, or I could work at it and glue it back together.
I envision that's how Jesus heals us. It takes some time and effort. But something of value is worth the time and effort, don't you think? Think of a vase. A treasured vase. The Lord refers to us as vessels. If a vase breaks, you can't tape it back together. Instead, you dig out the super glue. The crazy-stick-your-fingers-together powerful glue, and you fit each piece together one at a time. You put glue on both edges, and then you hold it until it sets. And then you move on to the next piece.
Just like the Lord takes my broken self - mistakes and hot temper and exasperated moments and all my messy dramatic sobs - and He patiently puts me back together with the good glue. To transform me into a vessel He can use.
Stop.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Journey (OneWord365 April check in)
It's Tuesday. Actually the 4th Tuesday, but Amy shows grace and leaves the link open a FULL WEEK (Thanks, Amy!) and since this was due last Tuesday, I will squeak in under the deadline.
Time to check in with the word of the year and see how it's worked or been present in my life the past month.
-----------------
April brings spring break. Since the separation, we alternate holidays with the kiddos, except for Christmas break. This year was a "Daddy year" so my girls spent a relaxing and adventurous week with their grandparents, their dad, stepmother and little brother. With a week entirely to myself, I embraced my word, journey, to its fullest and took a vacation with a girlfriend.
We left DC on Saturday evening and flew to LAX, and then drove to San Diego. Saturday through Monday nights, we had a delightful apartment in the Gaslamp District. Sunday we visited a church in El Cajon, and then we spent the rest of the day with my dear friends, Chuck and Bridget. Chuck and I have been friends since we were 3. We are much older than 3 now ...
Chuck is the chorusmaster at the San Diego Opera. And Bridget sings in the chorus. Sunday was a treat for the ages - we saw the last (well, we hope not the last!) performance of the San Diego Opera. The show was Don Quixote, and it was fantastic! At the end, the hero dies, and as there is much still unknown about the future of the opera in San Diego, the audience felt like we died right along with him. I was sitting near many long-time opera patrons and they were sobbing. Audibly. Older patrons and younger ones. Some who had been coming to shows for over 30 years. It will be a sad day if the opera is finished. As of tonight, there is an extension until May 19. You can read all about the latest on the fate of the opera here.
After the opera and the interviews (thank you, local news in San Diego for helping to share the story!) we went to dinner with Chuck and Bridget. And then we went for dessert.
Afterwards, when we could eat not another bite, they took us on a city tour. We saw Balboa Park and then drove over to Coronado Island to look back at the skyline at night. Breathtaking views.
Monday we ventured up to La Jolla and met up with a colleague of mine for lunch. And we spent Monday night at PETCO Park (San Diego Padres baseball). Take note - I amsomewhat of a baseball junkie so the main focus of this trip, outside the opera, was baseball. 3 games - 3 new stadiums for me - in a week. The game was fun. San Diego came from behind in the bottom of the 8th to score 2 runs (on no hits, even!) and win. We had Phil's BBQ for dinner in the park. Don't miss that if you go - delicious! We walked back to the apartment after the game and stayed up late to watch the lunar eclipse from our balcony. Despite being in the middle of the city, the view was clear and watching that was spectacular. I took a few hundred photos with my new camera. None of them turned out very well (I am still learning). But the memory is clear and that's my favorite part of the experience anyway.
Tuesday we continued our journey and started our drive up the coast. We stopped at Rocky's Crown Pub. If you are in San Diego and you can get here, do NOT miss it. A friend told me it was the best burger in all of California. I have to say that it was maybe the best burger I've EVER had. We got there early and it was packed. Standing room only and a wait. I struck up a conversation with the guys standing next to me and within a few minutes they had invited us to share the next table that came open with them. (They had spied one in the back which had seating for 5 - that would fit their 3 plus my friend and me). They then told us stories of how they'd met and how they'd been coming to Rocky's every week for years and years. We met Joe, the owner and burger maker. The only choices you need to make at Rocky's are: big or small, with or without cheese, onions grilled or raw, and fries or no fries. My choice was small, with cheese, grilled and with fries. Finger licking good. The conversation eventually turned to dessert (of course!) and our new friends recommended Mr. Frostie's. A few blocks down and serving ice cream since 1949. Well worth the stop!
