Where Have I Been?

It's been ten days since my last post, when I questioned whether or not I should continue this blog. I did get some encouraging responses, which made my heart glad. But my absence of ten days has little to do with the decision-making and more to do with the way life just grabs ahold of one's time and discourages one from sticking to routines.

So what the hell have I been doing for ten days? Or perhaps the question is what has life thrown in my orbit to distract me from this need to write?

For one thing, I had some company for a couple of days. There is nothing quite like reconnecting with old friends (and, yes, "old" has two meanings here). Dear friends whose connection with me dates back to the 70s were here to make me laugh, poke my memory, and just ease me into that comfort zone that only old friends can know. While we amused ourselves with visits to the ocean, a bird sanctuary (where we also got to see FOUR alligators and two iguanas!), a yacht cruise (complete with our signature drink, the Bloody Mary), a couple of happy hours, and a lot of trump-trashing, we also spent quite a bit of time traveling down memory lane, where we found ourselves peeing in the parking lot of Shea Stadium, swatting giant mosquitos in the Grand Tetons, and reclaiming our inner hippie at the corner of Haight and Ashbury. I began missing these dear companions the moment they left.

I dreamed that I got caught in a tsunami. You know those dreams when you simply cannot run, walk, or even move? It was one of those. I could see the waters rushing toward me, I could hear myself yelling to my son to get out of the way, and yet, I could not move. For whatever reason, the water stopped about five feet from where I was immobilized and turned into some kind of infinity pool. What the hell does this mean?

I employed some long-ignored culinary skills, creating breakfast nachos, perfecting the art of baking wild salmon, and revisiting my world-famous banana bread. (Why is it that the man I love is allergic to bananas, coconut, and walnuts, the key ingredients in my banana bread? My love could kill him.)

And speaking of the man I love, we have been working our way through Jonathan Weiner's The Beak of the Finch in preparation for a trip to the Galapagos Islands in a few months. The book, as well as the theory behind it, is challenging, but we are learning a thing or two about Darwinism. I find myself looking at birds differently now as a result. The wood storks at the bird sanctuary, the ibis in my front yard, the herons and egrets that fly overhead . . . in what ways have they evolved over time? It's fascinating stuff.

I have enhanced my living space with a variety of air plants placed here and there, marveling at their survival skills. I have planted the tiny garden on my balcony, visions of fresh organic lettuces dancing in my future. I will be visiting a renowned orchid nursery with a dear friend soon, eager for the opportunity to gaze at these beauties in my own home. How amazing to be able to surround oneself with living and growing specimens! Green has always been my favorite color.

And lastly, I have been pondering prayer. There's too much in my head to expose here, but perhaps a future post will tackle the myriad thoughts that have amused and befuddled me in regard to this simple human habit.

So I've been busy. And it's all good. I've been encouraged enough from readers' comments as well as from daily experiences and contemplations to not abandon this blog. I will try not to disappoint you as I continue my ramblings.

And thanks for visiting. Come back soon, ya hear?