Sending Kids to School: Fingers Crossed. Hoping for the Best.

Source: flickr.com

Earlier this week, 21 people were shot and killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX. Nineteen of them were children between 10 and 11 years old. I've struggled this week, with emotions, fear and anxiety. I scribbled the thoughts below on a piece of notebook paper the day after, watching the ink smear as I sobbed, the first hard cry I've had in months. They are raw, sad, angry rambling thoughts that I needed to get out of my brain and out of my heart as I tried to process what has happened. The "them" referenced are my two 15-year-old daughters. This is the first day I felt I could share my heart here.

And just we're clear, I don't advocate taking anyone's guns away. That sort of talk is just stupid. But I think we can find some common-sense laws that can reduce instances like this. 

Uvalde, TX

Hard to talk to them, to tell them to be vigilant and kind to everyone, hoping that will help them be spared from messed up kids because they were nice. I try to reassure them, but in the same breath, I have to tell them it's a new way of life. It breaks my heart they have to know about it and live with the fear of being killed at school. At the end of the day, the best we can do is cross our fingers, tell them we love them and pray and hope they come home with only the scars of a normal life of a high school girl. 

It was easier to reassure them they were safe when they were younger. Now that they're older, they know just as well as I do that is the luck of the draw. They are sitting ducks. There is nothing they can do if someone wants to shoot up the school except get lucky. You tell them you know it's scary but that we cannot live in fear. 

And our politicians aren't doing anything - won't do anything to protect them because they love their power, their money, their connections and their jobs more than the lives of people who mean nothing to them. They won't even pretend to try to find a solution. At the same time, there are too many people in this country who vote with their gun rights and keep these people in office.

I'm crying at my laptop now. I have to do it when they're not home so they can't see how scared and sad and heartbroken I am.

There is too much pain in this world right now. I can't control it. I can't fix it. I feel so helpless. I haven't cried in forever. Tears pouring and I have a meeting in 24 minutes. 

Sending love, thoughts, hope, prayers, hugs and donations is meaningless. Posting messages on social media that vilify the shooter and shame politicians are worthless, useless.

So, we'll continue living with our fingers crossed, hoping for the best every time we walk out our front door. This is Real Reality

Dear Wanna-Be Book Banners: Bless Your Little Hearts 💖💖

Source: Maxpixel.net

What the hell with the book banning mobs lately? It makes me mad, but it also makes me sad because it means people who take a stand against intellectual freedom have never read a book that touched their heart; opened their mind; gave them a new perspective; or made them feel seen, heard and maybe a little less lonely. Otherwise, they wouldn't try to snatch books out of the hands of everyone else. 

What a small world they must live in. How scared of life they must be. I mean, seriously, fear is a great motivator. What are they so afraid of that they want to ban books? Sad, sad, sad sad sad. I feel sorry for them.

Don't get me wrong. There's plenty of content in this world — printed, digital and otherwise — that I don't think is fit for public consumption. But, I don't believe in banning it. Making sure it's age appropriate? Absolutely? I stand strong in my support of freedom of speech despite how ugly, frightening and complex the topic can be. It's part of America's story. If you don't like something, don't read /watch/listen to it. Guide your kids to do the same, but don't try to restrict my access or my kids' access to it. So simple. 

News Flash: Your Kids Have Access to Banned Books ... and Worse

What I can't figure out is why these fervent book banners don't realize that books are the least of their worries. Kids have access to graphic content, gay content, drug use content and mind-opening content on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Discord and who knows where else. Even if parents ban/forbid their kids from having social media accounts or reading certain books, they still have easy access in ways you would never imagine. Kids are pretty smart about getting their hands on stuff their parents don't want them to have. 

True story: When I was 12 or 13, I babysat for a couple who lived a few townhouses away from me. It took me two minutes to walk from my house to theirs. They had tons of books on their book shelves. Guess which one I zeroed in on after I put their kid to bed? The Joy of Sex. I thumbed through those illustrated pages and read Q&As while my dad sat just two minutes away watching TV. 

Another true story: My best girlfriends and I learned about love and sex by reading Forever by Judy Blume (banned) and Judith Krantz novels (super steamy romance stories). Where did we get them? Older sisters and moms. Easy access. 

