Erie But Beautiful

This hubby of mine. He's the very best. With the season coming to its 'official' close, a short time back, I mentioned that another summer had slipped by without a visit to the ocean. In other words, an incomplete summer, sigh. Especially if you grow up in Baltimore, you just have to go, "downey oshun, Hon!" But, the Atlantic is a far stretch from me these days.

Well, Michael surprised me by setting up a few days away. But, not just any place; he decided we'd go to the next closest body of big water in one day's drive. So, he made plans for us to go to Erie, PA and visit the great Erie Lake.

The whole way up to our adventure, I was wondering if it could even measure up to the Atlantic. I mean, I know they call it a Great Lake, but can a lake even come close to an ocean for majesty and the ability to awe? After all, it's only a lake.

We get there, the four of us, yes four because he further delighted me by making a reservation where Fiona and Rory were welcome, and set out to find the big water. A short drive later, we're parked for a stroll along the edge of the 'lake.'

Can I tell you? The warm wind was blowing white caps across the face, and while they weren't the waves I am used to, the spray off the storm jetties was pretty impressive!

The next day we set off for Presque Isle, which is a long sliver of land that is a state park. It's home to the numerous beaches everyone uses to visit with this Lake. This time of year, the season being over, it's returned to the gulls, wild life and the trees to enjoy. Very few people around meant that we could let Rory & Fiona have some freedom and enjoy the smells and the beach. It was their first time seeing water like this. Intrepid Fiona got in and splashed about, but Rory wasn't at all trusting enough to try. He preferred to investigate the shore line.

Unlike the Atlantic Ocean beaches, where shells abound, this is rock and drift wood and really interesting bits of flotsam that washes up and sits undisturbed. The locals look for sea glass along the edge. Lake Erie is the final resting place of more ship wrecks than all of the Great Lakes, and the sea glass is the remains of the hopes of those on board. Odd, when you consider that you're excited to find a bit of history which marks the watery end of Human Beings.

Occasionally, you'll come across a fish out of water. Poor thing. No reason to throw it back, it's already turned an odd color. Trust me, this was the cutest of the dead fish that made me go, "Eww!" While the same dead thing made Rory go, "Ohhh!" as he investigated them too closely making Michael and me shout simultaneously, "Leave it!!!"

We all sat and watched the lake flat and placid, seeming a sheet of glass. We wondered how vast this body of water is even though it is one of the smallest of those Great Lakes. It fills the horizon and my eyes and mind couldn't tell the difference between this wet horizon and the one I've fondly watched along the Atlantic. Except, this water is not salty like the sea and it was so clear.

Our pack enjoyed some bonding time, just the four of us. Closing our eyes, relaxing. Sniffing the air. Being quiet and hearing the gathered gulls call and challenge each other on the storm breaks.

And at the end of our day, the sun set over the water, which is something beautiful you can't see over the Atlantic Ocean where the sun starts each day.

I'm reminded that this world is full of opportunities to learn new things of beauty and new ways of seeing them. And, while they may not compare with your old haunts, your old stomping grounds, you can still be impressed when you encounter them. You can learn to love something new and look forward to your next encounter with it.

You can expand your sense of wonder as you exclaim, "Damn!," the first time you're awed by the glimpse of a new place and way. It is Erie and beautiful. Thank you Michael, for making it possible to slip away with you- my love, and our Scotties. It was exactly what my spirit needed and even better than I hoped! Like my life, you made my summer complete.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ~ Heb 13:2

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly
Detail of doorway at one of the Missions de San Antonio

Oh, Blame Her!

Do not blame me for this post. It's a list of ten things about me. Blame Liz, The Fragrant Muse. You can leave her your comments. Because, I probably don't have anything of interest here; if you've been reading me for awhile, you'll know pretty much all the following ten things as there are no secrets between us. I've probably already blogged about anything fascinating. But, Liz...you asked and so here you go. By the way, there seems to be a rash of people on the blogs making lists these days. What the heck is up with that?!

