687 Miles to Sloppy Kisses…

It’s been over a year and a half since I’ve seen my grandson Alex, who turned 3 in April.
I can think of nothing I’d rather do than share the next few days with you as we get reacquainted and fall in love all over again…

The Journey:

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The first 200 miles
Old Glory flies high and
Gas prices do too
140 miles more before we leave the high cost of living in the Northeast behind…
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The layover at halfway
Storm on the horizon
Unwanted voyeurs
One who is thankful for the break.
345 miles to go for sloppy kisses…
Water, water, everywhere...and not a drop to drink! Oh...and a windmill.
Water, water, everywhere…and not a drop to drink!
Oh…and a windmill, of course.
300 miles more to giant hugs from little arms
farm country collage
Tooling down the Blue Ridge Parkway headed for the home stretch
Silos and Barns growing out of the Corn
and oh….
Crackin’ the Barrel on every corner!
200 miles and we pop the top and pull the cork.
The Kudzu Climbs The Gas Prices Fall And the Caverns are Cavernous!
The Kudzu Climbs
The Gas Prices Fall
And the Caverns are Cavernous
100 more to their front door.
The first hello is always shy...but give him time, our little guy.
The first hello is always shy…but give him time, our little guy.
play ball collage
Next thing you know they’re playing ball
Basketball, football, soccer and all
Running, shooting, fetching, “no fair!”
I’m goin’ swimming…hop in gram, we’ll share.

So ends the first day…worth the trip and worth the  heat.

Stay tuned for the next installment…getting down on the trampoline then popsicle parties and bubble magic.

🙂

Back on the Road

Inroads – encroachment

Crossroads – decisions

Dirt roads – tributaries along the way

Bumpy roads – the ups and downs

Detours – new direction to the same destination

Roadblocks – stop or find another way

Out roads – the place we don’t want to be

Every day, we choose the road we set our feet upon.  Each inch we travel is a minute step in the right direction as long as that direction is forward. Don’t stand still, don’t hesitate, don’t stop moving.

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Others will make inroads against us…don’t let them.  Do not allow anyone to take from us what we are not willing to give freely. Don’t let them sneak up on you.

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Do our hard thinking along the way so when we reach your crossroads you’ll know the direction you are meant to take. This will never be easy and we will likely be here more than once. If you take the wrong turn the first time, remember it well…and do better the next.

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The dirt roads are mere side trips; chances to meet new people, try new things, gain new insight, or just look for a place to breathe. These are the paths that make the journey worthwhile.

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There will always be bumps in the road ahead…there has never been a completely flat road and there never will be. Some are visible, some clouded in the fog of our mind’s eye…but there, they are.  We must use caution on the way to planting our flag of accomplishment on the top, and always leave a word or two of encouragement there for the ones that follow.  And remember, we are gaining strength with each step up and over to the other side. The next one will be a little easier and the one after that and the one after that.

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Don’t fear the detours, they are a necessary part of our journey. As long as our destination is clear, how we get there matters little and there’s nothing wrong with a change of scenery. Sights to be enjoyed, experiences to be treasured, lessons to be learned…Life recalculated.

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The road blocks are meant to test us. They will stop some in their tracks; end the journey because it just got too hard.  Don’t let this happen. We must use them as tools to hone our skills of adjusting, ingenuity, imagination, and self-reliance. Don’t give in and don’t give up…give ’em hell.

Bridge 3 still there

There may be times we find ourselves on the outside, what I call the out roads.  This is not a place to be. This is a place of indecision, self-doubt, fear of the unknown, and even fear of the known. The kind of fear that lives in the dark places, leaves us afraid to step forward, or afraid to move at all.  Lost.  If we find ourselves here…we must stop, open our minds, hearts, and eyes…for this is the time to ask for help.

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We can see them; the people in our lives we love and respect; lining the shoulder of the roads we’ve walked…reaching out. They are waiting, they are willing, they are there to help you back on your path. But they cannot do it for you…admit you are lost, take the hands that are offered, and begin again. One step at a time.

It’s never too late.

It’s never too late to reach for the moon.

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It’s never to late.

It’s never to late to get back on the road.

IMG_4456Safe travels my friends.

First Times…

Calling all photogs…and friends of photogs.

As this is the time for new beginnings and new adventures for me…I’ve decided to just do it.

Yup.

I’m doing it.

I’ve done it.

What?

Something new…

Those that know me already, know I have a special friend.  My constant companion, whom I call CC.  We spend quality time together every chance we get, and I’ve shared many a special moment of that time with a lot of you in my earlier life.  This relationship is one of fun, reflection, surprise, beauty, sadness, and glory.  This special and dear companion is my camera.

Now…a fellow blogger and similar-minded friend rodposse, has put into place a photo challenge on his blog.  It’s now in its 7th week and the first one in which I am entering, and it’s a fantastic idea.  Win, lose, draw…makes no difference.  This is a terrific avenue to take to find new friends, appreciate great photos, and experience how others’ points of view can take you completely by surprise.

I invite you to visit rodposse, enjoy the captured moments in this week’s challenge…which is the element WATER.  But stay awhile and visit the past challenges, as well as his own photos.  It’s well worth the time.

Become a participant if you choose to do so, by following his simple rules for submitting your own photos.  I know more than a few of you have a great eye and take some stunning photos.  Go have some fun!

Or if you’d rather, just share your opinion by clicking on the like button for your favorite(s).  Simple.

But if for no other reason, visit just to enjoy the view.

This is the link to the challenge (and I’m shameless here, but this link will take you to my entry…However, you can navigate very easily from there, honest)

6th Challenger – The last summer

The very best to all the entrants…good luck…and keep shutterin.

Rhonda