Today it dawned on me: Summer’s coming to a close–how could that be? So fast? Here’s what’s goin’ on in our world these days:
Riley
Since Riley passed his Birch odor recognition test (ORT) I’ve applied for him to test on Anise in Oakland on Labor Day and if he doesn’t get into that, I’ve also applied for that test in Los Alamos, NM in Oct. while we’re there. The very nice nosework people in New Mexico are hooking us up with potential trainers so that Riley might be able to take nose classes while we are gone. They also asked if I wanted to volunteer at the ORT, which I probably won’t, because it’s vacay AND because I know I’ll have a heavy load of schoolwork.
School
I can’t believe the summer semester is closing next week. My skills at past-life regression have grown tremendously and I do love it. I also love hypnosis in general and feel that my practice next year will be broader than just regression, since I want to work with people who have chronic pain and those who are staring down a potentially terminal disease. It’s all coalescing. Despite my fears about having to “study” at this age, I did well this term. Two more semesters of training to go.
Travel
Roch-cha-cha. A week in our hometown of Rochester, NY is coming up and there are festivities on the calendar! Sister of my soul is arriving from NJ, we’ll see the nephews, childhood bestie and all sorts of fun folk. It’ll be a fast week.
Wowie-Maui. Good thing, because shortly thereafter we are off to Maui again! Our adopted family has invited us to their fall family gathering, again, and since we love their company and their family, we’re going. This will be the third time I’ve been to girlfriend’s rocking place on Maui in the past year. Can’t wait! Even got new bathing suits!
School-daze. But, never one to let moss grow underfoot, I take off for Virginia Beach at the end of September–the new semester of my grad certificate in Integrated Imagery is starting and again, I need to be there for four days of class. I can’t wait to reunite with my classmates, the other three Witches of Eastwick, as I privately refer to them. All different, all interesting and we are each just a little bit off. Of course. Which I love. And i am anxious to learn more from our mentor/professor, who is so good I can’t even tell you how good. Just good at this stuff.
Do you know the way to Santa Fe? I’m home from school less than 48 hours and we take off for the fall in SANTA FE! This time we’ll be there about five weeks. So excited I can’t stand it. We’re taking the new vehicle and the dog for the two-day road trip and we’ll have the same house. Last year we both had quite the experience with the steep staircases at the house and the altitude. This year, thanks to my almost daily cardio, I had absolutely no altitude issues in Montana so I expect none in Santa Fe. And that is the most tangible thing about my workout program this past year: my heart muscle as strengthened considerably and is way more efficient. That feels GREAT. We’ve also found a day use gym so we can keep up with cardio.
And that’ll be it for the year. You don’t even want to know about next year because yes, there are already trips on the books: Antigua and France and we’re working on fishing in central Ontario, Canada, too, with a side trip to Toronto and Rochester. Plus I do want to bring Michael to Yellowstone and go fly-fishing with Wes again.
What’s up with you now that summer end is coming fast?
I am openly jealous you are doing all this traveling. Money and work is an issue that gets in our way of doing so. Maybe I should stay off FB because I wish, I wish I could take off like you and your hubs. Don’t get me wrong. I’m so happy for you. Enjoy, safe travels and good luck with Riley.
you are so busy! I’m a little bit envious of all that travelling and I am definitely planning to do some before the end of the year. It’s time we got off our bottoms and went somewhere new!
Wow! You are all over the place. I am happy for you. Isn’t it wonderful that despite our age, we go on learning and learn most easily the things we love the most. Hope you enjoy the what remains of the summer. I am looking forward to your posts from the rest of this year and next year too.
I have always admired your ability to plan and live in the moment at once. I am impressed that you meet so many situations that will tax you on different levels drive and curiosity and it seems, endless energy. Maybe because I am considering the “most of everything” years I wonder, what propelled you most?
Susan, my husband and I just love travel. It’s a priority for us and where we spend most of our budget funds. That’s only been amped up as we see our peers being diagnosed and even dying. I’m 65, he’s 68 and we want to make the most of our health and energy while we have it. It’s just that simple. Our feeling is that if we spend all our discretionary cash and end up only able to drive up to the wine country for vacation when we’re older, it’s fine with us. Although we’re pretty savvy and that is unlikely. Still, the economy could do anything. But we think about all this.
Carol you have inspired me to fill in the 2017 calendar ASAP. I’m still living that dream of a trip with you to Big Sky Montana and continue working on Yellowstone art projects. For 2016 I’ve still got long weekends on Fire Island and Nantucket, the Santa Fe plein air watercolor workshop where spouse and I will catch up with you & M, and then a buzz down to D.C. for a family reunion around a bar mitzvah. I’m eager for your low-cost travel column to suggest what we could do with our remaining pennies in November and December.
