Dear Santa, I WANT it ALL...BUT what do I NEED?

Dear Santa, I want it ALL!!! But I know I don’t NEED it...

I had a bit of an epiphany today or maybe just a realization...I’ve been having them more often...I guess that’s what happens when I listen to God's voice & ask Him where I go from here AND how I get there...I am liking this epiphany thing a lot --It's sorta like having a GPS for my life (except much less annoying -- I just don't like that woman's voice on the GPS & how she knows the best way to anywhere BUT doesn't know when I'm sitting in the parking lot of the place she's supposed to be getting me to & she's telling me to keep going ... ;) ...I think it’s important to write down the 'directions' SO when the devil attacks me, I don’t forget & get way off track ...AND so that maybe if he's attacking you, you'll remember God's on your side (He's your GPS), too!!!

The holidays are hard... for lots of reasons... I think most of the people in my life try very hard to be generous & do for others that are less fortunate & embrace the real spirit of Christmas...BUT...I also think that lots of people -- especially me -- feel torn about the season... Maybe this isn't a popular or grown up thing to say...BUT...It's the TRUTH... I really like getting gifts... Little things, big things, cards, candy, a pic of a dear friend and/or their kids or anything that someone has taken the time to get for me... AND...That really got me to thinking...

I don’t NEED these things. I WANT things, yes...I want them A LOT!!! It’s kinda hard for me to even admit that (I've been trying to work on being less selfish & much more grateful)...BUT...I don’t need things...I really don’t...

I’ve been struggling a lot with wanting more and more and more...BUT those are just wants...I’ve been struggling with the idea of God not being ENOUGH although I know I should feel/believe He is...BUT...today I realized that God is ENOUGH...AND I still want more... : / ... ???

BUT...

I don’t NEED more... I am really starting to understand the difference between my wants & needs (Ok, yes, I realize that realizing these things at my age may indicate that I am just a wee bit slow... ;) but better late than never, I suppose... )

...I want my family & their amazing, unconditional love for me. I want my friends in my life. I want someone to love me. I want a family of my own. I want a good job that I find fulfilling. I want to feel like I am doing something purposeful & important. I want to do things that matter. I don't really want to think about my life without these things...
I want to have happy days, big hugs, warm smiles, inside jokes, little reminders of love around me, a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, people who are real with me & really love who I am, I want to laugh & laugh & laugh with friends, I want to travel, I want to see lots of sunsets & sunrises & the beauty of the world, I want to share lots of special moments with people who are so precious to me... I want, I want... I want A LOT & I want it all...VERY, VERY MUCH!!!

BUT...I DO NOT need it...I WANT it VERY BADLY...but without it IF I have God, I have all I really NEED... AND with all the things I WANT if I don't have God, I don't have anything I NEED! I don’t think that means that the wanting will go away...I am pretty sure it won’t ever go away AND I don’t think it makes me a bad person to WANT things... I think God will look at my list of wants AND give me the ones that are right for me & at the right time for me... (I have trouble with the right time part, but He will give me the peace to get through the hard times)... AND I will know that He is all I NEED.

I feel like I am being attacked by the devil (I feel like I & others get attacked a lot during the holidays with all the wants & with all the wishes & maybe even with guilt, or feeling over-worked & under-appreciated or some other such thing & with the feeling that we can make the holidays what they are supposed to be, but can't seem to make them be) I feel a bit under attack because even as I type that, there’s a thought in my head that says... ‘If you tell God, He is all you need, maybe He will give you all you want’...

AND... that would be GREAT... but I know it doesn’t work that way AND more importantly I think God knows I am struggling with that...AND He has what I NEED to get through that & HE WILL give it to me... I really believed I needed to be a Mom to survive and to live and to have any reason in life or purpose to smile...AND, I’m not a mommy anymore AND while I still WANT that & still WISH that I had Garrett...I know that God helps me/allows me/makes me survive because no matter what & no matter how bad life hurts ...in the end... HE is what I NEED...

No, maybe HE won’t be all I ever want & I will still want things (& I still really like gifts ;) ... I really think that’s OK, but I know in my heart that HE is all I really need. I really need to be saved & to go to Heaven & see my savior & see my son... AND that’s all I NEED.

Every other thing in life is a WANT & I have to trust that God will give me the WANTS that HE knows I NEED to live the life HE has for me...

Thank You so much God for all the amazing gifts I simply want & that you have given me AND THANK YOU SO, SO VERY MUCH FOR THE GIFT YOU'VE GIVEN ALL OF US THAT IS ALL WE NEED!!! Thank You, God for Jesus' birth...Thank You, God for Christmas!!!

Dear Santa,
I WANT it all...BUT ... I really do HAVE all I NEED!!!

People aren't possessions...

To give credit where credit is due, I actually heard that simple phrase, “People aren’t possessions,” on some trashy reality show -- I’m thinking it was Keeping Up with Kardashians or some other such complete nonsense I watch to escape any semblance of actual thinking -- But somehow it got me thinking -- It’s crazy what God will use in our lives if we let Him...Anyway, here’s what I’ve been thinking...

We live in a consumer society. We live in a world where people wait in line to buy gadgets & toys & things they think they can’t live without. We never really read the instruction manuals (or at least I don’t,) but all the gadgets and gizmos and what’s-its we buy come with them. We buy what we want, use it til it breaks or we get bored with it, and then we throw it away & get a new one. We upgrade, upload, alter & improve almost every thing we own. It seems we live in a world where far too often we’ve become accustomed to this consumer mentality AND believe somehow that it’s OK to treat people the same way.

BUT people aren’t possessions. We can’t own another person. We can’t control another person. We can’t improve or upgrade another person. We can’t add fancy, shiny accessories to change who they are or what they mean in our lives. We don’t have any power to change their batteries (what drives, motivates, inspires or makes them who they are,) and we don’t have any right to ask or expect them to change because we want them to. We don’t have instruction manuals on how to handle all the little problems that come along with people in our lives -- or maybe we do -- maybe the Bible is the only instruction manual we need.

But far too often we don’t read the instruction manual, we don’t work on our problems with people, and we don’t realize that the people in our lives can’t be replaced.

Unlike your iPhone or your laptop, people can’t be stolen, but they can choose to leave. And you can’t buy a security system that will keep people from ever being gone from your life. So, in a world where most are so driven by the dollar and what they can buy with it, how in the world do we learn how to stop treating people like possessions and start treating them like the creations that they are?

