What are some positive aspects of my life? I have hope for the future. I know that my life continues to unfold in the way that I envision. As I choose my thoughts, I imagine my life. My life is my adventure. I have traveled many miles in my 58 years and I have many miles still to go. I've been a daughter, a wife, a single mom, and me. I've worked as an educator in various capacities, and dream of writing. This summer will mark 10 years since my first trip to Maine. What better way to mark the occasion than by going back to celebrate my continuing love affair with Maine. So, as I prepare for my next trip, I will focus on living my vision: I am a healthy, financially independent writer, doing meaningful work and making a positive difference in the world, living part-time in Maine and part-time in Texas.
2000 - August trip along the coast
2001 - June-September at Agassiz Village
2007 - July trip along the coast with Mom
2008 - October trip to Bethel and coast
2009 - July trip to New Harbor
2009 - October trip to New Harbor
2010 - July trip to New Harbor - in 5 more days!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tree the Town
Recently I watched two movies that demonstrated the impact that one man can have on the world when he has an idea and the motivation to see it through. Invictus is the story of Nelson Mandela and his collaboration with the South African rugby team to impact race relations in his country. Extraordinary Measures is the story of a father who teams with a researcher to create a therapy for a rare childhood disease. Each of these true stories showed the impact that one man can make when he has an idea and inspires others to action.
Today as I walked the creek trail near my home I witnessed a community action project that demonstrated a similar message; it showed the power that was generated from the idea and motivation of one man, a man in my local community, Amir Omar. His vision of more trees to shade the walking trails in Richardson became the Tree the Town project, which led to the planting of many trees this morning along Duck Creek Linear Park, my neighborhood trail. As I walked today, I witnessed this Tree the Town event in action. What a great example of collaboration and community involvement! Local businesses, college service groups, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, neighbors, and city staffers all worked together to complete this huge task in a couple of hours. People of all ages and ethnicities came together for a common goal and had fun in the process.
I was struck by the multiple benefits of this project. Yes, the trees will provide shade and beauty for our walking trail, and that will be greatly appreciated for years to come. In addition, this collaborative approach to community improvement demonstrated the power of cooperation and what can be achieved when many people and organizations work together to take positive action for the future. Involvement in this project will impact the lives and community spirit of the children and young adults who participated in ways we cannot begin to measure.
Yes, this project was a success, and it all started with one man who had an idea and the motivation to follow it through. What other ideas are waiting in our community? What ideas will come from the young people who participated today? The answers to these questions will shape the future of Richardson.
Today as I walked the creek trail near my home I witnessed a community action project that demonstrated a similar message; it showed the power that was generated from the idea and motivation of one man, a man in my local community, Amir Omar. His vision of more trees to shade the walking trails in Richardson became the Tree the Town project, which led to the planting of many trees this morning along Duck Creek Linear Park, my neighborhood trail. As I walked today, I witnessed this Tree the Town event in action. What a great example of collaboration and community involvement! Local businesses, college service groups, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, neighbors, and city staffers all worked together to complete this huge task in a couple of hours. People of all ages and ethnicities came together for a common goal and had fun in the process.
I was struck by the multiple benefits of this project. Yes, the trees will provide shade and beauty for our walking trail, and that will be greatly appreciated for years to come. In addition, this collaborative approach to community improvement demonstrated the power of cooperation and what can be achieved when many people and organizations work together to take positive action for the future. Involvement in this project will impact the lives and community spirit of the children and young adults who participated in ways we cannot begin to measure.
Yes, this project was a success, and it all started with one man who had an idea and the motivation to follow it through. What other ideas are waiting in our community? What ideas will come from the young people who participated today? The answers to these questions will shape the future of Richardson.
My Friend
Yesterday I attended a surprise graduation party for a friend who has just completed her master’s degree. It was such a joy to see her reaching this milestone in her life and to share in her obvious happiness. When I first knew her, she had a husband, a new baby, and a job which required a lot of travel. A lot has happened since then. She changed careers in order to be at home more. This led to earning a teacher’s certificate, teaching in several schools, and working on her master’s degree. During this time she and her husband separated and divorce was pending. Tragically her husband took his own life. She had to put her final coursework for her master’s degree on hold for a few months.
