Ireland!

Oh my goodness!

It's official!

I am going to Ireland!

June 2016

How crazy is that?

So... here is serendipity.   If you are a regular reader, you might remember that my husband kidnapped me last Mothers Day and we ran off to Winchester, VA for the weekend.

Looking back I didn't really write much about it.  I noted it in a One Sentence Journal Post.... but I was in the middle of the 29 Days of Giving series so I didn't elaborate..

so I will do it here.

It was a surprise weekend and my husband had found a beer tasting at a plantation house in the Winchester, VA area.  (Since the kids have been gone, we have been slowly and tentatively trying to regain some ground as a couple.  It's a difficult time of life, I think.... not enough has been said about it - but it's real!  And we have accidentally discovered that we both enjoy alcohol tastings)

Anyway - I was pleased that he found something we both enjoy and planned this on his own :-)  And a side trip to Luray Caverns on the way home.... more new fun :-)

Pulling into the hotel on Friday night, there were several Model A cars.... and my husband is a true car guy... so some interest piqued..   One of the owners was standing by his car so we had to talk to him.... and there was a car show that weekend.  Serendipity for him!  [and now a personal joke about a surprise for me that turned out to be for him too :-)]

Long story short... Saturday morning was quilt store, car show and THEN the beer tasting.....    the quilt store was the Scrappy Apple... and it so happened that the owner leads trips to Ireland.  I picked up info and we left.  And that was that.

Little bits and pieces and talking about travel and our age and things like that.  Adventure and our work trip to Hawaii and an upcoming BIG anniversary in 2016..  and months... and a week ago, we were talking and Ireland came up again.  And his question to me?   Can husbands go?

Huh?  wow... this is serious from my quiet husband.

The answer is YES.... and while it is a quilting group, it is not a trip where we complete a project or anything like that.  We are touring Ireland.  Yes we will go to quilt shops.  Yes we will tour a weaver's shop.  And quilt museums.  But mostly basic sites and resort accommodations to enjoy.  And sight-seeing.  And the Blarney Stone.

And we drove back to Winchester this week to get more info and put down a deposit.

EEKKK!!

It's real!

And I have 7 months to dream and read and get ready! [which is at least 80% of MY personal FUN!]

I am not posting this until I have my passport in hand to complete the forms....  so I will be able to


EEEKKKKK!!!!!

again.

I saw the Pope!

What a random thing for me to do......

I love this Pope.  I knew he was coming to the United States.

I think that because I am kind of an unplugged Catholic right now (I do not really have a local faith community to belong to and my husband is not religious at all), it did not occur to me that I could or would go to see him.

I mean, with no real practicing Catholics in my daily life, I am not around the buzz or excitement of my religion.

Not an excuse - a reality.  [I'm beginning to think I might be being led to create the buzz :-)]

Anyway, 3 weeks before the Philadelphia weekend on  Thursday afternoon I got an email from the diocese extending the registration for a diocesan pilgrimage bus trip for 24 hours.  I had til noon on Friday to commit.... or not.

My unrelenting focus on my current year's dual themes - "Finding Joy" and "Adventure"....  made me stop and think.  Why not?

   That list was LONG.
        A) I don't know anyone going
        B) My spouse won't go
        C) Bus trip?  NOT comfortable
        D) I would have to have a roommate to defray costs
        E)  Have I mentioned that I do not like crowds?
        F) I have no idea where I will be staying, eating, etc.

But I kept coming back to
     Why not?
      Why would I miss this opportunity?
      When would this ever be in my grasp again?
      What else was more important this weekend?

So I asked my husband.... "do we have anything going on that weekend?"
 He replied, "No"
And I said, "I'd like to go to Philadelphia and see the Pope."

And that was that.

Of course, I didn't think much about it after that because I would have freaked out entirely.  I just made reservations and decided NOT to worry.  I started thinking a couple of days ahead knowing I wanted to pack as light as possible.

2 nights at an undisclosed location.... 2 LONG days sandwiched between 13+ hour bus rides......  LOTS of walking.....  I managed to take one mid-sized carry-with-me bag with healthy snacks & water... a small crossbody purse for my tablet and the universal fanny pack.  Done.   And, yes, I took a couple of hexie flowers to stitch on the bus :-)  I couldn't help it.

