Vacation on the horizon.....

Just when you thought you would never make it to Friday
much less to Labor day.
When your busy mind can think of no more tricks to play
on your tired body and sagging spirits.
As the tolls add up for driving too far too fast
and you have no coins to pay at the booth, there appears an exit sign
on the Expressway of daily life.

I am turning 50 this week - and not too weirded out by it (denial).
I am a half century old, as I quipped to my dear old dad at this point in his life.
He took it well I think, at least he did not hit me.
I was fourteen then, and full of smart sayings, but still a good kid ( false memory).
He and I were close, and I never doubted him or his love for me.
For an old guy he was reasonably cool, we camped and hiked together for
hundreds of miles. He was good as gold, and set the pattern for my parenting style.

We are very different of course, since we encountered such different worlds as we developed. I in the stupid seventies, he in the era defined by the World War.
He picked up his college education in bits and pieces, I blew mine to bits.
We share a lot of the distractedness that makes your family shake their heads
and makes a spouse pull their hair. I was ADD before add was cool.
Dad had depressive times, but did his best to cope and cover these.
There was not the awareness or literature or plethora of drugs that help so many these days.
I only understood him as I became him. Now I love him more for the added knowledge.

So what about the vacation, you say
( bothersome readers expecting continuity!) ?
It happens that a friend to whom I gave the caring advice "you need a vacation!" thought that I was right, and that I needed one too. So we are going.
Close by California standards, the beach is far enough away to feel like paradise.
Three hours of driving will yield two full days of relaxation.
To be sure we don't relax completely, there is a day trip to Santa Barbara Island, with a sea kayaking tour. Yes I am very excited. I love the ocean, and I love paddling.
To have this much gift presented was quite overwhelming.
Its way more than I expect, or deserve, but the timing is perfect
and a chance to recharge in the midst of our hot humid summer
by spending some time at the cool misty beach is so valuable.

I am older tommorow, Tuesday, but I promise not to act like it
I most certainly will not feel it while I am laying on the sandy beach
or chasing otters in my kayak.

Oh, the love of a friend
The caring of a close companion
the gift of time well spent
together, and apart.
quiet peace and nature.
Harmony