Stuff, Stuff, and More Stuff....or Stuff, Stuff & Less Stuff....

In a reflective mood tonight -- thoughts rolling through -- decided to put them here.

I know several people right now addressing the issue of stuff. Houses full of stuff. Garages full of stuff. Storage units full of stuff. Lots and lots of stuff.

If you know me, you know that I currently don't have much stuff. Although right now I actually have more stuff than I've had in the recent past. When I walked away from my old life, I left a house full of stuff. A lot of it was mine. I took a small portion of my stuff and crammed it into a tiny living space. Then, apparently I didn't really need that stuff either, because my apartment had a flood and pretty much all of that stuff had to be thrown away. Soooo, I basically had no stuff.  (see Lessons From a Deep Clean )

Building on the few items I was able to save, I now have the aforementioned small amount of stuff. I found that I actually prefer it this way. 

Back to the reason for my thinking about stuff. Recently a wildfire came within a mile or so of my house. Close enough to make me nervous. After watching the fire for a while, I came home to get organized should I need to leave. Realized that other than the cat, a few sentimental items, my camera & photos - the rest was just stuff that could be replaced. Wouldn't be happy about it, and really wouldn't want to go through that again, but it really is just stuff.

What is important? Is it the actual stuff? Or is it the memories we attach to the stuff? What I have learned is that we can keep the memories and feelings associated without having to keep the actual stuff.

One example would be my Grandma Dodson's sewing machine. It was the only thing I wanted from her house because it represented her. She made draperies for her brother's business, and I spent many hours playing in her sewing room while she worked. She also made a lot of my clothes. Basically, if you gave her an idea, a measuring tape and some fabric, she could make just about anything. 

Sadly I received none of that skill set. I tried sewing a few times over the years, and found it a lot more frustrating than fun. Did not enjoy it. Yet I received her sewing machine and held on to it for years thinking I would use it. 

When I left my old life, I also made the decision to let go of the machine and donated it to a good cause. I had held on to the machine for years thinking I was honoring her memory. It sat there collecting dust. And I felt guilty for not using it. When I finally let it go, I had a realization - what better way to honor memory than to pass it along to someone who would love it, enjoy using it and feel the heart and soul she had put in it.

So I guess my point to all this rambling is this - let's not just become curators of the past. Let's keep and use the stuff we love, and be OK with letting go of the stuff that no longer fits in our life, but may be perfect in someone else's life to create fun new memories.

I love the stuff I have right now. It fits who I am today. And when I don't love it anymore, I can pass it along to the next person who will.

The memories will always be available for me to enjoy.....

Nature? What about it?

So I was part of a conversation last night where the question was asked "what does nature mean to you?"

Various answers were given, and I was having trouble putting words to what nature means to me....but, of course, now AFTER the conversation, I have lots of words....

Nature is a part of me. It lights me up. At this point in my life, I am happiest outside, with camera in hand. There is so much to see and experience!  I had lost that for a long time, and it has been re-awakened in the past couple of years. 

One morning at work not too long ago, I was excitedly showing photos of a sunset I had taken the night before on the way home from work. Explained that I had to struggle to find a place to stop to get the shot. The response was something to the effect of "Oh, you're still new here. Pretty soon they'll just blend in and be another sunset. You'll get used to it like the rest of us."  WHAT??? No, I don't think I will. Every sunset is different. Every monsoon has a different feel. Every cactus blooms in its own way. I'm not just taking a picture - it's an experience being captured.

On the Alaskan cruise mentioned in my previous post, I couldn't be outside enough. The views were great from all areas of the ship, but being outside made it even better. Towards the end of the cruise, we had some rough seas for about 24 hours. After going back to my cabin for the night, here's me - standing out on the balcony around midnight, in my pajamas and a coat, braced against the railing and the divider to the balcony next door so I wouldn't fall over, trying to get video of the ship crashing through the waves. It was cold, REALLY windy, and it was exhilarating! Next morning, woke up early, still rough seas, so I jumped out of bed, ran back out on to the balcony to experience it all over again. Loved it!  (Later that morning other people were mentioning something about seasickness and not enjoying it....I  don't think they appreciated my excitement....)

