Sunday, April 21, 2013
Pardon my pause...
Please pardon my pause while I take some time to grieve the loss of my brother, as his battle ended faster than we anticipated... I will be back "on the road" again soon... Marie
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Emotions...
What a strange day. Have you ever felt every emotion the human being possess at one time? That's what I'm experiencing today.
I had another blog to post today, but I am to emotional and need to share, with you, my friends and family. We have just left San Diego after a full week of cramming every minute with special visits with our wonderful friends and family. I'm exhausted, elated, sad, happy, excited, afraid, proud, angry, confused, eager, and numb.
It was so great to see so many of our friends, to hear first hand all the news and successes and get all the hugs in person. One of our friends has lost over 90 pounds and is model beautiful. She just beams with her new self confidence. Another is managing her life with the loss of her husband of many, many years and fulfilling a life long dream of going to Africa and then later this year to China. One friend has adopted her two little nephews (ages 4 & 6) at an age (in her 50's) when most are looking toward their retirement, not starting the responsibility of a family. I am so proud and happy for these ladies who have had major challenges and have risen to the top and are beautiful winners all!
It was so great to see so many of my (ex?) co-workers and how successful everything is going, personally and with the Zoo as well. No surprises there though! I was able to spend some time with a friend who is getting ready to join the "retirement club" and learned about another one doing the same. The first one is going back to her "first love" of writing and has promised me a signed copy of her book when it's published, how great is that? She has ignited a fire in me. She wasn't the only to encourage me in that area, and that meant a lot to me; it touched me greatly to get such sweet feedback, thank you.
Spending time with my family was very special. Even when we lived in the same town we didn't see each other enough. As many of you know, my brother is fighting a loosing battle with cancer, so time with him is precious. He is my "big brother", the one who was always there for me, teaching me how to dance, how to catch frogs and with no mom around, even how to curl my hair! He was my protector and my night in shining armor. He would get up early and take me to the Easter sunrise services I wanted, and I would get up early and help him fold his newspapers for his route. I don't remember ever fighting with him, but I do remember him tickling me until I wet my pants! He is the best brother a girl could ever ask for. Everyone should be so lucky.
We are back out in the desert for a few days before we go help a dear friend celebrate her 60th birthday and then we are off and on our way to continue our adventure! I think this will be an interesting year...as always, thanks for coming along with us...
...kicking back in Indio Ca, Marie
I had another blog to post today, but I am to emotional and need to share, with you, my friends and family. We have just left San Diego after a full week of cramming every minute with special visits with our wonderful friends and family. I'm exhausted, elated, sad, happy, excited, afraid, proud, angry, confused, eager, and numb.
It was so great to see so many of our friends, to hear first hand all the news and successes and get all the hugs in person. One of our friends has lost over 90 pounds and is model beautiful. She just beams with her new self confidence. Another is managing her life with the loss of her husband of many, many years and fulfilling a life long dream of going to Africa and then later this year to China. One friend has adopted her two little nephews (ages 4 & 6) at an age (in her 50's) when most are looking toward their retirement, not starting the responsibility of a family. I am so proud and happy for these ladies who have had major challenges and have risen to the top and are beautiful winners all!
It was so great to see so many of my (ex?) co-workers and how successful everything is going, personally and with the Zoo as well. No surprises there though! I was able to spend some time with a friend who is getting ready to join the "retirement club" and learned about another one doing the same. The first one is going back to her "first love" of writing and has promised me a signed copy of her book when it's published, how great is that? She has ignited a fire in me. She wasn't the only to encourage me in that area, and that meant a lot to me; it touched me greatly to get such sweet feedback, thank you.
Spending time with my family was very special. Even when we lived in the same town we didn't see each other enough. As many of you know, my brother is fighting a loosing battle with cancer, so time with him is precious. He is my "big brother", the one who was always there for me, teaching me how to dance, how to catch frogs and with no mom around, even how to curl my hair! He was my protector and my night in shining armor. He would get up early and take me to the Easter sunrise services I wanted, and I would get up early and help him fold his newspapers for his route. I don't remember ever fighting with him, but I do remember him tickling me until I wet my pants! He is the best brother a girl could ever ask for. Everyone should be so lucky.