2017 will probably include Utah national parks, an extended Paris stay and a visit to my college GF at her vacation home in Bend, Oregon plus a plein air pastel workshop there. Spouse and I are still tossing around ideas for a fourth destination.
Keep the vicarious travel adventures coming!
I think we can do Big Sky, we’ll talk. I mean, Montana is now our place, right? And although I’m excited to connect in Santa Fe I am still hoping you and Paul will be in Paris when we are. Your plans sound fantastic! So.. Big Sky coming soon, girlfriend! Many great memories of our Yellowstone adventure!
You’re always on the go! Lucky you, Carol. I love to travel. Summer doesn’t feel over for me yet. We’re just finishing up a long trip in our new trailer and gearing up for Iceland. Summer ends when it gets cold, which as you know can be November for us. Have fun!
Sounds like grand fun! And the nose work, very cool. You have inspired me to make some of my travel dreams a reality, somehow! Maybe I will start small. I would love to visit Lake Muskoka in Ontario. I have never been to Canada, but one of my favorite books by Lucy Maud Montgomery takes place in Muskoka, I would love to see the beauty that inspired her words.
I don’t think I would enjoy the amount of travel you do because at heart I’m a homebody. Plus, leaving the dogs that often is difficult for them and us. Don’t get me wrong, I love exploring new places but, once a year is still fine with me. Road trips are another matter. We do that with the dogs and will probably rent a place somewhere south for a month or so this winter. I admire your spunk!
b
Summer ending does suck :(. What used to be a three month break in my part of the world has now shrunk to two. Indiana kids are back in school already, and I’m back to crappy custody schedule.
Wow! You are busy! I like to travel in the spring and fall. The summers are so short in New England so like to stay in in the area. My most immediate plans are to redo my bathroom. I must say I’m very excited about it!
Hi Carol! What am inspiration you are! You are definitely Sizzling. I love that you are studying and the subject sounds very interesting especially that you want to work with people who suffer pain and chronic illness. Love the post as it screams ‘woman who is taking on life and experiences head on’ we are heading into Spring in Australya although where I live Winter only has about two cold days. Enjoy your travels and keep Sizzling!
I am not happy about summer ending and am feeling a bit off because I had no real down time or vacation tI’m because of work.
That is the only thing I am looking forward to about winter-a break and a trip or two.
You travel safe! I am enjoying road trips more and more and our plans include many more of them.
Sounds like you’re fully booked! It’s great that you decided to go back to school. The learning never stops and it’s a great use of your free time as well. There’s so much to look forward to!
I agree, summer is coming close and it has been so fast with lots of fun with my kids this year. It is amazing that you get to travel to so many places and visiting hometown is always exciting!
Your travels sound lovely! My summer has consisted of staying cool and hydrated and waiting on these babies to be ready to make their appearance – not much traveling for me!
I love that you are diving in and embracing the new challenges in your life Carol! We will miss seeing you in Sante Fe and hope that our travels will take us to the same place very soon!
Hugs to Bonnie for us and good luck to Riley on his next set of nose courses!!!
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
I love comments, so if something resonates with you in any way, don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog. Thank you for stopping by–oh, and why not subscribe so you don’t miss a single post?
I am openly jealous you are doing all this traveling. Money and work is an issue that gets in our way of doing so. Maybe I should stay off FB because I wish, I wish I could take off like you and your hubs. Don’t get me wrong. I’m so happy for you. Enjoy, safe travels and good luck with Riley.
I traveled even when I had limited budget–there is always a way and you have given me an idea for a blog post. Cathy, thank you!
you are so busy! I’m a little bit envious of all that travelling and I am definitely planning to do some before the end of the year. It’s time we got off our bottoms and went somewhere new!
Wow! You are all over the place. I am happy for you. Isn’t it wonderful that despite our age, we go on learning and learn most easily the things we love the most. Hope you enjoy the what remains of the summer. I am looking forward to your posts from the rest of this year and next year too.
Good for you! It’s great that you travel to all these places. One day I hope to follow in your footsteps
I have always admired your ability to plan and live in the moment at once. I am impressed that you meet so many situations that will tax you on different levels drive and curiosity and it seems, endless energy. Maybe because I am considering the “most of everything” years I wonder, what propelled you most?
Susan, my husband and I just love travel. It’s a priority for us and where we spend most of our budget funds. That’s only been amped up as we see our peers being diagnosed and even dying. I’m 65, he’s 68 and we want to make the most of our health and energy while we have it. It’s just that simple. Our feeling is that if we spend all our discretionary cash and end up only able to drive up to the wine country for vacation when we’re older, it’s fine with us. Although we’re pretty savvy and that is unlikely. Still, the economy could do anything. But we think about all this.
