Old Friends, Charming Young Ladies and Tacos!

Pam and I had been in touch on FB for some time now, but we hadn't seen each other...I don't know...maybe 15 years! Last time I remember seeing Pam and her family is when her 20 yr old was 4 or 5 years old....yikes! Well I stopped by yesterday going through the Phoenix area and met Pam and Bob's two other daughters. Got caught up on lots of current stuff and old news too. Rachel and Hanna were home when I arrived, but Sara was attending her college classes. I did get to see her just as I was leaving. Pam home schools her kids. What a fine job she has done. Those were the most relaxed teenagers I have ever been around. They were confident, polite and really the first time I have been in a space with Mom and daughter and not have to witness the standard dressing down that teenagers seem to feel entitled to hand out to their parents....Amazing! The love and respect they all showed for each other should be the standard not the exception. Pam should write a book about her experiences!

We went out for tacos.........OMG having real tacos after living in Florida where they don't know a taco from a sandwich, it was so yummy! We got a nice 4 hour visit before I needed to hit the road and get the next leg of my journey done.

I drove into the sunset...really! It was gorgeous as it dropped below the horizon I took this photo while driving I had to somehow capture the moment. I made a push to Palm Springs so I could be within a couple hours of San Bernardino where I am meeting another old friend, dating back to 1968. Mary and I were buddies in hight school, we were both on the cheer squad our senior year; she a pom pom song leader and me a cheerleader.....I haven't seen her since our 20 year reunion in 1991. Thanks to the magic of the internet we have arranged a visit. She happens to be down from Truckee visiting her dad in their family home for a couple of weeks. Great timing!! We have talked several times and when we first reconnected we had spent the entire day emailing back and forth getting caught up with the last 20 years. I am so excited to see her!

I found a Travel Lodge motel on Hwy 111 in Palm Springs. I was looking for my fav HIE, but got on a wild goose chase, saw this hotel and my car wouldn't go any further...it turned right into the driveway that was it for the night. I think it was close to 9pm. I got a nice swim in even so, lovely and alone in a huge lit pool. With that desert dry air and cool water, I was in heaven!! I find myself sipping water almost non stop and apply lotion often. What a difference from wearing the air to replenishing the moisture constantly.

Anyways, nice to be home in California, even if I haven't yet arrived at my destination. Friday morning I am headed out. Hopefully I can see my buddy Marsha for coffee Friday morning!

Happy Trails they have been! Only a few more miles to go..........

Tucson....not like it was in 1974

1ST PHOTO: This is the first rest stop I came to today in the morning in Texas

2ND PHOTO: This is the last rest stop for the day.











My first apartment (with orange shag carpeting) was in Tucson, AZ. I have fond memories of this place. Got into town about 5pm just in time to meet all the traffic for rush hour. Passed by Davis Monthan AFB and got to enjoy a couple of jets dog-fighting just above the base. What a site. The afternoon sun was exactly as I had remembered it. I see why so many people I know are retiring here, it is gorgeous!

Got to my hotel just after a nice newsy chat with my honey, Lou. We yukked it up enough to feel like we weren't 2000 miles apart. Oh, I sure do miss him! I don't know about this being away from each other business. It is extremely motivating to get down to work quickly to get him out here so we can have our days together again.

When I checked in I asked about local eateries since I was starving big time. Got a referral and a promise of a 10% discount if I went to Rusty's Family Bar and Grill. Had the honey mustard chicken and vegetables with rice...terrific. Met a sweet couple traveling from Oakland to Mexico for their annual trek to stay down there 8 months. They looked and acted just like my Stepmom Linda and my Dad...it was weird. They were wonderful and we parted with hugs. It was fun to talk with people after being alone since Sunday when I left Mobile, AL

It was 47 degrees when I got in the car at Ft. Stockton, Tx....brrrrrr....my car was totally caked with red dirt. I told Lou about it and said there probably had been a wind storm in the night. I didn't hear anything!! He told me he had read that indeed there had been a wind storm..Ha! I went straight to the car wash and got the basic wash which barely did the trick, but at least I could see out the windows again!