Parenting Must Shift From Protect to Prepare

Starting when they were in third grade, my peeps began busting through the door after school full of stories and questions about sex and drugs from information they gleaned from school friends. I was not prepared to start so many of our serious life conversations so early. But I had no control over what other people told them. So, I had to pivot from a parent who protected her kiddos to one who prepared them, staying as age appropriate as possible. I've always asked them to talk with me whenever their friends tell them something about sex, drugs, relationships — anything —  so I can either set the record straight or confirm and educate, as needed. I guess some parents are just too scared to have tough, uncomfortable, awkward and embarrassing conversations with their kids. In other words, parent their children. My peeps are 15 now. Do they come to me with every question? Probably not. But they still come to me enough to know that they trust me to be understanding and straight up with them.  

Books, videos, podcasts and TV shows  hold so much worthwhile knowledge about the world, life, other people, other perspectives. They can help kids process thoughts and feelings. The up side to having access to so much content can make people feel safe, seen, heard and understood. I pity the kids whose parents think that by destroying books that introduce ideas that are different from their own, or depict lifestyles they don't agree with will keep their kids safe. It won't. Denying kids age-appropriate access to books will stunt their minds, put them in danger when they go out into the world on their own, and force them to hide who they truly are. 

Sad, sad, sad sad sad.

Challenged Book Lists & Recently Banned Books

Looking for something to read? 

• Top 10 Most Challenged Book Lists. 
• Gender Queer: A Memoir 
• All Boys Aren't Blue 

Censorship Resources

• American Library Association
• NCTE Intellectual Freedom Center
• National Coalition Against Censorship

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real — and take a stand against censorship! Or, to put it more positive spin on it: Stand up for intellectual freedom!

My 2022 Focus Phrase: I Am Here

Some years, I set a one-word intention or a focus phrase for my year. I think for the past two years, it's been "Survive." I need to get back to adding some structure to life, plan some things for intentional focus. As part of that, I've chosen a focus phrase for 2022:  

I AM HERE

I am here for my family

I am here — worthy of my space in the world

I am here — worthy of being seen, heard and loved

Did you set a one-word intention or focus phrase for the year? I'd love to hear it. Please share it in the comments!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Adjusting Life's Lens

After nearly two years of stumbling through life, I gotta get back on track. I'm tired of the head spinning uncertainty. I've done everything I can to keep myself, my family and others safe. I'm tired of the chaos. Even though so many things are still out of control, I'm using 2022 to adjusti life's lens to put parts of my life in focus. 

When I want to really focus on something, I write it down. So, I decided to go with 22 in '22, a fun and challenging strategy that mixes creativity with big to-dos. I got the idea from Gretchen Rubin, one of my favorite authors.  

Below is my 22 for 2022 list (minus two ... I'm still contemplating a couple of ideas). 

1. Listen more. I want to put down my book/phone, or stop what I'm doing for the few minutes it takes for the people I love to share with me. I've gotten really bad about half-listening, asking questions and not waiting for the answer, of responding with, "OK" or "Uh-huh."

2. Catalog my mom's 45s. My mom passed away from cancer when I was five years old. She left behind a mini collection of mint condition 45 records. I've moved them with me I don't know how many times over the years, mostly for sentimental reasons. As I've gotten older, I realize they are a snapshot into the early life of a person I never got to know. They reflect her musical tastes when she was young and single — Elvis, Ray Charles, waltzes, orchestra music, operas, popular artists in the 50s. I've created a spreadsheet to catalog them. 

3. Create a cocktail notebook. I'm a pandemic bartender. Probably the slowest one in the universe, but I love learning the science behind mixing drinks and the different techniques used in crafting them. I have drink recipes earmarked in every issue of Imbibe magazine and I want them all in one place for easy access. Just gotta decide how to organize my notebook. By season? Base ingredient?  

4. Create a travel notebook. The list of places I want to see in this world is never ending. I clip magazine articles, bookmark websites and jot down names of interesting places.  Like the cocktails, I want them all in one place. 

5. Get our stucco project done. We contracted with someone in April 2021. Rainy weather and other obstacles have kept this from getting done. Fingers crossed!

6. Have the house painted. It's overdue but ... see No. 5.

7. Add some curb appeal. Our landscaping is a hot, scraggly mess, and I hate it. But, see Nos. 5 and 6.t has to wait until the house gets painted. 

8. Write at least one blog post a month. Stop laughing. I'm still trying to figure out how passionate I am about this blog!

9. Watch at least one movie a month. This is a hold over from 2020, where I wanted to go to the theater by myself once a month. I got January and February in. So, whether it's in the theater or streaming, I'm looking forward to seeing some great stuff!

10. Attend at least six City Council meetings. I've lived in our town for 10 years and have attended maybe two meetings. I'm curious about how things works. 

