Summer is over and I have a few minutes to spare...

springandsummer

It has been awhile since I’ve blogged last.  Not because I didn’t have anything to say but because so many other things consumed my time that I could not break away.  I can try and sum up what’s been happening.   My time can be best summed up as follows:

Travel/Food/Drink/Family/Work/Charity (not in any particular order) – I had a fantastic two-week birthday trip to Croatia.  I learned a lot about myself, the country and resilience.  As with most of my travel experiences, I did not have a bad meal.  The seafood was extraordinary, the pasta was fresh, the wine unique, and the service touch and go.  As for the weather at the end of spring, it was a mix of sun and rain.  Needless to say, I highly recommend if you are anywhere near the Adriatic to stop by Croatia.  I hope to write more about it in future blogs—I have some funny and amazing experiences to share.  Once back in the USA I took a few days to visit Austin, Texas for work.  I like to visit Austin; there is so much to do after hours.   I can always find good food, good music, and good drinks.  I stopped by one of my favorite spots Peche’ where I got my dose of absinthe, and they make the best Fig Manhattan.   I was hoping to hear one of my favorite local jazz artists, Elias Haslanger, but my schedule never seems to sync with his when I am there.  Oh, and I have not seen the bats yet.  Back in California, I had the opportunity to visit several wineries – there are so many to from which to choose.  I discovered a few new ones I had not tried yet.  I love how they have the outdoor lounges setup (I am trying to replicate some aspects in my yard), and the California weather is so amazing you cannot go wrong especially with great company.  Regarding family, I will not dwell too long, but I mentioned previously in a blog, I have a parent suffering from dementia, I subsequently had them move in with me, and I am learning the various stages of the disease.  I am also learning I am stronger than I thought, that I can multi-task even more than previously.  I take time to volunteer.  The community work I am doing is a healthy distraction and allows me to focus my energies is a positive direction.  Moreover, …when there are a few morsels of time left I work on my house.  Thanks to a helpful, hardworking gentleman I found working for one of my neighbors I now have my front and backyard closer to completion than before.

How in the world do I fit it all into 24 hours in a day?  I cannot tell you.  I am tired some days, maybe most.  Still, I think I can fit more things into my schedule— it is a delicate balance but doable.  There is still time.