It's easy to stay in our comfort zone. And, as uncomfortable as grief is, sometimes it's easier to pull the covers over our heads and stay in a cocoon. Because people will excuse us. "Poor thing...she's a widow, you know." That scenario can end up being a thief...of time, self-confidence, friendships, experiences. Getting back up on the horse isn't easy and you have to do it over and over and over again.

There was a time when I wondered if I would ever be happy again. I am...but it's a different kind of happy. There's always an undercurrent of sadness...like the rivers that flow on the bed of the ocean. I've always been a happy person. But now it's like waking up and speaking your native tongue with a heavy accent that you never had before. There's a new definition of happy. Happiness doesn't come as naturally as it used to. Grief did that. It changed me. Sometimes I have to choose to be happy. And when I put that choice into action, those that know and love me see a chameleon. I can change right in front of them. I carry myself differently. My voice changes. My facial expressions change.

You are about to see a side of me that I seldom reveal. I avoid talking politics like I avoid questionable restaurants and dark alleys. They are dangerous and usually a hazard to my health...or perhaps the health of others. I saw a post on Facebook last night. Apparently Ann Coulter Tweeted during a presidential debate and called President Obama the "R-word". The gentleman on the left there is John Franklin Stephens, a Global Messenger for Special Olympics. John responded to Ms. Coulter's use of the derogatory word with an open letter to her posted on the Special Olympics blog. You can read his articulate response HERE.

We were thrilled to have a break in the weather today. We're expecting more rain in the next 24-36 hours. It's really windy this evening. Once we get past this we should have clear, sunny skies for awhile. We are expecting friends to join us tomorrow so that will be fun! Little Jack is enjoying our walks on the beach and getting very brave in the waves. The beach is lovely, even in the rain

Here are the current "predictions" of the path of the hurricane that has been pounding the Bahamas. Actually, I think it's from a satirical news site, the point being...only God knows what's going on with this situation and He's not telling. It started raining steady around 5:00 last night and it got quite cool. I think we will miss a direct hit but it is still too early to tell in the meantime, lunch yesterday with friends and dinner last night with other friends. Planning a hurricane party if need be. We bought extra supplies today. In the meantime, the rain on the roof is divine!

We arrived in Myrtle Beach around noon yesterday. The rain was threatening to hit and any of you who have a travel trailer understand all that is involved in setting up. First off is getting into your site and situating the trailer in the perfect spot. You need to check the level of your trailer and drive one side or the other up on a levelling block under one of the wheels. You put blocks called chocks in front of and behind the tires to keep the trailer stationary then it is safe to unhook the hitch. You unhook your safety chains, emergency brake release cord, and the power cord from the vehicle. (This was used for brakes and brake lights on the trailer as you travel.) You also have to remove the weight stabilization bars and the sway bar. Once that is all done, you finish levelling the trailer with the tongue jack. Then there are the utility hookups...water, electric, cable, sewer. Because I live in my camper, my tanks need emptied more frequently so that's always the first thing I do when I get set up. Rugs, chairs, table, grill, gas fireplace, propane, coolers, the dog run, canopy...all things that need to get set up when you arrive. All needing to be done pretty quickly before the rain settled in. My travel companion needed to walk her little dog because he spent much of the last two days in his crate as we traveled. She walked down to the beach and snapped this picture for me. I'll get down there soon. We are camped about nine trailers back from the water!

For miles there were signs flashing over the highway..."Dense Fog Ahead - Reduce Speed According To Weather". As we climbed the mountain, the heavens opened and the wipers couldn't keep up. I couldn't figure out which was worse...pulling off the side of the road and risk being hit or ride along as best I could keeping the truck in front of me in my view. At least if I kept a safe distance from his flashing tail lights, I could be pretty sure we'd be safe.

Ahhhhhh....this is exactly what I've been waiting for. Camping in the dense woods of West Virginia. We are a little too early in the season for the good colors. I'm thinking it'll be better next week on our way back through. I love the sound of the wind in the trees and the varied wildlife in the area. We stopped today at Tamarack, a beautiful building featuring gorgeous items handcrafted by some of the best artisans of our fair state. We ate in their restaurant....fried green tomato sandwiches! Yummmm! We headed back on the road and stopped for the night in Little Beaver State Park not far from Beckley.

I vacillate between "God, I love my life!" and "My heart hurts." Sunday was a heart hurt day. The day was beautiful. My friend and I decided to start our trip to the beach early and that meant there was a lot to do to prepare. I was busy doing laundry and cleaning house. I wasn't thinking about anything in particular. I felt great...looking forward to getting away to the beach for some R&R with the girls. We've been planning this trip for months and I was feeling really excited. I had the music on and the windows flung open wide to catch the cool breeze coming off the river...the smell of damp earth and fallen leaves filling my perfect little tiny home. Then it happened.

I have a gal pal that I hang out with a lot. We enjoy traveling together because we like the same things, we get along well, and what one doesn't think of to get into, the other one does. OMGosh! If we would have been real life sisters, our mom wouldn't have stood a chance. It's probably a good thing we DIDN'T know each other growing up...it could have been trouble. Then again, I'll bet anything my life would have been different!