I try to remember that people aren’t possessions...BUT... They are creations -- they are masterpieces -- or at very least beautiful works in progress. People aren’t like iPhones or sports cars or a fancy piece of jewelry. People are more like sunsets and rainbows and beautiful flowers God has made. We have to learn to enjoy people like we enjoy these things realizing that they are gifts from God that we can neither create ourselves or possess for any length of time, but that we can appreciate when they are near. It’s interesting because as much as we love (or at least I love) sunsets, rainbows, flowers, mountain streams and all the other innumerable gifts God has placed in nature, I have never thought I could own or control or keep any of those things for my very own and I’ve never looked at one of these things and thought God should have added another leaf, or color or made any other change to the masterpieces He has made.

People aren’t possessions, but they are treasures. They are something only God can make and no two can ever be made the same.

I am working myself on understanding that I cannot control or own or possess or change or upgrade or alter people AND I know for certain that I cannot replace the people in my life...BUT...I can and must learn to appreciate them as I do the other masterpieces and beautiful gifts that God places in my life!

Treat yourself & especially your family & friends like the irreplaceable & incredible treasures that they each are!!!

For all the truly incredible treasures in my life that are the friends & family I have been blessed with, you all are truly masterpieces - more special & incredible than even the most splendid & beautiful creations in nature. You are the rainbows, sunshine & flowers I carry in my heart every single day! I thank God for you often!! And if I haven't said it lately (& because I believe I can never say it too much) Thank You for loving me & being in my life even when I am more like a rainy day than a stunning sunset or more like a stink-weed than a flower -- or actually especially when I am like that since that's when I surely need you most! You are not possessions, but you are treasures & the beauty that touches, heals & restores my soul flows from God through you and to me much more often than I can ever hope to deserve! I can never own you, control you or change you -- Thank God -- but I can & do LOVE you!!!


John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Mark 12:31
Love your neighbor as yourself...

Keep Going!!!

Written 7/10/2010

I don’t normally mow the yard...I usually let (and by let, I mean, pay) someone else do that for me...BUT today as I sat out on the patio and pondered things in life I struggle with it seemed as if the grass was growing just as quickly as the questions were in my mind.

I, like everyone, have things that come into my life that make me question and think and wonder and hope and even feel a bit discouraged at times. AND I -- because I tend to over-think a bit -- ((OK, if you know me at all, you know that by saying ‘a bit’ I am utilizing poetic license here & am being very generous with myself in the estimation of that particular trait)) started letting the few little things I was pondering turn in to struggles about the very direction and the purpose and meaning of my life and analyzing and estimating all the effects of my mistakes -- OR were they mistakes? OR were they missed opportunities? OR had I destroyed what God had for me? OR had I just had negative reactions to positive things? OR positive reactions to negative things? OR how could I know or not know? OR is this what life has in store for me? OR have I missed my call? OR? OR? OR? ((That’s just a small glimpse into the over-active mind of an over-thinker...and that’s a glimpse of the thoughts which occur in probably a 30 seconds or less... ;))...

As I sat & wrestled with my thoughts, I also struggled with the fact that my yard seemed to be turning in to a jungle before my eyes & that finding King in the grass that was in places getting close to being eye-level for him was becoming no less of a challenge than the other things I was dealing with.

Maybe I didn’t have the answers to all my questions... BUT... I did have a lawnmower and I believed I could probably make it work. I headed out to the shed with a new determination to get things done. I often have trouble starting the mower (by often, I mean, the one time I have tried since I lived here it didn’t go well ;) because of a difficulty with my right hand, but today I was determined I could get things going. I filled the tank up with gas, pushed the red little button-thingy to prime the mower, positioned my hand on the handle and pulled -- AND the mower hummed to life.

I felt pretty good about that accomplishment and I swung the mower around to face the yard. As I did, I realized I was pushing a mower into deep terrain which was soggy and likely unsuitable for mowing. Not to mention that the heat and humidity had climbed to a level that had made just starting the mower a sweaty endeavor.

Hmmmm... This may be impossible... Do I dare attempt to do it? I hesitated for just a second before something (God’s voice, maybe ?!?!) whispered in my ear...ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!

And, so off I went! I pushed the mower through the grass and watched as what had plagued me as insurmountable as I sat on the patio quickly fell beneath the mower’s blades. I was doing well. This was no big deal...

AND...then it happened!!!

The mower started to bog down and sputter and make that noise that let me know that it was just about to die. SO...I lifted it up! I lifted it up! I held it there for as long as it took for the mower to kick back into gear AND I kept going! As I made rounds around the backyard pushing the mower along the bogging down, sputtering & nearly dying happened more than once. BUT, every time I lifted it up & waited the right amount of time, I was able to keep going & accomplish the task before me.

I finished the yard and felt a real sense of accomplishment as I realized that what seemed like something that was IMPOSSIBLE was merely DIFFICULT! BUT...it was done!!!

My weeds were cut down & I sat back down on my patio to survey all I had been able to accomplish -- All I had been able to accomplish with the right tool & the perseverance to see the task through. I realized that the same was true of my struggles. I realized that if I was willing to tackle the jungle of weeds that make up my concerns and my questions and my insecurities and my doubts with the right tools (God’s word & guidance) and with perseverance that what seems impossible can be accomplished.

Sure there are & will be places where the weeds seem too high for me to push through, where my motor starts to bog down & where it seems I may not make it...BUT...all I have to do is LIFT IT UP, Wait on God for things to straighten out & keep going!

Maybe the difference between impossible & difficult is a simple matter of perseverance -- perseverance & prayer!!!

If your mower is bogged down and your struggling to put one foot in front of the other, LIFT IT UP, WAIT on the Lord, & He will give you the strength to Keep Going!

AND, if you have trouble remembering that, next time I will be happy to let you come over & mow the yard... ;)... ;) ...

PS...There are often verses or words from others that get me through, inspire my writings, seem to just go right along with what I feel like God is saying or even words from songs that stream from my iPod seemingly right on cue when I hit the Shuffle button that just seem right for the moment ...I’m including some of those words from today in hopes that they will help you too.

Lyrics from Hold Fast by Mercy Me

To everyone who's hurting

To those who've had enough

To all the undeserving

That should cover all of us

Please do not let go

I promise there is hope

Hold fast

Help is on the way

Hold fast

He's come to save the day

What I've learned in my life

One thing greater than my strife

Is His grasp

So hold fast

Will this season ever pass?

Can we stop this ride?

Will we see the sun at last?

Or could this be our lot in life?

