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Relax

(Written this last weekend.)

There are some moments in life that require you to simply sit back and take it in. Nothing else is needed.

David and I have made a quick getaway to Fort Davis, Texas. If you’re not familiar with this part of Texas, it’s far from where most Texans call home. Think of most of the major cities here (Fort Worth, Austin, etc.), tack on five or six hours of driving west from each, and then you’ll be within an hour or so of here. And you think I’m exaggerating.

The landscape is a poster child for what many Americans think all of the state looks like: rugged mountains, vast vistas. The perfect setting for a good ol’ western movie. In fact, the James Dean classic Giant was filmed not far from here. Ironically, most Texans have never been to the so-called Trans Pecos. I’ll own up to it, too; I had never been lucky enough to experience this area until I moved from Texas to New Mexico and then came for a visit. I’m making up for lost time.

Right now we’re on a mountain overlooking wheat-colored plains on one side, mountain valleys audacious enough to claim both edgy wildness and lush beauty on another, a historic military fort, and an incredible observatory. The breeze grazing my cheeks softens the harsh distant thunder in my ears. The scent of rain hangs delicately. The crickets purr their lullaby.

So for now I’ll simply absorb and enjoy.

With a little help from my friends

Let’s build on the road trip theme we’ve started.  I’ve been thinking lately about friendship.  Isn’t kind of ironic that as we get older, it’s often harder to make or maintain friendships without a healthy dose of effort?  Here’s what I mean:  we’re adults, not dependent on parents for rides to friends’ houses or on slumber parties for time to concoct plots to pick on pesky classmates.  Yet schedules, family, work, and other commitments often edge friend time to the fringes of our routines. Busyness is not a friend to friendship.

I’m so thankful for incredible memories with my friends.  Snippets of memories rush through my mind…playing Barbies, tromping through woods on camp outs, giggles shared long after midnight, cruising around during summer evenings with the windows down, playing dorm pranks on each other, crying together when life turned grim, starry nights hanging out by the lake, collecting bridesmaid dresses from each others’ weddings, attacking untamed river rapids with robust energy, shopping marathons, sharing life over the miles through e-mail, and laughing over coffee and questionable cookies.  I’m grateful that listing all the memories would take pages and pages.

Think about some of your best times with friends…long ago and hopefully, not so long ago.  Now think about your road trip from the last post (or dream up one now if you haven’t yet).  Which friends would you take with you if you could?  Would that change your plans any?

On the road again

These days it’s easy to get bogged down in current events.  Our nation, our world has had um, interesting things happening lately. 

So, let’s take an imaginary break.  Let’s all run away to…well, you tell me!  Think about where you would like to go in the next few months if you could.  Here are a few guidelines, just fer grins: up to nine continuous days total, road trip within North America, budget isn’t a consideration. Where would you go?  What would you see and do?  What vehicle?

We’ll see what you have in mind, then I’ll tell you my itinerary.  Pack your bags!

Nothing Wasted

Do you ever wonder if what you do for God really makes a difference? Sometimes He lets us see the results of what He asks us to do.  So often, though, we don’t get to see this side of heaven how it turns out. It can be tempting to think that what we do doesn’t matter in the long run.

Could you use some encouragement to go the distance? Try this on for size. Check out my husband David’s blog here if you haven’t already.  It deals with a specific topic, but it struck me that this could be applied to all of our heartfelt service to Him.

…Something Blue

Spring is here. I just know it.

Well… yes, Alison, you may say. Haven’t you been noticing the calendar?  Of course it’s spring.

Yet without the calendar, I’d know it anyway.  I can summarize it with one word: bluebonnets.

Now, when I mention that word, most people have one of two reactions. The first kind of reaction brings a flash of instant recognition and a smile.  The second might be indifference.

Here’s the deal:  for those of you reading this who are having the second reaction, today I invite you to become an honorary Texan if you wish.  Bluebonnets, you see, are a Texas thing.  (Oh, okay, I’ll say it correctly.  It’s a Texas thang.)  Right about now in a large swath of the state, these wildflowers are making their semi-sychronized debut.  It’s a quiet, brief ritual that can stun with beauty.  They transfigure humble meadows to azure carpets and bracket highways with untamed ribbons of perfume.  They lift spirits in general spring cheer.

For many drinking in the sight is part of a yearly, essential Texan experience.  …For me as well.  A few years ago we moved to another state.  Nothing replaces seeing them in person, but I can enjoy them through pictures.  I rest assured that not far away the bluebonnets are resuming their role as ambassadors of the season.

Make no mistake that I’m proud of my Texas heritage (big surprise!), but I’m also fascinated by seeing other places through your eyes.  If spring doesn’t equal bluebonnets for you, what signals spring in your area?  I’d love to hear about it.