October Begins!

I'm not much of a blogger but just feel the need to get some thoughts out of my head and onto a page. Like so many, I have become a bit of a hermit during this pandemic I have lately ventured out to visit with girlfriends enjoying outdoor dining and catching up and have been re-energized by those friendships and I hope this time will serve me well as winter approaches and I begin hibernation again.

What a different world I live in now. Last fall I enjoyed a month's long vacation in Europe traveling the Baltic with Viking and then going off on my own by train throughout Norway, then traveling through Belgium for a couple of days before finishing my tour in Scotland. That trip has been such a source of joy during these crazy times and I am so thankful that I had that trip to get me through this year of isolation. We also traveled for a family vacation with our children and grands to Chicago for Christmas break. Little did I know that would be the last time I would get to physically be with them for more than a year.

This summer I indulged my mind and body by completely replanting everything in our landscape. I look forward to next spring and summer when my English Gardens will begin to brighten my and my neighbor's lives. We all need to find joy in any way possible these days, especially those of us at a certain age. We live in a retirement community and many of my neighbors have been almost shut-in, so a new garden to watch grow has been some excitement for all of us.

I guess what I want to remind myself is how privileged I am; how lucky I am even though I am currently sidelined by this pandemic that I have a warm home, good friends, great neighbors, nourishment, and little worry. So many have lost family and loved ones, are worried about taking care of themselves and their families, or even finding a place to live. Sometimes I fail to see how great my life is and how much I have. This is a reminder to me to get over myself and be thankful and even more giving and kind.

So my pledge to myself is to be more positive. I will continue volunteering at the food bank and will give until it hurts in honor of my privilege and to pay back (or forward) for all that I enjoy. I will work to make this a better time for everyone that I encounter. Join me! We will be even more blessed!