11. Plan a trip to Canada. We hope to travel later this year. 

12. Plan a dream trip to Bali. This was on my 2020 list. Maybe I'll get it done this year. 

13. Get the elm tree trimmed. Another house to-do. 

14. Create a plan to makeover the main bedroom. Just a refresh. 

15. Complete all 30 days of Rachel Cargle's #DoTheWork course. 

16. Watch at least one PBS show a month, other that Masterpiece Theatre because I do that anyway. 

17. Establish 10-minute Tuesdays. A sneaky effort to get the peeps to spend 10 minutes with me engaged in physical activity. Stop laughing. 

18. Improve the look of my hands.  I'm a nail biter, cuticle cutter, handwringer. I want to develop habits that make them and keep them pretty. As a first step, I bought a NAME OF HAND MASK and link. 

19. Eat at least two servings of fruits and two servings of vegetables most days. It's not the recommended daily serving, but it's achievable goal for me. Just want to be more mindful and create a habit. 

20. Learn how to create my own social medial graphics. Beyond photos. 

21. TBD

22. TBD

If you've set goals or have just been thinking about things you'd like to do/hope to do this year, I wish you the best! Please share! 

Looking for More?

18 in '18

2020 Goals: Why I Took a Step Back

My 2022 Focus Phrase: I Am Here

"My 22 for 2022" pdf (Gretchen Rubin download)

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

Books I Enjoyed in 2021

Source: Look and Learn

Several years ago, I realized how separated I was from my love of reading. I decided to do something about it, and so for the past several years, I've set a reading goal via Goodreads. My goal in 2021 was 32, and I hit 35! I'm proud to say that only a handful of books are "easy reads." The rest are pretty hefty, both in volume and content, so 32 is pretty reasonable. But, I think I'll challenge myself in 2022 by hiking my goal to 35. 

Book recommendations flood the internet and social media, but just in case you're in need of some ideas, here are my top recs from what I read last year in no particular order. They made me laugh, think and rethink. They filled me with inspiration, awed me with their writing, reminded me of people I love and people I've lost. They helped me understand life, reminded me I'm not alone when it come to certain thoughts and feelings, and encouraged me on my quest to mesh my ideal reality with my real reality. 

• She Come By It Natural - Sarah Smarsh
• Caste - Isabel Wilkerson
• The Biology of Luck - Jacob Appel
• The Restoration of Celia Fairchild - Marie Bostwick
• One Good Mama Bone - Bren McClain
• Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
• The Bridge Ladies - Betsy Lerner
• Home - Marilynne Robinson
• Lila - Marilynne Robinson
• Henderson the Rain King - Saul Bellow
• The Book of Delights - Ross Gay

What should I add to my list for 2022? Put your recs in the comment!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Happy New Year!

From the Way-Back-When-Archives: Hey! Unto You a Child Is Born!

Recognize that line? It's from the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, written by Barbara Robinson in 1971. I had forgotten all about this little gem (a tidy 80 pages) until I stumbled upon it in a box of books while gearing up for a personal project I'm going to launch in 2013 (more on that later).

If you haven't read this story, or if, like me, it's been decades since you have, you owe it to yourself to grab a mug of hot cocoa and dive in. Written from a child's point of view, it's a hilarious and realistic take on the Christmas story, complete with cigar smoking, baby burping, and collection plate stealing. It made me giggle, and it sparked my Christmas spirit. It's also a charming example of Real Reality Vs. Ideal Reality.

I must confess: I also like the story because it takes me back to my childhood and my own experiences with the church Christmas play. I was always tapped to play Mary, and my friend, Kurt, suffered the role of Joseph year after year. (To this day, I do not believe this seasonal pairing was a coincidence. I highly suspect his mother had visions of the two of us hooking up in real life.)

In the 80s, the novel was made into a television special, starring Loretta Switt. You can watch it here.  

Enjoy!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Related Reading

A Book on the Brink of Censorship? Or: The Inappropriate Book I Read to the Peeps this Christmas

Originally published December 4, 2012 (an oldie, but a goodie!)

Oreo Train or Demon Slayer Mugen Train?

I always have high hopes for success with baking kits. For some reason, they bring out the eternal optimist in me. They never turn out quite right. 

This kit had eight easy steps. Um ... yeah. In hindsight, and with a little research into how to craft the perfect gingerbread house, patience and an abundance of royal icing are the two secret steps we needed. Turns out, we were supposed to hold pieces together for at least 5 minutes for the icing to harden. Lessons learned. 

