My Two Favorite Little Words: Let's Go!

To get away from one's work environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.

~ Charles Horton Cooley

Wow! Ed just turned a normal week into an exciting one. He said, “Let’s go!” So, we’ve decided to take off after Thursday’s business meeting for a long weekend. The anticipation bubbled up in the middle of cleaning and laundry this weekend like fizz in my favorite cola. Mini-vacations do that … add an element of excitement, anticipation, and joy before we leave. Then there’s the relaxation and joy of the trip. We’ll see family and friends, plus we’re going to get our one-year-old Japanese Chin a brother: Bojo’s birthday Buddy. And when we get back, we’ll have photos, memories and be recharged for next week.

Where are you going next? Why not plan a mini-vacation as a surprise for your spouse, kids or significant other? Maybe get a group of friends together for a weekend away. And if you’d like some planning tips and destination ideas, go to www.magicalminivacations.com It’s a great resource and dream-builder. Go ahead! Short trips save you time and money. And there are some great bargains out there. Most travel venues are discounting prices right now to stimulate their economies.

Let us know where you decide to go. We’d love to hear about your travels! And as always – remember, LIFE is a journey, travel first class!

Family Vacations

The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what it is - a miracle and unrepeatable. ~ Margaret Storm Jameson

Well, we're off again on the family vacation circuit: 15 relatives, 2700 miles, eight states, 14 days. South from PA to friends in WV, a recently widowed uncle in Charlotte, Ed's parents in GA; back through VA. Scattered along the route are various siblings, nieces & nephews. Maryland is just a blip on the route, but I still count it! It's quite a trip, but a wonderful way to hug everyone and tell them how much we love them.

The elders are in their mid-80s so we travel this route more often than we used to. Now it's three times a year or more. Sad to say, when they are gone, this trip won't be such a priority. Somehow, once parents are gone, traditions change and many families lose touch. It's part of our scattered lifestyle.

Sometimes, though, the loss of a parent brings siblings closer. That's true for my brother and me. Now we make an effort to get together on a regular basis (he lives in NY), something we never did while mom was still alive. Our sister is on the 'relative vacation' route, so we don't see her as often.

It's interesting to compare stories of our childhood. They are younger than I so the memories are different. I remember vividly our Christmas trips to Florida; he recalls only snippets. My sister remembers almost nothing. I was in college when the 'family' toured New England – no memories for me there. But we love to share stories.

I hope that 2009 is your year for family ties. With cell phones, email and gas prices lower, there's no reason not to keep in touch. No matter what has happened in your past, it's the only family you've got. We lost a much loved younger brother last May – to cancer at 52. There will be no more reunions with him. Forgive, forget, remember the good. And stay in touch. God bless you and your family. ~ Ruth & Ed

Be a Tourist At Home

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?

Be a tourist in your own hometown.

Remember that while you're headed away for vacation,
other folks are traveling to your area
for something new, different and exciting.

Visit all the places you haven't seen …

or haven't been for a while.
Your local Historical Society has new displays
and exhibits, usually seasonally.

Is there an art gallery nearby?

A dude ranch?

A national park?

What have you thought about doing –
but never made time for?

Go exploring this weekend.
Do something new!