I promised I was not going to try to duplicate the professional travel books that have photos and information about visiting Iceland. Having said that, I do want to share some of the more awe inspiring and unique sights and experiences we had. Full disclosure: at the end is something that is probably not suitable for children. So, if there are any young children here that you don’t want to explain this to, time to turn the page and move on. Continue reading
One of the guesthouses we stayed at near Budir in western Iceland.
During our one week vacation in Iceland, we only stayed in an actual hotel once. That was on our first night in the country. While often spartan and always unique, we enjoyed the diversity of our bed and breakfast choices. We ate delicious food and drink everywhere, even in the most isolated places. By the end of our time we came to appreciate the ubiquitous cod and potato meal, and to yearn for Skyr, a yogurt like dairy product made from whey. Our trusty guide book pointed us to places where we could get a reliable meal in the most out of the way hamlets. Continue reading
Icelandic sheep hanging out by the side of the road.
Larry and I just returned from a one week vacation to Iceland. While we saw a lot and I took many photos, I want to start with a post about knitting. Why, you ask? I am an avid knitter — that was one of the draws to Iceland. Also, it’s that time of year when the days are getting shorter and the evenings have a crispness in the air that lends itself to all things wooly. On top of that, Rhinebeck is coming up next month, the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. I am in a knitting frame of mind. Continue reading
Look at that winning smile!
The past week or so has been jam packed. Larry and I went on a vacation — more on that later. My friend BJ came for a few days and we attended the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza at Oaks, PA. BJ is a master quilter and had entered one of her quilts in the Show. I felt very fortunate that I live close to Oaks so I got a nice visit with her. I went last year — without BJ — and did a post about it with a picture of her quilt with a ribbon. This year we went together, and, yes, another ribbon. I was not surprised because BJ is one good quilter. BJ retired a few years before I did and decided to pursue her love of fiber and become a professional quilter.
Those of you who have been following my blog know that I was in a car accident a few weeks ago. It’s actually more like four, but hey, who’s counting? The doctor says I had a concussion, even though I didn’t actually hit anything. Apparently my brains sloshed around inside my skull. I am much better now, but I still say and do things that are a bit off, and get really tired by about 5 PM. While I took the doctor’s guidance seriously, it’s been hard for me to do less, move less, and think less. I am not reading, except short news stories, and not exercising much. There are things I have to do: I have to water my plants, and answer emails, and keep up with projects and clients related to work. As for the rest of my normally productive, busy life, I’ve had to put it on hold. What happens when life slows down? Continue reading
One year ago I wrote my first blog post. At that time I was embarking on a new life in a new town. We had packed up the car with our two dogs, and left DC for Pennsylvania. How have I spent my first year outside the office? Well, let me tell you, it hasn’t been boring or mundane. The journey has begun.
Let me count the ways.
I gained a new appreciation for sitting quietly by my peaceful pond and do nothing.
I put in a backyard garden and understood how hard it was to successfully grow food to feed yourself and your family.
I realized that not only did I not miss getting up every day to dress for the office and embark on the morning commute, but I didn’t miss spending the day in the office and keeping the boss happy.
I cultivated an eye for wildlife all around me: Mallard ducks and woodpeckers, rabbits and deer and chipmunks and butterflies. I learned to be patient and wait for them to come out and show themselves.
I got back into the practice of cooking not because I had to but because I wanted to.
I lingered in local shops to get to know strangers who became friends. I let down my guard and learned that trust is easier than it seems.
I left the house without locking my door and didn’t think twice about it.
My blood pressure went down, way down and stayed low.
I stopped worrying about things that didn’t matter.
What about year two?
Now that I’ve taken a look back, what’s in store for me in the coming year? One of the things I started with at the beginning of the year was genealogy research. I started a project of finding out more about my family history just over a year ago. Then life got in the way, most importantly, both of my parents, who are elderly, began to decline and became more frail. We had to clear out their house to get it ready to sell. I found a few of my relatives and connected with my second cousin who live in New Jersey. My year two plan is to start the work of adding more leaves on the family tree and get it in a form that I can share with my relatives and for those who come behind me.
I want to write more, beyond the format of this blog.
My backyard garden project continues, with failures and successes. Before the season ends I need to map my garden on paper and catalogue what worked and what didn’t. Over the winter I will begin the task of planning the garden in a more scientific way, putting planting dates on the calendar, starting seeds indoors, and investigating ways to prevent pests from destroying my zucchini and eggplants.
We have travel plans in the next twelve months and beyond. I will be blogging about that.
I want to try at least three new things. Stay tuned! No, I will not be jumping out of an airplane or bungee jumping. I will be planting fruit trees, spending more time outdoors, and getting creative.
Want to join me? What new things do you want to try?
Explorations In Place 