Carol you have inspired me to fill in the 2017 calendar ASAP. I’m still living that dream of a trip with you to Big Sky Montana and continue working on Yellowstone art projects. For 2016 I’ve still got long weekends on Fire Island and Nantucket, the Santa Fe plein air watercolor workshop where spouse and I will catch up with you & M, and then a buzz down to D.C. for a family reunion around a bar mitzvah. I’m eager for your low-cost travel column to suggest what we could do with our remaining pennies in November and December.
2017 will probably include Utah national parks, an extended Paris stay and a visit to my college GF at her vacation home in Bend, Oregon plus a plein air pastel workshop there. Spouse and I are still tossing around ideas for a fourth destination.
Keep the vicarious travel adventures coming!
I think we can do Big Sky, we’ll talk. I mean, Montana is now our place, right? And although I’m excited to connect in Santa Fe I am still hoping you and Paul will be in Paris when we are. Your plans sound fantastic! So.. Big Sky coming soon, girlfriend! Many great memories of our Yellowstone adventure!
You’re always on the go! Lucky you, Carol. I love to travel. Summer doesn’t feel over for me yet. We’re just finishing up a long trip in our new trailer and gearing up for Iceland. Summer ends when it gets cold, which as you know can be November for us. Have fun!
Sounds like grand fun! And the nose work, very cool. You have inspired me to make some of my travel dreams a reality, somehow! Maybe I will start small. I would love to visit Lake Muskoka in Ontario. I have never been to Canada, but one of my favorite books by Lucy Maud Montgomery takes place in Muskoka, I would love to see the beauty that inspired her words.
Safe travels Carol!
Yow! Now that’s a summer. And a fall. And winter . . .
Have way too much fun!
I don’t think I would enjoy the amount of travel you do because at heart I’m a homebody. Plus, leaving the dogs that often is difficult for them and us. Don’t get me wrong, I love exploring new places but, once a year is still fine with me. Road trips are another matter. We do that with the dogs and will probably rent a place somewhere south for a month or so this winter. I admire your spunk!
b
You’ve got the best of both worlds with a rental!
Summer ending does suck :(. What used to be a three month break in my part of the world has now shrunk to two. Indiana kids are back in school already, and I’m back to crappy custody schedule.
Wow! You are busy! I like to travel in the spring and fall. The summers are so short in New England so like to stay in in the area. My most immediate plans are to redo my bathroom. I must say I’m very excited about it!
You had me at Maui, Carol and now I am officially jealous. ????
Maui is super affordable. In fact, a lot of Hawaii is.
Hi Carol! What am inspiration you are! You are definitely Sizzling. I love that you are studying and the subject sounds very interesting especially that you want to work with people who suffer pain and chronic illness. Love the post as it screams ‘woman who is taking on life and experiences head on’ we are heading into Spring in Australya although where I live Winter only has about two cold days. Enjoy your travels and keep Sizzling!
I have to get to Australia and soon, Sue!
I am not happy about summer ending and am feeling a bit off because I had no real down time or vacation tI’m because of work.
That is the only thing I am looking forward to about winter-a break and a trip or two.
You travel safe! I am enjoying road trips more and more and our plans include many more of them.
Sounds like you’re fully booked! It’s great that you decided to go back to school. The learning never stops and it’s a great use of your free time as well. There’s so much to look forward to!
The road trip sounds like an great deal of fun, have a great time.
All of your traveling sounds amazing! We have one more trip to Florida planned for next month, and then I’ll be ready to say goodbye to summer.
Tif
http://www.brightonabudget.com
Sounds busy but fun!!! Dropped by from #BloggersPitStop today, but always happy to be here, Carol. Hope the week ahead treats you kindly! 🙂
WOW! That is a busy schedule! You enjoy yourself, we have one life to live. 🙂
Oh, what a great time! I also love to travel but sometimes I am really busy at work.
I agree, summer is coming close and it has been so fast with lots of fun with my kids this year. It is amazing that you get to travel to so many places and visiting hometown is always exciting!
I am still in shock that summer is almost over. I cannot deal with this at all because it means going back to work
Your travels sound lovely! My summer has consisted of staying cool and hydrated and waiting on these babies to be ready to make their appearance – not much traveling for me!
I love that you are diving in and embracing the new challenges in your life Carol! We will miss seeing you in Sante Fe and hope that our travels will take us to the same place very soon!
Hugs to Bonnie for us and good luck to Riley on his next set of nose courses!!!