Letter to my old friend

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"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."  
                                                                               -jacques yves cousteau 


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Dear Ocean,

I was just eight or nine when we first met, but I knew I loved you at once.  It might have been your waves crashing the long strand of carmel sand that first drew me in.  I can't say for sure now.  It could have been your music that you so easily provide.  Creating a symphony of clapping, thundering and crashing for all to abide.  Up and down the coastal highway, I was lost in your vastness.

I did not see you for many years, but again I found you.  As I grew older, I knew I couldn't be too far away.  I soon realized you were a companion that understood without any words needing to be said.

Again and again I returned to see you.  But, always did I have to leave.

My thoughts were drawn to you often and soon I found myself living near your shore.  I wanted to be able to see you more.

Now that you are my ever-present friend, I seek out your wonder whenever time lends.  And, sometimes, still now, our visits are too far apart.

And what I have found is that no matter the time or distance, your companionship is still sought.  Your different personalities has shown me what you truly are--you can be so many things.  You can be gray and angry or crystal clear and ice blue.  You can be warm or cold.  You are a home and a shelter.  You are church and spirit.  You are life and power.  You are flexible yet sometimes unforgiving.  You fall on distant sands.  And, most of all, you have helped to show me, me.

So I write you this letter from my heart, to thank you and acknowledge you for all you have done.  I know you'll be a traveling companion of mine helping me to learn more, experience more and embrace more, to be open and yet strong.  You'll be my friend for my whole life long.

Till I see you again,

Jessica

Why National Parks (and visiting them) Matter.

I should give some background information.  I grew up in a small town on about 5 acres of land accessible only by gravel roads and surrounded by farm fields.  We had a huge garden, a barn, a horse, a few dogs and barn cats.  Now, that same area is one of the fastest growing sprawl sites in the country and my former yard has about six houses on it…but I digress.  I give this background because I grew up rural.  Like, out there.  I was always outside.  Exploring, riding my bike, playing in the fields, riding the horse…anything to be outside.  My parents always were outside with us and our “trips” always consisted of being outdoors, experiencing nature.  My mom would tell stories of the Native Americans and gray wolves to help us learn appreciation for things that were different from us yet still incredibly valuable.  It was an amazing way to grow up…something I am more grateful of as each year passes by. 

Even with the strong appreciation of nature that was instilled in my sister and I growing up, we didn’t take many vacations.  I was not aware of National Parks until I was a little older and we did school projects about them.  I didn’t become really involved with National Parks until just recently.  They are now very important places to me.  Even to the ones I have not seen.  I feel a sense of ownership and stewardship because they are mine…as they are yours, as they are everyone’s.  That’s why National Parks matter.  It’s simple really.  Stephen T. Mather, the first National Parks System (NPS) Director, said it best,

“The parks do not belong to one state or to one section.... The Yosemite, the Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon are national properties in which every citizen has a vested interest; they belong as much to the man of Massachusetts, of Michigan, of Florida, as they do to the people of California, of Wyoming, and of Arizona."  (adapted from the National Park System website) Now that's a wonderful notion.  

The first National Park was Yellowstone, created by an Act of Congress in the year eighteen hundred and seventy two.  Now there are more than 300 parks, recreation areas, historical monuments, seashores and other NPS properties in the system.  Many advocates along the way helped to make this happen and it usually always entailed a fight.  I have heard the average visit to Grand Canyon (the one park, President Theodore Roosevelt said every American should see) is just 3.5 hours.  3.5 hours.  Wow.  And, some people never see a National Park in their lifetime even for an hour.  To me, that’s a tragedy. 

It can be argued that the parks system is a waste  of essential tax payer money in these difficult economic times for our country.   Some states are even considering closing state parks due to financial burdens and failing budgets.  That, too, is a travesty, in my opinion.  Now, more than ever, we need to be outside, embracing all the blessings that entails.  In our busy, hectic, concrete-dependent lives, we need to carve out some time to just be.  

                             To just enjoy the present.  

                                    To just take a deep breath of fresh air. 

                                                To just get away.

                                                            To gain a new perspective.

                                                                        To reflect and come back renewed.  

I challenge everyone to embrace their National Parks.  As Wallace Stegner said about the parks, 

“…(they) are absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.” (adapted from the National Park System website) 

My husband and I have taken this challenge.  Anytime we go on vacation now, we try to check out a National Park property nearby.  This summer we’ve been to Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Great Smoky National Park and Cape Cod National Seashore.  Each one provided a renewing and rewarding experience.  I was able to wander, explore, push my physical limitations, strengthen my spirituality and really just slow down and be present, in the now.

As I work in my day-to-day life, I see people wound so tight.  I often hear them say, “Something is wrong, someone is to blame, everything sucks.”  Those people have grown hard…they’ve been away from nature too long as Chief Luther Bear from the Lakota Sioux tribe says.   We all need open, wild spaces to reconnect to who we are.  (I think this is true even if you don’t love to be outdoors because of nature’s healing qualities).  

