Home Again

Tomorrow, with Z's help, I hope to fix whatever the setting is that is not allowing my pictures to download onto my computer.  I am able to pull some from my phone, but I took quite a few photos and it is difficult to sort through them on the phone.  So my apologies, reader, that I have not posted many pictures from my trip to Texas yet. 

This last week I have not slept as much as I probably should have.  Today was an early morning and flight and I have been falling asleep off and on since getting home.  I unpacked and took a brief nap, laundry and a brief nap, dishes and a brief nap.  Needless to day I am looking forward to a full night's sleep in my own bed.  Unfortunately, home and Texas are far apart and it will be a while before I get to see C, E, and friends again. 

While I was away K, Z, and Gideon have been busy packing up the house to move.  I have a bunch to do if I am to catch up and get my things packed up too.  I got hugs from both my kids, my son-in-law, and my grandson-that is my happy for today.

Pictures of the sunrise, scenery, and clouds from my flight.

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Last Day in Texas

This was my last day with C and E.  We got to spend time today seeing Austin.  My Texas friend joined us.  We toured the library and then walked along the lake there for a bit.  It was a nice, low key way to finish off the week.  Because I want to spend time with my youngest before getting on a plane in the early hours tomorrow, I am not going to add pictures from earlier in the week today. Instead I am adding just a few from today.  It is February and there are flowers in bloom and trees starting to bud in Austin.  This will lead to a huge shock when I land in Massachusetts tomorrow.  My happy is this early spring I have been able to witness this week with C, E and others here in Texas.

From atop the Austin Public Library

From the walkways along the lake. 

Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue 

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Down Day

This is the day we rested.  Things that were in the car came out and we hung around the house and played Minecraft.  Just chilling is my happy for the day.


Here is the first group of pictures from Monday, on the road and up to the campsite.

Pre-dawn 

Starting to see the mountains.

Entering the park. 

This is from the Peaklens app.  I have no idea how accurarte it is. 

Views like this is part of why we did this.

Mexican jays 

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Mountain Time Zone

Last night we decided to head west instead of home.  So today we drove to New Mexico and visited Carlsbad Caverns.   Both my children were very young the only other time I visited here. 

We did our best to take our time walking through.  There will be so many pictures to share when I get to my computer.  The formation that is sticking out in my memory now is one that looked like two gnomes holding their baby.  I didn't use the flash at all and for the most part I like the results

We all have sore and achey muscles. It has been a busy few days.  We are headed back to C and E's place.  Driving through most of the night.   Playing the Alphabet Game and Association Games on the drive to help stay awake and the caves are my happy things for today.

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Big Bend Down, Down

For Tuesday, February 25th...  There was very little sleep in the tent.   It became cold.   It wasn't supposed to be as cold as it seemed.   For me, I slept really well until I woke up shivering uncontrollably.   I would readjust, breathe deep, try to settle my body and fall back to sleep.   Then wake up a little later and do the same thing, multiple times.  It made for a long night.   My sleeping bag and liner should have kept me warm as it wasn't below freezing. 

In the morning we took our time around camp and decided to break down and head back down instead of all the hiking we had hoped for.  The temperature was supposed to drop to the upper 20's.  This meant we would have another rough night and it could be dangerous.   I'm disappointed that we weren't able to do more of the things by the top, but it was the right choice.

While in camp, a deer came by.  I think I got some good photos,  but none to post again today.   Going down was so much easier than up.  This time E and Four went ahead and C and I followed behind.   We were both feeling the pain a little more than the others.  At one point on the way down, our two groups were on opposite sides of a canyon? Valley?  Ravine... and E started singing.   It was far away and beautiful.   I tried to record some of it, but it is hard to hear.

We lingered at the bottom for a bit before packing the car.   We decided that we wanted to go to see the Rio Grande, so we did.  We found a place near the Rio Grande camping area and stuck our toes in.  The sun was setting over the hills at this point and the wind was picking up.  On the way back to the car,  a javelina crossed our path.  No time to snap a photo.  We did some more driving around and looking at the sites.   As night fell the crescent moon and Venus shone first.

We saw a rabbit,  mouse,  coyote,  and possibly some gray foxes.  The fox were a bit far away so we aren't sure.  Although it may have been cool to see bear or a mountain lion from a distance,  I'm okay with not.

