I Second that Emotion
I've got a lot on my mind. A lot. I've been trying to get it all out on paper and into some organized fashion, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. It's not just lists floating around in there, but emotion, too. This happens to me all the time, because I'm nothing if not an emotional being. I have a hard time setting them aside to deal with things rationally. Actually, I can never really set them aside, if I'm being honest. They're always at play in the recesses of my mind. For me, emotion is like dumping a bunch of flour into water and making a paste. What was once clear is now thick and opaque, sticky and hard to manage without making a mess. With that paste on my hands,...
The Gift
After I dropped Lynne at the airport, I made the familiar journey back home. Back from an incredible week...back from some great time for the soul. As I drove, I started thinking about our conversations this week, and realized that we had talked non-stop the entire time. True, we don't get to see each other very often, and we are girlfriends, among whom chattiness seems a given. But the thing is, Lynne and I are both born listeners. People naturally talk to us, sharing with us their joys and sorrows, and we were made to listen, and listen with pleasure. While listeners encourage talking, and get the ball rolling, they typically sit back, once that's done, and start taking it all in....
The Blessing of Lynne
Today's our last day. We're packing up in a bit, and starting our trek back to DFW. I know I wrote about friends at the beginning of this trip, but it's always at the end of a trip that I have fresh appreciation for my traveling companions, and this time is no exception. Lynne is one of the happiest people I know. Even when I know there to be a dark cloud or two looming over her world, she lives her life like every day is clear, bright and a perfect 72 degrees. It's not that she is unrealistic, but she chooses to remember that the sun is always shining above every cloud, and, hey, why not live remembering that? She's an extraordinary gift-giver, with other people at the forefront of...
My Texas
I'm very proud to be a Texan. That comes as a surprise to exactly no one, I'm sure, as I'm pretty vocal about it. But sometimes reminders of why I'm so proud come rolling in and bowl me right on over. We left Austin early yesterday morning, and headed to Lake Austin Spa for a massage appointment. Set serenely on exquisite grounds, and surrounded by native landscape, we were given friendly Texas service. It was sublime. Then we started our journey toward Fredericksburg, via some small, winding roads, with rugged outcroppings and stunning vistas. Finally opening up to Hwy 290, we began to spot the many local wineries located along what is known as the Texas Wine Trail. We stopped at...
Work for the Soul
I've noticed something since we've been in Austin. It started with the staff here at the St. Cecelia, and, at first, I thought it was just exceptional customer service. But, in addition to that, the people working here seem to love what they're doing, and no matter the job, they do it with pride and apparent joy to serve us, and the other guests, well. As we branched out from here, I found that it wasn't just at the hotel. Whether small shop or restaurant, we were consistently met by employees legitimately pleased to have us in their establishment, and ready to do whatever it took to give us a good experience. I don't know about you, but it's been quite a while since I've seen this...