and just like that...

 

It's going to be a semi-busy day, one that I am being lazy and pushing off a bit.  I'm showered and ready to start, physically, finally well rested - yesterday was a struggle.  I just want a few more moments of silence and reflection.  A few minutes to snuggle my puppies. Who am I kidding Belle is not a snuggle dog, Beau makes up for it for both of them.  Just a bit more time, before I jump in. 

I am going to be doing maintenance of the long arm today, it's her spa day, the final one I will give her.  After all these years and quilts together, I officially sold her this morning.  Something I've wanted to do, but never had the courage for the next step, longing for something and taking the steps to make it happen are not the same thing.  

I feel like things are lining up like they are meant to.  As I was still toying with the idea of moving onto a true honest to goodness professional long arm I asked my sister if she was interested in my old one.  It's perfect for just starting out, when it is a newer hobby.  She doesn't have the space or time right now.  While I was still mired in next steps, God stepped in and created that space for me to grow and move forward.  

She had friends over, conversations took just the right direction and one thing led to another.  God shoved me!  I wasn't brave enough to do what happened on my own, I was still mired in my own doubts and what if's.  One thing led to another, my lovely old machine and frame that gave me the courage to learn and try are heading south this coming week.  They are going to a new home to help another quilter cut her teeth.  My new "professional long arm" is on it's way so that I can go to the next level. 

Little Ms Independence

I've never quite felt ready before.  My spirit has never bubbled with excitement for the next step.  Until now. 

I need my space

This year seems to be filled with a desire for change.  I am not truly someone that jumps in with both feet.  I can weather change, easily, yet I never seek it out. I am the person that arranges a room, closet, heck life and when it's how I feel comfortable, I don't change it again. Yet here I find myself craving changes. I have a huge plant in my sitting room, for the entire time we've lived here it has resided in the same exact space. Suddenly, I feel a need to move it on. I am actually considering changing that entire room around.  

This is not normal for me.  It feels foreign.  Yet here I am.  Making changes.

Anyone else feeling a desire to change things?  To shift out of the rut we often find ourselves in?  

It's a reunion year from when I graduated high school.  My high school ring disappeared a good 25 years or more ago, not sure what happened to it, but it never left Washington with us.  On one side of my ring it said "free to be", I graduated in '83.  I loved the sentiment, it felt empowering as I stood ready to take on adulthood.  I hadn't thought about it a lot until recently.  A group that I pray with has started to say a prayer together every day, ironically, it starts out "free to be"... it feels like some circle that I didn't know existed has connected.  I feel ready for a lot of next steps.  I actually find myself feeling quite empowered lately and willing to step out of a lot of ruts, routines and safe spaces and truly experience life. 

I must have a thing for years that end with 3, I got married in 2003, I started my blog in 2013, and now here it is 2023 and I'm starting new adventures.... maybe it's my lucky number?  Or just the cycle I thrive in... who know's... but I'll take it.

As I take the pictures so the new owner can easily reassemble the frame and as I care for the machine one final time, I will celebrate the joys and learning aggravations (I struggle to learn new things gracefully sometimes) I have had over the years.  

Through it all, I am ready for what comes next.

Personal space is way over rated

I feel like 2023 is the year to be free, free to chase dreams without feeling hindered.  I'm actually excited... anyone else?

You will provide me comfort human - 
jedi Beau commands it

love, prayers, hopes and dreams... 

that was shocking...

Good morning... wait is it morning?  That was sure the shortest night ever.  Or at least it felt like it, nope, it was really just a short night. I had some canning to finish before I could go to bed and then Belle decided that mommy should wake up when Daddy does.  There is something very jarring about a 40+ pound puppy deciding to wake you up by jumping repeatedly on you with her favorite toy in her mouth.  She just wants her family all together all the time if she is awake. 

Oh well, I wouldn't trade those puppy pounces for the world, but it is going to make for a really long day. 

So, yesterday I wrote about gardens and how they could make such a difference for folks of all means. Yesterday I ran out of the small jelly jars and still have a lot of jelly to get made, I seriously picked a lot of berries and still have a lot of oranges to process that were gifted to me. Hubs and I were calling everywhere to find jars.  Even ordered them from one store, only to be notified that they didn't really have them.  After calling around I found some at Target, only 3 boxes, but it should be enough to get those berries put up.  I also forgot to order wet puppy food, no worries, according to the website, they had plenty in stock at the same store, and for less than my normal purchase from Chewy.  

