Middle of August 2011

Here we are in the middle of August and the summer here in Kalispell is starting to diminish, hints of fall are beginning to appear. It seems very odd that the leaves are beginning to show hints of red & yellow and yet the crabapples have not matured yet. We had a very late and wet spring this year so it looks like many things won't ripen before the cold of winter sneaks in. The color of the sky is also changing daily, closer to the bright blue of September.

I really don't mind because I know for certain that God has a plan for everything and that HE is in full control of how and when those things occur. HE has shown great mercy on us this summer and we were NOT part of that intense "Heat Dome" that so many others have suffered through this summer. Our weather here in Kalispell has been fantastic.

As Fall does approach, the kids are returning to school... Teach your children to be kind to each other, smile and say hello to ALL the other kids no matter what they may look like on the outside, they may be scared or very lonely on the inside. Maybe they aren't the prettiest, most fashionable or from the "better side of the tracks" ~ They still have feelings and can still be a great friend if given a chance. Help STOP the bullying by teaching our kids that it's okay to be different ~ Remember that "Jesus loves ALL the children in the world" (Sunday school song). If I offended any non-christian's I apologize for the offense to you, but I AM CHRISTIAN and will never apologize for that fact, get over it.

My summer has been one heck of an emotional rollercoaster but like the amusement park ride, it will eventually come to an end and everything will resume to "normalcy" again. Life is good, full of many blessings every single day - look for them, embrace them and be thankful for each moment of life. We must all learn to quit whining about what we don't have and be grateful for all that we do have: Family, Friends & Love from many different directions...

I have been doing a lot of photography which can be found on my FaceBook page where I also have a "Fan Page" for many of my photo albums - drop by and have a peek! All my photo's are available for sale as prints: to grace your home or give as a gift. I'm also making a 2012 Calendar and am taking reservations now for however many copies you want. The theme will be "Water & Stone" and are only $25 each. They will be available in early November. All Calanders will be on a "pre-paid" basis because of the very high cost of printing each one.

Until next week friends... Keep looking up, that's where all the answers come from.

Excitement Grows...

Hello from the snowy lands of Montana. As I sit here today, watching the snow continue to fall and make everything look enchanting, I dream about my upcomming adventure. The boxes are stacking up in my apartment in anticipation of being moved to the storage garage for a very long rest. The camping equipment waits for me to load in my little car. The sunny shores of the gulf call my name, and my camera is anxious to get this journey started. My childhood dreams are beginning to take on a new reality. I'm so excited to have this rare opportunity to make this dream come true.

What is dreaming really all about? I think it's the hearts desire to fulfill a niche that has been left empty. We all have a purpose in life and it is our job to find that purpose during the time we are given here on earth. For many it's being a parent, a lover, a poet or achieving something unusual. For others it's serving others, sharing knowledge, enhancing another persons existance in some positive way. For me it's the romance of adventure and then taking it one step further and sharing it with those I love. I am a very creative woman who lives each day to the absolute fullest extent possible. I thirst for excitement, love and laughter. These are all elements of my dreams. What's your dream? Do you long for something more?

As the time to start draws near, I feel the tingle and the passion that awaits me as I explore this great nation of ours. My internal dance of joy ignites and my dreams intensify. I hope that many of you that read this will stay tuned and follow along. It will be amazing!

Changing Seasons in Our Life

There comes a time in everyone's life when change is necessary. Knowing what to change, when to change and just how much to change is often difficult for most people. I too needed to make some serious changes in my own life as well as my life-style. I spoke earlier of a fantastic trip that my blind side-kick and I were planning... Well, we have been spiritually called to begin that journey now. Yes, you read that right - now, in the middle of winter! We decided to just take a giant leap of faith and answer that "call of the wild" so we are currently in progress to pack up our household belongings and put them all into long-term storage. Keep out our Tent, camping gear, a large suitcase a piece, my laptop computer, my camera gear, and Claudette's writing acoutroments ~ stuff them into my little economy car and hit the road!!! We will be tent camping across America for the next 12-18 months. The intent is to travel all 48 contiguous states, compose photo-essays, articles of interest, fabulous photo's and compile it all into a book or two. It will depict all the wonderful places in America that the average person seldom ever sees or hears about. It will also show that just because one has a bit of "snow on the roof" doesn't mean that seniors can't have fun adventures too. We intend to visit our friends and family along the way as time and locations allow. We will be setting up a special blog site so that all of our family & friends can follow along with us and be part of this phenominal experience. I hope to be better at keeping this blog updated more often too.
Some have called us "Brave" and others think we're a bit "Crazy" for taking such a huge assignment all alone and in a TENT. The purpose is not to prove anything to anyone but to challenge ourselves and to enjoy life to the very fullest extent possible in a very simple manner. We will get to experience a very basic and simple lifestyle and fulfill our dreams of traveling the U.S. of A. in a really unique way. Best of all, we can share our joy with so many other people.