Sometimes after a trip I come home and wonder why I don't appreciate and explore my own city the same as the ones I visit. If I were a tourist in my own town, where would I go to explore? What would I find interesting? What is unique about this place? I live in a big city, surely there are places that are fascinating to a visitor. Many days I see this place through eyes that are numb from living here, sitting in traffic, running errands, focusing on the issues at hand and never taking time to just look around and appreciate. Maybe I should take time out to just be a tourist in my own town.
Visiting a new place is like reading a great book. Each chapter or neighborhood reveals something new and if it's good you just want to continue reading or exploring. One of the things I love about going to different places is seeing how other people get to live and what their day must look like. What do their daily surroundings look and feel like? We all get used to what we see every day in our lives. The drive to work looks the same every day, the view of our backyard looks the same and pretty soon we just quit observing and go through the day blindly. When I visit beautiful places I wonder if the people who live there also eventually quit seeing the beauty around them and just go through the motions of life with their eyes wide shut.
If this were your driveway, would you appreciate the view every day?
I was reminded of this last week when I was in Steamboat, Co. We visited a woman who lives in a lovely scenic rural setting. The views were amazing! I wondered if she appreciates the beauty every day or have her eyes become numb? If you live in Paris, does the Seine River and all of it's unique bridges become just another river? What am I taking for granted here at home?
I am heading to Baton Rouge this weekend. A place I lived for many years and have visited even more years. I never truly appreciated the huge stately oaks and the spanish moss until I left for a while and came back. Now when I return I love driving around seeing Acadian style homes surrounded by oak trees. I enjoy going back and seeing an old place with new eyes. As I drive back and forth on I-10 today, I am going to try to see with new eyes and enjoy the view. This, my friends, is a bigger challenge than you know unless you have driven this flat, barren stretch of interstate highway over a hundred times too! Maybe I'll just imagine I'm driving over the Seine or down my friend's driveway!
Happy New Year everyone! The new year is just like this morning when the sun was shining through the fog and trees. It is beautiful, fresh and full of possibilities. I was on my way to play a muddy round of golf and was mesmerized by these rays of light. This was not my first time to see this but usually I'm running late or surrounded by other cars and can't stop to take a photo. This morning there wasn't a soul to be seen so I stopped in the middle of the road and snapped away. I am in love with the sun... as has been evidenced by my sunset fixation and even the occasional beautiful sunrise I'm awake to witness. So as we are into the second week of the new year, how's it going?
The months of December and January are probably the two most different consecutive months of the year. December is full of anticipation, parties, family, hustle and bustle, shiny decorations, over eating and maybe over drinking, hearing from friends and family from near and far, crazy schedules with too few hours in each day to do everything that needs to be done, and two of the most celebrated holidays in the world, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Poor January doesn't stand a chance!
January starts on a high note with New Year's day and immediately winds down to a month when we resolve to work out more, eat less, drink less, do more, be a better person....blah, blah, blah. We make ourselves do all of this without all of the shiny decorations and holiday gatherings that have been making us happy over the last month. The parties are all over, those friends and relatives from near and far have gone back to their own lives and we may not hear from many of them until next December. January is a month where we have got to be strong! We have to pull up our boot straps and forge ahead on that measly carb-free meal, exhausted from working out and sober to boot, through the trenches of post holiday reality. January is not for wimps!
Forging ahead...boot straps firmly pulled up....it's time to make a decision. Study a language, writing or photography? With no trips planned to any countries that speak French or Spanish, the need to study a language is not pressing. The writing class is terrifying but intriguing. I have been feeling less than inspired lately. Not sure whether that is from leading an uninspired life, lack of imagination or laziness. The photography class could be interesting but would inevitably make me feel insecure with my poor excuse of a camera. I am leaning towards throwing myself to the wolves and taking the writing class, the gray matter needs some shaking up! Hang in there gang, only 23 more days left!
I had an epiphany last week. I was in the T-Mobile store waiting for my new cell phone to be loaded with all of my old stuff and had a little time to think, because I did not have a cell phone to check while I was waiting. I was there trading in my old phone. It had been providing me with numerous opportunities to exercise my patience by locking up on a regular basis. I opted for a new version of the same phone. Nothing adventurous just the same phone...the next generation. That's when I realized, I am either very loyal or I am just not that adventurous.
