Airstream Quilt

There was a quilt pattern going around a few years ago of a camper that was so cute, I had to make it for my friends, Linda and Mark Misencik's Airstream. They bought theirs in 2018 and have traveled all over Colorado and Wyoming with it for the last few years. The camper quilt now graces the inside of the cabin. in a prominent spot. On our annual quilt guild's February retreat, several quilt guild members witnessed me creating this small quilt, which is a perfect size for their camper. 

bSoleille!

Terri

Under the Stars and Full Moon!

A Manufacturing Sunshine Story - Under the Stars and Full Moon

There are all kinds of ways to make do, even when camping and forgetting key elements at home. Take tent stakes for instance. Our host Linda had her camping checklist which included the tent, sleeping bags and two camping air mattresses, as well as everything else needed to outfit their Airstream. Food too. We were all set to head out yesterday morning to Golden, CO, with nary a care in the world. We would be off the grid for the rest of the day and the following couple of days sans a quick trip into Nederland, CO, each morning to find a coffee shop to post our dailies/blogs/Linda’s work.

The Misencik’s beautifully outfitted Airstream can sleep two comfortably, three people can happen (kitchen table reduced to a bed), but a bit cozy; hence taking a tent. The girls decided to give the guys the Airstream for sleeping arrangements. Heck, we are old pros at living off the grid when we needed to. Linda and I car camped for a week a few years ago in Crested Butte, CO, with no problems, and no shower for five days. We were so grimy and dirty after five days of hiking that our hair was standing on end with the dust and sweat entrenched into our scalps and long locks.

Once we arrived at our wonderfully appointed camp site, we made quick work of setting up for the next couple of days. Linda retrieved the tent from the belly of the Airstream and we went to work pitching it up. Uh oh. No tent stakes were in the bag. We couldn’t set the tent up as intended. Those doggone stakes happened to be left at home, Linda then thought that they were probably with their other 2-person tent. Oh well, we had to improvise and manufacture something else; four in the Airstream was not going to happen unless a sweeping storm with torrential rain or lightning strikes happened to be too close for comfort. Thankfully, that was not the case.

Never one to pass up a new opportunity, I was all in to sleep under the stars…and a full moon to boot! It was the first time I ever slept under the stars with just a sleeping bag; Linda too. We were lucky that there were no bugs (mosquitoes) or wind. It was a perfect night to fall asleep under the canopy of pine trees, the stars beyond them, and that glorious and striking full moon that cast its moonshine all over the mountain at 9500 ft. of elevation. We slept like babies. Gunner, the Misencik’s GSP, was safely ensconced into his portable crate next to us. He slept like a baby too.

I did have some fleeting thoughts of waking up to a set of coyote’s eyes staring at me, or a deer or bear. Nope, nada. I woke up refreshed with the nighttime forest bathing, a brilliant full moon, and breathing in fresh mountain air all night long.

Oh, in case you are wondering, the boys slept like babies too, safely ensconced in the AS.

Magical.

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National Dog Day!

If you have a canine or two, I celebrate with you today with your bundle(s) of fur and everlasting companionship on National Dog Day. It's been a few years since our last dog, Loo-C-Loo died. We sure do miss them, cuddling on the sofa and going for long runs and walks when they were able. 

What I/we do now is cuddle up with our friends' dogs, or dogsit on occasion, or admire them from afar. While visiting our friends, Mark and Linda, their dog Gunner has been one of our favorites. He's a German Shorthair Pointer (GSP) and very well mannered. When the day is nearly done he will curl up on the sofa to cuddle. He is not a licker or kisser, shucks!

When he comes to visit us in Crofton, he heads straight for the toybox. I still keep a doggie toy box for any and all dogs to play with when they come over. Gunner likes to take his time taking them all out of the box/basket to play. But...he doesn't clean up after himself. The trail of toys is a force to be reckoned with!

Cheers to all the Canines near and far. A dog...a pet that is just like family. Please give them extra love today!

BSoleille!

Terri

My sister Kimberly with Champ and Olivia with Loo-C and Lucky

Gunner

Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing is the happening while in Colorado and South Dakota for us! It's harnessing the joys of and health benefits of being outdoors, and we love that. The Black Hills Forest in South Dakota have thousands of pine trees, tall and mighty. Standing amongst them as a human being, I feel so puny compared to their majestic stance as far as the eye can see. 

The whole concept of Forest Bathing was started in Japan but gaining more and more popularity in the US. It's a great concept for "being one with nature." Perhaps reaping the benefits of keeping stress at bay as much as our psyche will allow us to is what Forest Bathing can do for many people. I am usually in awe every step I take in the forest and beyond.

I recently bought a book on this exact subject, and plan to read it soon.

bSoleille!

Terri

Road Map of the Lower 48

I guess my bucket list of visiting all 50 states in a lifetime has garnered some interest, starting with our hosts, Linda and Mark Misencik. They pulled out their trusty Travel Vision United States Road Map once we were done eating and back from our Dakota trip. They immediately began marking off the states they have visited, and those they have not--even from their youth. Maybe we can visit a few states we can do together in the future. 

