On the road… Summer 2009

Ahhh… the summer road trip. The idea summons fond memories of Jack Kerouac, my aged but trusty VW, winding back roads across Europe, accidental destinations and more than a few romantic wine and cheese picnics along the way. Youth is a marvelous time, and those rambling road trip memories still elicit smiles.

Alas, road trips these days are no longer about romance. But they are still a fun way to escape for a while. Which is what I am about to do. Yippee!

I’m traveling with my cousin, D., and in a few days, we will be on our way to her home state of Tennessee. D. is a great traveling companion — funny, interested in everything along the way and very willing to depart from the plan to explore anything that looks interesting. (Sometimes we get a little carried away exploring unmarked roads, so it’s reassuring that she has OnStar :-)

Right now, the plan is to combine time with family and visits to historical sites with whatever catches our eye and “speaks” to us.  It sounds like a recipe for a great vacation.

Stay tuned…

Mid-year reality check

Way back in January, I came up with what I thought were nine good, basic guidelines for 2009. June seems like an appropriate time to check in on these. How am I doing? Short answer = mixed progress. Evasive answer = about like everyone else, I expect.  Here is the progress check:

1. Pray, meditate, listen and help — I’m trying, but really need to spend more time here, especially working on listening.
   
2. Exercise — Doing more, but not nearly enough. Should apply more energy to doing this and less to creative excuses.
   
3. Eating less — This one is on track. My weight loss is slow, but steady. At this rate, it will take me a couple of years, but that’s OK. After all, it took me more than a decade to put the weight on.
   
4. Read more and watch less on Tivo — Hmmm… let’s move on to something else.
   
5. Finish projects already underway before starting new ones — Seem to have this backwards. Have started and completed several major new projects but the old ones are just shoved further back in my closet.
   
6. Figure out what income I need to retire — Check this one off. Alas, it means I need to work another year, but I can do that.
   
7. Learn a new jewelry technique — Not yet, but that’s all right.
   
8. Tune and play the hammered dulcimer — Ditto.
   
9. Don’t take time or people for granted — Still one dear friend I need and want to call or visit before summer ends.
   

As I said, mixed progress. On the other hand, there are completed projects that were not even on the horizon last January. More pluses = a loving family, good health, a beautiful garden to delight and refresh my spirit, developing friendships with some of my wonderful neighbors, and, always, a deepening gratitude for my new church family.

So far, a fabulous year!