We are back out in the desert for a few days before we go help a dear friend celebrate her 60th birthday and then we are off and on our way to continue our adventure! I think this will be an interesting year...as always, thanks for coming along with us...
...kicking back in Indio Ca, Marie
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Some things change, some things don't...
In the early '80s I worked for a destination management company that handled all the leisure time that conventioneers had while they were in San Diego or Palm Springs. Our headquarters was in San Diego, but the owners had a condo in Palm Springs that we used as an "office" as well as a place to stay when we operated programs in PS. We would never let on to a client that we didn't really have a full-fledged office in PS and even went so far as having a PS phone number but it rang into our San Diego office. It was nothing for us to talk with a client in the morning and make a lunch appointment for that afternoon! We would just give ourselves a two hour leeway and off we would go! It actually was kind of fun.
I'll never forget my first one tho, what an experience! I had only been to Palm Springs once before, and that had been many years before, as a tourist. I was suppose to meet with a potential client and show him around and "seal the deal". I was petrified because I didn't know my way around, let alone where the "movie star's houses" were, which was the highlight of one of the spouse tours. They said "no problem, we have contacted our limo company and they will have a driver take you everywhere and he will give the tour! All you have to do is the selling. Piece of cake." Sounded ok, so off I went. The meeting was for the next day, so I decided to go over the day before to drive around a bit. One of our best tour guides was in town working a program and it turned out that she had a couple of spare hours and offered to drive me around and show me the "movie stars homes", along with the basic PS layout.
The next morning I met with the client and as we went to the limo, he stopped and said that he didn't want the fuss of a limo and asked if we couldn't just take my car. I explained that it wasn't a "fuss", that it allowed me to talk easily without concentrating on driving, he bought it and off we went! Well, after the basic "there's the golf course, airport, etc. it was time to "do the tour". As the driver drove around and around without saying anything I soon realized he didn't know where he was going...uh oh. I asked him what he was doing, and if he knew where Elvis' house was and he said "no, he was new and didn't know where any of them were!" Well...I only could remember Elvis and Liberace's so we went to those two, the rest I said stupid things like "that's somebodies but I can't remember who"...and then just told him that I wasn't the guide, and that I don't give the tours, they do and that they are great at it! I assured him that "the tour was great and he had nothing to worry about, honestly!"
We went back to the hotel for lunch, and I figured I had blown it for sure, so I decided to just relax and enjoy lunch! At the end of lunch, he leaned back and began to chuckle a little, then said to me..."Marie, it's obvious that you are new to PS, but not new to being a damned good Event Mgr. You have a lot of chutzpa lady, your hired!" I nearly fell out of my chair! He turned out to be one of my most favorite clients!
In those days, we came to PS a lot. We had two favorite spots we always made time for - Las Casuelas Terraza for the best Mexican food and Margaritas in the valley and Billy Reed's for the biggest and best cinnamon buns ever! It was "tradition! PS was a "happening place" in those days. Sonny Bono was running for Mayor so he could get his house built the way he wanted it (cutting through the red tape they were throwing at him). He had a restaurant here we used to bring the ladies for lunch and I had to meet with him one day and explain to him that he had to stop by/walk through the restaurant and say "hi" to them, that was why they were coming there! He was actually very shy.
Driving around now, lots of things have changed...many restaurants and other buildings have closed, while new ones have been built. They have added weekly street fairs, public art and fun shops to brighten up the downtown area. I just don't feel the same vibe tho that I felt in the "old days", but it could be me too. But, one great thing hasn't changed, and that's Las Casuelas Terraza is still making great meals and wonderful Margaritas, and Billy Reeds is still the place to stop just before leaving the city! Some traditions are worth hanging on to!
...kicking back in Desert Hot Springs, Marie
I'll never forget my first one tho, what an experience! I had only been to Palm Springs once before, and that had been many years before, as a tourist. I was suppose to meet with a potential client and show him around and "seal the deal". I was petrified because I didn't know my way around, let alone where the "movie star's houses" were, which was the highlight of one of the spouse tours. They said "no problem, we have contacted our limo company and they will have a driver take you everywhere and he will give the tour! All you have to do is the selling. Piece of cake." Sounded ok, so off I went. The meeting was for the next day, so I decided to go over the day before to drive around a bit. One of our best tour guides was in town working a program and it turned out that she had a couple of spare hours and offered to drive me around and show me the "movie stars homes", along with the basic PS layout.
