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Spice in Unexpected Life

Vacations, we all love them, live for them, can’t wait for them. The anticipation of the week away transcends all time. Where to go? What to do? Vacation planning is magical. The dreams, anticipation and expectations all participate in their own way to make vacation time so special, adding some spice to life.

Winter on the shores of Lake Erie

In late winter or early spring we sit down with the old paper atlas and try to figure out a vacation plan for the upcoming warm months. We live in northern Ohio where the winters are harsh, so vacation planning is a wonderful break in the midwinter. Just to let our imaginations go wild. We have our atlas, so we can go anywhere! Let the good times roll. We generally don’t do much vacationing each year. We have the business that we run, so we don’t like to be away for an extended amount of time. Just usually a week away with maybe some long weekend getaways mixed in for a little extra fun. Last year, we planned four long weekends away for vacation. which worked well with our busy schedule. We enjoyed our time away and it was all very good.

This year started like any other. We took out the old atlas, sat down and began our planning phase. Little did we know what chain of events would be coming. We generally make a plan, budget for the plan and stick to said plan.

For a few years now, we have been planning a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina with a beloved cousin and her husband. You see, once every three years the Cleveland Browns play the Carolina Panthers. The game locations get alternated between Charlotte and Cleveland. Work had moved these family members to the Charlotte area, and the job that the one has, is very challenging and demanding, but she loves it and that is all that matters. They moved into Panthers territory, but remained devoted Cleveland Browns fans. So, in January, being the start of the vacation planning phase, we reached out to budget and schedule time in Charlotte for the game, knowing full well that she is very devoted and works very long hours which is very respectful, especially in today’s society. We didn’t hear back, so keeping Charlotte in the back of our minds, the vacation planning continued.

After many evenings of deliberation, a road trip to Boston was the winner. We had this plan for a few years, but never acted on it. This year it was to be the vacation destination. The plan… backroads road trip. As little highway as possible. Enjoy small town america. See the small cities and towns along the way. Take our time and enjoy the experience together. (The details of this adventure will be featured in a future article. It was beyond great.) There will be so much to see and do. This was our summer get away. Our one week away. then back to business as usual until next years vacation. Ahh, let the summer vacation dreams commence. We will make the most of it because, after all, this only happens one week a year, right? Yea, right!

Paul Revere

One day before leaving for our Boston trip our Charlotte cousin texted; remember Charlotte? She said that they were gifted tickets to the Browns game by a colleague. Oh, my! How wonderful! The first game of the season in North Carolina! Warm weather and football all in the same day! The game that we had been waiting for! It seemed as if all the planets aligned. Panthers… first game… warm weather football… once every three years… Absolutely! We are all in! Road trip in September! After all this only happens once every three years, six years until it will be in Charlotte again. And, it is now on the calendar. Vacation number two. Glad that we only vacation once a year for about a week. Right?

The Bean in Chicago

Day number two into our backroads trip, we were just settling down in Pittsfield, New York for the evening when my phone rings. It is our cousin that lives in Chicago. He was planning a cookout for the family because his siblings were to be in town from New Zealand and Japan. The scheduled date was three weeks after our return from our “once a year” vacation. Of course we will be there! We wouldn’t miss it for the world! The last time we saw the New Zealand and Japan families it was in 2016! Not to mention, Chicago is an amazing city. Go to visit family in Chicago? Yes, Please! The date was set for three weeks after we return from our Boston trip, and three weeks before the Charlotte Football Weekend. And, it is on the calendar. Vacation number three. So glad that we only vacation once a year for about a week. Right?

Browns Vs Panthers

All in all, we had an amazing summer. Many one week vacations, unexpected as they may have been, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Lesson learned this summer, that unexpected vacations can be so special. You have to make time for the events with extended family while you still can. No one is promised tomorrow. Remain flexible. Learn to go with the flow. I think that it is important for us to not be so regimented in our lives. It is the little unexpected treats that we allow ourselves to experience that adds that little bit of spice to our life and I truly believe age to our years. So, go enjoy the unexpected and get a little spicy.

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Serenity on the Back Roads; Wooed To A Simpler Time

We all have childhood memories, some good, some not so good. In June of 2022, I had a chance to revisit a child hood memory that you can probably relate to.

It all started with a trip down to Dayton, Ohio for our grandson’s high school graduation party. Everyone, including us take the highway for the most efficient travel time management. The only problem with taking the highways is that you don’t get to see ‘small town America’. So, on this particular trip we chose to take the back roads down through mid Ohio.