We also went car shopping last week. Don't even get me started....I hate car shopping. So much pressure! I have issues.... "spending large quantities of money" issues, "fear of getting taken" issues, "you are wasting my time" issues, and they all make me dread car shopping/buying. I've had my current car for 8 years. I like my car. It has served us well. It fits like an old pair of shoes. So we test drove the new version of my car. Same car, just the new version. Go figure...I liked it. I am so boring! I drove several other cars in the new car quest and I felt like Goldilocks. Some were too big, some too small, some not substantial enough, some too expensive and some just didn't feel right. When I drove the new version of my car, it felt like home. I really tried to like one of the other cars. I felt pressure to break out of my rut and change things up in my life. We ended up with the same car, same color, just the new and improved version. Loyal customer or unadventurous? Let's just go with loyal. I'll find adventure somewhere else, next year!
As the year ends, I wish you all a happy and healthy new year. On today, the Feast of the Holy Family, I remember last year's post on this day. It's as accurate today as it was then. It really is all about family. It doesn't matter what kind of phone you have or what kind of car you drive.
Momma can't be sick. It's a rule of life! Think about it....when the kids were young and Mom got sick, the world stopped! Who takes care of the person who takes care of everyone else? All I ever wanted when I got sick in those days was to be left alone in my room to sleep it off, and drugs...magic drugs that made me well in an hour. Of course, there was the risk that nothing would happen in the house and everyone would go hungry when I got sick. BUT....Mom definitely can't be sick at Christmas. Who is going to do the shopping, the baking, the Christmas cards, the gift wrapping, the house decorating....and all those other things that make the season bright? Believe me....it won't be Dad.
I have been sick since Thanksgiving. I think I am living in a giant petri dish. I got a cold, TJ got a cold. I got well, he went out of town. He came home with another cold and now I have a different cold. It's like a science experiment. Add to all the germs and snot flying around our house a man who had knee surgery and needs someone to take care of him. It would have been much too convenient to get sick when nothing else was happening. Today, I had to "man up" and take my box of tissues, my cold medicine and my Clara Barton hat at 5 a.m., go to the surgery center and be the "person" for TJ. I could not be sick! I did a good job of not being sick until later in the day at which point the germs won. I will say, TJ was a good patient and the surgery was successful. But boy does it stink when momma gets sick. Like I said, it just needs to be a rule of life...Moms do not get sick.
I've been playing a lot of golf lately and playing golf gives me time to think. Thinking can lead to playing well or playing poorly depending on the thoughts. For instance, thinking about what I have to do when I get home or what is going on that weekend or how LSU blew the Alabama game or the other two they lost or why those people in front of us are so slow does not lead to a good round of golf. Thinking about how beautiful the weather is and playing the continuous loop of whatever awesome song is playing inside my head at the moment usually leads to a good round. I love it when the weather is perfect, I'm in good company, I'm playing well and the pace of play is not too fast or too slow...it's like all the planets are aligned. Then again there are some days when the weather is terrible or there are swarms of mosquitoes or gnats pestering me or the pace of play is painfully slow or I am playing like I have never played the game before and yet I keep playing. Life is a lot like golf. Some days are all sunshine and happiness and others go by slowly, things don't work out like you want, it rains, your clothes are too tight and you just can't do anything right. But you keep playing!
One of those perfect days!
I have not read any of the books published about golf and life and what one teaches you about the other. I know there are many out there and my thoughts probably aren't unique. Maybe the reason there are so many books and quotes about golf and life is because the two really are very closely tied in teaching us similar lessons. You don't even need to be a golfer to be able to appreciate them either, which is good because otherwise why would most of you even need to read any more of this post?
A few weeks ago I played in a tournament with someone I met that morning. We were a team. It isn't very often that you get to spend 4+ hours with someone you just met, working together for a common goal while enjoying the great outdoors. It was a pleasure and a privilege. Golf has introduced me to many of my "life after kids" friends and for that I am thankful. My new friend and I ended up having the best score of the day over about 30 other teams, yes, I am bragging because never in a million years would I have expected to be able to say that when I woke up that morning! Golf teaches you that anything can happen on any given day.