Please do not let go

I promise you there's hope

Hold fast...

Lyrics from Walk By Faith by Jeremy Camp & Lyrics to Safe in His Arms by Phil Wickham have also brought me a great deal of encouragement & peace in recent days!

IT'S NOT MINE...

It’s not MINE...

Lately, I have gotten a lot of feedback and compliments on MY house... IT’S NOT MINE!!! That must seem like an odd statement.

Let me explain...

Last night as I sat on the back patio I was thanking God for all the blessings in this life -- the ones I sometimes choose to overlook. And my heart began to break. I thought of the drug addict all alone shivering in an alley, the patient in a hospital or nursing home with no one to hold their hand and tell them things will be OK, the teenager fleeing abuse and neglect and living on the street somewhere with an empty stomach and a broken heart -- I cried. I prayed. I went to bed.

I woke up this morning thinking about what separates me from these people & I realized it was very little & oh-so-much! I have been given things, chances, people in my life that they don’t have & I have a GOD that I know and that I know I can trust to be there with me no matter where I am.

This really got me to thinking. I started to thank God for all MY stuff...MY stuff!!!... MY stuff??? Nope, God wasn’t hearing it. IT’S NOT MINE! It’s HIS!!! Every great, good, beautiful, lovable, wonderful thing in my life is HIS!

Hmmmm...So, it’s not MY house, MY car, MY job, MY friends, MY family...NOPE...None of it is mine! Do I get to use these things, enjoy these people? -- SURE -- but none of it is MINE!

Well, God, if it’s not MINE, How will I ever control it???

AND I realized that I can’t and I won’t and I shouldn’t.

BUT wait... There is something that is MINE...MY Control Issues... Right, God??? And He said -- ‘YES!!! BUT give me those & I will help you see that they aren’t a necessary part of your life & aren’t part of the blessings I have for you.’

Wow...IT’S NOT MINE!

God has chosen to share some really great things with me. Things He is sharing with me, things he wants me to be a good steward of and to care for and do what I can for, but to ultimately realize that they just aren’t MINE.

If you don’t know me well, you probably don’t realize how BIG -- I mean, HUGE -- this is for me. I like to know that things are MINE. MY, MY, MY __________________ (fill in the blank.) I like the feeling I get when I possess something, own it, know it belongs to me, especially if it’s something I don’t think anyone else has one exactly like. It gives me a sense of belonging & of control. AND, it’s an illusion...I don’t have control. And as poorly as I often do with it, it’s a million wonders I would want it. BUT seeing, feeling, knowing I don’t really have it has suddenly became a very free-ing thing for me! And, honestly, a bit of a scary thing, too!

IT’S NOT MINE! That doesn’t in any way relinquish me from the responsibilities I have for the things, people, gifts and blessings God has placed in my life. Quite the opposite actually -- If I remember to see every thing, person, relationship, etc that is in MY life (wait, not MY life, the life God is providing for me) as a gift from the hands of the God who paints the sunsets, built the mountains, created the seas, and spoke the world into existence, then maybe I should be careful as to how I handle ALL the things that He has entrusted into my care for such time as He sees fit.

That all sounds good, fine, and wonderful & TRUE...AND it is... BUT does that mean I think that I will suddenly not have the control issues that have plagued me for years -- those issues based mostly on fear -- No, maybe not. BUT I also realize that in exchange for all the blessings that God has given me, He is willing to take some things from me too. He will take my burdens & my struggles & my issues (and there are certainly plenty of those) and He will teach me and help me to let those things go, so that I can have room to receive more blessings that He has to share with me.

I know that accepting this and walking it out in my life won’t be easy...BUT, I also know that if I ask God, He will remind me as often as I think that something is MINE -- MY friends, MY relationships, MY house, MY problems, MY car, MY wounded feelings, MY_____________ -- that it is not MINE. That whatever IT is, IS HIS and that He will help me take care of it.

So, friend, what is YOURS??? What are you holding on to today -- good or bad -- that if given to God would simply become what He means for it to be???

Don’t expect it to be easy to give it up. It can be, but it may not be either. BUT when it is HIS, it’s good!

Thank Him for your blessings & remember to Thank Him for sharing them with you since the are HIS. Release to Him your burdens for those are His too and He will use them too if you let Him.

IT’S NOT MINE!!! IT’S NOT YOURS!!! IT IS HIS!!!

"The earth is the LORD's, and EVERYthing in it, the world and ALL who live in it;" Psalms 24:1

Run Yourself Ragged...

When I was a kid, we had this crazy game where you tried to use magnets and levers and all kinds of things to move a ball bearing from the beginning of the game board maze to the end. The game was called Run Yourself Ragged (google it -- it's real) and I LOVED it.

Apparently, I've never outgrown the game...BUT... now I play it with my life ...AND...I think it’s something God wants me to give up...

((When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11)) -- or at least I’m trying to put away the childish things that harm me -- and NO, I don’t think the bubble wand & bubbles on my back porch are doing any harm ;))

Living life in a pretty much perpetual state of vacation -- or state of planning/working/searching for the next adventure -- sorta mode for the last year has made it hard for me to focus -- or more accurately made it hard for me to focus without hyper-focusing. I like to blame it on the traveler's lifestyle, the working like crazy to accomplish what I had to in as short a time as possible so I could run off somewhere fun and play some more -- Kinda like the working for the weekend concept so many I know engage in weekly, except in extreme overdrive -- I was working (which may have meant volunteer work or cleaning house or planning showers or whatever I was doing that wasn't a "real" job) as intensely as possible to accomplish as much as possible in as little time as possible so that I could take off not a weekend -- but several weeks at a time (sometimes) -- to do nothing more than travel & relax & explore.

I'm not at all sorry that I did those things. I wouldn't trade what I've seen & what I've learned (especially about myself) from those experiences for anything...BUT...I am having to learn how to not play Run Yourself Ragged with my daily life now that those fast-paced, fun-filled travel days are done.

Maybe it's in part because of the life I've lead the last year (or maybe the last 3 1/2 years... or wait, maybe the life I've lead the last 37 years) maybe it's just because it's who I am or who I have become... but whatever it is, I tend to procrastinate & play THEN hyper-focus, over-think & absolutely Run Myself Ragged (and never quite strike a blessed balance between the two) ...

