To Just Be

Today was a day to be experienced rather than understood. So that's what I did. I became fully present and I allowed myself to experience.

It was a whole lot better than fretting over cancelled appointments or trying to figure out how many more things I could squeeze into what suddenly became more available hours.

I went for a walk on the pathway along the river which is right behind my office, then I walked down to the water's edge and sat on a log like a turtle warming itself in the sun.

I discovered it can be euphoric to let go of even the thoughts floating through my head and to just be in the experience.

Stubborn Ass

That's what I think I am sometimes. Maybe most times. Not in a bad way (at least I hope not), but in a determined sort of way. I hate to give up on things.

Unless of course it has to do with math calculations, sewing something, or brain teaser puzzles that make me want to pull my hair out. Those kind of things make me crazy and I sometimes I walk away with a few choice words trailing behind.

For other kind of things though I can be pretty persistent. That's it - persistent. It's a much better explanation than the title I gave this post. I like that. Persistent!

Now here's a farmer being persistent in finding ways to use his creativity!

My schedule bounced around today. Stick around with me and you never know where the day will take you. I get up, look at my schedule and prepare for what's ahead and then, wham! Just like that, I get phone calls, cancellations, rescheduling, new appointments, and my whole day takes on a different spin. Thank goodness I can flow with change pretty easily otherwise I'd have a noose around my neck by now.  

It's a full day tomorrow but there's already been one change made. Who knows what the rest of the day will bring. But then, life is like that sometimes.

Home Again

Left on Wednesday and got back late tonight. Good visit with friends and family in Kelowna area. Good conference in Vancouver. Awesome trip both ways with the splendor of the fall colors in the mountains and on the prairies.

This shot was taken from the car window somewhere between Langley and Chilliwack.

It took a long time to make the 18 hour drive home from Vancouver. We didn't leave the conference until 5 pm and since our hotel was only a few minutes away from Granville Island I decided to make a stop there before leaving. That delayed us by another hour or more but what the heck. Besides, I came back with another journal so it was well worth it, I'd say.

By the time we got out of the city and reached Kamloops it was around 10 at night so we and decided to spend the night. Today's trip should have been around 10 hours but another spur of the moment side trip and we ended up at Miette Hot Springs. That added a couple hours to our journey but it was well worth it  too, both for the scenery and for how thankful our old bones were after a long soak in the mineral water.

On the way up to Miette

Big Horn Sheep up at Miette

Getting closer to home back on the prairies

Pumpkin was one happy camper to see us walk through the door. She's sitting on my lap now as I try to write this. She'll be sticking to me like a post-it note for the next few days I'm sure. Now, a hot shower and some shut eye are in order. It's back to work tomorrow.