It's not National BBQ day.

Remember the meaning of the day.

Teach children.

Honor the fallen.

Have a moment of silence before you have your burgers and dogs.

Count your lucky stars.

I'm counting down the days to lift off. My list is long. I have one, maybe two trips left out to the farm. Yet, I'm still finding time to play. I'm fitting in some kayaking this morning. Visiting with a friend in the afternoon. Cookout in the evening. SO much to do in the next few days and I'm feeling confident and capable.

My mother was quite handy with a needle. She was a perfectionist. Her embroidery was tiny, intricate, and perfect. She used to drive me crazy when she sewed clothes. She basted every seam and ripped stitches out for the smallest mistakes that only her eyes could see.

When Mom was expecting my older brother, she embroidered some quilt squares with the state birds and flowers. She only did 45 or 46 of them. Then life got busy with babies and a sad, disappointing marriage and the squares got wrapped in tissue and tucked into the cedar chest. I found them 35 years later on a trip home and asked if I could have them to make a quilt. I knew nothing about quilting but I read Mother Earth News and fancied myself as some sort of earth mother. I gardened, baked my own bread, made yogurt and tofu by hand, and rode horses every afternoon in the summer and skied in the winter. I rocked in front of the fire in my log house in the Rockies and pieced my first quilt. By the time I got about a third done quilting it, I had a baby and in typical Gemini fashion, never went back to it.

I've dabbled in dating. I'm a dating dabbler. Oh, just shoot me now and get it over with. This is absolutely NO reflection on the men I've gone out with. They are perfectly nice, handsome, fun, funny. But seriously, dating is like interviewing for a job you're not sure you want yet. I mean, how CAN you know? You go through the social niceties. You ask all the questions and you answer all of his. You circle the fire in fear and wonder. Curiosity gets the better of you. And you know what they say about curiosity. How often do you really want to interview before you figure out maybe your current gig isn't so bad after all? But, I am ever hopeful…I am an optimist.

Today is Red Nose Day. This is to raise awareness of children living in poverty right here in the U.S. We live in an affluent country yet there are children going to bed hungry. Check out Red Nose Day HERE.

❤

"Because of thirst the infant’s tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth; the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them."

I have never been described as conventional. You'll never hear anyone who knows me say "Oh, Ginny? She's so shy and retiring. Really quiet gal." Ha! Not likely! My laugh is quick and loud. I dance like a….well, ok. I'm rhythmically challenged, let's say. But I dance like crazy. And I LIVE. Out loud! I'm a flirt. I'm a comic. I have fun. Every…single…day. Even when it's hard to. Because every morning I wake up on the right side of the grass is a tremendous gift that I can't afford to waste. I would rather be remembered as a colorful character than a wallflower.

Travel is in my blood. I don't know if it's the Gemini in me that wants to see and learn and experience new things or if I just get bored easily. Some have accused me of running away from my grief by never stopping for long. While that may have been true early on, I don't believe that is currently the case. I just love the experience of feeling the wind in my hair as I travel with my home following close behind. I love the sound of the world beneath my wheels. I love an ever changing view. I love seeing the microcosms that make up the myriad worlds within the big picture. I dearly love meeting new people along the way…capturing stories like little blue butterflies in the summer sun.

There are things I like to do. There are things I love to do. Then there are my passions! I'm not talking about family, or jobs, or your house or garden. I'm talking about that one thing that strikes a deep chord within you and you know…in every cell down to your bones…that this is what you were born to do. It gives you a joy like no other activity, hobby, job you've ever done. Writing for Marshmallow Ranch is my passion. Last night I got to do something even greater…public speaking! I was so honored to speak at New Wineskins last night. This is a Pub Church celebrating their first birthday today.

Remember back in the day when you got in your car on a hot summer night and cruised? Last night I met my high school classmates for dinner and had a blast. One gal was there that I hadn't seen since graduation. It was a really big crowd and it was hard to get to talk to everyone more than just a quick catch up. But that's what we have Facebook for.

The last few months, I have passed a government facility going back and forth to town. I've always wanted to stop in and check it out. Yesterday was the day. What a beautiful building. The conservancy has purchased, or partially purchased, many islands in the northern Ohio River and have planted flood resistant trees, shored up eroding beaches, and worked to build up and preserve and protect natural flora and fauna. The nice gentleman at the desk told me that Middle Island is the only one in the system that you can drive your car onto. He gave me directions for access and I headed off for a nice little adventure. I spent the better part of an hour sitting alongside the river listening to a symphony of bird song. Now I want to come back with my kayak and circumnavigate the island.