Lovely drive across the desert into NM and then into Arizona. I am planning on a ride up to Phoenix in the morning to see some old friends (from the 80's era) that I haven't seen in 15 years or so. Then off to California in the afternoon. I will stay in Blythe or Palm Springs depending on my energy level. Then I am meeting up with friends in San Bernardino for the night on Thurs. with plans to be in Sonoma by Friday evening!

As the day went on today I became more and more relaxed about all of this change and more and more confident that I am doing the right thing going out before Lou gets the shop sold! I am focused on enjoying each moment of the trip! It won't be often if ever that I do this again!

Never in a million years would I have ever expected my life to go this way...what a ride it is wonderful!

Ft Stockton, Texas

Got up to a foggy morning today. Nice to have cooler weather! Well that didn't last long. It was up to 100 degrees today in the hill country of Texas. Stopped at a wonderful stone rest area where I took this picture. The Monday traffic was light so the interstate pleasant.

I was thinking I would make it to Phoenix tomorrow night, but that might not happen. That may be too much of a push. We shall see. I have been trying not to be too rigid about my schedule so I can at least enjoy the trip. Taking the route through Austin gave me a nice change from the flat Texas that there is so much of!

I have carrying my snacks; granola bars, apple sauce, gala apples, carrots and caramels. I think by the end of the trip I will be taking a break from those items.

Day two---628 miles!!

The only picture I took today. Downtown New Orleans. Looking a lot better!!

Got up and took my time getting things together. On the road around 9:30 am. I was thinking of trying for Austin, TX then changed my mind to Houston. Then as I got into Houston I thought "Why Not" never been to Austin and talked about going so heck, I'm just gonna do it.

The 10 frwy through Alabama lasts only a few miles since that spot in Alabama was made to include a harbor when they were cutting out the states. Smart move on their part. So in quick succession it was Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana all in a space of an hour. Then around 1pm I got into Texas. The interstate isn't much different scenery wise from one state to another. One thing that is a nice benefit to the Southern States travel is that the rest stops are wonderful. Nicely designed buildings with parks surrounding the area, vending machines and very clean.

Got out my CDs that Katie had made for me over the years and took a little trip down memory lane. Funny how songs put you right back into the time you first heard them or listened to them a lot. i love that.

My last stop in Louisiana today was at my favorite: Cracker Barrel where I went in to just get a bottle of coke, the kind that needs a bottle opener. Luckily I remembered to ask them to open it before I left. The cashier looked and sounded just like Bill Clinton...hmmmm is he moonlighting these days?! Then I sat in their famous rockers on the front porch and just enjoyed the time out of the car. There were a mess of what Lou and I always call "Texas roadside rest blackbirds" since that is where we first noticed them on our first trip out. I was getting back in my car when I realized there were all these birds taking the shade underneath other cars to keep cool. I spotted one who seemed to be giving the under carriage of a Honda a good once over "there's your problem" was seeming to be ready to come out of his beak....yeah, I am weird, but I love birds. Maybe I was one in another life?::0

Went through New Orleans and although it wasn't hard to miss the remaining aftermath of hurricane Katrina from 2005, there was a lot of improvement since we went through there in 2006. I felt relieved for them! Crossed Lake Ponchatrain on a newly built bridge. I am sure the previous one didn't make it through the worst of Katrina. You can tell which part of Interstate 10 has been repaired in recent years there isn't the bumpily bump from the seams that seem characteristic of I-10 in the older sections.

Took Hwy 71 up to Austin as the sun was setting. Got a fierce hunger in time for refueling the car so we all, me and the car got our refueling at the same Chevron Station. The store was a mexican deli and boy did they know how to bake up some yummies. Can't do the pastries, but I did get some yummy summer sausage and doritos to go with it. Along with my water and kraft caramels I had a complete dinner. I had two apples earlier in the day so the fresh stuff was accounted for...sort of!

I just checked in around 9pm so I got a shower and am ready to crash. Tomorrow will be another long Texas ride day. I will break out the book I downloaded and enjoy that!