BUT...I think things are changing because I’ve been praying a lot for blessed balance without it diminishing the person I know I’m meant to be AND I believe God is answering me!!! I know I am never going to be "Normal" and frankly, have no desire to be...BUT...I have discussed this ragged rat race mentality with my friend God and here's what I think He's been telling me:

1. You are by far not the only one who feels this way... In a world where everything comes your way at 978 mph the temptation is to go that fast to take it all in or to completely drop out & let it all just rush by -- AND neither is necessary - OR - His plan for my life!!!

2. Make a To - Do list daily...

--Which I have done -- but it's not an ordinary To-Do list. Each and every list has at the top ...”Thank God in ALL things!!!” ... (This is a little trick I picked up from my Daddy -- whose to-do list on the yellow legal pad always started with PTL-- that’s right friends, your kids are watching what you do as much or more as they are listening to what you say & they are learning from it ;) ... I believe that in addition to following the good example set by my earthly Daddy that it is the first thing my Heavenly Father would have me put on my list as well. The list has lots of things on it some days and not as many on others. Some days I mark off absolutely everything and other days I learn that it's ok to move things that aren't urgent to tomorrow's To-Do list & that isn't painful or a failure at all to do so because I am Thanking God in ALL things! The list also has a prayer or a statement or verse at the end every day that is something I want to remember to do for God or for others or even that I think God would have me do just for me! AND while outlining everything for a day makes it more manageable, I think the most important thing that I have begun to learn IS that if my list, my day, my life begins and ends with God all the stuff in the middle isn't nearly as hard to handle.

3. Don't focus on the list...FOCUS on LIFE!!!

Understand that the list is just a guideline, and that HE is my only Guide! He has pointed out to me that goals are good and important, but any 'goal' that leaves me feeling frazzled & frustrated isn't a goal He'd have me pursue. I feel very clearly that He has said -- and would have me share -- that it's really important to Stop Chasing possessions & people & position & provisions that aren't running. I -- and maybe you, too -- am wasting energy trying to get things he has already given me or that He just knows I don’t really need. He has already provided all that I need and if I ask Him even all that I want AND Running myself Ragged chasing things has left little time for me to focus on the amazingly beautiful, wonderful, plentiful things He's already given me.

I feel like my friends are often running as much as I am -- or frankly much, much more than I am - I am running for a family of one when many of them are running to do and be and give to many -- AND -- that God wants us all to know that while he wants us to pursue & press on toward the things He has for us, the he also wants us to slow down and enjoy the incredible blessings that He has already provided us.

While I am still itching to get my hands on a Run Yourself Ragged game board and see if I’m as good or maybe better at it than I was as a kid, I am even more anxious to seek the balance between pursuing goals & ignoring life and to stop living an unfulfilled life where at the end of the day all I’ve managed to do is Run myself Ragged!

OH...and...btw, I do forget from time to time (as God reminds me regularly - I am only human & so are you) ...BUT one of the truly great things I’m learning through all of this is that no matter how many times I forget that God will remind with His words as long as I ask Him to... And here are a few of the words he’s using to remind me that I hope will help you too:

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths -- Proverbs 3:6

Be still, and know that I am God -- Psalm 46:10

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? -- Romans 8: 32

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -- Jeremiah 29:11

I wanna go!!!

In the fall of 2009, I was blessed with the privilege to have some time away from work to travel. I got to go lots of great places and do lots of great things. On every single journey I prepared for I inevitably had someone tell me or text me or message me and say “I wanna go!!!”

Usually the "wanna" was as far as it got. Most of my friends, family, acquaintances, etc. had lots of legitimate reasons that they couldn’t actually pack up and leave.

I was, however, fortunate to find friends to travel along with me -- some physically going along & others following along online -- The experience was amazing and I have incredible memories & more photos than you can imagine to help me remember those blessed & beautiful days.

Another thing I have from my travels is a knowledge about going places. I know how to pack more efficiently than I ever thought I could -- roll your clothes not fold them & bring lots of things that mix and match.

I know the exact routine that must be followed in every major airport for the obligatory pat down I get when the artificial parts I possess set off the metal detector -- sit down, show the bottom of your feet, stand with your arms out and your palms up, explain as they run the black wand over your body exactly what metal it is they are detecting, roll down your waist band, keep your eyes out for your bag and shoes coming off the conveyor belt AND always try to smile and say thank you to the people who have just touched you more than anyone whose name you don’t know should ever really be allowed to.

I know about switching planes and looking for luggage. I know about hailing a cab & about how nice it is to have a concierge who keeps Tylenol in his jacket pocket and a ready supply of advice about the nearest, best restaurants within easy walking distance. I know a lot of things I didn’t know about the country I live in, the people I share the world with, the things I have seen, and I know a lot more about myself because of my journeys. I also know that God went with me every place I went.

And I know that the people who travelled along with me (even if only online) were always anxious to GO!!! I still get anxious to go some times. I still want to see the world and not just the inside of my home or the horizons I’ve looked at so many times before...BUT...not every season is a time for travel in our lives AND yet, I believe that God is always looking to take us on a new journey.

The journey I am on now is not the one where I walk the busy streets of New York City or stroll along the banks of Walden Pond. It’s not the journey where I stand in front of the Green Monster at Fenway or sit below the feet of the statue of Lincoln and look across toward the Washington Monument. Those journeys were good journeys. They were an escape from the every day life I led...BUT...those journeys all had to come to an end.

The journey I am on now begins anew each morning and lasts my whole life through. On my other journeys I flew, I rode subways, I walked, I survived taxi rides, I rode tour buses and even a bus that was a “duck” that operated as well in the water as on land. The journey I am on now is walking trip. It requires me to take new steps, scary steps, big steps and small steps, steps I am afraid to take and steps I know will take me to incredible places if I follow the map God has for me. I am on a journey now AND I am walking out my faith.

Maybe you feel the need to get away. Maybe a trip to DC or NYC or even just down the road to Balmorhea sounds like just what you need AND maybe it is...BUT... maybe the trip you need to take is just a step in the direction toward a God who loves you and has a journey in store for you that you will never forget.

This journey doesn’t require a ticket, a pat down at the airport, hotel reservations, transportation to and from airports and train stations, or any planning on your part at all. Sounds relaxing, rejuvenating, exciting, huh? It is... It’s also scary and challenging and different and difficult at times. It may require you to leave your comfort zone and step out boldly into the complete unknown. The great thing about this trip is that no matter where it leads you, you will never be alone.

Looking to get away, to see new things, to experience people & places in brand new ways, to enjoy activities you never knew you could, to know new things about yourself & life and to truly appreciate all there is to see in the world. A trip, a journey, an excursion, an adventure that and all those things is waiting for you & waiting for me -- All we have to do is get excited about going AND take God’s hand -- He can take us anywhere!!!

