Last night I went to a reception honoring a local woman for her recent induction in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. Afterwards, Sue and I met a friend of hers for dinner then we all headed to see the documentary film “Walking the Camino”. The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage that takes you from the south of France across Spain. You walk 800 kilometers (497 miles!). The film followed six people as they made the trek, each for their own reasons. There were two gentlemen friends in their 70’s down to a 3 year old trekking with his mother. (SHE was my hero!) The scenery was amazing. The struggles, and blisters, were true tests of the mettle of the brave souls who look inward during this journey. We all left ready to fill a backpack and go. Sue’s friend IS going…in September. She lost her beloved husband 2 years ago and this is her breakout moment, her change of course. Wow…I so admire her! This takes guts and determination and strength…physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. I may have to save up for this.
I arrived in Durango Friday afternoon and took my friend Sue’s yoga class. Man, I am so out of shape but it was fun. We visited and I met one of her friends when we stopped for tea afterwards. By the time we were done, it was getting late so we stayed at a place she is house sitting for. I slept in TOW-Wanda at the curb. I’ve become accustomed to my own bed and every time I sleep in her, the price per night goes down! ;-)
Hi. My name is Ginny and I’m a procrastinator. Ok, the first step is to admit you have a problem. I am powerless over time. No matter how hard I try, I cannot manipulate it. It will not bend at my every whim. I can’t make more of it. I spend it like it grows on trees. Time waits for no (wo)man. I know what needs to be done. I spend hours on Pinterest organizing my life. The irony is not lost on me. So, when will I actually DO it?
I didn’t realize how close Albuquerque is to Santa Fe. It wasn’t long at all till I was here. There is an RV park I’m going to check out before I leave and I’ll post pictures.
I visited with my friend and had dinner. I met his lady friend and she’s very nice. We talked from 3-9 and I’m exhausted! I’m heading up to Durango tomorrow morning. I’m really looking forward to friend time and staying in one place for a week. I’m taking a yoga class tomorrow evening that she teaches.
What a glorious day I had yesterday! I had a nice lazy start then headed over for yoga in the yurt. Many others had the same idea. This was my first ever yoga class and my inner voice would NOT shut up! “Look at these people. They know what they’re doing and you look like a pretzel. Do these leggings make my cellulite as obvious as I think they do? Man, this woman beside me breathes loud! Jeez-o-Pete…just how long IS 80 minutes? I’m glad I just signed up for one class today!” Yack, yack, yack. Yoga is supposed to be peaceful and feel good. If I had to do one more downward facing dog I was going to have to get up off the floor and go punch Doug…Namaste THAT! But, I got through it, went to the restaurant and ate a lovely, calorie laden feast for breakfast, and promptly returned to The Sanctuary…aka TOW-Wanda…to take a much deserved nap. After all, I think I broke a sweat in that yoga class!
“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” Lewis Carroll
When I left Denver this morning, it was spitting snow. I’ve lived here long enough to know when it’s snowing down low, you can just about guarantee it is snowing up high. I got a much later start than I anticipated but, being my mother’s daughter (read…stubborn), I decided to hit the road, come what may. My concern for TOW-Wanda’s well being gave me pause however, so I called a friend and asked him to read the weather and road conditions to me. My original plan was to take the scenic route but that would have taken me on a two lane blacktop through a 40 mile stretch that was experiencing 50MPH winds with blowing snow. The alternate route was not nearly as pretty and I didn’t get to pop in and surprise my friend, Emile. (Sorry, sweetie…next time!) It also added 2.5 hours to my drive, but I made it to the hot springs resort which was to be tomorrow’s destination. An extra day of yoga, meditation, soaking, and art can’t hurt! $22.50/night to camp right at the springs. $10 for a GREAT bowl of vegan tortilla soup with bread and a non-alcohol beer. Yummmmm! Soaking this evening did cost $15 plus I bought a lock for the locker for $5 but that I can use for lots of things. Tomorrow, $25 gets an 80 minute yoga class, a full day pass to the pool, as well as use of the eucalyptus steam and sauna. A hidden gem! (My friends worry when I divulge where I am staying, so I will let you know where this is when I get to my next place in a couple of days!)
After a fun few days with the grandkids, this Nana is hitting the open road this morning! I’m heading south and cruising through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. I’m going to hit every hot springs I can find and will post lots of pics and stories from the road!
A friend of mine is a widow of seven years and works as a grief counselor for a donor/transplant organization. Her job is to comfort and guide people in their grief as they deal with the complicated topic of tissue and organ donation. As with much of this grief journey, I had no real concept of what this subject would actually FEEL like when the time came to make decisions. As it turns out, my decision was ultimately made for me. Mr. Virgo had spent a good deal of time in Europe in the 70’s and early 80’s and therefore could not have organs or tissue harvested because of the possibility he had been exposed to ‘mad cow disease’. I wish part of him could have been used. The only thing they would have taken would have been his corneas because of his age. He would have wanted to help another and I was so disappointed.
Well, ok….THINKING about purging. It’s sort of the same thing, isn’t it? I mean, you gotta have a plan, right? I have WAY too much stuff! About 14 years ago I was living in an apartment…a tiny little place with practically nothing in it. Only what I needed or considered beautiful. It was so peaceful and cozy. So now, 14 years later, I’ve accumulated stuff that no one in their right mind would want. Why? What changed? Part of the problem is Mr. Virgo liked to shop as much as I do. He was always ordering something. But it wasn’t just him. I am a certified retail therapist. Really. But I am tired of all the stuff. I’m going to start purging and sell off a ton of stuff. Just THINKING about it makes me feel better! lol
Every once in a while you read something that speaks to your soul. This excerpt is just such a beautiful thing. It is so profound in its’ simplicity. And the author was a mere 21 years of age when she wrote it.
Love is like that…complex and profound yet simple and sweet. Pure. We have all loved. We have all been loved. But when that one true love comes along…there’s nothing that can compare. I believe lightening can strike twice.
“Solitude”
“The Traveler”
“Procrastination”
“Waiting for Summer!”
“Seeking Inner Peace”
“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” Lewis Carroll
“Take me on a ROAD TRIP!”
“Touching Lives. Touching Hearts.”
“Thinking about lightening the load.”