Chapter 10- Celebrating 20 years of blogging!

Twenty years ago- I published  my first entry on this family blog…

Back then…

Facebook belonged to the college kids.   

Tweets and twitter were just a way for birds to communicate with one another.  

And as for Influencers on Instagram- we still had 4 years before they would show up with their must see-must try-must buy ways.  

Yep- if you wanted to be part of the in-crowd and connect online- ya started a blog.  

At the time, about a half dozen of my neighborhood friends all blogged.  We would set up challenges and encourage one another.   And while those women are still in my life-I believe I am the last one standing when it comes to blogging.     Does that make me the determined one, the stubborn one, or the one with just too much time on her hands?  Who can really say…

And while over the years my frequency of blogging has waxed and waned- I still keep plugging away.  

For I still enjoy using this platform as a way to share what’s going on in my life, connecting with others and using it as a creative outlet for my desire to tell a tale or two.

So cheers to me and our family blog- am I up for another 20 years?  Time will tell..

Until next time..

Take the picture…and tell the story..

For while the days may seem long..

The years fly by..

Another summer winds to an end..

As the leaves start to change..

Embrace your vagabond ways

And enjoy the little moments of life!

Chapter 9- The senior tour

 Sometimes you just have to answer the call 

and head "home" to where your story began!

You see- this pair- has been a part of my life...

well, since before I was born!  

And while Obie was not family by blood...

 He was without a doubt....part of my family of love...

Knowing how much I treasure  my own

  friendships that feel like family..

from the  "right now" chapter

to the middle school "besties"

Well...I just knew I had pack the bag and head home..

not just to celebrate Obie's life...by attending his funeral..

but to honor the remaining "seniors" that contribute so much to  my core childhood memories!

Hence the title- Senior Tour...

First there was CB- settling in nicely in her new place in West Bend-

she has lovingly cared for her sister for over 20 years- and now they are 

both being supported at this wonderful assisted living facility.

I beamed as CB gave me the nickel tour- introducing me as "the daughter of my best friend, Audrey"

Next up- I would lunch with my auntie-

Birdie is thriving  in an independent living facility in Stevens Point

that she's called home for a little less than a year.

I'd wrap up the tour with a quick visit to check in on my godmother..

who with the support of her daughters is still enjoying the snowbird way of life..summers at the lake, winters in Florida..

supportive daughters rocking the "granny pants" I gifted to the

new grandma, Becky

Now before I get too nostalgic..

It is worth noting that "skipping down memory lane" is exhausting

Some suggestions to make the adventure go a little easier..

Stay hydrated

Pause for custard

Create new memories with the next generation..

Admire the view..

from the place called "the fish shack"

Yep-Paul Bunyan and Babe aren't the only tall tales being told

by the folks up north..giggle giggle..shack my a$$!

And never pass up an opportunity for a second stop for custard!

Until next time...

May you  have a chance to return to a place of childhood comfort

and feel the love a second time...

Chapter 8- Recovery mode

RIGHT NOW...

I'm thinking- where did June go?   Seems like I just finished unpacking from our epic 7 weeks of travel, and now boom- the fireworks were going off and we were staring at the month of July.  

I feel like the best way to describe this month would be one of recovery.  Recovery first from that physical experience of fatigue that comes with most travel, but is for sure felt more when traveling internationally.   Next came the emotional recovery...and well that remains a work in progress.  

I'm loving that there really was nothing pressing on the calendar.   Because the motivation to plan and engage in most any task was consistently hit or miss.  

A few simple projects were tackled...

With the help of a talented friend who sews- I was able to turn this snarky stitchery into a pillow.   I love how it blends in with the greens that are featured in our front room.  

Thing 1 and I were called on to cat sit for a friend.   Patches had us in stitches- she was one part happy-purring loudly to see people and also sort of growling- realizing we weren't her preferred humans.  

I made it to the local farmer's market.   Determined to clean up my bad habits as it relates to eating- I was instead distracted by this sort of PG-13 pottery display.   Ok- art is art-whatever...the amusing part was that this is in one of our very conservative communities...

We made a few purchases this month..

from the simple to the 

significant...

it's been wonderful to have once again a second vehicle..

and enjoy some tasty treats from the grill!

Took a few field trips...

from the home once owned by the 

Unsinkable Margaret Brown..

Known not just for surviving the Titanic..

but as a champion for the rights of all..

but we also loaded up the SUV

in search of some refreshing tea..

made just up the road from us..

A fun day indeed!

I'm feeling- almost back to my pre-trip self.   

I've got a solid routine in place for daily chores..

I've done a wee bit of sprucing up the back deck..

and well...fingers crossed that I can keep these alive thru the season.

Until next time..

May you find that you have the gift of time

to recover at a pace

that matches where you are at...