Writer's Block

Do you ever have an unfortunate case of writer's block???  Because I do tonight.

This is my first chance to blog since last week.  But instead of my fingers easily flying across the keyboard like they usually do,  I can't seem to conjure up any thoughts this evening.

I suppose I could mention that the cool air did find it's way here to Gator Country (sortof), and that my two youngest children were so excited about it they pulled our fall and Halloween decorations from storage, assembled them haphazardly, and declared our house officially ready for autumn.

Or that speaking of Halloween, my neighbor is having another rockin' party this year and I think I will go as a German beer maid.  Last year I was a dude with lots of bling and my boxers showing under my big, baggy, low-rider jeans, so this year I have to vamp it up a bit.

 Or I could mention that I think people - particularly celebs - get carried away by giving out too many intimate details when airing their dirty laundry to the public, as in Too Much Information, and I feel very uncomfortable hearing it because it is not my business and I do not want to know about it.  I choose not to listen to or read about such stories, but one cannot always avoid hearing bits and pieces anyway in this age of information overload.

Or I could mention that on the on the other hand, inspirational success stories shared in good taste are uplifting and, well, inspirational.  Especially when they are about ordinary folks who have done extraordinary things.  Very motivating.

I could tell you that I tried out a new Paula Deen seafood casserole recipe for dinner tonight (yum!) and sampled so much of it while I was mixing it all together that I couldn't eat any more when it finally came out of the oven.

Or that the chocolate chip cookies I baked for dessert all ran together on the pan to make one giant cookie, which my kids loved!

Hmm, perhaps I had more to write about tonight than I initially thought.  Sometimes you have to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and just do it.  Enjoy your evening.

Fall is in the Air?

I am looking forward to the morning when I go out to get the paper and there is a bit of a chill in the air.  It doesn't have to be much, just a bit.  However, with this week's temperature readings hovering around the 95 degree mark, I don't forsee the chilly air making it's way to town anytime soon.  Such is fall in Florida.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and the one time of year I wish I lived in a state where the seasons change.  It would be wonderful to view the leaves as they turned from summer green, to vivid hues of red, orange and gold.  It would be great to be able to start displaying real pumpkins and not worry that you might be putting them out so soon that they are at risk of rotting long before October arrives.  And you know what would really be great?  To not worry that you might melt into a puddle on Halloween because your costume is too hot to trick-or-treat in! 

On the upside, at least we don't have to shovel snow all winter, and we will be able to wear shorts and go boating in January.  So that's something.  

Happy fall.

Go Gators, Go Shopping

Football season is upon us, and I reside in Gator Country, home to the number one college football team in the country, and also one of it's biggest stars.  That would be the Florida Gators and Tim Tebow.  Although very exciting for many fans, this is a fact that is completely lost on me, a beach gal who would happily take sand in her toes any day over an afternoon spent at a football game.  Don't get me wrong - I am fairly athletic and there are a number of sports I enjoy.  After all, back in high school and college I ran track, played soccer and taught aerobics.  These days I power walk and practice yoga.  What was that?  Oh, okay, so aerobics and yoga are not really sports, but you get the point.  

The point is, I'm proud of the Gators for their accomplishments, but I'm just not interested in football.   The first few years we lived here my husband purchased season tickets, and I went to couple of games with him.  I always brought a cushion to sit on those terribly uncomfortable bleachers with while baking in the very hot  sun.  My cushion had a pocket on it where a book fit perfectly, which was convenient since I didn't go to the games to watch them anyway.  I went to keep my husband company.  And to read.  But my husband didn't find it so clever or such good company, and after reading my way through the few games I did go to, we agreed that he would instead take his friends who were fellow fans, and I was free to do whatever I wanted.  Which worked out great, because for me, the best thing about a home football game is that since most of the city is at the stadium during those three to four hours, that leaves everyplace else almost deserted.  A perfect time for shopping and errands with no traffic on the road and no lines in the store.  So tomorrow while countless Gator fans will be at the stadium hollering, "Go Gators!  Beat Tennessee!", I will be darting around town, running errands and saying to myself, "Go shopping!  Beat the traffic before the game is over!".  

And that is my idea of a great day of football.

Kayaking and Killer Whales

Monday's post brought back great memories of the trips my husband and I have made to Seattle, so I thought I would go back to that area again today, if only in my blog.  What a great city!   I realize that Seattle is known for it's wet, rainy weather, but ironically enough, we had perfect weather on our visits.  Nothing but blue skies and sun.  We had clear views of Mt. Rainier and according to the locals, that is unusual.  However, I didn't care if it rained or not, because I absolutely love it there.  What's a little rain, anyway?
 