The next morning I met with the client and as we went to the limo, he stopped and said that he didn't want the fuss of a limo and asked if we couldn't just take my car. I explained that it wasn't a "fuss", that it allowed me to talk easily without concentrating on driving, he bought it and off we went! Well, after the basic "there's the golf course, airport, etc. it was time to "do the tour". As the driver drove around and around without saying anything I soon realized he didn't know where he was going...uh oh. I asked him what he was doing, and if he knew where Elvis' house was and he said "no, he was new and didn't know where any of them were!" Well...I only could remember Elvis and Liberace's so we went to those two, the rest I said stupid things like "that's somebodies but I can't remember who"...and then just told him that I wasn't the guide, and that I don't give the tours, they do and that they are great at it! I assured him that "the tour was great and he had nothing to worry about, honestly!"
We went back to the hotel for lunch, and I figured I had blown it for sure, so I decided to just relax and enjoy lunch! At the end of lunch, he leaned back and began to chuckle a little, then said to me..."Marie, it's obvious that you are new to PS, but not new to being a damned good Event Mgr. You have a lot of chutzpa lady, your hired!" I nearly fell out of my chair! He turned out to be one of my most favorite clients!
In those days, we came to PS a lot. We had two favorite spots we always made time for - Las Casuelas Terraza for the best Mexican food and Margaritas in the valley and Billy Reed's for the biggest and best cinnamon buns ever! It was "tradition! PS was a "happening place" in those days. Sonny Bono was running for Mayor so he could get his house built the way he wanted it (cutting through the red tape they were throwing at him). He had a restaurant here we used to bring the ladies for lunch and I had to meet with him one day and explain to him that he had to stop by/walk through the restaurant and say "hi" to them, that was why they were coming there! He was actually very shy.
Driving around now, lots of things have changed...many restaurants and other buildings have closed, while new ones have been built. They have added weekly street fairs, public art and fun shops to brighten up the downtown area. I just don't feel the same vibe tho that I felt in the "old days", but it could be me too. But, one great thing hasn't changed, and that's Las Casuelas Terraza is still making great meals and wonderful Margaritas, and Billy Reeds is still the place to stop just before leaving the city! Some traditions are worth hanging on to!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Quiet reflection...
Do you ever just sit in quiet reflection (meditation aside)? No music, TV or people to talk to? I usually don't. I like sound. If I am alone, I either have the radio (preferred) on or the TV, or if not alone, then I am singing (well, I call it that) or talking to someone (in person or on the phone).
Yesterday I found myself in an unusual situation. Jack and I were sitting outside in the nice shade of the RV. He was reading and I decided to start on my new cross-stitch. He promptly feel asleep, leaving me alone. I didn't want to turn the radio on because it might wake him, and the same if I called someone. I didn't want to go inside because it was to hot. There was no one to in sight, it was just me and my cross-stitch. Now, the thing about cross-stitch is that there are large sections that can be repetitive, so it doesn't take much thought or brain power to do it - leaving your mind free to wander...so it did...
I started thinking about the last time I had done one of these, as it had to be many years ago. There was a time in my life when I used to do a lot of cross-stitch (along with other sewing projects). During that time there was a small group of us women (in our early 30's) who would get together once a week and work on our projects. It was so much more fun that way! We would talk about our kids & husbands (or guys we were dating), eat, drink, and laugh a lot. Special friendship bonds were formed during that time.
I think we all have at least one special person we meet in our life who really makes a difference. Someone who helps you through those "tough years", who seems to understand you better than anyone else. That person for me is Jeanine. Jeanine has the insight of a psychic, the wit of a night show host (actually their writers) and the heart of a volunteer. She's a talented artist and writer and attractive to boot, and she doesn't see any of it! She wears her very big heart on her sleeve and gives openly, so unfortunately she's been taken advantage of a number of times, and it never seems to stop her from being the sweetie that she is.
As I sat there reflecting on those times together, then, and over the years as we have grown, moved apart but manage to stay in touch, I smiled at how lucky I am to have her and the other friends I've made along this path called "life".
