Holiday Maneuvers
Off we went for a planned getaway to Florida with only each other. We left for
the airport leaving behind our slow moving ancient Dad, the wiggling happy pup
left with friends, and socially demanding friends and family. A great sigh of
relief came from both of us as we sat in our plane seats.
Florida has warm weather in December. Of course most everyone knows that. But
we seek more than the warm, we seek the buzz of Festivities at our own leisure
and pace. Everywhere you go in Mickey Mouse Orlando you will hear and see
Christmas music choreographed with fountains of high dancing waters, each meal
a fine dining treat of our choice, served to us, and no dishes to clear, and
more festivities than a soul can comfortably tolerate. Orlando, never short of
a daily parade or fireworks, the lights and sounds intent to clear the grinch
within the moment you walk off the plane and settle in to your home away from
home.
The newest travel joys were all our modern gadgets: the FitBit, Garmin, WIFI,
and DSLR cameras which allow you to take tons of photos and not pay a penny for
the failures, as some might recall. No development and processing film, just
hours of editing. Is Kodak still in business? Just think of all the money
they've lost since the age of expensive film development went nearly extinct.
Same thing with AT&T and the telephone call charge rip-offs by hotels of days
gone by, replaced by wifi. And the losses the hard paper map companies had
with the invention of Garmin and the like. Hah! Makes me wonder what new
invention will end a greedy industry.
Mark's FitBit goaded him to walk another 2,000 steps (what a nag!), Garmin
helped us find every nook and cranny we sought after, and hotel wifi kept us in
touch with family at will. Now with the dslr camera I'll be editing for a long
time once we return, but odds are we will get the perfect shot within those
extra 50-1000 or so. Modern "stuff" surely does make life on the road so much
easier.
If you plan to fly, buy yourselves a wonderful new product called First Defense
Nasal Screens:
http://www.amazon.com/First-Defense-Nasal-Screens-7-Sets/dp/B004KQF9QA/ref=sr_1_2/185-1615389-4520524?ie=UTF8&qid=1450898857&sr=8-2&keywords=first+defense+nasal+screen
Sneezing, coughing, draining humans abound and these screens have a good chance
of protecting you from all that flying DNA, and attending diseases.
Crowds, no matter how cheerful the crowds, are tedious to me.
My personal vision of a perfect holiday would be a sparsely peopled place, warm
weather with sun and sea, and a completely unplanned agenda.
But more importantly, I enjoy Mark being happy. I can attain peace and such
almost all year long via my studio, while he must deal with human chaos and the
insanity of Corporate life. So this vacation is more for Mark than me.
He loves all things bright and cheery, fireworks and giggling children, Santa
elves on stilts, parades and all things Mickey. My joy comes from watching the
smile on his face, after weeks of watching him herd cats at work and struggle
with corporate nonsense. Here, in Florida, he can be relaxed and happy, sans
"cats".
After a week of Orlando we returned and had a few days home before taking off
for New Jersey with Dad and Miss Minnie, (aka Miss Happy, our year-old standard
poodle) in a fully packed van to visit our adult children, the Grandkids and
have them meet their Great Grandfather (95). During interim back here in NC I
baked 20 dozen cookies, wrapped gifts, packed us and we were off again.
Delighted to see the grandy girls treat their G.Grandfather to some homemade
songs, art, and a skit with costumes. He was so happy to meet these cute little
ones he'd heard so much about. My stoic Father was struck to tears of happiness
with all the hugs and music just for him. What a happy trip, with only a couple
family flaps. :)
Back home again now, I have had time to catch up reading notes from the List.
Joyous Solstice, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, and Happy Birthday to
those oft slighted by all the other forced merriment at this time of year. Just
a few more mandatory events and we have smooth sailing until Valentine's Day.
May the chickens enjoy some fruitcake, and vacation breaks for others remain
safe and regenerative. Wellness to all!
Sherrie the lion and chicken painter recuperating from hollerdays in
Wake Forest, North Carolina
http://www.siennamuseum.com
"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of
the world." --John Muir
Sent from my iPad