One of my favorite visits was when my husband surprised me for my 30th birthday by flying me out to meet up with him on a business trip.  We stayed downtown a few nights, then took a ferry to San Juan Island to stay on a sailboat docked in Friday Harbor.  While visiting a whale museum there, we learned we could take a whale watching trip on the Haro Strait and if we were lucky, spot a few Orcas.  The trip was by kayak rather than motorized boat, but we didn't mind.  We both knew how to kayak, and thought it sounded like fun, so we signed up with a group of 7 or 8 other people.  As we signed the waivers, I shrugged off the idea of any harm coming to us.  The whales would be far away, after all, because we would keep the kayaks close to shore, how scary could it be?

As it turns out, very.  Being in the water with a pod (family) of killer whales is one of the most amazing things I have ever done.  And also one of the most intimidating.  As long as they lingered out in the strait, breaching beautifully, I was fine.  It was when they swam our way that I became nervous, not only because of their incredible size, but because we were the only floating vessels in the water without a motor.  We had been instructed by our tour guide that if they came close we were to stay calm and back-paddle to shore.  Let me just say, kayak paddles don't move a person away nearly fast enough from a pod of approaching orcas!  However, after accidentally whacking the lady in the kayak next to me with my paddle as I frantically back-paddled to shore, my heartbeat slowed down and I began to appreciate sharing the water and such an incredible setting with these remarkable creatures.  They moved in just down the coastline from where we were, swimming and spyhopping.  Soon I found I was no longer intimidated by the whales but rather, mesmerized by their grace.  I felt honored to be in their presence.  Kayaking with the orcas was no longer scary, just wonderful, and very good for the soul!

Namaste

This week my fall yoga classes begin, so it is bound to be a good week.  I have practiced yoga on and off for many years now, and it is by far the best form of therapy I know.   Many years ago, on my first trip to the wonderful city of Seattle, I bought some woodsy-smelling incense and a beginners book, and taught myself the basic asanas (poses) of yoga.  I felt very liberated, and have practiced ever since.  Sometimes I do yoga in my home, but it is difficult for me to achieve a completely focused state of mind because most of the time there is too much activity here to stop and say om.  When the kids and their friends are all here, well, I don't even bother.   When they are in school I try to  get as much as possible  accomplished before they return, which involves watching the time closely, which is not beneficial to a yoga mindset.  If I do practice at home, then it is late in the evenings when everyone is in bed and the house is quiet.  Unfortunately by then, I am so tired I almost fall asleep during my  centering breaths.  Usually I just settle for some good, quick stretches and a few asanas whenever I can fit them in.

But attending a class where I can "be the yoga" is a perfect solution.  It provides me with a place outside of home that is free of distractions.  Where the only thing I am focused on for 90 minutes is the teacher's soothing voice, the poses, and my breathing.  Nothing beats a great class led by a wonderful, inspiring yoga instructor, and I feel very fortunate to have found both.  If all our class did was listen to her voice for an hour, that alone would be completely calming and I could go through the rest of my day content.  However, add to it a challenging physical workout, and the mix is perfect.  When I leave class, I feel refreshed, relaxed and energized.  And as it turns out, my teacher relocated here from Seattle.  I guess some yoga classes are just meant to be.

Remembering 9/11...

Remembering September 11, 2001.....

image courtesy of www. public-domain-image.com

Teachers....

This week has been filled with open houses at my kids' schools to highlight what they are learning in their classes.  However, what I find just as impressive as what they are learning, is how much time and effort is put in by their teachers to make school a positive experience for them.  My thoughts on this are nothing new, I noticed it the first time my oldest child (now in 8th grade) entered pre-school and then kindergarten.  Teachers play such a significant role in our children's lives.... the learning experience itself is just a part of so many hats they wear while our children are in their care during the school day.  And they don't have just a few kids to attend to, they have whole classes - some larger and some smaller.  There is much responsibility that goes into helping to shape so many lives.  Teachers help children learn to respect themselves and others, to take pride in what they do, and I'm sure they referee many scraps that occur during a day, which takes a great deal of patience.  They come in early and stay late to attend to everything that is needed to keep the classroom and the school running smoothly.  They go the extra mile and more, not always being appreciated for it and certainly not always being compensated what they are worth.
  

So this blog is to say THANK YOU for all of the hard-working teachers out there.... I really appreciate all the time and effort you invest not only in my children, but in all of the children whose lives you touch.