Okay, first bit: I had my natal chart done by a professional astrologer. It was truly a fascinating experience. One that I'd recommend to anyone. You'll learn stuff you didn't even know you wanted to know. Very cool. I am born a Cancer but I'm all Leo. Explains the disconnect between how I often see myself and how the world sees me.

#2- This is Jimmy. My Dad. Probably one of the most influential people in my life. Nothing new here, as you hear me mention him a lot. What you may not know is that he was perfectly healthy and normal until he was 16 when he was hit by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and completely crippled through the process. Every morning of his life, this independent spirit had to have someone put his socks on for him. If you can do that for yourself today, no matter what else might annoy the piss out of you, realize you are free to have a good day and exercise your option to do so. I Love you, Dad. Miss you more, not less, with each passing year.

#3- The October day I stood with my Russian colleague on Red Square and did a 360 degree sweep of the vast grandeur of it, I cried. I stood there in the chilled air and my tears turned frosty on my cheeks. Sveta asked why I was crying, "If someone had ever told me, a girl who grew up in downtown Baltimore, that I would one day stand in the middle of Red Square in Russia, I would have laughed at you. Yet, here I am. Oh my god, here I am." I grew up during the cold war under threat of the Soviet Union coming over the ocean to take over the world. And, that's all changed thankfully. Remember that you'll never know what mysteries and unbelievable moments await. Walk through your day with expectation of amazing possibilities.

#3- I did not meet this man while I was in Moscow, but I should have. Elvis had left the building the day before I got there. I was an invited guest to the Duma. And, I met his staff among many others. I was toured through his office and through the capital building. I had lunch with one of the Ministers of Education. Now, you need to know, I've never been invited to The White House or even Annapolis or Harrisburg, but I was invited to the Duma, Russia's Capital. By the way, his office was very neat and orderly. The Queen approved.

#4- I have Omar Sharriff's autograph. I met him in Washington, D.C. at the re-release of the refurbed Lawrence of Arabia. He has the most beautiful eyes and voice. He was kind and pleasant. And, I melted like any fan would.

#5- I have been the proud owner of five Cairn Terriers- McKeever, Jaime, Fagan, Meggie, Jessie. I'd highly recommend them. Wonderful little dogs. And I've owned a wonderful mutt named, Yoki. Now Fiona & Rory own me; as it should be. My very braw Scotties.

#6- I have had pneumonia nine times. Luckily for me, it wasn't Cystic Fibrosis as the doctors feared. My childhood is defined by being critically ill quite frequently.

#7- I am a good cook. I cook mostly by feel and very rarely follow a recipe. That's because Nanny, The World's Meanest Woman couldn't read and she was the cook in the family. You watched her and you learned to do as she did. I do like to look at cookbooks to make sure I've correctly guessed at most of the ingredients before I attempt something new. After that, I do it my way. Cooking is an art form, so open to interpretation. However, baking is a science and the rules must be followed for optimum outcome. Always follow a baking recipe as it is written.

#8- I like to weed. Yeah, I know, I am twisted. But, I like it. It makes me feel in control.

#9- I never knew how deeply I could love another until I encountered Michael. So far as I can tell, I haven't even begun to test my true capacity to love, and because of him I may learn that like the known Universe, the boundaries keep expanding.

#10- I have a Bachelor's of Science and a Master's of Arts from Towson University. It was Towson State College when I started, upgraded to Towson State University the year before I graduated under-grad. And, morphed to Towson University when it started attracting international status. One of the highlights of my life was being invited to be a member of the adjunct faculty where I learned more from my students than I probably taught. I am still honored and thrilled when I hear from them; delighted to still provide mentorship and project support when asked. I loved every minute I was in the classroom.

I sincerely hope you have a chance to sit in the spot light and share snippets of yourself with those around you today. Your life and who you are deserve that moment to shine. Thanks Liz, for asking!

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Queen of The Universe