No problem right?  I also had a short list of items I needed for another recipe that I wanted to make.  Hubs loves curry and I decided I wanted to make a batch.  Nothing fancy, just a few veggies and the curry paste. I figured we could pull off some quick one stop shopping and be done with it. 

Again, no problem right?  Now mind you I have been hearing about some of the shortages we can expect to find, but nothing really prepared me for what we saw.  I felt a bit bad buying the three boxes of jars, they were all they had left.  I do not want to waste my berries, so... I'm sorry to anyone out there looking. But I was stunned by what I saw in every place we looked.  Aisle upon aisle were barren.  Not just low, I mean barren.  And no this store is not undergoing a renovation, it just had one not too long ago. This was all they had. 

These pictures are of the pet food aisles.  I also literally bought all 13 cans of puppy chow.  Again, I felt bad, but considering I couldn't buy it anywhere else and my puppies go through two cans a day along with their dry food... with the holiday, I needed enough to get us through Tuesday.  Or risk not having any.  Buying puppy food wet or dry in this city is a nightmare.  Chewy is doing a bang up business and maybe that is the plan.  But with diesel as expensive as it is and the other issues going on associated with diesel, how soon before that isn't a viable plan?

I would think that they simply hadn't stocked recently, but truthfully, it is one of the few places that carries the mini-milk bones that my babies go nuts over and each time we've been lately there is less and less in these aisles.  So much of it is a random bag or box, and then nothing. 

As we headed over to look for the tomatoes - which I didn't buy because no, I am not paying $6 for two small tomatoes - what caught my eye was the milk coolers directly behind. 

Those cases were simply empty.  There was a small cooler with a bit more not far away, but literally that was it. 

I'd also heard that there is a shortage on women's sanitary products.  I don't tend to look in those aisle any longer, but as we passed them and the paper products I was stunned. 

This is a store in a fairly heavily populated area.  Not too long ago the shelves were packed to the point that stuff would fall off if someone walked to closely. Oh yeah, not the place to get cold medicines if you find yourself feeling ill for an extended period of time either. 

We couldn't help but notice that the toothpaste was literally one box deep on the displays and many other aisles looked like the stores did way back at the beginning of March of 2020.  It's hard to believe it's been over two years of chaos and it is only getting worse.  

I remember going to a store back in March of 2020 and only finding a single case of spaghetti sauce in an aisle, the woman stocking was staring in absolute shock as a woman and her kids asked if they could open it and take one bottle.  I will forever remember the awe in her voice as she said, you aren't going to take the whole thing like everyone else?  And the woman's sweet reply that there wouldn't be some left for others if she did. 

I will tell you if you need toilet paper or paper towels, those aisle's are incredibly over stocked.  My guess is that folks are still using all the stuff they horded way back when.  But that is definitely the place to go if that is what you are in search of. 

I am finding more and more stores are looking the same.  The prices are going way up and the shelves are empty more and more.  I no longer go to our Schnucks, they are far more interested in masking people up than they are in filling their shelves.  But even the Dierbergs has been getting leaner and leaner.  And there are items they keep telling me they can't get in, even though they order it. 

I am not picking on these shops.  What I am trying to point out, is that they keep telling us that shortages and food insecurity is going to be a big thing.  Yet another official stated yesterday that dramatic food shortages are going to occur soon.  That people are going to go hungry.  Another food processing plant in Kentucky this time, just announced it could not afford to keep it's doors open and unless they could find a buyer for their plant they are closing at the end of August. 

We are far too spoiled, too many people do not know how to preserve their food.  They don't grow it, or know where to purchase it if it isn't the corner grocery store.  There are simply too many things that are not adding up.  And shamefully the media that should be giving you the updates are stuck in loops of the stuff they want to beat into your brains.  They are not in the business of giving you information that you need.  They are nothing but propaganda on instant replay. 

I know that we do not need all of the "stuff" these mega stores have in them.  But they have forced the small mom and pops out of business.  If they aren't providing the basics... then what? It seems if you are decorating your home, you are still in luck.  If you are looking to get all of the non-essentials, they have you covered and then some.  But if it is stuff that is required for living, that appears to be in shorter supply. 