My photos below are of Linda and Mark as well as some of the wildflowers captured in the Black Hills Canyon in Spearfish, SD. Mid-August is late for blooming wildflowers as the snow will start flying in a month or so. I was happy to take in all the flowers and Forest Bathing I could (another post).

bSoleille!

Terri

What state next, honey?

North Dakota Today...My 43rd State!

It's not every day that you enter a bucket list item. Today, I/we entered, on purpose, my 43rd state out of the Union's 50! It was a planned visit, about 15 miles past the South Dakota border to reach North Dakota. The Misencik's and The Tomoff's had drove 2.5 hours each way from our wonderful stay in Spearfish Canyon, SD, to have lunch at Grazer's in Bowman, North Dakota. It was a great lunch to boot - hamburgers - all around, and for me, a bison burger. The rest of the week - salads!

The restaurant was a "Be Kind" kind of restaurant, and hubby #Billboard Bill had on a T-shirt that said "Be Kind to Everyone." It was total serendipity on Bill's part, but he was hootin' and hollerin' the whole meal! 

There was not much else to see or do, but we did not care. On our way up, I kept saying that I would love to see a cowboy rustling up the cattle. I've never seen it in Colorado, Arizona or South Dakota (or any state out West). Guess what? Today, as it was my turn to drive, about 50 miles into the drive back to SD, I saw in the distance (not hard, as there is not much out there) a truck and some cowboys! 

Once closer, there three cowboys, a dog and a horse trailer that Linda was able to capture. Yippee! My day was complete this afternoon. 

bSoleille! Cheers to 43 states visited: States to go: Alabama; Louisiana, Mississippi; Idaho; Minnesota, Montana, and Oregon. I hope to get to all the rest someday.

Terri

Cowboys in North Dakota!

Linda poking her heard out of a boulder on our late afternoon hike

Devils' Bathtub HIke - Spearfish Canyon

Hiking at One Hundred Degrees

South Dakota gets over 35 inches of snow per year. The Black Hills area receives upwards of 100 inches, and that's exactly where we are hiking this week. However, summertime is completely different - no snow, but 100 degrees plus while on our Lookout Mountain hike in Spearfish, SD late this morning. 

Never fear though, once done, we headed to the downtown area of Spearfish and found an excellent brewery to drown out the heat with an iced cold craft brew. 

All the hiking the four of us have done over our lifetimes, and not one of us ever hiked with cows. Our hike started out with cows on the trail for about the first 1/2 mile. They were happy cows and I waved and told them how great they were as the mooed and mooed. From the looks of it, they were happy to have some humans on the trail with them, slogging through the high temps just like they were! Ha ha!

bSoleille!

Terri

That's John the Waiter taking care of us this afternoon at the Spearfish Brewery

Happy 27th Birthday, Ryan!

Birthday greetings to the best son around! I am shouting from the rooftops from Colorado to wish Ryan a very Happy Birthday today! I am thrilled to celebrate this cool kid, from afar, but just as sincere as if in person. He typically celebrates his "special" day with over 200 people at Special Love's Camp Fantastic, which is virtual for the second year in a row due to Covid. 

Please help me usher in his 27th Birthday to this awesome young man! And cheers to the start of your 28th lap around the sun!

bSoleille!

Terri

Breakfast in The Buff!

Breakfast in The Buff is a great place for a brunch on Sunday morning and fully clothed that is. This Boulder restaurant has 99 cent mimosas or bloody mary's that go great with practically everything that they have on the menu. Not too long of a wait either and we had a great waitress go boot! When we were almost done a thunderstorm snuck up on us as we were seated outside (beautiful sunny morning before the rain). 

First photo of Mark and Bill with "billboard" T-shirts and in the rain, as well Mark & Linda.

bSoleille!

Terri

Sunflowers = Bees!

Oh how the wild sunflowers are preening themselves all over Colorado right now. They are really pretty and I cannot get enough of them. Colorado has five varieties of wild sunflowers that bloom in August: common, Maximilian, Nuttalls, prairie and bush sunflowers. Everyone has them in their gardens, and they are blooming all over the state as as well.

While walking through the small town of Berthoud, CO, with our hostesses, we happened to come across a house with almost the entire tree lawn of sunflowers. I "needed" to have Bill take a photo of me in the middle on them, but I noticed a lot of bees buzzing so I did not get too far into the thick of them. 

It didn't take too long for me to get stung on the back of my toes once on the sidewalk, One bee must have been irate that I invaded their space and tore off after me once the photo was taken. I screamed the second I got stung since it hurt! I had to sit down on the curb (away from all flowers) where I carefully used a credit card from Bill's wallet to remove the stinger. Problem solved and the pain was instantly gone. 

BSoleille!

Terri

Admiring the pretty sunflowers moments before getting stung! OUCH!