Bottom line: The train wreck was tasty, and the peeps and I had a really good time putting it together-ish.

Happy Holidays! 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, Keep It Real.

Connect on GoodReads

At Present

Finally made it back to my space. Since I Iast dropped in, I made a life move. After thinking and daydreaming and researching about my next career move for nearly THREE YEARS, I made a change. I quit my job last Friday, and I start a new one this Thursday! A little bump in title, a bigger bump in pay, an opportunity to engage my brain in a new industry ... personal insurance. I'm excited about my new adventure and this much needed change! I still can't quite believe I took the leap. But I know in my bones it was time. So. Burnt. Out.

What else? Thanksgiving has come and gone. We revived our TG tradition after skipping last year because of COVID. The Friday after TG, we headed to Crown Center for dinner at Lidia's, the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, a tour of Union Station's holiday lights and a night at the Westin.

I didn't miss my dad, who died in January. I thought of him briefly, and I spent time feeling guilty for not missing him. I spent time wishing our relationship could have been closer so I would miss him more (my ideal reality), but I know that was not possible (my real reality). I have to be OK with that, take a breath and move on. That's what's on my mind right now as I type. 

That's me at present.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

At Present

Can't believe it's been a couple of weeks since I've checked into this space. Would love to say that super cool, life-altering and magical things have happened, but ... not so much. 

I finished Anna Karenina. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I always find great comfort in knowing the internal problems, external issues (relationships, politics, religious questions), personal conflicts and self-doubts we experience today are universal in time and place. I'm looking forward to watching the 1935 movie version starring Greta Garbo. 

We've pumpkin patched and apple picked. We've cocktailed fire pit-side, started watching Squid Game and continued watching Only Murders in the Building.

I've met a friend for brunch, got my professional website/portfolio marirydings.com up and running, worked on my miniature project, and stepped out of my comfort zone with a top secret adventure that I hope I can reveal soon. 

How about you? What'cha been up to lately? 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Let People In Your Life And ...

Source: Quotefancy.com

In my previous two posts, I shared I had just finished reading the adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and that three scenes really stuck in my my mind after closing the book for the last time. 

Scene No. 1: The concept of metaphorical boners 

Scene No. 2: The dreams we all hold in our hearts

Last but not least, Junior's realization that ...

If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.

Whew ... such a scary, hard truth for me. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

 

Where Do You Want To Go? Everywhere

In my previous  post, I shared I had just finished reading the adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and that three scenes really stuck in my my mind after closing the book for the last time. 

Scene No. 1: The concept of metaphorical boners 

Scene No. 2 touched on my ideal reality of seeing the world. In the book, Junior (Arnold), and his kind of girlfriend Penelope about dreams and how everyone in her town had small dreams.

Junior: "What do you want to do?" 

Penelope: "I want to leave here as soon as I can. I think I was born with a suitcase."

Junior: "Where do you want to go?"

Penelope: "Everywhere. I want to walk on the Great Wall of China. I want to walk to the top of pyramids in Egypt. I wan to swim in every ocean. I want to climb Mount Everest. I want to go on an African safari. I want to ride a dogsled in Antarctica. I want all of it. Every single piece of everything."

Same. And I have no idea how to make it happen. I have felt so stuck for so long. Not unhappy. Just stuck. 

What about you? What's your ideal reality? 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real. 

Be Open to Life's Metaphorical Boners

Source: Max Pixel

Last week, I finished reading the young adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It's a book I've been wanting to read for years, and I stumbled across a copy at Once Upon a Time Books on our mini vacay to Bentonville, AR, earlier this year. It's a funny, engaging, heartbreaking yet hopeful story about life on the Spokane Indian reservation told from the perspective of a 14 year old boy. Give it a read. 

I marked three scenes that really stood out to me because they spoke to my never-ending quest to merge my ideal reality with my real reality. The first scene was part of a conversation between Gordy and Junior about books and the mysteries they hold. 

Gordy: " ... you should approach each book — you should approach life — with the real possibility that you might get a metaphorical boner at any point." 

I don't know about you, but for the past 18 months, nothing in life has given me a metaphorical boner. In my ideal reality, I'm full of hope and curiosity and excitement for what life holds. In my real reality, every day is filled with the same responsibilities, obligations, tasks, arguments, fears and exhaustion. When I realized that, it made me sad. 

So, here's to seeking, discovering, being open to, and embracing life's metaphorical boners. I know they are out there. 