I know I'm on a soapbox... but it's my blog and if I feel I need to share what I am seeing and learning about... that is my prerogative.  Maybe where you are living you aren't seeing or feeling it.  Here in the Lou, it's starting to get super noticeable. Not too long around everyone was losing their minds because they couldn't find canned biscuits, FYI those are back in stock, are they not noticing the rest of it?  Can they not see what is right in front of their eyes? If you disagree, that is your prerogative and I will respect it. 

It's time for me to stop venting and sharing.  I have a lot of things on my to do list.  A lot of things that are important.  Especially in the face of what I witnessed yesterday, if I had any doubts in my mind of the state of things, a quick trip out reaffirmed my concerns. 

have a great one... love and peace...

hurrying...

As I was driving to work today I wasn't chatting with anyone, I was simply listening to music and absorbing my surroundings.  I was lost in a million thoughts about what I was seeing and for a moment in time in awe of the sheer volume of cars on the highway as I drove in.

Actually it started before I even left to head to work.  Hubs and I were a bit delayed in walking Neeko, he was being lazy and didn't want to get out of bed - truthfully neither did I - so we got ready before taking him out.  He'd woken daddy up for a middle of the night potty, he felt no need to rise and shine.  We were walking him, enjoying the sunrise far off to the east, watching the sky get progressively brighter not even 6:30 am on a beautiful Saturday morning.  And all around us the world was already springing to life.  

Neighbors leaving in their cars, walking and getting exercise.  People simple were up and ready to face the world. 

It got me to wondering what happened to the lazy weekend mornings my sisters and I enjoyed as kids.  Laying around in our pj's, munching on our toast or cereal, watching our favorite cartoons on piles of pillows and blankets. I mean sure we had weekend activities, but they didn't start until later in the day.  There was always time to simply be. 

About 45 minutes later I'm heading into work.  Driving along.  Absorbing everything around me.  Trying to merge onto the highway that takes me into the heart of the city and my Y, I realize there are almost as many cars as there are Monday through Friday.  Everyone in a hurry to get somewhere.  

Hazy drivers, gulping down coffee or some other beverage.  Often looking dazed and blinded by the morning light.  Little cars packed with the types of signs you see when there are estate sales or open houses.  Trucks heading to job sites. 

Do we ever rest anymore?

Can we?

Hubs was off bright and early, he was taking advantage of not having to take time off work to do some routine lab work, there is a lab that is open on Saturday's down the road a bit from our home, he figured if he headed in early he'd be in and out.  Or maybe not... seems 4 other folks had the same idea. 

I turned down one of the residential streets that would take me to the branch, I see another group of men gathered around a house that is under renovation, by the huge dumpster in the drive, my guess was they were getting ready to put a new roof on. All of them bundled up in layers to take off as the chill of the morning gives way to the beautiful fall day we have been promised. 

Pulling into our back parking area, I see the sports director off in the fields, working on making sure the stripes are crisp and clean, that nothing had disturbed them overnight.  The morning mist was still rising from the fields.  It was still hazy out.  The sun just cresting above all the buildings and trees.  

Soon the kids would start arriving, soon there would be tons of activity. 

I guess for some reason, I am struggling with the constant factor of life today.  The lack of times to shut off the alarm and simply exist.  The cups of coffee on the deck while the sun rises and the crisp air surrounds us.

I was blessed to be part of a retreat this week.  They held it at the zoo.  I sometimes struggle with the offerings.  Not because they aren't good, but because they don't often speak to me and my personal needs.  Each of us are different and have a different path we are following, so as the adage goes you cannot please everyone all of time... This one was different.  I encountered very few negative Nellies. And the focus was on personal development.  Not career development, although that definitely was a great side benefit for our Y. 

It did not hurt that my assigned table was right in front of a HUGE window that formed a side the one of the aquariums at Rivers Edge.  Because it was so calming to watch the giant catfish meander through the waters.

They had different speakers that focused on us as people.  My favorite yogi, did a great presentation on meditation and the value it brings to you.  I have to say, I was so excited that was my first presentation of the day.  I enjoyed it so much, and think I need to get her to make a few YouTube video's on mediation. I was sharing it with Hubs this morning.  Asking him to explore it deeper with me.  I felt so good after starting my morning out like that.  It was also interesting to think about all the times I find myself completely engrossed in one of my hobbies, that I am actually in a state of meditation.  No wonder I always feel better after times of intense creativity. 