Maybe your a little nervous about this trip. I know I am...BUT... I also know... “I wanna go!!!”

PS...Not all the blogs from here on out will deal with travel or with journeys...BUT...they will all deal with my walk with God, what I believe He is teaching me, what I believe He wants me to share with you & my simple observations & my occasional tribulations and the inspirations & exaltations of the best traveling partner ever, the King who calls me friend & who is my God. I don’t imagine that I will likely ever post 2 blogs in one day again & frankly, I will be happy if God gives me words I feel are what I need to share weekly. BUT, I am planning on talking about my flaws and failures and struggles and strife AND how despite all that I know that God is leading me on a meaningful & magnificent journey through life! One He’d like to take you on too. Wanna go???

A different kind of journey -- the one we are all on...

Many, most, or maybe all 7 of you that actually read this, probably started reading this because you wanted to follow me across the country and live vicariously as I encountered new cities, states, and sometimes even countries...BUT hopefully you will stick with me on this as I embrace & examine another journey that I'd like to share...One we are ALL on...The journey called LIFE!!!

While I surely hope that I will never be finished with my physical travels & this blog may occasionally divert back to sharing experiences of different places I encounter, at least for now I am planning to use it as a place to share different thoughts I encounter as I learn to trust God more, hear His voice & see and appreciate the beautiful views and vistas of life he presents in my life every day if I take the time to look and listen.

I thought about starting a whole new blog for this new endeavor -- BUT, since I have a whopping 9 followers on this one I didn't want to alienate my fan base ;) -- and as I walk, run, crawl, am dragged on occasion and often even skip & hop with joy through this journey called LIFE, I frankly wonder quite often and ask my God ...WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE???

And often I take the wrong turns, but the great thing with God is that there's no sign anywhere that says I can't make a big U-Turn and change the way I'm headed... I hit a lot of speed bumps on my journey, I break some 'traffic' laws now and then, I drive through life too fast sometimes, I get horribly annoyed & impatient with other drivers & myself and occasionally I just completely wreck my life...BUT, as far from perfect as I am --( and honestly I am so far from it that even if I unfold the map of my life a couple of times I still can't find Perfect on there) -- I think God is telling me that others might learn from the 'cities of confusion,' 'the deserts of disappointment,' 'the every day avenues of joy,' and all the other stops along the way...SO, I am hoping (and beyond that I am actually really praying that as I step out in faith that this is the road God has for me to travel at this point in my life) that you will come along for the journeys AND share in the wisdom -- God's direction -- as I share some more of my 'travels.' And as the journey unfolds, I pray that you will see & experience & learn - as I am - that there is no reason for anyone to look AT me & what I do or have done...BUT to have the sincere & satisfying & matchless & meaningful journey He intends for us to experience that we all must look TO God!!!

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere...

Smells of bacon wafted through the air on Saturday morning as we awoke early to have a great homemade breakfast and get ready for our pottery lessons...

Although I normally have a ‘no feet on the floor before 10’ rule on Saturday mornings, my feet were on the floor and I was ready to have breakfast well before 8 a.m. We headed to the dining room for a lovely breakfast of pancakes made from scratch, (side note...while I like things ‘made from scratch,’ I have to say ‘made from scratch’ does not have a particularly appealing sound to it... ;) homemade syrup, link sausages and fresh fruit. It was all very yummy. After eating I was very anxious to get our pottery lessons started...BUT...we needed to head to the local grocery and get Kaeley some medicine to get her through the day.

After taking care of getting some meds, we headed to the Ft. Davis High School Ceramics studio. We were having our lessons at the high school studio because our innkeeper and ceramics teacher, Bill Davis, is the art teacher at Ft. Davis high school as well as being an Art Education professor at Sul Ross University in Alpine.

The opportunity to learn something...especially something completely new to me like ceramics... was one of the biggest reasons I chose to stay at the Davis Mountains Inn. Really, how many places offer you excellent accommodations, wonderful food AND an opportunity to learn something new? ...AND I LOVE LEARNING.

Our lesson started off as many good lessons do by introducing us to the language of pottery. All disciplines, art forms and areas of study have their own vocabulary and understanding that is key to being successful in new ventures. Once we learned about the kiln, and the difference between thrown pottery (which is pottery created on the wheel and is something I really am interested in doing at some point...BUT... is also something that does not produce many pieces -- or even one -- in the first day of working with it because it’s a skill that takes more practice and time to perfect) and hand built pottery, as well as glazing and firing of pieces, we were ready to ‘play in the dirt,’ which is what our instructor explained to us that creating things from clay essentially is. We began by watching Bill use the tools of the trade to cut pieces of clay off of large blocks for us to mold. We simply started then to make our first project, a pinch pot. This was done by forming a ball from the clay and then using our thumbs to make an indention that would eventually form the center of the ‘bowl.’ We learned to make a good, flat, strong rim that wouldn’t break easily and learned to think of our pieces as they would be when they became glass. The lesson didn’t produce a magnificent work of art by any means, but it did teach us a lot about the basics of handling clay and forming edges and how to view the clay as what it would become as a finished product. AND I am actually having mine glazed and fired to use as a small bowl to place my jewelry in on my dresser.

The next thing we started on was a bowl that depending on the pressure you applied when putting it together would either turn out looking like a tortoise shell type bowl (which Kaeley’s did) or like a bowl that simply had an interesting texture to it. We made these bowls by making small balls of clay and pressing them in to a bowl (mold) lined with a plastic bag. We also had to be careful to make a good rim on these pieces and to consistently even out the clay to approximately a quarter inch thickness all over.

While we were creating our ‘masterpieces,’ Bill used the wheel to show us some techniques used in throwing pottery. The use of the wheel is fascinating. It is not only an art, but also a science. The amount of pressure and speed of the wheel make such a difference in what is created. I suppose it would have been fun to spend the day attempting to learn to do thrown pottery, but I do feel like I’d have been disappointed with only making what would have basically amounted to a very small cup with no handle, or lid, or any real artistic form.

We also had the treat of being joined by Bill’s wife, the other innkeeper, Judy, while we were learning as well as the couple’s sweet Border Collie, Ebony. Judy actually joined in on the lessons ( although her husband has done pottery for years, she’d never learned how) and made a tortoise shell bowl of her own.

