Back at the Ponderosa.....

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This is an AMAZING picture. Why, you ask? It is because the floor is visible instead of being strewn with the laundry of five people! It took most of the weekend to get things put back in order and still, I have a ways to go but I am settling back the normal routine.

One of the things that I notice each time I travel is the I return to my abode and surroundings with new "eyes". I notice things that I "numbed out" to before. As such, it seems that I have quite a spring cleaning/reorganization project ahead of me. After looking at my calendar today, the launch date will likely be in April. I have a distinct need to clear, cleanse and reorganize. What I don't have is a lot of time to do it in. Several projects from all directions are calling to me. I've learned the fine art of prioritizing so I'll get to them "all in good time".

This brings me to this week's word: balance.

There's a part of me right now that really wants to just throw up her hands and walk away! This is post-travel blues and it happens every time I come home to the seemingly monumental task of reintegration. Each time I travel my personal energies and awarenesses are expanded and I find it hard to fit back in to where I was, because where I was has now shifted....a lot. It's all good, it's all part of life, the planets, the energies, the cosmos and all that other stuff that we feel but may not see.

In this pre-equinox shift, I'm choosing to open to new ways of balance, perhaps ways that I haven't practiced or pondered before. I'm ready to spread my wings and see what is ready to come through...it most likely will be as much of a surprise to me as everyone else! I just never seem to know what's coming next....guess I must love mysteries?!?!

What are your tips, tricks and techniques to stay balanced and focused when you have a whole lotta things shaking in your world? Feel free to share in the comment section below. If you are creating an art journal, photo collection of balance, song lyrics, paintings, etc, be sure to add the link to your site so we can all take a peek!

Happy Spring!

The South

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Greetings Everyone!

I've finally taken time to update the blog. As usual, we've been on the go. This morning we're taking a slight break from our adventures to rest. The younger two are still sleeping next door. Chad and Pake have gone to listen to the ICBA presentors and I'm typing.

Nashville is a really pretty location. I'd like to come back in late spring early summer when all of these trees have leaves though there is plenty of green to help me remember what that color looks like!

Some of our highlights include visiting Franklin, TN which is where one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War took place. It lasted about 5 hours and over 2000 men were killed. We've visited the Carter house where the battle was fought and the Carnton Plantation, which became a Confederate Field Hospital.Pictured above is the Carnton Plantation. This gorgeous, spacious home housed the wounded soldiers and years later became the final resting place for the Confederate dead. There are still blood stains on the floor of the south facing rooms. Doctors did the best they could in the morning/daylight hours. It had to be one of the most harrowing experinces to witness. If that old house talk.....

We've also been on a ghost tour (we didn't see any ghosts but viewed some really cool old houses!)We've seen Andrew Jackson's Hermitage and took in the Grand Ol Opry. Most of Sunday was spent getting situated and placed in our room. We're staying at the largest convention center in the world....which I believe is true because I've gotten lost several times. Interestingly the kids seem to be well orientated and so I just follow them!

Later today we'll head to Goodlettsville, home of the Old Hickory Bat Company. I'd also like to tour the Belle Meade Plantation. I'm really loving the architecture and viewing the houses. I've always loved learning about history but seeing these locations in person brings such a richness to all that I've read about. This trip is certainly making me want to visit other historical locations and check out neighboring states. I think the rest of the family is on board with this too.

Both boys purchased civil war figures, Parker, being the sympathetic child that he is, wanted to even the score a bit so I'm supposed to report that the Confederate Army is ahead 4-1! He set up his camp outside of the state reception last night. Interestingly he and one of the hotel employees started talking and he learned some interesting facts. He also learned the importance of listening and allowing information to find you, no matter what or who the messenger appears to be!

Chad and I discovered this as well. We went to the Jack Daniels bar to have a drink after the reception. The guy playing the guitar was REALLY good and as we were listening, I realized who it was....Ira Dean. Ira used to be with a band called Trick Pony. Ira is a great guy, very friendly and fun to visit with. He sat at our table during break and then played, "Just what I do when I Can't Get No Loving", one of our favorites! He'll be releasing his solo cd later in the spring. I have an advanced copy with his signature.