Ohio in the summer is incredibly beautiful. It is nestled between the western side of the Appalachian mountains of Pennsylvania to the east, and the flat lands of Indiana on the west. Ohio has some of both of those attributes. Not to mention the north coast following along the shores of Lake Erie, which is where we live.

Our journey started out like many others before it. We plotted our trip using the old atlas map. Filled the car with everything that we would need for the next couple days, and off we went.

As we headed south, we passed through so many quaint small towns reminiscent of many of the classic Norman Rockwell paintings. The downtown areas were adorned with American flags hanging on the telephone poles accompanied by full round brilliant colored hanging baskets bounding with flowers. The main streets were lined with an array of stores and restaurants along both sides, enticing patrons to come and window shop or sit down for a nice cool glass of sweet tea. The occasional church sat on the corner with their beautiful architecture and tall bell towers.

We drove through the small town of Milan, Ohio, which is were the birth place of Thomas Edison is. It had many of the same attributes as many of the other small towns that we drove through. you could almost feel the history and imagine the your Thomas Edison playing and investigating curiously throughout this place.

Still further south we traveled. By this time, lunch was quickly approaching as our grumbling stomachs would attest to. We anxiously awaited a satisfyingly good lunch. We pulled into the timeless small town of Waldo, Ohio. We parked off the street next to an amazing mural on the side of the building. As we walked around the corner to the entrance we approached the sign over the door stating; G & R Tavern, Home of the Famous Bologna Sandwich, Est. 1962. We knew that we were in for something really good. We sat at one of the few open tables across form the bar. Everyone knew everyone there. As somebody else would walk through the door, the were met with first name greetings, and talk of the day. It was noticed among the regulars that we were new patrons to this establishment. Everyone was so nice and polite. Not because we were unknown, but they were that way to everyone in the restaurant. The very timely waitress took our orders of the fried G & R Bologna Sandwiches with pickles and cheese. A few short moments later our sandwiches arrived. The fried bologna was about 5/8 of an inch thick! Boy, was it good! Childhood memories came flooding back. Once again I was 7 years old eating my favorite bologna sandwich. Only better! I am sure that you can relate to this experience in your own life. They are also know for their cream pies, and ohhh they looked good. Unfortunately, after eating the sandwich, there was not any more room for pie, and I am pretty sure that it wouldn’t have traveled very well. Not trying the pie was my only regret as we left this homey place. After saying good bye, we hopped back into the car for the final leg of our journey.

Fried Bologna Sandwich from G & R Tavern

Driving down route 23, we past the Olentangy Indian Caverns in Delaware, Ohio. It is a series of caves formed by an under ground river millions of years ago. The caves were used by the Wyandotte Indians as a protection from the harsh weather and from their enemies the Delaware Indians. Artifacts in the caverns indicate that it was used by the Wyandotte Indians as late as 1810.

Our last stop was in Historic Dublin, Ohio. The city was named after Dublin, Ireland. The streets, little shops, and restaurants exude the Irish countryside. When we were there, it just so happened to be during the PGA Memorial Open which is played at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin. All the street names had dedications to PGA players of past and present.

The day was getting long and our time was running short as we left Dublin and headed down to Dayton with the anticipation of family fun and celebration with loved ones from near and far. Thus, our road trip came to a pleasant and well deserving end. We look forward to more off highway road trips in the near future. We enjoyed the slower pace, pure enjoyment and the beauty of seeing our little piece of America.

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Springing into Spring!

Here on the north coast it takes a bit of time for us to start to see the turn from winter to spring. Being on Lake Erie, those cold northern breezes continue to blow well after the calendar says that it is spring. I always like to watch as the ice slowly melts giving way to the beautiful vast waters of the lake.

The lake has been melted and the trees and flowers are beginning to bloom into an array of brilliant colors. The first are the crocus, followed quickly by the daffodils, hyacinths and then the tulips. The daises are not far behind. Among my favorites is the beautiful magnolia with it’s variegated pink petals. They only last a short time, till their beautiful flowers are scattered on the ground at the foot of the tree. When the magnolia’s flowers time is up, there are so many more to take their place. We will move into azaleas and so many more. Once spring begins to spring into action, then it is quite fast. Before you know it, the leaves are on the trees. It is a miraculous sight that I look forward to every year.

It’s not only the sights of the plants awaking, but the sound of the birds coming home to nest. I have some bird houses in the yard and I am hoping to have some feathered families moving in quite shortly. I have some friends that have seen their first hummingbird of the season. Not me though. I hope to soon. The frogs in the evening are so relaxing. I look forward to hearing crickets and katydid’s in the upcoming months. I love having the windows open in the evening and hearing all the sounds of turning the corner into the warmer seasons.

