from start to finish

Where?

Where have I been? I was looking on my friend's Annette's blog and noticed how all the blogs that she follows are up to date. That is all, but mine. Yea, I've been really busy. This year has gone by faster that any year I've ever experienced! I feel the older I get, the easier it is to understand the metaphysical theory that there is no such thing as time. This moment is the same as the day I was born, as the moment I gave birth and the same as the day my Mom gave birth. I truly understand this more and more, the older I get.

But, where have I been? This year I spent most of the spring on the East Coast, the summer on the West Coast and the Fall back on the East Coast. Traveling is really not the reason I have not blogged much. Nor is time. The real reason is my old lap top. It's seven year old! It takes to much time to post and add and edit pictures and I need constant Internet access. I was stunned at the poor quality and lack of wireless available at highly priced campgrounds this year.

Paul has asked me to go get a computer and reliable Internet service. I have too much web to conquer, but I'll get to it, eventually.

In the mean time: Enjoy life, live it fully and to the utmost, don't look back, smell the roses, practice tolerence and patience, treat your children with respect, and never ever forget, this is the year that Auburn University will be the # 1 Champions in the SEC!!!

Images of September

A Message from Facebook

A message I received on FaceBook: "I just wanted to tell you (though, I'm SURE I've told you before!) how much I enjoy the pictures and updates of your travels and all of your new learning experiences. I have much admiration for your open-mindedness and courage and willingness to REALLY live your life. More so for your child. I think the life experiences you allow him are the most incredible gifts than you can give him. I have no doubt, that as an adult, he will look back and know how lucky he was to have such a unique life and awesomely cool parents! "
My response:
"As a mom my biggest fear is that my son will be an unhappy adult. I work very hard on treating him with the same respect and compassion I hope to receive from my loved ones. It takes being constantly aware of the words and tones that I use. It does not come my way naturally. But I have great role models in my friends. Your words are most appreciated! Thanks for the love!"

My Role Models

I was in over my sons head...

and for that reason I could not have the most fun on this white water rafting adventure. It has to be a Mom thing!

Things that make you go hmm...

FOOD! It is constantly on our minds. There is not a friendship made or a gathering of people in which food does not come into our conversations. And even when we are not talking about it we are thinking about it. I have friends who are Vegans, Raw Vegans, Vegetarians and those who follow the Weston Price Foundation Principles. I like the WPF diet. It makes the most since to me. I get all my nutrition, which many of the diets don't, and I feel that by not eating foods with chemicals I can't pronounce, but eating what my grandmother has eaten to the ripe old age of 95 has got to work.
But this bloggers perspective got me thinking again. Hmm....
The Fresh Network Blog

Volcanic Eruption

So why am I wearing a bathing suit (much to my son's chagrin)as we hike up to the best view of the Obisidian Flow?

Because we had been soaking in the warm springs on top of the crater on Newberry Volcano.

These are the falls created during the last eruption 1,00 years ago.

Oregon Summer Fun

On the Road Again

Wow! I did not realize until we began prepping for our summer working vacation that it has been one year since I was traveling in our motor home. We have been prepping for our upcoming trip for 4 day and it has been bone tiring. As our house distanced in the rear view mirror I asked "OK, what have we forgotten?" Paul, contemplating our intense preparation was certain there could have been nothing. Eight hours later some of the answers becomes clear: the down comforter (where we are going the low is in the 30's at night), the spices (including the salt) and some work out equipment (yoga mat and resistant bands).

Earlier I had awoke at 3:00 am and thought "you can't forget last night's homemade ice cream, basil from the garden and olive oil." I really thought that was all we were missing and there was no way we could not be on the road by 7 am. We woke at 5:00 am and left the house at 8:05 am.

As I finished loading the RV, I was blessing the home and missing it at the same time. I remembered a conversation I had with Tara a few months before when she was in the process of selling most everything she owned and walking away from her home to live a life of "full timing". I couldn't convince her at the time, but I relayed that it would all be far away and most forgotten by the first night of camping.

The sun is slowly fading on our campsite in the orange grove and I wonder "Where is home?"

The Greatest Show on Earth!

If you have not read "Water for Elephants" do!

Yea, I never thought it would happen again either...

But here it is: My first post in months. So many topics have flood my mind. I've wanted to talk on racial relationships, (after being told by an African American that I would not do well at the Capitol Jazz, because I was not black and after reading THE Help) to my beautiful garden which is giving us a bountiful of goods these days including artichoke, asparagus and yummy tomatoes. I've wanted to blog on my intense work schedule and my great reunion with old St. Thomas friends. But this is what I got for you. Pictures of yesterday's park day! And even this isn't complete because there are no pictures of the boys and their water gun fights.


Photo credit to Irena Whalen