As always, I'm amazed at how quickly the time flies by. It doesn't seem like it should already be Tuesday! I always have the best intentions of blogging every day but I don't always take the time or have the energy. I am working on a great playlist to summarize the days. I'm also gathering some awesome ephemera for the art journals. One of these when I'm end the mood, cre8tivitiy will strike and I'll be happy to comply...til then I'm gonna be moving and shaking!

Peace y'all!

I Could Fly

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"I wanna thnk ou for the love you gave me and the sun that you put in my sky. You don't know how much you've lifted me up but I feel so alive that I could fly, I could fly"~Keith Urban

This song is a perfect fit for our departure, which happens in 10 minutes. We left NE last night and stayed with our dear friends, The Terrell Family. I have just a few mintues before we start boarding for our flight so I grabbed Chad's computer to write a few notes. I detest the tiny, impossible key board on the droid!

Later today we'll land in Nashville and this evening we'll be seeing the singer of the song listed above. I'm thinking it would be pretty darn nifty if he sang this song! It's one of my favorties (I have a ton of favorites!)

I'll be blogging our day's events so if you'd like to join our adventure, please check back!

So far our greatest accomplishment is getting 5 peeps successfully through security. I can tell that my children have matured because it doesn't take nearly as long as it used to. And..... Chad did check to make sure the fence plyers were left in the Dodge!

This week's word:Journeying

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There are times when I love to be on the move, traveling and exploring; there are times when I want to ground, nestle down and be a total homebody. I get “flashes” of favorite places I’ve been or I see an image in my mind of a place that is calling me to visit. I can close my eyes and smell pine trees and hear mountain streams bubbling. Though I may want to get in my car, fling open the sunroof and head west, I usually stay! (Can’t promise that will happen after May 21st!)

Without the domestic and professional responsibilities that I currently sport, I’m fairly sure I’d only be touching “home base” now and then. As crazy as it sounds, I have plans of living out of my camper, biking, hiking, kayaking, turning myself into a modern day gypsy. In time that will happen. I figure I’ve got a few years to plan this out thoroughly.When my 3rd graduates, I’ll have a nice long list of things to do, places to see and what it is that I want to experience. I do enjoy each phase of my childrens' lives and I know for the present I’m right where I need to be. That said, when they are on their own, I’ll embrace that phase as well; I’ll embrace it with a fabulously long adventure!

For the time being, my journeys have been primarily close to home, with the exception of a monthly trip to UNO. Most of the traveling I do is in my mind and on web sites. I’m currently learning to navigate the Library of Congress site for my Managing Collections Library Class. There’s a monumental amount of information so I do feel like I’ve trekked some miles by the time I’m done for the day! Today I trekked on over to Arrowhead Meadows (AND IT WAS GLORIOUS!) My game was great, but who cares, I golfed on March 5th!


As Emerson says, “Life is a journey, not a destination” and I believe this is true. We are constantly moving, continually evolving and experiencing ourselves against the backdrop of our environments. As I write this, I'm planning a lil 'ol trip to the east, a place that I've never been before. I'm acutely aware of all that needs to be done before I depart for this journey. I have to wonder if I am half cracked to even attempt this feat, given the many hoops I'm jumping through to make sure all will be well in my absence. I trust that it will.

My question/offering this week is, "What items go with you on your journey? What are your essentials? What luxuries do you tuck away?" If I travel by car, I ALWAYS pack a pillow, blanket, reading material, journal and camera. Travel by plane means extreme downsizing....I WILL be bringing my art journal and supplies,a camera, music (of course!), Salomon footwear and my t-shirt scarf (which doubles as a pillow, fashion accessory and is soft and cozy enough to remind me of home!)

So.....how about a song, poem, sculpture, journal entry, painting, scrapbook page, or collage on the "comforts" of travel? Feel free to share your "favs" in the comment section below or on my fb page! Maybe you can help me remember what I might be forgetting?!?!

And...I'll be posting our "Nashville Adventures" to the blog next week, so stay tuned (and please have patience with any spelling/grammar errors! I DETEST my droid's keyboard, but I will muddle through!)

Happy Trails!