Back again

It's been a long time since I've written on this blog, but I thought I'd give it a try again.

Keith and I just returned from our Southern California/Vegas vacation. We spent a lot of time with his new family and it was a very worthwhile experience. We visited the beaches, went to family get-togethers, had fun at Universal Studios and Magic Mountain, enjoyed a night at the Magic Castle, walked in the shoes of stars in Hollywood, lost money in Las Vegas, played games at Dave and Buster's, watched surfers from the pier and lots more. Boy, am I tired.

Each day has become a blessing, not that it stops us from arguing about driving too fast, or feeling weary about bills and housework. But, we do share a closer connection this year -- aware of the close call we've had with Keith's cancer. However, there are many times when I yearn for more quiet time -- more peace so that we can reflect on our life together and enjoy our time without feeling so much pressure to do things.

California has its beauty -- the ocean with mountains that drape down to the beaches, the houses balanced along the sides of cliffs, the roses blooming along the roadways. But I missed the green we take for granted here. The desert holds little interest for me -- with the possible exception of when we drove through a dust devil (mini dust tornado), that was pretty cool. There are few trees that have not been planted by someone. The skies are rarely clear as a hazy smog envelopes the valley and the surrounding hills. The ground is dry and brown, dotted with dusty shrubs. The houses spread across the landscape like a virus -- there is seemingly no end until you reach an area such as Death Valley. The traffic is everywhere -- gridlock a daily part of life -- highways that stretch ten or more lanes, and yet it still seems to take forever to get anywhere.

I hope we don't fall into the same pattern here. What a shame that would be. It seems that we are on our way to falling into that same trap here in Central Florida -- with the endless building of condos and houses and timeshares with little regard for how we will impact our quality of life down the line. Life becomes as dry as the landscape when we strip the natural world from our lives.

I'm going to the country for a few weeks in Maryland to visit with my oldest daughter and her family. I think I will take some time while there to walk in the woods, splash in a cold running stream, pick some wildflowers, and enjoy some quiet time with a book. And, of course, play with my wonderful grandchildren. As much as I love a great roller coaster, or a magic act or a casino -- I crave that quiet reflection time.

Keith and I developed some wonderful family relationships in Southern California. Along the way I think we also developed a greater appreciation for our home here -- with it's huge oak trees and crazy vines, with it's summer thunderstorms and warm ocean water. Even I-4 doesn't seem so bad anymore. Hard to believe.