As spring is a renewing of the trees and flowers, I think that we can use this time as a renewing of our minds and spirits. Taking some time to step back and slow down a little. Take a look at what is important in life. For instance it may be time with friends and family. A chance to get together over meals or have a barbeque. Share in a bonfire or two. Build relationships with others and enjoy this life that we share. For some it may be a more personal time to reflect on matters of the heart. Taking some time for personal matters and some self-care or reflection. So, as we travel through this transition season, I hope everyone takes some time to have some well deserved renewal. Like the old cliche states, stop and smell the roses; snatch a chance to get out there and enjoy some of what life has to offer.

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Growing Old Gracefully

Growing old gracefully. What is it? What does it look like? How do I achieve it? I think it can look different to everyone. To some it is the look of youth, however that is brought about. To others it is keeping up with current fashion trends. I think it is found in keeping ones self in a good mental, physical, emotional and yes, even spiritual place.

Let’s face it, growing old can really be no fun at times. I’m in my fifties, but I feel like I’m in my twenties. I think that I have the same physical capacity as I did then, until I have to do the work. Then, and only then do I realize that twenty was quite a long time ago. Things take a little longer now. I may not be quite as strong as I was back then. Sometimes as we grow older, we need physical help to maintain a happy, independent lifestyle. There is really no shame in that. Life is fleeting, get the most out of it no matter what assistance you may need to achieve the quality that you desire.

At the same time, getting older can be pretty cool. I have much more wisdom now. The years of experience have granted me that. With knowledge comes power. That’s one thing I learned from ” Schoolhouse Rock”. We need to use our knowledge to stay mentally aware and keep an active mind. Learn something new. Be curious about things and find out more about them. I try to keep a young mind. I am always interested in learning more about things that randomly pop into my mind by then looking them up.

As we grow into older sge, emotionally life can get difficult. Friends, family, those we love start to leave us. Depression, anxiety and loneliness can creep in. We are designed for relationship. Knowing when to seek help at this time is enormous. There are so many places that can help. So many great therapists that can help with the tools to help you through. Yes, there can be a stigma attached to seeing a mental health professional. I am an advocate for anything that will help me through the hard times and make me a happier person. I have been in therapy before, it’s not easy, but it can be the best gift you give yourself for good emotional health.

Wherever you are in your spiritual walk, keep it going. Keep your eyes up and a spirit of gratitude and gratefulness in your heart.

So, as I work through this dance we call life with all of you, I pray that we can all figure out what growing old gracefully looks like and how to best achieve it to make this life an enjoyable one.

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Loving Home

Welcome to Loving Home. This blog is a coming of age type blog. Coming of age in my 50’s that is. You see, about a year and a half ago, I got remarried. It has been wonderful in every way. About seven months into our new life together, my husband left his place of employment. I must add that it was probably the best move of his life. Don’t get me wrong, it was quite nerve wracking to make that type of leap of faith. Rewind to almost exactly two years earlier. We had done some ground work to open a new business. It really never got off the ground because we were waiting for the perfect timing. When the leap of faith transpired, we decided to kick the business into gear. Ron has had his own contracting business before. It was in the 80’s. Life seemed much simpler then. When we jumped in it was 2018, things are a bit different. Needless to say, business has changed since the advent of computers, internet and online everything. Well, we did it! It took a couple months of setup work, but we were soon doing business. In November, I made my leap of faith into our new business. I had done clerical work for a construction business previous. With his talent and my business knowledge, we now are running a small handyman business named Home Entry Solutions. We do just about everything home. Right now, everyone wants new floors, so, it seems to be flooring season. It is busy but very fulfilling work. (Home #! and loving it)

Before we got married we decided to look for a house for the two of us to live in after the wedding to start our lives together. We look at homes in our price range. All the homes that we saw were going to need some work, a lot of work to make them what we were looking for. After much thought, we decided to add onto my (now our) home. It was a 20′ x 28′ addition, One floor living because we are not getting any younger,. It has a new 20′ x 20′ bedroom, laundry area on the first floor, large mud room with lots of storage. We did a lot of the work. We also gutted and remodeled the bathroom, took down a bearing wall and spruced up the living and dining rooms. Needless to say, we got what we wanted in our house. It was wonderful working with someone that knew how to do all these things. Now, we are happy in our home. (Home #2 and loving it)

There are many aspects of loving home that I have not touched on today, like our eight grown children between the two of us. How we are simplifying our previous chaotic lives (chaos still exists sometimes), remodeling styles, food (there is ALWAYS food). These will have to wait until a later date when we check in again.

Love your life today, your home, your family, and whatever makes you tick… Loving Home Jeannie