Yet, she persevered, taking care of her son, working, and meeting a wonderful man who fit her life perfectly, a man who truly loved her and her son, a man who wanted to make her happy. One year later, the master’s degree is finished. The relationship is flourishing, everyone is happy, and she is ready to begin her doctorate this summer.
Yes, my friend is an inspiration to all who know her. That was illustrated in the stories that I heard from family and friends gathered for her party last night, joining in this celebration of her success and her life.
Yet, she persevered, taking care of her son, working, and meeting a wonderful man who fit her life perfectly, a man who truly loved her and her son, a man who wanted to make her happy. One year later, the master’s degree is finished. The relationship is flourishing, everyone is happy, and she is ready to begin her doctorate this summer.
Yes, my friend is an inspiration to all who know her. That was illustrated in the stories that I heard from family and friends gathered for her party last night, joining in this celebration of her success and her life.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Huge flakes...winter wonderland..right here in Texas! We've had at least 7 inches of snow today, and it's still snowing. How does that compare to last weekend on my adventure in DC? Now, that was truly an exploration.
I went to DC to a conference and ended up getting snowed in due to over 20 inches of snow as the city totally closed down. I took some beautiful pictures from my fourth floor window and saw attempted snow removal in action using shovels, blowers, and plows; however, it was soon apparent that these efforts were making little difference as the snow continued for 30 hours. Of course planes were delayed for several days, and we looked for an alternate way to get home. That's when the adventure really began! Since there were no taxis, we started to walk to Union Station at 5:30 am to catch Amtrak. It was only three blocks, but 15 degrees, dark, and there was snow and ice everywhere; our shoes were definitely not up to the challenge, and our wheeled suitcases were not made for snow. Fortunately, Mr. Reed was about to drive his big pickup from the hotel to the train station, and he took us along for $20 apiece - a bargain! Once at the station, we purchased tickets to New York City and Mr. Reed had a redcap take us first to the VIP Lounge, then to the train to get the first seats. What a ride! Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, Newark, and New York City!
We got off at Penn Station in Manhattan right across the street from Madison Square Garden and got into a New York taxi. Scenes from the taxi were right out of the movies: food vendors, tall buildings lining the streets on both sides, crowds of taxis and people, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, Broadway, and finally LaGuardia Airport in Queens. We were very lucky to exchange our American tickets so that we could fly home from New York City at no extra cost due to the weather in DC. What an awesome day! I did two things on my bucket list with no prior planning: Amtrak and NYC. I felt like an explorer...confident...loving the exhilaration and excitement of travel. All in all, we traveled through seven states that day, and flew over a number of others. It was a magical day in which everything fell into place perfectly, a day when I knew that I was where I was supposed to be.
I went to DC to a conference and ended up getting snowed in due to over 20 inches of snow as the city totally closed down. I took some beautiful pictures from my fourth floor window and saw attempted snow removal in action using shovels, blowers, and plows; however, it was soon apparent that these efforts were making little difference as the snow continued for 30 hours. Of course planes were delayed for several days, and we looked for an alternate way to get home. That's when the adventure really began! Since there were no taxis, we started to walk to Union Station at 5:30 am to catch Amtrak. It was only three blocks, but 15 degrees, dark, and there was snow and ice everywhere; our shoes were definitely not up to the challenge, and our wheeled suitcases were not made for snow. Fortunately, Mr. Reed was about to drive his big pickup from the hotel to the train station, and he took us along for $20 apiece - a bargain! Once at the station, we purchased tickets to New York City and Mr. Reed had a redcap take us first to the VIP Lounge, then to the train to get the first seats. What a ride! Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, Newark, and New York City!
