Nowhere to Go

What's wrong with this picture?  Everyone is going somewhere except me!  Whatever the reason you can't get away, take a vacation where no one else can go but you - your own mind.

If you're in a metropolitan area, the choices are limitless.  Concerts, museums, shopping, the zoo.  However, I grew up in an area where none of these choices existed.  Where does one go in the middle of nowhere?  The local library is always nice, especially if you've been stressed.  It's quiet and you can lounge on a sofa and read a good book or just get caught up on newspapers or magazines.  Also many libraries have wonderful programs where people show slides and give a presentation of places they've gone, so you can live vicariously through their trips.

Weather permitting, a brisk walk for invigoration or a leisurely stroll to breathe deeply and enjoy the trees and the leaves is nice.  Or if you're like me, and let's me honest, you can be nosy and peak at how everyone has done their yards and get ideas for future landscaping or decorating.  If their drapes are open, you can see how your neighbors have decorated inside!

Churches have many wonderful programs such as plays or concerts.  Some churches also have women's ministries that offer advent programs to prepare mentally on how to enjoy the true spirit of the season in the midst of chaos.

My favorite activity will always be a movie.  From the time I was a kid watching "Bed Nobs and Broomsticks," or "The Incredible Mr. Limpet," I was fascinated of magical places to go.  Movies are a wonderful escape tactic.

For lack of time or my shortened attention span, it is sometimes difficult to concentrate on an entire book.  So grab a Reader's Digest and laugh at the funny stories or a Chicken Soup for the Soul book or take a moment to read the Christmas story in the Bible during advent season.  Churches also have small devotionals for free or Christian bookstores have wonderful choices of devotionals that are short, easy to read, but you walk away feeling inspired and refreshed.

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, enjoy that moment to the fullest.  Feel blessed to be observing whatever it is that catches your eye.  Don't let the green-eyed monster steal your soul by envying someone else's plans.  Even if you have to work during a holiday, then let your mind reflect on moments of joy of seasons past to carry you through that day.  Especially for those of you who work at a hospital or similar institutions where work doesn't stop due to a holiday, know that families appreciate what you're doing for their loved ones.

Breathe in, breathe out, enjoy your holidays wherever you are!

Bucket List

Everyone needs a bucket list. It may be difficult to get started, but you can crawl out of that bucket seat. Did you know the definition of a bucket seat is to keep people in place? Aren't you tired of staying in the same place? Get your seat out of that bucket and write down your dreams. That first dream will be just a drop in the bucket. Gather your friends to create a bucket brigade of support all before you kick the bucket. The song says "there's a hole in the bucket," so buck the system before the water runs out. This is not to be morose like you're waiting to die; it is meant to be inspiring as you finally start to live. What are you waiting for? What's stopping you from doing the things you want to do?


There are so many people who became famous or did inspiring feats later in life. Corrie ten Boom wrote, "The Hiding Place" at the age of 78. John Mahoney, father on Frasier, didn't enter the acting world until close to the age of 40. Laura Ingalls Wilder wasn't published until after the age of 65. Grandma Moses was 76 before her first painting. Ronald Reagan was 55 before being elected to his first public office. The list could go on and on. The point being, it's never too late to start. As Al Pacino said in "Scent of a Woman", "I'm just getting warmed up."

At one point I wanted to parachute. When you're young and have your whole life ahead of you, you feel invincible which can lead you to unwise decisions. As time wanes, you cling tighter and tighter to that rope of reason and have difficulty releasing those fingers. Perhaps I'll choose this feat like George Bush Sr. did and save it for my 80th birthday. I'll just keep up my calcium supplements until then so I don't break a hip on the landing.

This year my husband I went to Alaska. The picture at top is me photographing grizzlies. Other items on my list are to fly a plane, visit Africa, write a book, do stand-up comedy, learn sign language, a foreign language, play the piano, etc. While I can learn to fly a plane, that probably won't happen as my husband informed me he doesn't even like driving with me so he doubts he'll want to fly with me. The rest of my list is doable. I found a stand-up comedy class so hope to do that sometime in the near future. I recently got my passport for the very first time. When's my trip? I have no idea, but I'll be ready!