The conversation last night also focused on how in a world where we are now electronically connected 24/7 to everyone and everything, we are quickly losing our connection with each other and with nature. I completely agree, and see examples every time I take a hike. 

The weather here on Memorial Day was spectacular. I knew the best views would be at Pinnacle Peak, so I headed on over to experience the awesomeness and shoot a few photos. Of course, half of those living in the Phoenix area had the same idea. Or so I thought. 

On the one hand, I have to give everyone who was there credit for actually going outside on a beautiful day for a quick hike. On the other hand, I really wonder how many of them actually realized where they were and wanted to connect with their surroundings. They appeared to be there to just walk the trail and then go off to do other things. I saw very few actually look at and appreciate all the plants, animals, rock formations - much less try to disconnect from the busy-ness and connect with nature.

Most were walking and talking about: all of the stupidity at work, or the Netflix series they were addicted to, or gossiping, or family drama, etc. Um, I think they were missing the point of being outside on a hike. 

Those who were there to run the trail for exercise had their earbuds in and were focused on the trial. 

When I stopped to take pictures, I was blocking their way. They never saw the view, the bird, the plant, or the chipmunk that caught my attention. Actually, they mainly crashed by and scared away any wildlife. At the view point, they took their selfies, had a drink of water and moved on. Again, I think they missed the whole idea of having a view point....

For me, "stop and smell the roses" is more than just a saying. Really - how often do we actually stop AND EXPERIENCE the roses? When I take a hike, I usually take a few breaks to just sit on the ground, or rock, or bench if there is one, and take in my surroundings. To hear the birds, bees, flies, and whatever else might be around me. To see the clouds. To feel the breeze (if there is one) or the sun beating down on me. Sometimes I leave my camera at home on purpose (torture, really) so I can see the whole of the landscape, not just what I can see through my viewfinder. 

Nature feeds me - mind, body & spirit.

Nature can be gentle and comforting, or it can be harsh and dangerous. It needs to be respected at all times.

When I share my photos on social media, it's not to show my emerging skills as a photographer - it's to share the beauty of what's right in front of us and all around us. To inspire others to see the beauty for themselves.

So, after all of my rambling, I ask you the same question: what does nature mean to you??


Now, because this is my blog, of course, there are photos to be added.  Here is what I saw that day at Pinnacle Peak that others may have missed....

You can focus on the trail....

Or see the view from the trail.....

Pinnacle Peak on a stunning Arizona day....

What a view!!

So a couple of weeks ago I went on an awesome cruise to Alaska with a group of friends. Had an excellent time and fabulous experiences. So, I'm sure you're expecting a blog about how wonderful everything was (it was) accompanied by photos of breathtaking scenery (it was, too). Yeah about that..... 

Me being me, while I am going to write about the start of the trip (screeching brakes and sudden turn, you know, like when I'm driving and see an awesome photo opportunity), I'm writing about the excellent view from my hotel window in Seattle the night before we boarded the ship.

I get from the airport to the hotel (which is a nice hotel near the port), get to the room, set down my stuff, open up the curtains to see the view...

..... a creepy old dilapidated vacant building, of course.

Now, I'm thinking most people would be annoyed and disappointed in the view. But then there's me. OMG! Just look at that building!!! Look at the character!! Look at the detail!! and out comes my camera....

Not sure how long I stood there looking at the building and taking photos, but I found it fascinating, and the questions started rolling through...

When was it built? How long has it been vacant? How many different ways was it used? Did people live there? Was it just for industry? What types of businesses? Why are the doors where they are, and what did they lead to? Why are some of them boarded up while others are bricked in? Why are there windows that look like they used to be doors? Why are some only partially bricked? Why so many different brick finishes? Why are there exterior stairs in the locations they are now, and why were the other ones removed? Who left empty bottles on what would be the 4th floor window ledge of a bricked in window? Why are the windows broken where they are? What ghosts live there now?? And it went on and on....