I know that my life was pretty rough going for the first half or so, but I have been so blessed with such special people along the way that I can hardly remember the pain, only the lessons learned - and I guess that's what it's suppose to be all about anyway...hmmm
Well, that was enough of the "quiet", I went inside anyway and called my dear friend for a long over-due "girl talk"!
Yesterday I found myself in an unusual situation. Jack and I were sitting outside in the nice shade of the RV. He was reading and I decided to start on my new cross-stitch. He promptly feel asleep, leaving me alone. I didn't want to turn the radio on because it might wake him, and the same if I called someone. I didn't want to go inside because it was to hot. There was no one to in sight, it was just me and my cross-stitch. Now, the thing about cross-stitch is that there are large sections that can be repetitive, so it doesn't take much thought or brain power to do it - leaving your mind free to wander...so it did...
I started thinking about the last time I had done one of these, as it had to be many years ago. There was a time in my life when I used to do a lot of cross-stitch (along with other sewing projects). During that time there was a small group of us women (in our early 30's) who would get together once a week and work on our projects. It was so much more fun that way! We would talk about our kids & husbands (or guys we were dating), eat, drink, and laugh a lot. Special friendship bonds were formed during that time.
I think we all have at least one special person we meet in our life who really makes a difference. Someone who helps you through those "tough years", who seems to understand you better than anyone else. That person for me is Jeanine. Jeanine has the insight of a psychic, the wit of a night show host (actually their writers) and the heart of a volunteer. She's a talented artist and writer and attractive to boot, and she doesn't see any of it! She wears her very big heart on her sleeve and gives openly, so unfortunately she's been taken advantage of a number of times, and it never seems to stop her from being the sweetie that she is.
As I sat there reflecting on those times together, then, and over the years as we have grown, moved apart but manage to stay in touch, I smiled at how lucky I am to have her and the other friends I've made along this path called "life".
I know that my life was pretty rough going for the first half or so, but I have been so blessed with such special people along the way that I can hardly remember the pain, only the lessons learned - and I guess that's what it's suppose to be all about anyway...hmmm
Well, that was enough of the "quiet", I went inside anyway and called my dear friend for a long over-due "girl talk"!
...kicking back in Desert Hot Springs, Marie
Monday, March 4, 2013
Relaxing...Marie style
All my life I have been on the move. My Dad was a career Navy man and in those days, the military moved you every two years, minimum. Sometimes we moved houses in between the big moves. I lost count of how many houses and schools I had gone to even before getting to high school. When I was twelve, Dad retired and my parents got a divorce so my "movement" continued on going back & forth between parents and other relatives. After high school I moved several times, then got married, moved a few more times and then came the children!
Once the twins came I haven't stopped moving! In those early years I was raising the three children on my own, working three jobs while going to school and even fitting in a few dates now and then! Later things slowed down to just one job, the kids and dating!
As the children grew older, marriage came and the job got easier, but I was always active...until now. When I would tell folks about my "pending retirement" I would get mixed responses. Some would congratulate me and share how they either enjoyed being retired or wished they were (depending on their status). Some would ask "what will you do?" I would quickly tell them how I had so many things I have wanted to do but never had the time! We (my husband and I) have wanted to travel and see the U.S. to begin with, then I have so much writing I want to do, gardening, projects, "all kinds of things!"
I have been looking forward to retirement for years! Having the "free time" I never have had. Time to "just relax and be". Something new to me. Something I've envied others having. Something I've fantasized about.
Last year, as you know if you have followed this blog, we filled our year with travel. Busy, moving, seeing, doing travel. We really never stayed very long in one place, and when we did, it was still full of going, seeing and doing! Fun! We loved every moment of it. No regrets. But this year we thought we would do something different.
Something slower.
This year our plans are to drive less and stay longer at our destinations. See more National & State Parks, relax more, make new friends, learn new things, experience life differently.
When we were in San Diego we learned that Jack needed to return at the end of March for some follow up dental work. That meant we couldn't travel to far afield, so we got out our trusty map and computer and settled on the desert for warmth and economy. We have been camped in Desert Hot Springs for three weeks (with another three to go). Now, not only has this been the longest we've stayed in one place, but also the bleakest place we've stayed at! Don't get me wrong, it's not an awful place. It's just that there isn't that much to do or see out here...and that's not a bad thing, it's just not something we are used to!
