Don't wear your jewelry in the water

In Michigan we're getting those first glimpses of warmer weather and it makes me think of kayaking! I am merely a beginner and I only get to go once a year, but the solo simplicity of it suits me perfectly. I love to let my brain release its hum of activity and paddle away quietly on mostly still water... just investigating and exploring in my own little portable floating craft... nothing to find, nothing to accomplish, nowhere to be.

I'm reminded it's time to begin planning for these summer moments - they don't just happen by themselves in this busy 21st century life we lead. Get that calendar out and start penciling in some downtime!

So here's to finding that beaver-gnawed log, that turtle on the driftwood, even the yellowjackets on the lilypads. And here's to balance... in life, in work, and in the kayak!

Spring Thaw

In Michigan, we are really hopeful about the rain today. As we spring forward with Daylight Savings Time, we await the melting of the final heaps of dirty snow and hope for another day above 50 degrees. It's been a long hard winter. We didn't get our semi-frequent January thaw this year, and we are feeling it!

However, there is an appreciation of a warm day here that in no way could be paralleled in a warmer zone. A collective "ahhh" when the thermometer hits 60 degrees and the sun is shining. Like a bite of brownie after 2 weeks solid on Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet... paradise. The immense appreciation of something that had been taken for granted, was lost, and is now regained.

I woke up with a minor kink in my neck today. What makes me raise my eyebrows about this is that on a normal "I feel great day" I would consider myself to be a person that could withstand minor suffering, like being too cold, too warm, a little hungry... it really gives me reason to question and reflect when I see that such a minor pain and inconvenience can turn my day upside down. Yet another example of something taken for granted, my prior neck health. Hopefully phenomenal neck health will be regained tomorrow.

Today I'm going to be thankful for my health (sans the neck), abundant blessings, and the fact that spring is undoubtedly on its way.