the biggest little vacation

Every year I attend a regional conference for scholars living in the West. This year it was in Reno. I always enjoy exploring new cities and meeting up with old school friends, so the fact that I got to have both experiences at the same time was extra fun. Reno was full of extremes which I also relish. We visited Circus Circus, then went to a fancy restaurant, walked along a street full of tattoo/piercing parlors and gentlemen's clubs to go to a yoga class. Lights/glitz/serenity/conversation. What a weekend.

happy happy birthday

Hungry Hungry Caterpillar is not just a classic tale of extreme herbivorian experimentation. It is now the inspiration for the most epic birthday party ever! Little Miss Niece turned ONE and anyone who is anyone was there. There were games, coloring, candy, and of course, lots of of holey snacks.

slopes

There is a report out about how visits to ski areas are down- the lowest numbers since the early 90s. So, I knew I had to do my part. I did not mind that I never shared a chair lift or skied down empty runs. But it is hard to believe there were not more people out: the sun was shining and the powder was perfect.

eggs

One of my friends lives just out of town. In the twenty minute drive to her house, I feel my blood pressure drop. When I turn onto the gravel, I breathe more deeply. When I get out of the car and see the fields around me and unobstructed views of the foothills, I smile. I am so glad she shares her sanctuary with me. We rarely go into the house first. Instead, it is off to the barn, past the bee hives and the solar panels and the shed with the cool toys, to see the animals. Beautiful bunnies, sassy hens, and now elegant quail. The quail have just begun to lay eggs so today I took pictures of these small, perfect, shockingly white eggs. These are my favorite.

the small town

If you only drive on interstates you miss many opportunities to see the farms, trains, and towns that pepper our landscape. Of course there are cliches of tiny towns: the charm, the feel, the simple life. I think those are said by people that don't live in them. Many are rough, run down, and getting smaller. I think I started liking small towns when I was able to walk from my grandma's store to her house in just a few blocks, and hit multiple golf balls for each hole of the course because no one was behind us. Now I like taking the highways and stopping at a few that catch my eye. This is Dannebrog, the Danish Capital of Nebraska.

quiet

The 2,500 miles of Christmas travel are completed. Houseguests have said goodbyes. Three weeks of wonderful times full of family, friends, and fun are finished for awhile. Today, Pirate and I are going to take naps in the sun.

earthbound

Every hike is a joy in its own way. Yesterday's hike was fun because it was with friends, we shuffled on the iced-over pond as it creaked and moaned, I got to see the changes winter brings on this path I traveled five months prior, and did one of my favorite things- jumping on rocks. Rachel Carson has a fitting quote for why these hikes always work for me: “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”