After working for a little over three hours, we decided to break for two hours for lunch. Kaeley and I decided since Murphy’s had been so good the day before that we would go there for another meal. We shared the Caesar salad again (yes, it’s that good...they make their own Caesar dressing) and we each had a sandwich as well. While I certainly couldn’t complain about the sandwich, it wasn’t quite as yummy as the calzone (I might have mentioned, the calzone IS phenomenal ;) ... And the chocolate caramel pecan cookie I had for dessert was pretty great, too.

We had a little time after our delicious lunch to do a bit more looking around in Ft. Davis before we headed back to our afternoon lesson. We decided to hit the few other shops that we’d missed the day before. We went to the Brass Boot (which had some great belts, buckles and jewelry,) and the Limpia Hotel Gift Shop. The gift shop had a nice variety of crosses, western art, clothing and even a bookstore, all of which I enjoyed browsing through. Other than the stores we did visit, the only thing that I would have liked to have had more time to view was the Broom Shop. This store makes brooms and apparently does demonstrations throughout the day on how brooms are made as well as showcasing walking sticks and demonstrating how they are made as well. While I regret not having the time to see these things because I believe both would have been interesting learning opportunities, I do like that it gives me a reason to go back and see/learn something new.

We had just a few more minutes before we needed to head back to our lessons so we strolled down the street past the Limpia Hotel toward the Courthouse. Outside the Limpia there were some trees dressed in full fall color that were truly beautiful and had the biggest leaves. Kaeley really wanted to climb up on the stone wall and snag a leaf from the tree, but being that I was responsible for her well-being and I knew I’d already be returning her to her mom sick, I thought it best not to let her do that (see I CAN be responsible...I didn’t say I AM...just I CAN ;). She headed across the street to spend a few more minutes looking at Hollyhocks & Javelinas and I took the opportunity to take some pics of the fall color, the bank, and the courthouse. AND, of course, to snag one of the huge leaves off that tree myself...Maybe I had to climb up on the wall I wouldn’t let Kaeley get on to get it, and maybe I didn’t...BUT I’m the only one who will ever know...AND, we both survived the incident unscathed.

We headed back to the studio to continue our afternoon lessons and I took the leaf with us, which was great as it would later become a part of both mine and Kaeley’s last piece of pottery for the day.

When we returned, we learned about putting a foot on a pot and took care of placing them on our creations from the morning. Bill also showed us how he could use the wheel to make a foot for pieces of pottery. After those pieces were complete, we began our last creation of the day. We learned about the slump or hump method (insert your own joke here ;) of using pottery molds to make pieces. We also learned about flattening out clay to make large uniform pieces that could be draped in or over a bowl to create a new piece (basically the slump or hump method.) We both tried our hand at kneading the clay so that all the air bubbles were removed. This is extremely important because a piece placed in the kiln that has air bubbles will break. We then used the press to flatten out our pieces of clay. Both of us chose bowls to drape our clay in to and create a bowl of our own. Kaeley went first and decided to press the leaf we had brought from downtown into her bowl and have that imprint in the bottom. She also decided that instead of forming a rim on her bowl that she would basically form it into the shape of a leaf and create more of a free form piece. After seeing her leaf-shaped bowl, I decided to do something similar. When the clay for my bowl slumped down into the mold it left some very interesting edges that I formed into curves. I didn’t trim any of the clay off so my bowl is a larger piece and I was able to press the leaf into the bottom of it. Bill asked if I wanted to just leave the leaf in the bowl and let it dry so that it would form a deeper impression. I decided that sounded like a great idea and asked him if there was any chance that when the bowl was placed in the kiln that some residue of the leaf would burn into the glass. He explained that because of the extremely high heat used to fire our pottery (somewhere between 1800 and 2300 degrees) the leaf would just burn away, but that allowing the leaf to dry into the piece should deepen the impression and show more of the veining and texture of the leaf in the finished product.

After we finished up these pieces, we got to glaze some other samples that Bill had created for his classes. It was impossible for us to glaze our own pieces because they have to be fired first -- a process that with time for cooling takes at very least 72 hours -- and then glazed and fired again. So, we glazed the pieces that he’d already created as samples and discussed the glazes we wanted him to apply to our pieces once they were fired. We found out that it would probably be a few weeks (actually Bill and Judy will be in Lubbock in a few weeks for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which made me happy because I won’t have to pay shipping costs AND I won’t have to worry about the pieces getting broken) before the entire process is complete and that our pieces would be delivered to us. We finished up the day by making some samples with new glazes that Bill had gotten so that he would have them to show his students what glazes would look like once they had been applied and fired on pieces. The glazes that are applied to the pottery look much different than the finished pieces. For example, in order to create a piece that had gold, hunter green and maroon, I painted on what looked like white, grey and pink. We learned more about why this is the case when Bill taught us about how it is the chemical reactions in the extreme heat of the kiln that causes the glazes to turn to certain colors and further explained how unpredictable the results were when doing firings of glazes. Making matching pieces of pottery isn’t an exact science and the bit of mystery or uncertainty that goes in to each piece made me not only more in awe of pieces I’ve seen created, but also very anxious and excited to see just how our pieces turn out.

After thanking Bill for such a wonderful day full of new knowledge and the opportunity not only to learn but to create (and yes, that’s just about the perfect day for me... learning and creating...laughing and spending the day making new friends while also sharing the experience with my sweet niece who I love)... learning, laughing, loving and living --it was indeed an excellent experience.

And an experience that despite her sickness Kaeley had been a real trooper about making every effort to enjoy. The rest of our evening was not as eventful, but we did enjoy a nice enough dinner out at the Davis Mountains State Park Lodge at the Black Bear Restaurant...AND, the best part of that excursion --at least for me -- is that we saw actual wildlife... (NO, not a party ;) ...We saw several javelina crossing the road as we made our way back to Ft. Davis from the state park. We had been warned many times to be careful when driving because the javelinas and the deer were often in the roads, but I didn’t really expect to see them because as I’ve mentioned before no matter where I go that they promise they have wildlife, I always seem to manage to miss them...But not this time. And no, javelina aren’t incredibly attractive or exotic, but they were wildlife, so I was happy.

Back at the Inn Kaeley took her meds, and I took advantage of the huge whirlpool tub in our bathroom. I won’t go in to details, but suffice it to say that even a little bit of bubble bath in a 10-jet tub is more than enough to make enough bubbles to get lost in.

Poor sweet Kaeley finished up her evening applying Vicks vapor rub and trying everything we could think of to help her breathe easier while I finished up mine watching a disappointing Texas Tech football game.