My happy for today is getting down safely and especially seeing the Rio Grande.  Our adventures aren't over.   We found a hotel for this night and have new plans for tomorrow.   There are freeze warnings, so we made a good choice.

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Big Bend Up, Up.

On Monday, February 24th we made it to Big Bend National Park.  It was an all night drive and we were all a bit tired.  We took our time, visiting the visitor's center and making sure we had what we needed.  Then came the hike, with very full backpacks, up the four plus miles to our campsite.  It was a long, long, beautiful hike.  I think it took E and I a little over five hours to get there.  C and Four went on ahead and had the tent set up and were resting when we joined them.

This desert area is colorful.  Some of the colors in the rocks alone were rust, black, tan, grey, yellow, oranges, and purple.  There were so very many cacti.  As we climbed there were more and more trees.  Some were brown with the dead leaves still holding on, some green and some had some kind of green plant growing on them.  With the trees came birds.  The Mexican Jay was what we saw most.  They liked warning the rest of the wood to our presence.  E liked calling to them. 

I needed so very many breaks on the way up.   There wasn't enough pre exercise leading up to this.  But we made it!! As the sun got lower, so did the temperatures.  We were all tired so stayed up until after the sunset and stars came out, then to bed. 

Happy things for this day include all the beauty, E singing, the birds, and all the stars.  There were many things.  Despite the aches and pains of hiking with a heavy pack, it was a great day.


Pictures will be added later, I'm still without easy internet.

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Texas Day 2-On the Road

The day was spent doing prep and shopping.   Hopefully we have what we need to go backpacking in the desert mountains of Texas for two nights.  The purchases made it so I should have the majority of what I need to backpack near home too.  We each have ten liters of water which is making for very heavy packs.  This is how much we should have for two and a half days.   Only time will tell if this is too much or too little and will depend on the weather.   This is the current forecast:

We will be driving all night to get there in the morning.  The site is about three and a half mile hike after we check in.  With the packs I am estimating that to take us four hours.  I hope that is conservative and we make it in two.

We are all newbies at this.  Or at least not seasoned.  There are four of us going.  We decided on one tent to share and split that up between the packs.  E and I ended up buying the same backpacks.  C has one climbing Mount Washington a little over five years ago.  For the purposes of the blog I will call the fourth person 4.  They have a large daypack that they were able to fit a bunch of stuff into.   I feel we have a little too much for the cook kit, but I don't think I will be doing the cooking.

Well, I fear I am rambling and should be sleeping.   My happy for the day is getting to spend time with these people that I love and care about.  Some other happy things are; my new backpack and other supplies, the generosity of friends, flowers, I'm feeling better, sewing my hair, and dancing.

Oh, and after tomorrow I'm not sure what I will have for cell coverage. 

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Texas! Day One

It  has been a long day of travel.  This afternoon I got hugs from my youngest.  I thought it had been over a year, but he visited briefly last summer, I was thinking that was two summers ago.  Time flies in circles the older I get.  We had a nice day of planning, I met new people, and got to see friends from Texas.  At this point my two hours of sleep from last night and limited nap on a turbulent flight have taking their toll and I need sleep.  Tomorrow we will do more packing, planning, purchasing, and then depart for Big Bend National Park.  The plan is to take turns driving tomorrow night to be there Monday morning.  

Today's happy is this precious time with my family and friends in Texas.

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Anticipation

In less than two hours my alarm will go off to wake me up to get ready to leave for the airport.  I'm not as ready as I would like to be.  This may mean making more purchases than I wanted to when I get there.  I'm kind of okay with that now.  I just want some sleep before we leave.

So here are a few happy things for today:

• At least some of my shorts still fit.
• My family loves me enough to wake up before dawn to take me an hour or so to the airport.
• There was an assembly today with Northeast Passage.  I didn't get to participate this year, just observe, but everyone had a great time playing while in a wheelchair.
• After the local SCA meeting today a bunch of us went out for dinner and ice cream.
• It is vscation time@

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Soon

Yesterday's Arden braid didn't make the 'okay for work' acceptability test this morning.  That's okay, it would have made the 'okay to hike' test.  I need to work on making it tighter.  I have other ideas as well.  It will no longer be an Arden braid at that point, just braids I sew to my head.  😊

When I got home from work today I took a nap.  I'm sure I needed it, but I am down to the wire for packing.  I did sort through and organize some things.  There is really so much to do and I am overwhelmed by it all.  Tomorrow all the things will get done and I will be prepared to fly on Saturday morning.