You could see some deer frolicking on the course. These are two of the over 15 or 20 we saw during a game this week!
There are some days I can play great (OK, "good" because I am still far from "great") and the better I play, the better I play...until I start thinking about it. Once it gets "into my head" things start going south. The same can be said of playing poorly, the worse I play the harder I try and the harder I try the worse I play until my head gets to the right place again. Usually all I need to do is step back and calm down which is easier said than done sometimes. Golf is a mental game and so is life. Your thoughts leak into your actions on and off the golf course. It's just so hard to change that inner voice when things start going wrong and when things are going well it's hard to just be able to ride the tide without waiting for it to change. Playing golf is definitely a good mental exercise which I think is just as important as the physical game.
Sometimes you end up in a bad place on the golf course or in life, don't let it get you down. You could dwell on your bad luck or just focus on the next shot/move. You can't change the past, you are where you are, deal with it. I am getting very good at this mantra. If I end up in a bad situation (sand, water, tree) on the golf course I could moan and stress about it and figure the hole is a lost cause or I can calm down, take the next shot and move on from there, it's only one shot. In life you can dwell on the negative or deal with it and move on. When things are good, be sure to enjoy them and be thankful too!
Regardless of the score, have some fun! Think about it, you are outside....playing! Sometimes that may just be the best part of the game. There is always something positive whether it is the score, the weather, the company, or small improvements and if there isn't, there is always gin....and tonic...or lunch (if you don't drink) in golf or life!
Sometimes life surprises you! I've been plugging along in my life doing what I do everyday, nothing spectacular or blog worthy. I won't say life has been boring because it hasn't been. It's actually been great but who wants to read about beautiful weather, my golf game, book club, family visitors, college football and me actually making cute foods "as seen on" Pinterest?
Yes, I actually made a cheese ball in the shape of a dice for Bunco. I have way too much time!
Last night a friend invited us to a private club for some fun, fellowship and live music. Far be it from us to refuse an offer like that. I'll just preface this by saying I'm not a huge country music fan. I can listen to it in small doses and I'll watch the country music awards shows and can definitely appreciate the good stuff every now and then but it is not my "go to" music of choice. The concert venue was definitely a country music place with a name like The Redneck Country Club! I dusted off my boots and put on my jeans and we geared up for a big Friday night. I honestly had no idea what to expect. I was more than pleasantly surprised!
We got there early and when we walked in I thought the place was awesome! There was both indoor and outdoor space. Outside there were beanbag games set up, outdoor fire pits, a bar, lawn chairs and lights and inside there was a nice stage, some neat reclaimed wood walls and ceilings, beer bottle chandeliers, some redneck kitsch and the seats were old school lawn chairs! I knew then and there I was in for a different kind of night.
Not a bad place for a concert! Like I said, we were early....
I had the feeling I was back at Gilley's during the Urban Cowboy days but without the mechanical bulls. Not that I ever went there but I did see the movie. It was as if all the people from 1980 were moved to this building 35 years later and 35 years older. A few things caused me to pause through the night. First, I noticed a bar stool at the bar with guns as legs and a vest hanging over the back of the chair covered with military patches. There was a sign on the bar in front of the bar stool that said "this seat is reserved in honor of all those men and women who fought for our country and never returned home." Sigh.... The club definitely honors veterans.
Before the headliner was introduced the announcer asked all of the veterans to raise their hands and everyone gave them a round of applause. He proceeded to asked them to come to the dance floor in front. He asked who had fought in Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, and any other conflicts. It was quite the moment in light of recent events in the world. I found myself feeling very proud. It's easy to forget that there are men and women generously serving our country every day and it was nice to be in their presence and show them some respect and appreciation.
The crowd standing in appreciation of their service.