Everything changes. We live in a world of change. This old building was probably the best of the best at one point in time and a shining example of new things to come. It appears to have been modified many times. I can only tell a small story with photos about its current condition, but don't you just wonder about the stories it could tell???

I'm finding it fun to view the changing world with curiosity, and capturing points in time with a camera. I'm learning that instead of fighting to keep things the same, sometimes it's better to see what changes can lead to something better instead of holding on to the past where it no longer makes sense. We can have a history without living in our history. Nothing wrong with the old story, but what story do I want to live going forward??

At some point I will share the Alaska awesomeness, but for now, here are a few of my views of a fascinating building through a dirty hotel window...

Play Ball !!!

With baseball season now in full swing, thought I'd go back in time a little bit, you know, all the way back to early March, and ramble on about a baseball related adventure...

So what in the world is a Southern California born and raised lifelong Angels fan doing sitting in a baseball stadium wearing Kansas City Royals gear AND actually rooting for the Royals??? And, at the same time, rooting against the Padres, another SoCal team...really?? 

Long story short, my brother and his wife live in North Carolina. (And, um, what does that have to do with rooting for Kansas City?) They live in an area that has multiple minor league baseball teams within reasonable driving distance. They started going to games, and enjoyed it so much, they became boosters for the Burlington Royals. (OK, now we're starting to see a connection here..) As boosters, over the years they have developed relationships with some of the players, one of which is a young catcher named Xavier Fernandez.

OK...so what does that have to do with my Arizona Adventures?? Hey, guess where spring training cactus league games are played? Exactly!! So, fast forward a bit, and you'll find that this year, Xavier was invited to play with the Royals in Surprise, AZ. Keith and Karen decided that it was a great time to jump on a plane to visit AZ, watch their favorite player, and, oh yeah, spend time with me... 

Since I only have Angels shirts and hats, they loaned me a Royals shirt, and bought me a hat so I would at least look like a fan. I had never been to a spring training game, and I have to tell you it was a lot of fun. 

So, again, what is the adventure, you ask? Actually, it was watching the adventure of someone else. Someone working on living their dream. Working their ass off and seeing the dream getting closer. To get a taste of what's coming. And it was exciting to watch.

In spring training, you have the veteran players getting back into the swing of the game and the routine, and you have the young "up and comers" ready and eager for a chance to play and to show what they can do. In the later innings of the game, the well known players are taken out of the game, and the "unknown for now" players get some experience. 

What surprised me is how many of the fans started to leave the stadium when their favorite players were no longer on the field. In my opinion, all those who left early missed the best part of the game. Sure the kids are still learning and no, you don't quite know their names yet, but this is the future people!!  Some of these kids ARE the next stars and well known players. Were mistakes made? Of course! But, they are eager and willing to work hard and travel all over the country just for the opportunity to play ball.

THAT'S the adventure. How willing are we to work on our dreams? Not just to have a dream, but to actively work on it? To give it our all and see what happens? To take whatever steps are necessary, big, small, and in between?  

Xavier is working daily on his....and setting an example for the rest of us. No guarantees, but man, what a ride. Sometimes we can learn a lot from someone else's adventure.

Here are some additional photos from the game...enjoy!!

Perfect Arizona day for baseball...

Of course, you will find my brother and I looking at everything 

through our cameras.....

Prepping.... 

 The trot in after getting the call....

"Put me in coach.....I'm ready to play..."

 

Xavier and two of his biggest fans...

Just a little bit farther....

So yesterday my day took a different direction than I expected, so the list of 1,000 things I was going to get done this weekend now has 997 things on it. So, after I jump out of bed this morning to get things done, how did I start my day? Went for a hike, of course. A long hike. One that took pretty much all morning. And now I'm blogging about it...oh wait, posting on my blog was on my list, so only 996 things left to do! Woohoo!