BUT  I was glad I packed the way I did... no luggage to deal with!

My husband was kind enough to handle transport to the bus.... he dropped my off, I took a deep breath and walked into the room where the group was gathered.

And right away I spotted someone I knew.  Crazy, huh?  I don't know this woman well... but I have known her LONG... so it was an opportunity to know her better.  (And she saved me a seat on the bus so we had a lot of time to chat!)

I'd be lying if I said it was a comfortable trip :-)  The seats were MUCH better than plane seats.. but just about anything feels cramped after a few hours!  BUT we did stop every 2-3 hours and I took advantage and walked as much as possible.  Even when we stopped for dinner.. I skipped it and walked round and round the restaurant... I am sure people thought I was nuts but it did get the kinks out!

It was well after 10pm when I found my room and met my roommate and went to sleep.

Saturday morning, we were to grab breakfast and meet at the bus by 8:30 for an hour long trip into Philadelphia.  A little tired but excited for the day ahead... I was prepared for a long one.  My roommate was a walker like me - hooray!  So we decided to hike the 5 miles into the city rather than wait for the metro.  We hiked in, grabbed a sub at a deli before we got in the line for security.... which moved pretty quickly.

ahead to get thru Saturday Security

and behind.... glad I got there early!

Most of the day was spent milling around.... I was fortunate enough to locate a very good pastor friend who had come up separately (surprise for both of us!) ...

one little piece that my camera could catch.. can you imagine finding a friend in this?  But it did make it easy to see the Pope when he came through...

a LOT of standing and waiting and watching the large screens

On Sunday I shared coffee with a woman I had sponsored for Confirmation years ago who reached out to me from my facebook post (another bit of serendipity!)  Three and a half hours (!) in the security line Sunday... and still people in good humor.  We got in in time for Mass.... and received Communion (I was totally reminded of the loaves and fishes .... it was hard to contemplate how this was even possible).   And then a mad dash (through a surging mass of people :-) to get back to the bus.  This too was NUTS because everyone was trying to leave the city.

Major kudos to the Philadelphia transit system for handling the hordes of people safely!  And then the 11 hours on the bus through the night..... not really sleeping but no light for anything else.  I did learn - for a bus trip, you need personal lighting to keep your own hours!

Mostly what I have to share are my impressions..... so many people - and all in good humor :-)  I can't think of any other time when I have been in such a large confusing group where everyone was smiling!  I think we were all so inspired and excited to be right where we were.

Once inside, there were more people (and fewer food options so we were glad for the subs!).... and huge screens where we could view the Pope and the constant entertainment that was going on when Pope Francis wasn't speaking or moving anywhere.

It's hard even to reflect back on this emotional experience.  I can relate that there were tons of people.... and describe the lined streets.... the inner city of Philadelphia blocked to vehicular traffic - a pedestrian paradise..... the incredible safe-ness I felt hiking that 5 miles back at 9 pm due to the National Guard presence on every corner...  so many many people working to keep all of us safe.

I have little experience with large events and crowds.... but the atmosphere was happy.  Tired but happy.   The weather was pleasant... warm but with a breeze... overcast but without rain.


And I do admit.... I was there... I saw Pope Francis drive by.... less than 50 yards away.

 And the tears rolled down my face.  I was touched to the core to be this close to someone who clearly does his human best to live like Jesus.  And I still feel it when I remember.  What a role model!

And here is a take away for me.... one of many....  in my year of "Finding Joy" and "Adventure"....  I went to see the Pope.

Day 201.... Adventures

So no real post this week....

I'll just say that this guy

arrived in our family

and these guys

are staying with me this week.

Not so much with the handwork and canning!  But we are sure having a lot of fun!

Back to business next week :-)

Passion for Life

Someone mentioned to me the other day that I exhaust them with all I do.  I mean... the canning, the traveling, the reading, the quilting, the whatever that they see me write about here on on Facebook.

I will take that as a compliment!

I don't can produce because I have to.

I can because I WANT to!  I learned a new skill last summer and am having fun playing with it.  For me, the joy is the presentation of produce... the hunt for a recipe... the pretty jars and that oh-so-satisfying POP when they seal.  And it is a perfect fit when I can give it away for Christmas.