The music was boot scootin' good! I had never heard of the Paul Thorn Band (go ahead and click on one of the links and give them a listen) before but I'll probably hear them again! I can totally appreciate a good singer/songwriter and he was definitely entertaining. I noticed there were two men who danced with several different women throughout the night and many times they were the only ones on the dance floor. One fellow was a tall drink of water and what a dancer! He had on boots, of course, and a black cowboy hat with a tassel that he totally rocked and boy could he dance! I know, I already said that but it is worth repeating. It was Texas two-step at its best. The other fellow was older and wider and also a very good dancer. I mentioned to our friends that I thought maybe they worked there and just danced with different women to lure others onto the dance floor. She confirmed my suspicion. I was in awe of their smooth steps!
The evening was a pleasant surprise all around. A cool venue, a touch of patriotism, great music and dancing all in one. Unexpected and just what I needed to get me out of my day to day routine life and show me a bit of Texas. Thanks friends!
Being the responsible drinkers that we are, we used Uber for our transportation. Our driver on the way home was a student. While chatting we found out he is studying nursing, is from Afghanistan, worked for the U.S. military for three years and is very homesick for his family who is still in Afghanistan. I couldn't help but think there was some sort of cosmic message in the entire evening. Maybe I do like country music.
It's that time of year again! You know...the time of year when everyone goes Pinterest crazy with clever decorations and foods....and I work on my golf game. It begins at Halloween and does not relent until Christmas is over. I am sure the Pinterest gurus are licking their tasty, glittery chops just thinking of all the traffic they will be getting over the next two months! Think of all the table decorating ideas, Thanksgiving meal ideas, Christmas nativity configurations, Griswold-esque outdoor lighting ideas and healthy gluten free turkey dressing ideas one can glean from Pinterest....it boggles the mind! The pressure to perform is killing me already. Nah, not really. I mostly look, admire and carry on.
I was reminded of all the revelry last weekend while I was visiting my daughter and her family in Madison, WI. I had the honor of attending two Halloween class parties while I visited. I was amazed by the effort put forth by some of the class moms. I overheard two of the moms chatting and one asked the other, while admiring the festive table (pictured below), where she found all of the wonderful food ideas. "Pinterest", she replied. "Of course"... I silently groaned to myself.
It is all almost too cute to eat!
It was all adorable and the kindergarten class loved the chocolate donut spiders and the vampire donuts. I'm still not sure I would have taken the time to put eyes on every vampire donut, spider donut, and ghostly banana. I would have been much more like the room parents of the other class party. The food all looked like...food and there were fun games, which the kids and the teacher enjoyed. I wonder if I would volunteer to be a room parent now with all of the added pressure from the Pinterest Moms. I would probably step aside and let them shine and figure out another way to contribute that doesn't involve being creative or spending hours stalking Pintrest.
We had a great time visiting the grandsons. We had not seen them since Easter! I know...! They change so much in such a short time at their ages. We had a lot of catching up to do while we were there. My first activity was to go on a nature hike with the two older boys and one of their friends. I did my best to keep up with them and keep them out of the raging waters in the stream. They were certain we could all jump right over it to the other side, I was a little less certain. Being in or near the woods lead to boys climbing on logs, boys finding sticks and making them into weapons, boys running ahead, boys sticking things into the raging waters and getting as close as they possibly could without actually going into the water. All of these activities reminded me that it has been a very long time since I had a little boy much less chased one. We all survived and were gone so long their mother was beginning to wonder if we were ever coming back. It's hard to get boys out of the woods!
This is what my view looked like most of the time..... "hurry up, Gigi!"
Searching for a way across the raging waters.
It was getting dark but none of them wanted to go home, there were still more logs to climb on!
This was my second trip to visit them for Halloween. As I have said before, Halloween is not my favorite holiday, so I have decided to figure out a way to make it enjoyable. I must say, I do enjoy Halloween with grandsons. It's very nice to show up and reap the joy of treats, costumes and parties without doing any of the work. That's me...no work and all play! Needless to say, the trip to Madison was a success and we caught up on a lot of life. It's such a shame that I don't get to see them very often. Living apart is not ideal to say the least.
The Grim Reaper, a Shepard and a dragon. They covered all bases!
One more indulgence, because I can't get enough of this video. The finer details of vampires, boys and girls....according to John. He was having a private conversation all the way home about this topic and finally I just had to video him, I could watch this over and over. Time needs to freeze him at two and a half for a while, he's too cute!
The three people he mentions are his very brave teachers....who are not afraid of vampires!