Of course, as I've shared, we have jaunted off to "see what we could see" of the area...Joshua Tree National Park, 29 Plams' murals, street fairs, art fairs, Thursday Night gatherings in Palm Springs, etc. The campground has activities, which we've checked out a couple too, but mostly it's been us just "relaxing"...or trying to.
I've read a few books (loved the bio of Steve Jobs!), cleaned the rig from top to bottom, reorganized all my cupboards and made them much more efficient, and have moved the winter clothes back and the summer clothes forward.
Now I've decided there is nothing left to do but work on my tan! So, I've been going to the pool (isn't that where one is suppose to do it?) Magazines: check (boy, they have really stacked up and my sister had saved them all for me!), sun lotion: check, sun hat: check, watch: check (don't want to burn), water: check (need to stay hydrated), and beach towel: check! The pool here is heated too, so that makes it nice and two nice jacuzzi to finish off with, mm mm. Now if the weather would just stay the same way every day I could get with the program...maybe.
You see, "relaxing" I've found, is difficult for me. Something completely new. It was always something that happened rarely, something "stolen" for a few hours, not for days and days! I know I will get a rhythm to this, I just haven't found it yet..but I am working on it! In between time... I'm getting a great tan!
...kicking back in Desert Hot Springs, Marie
Once the twins came I haven't stopped moving! In those early years I was raising the three children on my own, working three jobs while going to school and even fitting in a few dates now and then! Later things slowed down to just one job, the kids and dating!
As the children grew older, marriage came and the job got easier, but I was always active...until now. When I would tell folks about my "pending retirement" I would get mixed responses. Some would congratulate me and share how they either enjoyed being retired or wished they were (depending on their status). Some would ask "what will you do?" I would quickly tell them how I had so many things I have wanted to do but never had the time! We (my husband and I) have wanted to travel and see the U.S. to begin with, then I have so much writing I want to do, gardening, projects, "all kinds of things!"
I have been looking forward to retirement for years! Having the "free time" I never have had. Time to "just relax and be". Something new to me. Something I've envied others having. Something I've fantasized about.
Last year, as you know if you have followed this blog, we filled our year with travel. Busy, moving, seeing, doing travel. We really never stayed very long in one place, and when we did, it was still full of going, seeing and doing! Fun! We loved every moment of it. No regrets. But this year we thought we would do something different.
Something slower.
This year our plans are to drive less and stay longer at our destinations. See more National & State Parks, relax more, make new friends, learn new things, experience life differently.
When we were in San Diego we learned that Jack needed to return at the end of March for some follow up dental work. That meant we couldn't travel to far afield, so we got out our trusty map and computer and settled on the desert for warmth and economy. We have been camped in Desert Hot Springs for three weeks (with another three to go). Now, not only has this been the longest we've stayed in one place, but also the bleakest place we've stayed at! Don't get me wrong, it's not an awful place. It's just that there isn't that much to do or see out here...and that's not a bad thing, it's just not something we are used to!
Of course, as I've shared, we have jaunted off to "see what we could see" of the area...Joshua Tree National Park, 29 Plams' murals, street fairs, art fairs, Thursday Night gatherings in Palm Springs, etc. The campground has activities, which we've checked out a couple too, but mostly it's been us just "relaxing"...or trying to.
I've read a few books (loved the bio of Steve Jobs!), cleaned the rig from top to bottom, reorganized all my cupboards and made them much more efficient, and have moved the winter clothes back and the summer clothes forward.
Now I've decided there is nothing left to do but work on my tan! So, I've been going to the pool (isn't that where one is suppose to do it?) Magazines: check (boy, they have really stacked up and my sister had saved them all for me!), sun lotion: check, sun hat: check, watch: check (don't want to burn), water: check (need to stay hydrated), and beach towel: check! The pool here is heated too, so that makes it nice and two nice jacuzzi to finish off with, mm mm. Now if the weather would just stay the same way every day I could get with the program...maybe.
You see, "relaxing" I've found, is difficult for me. Something completely new. It was always something that happened rarely, something "stolen" for a few hours, not for days and days! I know I will get a rhythm to this, I just haven't found it yet..but I am working on it! In between time... I'm getting a great tan!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Kicking back in Desert Hot Springs...
