Weather

The weather we have been having this spring in Illinois is best described as bizarre.  We started a few weeks ago in March with temperatures in the 80's and then it got cold again, then cold and rainy, now warm and rainy. I love days when the morning is warm enough that you don't need a jacket and stays consistently in the low to mid 80's all day. I can spend the whole day outside puttering in the yard, reading on my porch, or walking through the park on days like that. I don't mind rain once a week or so ~ it helps the flowers grow and gives me a chance to catch up inside the house.

What I really enjoy is waking up before dawn and walking outside to smell life as it is just waking up. My husband and I used to take walks at 3:00am.  Yes, I said that right ~ 3:00 AM.  Every day we would wake up and go for our daily 2 ~ 3 mile walk at a time when everyone else was still sleeping.  We would walk right down the middle of the street like we owned the town and nobody would bother us. Well the police interrogated us a few times but other than being detained by the police, nobody else knew we were out there.

It didn't matter what season either.  We walked as long as it was above 0 and the wind child was above 20. We just dressed warmer than we do in the fall, spring and summer. We would love walking during a light snow fall but then it became difficult because of knee and back problems. We just couldn't take the chance of falling. The rest of the year we just had to be careful of our own feet tripping us up. In the summer, after a rain, the air smelled so fresh that you could smell the rain and the grass.  While out in nature early in the morning, it sets the stage for a great start to the day. I love walking by flowers and bushes that have such a strong fragrance that you can breathe, inhaling the aroma that God gives to us.  I miss walking in the middle of the night.

But now I walk during the day and find visual beauty to accompany the fragrance.  Yesterday the park smelled wonderful and while walking along the path breathing deeply, I witnessed a family of baby squirrels frolicking in the plants, climbing trees, and playing in the park like most children do. About a half mile later, I saw a hawk sitting on the fence looking at me while I walked towards him.  It was huge!  He just sat on the fence watching me come closer and closer and the only part that moved was his head as he turned as far as he could, keeping an eye on me, wondering if I could be trusted.

Today I plan to walk, but I will be taking my granddaughter with me.  I am certain we will find even more treasures to admire and she is more than likely going to want to chase after the squirrels. My fear is that someday she will catch one.

Happy places

I love spending time by the water. I spent time on the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington on the west ~ Florida, South and North Carolina, Virginia, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire on the East ~ Louisiana on the Gulf and inland I have spent time on the coasts of Lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron, Eerie, and the mighty Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

Just sitting and thinking, sometimes reading the latest novel, or writing a letter.  But mostly, especially by the oceans, I just sit and breath, take in the salty air, let all my negative thoughts flow out with the waves while the new waves coming in bring me peace and serenity.  My favorite places are along the Pacific Ocean.  I really want to take a car drive up the coast from San Diego to Vancouver. I really, REALLY want to spend time on an island in the South Pacific.  I dream of taking a significant amount of time to live on an island.  I would never get bored.

 Laguna Beach, California

In 2000, I had the opportunity to speak at a conference in Sacramento.  It was the perfect opportunity to take a trip with my Mom so off we went.  It was the first time I had traveled on a plane in many years and I was a bit nervous.  My Mom however, was a pro and got us through the airport without a problem. Once we got to California we spent several days ~ 8 as a matter of fact ~ traveling between Sacramento, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and along the coast on Highway 1 to Fort Bragg.  We stayed in beautiful Bed and Breakfasts, spent a lot of time people watching, and got lost quite a few times, laughing our way out of our mess.  We toured a winery owned by Nicolas Cage's uncle but was disappointed to not find Nic there himself.  They have great wine though.  It was a trip I will remember always and a great way to get some one on one time with my Mom without having to compete with my kids or my Dad for her attention.

I have gone back to the west coast several times, most recently in 2010.  Again I was speaking at the same conference but this time it was in Anaheim so I was able to see other parts of California. This time I went with co-workers and found traveling with them a bit different than with my Mom but fun just the same.

I would love to go back.  I came home the last time announcing that I had found a shack along Route 1 that I would have bought in a heartbeat had I found a job out there to support me.  I wouldn't have needed much money because my lifestyle would include sitting by the ocean and reading or collecting seashells. But then I saw my granddaughter again.  That took care of that plan.  I need to stay here so I can be involved in her life and just find a way to visit the coast. Someday she and I will take a trip along the coast of the Pacific Ocean and I will show her all my favorite beaches and we will collect shells and take lots of pictures of the birds and seals.  I can't wait.