Taking a Break!

Well, I guess I'm already on a break since I haven't posted in about 2 weeks, but I do like to tidy things up--so, yeah, time for a blogging break. Maybe I'll even get to go to the location in the photo above!

The good thing is that I'm busy with lots of stuff, but I'm starting to stress (no, not me!). I enjoy posting when I can, so I'm just going to chill for a while until things calm down.

What am I up to, you ask? Well, I've had some extra editing/writing work on the side, and I have another house blessing coming up as "Rev. Riverwolf." Plus I'm heading for a week-long vacation in 2 weeks. I'm also ready to sell the old house, my niece is graduating high school--and on and on!

Thanks as always for stopping by, and I wish you and yours much joy and freedom!

Taking a Break!

Well, I guess I'm already on a break since I haven't posted in about 2 weeks, but I do like to tidy things up--so, yeah, time for a blogging break. Maybe I'll even get to go to the location in the photo above!

The good thing is that I'm busy with lots of stuff, but I'm starting to stress (no, not me!). I enjoy posting when I can, so I'm just going to chill for a while until things calm down.

What am I up to, you ask? Well, I've had some extra editing/writing work on the side, and I have another house blessing coming up as "Rev. Riverwolf." Plus I'm heading for a week-long vacation in 2 weeks. I'm also ready to sell the old house, my niece is graduating high school--and on and on!

Thanks as always for stopping by, and I wish you and yours much joy and freedom!

The Good and the Bad of the Beach Vacation

Well, my vacation was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Why do I keep letting this happen? In a nutshell, more squabbling between me and my partner, but we did have a nice Saturday. Then all hell broke loose when he drank too much Saturday night. *sigh* Oddly, I felt relatively calm about it the next morning, but my emotions were more troubled than I realized. While visiting family, I had a minor meltdown at lunch--in public--because a cousin wouldn't shut up about politics! I'm on vacation, dammit, and I don't care! So, dear readers, you may see very little from me on politics for a while. I've had my fill.

Still, there were some good moments. The photo above shows the beach--we had it virtually to ourselves! And for the first time in years, I took an old inflatable raft and cavorted in the waves. I really should do this more often.

Next pic is taken from the house where we stayed and shows one of the canals that run between the houses. Breakfasts here on the deck were so peacefully quiet, with cool ocean breezes. I had several starlings roosting in a nearby birdhouse for company.

Some other fun moments:

• Found a delightfully charming Italian restaurant, with plastic ivy on the walls and Lucite chandeliers. I enjoyed my dinner of clams and mussells over pasta in a white wine sauce, with a great glass of sauvignon blanc. I nicknamed our hostess "Lola," and she was working the tight red dress and flashy gold high heels!
  
• Sushi at an outdoor music bar by the causeway, during a torrential summer downpour.
  
  
• Seeing the new JJ Abrams "Star Trek" movie! Even if you're not a Trekkie, you'll enjoy this. Go see it! And Anton Yelchin is just the cutest as "Chekov" (pictured).
• Met 2 old friends for lunch.
  
• A crazy yet capable waitress who kept repeating "Yeppers!"
  
• Drinks by the marina at sunset, and then strawberry shortcake from a hotel balcony overlooking the ocean.
• Listening to the latest CDs from Lady Gaga and Keith Urban.

Those were the good points, but there was plenty that made this one of my least favorite vacations. I mean, seriously, why take off time from work? I need to let all the emotions settle and then maybe I can post more details.

Anyway, it's good to be home.

The Good and the Bad of the Beach Vacation

Well, my vacation was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Why do I keep letting this happen? In a nutshell, more squabbling between me and my partner, but we did have a nice Saturday. Then all hell broke loose when he drank too much Saturday night. *sigh* Oddly, I felt relatively calm about it the next morning, but my emotions were more troubled than I realized. While visiting family, I had a minor meltdown at lunch--in public--because a cousin wouldn't shut up about politics! I'm on vacation, dammit, and I don't care! So, dear readers, you may see very little from me on politics for a while. I've had my fill.

Still, there were some good moments. The photo above shows the beach--we had it virtually to ourselves! And for the first time in years, I took an old inflatable raft and cavorted in the waves. I really should do this more often.

Next pic is taken from the house where we stayed and shows one of the canals that run between the houses. Breakfasts here on the deck were so peacefully quiet, with cool ocean breezes. I had several starlings roosting in a nearby birdhouse for company.

Some other fun moments:

• Found a delightfully charming Italian restaurant, with plastic ivy on the walls and Lucite chandeliers. I enjoyed my dinner of clams and mussells over pasta in a white wine sauce, with a great glass of sauvignon blanc. I nicknamed our hostess "Lola," and she was working the tight red dress and flashy gold high heels!
  
• Sushi at an outdoor music bar by the causeway, during a torrential summer downpour.
  
