When it Rains

Isn't it 'April Showers bring May Flowers'?

Baltimore's been getting an insane amount of rain the last few weeks. There was hail once or twice too. As you can imagine- it adds to a lot more driving time. At least it's not cookie dough.



Here are three simple ideas I use to try and stay motivated on days like this.



1. Start Energized. The majority of people wake up and go about their days dehydrated. Thanks to a book I like by Aubrey Marcus, Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex - I fix a glass of water with a quarter lemon and pinch of sea salt. It's energizing and motivates me to start the day hydrated and with a clear mind. I also like coffee lol. My strong and steady, is Café Bustelo, with half a tsp of condensed milk and some ice cubes melting in.



2. Stretch Your Legs. This is another thing Aubrey talks about in his book. Being in the sunlight, moving around, and getting hydrated within 20 minutes of waking up. Often a change of scenery is what we need to get motivated and be productive. Get up and walk around your office or in the building, depending on your workplace setting. You'll end up getting more done with those little breaks, than if you sat there for hours staring at the screen.



3. Focus on Critical Tasks. One thing I struggle with is narrowing down what to do. It all seems important! I had to teach myself that you don't have to do everything all at once. When it rains I notice the garden being nourished, and it's a gentle reminder that you can't rush how fast plants will grow. Like vegetables and flowers, certain tasks need time to develop, and it'll save you more time long-term, to tackle it later. If it helps, set a google calendar reminder. In the end, ironically, this is more productive than repeating the task later, and fixing things down the road.

Walt Disney World Resort Memories

This time last year, we were in front of where Harry Truman used to hang out in Florida on a family vacation to Disney World. It was my first time, a bucket list item.

RIP Barbara Bush. Half of another Gemini couple (George Bush Sr. and her were the longest married presidential couple), and someone who accomplished an incredible amount in her life. She said in 1990 Wellesley College commencement address:

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent."

Weekend Hiking at Ricketts Glen ❄️

Spent this weekend camping with Mark's family at Ricketts Glen State Park. It's one of the most beautiful places I've seen, with over 22 waterfalls and 13 acres out a few hours from Baltimore, in Pennsylvania. We did this same trip in April last year, when it was warmer. This time, there was still snow on the ground, but it was nice to see the woods in a different way, and feel the crunch under our feet.



Mark and I love road trips, and had stocked up on three different brands of bottled tea (honey green tea and half tea half lemonade varietals), beef jerky, and Gardetto's (the only brand of trail mix that doesn't need spin-offs- it's perfect). The hours pass quickly with the radio on intermittently and some dancing, sometimes a podcast, and enjoying the scenery.



We drove along the Susquehanna River for a while, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay. It was early morning, so the sun was just rising, and you could see a little fishing boat here or there on the water. The sun dappled the road ahead of us, and we couldn't resist taking a few photos of the open horizon. Lots of cute little houses out there and farmland. Some antique stores. When you finally get to the park- there's a very steep road right before getting to the campgrounds- so if you ever go, it can be a surprise.



The cabin had electricity and running water. I never grew up camping, so a few tips I've learned through Mark's family are- keep a burn box (of items that can go in the fire), and a recycling box (plastic water bottles mostly). Set the thermostat to 60, because it'll get more than hot enough in the rooms- and pack extra socks.



We walked to Lake Jean for a bit, then did a hike that was around 7 miles through the trails. Had dinner and played a card game called 'Mille Borne' that I really enjoyed. Mark's mom makes meals that I wonder at because of the volume and variety that are still safe enough choices for 8 people.



There are so many memories that I don't write about, but I just get the feeling this was an important one. I was drawing on some of our experiences from the year before to inform how to pack and what to expect- and I expect I'll do the same referencing if we make a trip like this in the future. And if anyone reading this has more information or finds the above useful, all the better.

Sunday morning, Rain is falling.

let it go – the (by e. e. cummings)



smashed word broken

open vow or

the oath cracked length

wise – let it go it

was sworn to

go



let them go – the

truthful liars and

the false fair friends

and the boths and

neithers – you must let them go they

were born

to go



let all go – the

big small middling

tall bigger really

the biggest and all

things – let all go

dear



so comes love

iStockPhoto Portfolio

Happy Wednesday. Been yawning through this week.



Super Bowl LII was a pretty tight game this year, I enjoyed it.

This Doritos Blaze and Mountain Dew Ice commercial was one of my favorites!

When Game of Thrones comes back I'm thinking of watching with one in each hand (because Fire and Ice).

Did you know my photography is on Getty iStockPhoto (as well as Shutterstock)? Enjoy

In first

Started off the year at Sagamore Pendry and had the best time. There was a light dusting of snow, complimentary Sagamore Rye Whiskey Cider, and free brunch and water taxi ride.