Hey Mom!

Sometimes traditional modes of communication fail, and therefore blog announcement may help. Hey mom, your new email address bounced on me, and my phones are out of order! Just wanted to let you know! Love, your daughter.

Key West blogging

One of the most interesting things I've discovered about being on my own again is that I talk to strangers now. When I was part of a couple, there was a lot of "it's you and me against the world" going on. It's understandable that when you are traveling with someone you love, you share your observations with that one person. There is less need to converse with those who are simply walking by.

Now I'm by myself. It's me IN the world. And vacations are a different kind of relaxation now.

I was quite shy 20 years ago. I expect my various jobs have had a lot to do with me coming out of my shell. When I was single back in my 20s, I used to envision myself as an observer hiding in the forest, looking in at the ring of light around a fire, where all the other people were. I didn't mind that existence. It fit the lone wolf image I cultivated at the time.

I'm not like that anymore--for better or for worse--and I've discovered there is a fantastic freedom in talking to people instead of just watching them. I supposed most people know this already.

So, okay, I'm a slow learner.



Most people in Key West are, of course, from somewhere else. I discovered a jewelry vendor/artist on a pier with his wares laid out before him (click photo to expand). He was dreadlocked, tanned, and originally hailed from Delaware. I bought two necklaces from him--one for myself, and one for my friend Nancy who has helped me through hell this past year. I could have purchased similar necklaces in a shop along Duval Street---or even in Ithaca for that matter. But they wouldn't have been strung in the sun on a pier with the wind blowing, and the cash wouldn't have been passed from the hand of the buyer to the hand of the artist.



Post note: LOOK AT THAT WATER SPARKLE. I swear, I'm going back every year.

Ready for spring

We are back to cold temperatures again, and for some reason, the house just won't get warm. I think it finally has reached that point where the ground, the foundation, the very walls have become saturated with cold and no measly human measures are going to keep up with it.

I retire to my den and the fireplace and wish for spring.

I have only two words for this photo....

Mark. Hofferbert.

Blah blah blah....

Perhaps I'll make a resolution that my posts will be no longer than 500 words. Sometimes I go back and read my own posts and roll my eyes and say "Susan, just shut UP already." :)

This is me, absolutely.

Fear of flying.

I like the last part where she gets a job that requires frequent travel, and mitigates her fear with drugs, alcohol, and meditation.

I am SO "there." I haven't gotten to the drugs part (although I'm considering a trip to a doctor to explore that option), and I've stopped the alcohol because the nasty little bottles of chardonnay onboard now cost $7. I now request a glass of plain ice. But breathing exercises and meditation, and being relieved to find an interesting seat partner...that's me, on every trip.

The things you find on Facebook....

I'm sure you'll need a hint. I'm the fourth from the right, standing, blue shirt with white turtleneck. So there, proof positive that I DID have black hair at one point in my life. :)

Click the photo to expand. That would be 1983, novice crew, Ithaca College.

The sun finally comes out

FINALLY we had a day that wasn't so cold it socked you in the face as soon as you walked out the door. I got some work done in the morning, zoomed into town to buy supplies and feed the Fast Food Ferals, zoomed home to clip the matts on my neighbor's cat's butt, and began to clean, clean, clean.



I did take a short walk to enjoy the day, because who knows if there will be another one.



I also logged into Facebook, which I only joined because someone "friended" me, and discovered about twenty other people had also "friended" me. So I am now a Facebook devotee. I have already chatted with two people I haven't seen in years. Crazy.