And normally, a bad game might diminish my mood and put a damper on my day...BUT...I had a day full of so many of the things that make me happiest that the only thing I wasn’t happy about was that I knew I’d get little sleep listening to Kaeley struggle to breathe all night and worrying about whether or not she’d be ok...When I turned in and checked on her about midnight, she wasn’t exactly breathing easy (in fact, I’ve never heard some of the noises she was making come out of a human being) but she was sleeping soundly and I turned in for the night concerned for her, but mostly content that I had shared an experience of laughing, learning and living with her that I hope she’d enjoyed at least half as much as I had and that I hoped she’d remember as long as I am sure I will...

Sunday morning...

We got up fairly early again -- although I’m not sure that Kaeley or I had gotten much sleep at all -- and again smelled a wonderful breakfast awaiting us.

We had our breakfast served to us in the breakfast nook that faced the east windows this morning instead of the dining room. Our breakfast included French Toast, bacon and fresh fruit. Our hosts were obviously dressed for church, but still had time to chat with us a bit before they went off to worship and we headed on our way home.

Although I knew Kaeley wasn’t feeling well, I also knew that I really really wanted to see a bit more of the Davis Mountains and get some pictures of the beautiful fall colors and amazing mountains before we headed home. And since Kaeley was going to be sitting in the car most of the day anyway, I didn’t figure sitting in the car amidst beautiful surroundings while I got out and snapped some pics would make her feel any worse...We headed up the road 14 miles to the McDonald Observatory to get a look in the broad daylight at what we’d observed in total darkness on Friday night. I took pics from this amazing vantage point and Kaeley actually felt well enough to drop a few quarters in a small telescope and entertain herself looking around.

From the observatory we headed back down the mountains and into the Davis Mountains State Park. We stopped at the Ranger station and I went in to pay. I have to say that the lovely woman who worked behind the desk may have been the happiest, most helpful state employee I have ever dealt with. She not only took out a map to show me where to find the trail to the Skyline drive, but also informed me that the entry fee I had just paid would also get me into the state park at Balmorhea and the one at Monahans as long as I visited both within 24 hours. Both were on my way home, but since Kaeley wasn’t feeling well, I wanted to get home before dark, and I’d already been to Balmorhea I knew I wouldn’t take advantage of what was basically a three-for-one deal, but I thought it was very nice of her to suggest it. She gave that suggestion as well as all the other additional information about the park with such a big smile on her face and such enthusiasm that I was glad I’d actually had to get out of my car on what was a fairly cool and pretty windy morning to go inside and pay my entrance fee.

I can not adequately describe the rustic beauty of the Davis Mountains ( I did however take almost 300 pictures, which are uploaded to my share site at http://queenstraveltourpics.shutterfly.com/ ) and I will say that the views from Skyline Drive are absolutely breathtaking. It was a special treat to see all of Ft. Davis from above and to be able to look off in any direction and see another amazing vista. I would love to come back to this park in different seasons since I am certain the beauty transforms depending on the vegetation and weather. I know I found it amazingly beautiful to see the rugged faces of rocks surrounded by the glorious golds, incredible oranges and radiant reds of the fall color. I would also love to come back and hike some of the trails. I ventured out to the edge of the mountain in a few places, but since I was wearing flip flops (of course, with my new mismatched flip-flop socks -- it was really chilly up on the mountain) and since the wind was blowing a bit much for comfort when I didn’t have on shoes that gave me any kind of stability, I opted to see a whole lot less than what I’d really like to of the mountain tops and trails. After probably two hours or more of snapping photos, then getting in the car and promising Kaeley we were leaving only to turn the corner and find another completely irresistible view to photograph and repeating that process over and over, we did finally leave the park and head back toward Ft. Davis.

Since Murphy’s was closed on Sundays we decided to head on down the road to Balmorhea to have lunch, which we did at a wonderful Mexican restaurant (and honestly probably the only currently operating restaurant in Balmorhea) called Cueva de Oso (or the Bear’s Den) that had great (although Kaeley thought it was a bit too hot) hot sauce and queso and wonderful chile rellenos that Kaeley enjoyed and a grilled chicken breast with roasted green chiles that certainly filled me up and made me ready to face the rest of our journey home.

Our ride home was pretty uneventful. We talked and compared music on our phones. And shared our favorite songs. And just enjoyed the open road (and, yes, I enjoyed driving a shade over 8o pretty much legally as much if not more coming home as I did going) and each other’s company.

All in all, other than the fact that poor Kaeley got bronchitis, I feel like the trip to the Davis Mountains was a tremendous success. I was most impressed by the countless incredible breathtaking views that change with every twist and turn in the road and with the excellent learning experience of pottery classes, as well as the hospitality of our hosts and everyone we encountered on our weekend getaway.

I left Lubbock feeling restless, eager to learn, and anxious to see new things and I returned content, calmed and quieted and mostly incredibly happy to have had and shared another experience that was an emotionally impacting, intellectually stimulating, and curiosity piquing adventure...

On the road again...

Goin' places that I've never been.

Seein' things that I may never see again...

I couldn’t wait to get on the road again...SO, I decided on a trip to the Davis Mountains...I was going to go some place I’d never been, but after going I sure hope it’s something I do have the chance to see again...

I was feeling restless last week and a little disappointed that I’d decided not to go to Costa Rica this month for the volunteer teaching trip. So, I figured a road trip was in order. I originally planned to go it alone, but as it turned out my sweet niece Kaeley could go with me. (I’m sorry to say that I don’t think she had as good of a time as I did due to the fact that she got bronchitis while we were gone and didn’t feel great...BUT...I am glad she went along with me... and I hope she is feeling better soon)...

We headed out from Lubbock on Friday morning after the requisite trip to Sonic and drove toward our destination of Ft. Davis, Texas. The drive was enjoyable. We talked a lot and I was very happy to realize that my travel partner was appreciating the simple beauty of the differing landscapes and natural wonders we passed on our way. Even the extremely flat and open land that stretches out in every direction around Lamesa and Midland gave us opportunities to see beautiful fields of white cotton bolls that stood out against the brown dirt rows and stretched for miles just waiting to be harvested. I have to admit I personally enjoyed both the beauty of the area and the opportunity to legally drive 80 miles an hour in some areas as we headed to our destination.

