I just about fell out of my car from laughing when I went through this town in Georgia today.
And I’m not sure where these were, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen statues like these.
NaBloPoMO
18
Oct 11
Between Home and Travel Again
Simba helped me pack this evening. Anytime I bring out the suitcase and open the top flap, he hops right in. I guess he wants to put enough fur into the suitcase so that I remember him. But I always remember my furbaby. When I travel I miss that round little head laying on my hand and using it for a pillow. I miss the softness of his fur. I miss the weight of him leaning up again my side while I read in bed and purring gently as I rub his neck or belly.
There’s something to be said about knowing he’s waiting for me to come home.
15
Oct 11
Between Midland and Carlsbad – Part 1
I had to some training in Carlsbad NM earlier this week. Since it didn’t cost anything to fly in a day early, and I had some money set aside for a travel adventure I decided it was time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It was a beautiful big sky day in west Texas when I set off on my adventure. I was excited for that part of the journey, and became even more so when I realized there was a lot of neat places to explore between the Midland International Airport and Carlsbad, New Mexico.
The first stop on the trip to Carlsbad was Monahans Sandhills State Park and Museum located just east of Monahans, Texas on I-10. The Monahans Sandhills extend from the New Mexico border to 200 miles south of the park. The state park itself is 3000 acres and features a nice museum and several examples of Chihuahaun Desert flora. Just a small portion of the park is developed. The rest of the park is left in its natural state. However, the rangers do not recommend that you leave the road because you’ll more than likely get stuck.
Some of the vegetation around the museum building:
There was a part of me that wanted to try sand sliding (thinking sledding on sand) but there was no one around to witness this feat and to take a picture of it. And honestly, there’s a part me that felt guilty about sledding down the dunes. I felt like doing that would be destructive.
Most of the dunes in the area are stablized with vegatation. It starts with flowers and small plants and as they get more established, you’ll see shrubs and grasses growing in the dune.
Flowers in the Dunes
The Dunes themselves are pretty amazing. This one is looking back towards the camping area. The dunes are as tall or taller than the shower facility.
And here’s a picture from the top of dune:
I left the state park and headed to Monahans for lunch. I found this fabulous sign for an abandoned motel on the way into Monahans.
I had lunch at Howard’s Drive-inn in Monahans. The burger was great and the crinkle cut fries hot and crispy.
24
May 11
I Am
Creative
Curious
Kooky
Intelligent
Motivated
A Writer
A Photographer
An Artist
A Woman
A Girlfriend
A Gardener
An Auntie.
23
May 11
Whilst Travelling
Although it might not have sounded like it in the last couple of posts, I do love to travel. When I travel, I have at least one book with me to read and a journal to capture my thoughts in.
The book of choice for this trip was The Artist in the Office: How to Creatively Survive and Thrive Seven Days a Week
One thing I like about the book is the “Try this” questions. Each question ties into the section before and makes you to think about your life not only as how you wish it to be, but how it currently is. You have to find your blessings and be centered where you are before you can take the steps forward. I used my journal to write down some of the things that sprung to mind while I answered some of the following questions:
- What does my job provide me with?
- How am I living my ideal life already?
- What are small steps that I can take every day to move even closer to my ideal life?
I still have more questions than answers, but I feel like getting out of my every day environment made me look at it and see that I am moving forward. And for that I am grateful.
22
May 11
Home is such a Good Place
I got home late Friday night and slept until 10ish Saturday. Then I mosied over to the garden to see what a week away had done. And there were tomatoes. Lots and lots of tomatoes.
So I spent a good hour and a half yesterday picking tomatoes and digging up some of the potatoes. And I got myself good and dehydrated, as well as good and overheated. The first sign I had screwed up was when I was driving around and started to get cramps in my feet. And then second sign was when I got the headache that wouldn’t quit. It took 6 doses of aspirin and several glasses of water before I was back to normal. I think it was somewhere around 4 this morning that the headache broke. It’s my own fault for working in the middle of the afternoon after being in a very dry environment.
But at the same time, even though I over did it, I’m happy. I sliced one red and one yellow tomato in the picture above, sprinkled it with a little salt and drizzled a bit of olive oil. Then I put a bit of basil over the top and had them for dinner last night. And I’ll be making lots of fresh salsa and gaucamole over the next few days as I’ve also got hot peppers from the garden as well.
I didn’t hit the garden until later today and it was a bit cooler as well as a little breezy. I got the rest of my potatoes dug as well as pulled all the onions out of the garden. I have free space now and am going to spend the next couple of days getting it ready for beans and squash. I’m getting back into my regularly scheduled groove and I’m loving it.
20
May 11
Looking forward to my Routine
This last few weeks have screwed my routine all up and it culminated with a trip for a work-related class.
Don’t get me wrong. I love to travel because I get to explore new places and see new things. However, this trip has sucked because of an erratic schedule and problems sleeping.
I’m looking forward to passing out in my own bed tonight, snuggled up with the cat and my sweetie. I’m looking foward to spending time in my garden this weekend and going back to my regular schedule next week.
18
May 11
The Past Few Days
I’ve been learning new stuff for my job (in a class all week) and taking some time in the evening to go out and check the sights and sounds of El Paso. I have lots of pictures I want to post when I get back home but I’m also looking forward to having some garden time. If I’m lucky, I should have lots of tomatoes that are ready to go when I get back. Plus I need to pull onions and dig potatoes.
If you remember a couple of weeks back I was talking about making the change to get enough sleep. That’s been kind of shot to heck the last week and a half. but I would be far worse off if I hadn’t spent the last month getting enough sleep. Tonight’s goal is to go to a work function and then come back to the hotel so I can get some shut eye. Because when I get back to Houston, it’s time to add exercise back into my daily life. I’ve been paying attention to how my body feels and how I react to exertion and I am not happy with what I am seeing.
13
May 11
Discipline
I’m struggling with discipline today. I should have been cleaning more of the day and working on a couple of personal projects. Instead, I dinked around on the computer and slept a lot.
If there is something you want, you have to have discipline to work towards your goal. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a work goal, a personal project, losing weight, or changing your appearance through exercise. Discipline is the key. It’s doing the work needed day in and day out until you achieve your goal.
Today I didn’t do the work I needed to. So I will spend tomorrow doing it and while I won’t reach my ultimate goal. I’ll be closer than I was at the end of today.
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