I actually have a blog draft on an entirely different topic that I was going to finish and post today, but during my hike a new story was starting to write itself. 

I typically hike the same sections of trails at Cave Creek Regional Park, in differing combinations. After building up to it over the past year, I usually do a loop that's about 3 miles. Parts of it are on the Go John Trail, labeled as Moderate/Difficult, and it's 5.9 miles long.  Occasionally it has crossed my mind that I'd like to try to do the whole trail, but that's as far as it goes. Don't have enough time, it's too hot, I'm not ready, etc., etc.

Today I get to the park, my car goes to the Go John trail head parking lot. OK. I start up the trail. It's a beautiful day, nice breeze, only gonna be 75 degrees today, and I'm thinking, you know what? I can do this! Of course, then I stop every 10 feet to take a picture, and then realize at this pace it will be dark by the time I finish...if I finish. So, not sure what came over me, but I said to myself "let's do this!"  and only stopped every 50 feet to take a picture....

Let's just say it was an interesting challenge. Apparently the parts of the trail I had been on previously were the "moderate" parts. However, as I started up the trail (up is the operative word here), coming down are those finishing the trail who had started the loop in the other direction:  families with kids, people with their dogs, basically people of all ages, shapes and sizes. OK, confidence is building. No problem!

Let's just say I found out I'm in better shape than I used to be, but, good grief, I guess I have a ways to go. I did find the "difficult" parts of the trail difficult, and I was being passed by people who should not have been passing me - in the "difficult" sections. Sheesh!  (Oh, go ahead and go around me, I'm just stopping to take photos, yeah that's it, I'm stopping to take photos...)

But here's the thing. I did it. I stretched my comfort zone a little more, I went twice the distance I usually do, and completed my self imposed challenge.  Personal victory!!

Did I save the world? Nope. Did I cure diseases? Nope. Did I impact anyone else in any significant way? Nope. But you know what? It felt good. And small personal victories are something we need to do for ourselves, recognize them and celebrate. 

Have you tried something new? Did you get out of your box? Did you do it with a light heart and with an attitude of fun? Did you get the results you expected? Maybe, maybe not, but who cares?? You did it! Small victories add up. 

Photos of the morning's journey:

The start of the trail....starts off innocent enough.....

Had to stop a couple of times for traffic crossing the trail....

(the lizards, grasshoppers, dragonflies, birds and butterflies elected not to pose for photos today)

Where I would normally go right....left turn!

Ahhhh... a nice level section....

Hmmmm.... when you can see that you have a lengthy incline coming your way

Keep going left....

OK, this is a little more "incline" than I was thinking, should have taken a rest at that bench I just passed...

Follow the yellow brick  desert rock road....

Keep going left.....

Crap! Sigh....keep going up....

SERIOUSLY??? Keep going up....

Woohoo! made it! look at the view....

OK, can I just say that I'm more that a little glad to see that the parking lot is mentioned?

Parking lot in sight!!! Only about a mile to go....

And, lest you think I didn't enjoy this journey, photos of the beauty along the way...

 

Oh, and a word about reading labels...when you run into the store on your way to the park to get batteries for your camera and sunscreen, and you decide to pick up an extra water and a snack bar, do not be fooled by the products around the one you picked up - READ THE LABEL:

After it had been bouncing around in my backpack for two hours, I opened this  bottle of SmartWater - and quickly found out that it was LIGHTLY CARBONATED.  I needed a quick cool down anyway...

And when you reach into the Cliff bar box marked Blueberry Crunch, also READ THE LABEL... I wonder if the caffeine is organic too

 And when you get home, take off your shoes and socks, you see just how much of the desert trail you brought home with you...

Have a fabulous day my friends, have fun challenging yourself, and celebrate yourself when you do!!