Friday, July 12, 2013

A trip down memory lane...

I am packing up to take a big trip down memory lane. 

I am about to attend my high school class reunion. 

 I won't tell you what year it is, but let's just say it's a big one, a significant number. At least enough years have passed by that the attending guests will probably only vaguely resemble their high school selves, me included! And this isn't necessarily a good thing! 

How did you envision yourself a couple of decades after school? Were you married, were you traveling the world? Had you conquered some of your milestones, or had you just realized you should have goals and milestones to achieve? 

I've thought about this a lot in the months leading up to this weekend. Who am I really? Do I resemble the person I hoped I'd become? I think the answer is yes in so many ways, but I also know that I have oh so far to go. It is a great test to look back at the past years and see the accomplishments or lack thereof and take stock of my life. 

 Or I guess I could go into the reunion as simply a great opportunity to reconnect with some people I haven't seen in far too long and have a fun, wonderful evening. I'll just have to see how the night goes! So I'm dusting off my yearbook, trying to memorize names and faces and forging forward to see a glimmer of my young self and all those others who were so important in helping to shape the person I am today.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Gone fishin'

Well, we are about at the mid point in our journey through summer. 

 Are you getting out and staying active? Have you eaten your fill of farm-fresh strawberries? 

 Or are you like me and wondering where the time has gone and why this season has to fly by in a blink when other, colder seasons seem to drag on forever?

I have checked a few goals off my list, including going fly fishing for the first time in more than ten years! We live in an area blessed with spectacular places to explore and try to catch a beautiful trout or two! Within 30 minutes of leaving our home, we were standing in the middle of stream, surrounded by bluffs and the peace of being in the middle of nature, alone with nothing but our thoughts and a fly rod! It didn't even dampen my spirits to walk away without a fish. I felt fulfilled enough just to have started my day off this way. 

I've often said this area is what you make of it. There is no shortage of actives to try out. We have the beautiful Mississippi right out our doorstep, and the lush streams that feed it just over the bluffs. So go grab a pint of fresh-picked berries, grab a friend and try to hook into a new hobby! Or maybe you are a master fly fisherman or woman? Teach this beautiful sport to someone new. But don't wait too long, summer is halfway over!