The Sun. It is Bright.

"Can you hand me my shades?"

When the Road Gets Rocky

On our recent trip to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado we took a Jeep road up to about 11,500ft. and were greeted by beautiful views at the top. Near the top we also realized our road had turned into this . . . 

To give perspective, the narrow part of the path in the background was only about 15ft. wide, and was a sheer drop off to the right, with crumbling rock underfoot.

In looking at the picture days after the trip, it struck me how much it reminded me of life's little (or big) dilemmas. Because the road always gets rocky, doesn't it? It's never smooth and easy the whole way. That wouldn't be fun and that wouldn't be reality. And you are always faced with a decision at that time. Fight or flight really. Do you take the risk? Do you buy the house? Do you open the business? Do you get divorced? Do you change jobs? Do you move to another country? Do you invest the money? Do you tell the truth? 

Of course it can be easier to just do the opposite; to do nothing. But how long will you be content with that? How long before your thoughts begin to nag . . . begin to tell you that you've wasted time by not doing it initially. Then you face regret. And regret hurts.

So what did we do when faced with this literal rocky and scary 'road'?

We got out and walked. :)

All Hallow's Eve

Ahh, Halloween. One of the strangest 'holidays' we have. Also one of the most fun, I think. I mean, what's not to like? Costumes, scaring people for fun, loads of sweets and candy without the guilt, gutting pumpkins and carving lopsided faces into them, and answering the door to trick or treaters. But I think the best part is when you are an adult, and it's STILL acceptable to dress up - for adult Halloween parties. What a great excuse for adults to not only act like kids again, but also to sometimes hide behind the safe mask of a different persona they want to try out - judgment free! ;)-

So what's your Halloween costume M.O.? Are you a pop culture fan? A funny pun maker? A character specialist? Cutesy? Sexy? Freaky? Gory?
All are welcome, on All Hallow's Eve :)

A Peaceful Death or At Peace with Death

I'm currently writing a character in my novel who is dying of a terminal illness. She knows she will die, and she has gone home to be made comfortable. She's only 35 years old. The part that makes it even more challenging to write is that she has completely come to terms with her impending demise and is at peace with the world. She only wants to experience wonderful things and the things that make her smile, in her last weeks on earth. I try to imagine how this would be, how it would feel, and I admit, it's tough to imagine. You would have to have gone through the stages of grief, acknowledged them, and set them free. Anger, denial, bargaining, etc. - you would shake their hands and bid them farewell. And how would you talk to you loved ones? The ones that will be left behind to start their own grief process from the beginning. How would you smile at them and tell them not to worry, not to be too sad, to celebrate your life and move forward? They wouldn't be in the same place as you so it would be near impossible for them to understand.

Do you think it takes a very brave person to become this way near death's end? Or do we all have the capacity to free our minds and be at peace with death?

A Fox Walks Into a Bar . . .

The concept of animal signs has always intrigued me. The idea that an action you witnessed by an animal, or just their presence, is not coincidence, but meant directly for you to derive a meaning. Maybe that raccoon that stepped out onto the side of the road and paused and stared at you is a sign for you alone. Or maybe that squirrel that jumped up on the window ledge and peered in at you is telling you something you need to pay attention to. Maybe this cricket right outside my open window tonight is not merely annoying and grating, but is singing an important song to me.

Shh.
Listen.
Watch.
Stop and think about it.

Or is it all just nature, surrounding us, and we just come across the animals at random?

I don't know, but if a fox walks into a bar, jumps up on a stool, and orders a whiskey, you had better take is as SOME kind of sign.

What's Old Is New

My family recently cleaned out my Grandparent's farm house; an extremely melancholy chore. But among the sadness there were bright spots. Spots of wonder, amazement and laughter. One thing we came upon, high on a closet shelf in their original box, was a pair of my Grandma's high heels. The original receipt was in the box, dated 1947. They were $15. My Grandparents ran a farm, they didn't have a lot to spare. So I know this pair of shoes was probably a huge deal to purchase, hence the receipt kept in the box all these years.

And just look at the style! What's old is new! Gorgeous. If she only knew this same style still graces the shelves in stores all over today :)

Venus & the Moon Are Screwing Up My Chi

Between the full moon the night before, and Venus in transit across the Sun today, I feel things are a little off. A little wacky. A little cray-cray.

According to astrology teachings, my sign is ruled by the moon. I don't know if I feel influenced by knowing that or what, but I have always been incredibly drawn to the moon. And last night when it finally broke through its cloud constraints, it was magnificent. I felt energized, I felt like I could feel the moon. And I found myself being happy, hyper and batty all night. I'm surprised I didn't howl at the moon with my Husky dog.

Tonight Venus is traveling new territory. It's a gypsy planet in the night sky. It's being watched, and discussed, and photographed.
Yet things feel off.
Human relationships are clunky. Conversations are stilted. Missed connections. Awkward silences.

The only thing to do is go to bed, dream the dreams, and see what awaits tomorrow. Hopefully a sun without a blemish, and a moon that calms down.