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| This was a couple years ago at Pine Point, but my love affair with the rapids is far from over. |
Hello again, Dear Readers.
I’m back from my vacation. As usual, it went by waaay too fast (and having some weird stomach flu for the first three days certainly didn’t help), but it was still a wonderful break.
Originally, I’d planned to work on my book and run every morning, but my sickness derailed that, and in a way, I’m glad it did. I recently read an article in Cooking Light Magazine (couldn’t find the link, sorry) that advised that the best way to make the most of your vacation–especially a stay-cation–is to do away with the to-do list.
Part of the trouble with having lofty goals is that I always have a big, long list of stuff to do. Which means I’m inevitably neglecting at least one thing on the list (this year, unfortunately, it’s been my writing). While some time away from the day job might have been a chance to catch up on all those neglected things, using my vacation as “catch up” time would have meant returning to work just as exhausted and worn out as before. And that’s not good.
So, instead, I enjoyed my first shopping trip in years with an old friend. (And yes, I stuck to my budget.) I had lunch with two paleontologists as we planned our fossil-hunting trip in the fall. I sparred with a world-champion. (Said sparring sucked, but it was still fun!) I spent leisurely hours at a farmer’s market with my beloved, and came away with indigo-colored beans, sour cherries, dried black currants (so yummy!), fresh saskatoons, homemade dill pickles, and other treasures. (Overheard at the farmer’s market: “It’s the food your grandma made, at high-end prices.” So true!) Spent another day at the scenic Pine Point rapids, wading into cool, clean water and soaking in the sun. Ahh. All in all, nearly a perfect vacation.
Are you taking some time off this summer? What are your plans?
And if you’re one of those people who never takes time off, for shame! Everyone needs a break. Consider taking one…you won’t regret it.
Welcome back Holli! It’s good to read your blog again. Wow, it sounds like you had (aside from the alien flu) a pretty diverse and wonderful time! It’s more important to relax from time to time than we realize most of the time, wouldn’t you agree? I always “know” this intellectually, but I repeatedly tend to forget its real meaning until I experience a real rest again (which doesn’t happen often enough!). This summer’s been a whirlwind of activity for me and continues to eat up my time — one dinosaur mural project out of the way, and a huge new one started. I’ve also had some fun with my own science blog, and am nearing the 10-post point (remember that time for you?). I have a lot of new respect for you, given how many posts you’ve published, and how much thought and background goes into them. It’s a lot more work than it first seems. I’ll also be taking a few days to visit the Ottawa and Montreal areas, and then southwest US later this year. Marvelous place for desert photography!
Thanks, Julius. It was a great vacation, although I did feel a bit guilty about the blog neglect (and my lack of writing).
Congrats on your new blog! I’ll have to swing by and check it out. Blogging is a lot tougher than most people realize. I’ve had quite a few people who enjoy writing comments on mine decide to start their own, but the enthusiasm rarely lasts. It’s a huge commitment, and a lot of the time, you wonder if anyone is actually reading it.
Your summer sounds very exciting! Be sure to post photos from the desert.
Holli, it sounds like you deserve another break again, as soon as possible! We will talk more about fieldwork when I am back from other travels, in a few weeks.
Sounds good to me, Graham! I will never say no to more vacation. 🙂
Enjoy your travels. The fieldwork will definitely make for an interesting blog post.
Thanks for the shopping excursion fun. Hope you’re rocking your new duds, ‘specially the dresses. They look great on your kickboxing toned bod.
I’ve been getting a lot of use out of my shorts, and am loving up the purple short shorts. Was fun reminiscing about our old fashion disasters and successes.
Anyway, I know we’re not materialistic ladies, but it certainly was fun shopping like 20-year-olds!
It WAS so much fun, Lisa! Thanks again for making it happen. We have to do it more often.
I’m glad you love your shorts. I have been wearing my new clothes…it’s been fun to have something new again.