We continued on and spent Tuesday night at a resort in Newport Beach. There was a local place on the beach (walking traffic only!) to eat dinner on the porch and observe the glorious sunset into the Pacific. The pictures don't do it justice. But they might give you a hint of the splendor. (or not. again, no inherent talent with the camera)
Wednesday the journey led us to Anaheim. We spent the afternoon at the pool and then walked to Angels Stadium, where we got to see a fantastic comeback and then the Angels victorious in the 12th inning. (Yes, 12. We got some free baseball that night). We sat in the front row down the right field line. I managed to get some good pictures that night. But the best was the one with Sonny Gray. He's a pitched for the Oakland Athletics. AKA the A's. He went to Vanderbilt (several years after I did). So while we were watching batting practice, I yelled "Anchor Down" and he turned around, smiled, and came over for a picture. This is my favorite picture of the whole trip. Vanderbilt all the way.
Thursday we got up and headed a bit east, to Carbon Canyon park. We hiked to the redwood grove and saw some amazing wildlife along the way. I even captured a hummingbird in a photo. Then we drove to Marina del Rey and stayed at a B&B with so many stories held within its walls.
Read more about the journals and some other journeys. I added a few pages of my own. Friday after breakfast we rode our bikes (included with the room) along the beach and around the marina. I had a cactus (YES, CACTUS) taco for lunch. Embracing new foods on this journey as well. It was very tasty.
We then braved the LA traffic (goodness, traffic like I have never seen. I am from NJ, and I live near DC, so I have seen my fair share of traffic, but this was in a class all its own) and headed to Chavez Ravine. Dodger Stadium. Another fine game, with fantastic views of LA and also history held within the walls of the park. 12 innings later (yes, the second 12 inning game of the week!) the Dodgers had lost the game after a comeback only a few innings prior. The game as a whole was fun, and the crowd at Dodger stadium was the rowdiest of the games we saw. Very entertaining. The organist there has been playing there for over 30 years. I would love to hear some more about her journey!
Saturday we flew from LAX via San Francisco back to DC. We arrived around 11pm, exhausted but filled with great memories and some new stories to share with loved ones and friends.
So my journey in April was a physical one - across the country and along a little piece of the coast - and it added 3 stadiums more in my quest to see them all.
Time to check in with the word of the year and see how it's worked or been present in my life the past month.
-----------------
April brings spring break. Since the separation, we alternate holidays with the kiddos, except for Christmas break. This year was a "Daddy year" so my girls spent a relaxing and adventurous week with their grandparents, their dad, stepmother and little brother. With a week entirely to myself, I embraced my word, journey, to its fullest and took a vacation with a girlfriend.
We left DC on Saturday evening and flew to LAX, and then drove to San Diego. Saturday through Monday nights, we had a delightful apartment in the Gaslamp District. Sunday we visited a church in El Cajon, and then we spent the rest of the day with my dear friends, Chuck and Bridget. Chuck and I have been friends since we were 3. We are much older than 3 now ...
 |
| Saving the Opera, one person at a time! |
Chuck is the chorusmaster at the San Diego Opera. And Bridget sings in the chorus. Sunday was a treat for the ages - we saw the last (well, we hope not the last!) performance of the San Diego Opera. The show was Don Quixote, and it was fantastic! At the end, the hero dies, and as there is much still unknown about the future of the opera in San Diego, the audience felt like we died right along with him. I was sitting near many long-time opera patrons and they were sobbing. Audibly. Older patrons and younger ones. Some who had been coming to shows for over 30 years. It will be a sad day if the opera is finished. As of tonight, there is an extension until May 19. You can read all about the latest on the fate of the opera here.
After the opera and the interviews (thank you, local news in San Diego for helping to share the story!) we went to dinner with Chuck and Bridget. And then we went for dessert.
 |
| DESSERT!! |
Afterwards, when we could eat not another bite, they took us on a city tour. We saw Balboa Park and then drove over to Coronado Island to look back at the skyline at night. Breathtaking views.
 |
| reflections in Balboa Park |
Monday we ventured up to La Jolla and met up with a colleague of mine for lunch. And we spent Monday night at PETCO Park (San Diego Padres baseball). Take note - I am
 |
| PETCO Park |
Tuesday we continued our journey and started our drive up the coast. We stopped at Rocky's Crown Pub. If you are in San Diego and you can get here, do NOT miss it. A friend told me it was the best burger in all of California. I have to say that it was maybe the best burger I've EVER had. We got there early and it was packed. Standing room only and a wait. I struck up a conversation with the guys standing next to me and within a few minutes they had invited us to share the next table that came open with them. (They had spied one in the back which had seating for 5 - that would fit their 3 plus my friend and me). They then told us stories of how they'd met and how they'd been coming to Rocky's every week for years and years. We met Joe, the owner and burger maker. The only choices you need to make at Rocky's are: big or small, with or without cheese, onions grilled or raw, and fries or no fries. My choice was small, with cheese, grilled and with fries. Finger licking good. The conversation eventually turned to dessert (of course!) and our new friends recommended Mr. Frostie's. A few blocks down and serving ice cream since 1949. Well worth the stop!
