It’s that time of year again. I’m supposed to write some kind of rundown of the year highlighting the ups and downs. Look to the future. Make resolutions. Count my blessings. Recap events. Write some kind of list, maybe? But the brain. The brain is dead. The brain was worked overtime for too long and has nothing left to give. I am a shell of my former self. I’m not depressed, just depleted.
But never mind all that. I’ve been a broken record of “poor me” lately to the point of embarrassment, but in a few days I am off to refuel. I should have done this ages ago but the schedule wasn’t permitting, nor was the money, and then there was the sudden realization that something had to give. Now or never. And so I’m off to recapture a bit of the summer that was lost staring at a computer screen for too many hours. Off to spend a few days refueling, refreshing, and experiencing all of my favourite things: sun, warm breezes, ocean, PLANTS, fish, greenery, grasses, rocks, birds, taking photos, seeing, smelling, listening, walking. I’m not a sit on the beach vacationer. I can’t stand the idea of lounging around with a whole new world to discover. What I always seem to need more than rest and relaxation when my perspective is swayed by exhaustion and depletion is to SEE things, have small adventures, and experience those little moments of wonder that bring me back to who I am and what I value most in life.
Funny how plants got me here in one way, yet they are also always a big part in finding my way back.
Oddly enough, by chance and luck, we are going back to Santiago de Cuba. I never thought I’d go there again and yet I am. I’m pretty excited about it for about a million reasons and am absolutely crazed with anticipation about getting to see some of the things we missed or had to pass over too quickly. One of the things that comes immediately to mind is The Cactus Garden. I had to run through it like a maniac last year. This time I hope to spend lots of time looking at each plant and watching the teeny, tiny hummingbirds flutter from one agave flower to the next.
If you’d like to see some of the pictures I took last year I have some plant photos here and non plant photos over here.
I hope you all have a great holiday and get a chance to spend some time filling up with the things that inspire you most and keep you in touch with who you are. Until next year!