Our first stop after several hours in the car was Balmorhea. Those of you who have followed my travels know I was in Balmorhea earlier this year, and although it could have been a disappointing weekend for me, I really loved the simple beauty of this place. Seeing it with someone who hadn’t been there and seeing it dressed in the glorious golds and oranges of fall color was a special treat.

We stopped in Balmorhea to get gas as well as take some pics of the beautiful trees standing along and stretching across the waters from the spring that run through town. While we were taking pics and taking in the beauty we were joined by the cutest little puppy with the sweetest little Pekinese underbite and a wagging tail that made us feel welcomed to his hometown.

After stretching our legs we headed toward the beautiful mountains on the horizon and enjoyed taking in the gorgeous views that greeted us around every turn as we headed further and further in to the mountains. The road began to curve and rise slightly as we saw the incredible exposed rock faces of mountains. The land in this area is a sight to behold. It reminded me of the rugged Old West you see in movies and while it’s incredibly different from the mountains I’ve probably seen the most in the Ruidoso area, it is definitely just as breathtaking in it’s own way.

As we headed in to Ft. Davis, I noticed the quaint old buildings such as the courthouse and bank, which again both looked like something out of a scene from a Western where one can easily imagine bank patrons (or maybe even bandits in black hats) riding up on their horses and moseying inside.

After a quick call to the Davis Mountains Inn (the bed & breakfast where we’d be staying) to get directions, we headed the short distance on down the road and pulled in at the dirt road beside Pops’ Diner (the place isn’t open, but we both noticed it -- most likely because all my daddy’s grandkids call him Pops.) We unloaded our bags at the Inn, which is a lovely home in an open pasture that sits in the valley between Blue Mountain and the Sleeping Lion Mountain that surround Ft. Davis. We were greeted by one of our hosts for the weekend and decided that since we hadn’t eaten since we left Lubbock that we’d head out for an early dinner. Before leaving for Murphy’s ( a great pizza and sandwich shop in Ft. Davis) we put our things away in our spacious and very nice suite. The room had a big king-sized bed and an even bigger, beautiful bathroom complete with a whirlpool tub surrounded by bay windows, double sinks and a separate huge shower. Kaeley had never stayed in a bed & breakfast, but I have and this one definitely met my somewhat ‘fancy’ standards ;) and exceeded my expectations.

Another thing that exceeded my expectations was the food at Murphy’s. When we walked through the door, took our menus, and headed to the enclosed patio area (with a tree that grows up through the roof and occasionally drops big ‘horse apples’ on the tin roof that are a bit alarming til you get used to the noise they create) the smell of pizza and garlic and other scrumptious scents filled the air. We decided to share a Caesar salad and a calzone. And it was indeed a great decision. We had several good meals throughout the weekend and I’ve had really good calzones (one of the best is at Cafe Rio in Ruidoso) but the calzone at Murphy’s was too yum, yum, yummy to be missed. In fact, I think I’d be tempted to drive all the way to Ft. Davis just to have another one of them ;)... We finished our dinner and decided to do a little shopping before we headed back to the Inn to change for our trip to the McDonald Observatory. There really aren’t a great number of stores in Ft. Davis and even fewer that are open after 5, but we found a great little store called Hollyhocks and Javelinas...I didn’t see a Ft. Davis lapel pin to add to my collection, but I did find and purchase a great set of flip flop socks...And, that’s right, I said set...The socks come in sets of three and all three socks are different...So, you don’t actually get pairs, but you do get three socks that are coordinated in color AND were a great deal for someone like me who loves to wear flip flops even when the weather outside dictates that socks should be worn. There were beautiful crosses, interesting lamps and glass pieces, and a few cute hats as well as lots of interesting jewelry and other items to look at in what was definitely my favorite store in Ft. Davis.

I was very excited about going to the ‘Star Party,’ an event offered every Friday, Saturday and Tuesday night at the observatory. When planning the weekend, I’d focused very much on not only the idea of seeing new things, but also of learning new things. When we arrived at the observatory, it was dark...very, very dark...and in fact, we were told later in our stay that the area where we were is the darkest place in the Northern Hemisphere. We stumbled through the extreme darkness in the parking area and toward the visitors center where we bought our tickets for the Star Party that started just a few moments after we arrived. The night air was cool and crisp, but not too cold to enjoy standing out and looking at the stars. I am not sure if Kaeley was most impressed with seeing Jupiter with its orbiting moons and debris field or the Seven Sisters constellations or the Andromeda galaxy OR the really cool extremely high-powered laser pointers that the guides at the observatory use to point out constellations and other heavenly attractions when visitors aren’t looking through the telescopes. All of the things, including the powerful laser pointers, were very interesting and impressive to me. After viewing all the different star clusters and constellations that were visible through the telescopes set up behind the visitors center we headed back inside. We unfortunately missed the film offered to visitors which shows other sights not visible on the night we were at the observatory, but we did enjoy the gift shop. I was, of course, going to buy a lapel pin to hang with the others I’ve collected from places I’d visited, but I also found other things I really wanted to buy. And while, I doubt that anyone really NEEDS an Einstein finger puppet/refrigerator magnet, I felt I had to have one...what can I say, I love intelligence and felt like having an Einstein finger puppet along with a book on the basics of Einstein’s theories was a good choice of souvenir from a weekend that was all about seeing and learning new things. We finished our evening at the observatory by walking through the self-guided interactive portion of the observatory and learning a good deal about the color of stars and other things I had no idea about. The experience overall did what I feel new experiences should do, which was make me realize how very little I know and make me want to know and learn much more ... Hence the purchase of the Einstein book and my new quest to have at least some very basic grasp on scientific theories and information that I never really took the time to learn or explore when I was in high school or any other level of my education.

We headed back through the dark twisting roads of the mountains (a long 14 miles, which Kaeley and I both decided we’d enjoy much more in the daylight and decided we’d definitely visit before we headed home) and arrived safely at the Inn. After having a fresh baked brownie (one of the many perks of staying at a bed & breakfast is the yummy food made available by our friendly hosts) and slipping in to our pjs, we headed outside the back fence to sit on the patio and pet the innkeepers dogs and just take in some more of the dark beautiful sky dusted with more stars than I’d ever seen stretched above us before we headed in to bed. We slipped in to our big bed and nodded off to sleep. My mind was filled with gratitude for the great niece and travel partner who was sharing my adventure with me AND was also filled with great anticipation of our Saturday activities, which would include pottery lessons taught by the innkeeper. This trip was definitely turning out to be a wonderful experience inspired by wonderful company, comfy accommodations, natural beauty and great opportunities to learn...