There is a class at school that is chaotic.  It is a music class where the students form small groups and learn to play things in different parts of the same big area.  So there are keyboards, xylophones, drums, and other loud instruments all being played to a different tune and beat at the same time.  I'm not sure if there is a word stronger than cacophony for the noise during this class.  Somehow, the students are able to focus in and hear what the other two or three people in their group are playing and practice.  Amazingly enough, my brain tries to shut down and go to sleep.  Anyhow, today they tested on the pieces they've been working on.  I know that they were able to focus in and practice even with the noise because when they had to perform for the teacher, and the rest of a quiet class, and they did awesome.  That is my happy for today. 

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Selfcare

On Saturday I am flying to Texas.  Since I am still coughing and my voice isn't up to par yet I took a sick day and got some more sleep this morning.  K and I made elderberry syrup to help boost our immunity.   It came out okay.  Remembering to take it is the next step.

Since I had some time, I decided to put my hair up again.  I seemed to come out alright.  At the chiropractor today, the doctor had questions about how I did it.  I had forgotten that he did his daughter's hair.  In hindsight, I should have told him the link I used for it.   He would pause in my spinal manipulations to look at the braids and then ask a question about it.  I imagine him studying it as I lay on the table, moving my head to the right, crack, 'two braids, what kind of needle did you use?' moving my head to the left, crack.  'A blunt needle.'  Hahaha!  This hair conversation is my happy for today. 

It still needs work...

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I should be packing

After a conversation with C today I am even more excited about the trip to Texas.  Funny thing though, there still are little to no plans for the trip to Big Bend.  We are going, but the specifics we seem to be leaving somewhat up to chance.  C has some friends that are there now.  There will be some communication with them to help with planning.  One of the things that I have learned from my recent research is that the limited availability can mean all plans could be changed by the rangers on site. I have tomorrow and Thursday to pack, plan, and decide what else I may need to purchase.  Friday there is a meeting and I leave very early on Saturday morning. 

Happy things for today are:

• My work evaluation was today and it was good
• We watched a few episodes of "The Mandalorian" tonight
• I'll be in Texas in FOUR days!

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"Always Be A Part"

Back on February 6th, I posted about an afternoon training where I lightened things up a bit by joking about being "burned" by the sun.  This led to a conversation about the sunrise on the way to work and how beautiful they are with someone who also drives into the sunrise every morning.  I admit this conversation might have been a bit animated for my part.  Any how, today they asked me if I saw the sunrise this morning.  They let me know that they think of me now when they see the sun driving to work.  I was with a student and not able to follow thru with this conversation.   That comment pretty much made my day though, and is my happy for the day.   I don't expect this to be a lasting-for-the-rest-of-their-life type memory, but it is one that seems to bring them a little joy, for now.  Isn't making joyful memories what life is all about?

A Billy Joel song.

🌄🌞🌇☮🌄🌞🌇

Sunday Funday

Rather than going out to the scribal day practice that I had planned to do, we stayed home.  I got some laundry done and kept my occasional coughs and sneezes to myself.  So Gideon and I watched stuff on YouTube, Disney+, and played Minecraft with E, C, and others in Texas. 

My happy thing for today is when K and Z came home.  It wasn't that Gideon and I were having a bad time or that there were any problems, it was that they were so happy to see Gideon and how much they missed him.  It was touching.  They had a great weekend away, but were ready to be home and spend time as a family. 

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Short Saturday Post

When I was asked to watch Gideon this weekend I had hoped to do something special with him.  Something like go to the Museum of Science or on a hike somewhere if the weather was good.  It ended up that I had a meeting to go to today and another thing tomorrow that we may go to, so no special things.  We did go out to dinner with some friends tonight and tried mall walking.  Gideon wasn't too crazy about walking the mall just for a step count though. 

Lunch with friends and then playing Minecraft tonight with friends and family are my happy things for today.   Also, I found a YouTube video about hiking in Big Bend that I enjoyed.

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Posted after midnight.  {yawn}

Happy Valentine's Day

It had been many years since I went to a funeral at a Catholic church.  I don't have a vivid memory at all of one; perhaps I was too young or only went to the calling hours.  Any how, the incense at Aunt Winnie's funeral took me by surprise.  I only had one coughing problem during the ceremony and I had no problems with the reading I did.  K woke up this morning with no voice.  The joke is that she loaned it to me for the service.