The next one for me was on True Colors - I had never heard of this, and found it intensely interesting and accurate.  I wasn't at all surprised by my outcome.  I was the prefect split between blue and gold with strong green tendencies... And almost zero orange.  I know that sounds as silly as it comes, but what it comes down to is that I am a perfect mix of a relater and builder, with a strong tendency towards planning and I am absolutely not an adventurer! When I looked at the definitions for both of my strong categories, it was shockingly spot on!  The pro's and the con's.  And I couldn't relate at all to the orange categories - completely not who I am as a person!  But it was interesting and engaging and I always feel that knowing about who you are as a person and the people you surround yourself with makes stronger relationships!

The final one was a mental health presentation.  By far my least favorite, it simply didn't speak to me, but I did get some helpful tidbits.  

The final part was a scavenger hunt throughout the zoo.  I love our zoo!  And I got to really get to know some of my peers and co-workers better.  It definitely filled my bucket!

It felt for a moment like slowing down and putting things into perspective.  In a week full of insanity in the rush about world.  It was nice to slow down and breathe. 

Still really questioning where we are pushing ourselves to, what the outcome is.  This non-stop hurrying about isn't really good for anyone.

I feel like all of us need a moment or two where we simply stop. We need to focus on us. 

I am as guilty as the next, after all this morning, required me coming to work... actually it will be another week before I have a full day off.  I'm already feeling the six days I've completed this week.  I struggled hard to get up this morning. 

Rushing home for work it was definitely time for a hygge moment or two... A hot bowl of Chickpea and Potato Curry with some yummy fresh baked bread for lunch and another batch of soap is curing.  That's two...

My bucket is feeling empty, I needed some me time!

Getting ready to make a few more batches of soap and take a few more chapters of my cooking class. And if I am not too tired, I think I might head up to my sewing room. I need to be creative. 

SURPRISE!!

The sun is just breaking over the beautiful Smoky Mountains.  Watching it set last night was breathtaking! Tomorrow I will get up and get ready early enough to go watch the sunrise.

The streets are coming to life.  We have a day of exploring and family time ahead of us. Yesterday morning we hopped in the car and headed east.  Hubs and his niece had been plotting since we were on vacation, we can't stay as long as they are, but we are sure glad we came.

It's been a couple of years since we headed down to Birmingham, where they live, and his niece was pretty sure that this was half way. Well... not really... but it was a beautiful ride, Birmingham is closer.  Yet, here we are in the beautiful Smoky's.  So far it is absolutely beautiful.

All day yesterday I had to be careful to not post on Facebook, to share no pictures.  All communication we through text or covert phone messages.  I'd taken a great shot of Neeks enjoying the drive, but couldn't share it because you could see the Nashville sign in the background.

I brought a couple of projects to work on, and was very happy to be almost finished with an afghan that I have been lingering on for far too long.  At home I have too many things vying for my attention.

As we had further to travel they were here hours before us. By the time we checked in and walked Neeko they were at the water park.  I had to laugh when we put their hotel address in the GPS, without knowing where they were staying, I managed to get ours 3 short miles away.  On the same road.  Perfect!

We weren't optimistic about finding many vegan options here, but figured it was worth a try.  We ended up finding an awesome Thai place.  I was in heaven to locate a vegan curry, that was out of this world.  Having hardly eaten yesterday I was starving and it was perfect.

By the time we'd finished dinner they had returned to their room.  It was time for Operation Surprise Big Sis!  They are staying at a resort, that place is bigger than some small towns. As we were wandering the halls, yep 3000+ steps just to find the room, we found a few of the house staff that gave us directions.  Actually after a quick chat to explain the upcoming surprise and they were totally in on the conspiracy.

knock, knock... "housekeeping... we have a package for you"... Luckily his niece decided to open the door.  Because Sis was having non-of it and wasn't about to get out of bed to answer the door after 9 pm in a hotel. Nope, not happening.

Watching her fly out of that bed a nano second later, the smiles on her and Hubs faces, the quick trip east was all the sudden worth every moment.

