Navajo Reservation, Monument Valley, Utah

Continuation of "Day 1" blog post:

We headed north towards Tuba City and into a huge section of the Navajo Reservation. There are many road side stands set up selling jewelry. Not really my scene. But I was intrigued with the unusual rock formations. Chuck thought they looked like prehistoric giant ant hills. I was driving so I didn't get a photo. This will be an interesting area to look into when we get back. As we approached Monument Valley, the formations can be seen from different angles with each being their own fascinating wonderment. Into Utah is a beautiful twisting river and colorful canyons. We ate a late lunch in a small town by the river. I noticed there were river boat tours, cute little cabins and zip lines. I think this would be a fun place to come back to in the future.

Day 1 On The Road

Why did I waste so much energy and time before our trip with so much anxiety?  I am having a wonderful time with Chuck, seeing many new places and taking our time to our destination of Davenport, Iowa.

The first memory of the day embedded in my mind is how beautiful the meadows surrounding Flagstaff were with millions of yellow flowers.  A gorgeous morning.

Road Trip Anxiety

Early tomorrow I leave for a long road trip with my husband Chuck.  We are hauling our Harleys to Iowa for a national bike show.  This will be our first major trip together without our children.  I have major anxiety about leaving my 17 year old son.  We have plenty of back-up family to check in on him.  The funny thing is, he is so excited to be alone and I am stressing out!  I bought him enough food for a month and he was laughing saying "wait, how long will you be gone?".  Reminder list on the fridge for him to remember to feed the cats, clean the litter box, check the mail, Monday trash day, etc.....The anxiety is almost not worth going.  I always want to travel, but when it comes down to actually leaving I start to feel ill with all the "what if's".  Plus I get really homesick for my house and cats.  Oh, I'm a mess!

Photo Book New York June 2012

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly baby photo books are the perfect way to preserve your baby's precious moments.

Marrakesh Express

For some reason the song "Marrakesh Express" has been playing in my head all day.  This made me want to look up a live version on youtube.  I found one from BBC with Crosby and Nash playing acoustic guitar in all their long hair finery.  This led to me watching a beautiful video from Woodstock, with hippies riding horseback and building the stage.  Which led to a video of Neil Young's "Ohio".  Did you know he wrote the song to protest the killings at Kent State University?  I always just thought it was a beautiful song and didn't realize the meaning.  I guess I am still learning.

Every time I hear "Marrakesh Express" I think of a book I read several years ago, "The Drifters" by James Michener published in the early 1970's.  The book is about a group of young adults from very diverse backgrounds who meet in Spain during the late 1960's.  Hippies, war protest, draft dodging, travel, brutality by the man and vivid European/African scenery.  At one point they travel to Marrakesh, Morocco which brings me to the song.  I believe the book is on one of the top 100 books of all time list that I refer to when I need a good read.

CARROT Card

                                          "Plant these seeds I send to-day,

                                            No matter tho they're small.

                                            For they will grow,

                                                 in Love's warm rays,

                                            If for me you CARROT all."

                                         I love this antique card.  There are actual seeds in
                                         the packet.  Much pleasure from a little "find".

It Really Is A Small World

While bringing in new inventory and working on my antique space today, I was making small talk with a very nice couple, when the husband said "I think we went to high school together"!  Turns out he was right.  He lived down the street from me and was good friends with my neighbor.  What a small world.  They have a really wonderful web site with their artwork and a blog.  I didn't recognize him, but I did remember his name.  I don't know how he recognized me....I'm about twice my size and I was sweating up a storm from carrying all the antiques in to the store.  How embarrassing!  The photo is from high school.

Work or Hobby?

I love the end of the week when I get to buy for my business.  I have a few connections with being in the business for over 20 years, who invite me to pre-estate sales.  I load up on inventory for my antique space.  I get the butterflies of excitement knowing I'll be hunting for treasures.  Loving my work, even though my husband calls it a hobby.

Here is a cute little project I put together.  Frames are always inexpensive at sales, usually around $1.00 or less.  This one I saved from our trash.  Chuck was getting ready to throw it out.  I chose old postcards with poems or greetings to fill the picture frame rather than photos.

Morning Sickness?

Morning ritual of too many pills, coffee & checking my calendar.  I should have included my reading glasses in the photo.  I'm finding I can't read anything without them.  I feel like I'm turning into my Grandma who used to mark each day off of her calendar so she could know what day of the week it is.  I have to physically move each bottle to the side so that I don't take the same pill twice.  Oh dear!

What's with the morning sickness?  If it wasn't for my total hysterectomy, I would swear I am pregnant.  That would be a good excuse for my stomach sticking out.

First things first....a strong cup of coffee in my Elton John "The Bitch Is Back" mug that I bought in Vegas.  I love this mug!  The quote says it all being the extra groggy morning person that I am.

The Second Half

As I head toward my 50's I look forward to what the second half of my life will bring!  Yes, empty nest syndrome is around the corner but so is traveling, remodeling our house and maybe doing what I want for a change.