  
• Seeing the new JJ Abrams "Star Trek" movie! Even if you're not a Trekkie, you'll enjoy this. Go see it! And Anton Yelchin is just the cutest as "Chekov" (pictured).
• Met 2 old friends for lunch.
  
• A crazy yet capable waitress who kept repeating "Yeppers!"
  
• Drinks by the marina at sunset, and then strawberry shortcake from a hotel balcony overlooking the ocean.
• Listening to the latest CDs from Lady Gaga and Keith Urban.

Those were the good points, but there was plenty that made this one of my least favorite vacations. I mean, seriously, why take off time from work? I need to let all the emotions settle and then maybe I can post more details.

Anyway, it's good to be home.

Headed to the Beach--Wonder What Will Wash Ashore?

Oh, look--an injured mer man has beached himself! Perhaps my kiss will restore his health and fins, and he will carry me away to his underwater love grotto out of eternal gratitude. Hey--it happened in "The Little Mermaid," didn't it?!

But yes, I'm off to the beach (2 beaches, actually!) for several days of R&R with my real-life mer man, so don't expect any witty or enlightening posts until I return. I plan to catch up on my reading and writing (and drinking) and commune a little with the Sea Goddess.

Until then, thanks to all my readers, and I wish for you all peace, light and bliss.

Headed to the Beach--Wonder What Will Wash Ashore?

Oh, look--an injured mer man has beached himself! Perhaps my kiss will restore his health and fins, and he will carry me away to his underwater love grotto out of eternal gratitude. Hey--it happened in "The Little Mermaid," didn't it?!

But yes, I'm off to the beach (2 beaches, actually!) for several days of R&R with my real-life mer man, so don't expect any witty or enlightening posts until I return. I plan to catch up on my reading and writing (and drinking) and commune a little with the Sea Goddess.

Until then, thanks to all my readers, and I wish for you all peace, light and bliss.

A Great Way to Start 2009

Finally back home from our little mountain retreat and had a great time--which feels good to say since my partner and I had a very rough 2008. So maybe the new year has better things in store.

I didn't take very many photos, but I liked this guy here I saw all decked out on the sidewalk. Very dashing, no?

Let's see, favorite parts about the getaway. It was very cold and windy, which was a nice change. And it snowed New Year's Day! The next photo is of some folks trying out the sledding.

Best part was the food! We had a great New Year's Eve dinner (mmmm, roasted figs wrapped in prosciutto) and managed to find a place that served the traditional Southern black-eyed peas and collard greens for New Year's Day. Gotta bank up some good luck and money for 2009! And our lunch yesterday was excellent--best Monte Cristo sandwich I've ever had (crispy, crunchy with powdered sugar and strawberry jam).

And excellent mountain vistas! Seems I did most of the driving and couldn't get in many good photos, but trust me--the views were breaktaking. It was also nice to see a few of the area ski slopes lit up at night, twinkling in the distance.

This last photo is of some buildings in town all decorated for the holidays (across a lake).

So I'm crossing my fingers for more good things in 09!

A Great Way to Start 2009

Finally back home from our little mountain retreat and had a great time--which feels good to say since my partner and I had a very rough 2008. So maybe the new year has better things in store.

I didn't take very many photos, but I liked this guy here I saw all decked out on the sidewalk. Very dashing, no?

Let's see, favorite parts about the getaway. It was very cold and windy, which was a nice change. And it snowed New Year's Day! The next photo is of some folks trying out the sledding.

Best part was the food! We had a great New Year's Eve dinner (mmmm, roasted figs wrapped in prosciutto) and managed to find a place that served the traditional Southern black-eyed peas and collard greens for New Year's Day. Gotta bank up some good luck and money for 2009! And our lunch yesterday was excellent--best Monte Cristo sandwich I've ever had (crispy, crunchy with powdered sugar and strawberry jam).

And excellent mountain vistas! Seems I did most of the driving and couldn't get in many good photos, but trust me--the views were breaktaking. It was also nice to see a few of the area ski slopes lit up at night, twinkling in the distance.

This last photo is of some buildings in town all decorated for the holidays (across a lake).

So I'm crossing my fingers for more good things in 09!

Heading to the Mountains to Ring in 2009

I'll be gone for a couple of days as my partner and I are headed to the hills. We have a special place we like to go every now and then, and we've spent a couple of New Years Eves there. Very quiet (and cold) but we like it. Maybe we'll see some more snow, too.

So Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2009 brings you much love and peace.

Heading to the Mountains to Ring in 2009

I'll be gone for a couple of days as my partner and I are headed to the hills. We have a special place we like to go every now and then, and we've spent a couple of New Years Eves there. Very quiet (and cold) but we like it. Maybe we'll see some more snow, too.

So Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2009 brings you much love and peace.