I had a terrible time trying to get a picture of them.  The hugs, laughter, more hubs and possibly a few damp eyes was definitely a moment to be experienced not photographed.

Today we will spend time together, enjoy the moments and celebrate family.  Hubs doesn't have a huge family, it all fits into a single room at a hotel.  So to have them all together is incredible.

This will probably be Neeko's last long trip.  I think it is too much for him.  He's exhausted.  And he is being a brat about eating.  Either that or he is simply on vacation mode and wants special food and time to stretch out and relax.  He's getting so old, I worry terribly about him.  He still wants to act like a puppy sometimes, other's his senior years show.  I guess we will see how he does on the way home.  We might stop overnight tomorrow to not put him through another 8+ hour trip.

We will see...

Well time to get ready to go and explore this beautiful area of these United States!

a time to rest...

A fire roaring in the fireplace, the Bloody Mary bar is set up and so are the brunch snacks.  We are waiting on a friend that is also starting her vacation today to come over and visit.

Hubs and I have a lot of chores on our to do list, but we are trying really hard to balance it out this holiday vacation time.

I have really been enjoying this down time.

I officially started vacation on Friday.  I had a few things that needed my attention in the city of Friday, so I drove in and parked at my old building.  I wanted to take advantage of the walk and the opportunity to savor my adopted city.

She's an interesting old girl.  If you listen to the news, you would see us as a gun riddled, high crime area.  Where there are bars on windows and everyone is afraid to go out by themselves.  The real city is much more complicated and layered than that.

I won't deny that there are challenges.  Can someone please share with me any city occupied by humans that does not have challenges. It was a dreary, blustery, cold day.  Most of the streets seemed to be vacant as a result.  During my walk over to city hall I was feeling a bit torn.  Not at all in a bad way, just in awe at what I saw around me.

Our city is a mixture of the old past, many buildings well over 100 years old, interspersed with signs of rebuilding, renewal and decay all happening in the same space.

Given the dreariness of the morning, it only made the sight of the homeless cowering in doorways and against makeshift shelters harder to witness.  I have been around it for a decade.  The homeless population is just as crazy a mix as everything else in this town is.  Some of them genuinely do not want to change their lot in life.  The lack of things holding them down is exactly what keeps them foot loose and fancy free.  No bills, no commitments, I have known these people.  The "adventure" is how one described it to me. I'd be lying if I said I understood, I don't.

The far greater number lies with those that are either struggling with mental health issues or dependency issues.   The ones that don't truly understand how they got where they are, nor truly how to survive it.  I felt guilty wrapped in my warm wool coat, dressed all fancy for the meeting at City Hall.  Again my brain turns to things that might make a difference, and realizing I truly don't know where or how to even being to address it.

I silently watched a young man struggling to walk, his hands full of take out from somewhere. I wondered briefly where he was heading.  I am a watcher, I rarely engage in conversation with strangers, beyond polite please, thank you, have a nice day.  By the time I had crossed the street I saw that he'd found a bench in the park to eat.  I could feel pieces of my very soul freezing, it was far too cold to have a picnic.  Far too windy and biting cold to eat any meal out in the wide open.  My heart broke.

With leaves whipping around my feet, the sights and sounds of our small big city enveloped my senses. I was going into a meet and greet with the very people that could make those changes.  To see how we could support their vision and efforts. Very few met with us, although I did get a chance to visit with the Sheriff and treasurer.  Making those in roads is brutally difficult.

I don't have the answers, I don't know who does.

The blustery weather only got worse on Saturday.  Hubs thought of going out on the bike, but the wet roads and heavy clouds insured that was not a solid plan.

So Saturday ended up being a day of errands.  Hubs and I ran all over, not sure we really accomplished much.  Mostly just us time.  A few minor tasks were checked off the list.  We didn't want to get too engrossed in things, we were honored to attend the wedding of one of a member of my team that night. It was so beautiful! Watching a young couple start their life together made both of us feel thankful and blessed.  We know the joy that comes from being with your soul mate.

Sunday blew in clear, bright and crisp.  Was it really 70 degree's Saturday morning?  Had the day truly ended almost 40 degrees colder? Brrrrr

Hubs and I had a surprise date at the Fabulous Fox.  He's a huge Gloria Estefan fan, having met her she holds a place in his heart.  So off we went to see "On Your Feet".  We ended up with Orchestra pit seats, row one.  Not only was it an amazing show, but we didn't miss so much as a bead of sweat.  It was incredible. No one in front of us, clear view.