We are currently "hanging out" in Desert Hot Springs CA for a few weeks, soaking up some nice warm sun (when the cold wind isn't blowing about). This is a different experience for us, to stay in one campground, even one town, for several weeks (6 all together) at a time. We've already met a couple of folks who will also be here about the same length of time, so maybe we will actually get an opportunity to establish an actual friendship with another couple! We have "site neighbors" who are from Calgary Canada who, like us a year ago, just purchased their motorhome (which is one year newer than ours and one foot longer) and are brand new to the rv world. They are heading pretty much along the same route we took last year as well, but can only stay in the U.S. 6 months, so won't get as far. We spent a day with them, sharing some of our experiences, along with some campground recommendations and clubs to consider joining and not joining. It was a funny sensation to be the "experienced" ones giving the advise instead of the ones seeking it! What a difference a year makes, huh? That's not to say we still don't have a ton to learn, boy, do we ever, but it's nice to know that we have learned quite a bit already and can pass that along to ones just starting out. Kind of nice. We shared that we were heading their way too - to Calgary in July for the annual Stampede. They offered their "driveway" to camp if we so wanted. rv folks, we have found, are the most generous around. That's nice too. I love this world we've joined.
On the couple of non-windy, beautiful sun-filled days, we've taken advantage and have explored a little of our surroundings and some of the events that take place here. Thursday nights the city of Palm Springs closes off one of it's main streets and local vendors set up their booths, selling everything from art to vegetables. Local musicians play while local artist quickly spray paint while you watch and everyone has a great time. We had a nice dinner at one of the downtown restaurants (boy, I've missed fish tacos, and only So Cal can do them right!) then slowly wandered down the streets. We only finished half before we decided it was getting late and we would just save the second half for next week since we were going to be here awhile. Nice to be able to do that, I must say.
The weekend brought the College of the Desert's Street Fair. It's huge! Rows & rows of vendors selling clothes, accessories, decorations, jewelry, food, music, you name it, they were selling it! Wow, fun. That's where I got my first (this trip) date shake. You just can't come to this desert without treating yourself to a date shake, it's the best! Yummm
Then the wind came...I hunkered down and read. A great book, by the way, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I highly recommend it. I have a much more appreciation and much better knowledge of the Apple/Mac/i world.
Two days later...the wind died down again, so off we went...to Joshua Tree National Park! This was a little trip I was looking forward to, as I have been wanting to show it to Jack. I've been here a number of times myself, but he has never, and it's quite unique. It's been many years since I have been here, so I had mixed emotions - with apprehension that it may have been "tightened up" (protection from public miss-use) so much that it lost it's "fun", to the joy of seeing it again, remembering all the fun times there.
As soon as we drove into the park, and began to see the huge boulders and the funny trees that look like Dr Seuss's Truffula trees (from the Lorax) I began to smile. Visions of my children running and playing among them filled my head. When my boys were about 7 and Alissa around 12, we camped here in our Class C Motorhome. We could park it right up next to an outcropping of those great big boulders and those boys would run and climb and jump and squeeze through the small separations, yell and just have a ball. All the while, my "sophisticated" daughter, in her tidy braids would be sitting at the picnic table all prim and proper with her back to them reading her book. Every now & then she would look back and give one of those oh my looks, and go back to her reading. What a hoot. It was such a great place to bring the kids because I didn't have to worry about them breaking anything or making any messes! I never really worried that they would get hurt, as they were pretty surefooted and never really seemed to be prone to do that. I didn't have much money in those days and camping was the one thing I could do with the kids that we could all do together and have fun. I so wanted to create "good family memories" and share my love of the outdoors with them in the only way I really knew how. Later that evening I called the boys and told them where we had been for the day, and when I asked them if they remembered going there, they each said "absolutely, fun times!"
Best feeling of the day.
As we left Joshua Tree, we exited through 29 Palms, Cute little town that decided back in the late '90's to revitalize the town by having artists paint murals and create some sculptures throughout the town. I love public art and especially murals, so this was a must stop for me. We had a nice lunch while I reviewed the brochure, marking off the murals I wanted to photograph. Jack, my wonderful driver, routed out each one and off we went! Pretty cool murals I must admit! Great little stop.
Well, that wraps up our first week here...for someone who "wasn't going to be doing anything", I'd say we've done quite a bit, wouldn't you?
