Think and wonder, wonder and think

Think and wonder, wonder and think – Dr. Seuss

English Bay, Vancouver

Perfect speed….

“Perfect speed isn’t moving fast at all; perfect speed is being there.” Chang – Jonathan LivingstonSeagull

Ponta da Piedade, Portugal

I can see for miles…

There is nothing fake about this view – you really can see for miles and miles (and miles and miles)….

 

ALBUFEIRA, Portugal

Nothing but blue skies…

Blue skies, smiling at me, Nothing but blue skies, do I see – Irving Berlin

I’ll just sit here and sigh

The Algarve area in Portugal has many wonderful beaches. This shot is in Albufeira, an interesting little town, with many intriguing features – including an outdoor, uncovered escalator!

Don’t cry…

Don’t cry because it’s over…smile because it happened. – Dr. Seuss

Well, if that doesn’t sum up how one should feel at the end of a vacation, I’m not sure what does!

You lose sight of things…

You lose sight of things… and when you travel, everything balances out. – D. Gidel

It’s true that when you are busy living life, you need time away to regain your balance. This much I know – when I travel, it slows me down and gives me time to think. And that creates balance.

Having time to read (6 books!) doesn’t hurt either.

 

See what you see

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see – G.K. Chesterton

As March break begins, I am reminded of our trip last year to Bermuda, where I learned how not to be just a tourist.

We did many tourist type activities – a crazy few days driving a scooter, hitting the beach – but the camera helped me to “see what I saw”.

Broaden your horizon

“You must learn day by day, year by year to broaden your horizon. The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are indignant about, the more you have left when anything happens.” Ethel Barrymore

I do not have a university degree. This has been, at various times in my life, an embarrassment and a frustration, but always a point that niggles at me.

Sometime over the past 4 years, those feelings have slowly changed. No, I have not returned to school to complete my degree. The shift occurred because my children are now university students. Through them, my horizons have expanded.

Walking through a research site with my son, a biology student, as he patiently explained ant-plant mutualism, I listened closely. And it made sense. I slowly became aware that science didn’t have to be a mystery. Books written for elementary school students about ecology and other aspects of science may still be my speed, but I have someone who sparked my interest and desire to know more. And who always answers my questions. Even if I’ve asked them before.  

Through the eyes of my daughter, I have learned about people, places and events that have shaped the world. She helps me to connect the dots. Nothing is black and white for her; there are many sides to issues and she turns them over and over. The world is not big to her; it is all connected. She has taught me to be curious again. “But why…” was her favourite saying as a child. Now it is mine.

And so, as always, it is my children who have provided the answers to questions I didn’t know I had. Seeing the world through their eyes continues to shape and reshape my life. Broaden my horizons.

Just tell yourself…

“Just tell yourself, Duckie, you’re really quite lucky!” – Dr. Seuss

Last March, I took this photo in Bermuda.

For Christmas, my son gave me a painting he did of the photograph.I truly am a lucky duck.