 |
| our new friends - Jerry, Danny and Sherri |
We continued on and spent Tuesday night at a resort in Newport Beach. There was a local place on the beach (walking traffic only!) to eat dinner on the porch and observe the glorious sunset into the Pacific. The pictures don't do it justice. But they might give you a hint of the splendor. (or not. again, no inherent talent with the camera)
 |
| sunset over the Pacific |
 |
| ANCHOR DOWN! |
Thursday we got up and headed a bit east, to Carbon Canyon park. We hiked to the redwood grove and saw some amazing wildlife along the way. I even captured a hummingbird in a photo. Then we drove to Marina del Rey and stayed at a B&B with so many stories held within its walls.
 |
| one of the journal pages ... from shortly after September 11, 2001 |
Read more about the journals and some other journeys. I added a few pages of my own. Friday after breakfast we rode our bikes (included with the room) along the beach and around the marina. I had a cactus (YES, CACTUS) taco for lunch. Embracing new foods on this journey as well. It was very tasty.
 |
| cactus taco |
We then braved the LA traffic (goodness, traffic like I have never seen. I am from NJ, and I live near DC, so I have seen my fair share of traffic, but this was in a class all its own) and headed to Chavez Ravine. Dodger Stadium. Another fine game, with fantastic views of LA and also history held within the walls of the park. 12 innings later (yes, the second 12 inning game of the week!) the Dodgers had lost the game after a comeback only a few innings prior. The game as a whole was fun, and the crowd at Dodger stadium was the rowdiest of the games we saw. Very entertaining. The organist there has been playing there for over 30 years. I would love to hear some more about her journey!
 |
| LA skyline from the top of Chavez Ravine |
 |
| swing ... and a miss! |
 |
| as Puig watches the ball go by. |
 |
| waving from the top! |
Saturday we flew from LAX via San Francisco back to DC. We arrived around 11pm, exhausted but filled with great memories and some new stories to share with loved ones and friends.
So my journey in April was a physical one - across the country and along a little piece of the coast - and it added 3 stadiums more in my quest to see them all.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Paint (Five Minute Friday)
Welcome to Five Minute Friday. Where we stop, drop, write for 5 minutes, and then read the words of other writers like us. Join up with us over at Lisa-Jo's and enjoy the ride.
This week's prompt: PAINT.
I'm writing late again, almost before the link up has expired. Paint gave me nothing to work with. Nothing came to my mind AT ALL. Until today. I am on vacation with a friend, and we are journeying around Southern California, enjoying Opera and baseball. Padres, Angels, Dodgers, and Don Quixote.
But today is a step away from the hustle and bustle of vacation. We've got a room in a quaint B&B near the ocean. Overlooking a bird sanctuary. And in the room we found this treasure: Journals. 4 books of stories. 14 years back, from what I've read so far. Newlyweds and older married folks. Friends, families. Some on a getaway. Some needing a staycation. Some beginning a life together and a few who sought solace here as they said goodbye to a loved one. Stories that paint a history - of life. Real life. Renewed relationships, and some falling apart, but a universal theme of hope spreads througout the pages. Encouragement to the next folks who come, stay, and read. A gift of words of wisdom. Some farewells as new lives begin in new locations - across the country, around the world, or down the street. All painting a picture of the memories the Inn has seen.
And tonight, I get to add my very own page.
PS: here's the link to the Inn.
I'm writing late again, almost before the link up has expired. Paint gave me nothing to work with. Nothing came to my mind AT ALL. Until today. I am on vacation with a friend, and we are journeying around Southern California, enjoying Opera and baseball. Padres, Angels, Dodgers, and Don Quixote.
But today is a step away from the hustle and bustle of vacation. We've got a room in a quaint B&B near the ocean. Overlooking a bird sanctuary. And in the room we found this treasure: Journals. 4 books of stories. 14 years back, from what I've read so far. Newlyweds and older married folks. Friends, families. Some on a getaway. Some needing a staycation. Some beginning a life together and a few who sought solace here as they said goodbye to a loved one. Stories that paint a history - of life. Real life. Renewed relationships, and some falling apart, but a universal theme of hope spreads througout the pages. Encouragement to the next folks who come, stay, and read. A gift of words of wisdom. Some farewells as new lives begin in new locations - across the country, around the world, or down the street. All painting a picture of the memories the Inn has seen.
And tonight, I get to add my very own page.
PS: here's the link to the Inn.
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