...kicking back in Desert Hot Springs, Marie
If you wish to view the rest of the photos from this trip, you can at my Flickr account at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/
On the couple of non-windy, beautiful sun-filled days, we've taken advantage and have explored a little of our surroundings and some of the events that take place here. Thursday nights the city of Palm Springs closes off one of it's main streets and local vendors set up their booths, selling everything from art to vegetables. Local musicians play while local artist quickly spray paint while you watch and everyone has a great time. We had a nice dinner at one of the downtown restaurants (boy, I've missed fish tacos, and only So Cal can do them right!) then slowly wandered down the streets. We only finished half before we decided it was getting late and we would just save the second half for next week since we were going to be here awhile. Nice to be able to do that, I must say.
The weekend brought the College of the Desert's Street Fair. It's huge! Rows & rows of vendors selling clothes, accessories, decorations, jewelry, food, music, you name it, they were selling it! Wow, fun. That's where I got my first (this trip) date shake. You just can't come to this desert without treating yourself to a date shake, it's the best! Yummm
Then the wind came...I hunkered down and read. A great book, by the way, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I highly recommend it. I have a much more appreciation and much better knowledge of the Apple/Mac/i world.
Two days later...the wind died down again, so off we went...to Joshua Tree National Park! This was a little trip I was looking forward to, as I have been wanting to show it to Jack. I've been here a number of times myself, but he has never, and it's quite unique. It's been many years since I have been here, so I had mixed emotions - with apprehension that it may have been "tightened up" (protection from public miss-use) so much that it lost it's "fun", to the joy of seeing it again, remembering all the fun times there.
As soon as we drove into the park, and began to see the huge boulders and the funny trees that look like Dr Seuss's Truffula trees (from the Lorax) I began to smile. Visions of my children running and playing among them filled my head. When my boys were about 7 and Alissa around 12, we camped here in our Class C Motorhome. We could park it right up next to an outcropping of those great big boulders and those boys would run and climb and jump and squeeze through the small separations, yell and just have a ball. All the while, my "sophisticated" daughter, in her tidy braids would be sitting at the picnic table all prim and proper with her back to them reading her book. Every now & then she would look back and give one of those oh my looks, and go back to her reading. What a hoot. It was such a great place to bring the kids because I didn't have to worry about them breaking anything or making any messes! I never really worried that they would get hurt, as they were pretty surefooted and never really seemed to be prone to do that. I didn't have much money in those days and camping was the one thing I could do with the kids that we could all do together and have fun. I so wanted to create "good family memories" and share my love of the outdoors with them in the only way I really knew how. Later that evening I called the boys and told them where we had been for the day, and when I asked them if they remembered going there, they each said "absolutely, fun times!"
Best feeling of the day.
As we left Joshua Tree, we exited through 29 Palms, Cute little town that decided back in the late '90's to revitalize the town by having artists paint murals and create some sculptures throughout the town. I love public art and especially murals, so this was a must stop for me. We had a nice lunch while I reviewed the brochure, marking off the murals I wanted to photograph. Jack, my wonderful driver, routed out each one and off we went! Pretty cool murals I must admit! Great little stop.
Well, that wraps up our first week here...for someone who "wasn't going to be doing anything", I'd say we've done quite a bit, wouldn't you?
If you wish to view the rest of the photos from this trip, you can at my Flickr account at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/
Friday, February 1, 2013
Reflections...
Those that have known me for a long time, have heard me share that "when I don't listen to the Universe (spirit, God) whispers in my ear, the message gets louder and louder until it shakes the tree (I'm lounging in) and I fall from the branches". I fell from the branches this week. Hard.
For a whole year, Jack and I have been super healthy, not a cold or even a sniffle to drag us down. We get to San Diego to visit and get appointments handled, all ok. We move north to Escondido to "get all our visits in" and wham! Colds. We were going morning, noon and night visiting one set of friends then another, making sure we had time with everyone we could. It seemed that our list was a mile long, but I was determined to fit everyone in, no matter what! The whisper came "your trying to do to much in to little time Marie". I ignored it. I was able to cram in a hair appointment with my favorite gal, and locked my keys in the truck, second message to slow down, ignored. As we continued to drive from one visit to another, one meal to another we would joke that we would have to go on a strict diet afterward and if I saw one more glass of wine for a month, that would be to soon...then, wham, the Universe said "guess your not going to listen, I'll have to just shake your tree Marie". And it did.
