Wyoming is Windy

The wind cuts right through my coat.  I scrunch up my neck and pull my scarf tighter.  Running, head down into the wind, making sure that everything is tucked deep into my computer bag so that nothing escapes and I don't have to go chasing it down the street.  I see my neighbor chasing down her trash can.  I'm glad mine was decorated by my daughter when she and her friend decided to paint her bedroom.  At least I'll be able to find it when I get home.

The wind keeps me awake at night and I feel that I am its captive.  I bury my head deeper under the pillow.  Maybe some music, NPR or Ted Talk will drown you out of my head.  At last slumber finds me, and when I wake up, it is quiet. I feel my neck and other muscles go slack, my mind go clear.  Ahhh

Another World

The surface of the Atlantic Ocean is aquamarine and pristine, but looking at the surface is deceiving.  There is no clue or sign of the teaming life there just below the surface.  

Wading into the water, I carry my flippers and have my goggles and snorkel hanging loosely around my neck.  It's taken me awhile, but I've learned how to sit back and put my flippers on awkwardly and without getting a nasty cramp in my leg.  With one final yank I have them both on, slip on my goggles and begin my adventure in another world.

As soon as I tip my head in the water I see what is hiding beneath the surface of the blue water.  I float amongst the fish and coral careful not to touch anything with my clumsy fins.  I find a school of tiger barbs and try to blend in with them as if I'm one of them.  

I have my camera tucked safely within a plastic protector and snap a picture of a hungry parrot fish munching on some coral.   I spend hours observing and letting my mind escape into that watery, winsome world until it's time to go back to shore and come back again tomorrow.

Small Moment From My Past

My sister and I were in one of those moods when we did not want to go down for our nap.  I being the oldest, may have been the instigator although I don't remember that part very clearly.  Colleen, a year and a half younger than I  was and yet we were both very young.  It was before we started kindergarten and in those days there was no preschool. Mother stayed home and she was our preschool.

Our mother had already attempted to put us in our shared bedroom for a nap multiple times.  Normally, if we didn't comply, there would be some scolding and threats of what would happen if we came out of our bedroom one more time.  

This day was different and perhaps that is why it is a strong memory of a moment from my childhood.  

We were not cooperating and had left our bedroom yet again.  Both of us were playing around the legs of our mother as she was standing at the sink doing the dishes.  I remember that she was quietly working and her mood subdued.  As a small child, I looked up at her from where I sat at her feet and saw quiet tears streaming down her face as she methodically washed a cup, rinsed it and set it in the drainer.  

I felt empathy for mom at such a young age.  I grabbed my sister's hand and we went off to our bedroom and fell asleep for a good long nap.

What do you do when there's no internet?

I haven't written since Monday and so I feel like I'm starting all over!  No wi-fi where we were and so I just decided to relax and enjoy.

What do you do when there's no internet?  The first feeling I got was, well I have to admit, it was panic.  No internet?  For five days?  I realized how much the internet opens up my world.  I can Skype, FaceTime or see my children and grandchildren instantly.  I've grown accustomed to being able to see their little faces whenever I want to.  Five days,  I felt a little selfish actually.   After my initial feeling of panic, I settled in to sun and surf.  We saw whales, fish and birds.  We hiked and swam.  My instinct was to keep checking my email, blog and Facebook.  I'd see an animal or fish and want to look it up on the internet. Nope.  I talked to more people, read more of my book and relaxed more.  I have to admit that I'm glad to have the internet back, but it was a lovely five days.

I didn't relax quite as much as this guy!

In Search of the Brandt Cormorant

                           

 In search of the Brandt Cormorant and found a guide with insight and heart

In Baja California

Lives Maria

Native

Educated

Defender of birds

Their ecosystems

Sharing

History

Bird identification

Passion for her country

Stealthy, whispering

Vanessa – Look

Right there, do you see that handsome Cormorant?

He has attitude

He’s looking right at you!

Who is watching who?

The birds are shy, secretive

Camoflauged so well

There he is

Do you see his blue throat?

He is showing off for you.

Appreciation

Love for what she does

Maria, Bird Guide

You can find Maria at this website!

Slicing is Helping me Live in the Moment

Normally I walk aimlessly around the bookstore, but today I had purpose.  I have heard of people doing this.  They find books they want to buy and take a picture of them.  The reason for this is either they can't buy all the books they want today so put those pictures on a … to be bought list.  The other reason is to buy them later at a cheaper venue.

I had another purpose today.  The Friends of the Library group in our town is having a book sale the end of March where they let you fill the bag for $2.00 and the money goes back to the library.  Well, normally I go in there and just feel dazed and confused.  I forget which author I'm looking for or what book titles I had in mind for my classroom.  So this time I want to be armed with pictures from the bookstore to help me regain my focus.

As I'm walking around, I notice a tall thin gentleman with curly hair and glasses.  He walks quickly among the books, talking fast mentioning books that he really likes or books that he's seen the movie.   I try not to stare but I enjoy him and his enthusiasm is contagious.  I see that there is an attractive blonde woman with him.  She's looking at the books he shows her and nods and smiles and shows him other books.  

He becomes very animated when he sees a young man in the store looking at the book, The Hobbit.  I love the hobbit he says, and it comes out loudly because of his obvious knowledge and his need to share what he knows and feels about this book.  I have the movie.  You can come over and watch it with me anytime.  I look over at the blonde woman and we both smile broadly.  

These are the types of moments that I'm beginning to stop, notice and enjoy. 

Camouflage

Have you ever wanted to just disappear?  Melt into the scenery and hope nobody notices you?

 Let me just start this slice by saying that I do have a reputation for being a bit of a klutz.  Sometimes I wonder if there are invisible ropes put out there just to trip me.

As I'm getting ready to go on my trip to Mexico for spring break, I'm remembering a small moment from my last trip to Mexico 3 years ago when the dreaded invisible rope appeared.  I was SO excited.  It was my first trip ever to Mexico at an all inclusive hotel right on the beach south of Cancun.  Mind you, this was the very first night we arrived.  It was early evening, that time right after the sun has gone down, but not yet dark.  We were walking, exploring and yes, I did have a small plastic cup with a drink in my hand, but I hadn't even taken a sip out of it yet.  

Walking, talking, gazing and then f a l l i n g …. flat on my face.  Ouch.  It felt like slow motion as my drink went flying and I landed on my right arm.  Several of the other guests ran over to help me as I wanted to just disappear and become part of the cement walk beneath me.  Thanks.. it's okay.. I'll be fine, I can hear myself saying as I bravely try to hold back my tears.  Oh not tears of hurt, but tears of embarrassment. 

My arm has a bad case of road rash and we go to the front desk for some antiseptic to put on my fresh wound.  They are so nice and ask if I want them to call the ambulance.  Ambulance?  No no… OH ambulance is the medic that they have on salary at the hotel.  He was so kind and doctored me up and sent us on our way to enjoy the rest of our vacation. 

Now I'm hoping for no invisible ropes on this trip!