“What if nothing exists and we’re all in somebody’s dream?”

– Woody Allen

I suppose when anyone takes on an adventure that most consider a bit out-of-the ordinary, the inevitable questions arise, such as how does one even begin to figure out the logistics and what’s in the pack, Jack?

Why?  We get asked that a lot.  Why would we want to walk 500 miles across Spain following the Camino de Santiago?  In truth, we really don’t have an answer.  It kinda beats the hell out of us why we’re taking this on.

“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

I wonder if there’s a 12-step program for planning addiction.  Hi, my name is Patti.  I’m a planner.  Always have been, always will be. I like the challenge of planning, stretching my organizational skills to the max and putting together all the pieces of the puzzle.

For whatever reason I just couldn’t hit that “book it” button.  I’d somehow managed to check off the rest of the key nights, you know the ones – gotta be there the night before the flight – nights.

The Voice of Resistance

A recent conversation, on a recent winter’s morning, sounded a little like this.   Mine is the voice of resistance.

“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”  Paulo Coelho

A new year, a new time zone, a new way of living… it’s time to move forward, decisions to be made, parts of the world to be seen.  We’re less than two months away from once again hitting the road.  I am full of eager anticipation and angst, but more than anything I am ready.  Well, almost.

“The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.”  Alfred Hitchcock

With conveniences such as Redbox, Netflix and microwave popcorn, it’s kind of hard to justify paying $20 for two people to see a movie in the theater.  Don’t you think?  But every now and then a movie will be released that just calls me to the theater.

December.  It rolls around every eleven months without fail. Whether we like it or not. I like it.  And while fall will always be my absolute favorite time of year, fall leads the way to the spirit of the holiday season, which is a good thing – in my book. Christmas trees, twinkling lights, holiday window displays, gingerbread, snow angels and nostalgic memories of Christmas long ago, all come alive in December.

It’s 38 degrees outside and I’m thinking, “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”  So, of course I just have to listen to the song.  You know, “Baby It’s Cold Outside!”   Number 1, because it’s cold, foggy and rainy outside while I’m toasty warm inside, and number 2, well, because it’s just a good song for this time of the year.

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going
too fast–you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.”  –  Eddie Cantor

I think I may need to add #11 to my 10-step program to retirement – or whatever major life change that applies – and that is, give yourself permission to be tired.