I haven't been this sick in years. So sick that all I wanted to do was sleep, so sleep is what I did, all day, every day, for days. No visiting, no calls, no talking, no writing...nothing. Rest, just rest. That was it. We had been blessed with the generosity of dear friends of the use of their guest house, so we rested in luxury. A few days later we found out that our hostess had also come down with the same nasty bug, and she too was resting. Luckily we had enough provisions in the rv to last for a few days (especially when all one wants is chicken soup). Jack fared a little better than I, so he got the job of the grocery run when it was finally needed. We survived.
But this wasn't about survival. It wasn't really about "getting sick" either. Not for me, anyway. It was about slowing down (again) and enjoying this life we've chosen. It didn't take but a few minutes of being back here to get caught right back into the fever of the hustle & bustle of the work-a-day world this was for me. This was a reminder to myself that this is why I left this world - and traded it in for one that is slow, taking the time to really see my surroundings and enjoy them, not rush through them.
As I sit here, feeling much better, I have a beautiful view of grounds that this guest house sits on. The rain came last night and has left droplets on everything, making all the edges sparkle. There is such a peaceful calmness out here; you can't see any other houses or roads, only the occasional jack rabbit or bird, yet we are only yards away from the main road. Beauty is everywhere, when you take the time to notice it.
Being a guest here, has brought us a closeness to our friends that we will always cherish. We haven't been able to visit with them like we would like to, with all of us being sick - but the visit isn't over yet, so we still have opportunity. We've been blessed with such wonderful friends; and how great the Universe set it up to have me land here when It shook me from my tree!
...slowing down and relaxing in Escondido California, Marie
For a whole year, Jack and I have been super healthy, not a cold or even a sniffle to drag us down. We get to San Diego to visit and get appointments handled, all ok. We move north to Escondido to "get all our visits in" and wham! Colds. We were going morning, noon and night visiting one set of friends then another, making sure we had time with everyone we could. It seemed that our list was a mile long, but I was determined to fit everyone in, no matter what! The whisper came "your trying to do to much in to little time Marie". I ignored it. I was able to cram in a hair appointment with my favorite gal, and locked my keys in the truck, second message to slow down, ignored. As we continued to drive from one visit to another, one meal to another we would joke that we would have to go on a strict diet afterward and if I saw one more glass of wine for a month, that would be to soon...then, wham, the Universe said "guess your not going to listen, I'll have to just shake your tree Marie". And it did.
I haven't been this sick in years. So sick that all I wanted to do was sleep, so sleep is what I did, all day, every day, for days. No visiting, no calls, no talking, no writing...nothing. Rest, just rest. That was it. We had been blessed with the generosity of dear friends of the use of their guest house, so we rested in luxury. A few days later we found out that our hostess had also come down with the same nasty bug, and she too was resting. Luckily we had enough provisions in the rv to last for a few days (especially when all one wants is chicken soup). Jack fared a little better than I, so he got the job of the grocery run when it was finally needed. We survived.
But this wasn't about survival. It wasn't really about "getting sick" either. Not for me, anyway. It was about slowing down (again) and enjoying this life we've chosen. It didn't take but a few minutes of being back here to get caught right back into the fever of the hustle & bustle of the work-a-day world this was for me. This was a reminder to myself that this is why I left this world - and traded it in for one that is slow, taking the time to really see my surroundings and enjoy them, not rush through them.
As I sit here, feeling much better, I have a beautiful view of grounds that this guest house sits on. The rain came last night and has left droplets on everything, making all the edges sparkle. There is such a peaceful calmness out here; you can't see any other houses or roads, only the occasional jack rabbit or bird, yet we are only yards away from the main road. Beauty is everywhere, when you take the time to notice it.
Being a guest here, has brought us a closeness to our friends that we will always cherish. We haven't been able to visit with them like we would like to, with all of us being sick - but the visit isn't over yet, so we still have opportunity. We've been blessed with such wonderful friends; and how great the Universe set it up to have me land here when It shook me from my tree!
...slowing down and relaxing in Escondido California, Marie
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