I’m posting this on what I call Birth Eve, the day before my birthday. It’s been a busy time on many fronts leading up to the “Big Day”. Last week I saw my first snow while visiting family in Upstate New York. I think it had been five years since I’d last experienced that cold white stuff. I’d often remarked that it would be nice to see it again. And I did. A winter storm descended on the area Saturday night with snow continuing through the day on Sunday. For extra snow points, we even ventured further north to Vermont.
While there, I also got to spend time with my brother-in-law who came up to visit my mother while I was in town. He is the widow of my late sister who passed in 2018. It is good to see him happy and enjoying life with his new life partner who also joined us. I also spent time with my closest friend from Hackensack (NJ) and her entire family gathering under one roof not far from where I was staying. My friend, her husband and I met at Hackensack Middle School in the early 1970s. His birthday is a day before mine (today)! Happy Birthday John. With three beautiful grown kids and now five grandchildren there was much to be celebrated.
I know I’m so fortunate to have so many people with whom I share such long and personal histories. Wherever I travel, or spend some time in personal or business situations, I’m happy to note that I always bring a friend forward with me and that somehow those friendships endure the test of time. I look forward to those friends I have yet to meet.
While in New York, I spent a lot of time with my mom. I have learned to appreciate each moment I get to share with her. She has been through so much loss in the past five years and now faces her own challenges. I thank all who have supported me with her care.
It’s always good to get away, but it’s hard to leave a place that is so tranquil and full of natural beauty. It’s good to be home after some celebrating in Georgia with friends and now looking forward to a “First” birthday in my log home with a special person and our dogs – a place that has become a sanctuary for us.
Last week, I happened upon a blog post written by the young man who purchased my home at the Jersey Shore four years ago. It’s another log home and for some reason, the man who built it many years ago had painted it grey so many didn’t realize it was a log home until they saw the interior. Rich and I had always considered stripping off the paint and restoring it to its intended natural exterior. Now, its present owners are doing just that. It is a big job, but I can’t wait to see the end result. So great to see someone truly appreciating that home’s unique qualities and making it the best it can be. I know if Rich is watching, he is smiling. That home holds some many beautiful memories for us and I realize I’m fortunate to now have called two log-constructed houses near or on the water home.
Starting Monday, I look forward to starting my Non-Fiction Proposal writing course. In anticipation of working on a new project, I’ve actually begun writing five hundred words a day. It might not seem like much, but do the math. if you write 500 words a day, by the end of a year you’d had written 182,500 words. Enough for one First Draft and the First Edited version of a Memoir. (Check my math)!
All good things and successful outcomes begin with what may seem like small steps, but they are usually bigger than you can even imagine. Thanks for reading each Saturday and for following my progress. I will spend the next weeks sharing my progress on the writing front after I enjoy this weekend, doing some solar tripping!