My happy things list:

• Visiting with family
• Finding the things I needed at the storage unit quickly
• My friend bought me elderberries to make into syrup and they arrived today
• I bought a sleeping bag to take backpacking!
• Playing Minecraft with Gideon and friends.
• I tried Mochi ice cream for the first time

 Siblings

The Rosetta Nebula for Valentine's Day!

💘💓💗💖💝💟💕☮💕💟💝💖💗💓💘

Family

Tonight I got to visit with family at the wake for my aunt.  Visiting with family is always good.  The reasons for the visit, not so good.  K and I were there for most of the evening.  Gideon and Z got there toward the very end.  I'm sure he had lots of questions for his parents when they left.  He may have more over the weekend.  I should mentally prepare myself for that since they are going away.

The verse I am reading tomorrow is a bit of a tongue twister.  Reading it slowly will be the key to my not stumbling over the words.  I was told that if I have a problem, the priest will take over.  And suddenly there are voices in my head from people who have passed telling me that I'll do fine.  I hope they are still there in my head while I am doing the reading.  My own personal cheering squad.  😉

My happy things for today are visiting with relatives and looking at old family pictures.  Genetics are a cool thing.  Looking at two people of differing ages and seeing a slight resemblance and then looking at same two people in photographs when they were of a similar age and suddenly they are like twins is a cool to me.

Cousins-once removed

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Hair

After work I avoided packing by doing things to my hair.  Well, I started going through things to sort and pack, found a needle that I thought might work well, and then played with my hair.  I tried to do the Arden Braid, the second shown on this video.  It came out okay.  Not too bad for a first attempt.  If I am able to drag myself out of bed in the morning I may try to do it with wet hair for work.  It took about a half hour I think.  It could take me that long to get it out in the morning!  I had my hair as in the first part of that video this morning, until gravity untied it.  Perhaps I'll try the third one someday too.

After that all I did was dinner and exchequer stuff.  I hope that future me pays more attention to the organizing part of my email box going forward.  Holding two positions, Baroness and Regional Exchequer, that all go to the same inbox without sorting them through once I have read them is a bad idea going forward.  Theoretically there are at least a dozen different categories that the Exchequer email can be sorted. 

I have been asked to do one of the readings for my Aunt Winnie's funeral.  I am honored to have been included in this.  My momentary panic subsided when I remembered how much I speak in public as Baroness.  I'm worried I may cry, but as long as I am understandable, it'll be fine.  That said, I've started a cough and cold and better not lose my voice. 

One of my happy things for today is a question that Gideon asked.  It went something like this: So Grammie, I have been meaning to ask you about this exchequer thing... what part of the X needs checking? 
My response was to impart to him how important the diagonal lines are and especially the center where they meet, must be just right. 

The other happy thing for today is my hair.  I have had long hair almost my entire life.  Why?  Because I can do things with it.  Funny thing is, I never learned to do many things with it.  I can braid it and a few other little things, but sewing it to my head in the Arden Braid is pretty awesome.  Many thanks to the wonderful gentle who did my hair at Birka and at April Revel last year.  They opened a new world to me.  Someone else did an awesome job with my hair last Birka, these skilled people are wonderful to have in my life.

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Voting Day

When there is a voting day, the school generally closes so the gym can be used for the voters.  The employees get a professional development day.  In the morning I learned about behavior management.  The afternoon was for fun.  Okay, they called it fun.  Most of it was team building skills presented in a fun way.  The day ended with an ice cream party complete with a live band.  Some teachers made up the band.  They did a really good job.  The ice cream was good, too!

After work I did the mad internet search so I could choose who to vote for in the NH Primary.  I am always disappointed with the amount of easy to interpret information.  I want a chart, that lists all the people running, key issues and where they stand on these issues.  This chart should have links to more detailed information so once the playing field is narrowed a bit, more research can be done.  Then an informed choice is hopefully made.  There was a site I found eventually that asked questions and then matched me up with people.  Since the results seemed close to what I was thinking, I then did more research to come to a decision.  I'd post the link, but the polls will be closed by the time I post this.  But then again, this could be useful for people out of state or four years from now:  quiz. 

My happy things for today are: that I made it out to vote, I helped make dinner, I got to visit with co-workers that I don't always see, and I sorted through most of a box today.        


My Aunt Winnie.

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