Happy Trails<3

Write when you get work!

I felt like an emigrant today...leaving Florida without Lou and going off alone to California to a new job! My Sicilian relatives, 3 generations ago came over to NYC via Ellis Island to make a new life for themselves. Thank you Lorenzo and Maria Louisa Sagona for braving the unknown back in 1893. They have inspired me to take my 2500 mile trip across our country to Sonoma County to hopefully have a job that can bring us "Home."
We have been floundering in Florida. The economy has turned our machine shop from over active to OMG we gotta find business. Luckily with a few phone calls we were able to invite a few part time customers to bring their full time needs for machining to us. Whew!!
Knowing we want to be back in California motivated me to consider insurance after a 6 years hiatus. I am shocked, really, that I have even considered it. I think having the six year break has given me a renewed sense of energy and purpose. Knowing that Lou is so unhappy in Florida is motivating to me. My Aunt Dot told me a while back that I was an "enabler" well I took that to mean that I need to watch out for that if it gets in the way, but being an enabler for "good" is a good thing right? I can do insurance in my sleep and the confidence that comes with age makes me want to go back to it because I know I will be good at it and I am actually ready again to get in front of people and be that person that solves problems that others can't. Now what is wrong with that, I ask?
Knowing that we will be close to Ben and Jill and Aunt Barbara and Lisa, Robbie, and numerous other cousins makes the effort even more satisfying! Sonoma County is such a gorgeous place and moving there is just plain wonderful!

So today I said goodbye to My Lou and now I am in a Holiday Express in Mobile, Alabama. Watching the Florida/Auburn game on the TV. I started watching it at the lounge on the 17th floor, ate a hamburger and a couple glasses of Chardonnay, passing the time chatting with a group of Delta Airline crew on layover. I am getting more in the relaxed mode now that I am on the road. The last two weeks I have been a tight bundle of nerves. Now that I am "on the road" I feel myself relaxing and enjoying the experience.

The lounge here at the hotel in downtown Mobile has a 180 degree view of the harbor and Navy yard. It was brilliant at sunset. The only thing missing was my Lou to enjoy it with me, but I called him and told him all about it! He is thrilled that I am doing this and it makes it even more exciting for me to have his enthusiasm to keep me going!

I expect to be in Texas tomorrow and was thinking it might be fun to head to Austin. I even might get bold and take myself out country dancing....do they even do that in Texas. I am such a nerd, I don't even know. I have heard lots of nice things about Austin so I may check that out. I am trying to listen to that "still small voice" as I travel. That voice helped me find this hotel today. Coming into downtown I got to see tall columned houses and buildings along Government Avenue. I blew past my turn off for the hotel and had to turn around, but then I got to see all those houses again. The south does have a special charm!

I have a couple of "old" friends that I have been in touch with on FB and email. I will be stopping in Phoenix to see Pam and her family and in San Bernardino to see an old friend from high school. I haven't seen either of them in 15-20 years. It makes the trip all that more exciting to have that to look forward to the last few day of the trip!

July and Summer is 1/3 over?

Lots of rainbows this time of year. Afternoon thunderstorms almost always bring rainbows as the sun sets. This one was on our trip up to Brooksville on Friday early evening.

It always seems like summer is almost over when August looms in the near distance. It may be because of all the "back to school" ads that appear. Funny how I still measure time by how many days are left until school starts!

I have been preparing for months for our trip to California at the end of August. My Ben is getting married. He and Jill are doing it up right. They are being considerate of people and funds and doing their best to plan a nice time for everyone. I am so grateful for who they are. I got a nice compliment from my Aunt Barbara the other day; actually a compliment about my children. She told me that I raised two really nice, considerate people. I can't take the credit for all of it, but I sure would get the blame for the opposite. Don't you think that is the way we judge parents in this world? I do at least, but I try to catch myself when I do. I was very conscious of trying to be a good parent all the time. It was exhausting and sometimes I gave into that and wasn't the best parent I could have been. I feel good about my kid's growth into responsible human beings. They are truthful and hardworking. I am not sure I could ask for more than that.