Followed by an amazing dinner at a local Turkish restaurant, Troy, it's family owned.  Mom and Grandma are the cooks the daughter waits tables and works with guests.  They actually serve on beautiful glass dishes, brew the tea from leaves, it's such a wonderful experience.  Sitting there listening to the voices surrounding me, I felt so blessed to live where I do.

The couple behind us sounded like they were Arabic.  The group across the room was carrying on a spirited discussion over a couple of bottles of wine in rapid Turkish.  They were all seniors, probably in their late 70's or better, they reminded me of living in Europe.  Where meals and friendships were treasured times. The group at the front was large and joyous.  Having a celebration of some kind, that actually involved the gift of fresh flowers and song.  The ages ranged from young to senior, laughter and chatter was filling the room.  It was toward the end when the soft songs started filling the air.  I have no idea what any of them were talking about, it didn't matter.  The joy of being with friends and loved ones can be heard regardless of the languages spoken. The tone, the looks, the laughter...

It was a great break to working on chores.  And trust me that chore list is LONG!

We started on painting the ceiling before the show, it's needed it since we moved in. I've been insisting that it's like someone dusting it with powder since the first few months. Once we started on it, and trust me it needed it.  There was the leak and whatever those huge spots in various places were.  It looked bad.  Once we started painting, we discovered exactly how bad it looked.  Either the previous owners were smokers or the ceilings had not been painted in 20 plus years.  Ewww...

Which winds back to waiting for our friend to join us for Bloody Mary's and brunch.

It was so nice to spend time laughing and sipping Bloody Mary's.  Noshing on boiled eggs sprinkled with sea salt infused with truffle oil and pastries from a little french bakery near her home, and random other treats. When she suggested that we should make it a vacation tradition I definitely could not disagree.

I am terrible at building friendships.  My natural "alone" nature often gets in the way.  In fact most of my best friends, the people that mean the most to me were the ones that kept me from sliding back into myself.  It's always a joy to spend time with people that have a natural gift of being wonderful!

After a day of laziness, it's time to get back to work.  That silly ceiling isn't going to paint itself and my boy will be home before I know it...  

Or... maybe it's time to go for a motorcycle ride...

surprise...

I'm only about 450 miles from my customary perch in my kitchen as I write this.  Hubs is snoozing with the boys so I decided to bring my chrome book out to the "garden" at our hotel and write for a bit.

I've been a bit quiet this week, trying not to give away the secret trip we made yesterday morning.  I know his Sis might occasionally peek at my blog and didn't want to slip up. Several times over the past year he's brought up the thought to travel down here to Alabama.  It's been a rough year for me to travel, but I have offered to let him use my car or to fly.  Each time he's opted out.  He doesn't do well with leaving me to travel anywhere.

A few weeks ago, he asked if I was working this weekend.  I wasn't sure, anymore I have to look at my calendar for everything, but promised to look as soon as I got back to my office. He'd finally decided it was time.  He was ready to go to Alabama, with or without me.

It was a surprise trip to see his sister, her birthday was earlier this week and he wanted to see her. But he wanted to surprise her!

Sneaky man started conspiring with his niece, plotting the trip and what he would do to catch her off guard. He booked the hotel (he never does this so I knew he was serious), gave up a visit to his buddy for cigars and bourbon and helped me pack.

We left St. Louis yesterday morning before 230 am, he was wanting to be there by lunch time.

Somewhere around 5 am I found myself giggling as I drove through the dark night singing along (off key) to my country music and and the boys gently snoring.  It was 5 am, I'd crossed the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, Kentucky Lake and been in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee.  It takes little to humor me in the middle of the night, I was simply waiting for Johnny Cash to pop up singing "I've been everywhere..."

For years I have been dying to go to Paducah, my quilt loving soul was finding the irony of driving right past a bitter pill to swallow.  I'd never realized it was so large of a city, nor that it would look so bright and modern under the darkness of night.  Knowing it is a relatively reasonable drive from the house assures me that eventually we will go back and actually visit.