So, National Parks matter.  Maybe differently to everyone, but matter they do.  Take the opportunity to visit the lands you own, that your ancestors owned, that your children’s children are yet to own.  Embrace their healing winds, surround yourself with wonder, get away and just be. 

I am glad I did.  And, I am glad for people like John Muir who fought for the parks.  I am glad for presidents who support this great idea, like Theodore Roosevelt (who initiated the NPS) and Barack Obama (who is reenergizing the people around the parks with the America's Great Outdoors Initiative -you can also find this on Facebook to get updates and information about the initiative).  I am glad for my parents instilling in me a love for wild places and appreciation for being outdoors.  I am glad for my national parks.  I hope you are too. 

For more information, click on the links in the post; check out The National Parks Conservation Association - www.npca.org and/or watch the documentary by Ken Burns--The National Parks: America's Best Idea 

A Challenge for a Holiday Weekend at Home

You've probably heard the term 'staycation' a lot lately.  As soon as the economy started to weaken the term has been a media favorite.  And, soft economy or not, everyone is always trying to pinch a penny.  Like many people, I am always trying to take advantage of those far too frequent three-day weekends.  Living in Florida, I have many choices when looking to select my three-day weekend of fun.  Over Memorial Day weekend, we trekked a few hours south to Naples and spent the weekend there.  It was a great trip and we didn't spend too much and a had really enjoyable time.  But, we still had to pack, travel and spend.  As this Labor Day was approaching, I thought about ways to take advantage of it.  And, the idea of a staycation kept coming to mind.  Knowing I wanted to have a fun, relaxing, vacation-like weekend I devised what I termed The Ultimate Holiday Weekend of No Spending...a challenge, if you will.  

Spending the holiday weekend like we are on vacation, staying at our house and spending no money.  Like zero dollars for the whole time.   

After discussing my plan with my husband, he agreed and I began planning for an awesome three-day weekend of fun, in my own house, in my own destination.  We wanted the vacation feel without the vacation stresses--of packing up, getting there and travel budgets.  

Our itinerary & menu: 

Friday night - watched the Cardinals on the MLB Network and enjoyed some delicious left-overs from the dinner party we hosted the night before.  A great way to wind down from a busy week and it's always an extra treat to watch our hometown team!   Cost for the evening - 0 dollars 

Walking the trail at Sawgrass

St. Pete Beach

Saturday - I made coconut toast (from my Grandma Kay's recipe) and a fruit salad for breakfast.  In the late morning we took a trip over to Sawgrass County Park with our dogs, Zeus and Jordan.  After that, we came home to rest up and have lunch.  We utilized some left-overs from the week for lunch.  A little later in the day, after spending some time catching up on reading, we packed up the picnic basket and headed for St. Pete Beach for sunset.  We enjoyed some champagne and a dinner of hors d'oeuvres.  It is amazing to us that we partly moved here to be near the ocean because we love it so much, but we aren't always able to visit it.  When we first moved we were there all the time, but for some reason when you live near it, it becomes easier to take it for granted.  Then, the next thing you realize is that you are planning to get on a plane and spend a good amount of vacation time and funds to go to another beach to relax for vacation.  To slow down.  To enjoy.  This was a great reminder for us to do just that--slow down, relax and enjoy ourselves--in our own backyard.  Cost for the day: $1.00 for tolls 

Our set-up

Sunday - We were up and going on Sunday morning because we were taking a day-trip down to Anna Maria Island to meet up with our dear friends.  Anna Maria is about an hour drive from St. Pete and makes for a pretty good half-way point between us and where our friends live in North Port.  We spent most of the morning and day (until the normal afternoon storms come) enjoying this beautiful island with our friends.  We packed our lunch along with snacks, brought the chairs, beach toys (for two-year old "nephew" Carson) and umbrella and had a blast.  In fact, my friend Carlie even made the comment, "who needs the Caribbean when you have this?"  Now while we all love a trip to the Caribbean, it's a good reminder of the assets we have at our disposal as Floridians.  And, it's a great way to relax and recharge without spending a lot of dough.  After a day in the sun, we headed home around 2:30 in the afternoon.  After we showered, rested and Nick drafted his fantasy football team, "Festivus 4therestofus" we were beat.  We decided on a dinner out.  I know, I know...we broke our no spending rule for the weekend.  However, we used a coupon and savored our meals at Estellas.  Cost for the day: $2.00 for tolls, $28.71 for dinner and drinks for two.  

