Tuesday, August 13, 2019

One Crazy Summer!

This summer was sure to be crazy! So much to do, and only a summer in which to do it!!


First stop, Washington State, where I caught up with dear friends and former students, and purged our family storage unit.




My incredibly generous hosts~!!!

























 Pierogi Time!

















But as much fun as I was having seeing friends and eating favorite foods, I was here for a job: to purge our family storage unit.  And my oh my, it was quite a job!



But, somehow, I did it!!


























What helped me get through this? Reconnecting with friends, for sure! But also, I called a lovely woman I found in the yellow pages, telling her that "I need a little beauty in my life during this time." And so I spent my evenings painting!!!

















Well, some of the paint got onto the canvases ~







Additionally, I retreated to the Nature to find peace 
and enjoy the beauty in the world.





 




 






Most of my summer was joyfully spent with my darling Jennifer & Matt in Colorado!! 





We took lots of walks under the gorgeous Colorado sky ~





Look what we found!! 
I couldn't get over the countryside, whether we were taking a drive to Boulder or just driving around Broomsfield, where they live ~












































Fam-time!






And then there was the day that these two sweethearts tried to walk me to the ends of the earth!!!  Yowza, what a hike!!!





Leading the pack! 







Are we there yet?  













 Deer and ... mountain goats!














No, really, I'm fine ~


















Luckily, I spotted the parking lot and was able to lead our pack out of the wilderness and back to safety!  Close one.


Meeting up with my sweet friend, Christina, was a welcome respite!  It was wonderful catching up and learning all about her new life. She lives in a beautiful part of Houston, and I enjoyed walking around her neighborhood, soaking up even more greenery.



Cheers!



It was a short visit, though, as I was on my way to California to spend time with my family.















  Waiting for my visa paperwork to be processed in Beverly Hills, I headed for the beach for some sunshine ~







The last stop on this crazy summer journey was Washington D.C. 



I have been to D.C. before and I remember having such a swell of pride in my nation. Not this time. Honestly, I didn't want to leave my hostel. I am ashamed that my country elected such a horrible human being to the office of presidency.

But I did have to go out in order to finish my paperwork.  While I had to walk by the White House - around which is being erected a solid, tall wall.... 




So, while waiting, I chose to see things that would restore my faith.