It hasn't gotten old yet.  When it does... I'll move on... or take a break... or whatever pleases me.

While I do things I have to do.. they really are in the realm of brushing my teeth or keeping the house reasonably sanitary or exercising my body so it stays in a condition to give me joy.

When I want to do something, I dream about it.. wish for it... sometimes get it!  I LOVE the dreaming and planning!

I still haven't managed a kayak lesson - but they just started a week ago on the weekend and it hasn't been feasible..... but it is definitely on my radar! 

I am also cognizant of how the days roll one into the other.  Life is short - I heard once that the days are LONG but the years are short - and more and more, I feel the truth in that.

I want to make sure I ENJOY my days.  I don't want them to escape me without my noticing.  I don't want my days focused on negative things.  I CHOOSE how I live my life.

I DO things I want to do... and those I don't really want to do (like perhaps sometimes yardwork)... I make sure I pay attention!

I recognize the GOOD feeling of my muscles doing what needs to be done.

Even when I'm overheated, I try to FEEL the blessing of sun warmth by remembering the COLD we experienced just a few months ago.

I PLAN a time at the end of my endurance for a cold bottle of water and a seat in my shady swing.  And I take that time.

And I do curse the durned bugs.  But I have to say I do it with PASSION!

If I am too much for you, then take a break - I won't take it personally.  I get it.  But I also choose it.

I do not WANT a mediocre halfway life.

I choose ADVENTURE instead of Old Age

When I was in my 40s... and even after I turned 50... I was complacent.

I had aches and pains... I lost physical strength.. I battled depression

And I accepted it

as normal aging.... and I

gave in to it because of its inevitability.

But I found that as I used my body less

and fed it whatever was around

I grew fluffier and heavier ... and was able to DO less and less
and felt worse and worse.

I realized that every day, I was choosing Old Age... whatever that means .. and I don't want to choose that sooner than I have to.  And I won't lie to myself and be a victim of my own behavior.
 

I choose to move anyway.  In spite of the pain.

I mean....
if I'm going to hurt anyway...
 won't I be happier if I can continue to do what I want to do?

And today

10 years later

I look around at my peers

So many of whom can no longer walk unaided
who have contracted obesity-related illnesses [that we call inevitable]
who are on tons of medications

who are losing their health quickly.

And who cannot even conceive of a 3 mile hike.... or travel to another country... or a trip to anywhere a vehicle can't go...

What most people don't realize is that it's a daily choice.

A choice to walk even when your back hurts
A choice to forego cake and eat lettuce
A choice to walk instead of watch tv
A choice to stand instead of sit

Perhaps overweight immobility is inevitable in my future too

But not today
and not with my help.

If I can stave it off another 20 years or so..... until I'm in my 80s or later..... by eating vegetables and taking walks

I'm in!

I WANT the power to choose.  I WANT to control my own destiny.  Through mundane daily choices.

I choose to fight my fears and my pain... and keep moving.

I have a lot of ADVENTURES ahead.....

Who Do I Want to Be?

At my stage of life... I feel like I am on the cusp of so many things....

But yesterday a health situation knocked me in the head...

I will preface this by saying that I am in good health.

Cholesterol and blood pressure slightly elevated but the good numbers in there are also elevated.. so time to work on diet a little.

But I see my peers... and there are two distinct camps at my age.....

those that are still physically able

and those that are not.

Barring specific illness or injury [my own situation]....  I feel strongly I am on the cusp of a decision....

Just as heart disease and diabetes and more are clearly most often diseases of lifestyle... I am feeling that much of 'old age' is the same.

I can succumb to the daily aches and pains and stop moving [and stay that way]
Or I can keep moving at my pace - and a little harder - and be strong for years.

Who do I want to be?

The little old lady jumping from a plane at 70 to skydive?
Or
The little old lady humped over who can barely move her body from one place to another ?

Ummm.....  yes.....  I will make the DAILY choice to grow up to be the skydiver.

****

What I keep remembering is when I used to hear that I shouldn't cross my eyes because they might freeze that way... did you hear that?

Of course that doesn't happen.

But I am more and more convicted that if I don't move my limbs... in all directions and often...

they will in fact freeze that way....

and, while that may indeed happen to me,

I refuse to allow it to happen BECAUSE I made the choice NOT to MOVE.