What about you? I hope you've had a few metaphorical boners lately, and I hope you'll share in the comments. 

Looking for my insight from my other two scenes? I'll share in later posts. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and keep your boner radar on!)

Discovering Wanda Ga'g and Millions of Cats

Four Wanda Ga'g books from the library

The Rabbit hOle is creating an exhibit around Wanda Ga'g's children's book Millions of Cats. I'd never heard of this author/illustrator so I let my curiosity be my guide and did a little researched and checked a few of her books from my local library. 

Turns out Wanda was a pioneer in children's literature, both for her writing and for combining illustration and text. Apparently, Millions of Cats (copyright 1928) is the oldest American picture book still in print. 

I really enjoyed Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, not only for the illustrations, but because it's a version of the story I hadn't heard before. Decidedly darker than Disney, and Snow White didn't wake up because of a prince's kiss. No spoilers here, so be sure to check it out for yourself! 

I forgot how much I enjoyed reading children's books. The peeps and I used to bring home stacks from the library and pile onto the couch for a good long reading session. If you have littles at home, I encourage you to pick up a few of Wanda's books. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and keep reading). 

Ideal Reality Vs. Real Reality: Anna Karenina

When I started this blog way back when, I did it on the premise of finding ways to reconcile my ideal reality with my real reality. 

I love it when I stumble on examples in the world. One of the books I'm reading right now is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I love a good Russian lit drama, and this one does not disappoint.

Anna Karenina is cheating on her husband with Count Vronksy. And she's pregnant with his child. Yet, the excitement of a new (albeit illicit) relationship is wearing off. After the couple quarrels, Tolstoy writes,

"She placed both hands on his shoulders and gazed at him for a long time with a deep, rapturous and at the same time searching look. She studied his face to make up for the time in which she had not seen him. As at every meeting she was bringing together her imaginary idea of him (an incomparably better one, impossible in reality) with him as as he was." 

A perfect example of ideal reality vs. real reality ... and one that beautifully captures human nature. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

The Shingles Shot: Painfully Necessary

I really don't feel like writing tonight, but I gotta keep the writing muscle flexed. So, this is a weird little post that serves that purpose. Remember, I'm writing just for me so I can write what I want when I want and how I want.

I celebrated 50 years on this planet in April. With this milestone comes many health-related musts, namely the shingles vaccine and a procedure that I don't want to talk about. 😁

First some backstory, just because. I had grown increasingly dissatisfied with the primary care provider I've seen for years. I'm pretty healthy overall, which means I'm a low-maintenance patient. If a doctor sees me twice in one year, that's a busy year. You'd think a doctor would love having me on their patient list, but mine actually seemed a little annoyed when I'd come in for my annual check up. She never asked me questions about lifestyle habits or offer advice and guidance. I felt like I was bothering her. So, I vowed to switch docs this year, and I followed through. I had to wait until August to get in with a new one, but it was well worth the wait. 

So, the shingles shot. It hurts like a mother. My right arm is so sore. It is also red and puffy around the injection site and several inches beyond. I Googled it and apparently, those are common side effects. And I know the shot is way less painful than getting shingles, but man it hurts! And, I have to get a second dose in 2-6 months.

So there you have it. A mundane, random post about the healthcare needs of a 50 year old woman. Just what you were hoping for, yes?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep it Real (and stay up to date with your own health needs).

Content Share: There's Now a Willy Wonka Hotel Room With Lickable Wallpaper

Image Credit: LateRooms

This is the ultimate example of ideal reality meeting real reality.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is my all time favorite movie. How awesome would it be to experience an Willy Wonka hotel room? 

Read all about it on Hunker Willy Wonka and LateRooms' blog. Would you splurge for the chocolate bath? I'm a little on the fence about that.

Anyone else looking forward to the Willy Wonka prequal flick starring Timothee Chalamet?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (even when licking wallpaper).

The Blue Peanut M&M and the Hot Car

Troublemaker

On two of our past three road trips (Michigan and Breckenridge/Denver), I've lost a M&M in the car while we were driving home. Not a huge deal to anyone in the world except my husband. 

He keeps the inside and outside of our cars clean. It's a symbol of his love language, and I love him for it. 

The thought of an M&M rolling around inside a black car in the August heart, or worse, melting into  goo in some crevice makes him insane. He doesn't trust that I'll find it at the next stop or when we get home. 