We got off at Penn Station in Manhattan right across the street from Madison Square Garden and got into a New York taxi. Scenes from the taxi were right out of the movies: food vendors, tall buildings lining the streets on both sides, crowds of taxis and people, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, Broadway, and finally LaGuardia Airport in Queens. We were very lucky to exchange our American tickets so that we could fly home from New York City at no extra cost due to the weather in DC. What an awesome day! I did two things on my bucket list with no prior planning: Amtrak and NYC. I felt like an explorer...confident...loving the exhilaration and excitement of travel. All in all, we traveled through seven states that day, and flew over a number of others. It was a magical day in which everything fell into place perfectly, a day when I knew that I was where I was supposed to be.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Yesterday was my 58th birthday. It was a day for reflection as I thought about my past and my future. What have I accomplished? What am I proud of? What do I have left to do? What do I want to do next? How much longer will I live? How much longer will I work? Will I have enough money to live as I want? Will I ever live in Maine? Will I be healthy? How will I die? What legacy will I leave? What memories will I leave for my children and grandchildren? What unfinished business will I leave?
The real question is: How will I live? That is the question that matters. That is the question that I must answer on a daily basis as I make the hundreds of small choices that make up my life.
The real question is: How will I live? That is the question that matters. That is the question that I must answer on a daily basis as I make the hundreds of small choices that make up my life.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Angel was a beautiful beagle who owned me for the last ten years. On January 21 I took her to the vet for her final visit due to repeated and uncontrollable seizures. Letting her go was one of the hardest things I've ever done, and I know it was the best decision for her. She lived ten good years with lots of love and care, and when it was time I gave her a respectful and dignified death. She was my baby girl, the only dog I've ever had that was just my own.
Angel was smart, sweet, loving, and loyal; she was bossy, determined, and had a mind of her own. She took a piece of my heart with her when she gave me hers. She had such love and trust in her beagle eyes and she brought joy to my life. She was a real friend, a loving companion, always there waiting.
I am lucky to have known her and I will miss her greatly.
Angel was smart, sweet, loving, and loyal; she was bossy, determined, and had a mind of her own. She took a piece of my heart with her when she gave me hers. She had such love and trust in her beagle eyes and she brought joy to my life. She was a real friend, a loving companion, always there waiting.
I am lucky to have known her and I will miss her greatly.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Well, here I am - almost one month later. I totally lost momentum traveling at Christmas, coming home sick, then going back to work. Lots of excuses, okay? And this highlights what I know about myself: I have great ideas and plans, I start projects, AND I don't always follow through to completion. I was reading The Choice Is Yours by John Maxwell this morning. He lists seven enemies of commitment. The top two are my top two: (1) a lifestyle of giving up and (2) a wrong belief that life should be easy. That's been my history lately, maybe ever since my divorce in 1983. AND I can change this pattern. I can set my goals and follow through this year. Another quote in the book is "If you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life," by Confucious. That's where I am focusing my thoughts.
As I explore 2010 and strive to move ahead with my three big goals (health, financial independence, and writing) I will find ways to love the mini-steps along the way, to think of these actions as fun until they truly are enjoyable and what I really want to do. Yes, that includes eating healthy foods and exercising daily, writing in my journal every day, thinking about each purchase and saving money, and staying current with my blog. It also includes less TV, less sugar, and more reading. It seems that so far I have been exploring myself, what makes me procrastinate, quit, and get in my own way. That is what all my exploration is really about - finding my way in the world; wherever and whatever I explore, I'm really learning and growing myself.
As I explore 2010 and strive to move ahead with my three big goals (health, financial independence, and writing) I will find ways to love the mini-steps along the way, to think of these actions as fun until they truly are enjoyable and what I really want to do. Yes, that includes eating healthy foods and exercising daily, writing in my journal every day, thinking about each purchase and saving money, and staying current with my blog. It also includes less TV, less sugar, and more reading. It seems that so far I have been exploring myself, what makes me procrastinate, quit, and get in my own way. That is what all my exploration is really about - finding my way in the world; wherever and whatever I explore, I'm really learning and growing myself.
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