The Years To Remember

I've had five blissful days at my comfy, peaceful home. I've never been so grateful for the time and energy I've put into making it so suitable for me.        The garden is coming back to life. After one relaxing and nap filled day, I agreed to a quick early morning 10 mile bike ride with 4 friends before the heat set in. As with many of my adventures, it was such a beautiful day and it hadn't gotten too hot, so the plan evolved. We started off  on the Mohawk Hudson bike trail, and I showed them how it connected to the Albany Rail Trail, and before we knew it, we were 15 miles out. And it was getting hot, and we were getting hungry. So we took a little side trip to Emma Cleary's Cafe and had lunch on the porch. Delightful!  By the time lunch was over, it was close to 90 degrees and getting hotter. We high-tailed it back to our starting point in record time, but our 1 hour jaunt had turned into 4 hours, 30 miles, with lunch and 90 degree heat. Typical gal pa...

 The trip to the Outer Banks did happen, and my aunt also passed away. I'm still away at my mom's place and longing for home.  First, the Outer Banks. We arrived just hours ahead of what would be called "an unnamed coastal storm." From Sunday to Thursday the coast was lashed with gale force winds, rain, and coastal flooding from super high tides. That was the first time I realized that there are times you really can't walk on the beach. At high tide, the beach completely disappeared and the waves battered the dunes and washed some of them away along with stairs and fencing and even a couple of beach houses.  The wind was bearable a few streets in, so I averaged walking 7-9 miles per day down the road into a small forest reserve and along the Sound. Then a stop at a bakery for coffee and a treat, followed by a soak in the hot tub. We did get out for some delicious seafood dinners, an aquarium, and an art shop that had a great rock display. We played games, read boo...

 5/5/22 All my thoughts and energy are on my Aunt and sister who are both in care for critical health issues. Aunt is now in hospital in palliative care under Hospice. Her end grows near.  Sister is battling mental health issues which seem overwhelmingly sad to me. My large family (6 siblings and mom) are both pulling together, but at odds on how to react to these challenging times. Stress is an interesting force and I'm noticing that when I need my stress busting activity (hiking, kayaking, biking) the most, I'm getting the least. A long planned trip to the outer banks of NC this weekend is in jeopardy as well. Hmph. 😟

 It seems I spent the better part of April driving back and forth from home to my hometown of origin. Life is happening, and while much of it was full of drama and anxiety, some small positives shone through. My mom is an unshakeable force of calm and sweetness. My relationship to several of my siblings was strengthened and renewed. I'm learning to appreciate the gift that is mental health as I witness two  family members losing their battle to keep it.  I did take a few walks with my sister and the lovely Rhona, and we even brought mom to the Big Flats town park to take advantage of some lovely spring weather. Exploring our childhood playground - the wilds of Cutler Creek (pronounced Crick)  Rhona beckoning us to explore further. Fetch! It's 4 pm and I just returned to my peaceful and lovely home. I am emotionally and mentally exhausted; teary and fretful of coming developments, but determined to continue on and live my life while jumping in to help as needs arise....