41/365- The Missing Pole and the Morning Newspaper

Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

“Heaven, such as it is, is right here on earth. Behold: my revelation: I stand at the door in the morning, and lo, there is a newspaper, in sight like unto an emerald. And holy, holy, holy is the coffee, which was, and is, and is to come."

-Sarah Vowell, Take the Cannoli

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Today is a bittersweet day. Tyler, my oldest son, is flying out of the nest and heading out to live in an apartment with some roommates while he attends school at Universal Technical Institute in Exton, PA. While I am so happy for him and am so proud to see him pursue his dreams, it leaves me with a knot in my stomach because I will miss him. He is the silliness in our household. He loves to make us all laugh and he is all the time lifting our moods. In the span of two months, I have watched my two oldest set out on their own and start a new chapter of their lives. After raising these kids for 18 years, guiding them along the way, it is not easy to let them go. The house feels incredibly empty and I am incredibly weepy, sad for myself but happy for him.

I will be in Exton today attending school orientation and helping Tyler move into his new digs.  Hug your children tightly today. They grow up so darn fast.

xo

40/365- Arizona Inn 1

One of the unique buildings of the Arizona Inn at dusk

Privacy, quiet, and sunshine. -Arizona Inn

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Brian and I had the pleasure of staying at this historical Inn in Tucson when we were there. It is a gorgeous, unique hotel that was built in the 1930s and is still family owned today. We absolutely loved our stay there and would love to go back one day. The service, the restaurant, and the history of the place was truly amazing. If you are ever in Tucson, consider staying here. The Arizona Inn has been the highlight of several recent blog posts including Sun Setting Over Arizona Inn, Arizona Bicycle, Evening at the Pool, and In the Shadow of the Sun King. It will also be the the feature of several upcoming posts. I took tons of photos here because I loved the unique set up and architecture. I also loved the Arizona Inn's signature salmon and blue colors. So much to love!

Be sure to check back on the blog today at noon for a special post about my visit to Washington D.C. yesterday! Photos and commentary about the award ceremony and the presentation by Dr. Neil Spector will be featured on that post!

Stay dry today, y'all.  Have a fantastic Monday!

xo

35/365- Evening At the Pool

Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

“A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. They all have food in their own homes. When we gather together in the moonlit village ground it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.”

― Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart 

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We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so. Yes, it is. Especially in this current world we live where hate and misery seem to be gaining strides to smother love and tolerance.  In the next few days, gather. Round up your beloved family and friends. Break bread together...not to save your stomachs from starving but to save your souls from being hungry. Spend time listening to one another, playing with one another, laughing together. Turn off the media. Turn of the electronics. Play a board game by candlelight. Scrabble, anyone? 

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

xo