Travel
There is out of this country travel, then there is travel in your own backyard.
This guy was a huge structure in the middle of the street, and I “ran into” him. I wasn’t looking, honestly, I was shopping. I was in the Berkshires, I just finished a day of selling, and the shops were open for another hour. I don’t know why I was shopping; there is nothing I can afford in the Berkshires. However, this is a great lesson in not seeing what is in front of you. After I stumbled upon a huge YELLOW statue in the middle of my walkway, I started to look around at the “funkiness” of this place I was in. I sat in a wine bar and just stared into nothing for a while after that. I’m used to consuming everything so quickly - maybe consuming nothing is an answer from time to time.
Don’t yell at me, but I take pictures from the road as I’m driving. I can’t help it - I see the most beautiful skies, trees, houses, animals - you name it. I feel like my life is one big car ride lately, and I always want to find something good in it. I’m listening to a podcast, an audiobook, or REALLY loud and ridiculous heavy metal - fun fact, I love heavy metal. Whatever gets me going, and it will change by the moment. I’m learning so much from being in that car. The time I love most is the silence. Sometimes I surprise myself and don’t even realize I am sitting in silence. I also change the world with my ideas in the car. I need a recording device!
Below are some images of other things I’ve “run into” without understanding the impact until much later on. My hope is that I keep my eyes wide open.
You may see a basic city street, but this one in Boston set the tone for the rest of my day. Each corner I step into in this city teaches me another lesson about people - their minds are open, they are willing to take risks, and they are EDUCATED and focused on their task at hand. Bravo, sweet city; I look forward to more of our stories together.
Standing at a four hour tasting can be at times pretty boring. It's like a sporadic high; a bunch of people want to chat and taste, a buyer you havn't seen for awhile will come along and you know that you need to impress quickly - but then, alas, you become a bartender filling glasses for drunken adults that are looking for a "Cab Sav". (Please take this word out of your vernacular) Here is my New York City moment, under a bridge at a loud and obnoxious tasting somewhere, and taking a second to watch the sun set.
My years before renting this house consisted of me living in lovely apartments that were landing places. I didn't think I needed anything more than a nest to sleep in. This house has taught me about feeling safe, held, and rewarded for a place that is ME and only ME. Here is a very early morning view that reminded me that I always have a place to come back to.
I don't have a favorite flower. In fact, if you ask my mother what she thinks of flowers, she will say that "they die" - and she isn't wrong. Black-eyed Susans symbolize encouragement and justice in the language of flowers. They are vibrant, they are hardy. I found these on a walk way into a restaurant in Westchester NY. I don't mind lending my name to such a gorgeous climbing beauty.
Boston Harbor; you sedate me, you call me back, and then you send a thrill through my body. Why does this waterway hold me in a static phase whenever I am near it?
Is it a coincidence that stray cats do not just pass by my house, but find it a place to take a load off! The presence of a cat is believed to indicate that your home has positive energy or to signal that you should trust your own instincts and inner wisdom more. What a wonderful way to look at these random visits.
Every time I DO take a walk, I wonder why I don't do it more. It may be because I get i my head, and start thinking about all the ways I can change the world. I found this rock as I was in full out tears because of some heartbreak. Random find? I think not. It brought me instant comfort. Just another sign to keep your eyes open.
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers," is a quote from L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables. Fall is so many things to me; there is a "newness" - new smells, new flavors, new memories to make. This door was another find on a walk around the neighborhood. I also love a chill in the air.
A lonely ride to Connecticut, but a beautiful capture of the beginning of Spring. New budding trees, fog around me, an empty road (which never happens), and a misty day full of possibilities. I say that because at the time, this was a market I didn't understand. As I look back, I am grateful for hanging in and letting the learning process wash over me. So many things that will happen here!
Shall I list the hotel pillows I have lain my head on in the past few years? The Lenox in Boston always makes me feel at home. There may be a joke out there that I turn into "Princess Susan" while I am here, but who else deserves it more?
Every extra pound on me comes from my love of breakfast. I began searching out the hottest breakfast spots during my travels. You would be amazed at the competition out there. I need to set an alarm because I can get caught up drinking coffee, reviewing my emails, and having a few courses of eggs, pancakes, pastry baskets - it gets ugly.
Never gets old.