Now it is my turn to focus on my life. It has been a strange and challenging transition. I have had dreams in the past, but no support system to pursue them. When I wanted to go to college I was told "there is no money." Money seemed to be the ONLY thing that was needed to succeed. We didn't have it, so I gave up any big dreams that might cost money. I felt that I wasn't good enough to get what I wanted. I think that was my parents disappointment rubbing off onto me. I am just now learning to wash my thoughts clean of that. It is so sad when people are unrealized in their dreams and hopes and I cannot bear the thought of being one of those persons. There isn't much that makes me afraid any more. That is truly my biggest accomplishment in my life since raising my kids. If I think too much about something the old fears start creeping in, but for the most part I am fearless. At least I can recognize that process and take steps to fight it. I surprise myself sometimes with how bold I can be. Although I have my BA in English I am still stumped about "what to do when I grow up?" I am seeing this quiet reflective time as a gift from the Universe to get myself ready for the next chapter. I am more optimistic and calm keeping that thought in my head. Things are changing dramatically at the shop so my next assignment (should I choose to accept it) will probably we something along the lines of sales rep. for Rock's Precision Machining! That's ok too!



The wildflowers are blooming profusely in my little garden at Brooksville. There are a lot of black eyed Susans and Indian blankets. The yellow coreopsis are spent and so are the phlox. It is always a delight to have flowers to cut and bring in the house to enjoy! The great gift is that the more I cut them the more they keep blooming...what a great system!



Lou and I celebrated our 8th anniversary this weekend. We had a lovely dinner at the Chart House on Tampa Bay near the airport then drove up to Brooksville to enjoy the quiet of our pine covered property. We just replaced the pool liner so we, I mean I, can use the pool again after months of having it empty. Lou has gotten into the pool once since we moved there in 2006 and this weekend he actually put on his swim trunks and dangled his feet in what he considered frigid water. It was 80 degrees!! He is the quintessential LEO, the cat!
We had a lovely, relaxing weekend and now are back in Safety Harbor.

I picked up my gown for Ben and Jill's wedding and at first thought it didn't need any alterations. The length was perfect, it zipped up without any trouble, but after trying it on again at home I saw that the sleeves were a wee bit too big, so back today to the seamstress at Athena's Bridal store to get it altered. I considered doing it myself since I just had my sewing maching reconditioned, but nahhhh...that is too scary to try to do that on my own. Let the experts mess with the chiffon and satin and pleats...Yikes!

Bike Ride, Caterpillars, Alligators

I jumped on my Craigslist bike early today. The sun was gleaming through the front window and the water was brilliant blue. It just demanded that I go out in the cool wind and sunshine! So I did!

I love my new (used) bike. It is practically brand new and has a really nicely padded seat; perfect for my bum!

The oak trees line most of the path through the 3 parks I ride through and they are littered with caterpillars on their silk tethers trying to find a place to turn into butterflies. So I was virtually covered with them when I got to my first stop in Kapok Park.

I sat in the sun and ate my banana and picked up the cigarette butts around the bench. ( I have the hiker's mantra etched into my brain; leave it cleaner than you find it.)

I rode around Kapok park, kinda quiet there. Last time I was there I saw a lot of different birds; wood storks, ibis, limpkin, falcons, egrets and common moorhens. There are plaques at the park with the picture and name of the common birds. I love that! I didn't see any alligators there nor did I see any turtles.

When I was coming back I stopped at the lake at Cooper's Bayou and there was an alligator. He was trying to pretend he was a log, but I spotted him...hah! can't fool me. Got a picture of a Great Blue Heron fishing on the shore...they have a 7 foot wing span. I frightened him off and got to see that wing span..Wow! There was an unafraid Anhinga sunning himself around the same area. I couldn't get a photo of the alligator, too stealthy in the water and I wasn't going to try to coax him out of the water...yikes. They are scary to look at!

I had seen a flock of Roseate Spoonbills last night at the beach by the dock, which is rare, so I took a picture of them too. They are the quintessential Florida bird next to the Flamingo.