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“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” Bernice Johnson Reagon
Today it’s time to head north – home to Canada. I’ve been gone from home for three weeks now. Hubby flew down over the weekend, and is driving back with me. Tonight we were to spend the night in Northern California – just north of Shasta Lake – with my niece and her family. However, as we approached Shasta Lake, this is what we saw . . . a huge plume of smoke billowing above the trees. As it turns out . . . a vegetation fire had started in the median of the highway about two miles north. As we were stopped in traffic, fire trucks and police cars and fire-responders kept flying by. We even saw several PG&E trucks. At that point it was growing to about 350 acres on both sides of the highway. After two hours of sitting still in 100 degree F weather, traffic started moving – only for us to find out that we were being re-routed and not allowed through. We had to go back to Redding, east on 299, and then north on 89 to Shasta City. From there – we were not allowed south again on I5, we had to continue north. My niece lives about 20 minutes south of Shasta City. Therefore, we did not get to see her. We ended up finding a hotel in Ashland, OR – just across the Oregon border. We had left the Bay Area in the morning about 9:30am for what should have been a 4-5 hour drive. We arrived in Ashland about 10pm – over 12 hours later!
I was SO disappointed to not get to visit with my niece and her family. I could have let it completely ruin my day, my experience, the time my husband and I were spending together. Happily, I am married to an incredibly supportive and amazing man. We both realized that the whole situation was out of our control. After discussing the alternatives (just going back to Redding and spending the night, or finding a way around the fire), we decided that we’d explore the route around . . . not knowing how long it would take us or how bad the roads would be. Well, the roads were quite amazing . . . as good or better than I5 . . . and though there was alot of detoured traffic we moved along at a good pace. All in all, it took us about three hours to go around. And we did what we always do – talk about life and listen to good music and just enjoy each other’s company.
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This is shot with my iPad as the sun was setting and we were back headed north on I5, just south of Yreka. Gorgeous sunset with the full moon on the horizon . . .
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“Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.” Maria Montessori
Baby Girl is having so much fun exploring the new space she is living in for the next few weeks. She’s discovered that she can stand on the stool in the washroom and wash her hands (ie: play in the water!). I just love watching her move around in this new environment. She squeals with delight at something she’s discovered, or mastered. I am accomplishing nothing as I follow her through the house watching her discover her new world . . . can’t wait for the weather to clear up so I can get her outside more!
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“The world is mud-luscious and puddle wonderful!” E.E.Cummings
Today’s adventures included a tromp through the yard, stomping in all the recent rain soaked mud puddles and discovering the secrets that our two acres have to offer a little 16 month old explorer. She was quite excited to don her new pink rubber boots, and then go exploring. Of course, Grandma was more than willing to encourage said exploration!
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“The sweetest joy, the wildest woe is love. What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork.” Pearl Bailey
Because I was gone to California longer than anticipated, the paperwork has piled up on my desk. Being that it is tax season, I have a lot to do to get our financials ready for our Accountant in the next week or so. Having Baby Girl home with me now puts a bit of a crimp in my plans to deal with it . . . but we’ll work it through! Minor challenge for the pure pleasure of having her here with us for the next three weeks. Luckily here in Canada the tax deadline is April 30th. Today she didn’t take her normal nap in the morning, and only slept 1/2 an hour this afternoon on the way home from taking GG (Great Grandma) to a Doctor’s appointment. She insisted on sitting on my lap while I worked, and she watched her favorite show – Bubble Guppies (the song of which is now permanently etched in my brain!) All I can say is that she is pure joy. So far she is enjoying herself here and not missing Mommy near as much as Mommy is missing her! But we are only on day one . . .
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“The modern airplane creates a new geographical dimension. A navigable ocean of air blankets the whole surface of the globe. There are no distant places any longer: the world is small and the world is one.” ~Wendell Willkie
Well I have to say that Baby Girl traveled amazingly well! We were lucky enough to get an empty seat beside us so I was able to let her stretch out and sleep. It was her regular nap time anyway, and she obliged by sleeping the entire 2 hour flight. That in addition to charming anyone who happened to pass through her aura! I’m happy to say that the entire trip was uneventful and peaceful. Even the Border Guard was enchanted by her! I had all her documentation in order, from Passport to Birth Certificate to Notarized permissions from both parents. She was granted entrance to Canada with no problem. They even stamped her passport for her – something they don’t normally do for US Citizens. Stay tuned for more updates on Ella’s Canadian Adventures.
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“I have found adventure in flying, in world travel, in business, and even close at hand… Adventure is a state of mind – and spirit.” Jacqueline Cochran
I’m flying home to Vancouver, BC tomorrow. My original itinerary had me returning home last Friday, but I extended my stay when my Granddaughter’s Daddy had Quintuple Bypass Surgery last week. If you’ve been following my posts, you know that I am taking the baby home with me for a few weeks to give Mommy and Daddy some “space” to deal with his recovery.
As I was packing, I reflected on how many times I fly now. I used to avoid flying as much as possible, and would need an Ativan to relax me when I flew. I was an absolute basket case otherwise. About 12 years ago I went through some life altering experiences that changed my whole perception of flying, and of dying. I now fly quite often with no problem whatsoever . . . not an ounce of anxiety. I look forward to it in fact . . . as I am able to travel such great distances in such short times to see people and places that I love and am passionate about. Being able to fly, and being able to fly often, is a real blessing in my life . . .
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Nurture Self 365 