It's been decades since I have traveled through Kentucky and Tennessee, I'd forgotten the beauty.  The softly rolling hills and beautiful silhouettes of  bridges in the darkness were intriguing.  Looking at the names and the historical markers along the highway had me day dreaming of more journeys east, with an intention to explore.

Hubs woke up a short ways before Nashville, and after a VERY quick stop for biscuits we were heading out again.  My country loving heart was pretty darn tickled at listening to an old Randy Travis CD as we rolled into Nashville.  Unfortunately, that is about the time all the trucks started to hit the roads and it was a very stressful drive through the unfamiliar city.

It is so beautiful, nothing in my memory banks prepared me for the journey through western Tennessee and Alabama as the sun was struggling to burn off the heavy fog.  In fact I've only been through Alabama once before that I can remember, and honestly, I don't remember it.  It was right before that time in my life that is full of holes.

The beauty is incredible!!  I could move south. Well at least this time of the year could find me cherishing those tall pines mixed heavily with all the beautiful changing colors of the deciduous trees.  I don't remember these hills, I guess I was further south, the lakes, rivers, beautiful out croppings of rocks.  The colors and scents.  Everyone is always plotting trips north to witness the beauty of fall and here it is in the south.

I want a week to just explore.  Maybe next time...

This is a rather quick trip.

Hubs had planned to sneak up to his sister's door and pose as a Gideon, wanting to share the good word with her.  He was too pokey going up the driveway and she spied him outside the window as she was cutting fabric in her sewing room.

He was all prepared with his speech as she whipped open the door before he could knock and said "I hope you're here to help cut this fabric".  I am sure neither of them was quite prepared for the moment.

Watching their hug I felt out of place.  Like I was interrupting a private, special moment between siblings too long apart. Both of them having endured things that needed the silent reassuring love that only a sibling can sometimes give. The love and happiness in their eyes and smiles was beautiful. It'd been about a decade since they'd been together. Time moves too fast and often leaves us behind as it's going.

Sis had a treasure for me as well, she knows I love quilting and old fabrics.  And she gifted me with a beautiful, almost perfectly flawless feed sack.   Scissors will never cut it, at least not in my possession, It will probably end up framed.  Yet running my fingers over the fabric delighted me on many levels, the history, beauty, the thrift and thoughtfulness all in one small treasure.

As we'd caught her unprepared for company we sat and visited while she got ready for us to go visit his niece and her family.  Hubs hadn't met his great nephew yet, and he'd seen that he carried the same cute dimple in his chin as Hubs.  A family trait for sure!

I marveled on the drive to her home at the quaint little town she lives in.  Enjoying the drive through the towns and past the waterfall.  If I had known that it was beautiful, I am fairly sure that I would have brought my good camera with me.  My phone hardly does it justice.

Sipping my jack and coke and watching sweet Hubs reconnect with his family made my heart soar. His laughter at memories that I have heard about many times, the smile in his eyes, the silly man he becomes around his niece that he adores.  The two of them have very similar personalities and I imagine could get into a world of trouble if left to their own devices.  Or maybe that should read have gotten into.

The boys handled the ride well, we weren't sure they would.  And have enjoyed the extra walks in the warm sunshine.  All the new sights and scents.  I wished we could take them up on the offer to bring them over with us when we go back in a bit, but sadly, those two are simply not that friendly and I would hate to see them get into it with their sweet old girl.  She is so precious and sweet.  Right now they are snoozing peacefully with Hubs.

It's time to go wake him.  Although I am hesitant to leave the  beauty of this little gazebo in the sunshine.  Listening to the soft rumble of distant traffic and enjoy the scents being carried in the soft breeze and watching the fall of brightly colored leaves.  I am loving the way the swirl carelessly past like a snow globe of shimmering colors.

Well, I just wanted to share a few moments and memories.  I guess I wanted to encourage everyone to take that trip, visit, enjoy the beauty and your family.  Life is short, grab up those minutes, and don't get trapped in the minutia of day to day living.

Eight hours is a standard work day, in that small amount of time we've traveled to family  Made more memories and forged tighter bonds.  Yet it often seems to be easy to say, that is such a long drive (it wasn't) or the boys will not be able to handle it (they did) or a hotel is so expensive (not so much, Hubs is a Senior now - hehe - and I am a member of the rewards club).

Excuses... cherish the moments...