The Path less Traveled...

We live about 20 minutes north of Tucson, in a newer community of Marana a few miles off the main interstate running from Tucson to Phoenix. In the last few months, a new road was completed just off the freeway, with four lanes and a wide, beautiful median of desert floral. It replaces the bumpy, lumpy frontage road and two lane jaunt through the cotton fields.

After taking the ‘new” road for over a month, I got to thinking that it was LONGER to take the new, smooth road at 45 mph, than the old, construction truck-frequented bumpy, 35 mph lane. So, in my typical analytical fashion, set my odometer and set off to measure time and distance.

My findings were that the smooth “new” road took 5 minutes, and was 3 miles long. The former pathway took 6 minutes, and was 3.5 miles long.

Again, I mention my analytical nature because I couldn’t just drop it at that. Upon reflection of my results, I began to parallel it with life, past and present.

I remember being a passenger as we drove across the Dakotas. We swore that if we looked far enough down the road we saw ahead of us straight and narrow AND SMOOTH, we’d see our night’s destination. BORING, LONG, UNEVENTFUL!!!!

Or...When you’re sitting in a jury duty waiting room ALL DAY, it seems to take forever. However if you’re sitting in the aisle awaiting TRAFFIC COURT…your time can come too SOON!

Or... how about the safe pleasure of a merry go round—at what age does the majority begin to desire speed, thrills, spins, flips….

For us the drive to Phoenix is pretty dull until you get close in. It’s a flat, barren land broken by occasional small towns and farm areas. We enjoy our mountains as we near Tucson and find the canyons, peaks and rocks of Arizona preferable to the scrub-filled flats. I have driven all day on the dirt backroads of AZ along the southern border and found that more “fun” than the first 80 miles driving north to Phoenix…

So, what do you think? Bumps or smooth sailing?
Don’t the potholes and curves and detours in life add the interest, the spice, the COMPLEXITY to life?
Or from another perspective….the differences between the roads we journey help us to appreciate both as they come…at least in hindsight?

Or digging deeper…the curves the bad roads toss our way prepare us to be better drivers on the straightaway?

See…I told you that road is long going home…lots of time for reflection….

By the way...the photo above was taken at the tip of Door County, WI...the final 2 miles to catch the ferry to Washington Island. Gorgeous summer, winter and fall. The best part???? The ric-rack, zig zag, up and down!!!!!

Clearing the Air

Did you know this is National Pet Peeve Week? I excused myself during my morning break to take a walk today at work because I was strung out regarding a pet peeve. During my lunch break I did a little “surfing” on the pet peeve subject. This is what I found that made sense to me:

"The main reason I hate "so busy" is because it is used as an excuse - an excuse for not being a good friend, not being a nice person, not following through on promises, not completing jobs well, etc. For example, I know many women use this as a way to explain why they haven't called, texted or emailed other friends.
The other "so busy" type is the uber-mom. We all know her. She is living through her kids, and is often a really cool mom. I usually like her alot, and she is a good soul most of the time. But there is a darkness lurking within her - the overscheduling madness that seems to overtake certain moms. Her children are in ballet, in baseball, in piano lessons, in the band, cheerleading, taking drama and cooking and art and gymnastics. They are going camping four weekends this summer and the family will hike the Grand Canyon. The kids are taking horseback and golf lessons and French too. They are active in church, and in fact, they attend the children's program. And the youth. And VBS. And church camp.
This sweet mom, who does seem really busy, spends most summer hours driving around dropping kids off here and there. Her kids are whiny and gripey, and she is grumpy too - She really is busy - but is "so busy" an excuse you can use, when you put yourself there?
The ones who don't say they are "so busy" only really differ from the overscheduling mom in that they don't complain about the life they have chosen, and they don't use it to excuse them from basic social skills."

A recent poll indicates that office workers have plenty of gripes, and most of them are about the behavior of their co-workers.
Here’s just the top 3:
Gossip (60%)
Poor time management (including personal calls and non work-related web surfing) (54%)
General messiness in shared spaces, such as dirty dishes in the sink (45%)

So in honor of National Pet Peeve Week…are you venting, internalizing, or getting some good exercize???

Comment from S. Fox: Cara, My dad used to have a little saying on the wall above his desk. It read, "I'm not interested in the storms you endured, but did you bring in the ship?" This as of late has been my motto, and as you note about pet peeves the same thing goes for those people that don't have time for people.I don't know if you knew I have just returned from two weeks in Hungary. Every day someone had to give a thought for the day. This is one I keep on my list: "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world" Burt Bacharach. You would know the words and you can sing.

Have you seen the bumper snicker...I'm not having hot flashes, I'm experiencing POWER SURGES!?

So I’ve been reading up on hot flashes…or more specifically, the eradication of them…without the weight inducing factor of hormones. Ever nearing 50, I’m sure you can figure out WHY I’d be suddenly interested.

I am a great source of amusement to those I live and socialize with. In Tucson, we learn to dress in layers…you have to be prepared for blasts of air conditioning co-existing with temps in the 100’s. Even today, October 1, it was 80 at 8:00 a.m. I’m bringing the term, dressing layers, to a whole new level!

Recently, I spent a week in Green Bay, WI visiting my enchanting first grandchild, Calianna Cadence Malcore. It was cooler, so I had heavy sweaters, light sweaters, long sleeved shirts…and tank tops. Any given 2 hour period of time included various additions or subtractions of each. Blankets even…and then, spaghetti strap tops a few moments later. This is a 24 hour thing.

I’ve learned that foundation makeup is a waste of time, waterproof mascara is a must, and ponytails are good enough for fashion nowadays.

According to WEB MD and other fun sites, I have to ride out the initial rollercoaster, or experiment with acupuncture (uh, don’t think so) or prescription drugs. (Um, I really don’t think so)

I’ve done the dietary changes over the past 5 years…doing pretty good with whole wheat, fiber, higher protein and low carbs. Trying the herb Black Cohash too, despite posts that its really just a placebo. (Having positive attitude here) Exercise I’m increasing, although I hate the compounded sweat on top of hot flash sweat. Oh well, its 40 minutes three times a week, throwing in a walk or two as it cools. (Still 100 degree days happening here)

So here’s hoping that the ride levels out as I get more into it. I pity my husband who endures my tossing and turning and blanket flipping and pillow fluffing….night after night after night. I even have my own personal fan running on my side of the bed! And heaven forbid if he wants to “cuddle”. I have heard him describe me as “clammy”. Romantic huh!

I am counting my blessings that I am not experiencing the characteristic mood swings or depression…that’s gotta be good right???

So feel free to warn me if you catch any mood swings. I’m trying to stay positive. Just keep out of the way of my tossed blankets, sweaters, socks and shoes….