The first time, it was a green plain M&M, and he couldn't handle it. We had to pull over at the next gas station and look for it. It didn't help that he was stressed from work, and I painted a verbal visual of the melting process (the car was pretty new at the time). The description made him really made. We found it, intact, not melted. In fact, one of the girls popped it her mouth with an exuberant, "Yum!" That about put the poor guy over the edge. The green M&M incident became a family joke (more to me and the girls than to him.)

Then, it happened again. This time, it was a blue peanut M&M. I searched and searched at the next stop, but no luck. I searched again when I got home and almost gave up. As a last ditch effort, I lifted a floor mat, and there the little guy was, intact, not melted. I lovingly brought it inside, snapped the pic above and sent it to my husband as proof that all was right in the world (at least in terms of melting M&Ms in hot cars.)

That's what love is ...

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

 

Food Rules: Breaking Even?

Lunchtime

That's a picture of my lunch today. It's not a great picture because I was eating outside and I'm not a great photographer. It's a small bowl of canned chili leftover from the last time we had hot dogs (which was who knows when.) joined by side of leftover spaghetti, a few pepperonis slices, an apple and some water. 

You'll also notice a copy of Food Rules: An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan nestled on the table. I finished reading while eating lunch. It's a fantastically interesting read. You should check it out. It's a quick read, entertaining and informational This was the first book I've read by this author, and I loved his writing style. Easy going, yet authoritative. Perfect blend. 

The "rules" Pollan sets forth are completely reasonable common sense. For me, the book was the perfect refresher to kickstart my approach to food and my relationship with it. I highly recommend it, but you have to get the copy with the illustrations by Maira Kalman. Beautiful and timeless. Her illustrations complemented the book perfectly. 

Anyway, back to my lunch. Here's how I see it, at least for today. The chili and pepperoni are likely food rule breakers and the spaghetti is a slightly better option (but it wasn't whole wheat). But the apply and water? Totally followed the rules with those choices. So, I think I pretty much broke even. Right? At least, that's how it works in my Ideal Reality. (Seriously? I'm supposed to avoid cereal that changes the milk's color? The struggle is real. Fortunately, my milk-altering cereal binges are few and far between. I think that means I follow the Treat Treats as Treats rule.)

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

A Big Fudge of Awesomeness

I love my Alexa. She tries to hard to make me happy. She doesn't always get it right, and I love it. 

Today, I was goofing around and asked her to add "a big batch of awesomeness" to my grocery list. 

She added "big fudge of awesomeness." Who doesn't need that? 

Ideas for Where to Stay & What to Do: Breckenridge/Denver Areas

Just spent five days in the Breckenridge and Denver area (two days driving to/from Kansas City). Wanted to get a quick trip in before school starts and also find relief from the excessive heat warning in our area. 

Where We Stayed

The Irish Rose

After looking at umpteen Breckenridge condos, we decided on a VRBO. We wanted something a little less cram-packed with people, somewhere quiet where we wouldn't hear our neighbors all hours of the night. I can't recommend the Irish Rose in Alma, CO, enough. PERFECT. Mountain views. Plenty of space. About 20 miles south of Breckenridge and not far from Pike's National Forest. 

View from the cabin

What We Did - Alma, Fairplay, Breckenridge

We explored the area around the cabin (several old abandoned mining areas), hiked a small stretch of Mosquito Gulch Road and tooled around Fairplay, CO. We toured the South Park City Museum and Visitors Center (worth it!) and ate a pretty good meal at the South Park Pub & Grill. Mark pick up a "souvenir" from South Park Distilling. Our first night in town, we stopped at the South Park Brewing Company for some dinner. Great food, service and craft beer. 

We had planned on spending a day in Breckenridge, but when we got there the roads and streets were packed. Parking was at a premium, and our tolerance for crowds (and COVID-19) were at a low. So, we drove through town and headed back to our cabin. 

What We Did - Denver

My Brother's Bar

We spent one night in Denver, wanting to cut down on some of the driving we'd need to do on the way home. We walked the 16th Street Mall and went to the Denver Art Museum before heading to our hotel. We stayed in downtown Denver at the Fairfield Inn. It was a great location for us, easy highway access and within walking distance to the Platt Park neighborhood, a trendy spot with shops, an REI store and several restaurants. 

We ate dinner at My Brother's Bar, the oldest bar in Denver (AMAZING food, best onion rings ever) and grabbed some delish homemade ice cream at the Inside Scoop Creamery. That's it. Pretty low key, like we wanted. One of those beautiful moments in life where my Ideal Reality and Real Reality coexisted in peace and harmony. 

The Inside Scoop Creamery

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ...  Keep It Real.