Nick taking in the views

Monday - While Nick slept in, I decided to get up and finish the book I was reading--Bram Stoker's Dracula.  (What good holiday doesn't include finishing the book you are currently reading?!)  After a breakfast at home of bagels and eggs, we loaded up the bikes and headed over to Fort DeSoto Park.  We biked the park from end-to-end and even took a sand trail through the mangroves.  We saw white herons, a black racer snake, countless butterflies, road along the award-winning beaches, took in views of Egmont Key, saw kayakers, paddle boarders, road past the fort and saw many people out enjoying the various activities available.  It was a great afternoon.  Following the afternoon fun, we had our own little Labor Day cookout for dinner with the usual suspects-->hot dogs off the grill with fresh summer veggies and a beer.    We spent the rest of the evening relaxing at home with our pups.  Cost for the day: $0.85 for tolls 

Total weekend cost: $32.56

All told, the weekend at home, partaking in local activities, having fun and started our week off rested and renewed cost us just under $35 bucks.  It was a challenge not spending money (or trying not to), but it forced us to take our time and plan out our days and meals.  Many times it's easier to just get food out or go to a restaurant or go to a movie.  A good deal of the fun we had was just taking our time and working together to prepare for our activities and our meals.  We were also reminded of how amazing this area is and how lucky we are to have it as our backyard.  Even in these economic times, with many concerns and no shortage of things to save for, we found that you can still have a fun, restful holiday at home...on a budget.  I hope this encourages you to go out and plan your weekend of fun on a dime by capitalizing on your area's assets!  

*I've linked some of the places and things that we did during our trip.  If you live in the Tampa Bay area, feel free to check out some of these gems!  

One thing you can bet on

As this month comes to a close, I am astonished at how fast 2010 has passed.  That, along with all the talk of school starting for another year has got me thinking about time.  As Jim Rohn says, "Time is more valuable than money.  You can get more money, but you can't get more time."  Huh.  I can buy, purchase or attain many, many things.  But, time isn't one of them.  It gets you thinking...at least, it did me. 

Amanda & Michael 

So as this topic has continued to be on my mind this past week, I start to ponder on things in my life.  Like how 10 years ago, this very month, my life changed so dramatically.  Sure, at the time it was big, but most things at that point seemed like little steps.  But, now that I've allowed time to pass, I see the real change.  I started college.  I moved away from a very good home with very good parents to a small Indiana town.  I remember thinking on the night before I moved into my dorm, "WHAT am I doing here??!!"   I left almost everyone I knew and was starting again.  I was starting anew.  So as I reflect back on what will always be some of the best years of my life, I see all the growth and the extreme change I experienced...and, I see how full it has made my life.   I see how I developed some of the closest friends,  no, not just friends; sisters.  Going from lounging around, partying and sorority meetings in college with Carlie & Amanda to holding Carlie's first child the night he was born, to smiling at Amanda as she married a wonderful man.  

Carson Hamilton 

                   Time.  

I look to my niece, Jordee, and my nephew, Tim.  They both started school this week--as a sophomore(!) and Fourth grader (!)  And, I wonder, where did the time go???  How are they that old?  They fulfill my life in ways that are hard to verbalize, but my heart and soul can easily illustrate.  How very full they have made my life.  

Tim & Jordee

Time.  

Just a few weeks ago I was in Cape Cod for the wedding of one of my dearest friends to an amazing man.  Sarah and I were friends and soccer teammates since grade school.  After eight years together, our lives took us different ways, but no matter the distance or path we were on nor time that passed, our friendship remained.  And, the same is true for the rest of the group who were there to share in that special day with her.  As I think back, our lives took these five friends from Assumption and scattered us about, but no matter the amount of time that's passed us, we pick right back up where we left off.  It's an almost indescribable friendship we experience.  Time passes.  But the love.  The understanding.  The fun.  It just picks right up where we left it.  Such a wonderful fullness they each bring to my life.  

The Five together again! 

                    Time.  

My dear sister.  How much time has passed us?  I remember so many things - from jumping in fall leaves with you, to fighting over mirror space in the bathroom we shared.  There has been good, hysterical, indifference and bad with us...I think like all sisters must experience on their journey through life together.  Time is healing; it's a creator of new chapters; and, I look forward to yours...how full you've made my life.  

The Pellerito Girls

So in the end, it is the one thing you can bet on...time will come and time will go.  Often times, it passes too quickly or too slowly, but never at the right speed.  As I reflect on this passage of time, I remember all that has been so good to me, that has made my life so very full.  I can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings...

In closing (of this very long post!), I can't think of a better way to say it than how Harvey McKay did.  "Time is free, but priceless.  You can't own it, but you can use it.  You can't keep it, but you can spend it.  Once you've lost it you can never get it back." 

I hope you spend your time to the fullest...  

Sometimes starting is the hardest step

Well, I finally did it.  I created the blog that I have been talking about for months.  I am looking forward to sharing thoughts with the outside world--well, that is, whomever reads it.  I think it will be fun to keep my family and friends up-to-date with us especially since we are so far away from many of them.  It will also allow me to start offering ideas, good finds and reviews as well as short essays on travel and life...all of which I am interested in doing and have been for sometime.

I guess it's like they always say, sometimes starting really is the hardest step.

So, here it is.  My first blog post and I'm feeling both accomplished and a little trepidation.  In any case, I am looking forward to many more and hope that you will be entertained, find some good tips and will come back often to check in with me to read about my journeys from here to there.