August has always been an important month for me, although when I taught, it was like every day was Sunday night. I would begin to worry about school preparations, class sizes, adjustments to a new routine and whether I would show up to school naked. (school nightmares!) This is the month of my parents' anniversary (the 7th), my birthday (the 12th) and my late husband's (the 14th). August is when I definitively broke off my two year relationship with Henry, and also when I met John, not even a week later. August is when I seem to schedule my travel, so I see numerous trip photos in my Facebook memories, my cell phone pictures and my blog posts. Since I just returned from New York and a glorious three weeks with my daughter, son-in-law and new grandson, I don't have the right to complain. But in my old and retired age, I've become more free spirited and adventurous, thus staying home is no longer as attractive as it used to be.
Since my first trip to Alaska in 2014, I've been back another two times and loved each one of my visits. I didn't go there ONLY to buy a Mountain Men of Alaska calendar either! I've enjoyed a blackberry rhubarb scone at my favorite Anchorage bakery, marveled over the scenery in Homer, and fought seasickness on an amazing Kenai Fjords cruise, complete with humpbacks, orcas, puffins, and sea lions. Have I mentioned that I was supposed to be on an Alaskan cruise right now? D*mn Covid19!
Five years ago today I was entranced by this delicious mocha in Phuket, a place I never wanted to go. I didn't even know where it was or how to pronounce its name. (Poo ket). Yet when my younger daughter asked me if I wanted to meet her in this exotic tropical locale, I said yes, of course! Unfortunately, Phuket is 17 hours in flight time from Seattle, whereas Hawaii is only 5 1/2 hours away, so I would prefer to fly to Hawaii if I'm looking for sun, beaches and blue sky. Plus, Phuket is quite sketchy with many sleazy shows, gorgeous women who aren't women, and a vibrant bar scene. Not my thing at all. On a positive note, the food was utterly fabulous there. :)
Last year, I was planning my travels to the Iowa State Fair (trying on my goat yoga pants!) and figuring out my Scotland trip. This year I'm taking photos of this snowball bush, which has strangely shaped snowballs. I'm savoring a Sbux mocha and a delightful conversation with a close friend. I'm realizing that there are no small moments.
Happiness, not in another place but this place… not for another hour, but this hour.
– Walt Whitman