Signs of the Times

No bear sightings today on our hike late this afternoon - the Ceran St. Vrain, located northwest of Jamestown, Colorado. Shucks was my thought (I do live on the edge sometimes, but not with my gang today!) However, there were a few signs coming into Jamestown that "warned" visitors of the bears near the little town and the mountain we headed to for our hike. Of course, bears can be destructive just like any animal looking for food, but I am always hopeful to see one IRL. 

Frankly, with the four of us talking (Bill loudly- and I say this affectionately) and the Misencik's dog, Gunner, running ahead and zig zagging on the trail, no bear would step near us. My hope would be to see one in the distance, especially today when we hiked near a babbling brook - a perfect backdrop to see a mama and baby bear. Maybe next time... 

BSoleille!

Terri

Bill, Terri, Linda and Mark

I am a sucker for wildflowers

Berthoud & Boulder!!

Instead of driving for three days to Colorado we decided to fly the friendly skies! Way easier, but I may miss traveling across the USA. I will say it’s easy peasy to be out West from the East Coast in 5 hours by air.  

Once at the Misencik’s in Berthoud, we had a little bit of time to have some down time before Mark and Linda Misencik treated us to a benefit dinner at the Flagstaff House in Boulder. Our six course dinner with delicious wine pairings will benefit a foundation quite near and dear to our hearts like the ones we know in DC; "There With Care" based in Boulder. https://therewithcare.org/

Their mission, like a few out East, provide a wide range of services to families with critical phases of their children’s medical crisis. This foundation has built a network of services to ease the burden of the day to day obligations to over 800 families in Colorado! 

BSoleille!

Terri

It's Never too Late

To get to the cement pond and swim laps. When our nephew, Alex Tomoff, paid us a visit for a couple of days recently, we made sure we got some laps in on these hot summer days. That water rushing over my back with each stroke really makes me happy. However, I am not too keen when I get a cramp in my foot or calf, which happens more than I like to admit.  "They" say eat bananas, but I cannot do that either (I've tried multiple times.) 

Cheers to getting a good workout in a pool...one lap at a time.

BSoleille!

Terri

Summer Joy

A picture is worth a thousand words, or so "they" say. How about a picture is worth two thousand words, or egads, ten thousand words? What would happen then? Probably nothing.

When "The Best Daughter" sent the below photo to me today, I had to share it - pure joy on a hot summer day, just like today in Maryland. That photo was taken today, August 10th... but years ago.

BSoleille!

Terri

Olivia, Meritt Godleski and Ryan

 

 

Reservation Gas

While driving home the other day just a tad South of the Buffalo, NY area, I decided to fill the gasoline tank (it was about half-full). Since my trek home only encompassed interstate highways for no more than 50 miles at a stretch, the roads home were (2 lane and scary) and some (4 lane) highways and byways. After an hour of driving and on a two-lane road with a few lights, I decided to pull into one of two gas stations in the area.

I am usually an observant person and driver. For some reason, maybe because I was singing along with a song on the radio…loud and proud… I was not "tuned" in to my actual surroundings. It happens that the route Siri had me on was smack dab in the middle of an Indian Reservation. I never knew there were Indian Reservations in that area, though the sign at the gas station "First Nations Convenience," should have been my first clue.

I thought the name was a marketing scheme, never thinking it was truly a First Nations store.

When I pulled up to the pump, I retrieved my credit card out of my wallet, pushed the button to open the gas tank, and jumped out of the car. The car ahead of me began pulling out of the lot when a man appeared right in front of me and scared the crap out of me. I did not see him when I pulled up initially.

He said that I was at a Full Service Station, and that I was on an Indian Reservation. I was lost for words because I was still thinking about pumping my own gas (they also have full service in New Jersey and we always fill up before we get into the state). He kept walking towards me until there was nowhere for me to go except around the car the other way. I handed him my credit card so he could begin the process of pumping my gasoline.

Once around the car, he suggested to seat myself back into the car and relax. So I did. I replaced my credit card back into my wallet, and waited patiently (slow pump) for my tank to fill up. I manufactured some sunshine with deep breaths and thankfulness that my car was being taken care of by a very kind man.

I then looked around the gas station and area with a more critical eye. Sure enough, I noticed more First Nation people coming and going out of the convenience store, along with the area surrounding this station.

I was elated to find this treasure!

BSoleille!

Terri

Nephew/Cousin Unexpected Visit!

It's great to be young with warm sunny days and nothing but time to have fun, especially on weekends. My nephew, Alex, drove to Ocean City, Maryland this past weekend to meet up with friends and decided to pay us a visit on his way back to Ohio (tomorrow). We ordered dinner, we caught up with his life, and we all got to visit with him on a beautiful evening. 

BSoleille!

Terri

A Splash of Color

Hubby Bill walked into the house with a few groceries and, what he calls, "a splash of color." A small bouquet of flowers for me - "just because." I want to think he missed me while I was away for a few days, which he will emphatically say, "yes of course." 

I gladly accepted the pretty flowers and their mild fragrance - a total splash of color for our kitchen island to spruce up the room for the next week!

BSoleille! The bright side of a small bouquet.

Terri

Water is Powerful

So is friendship! My gang decided to take a trek to Niagara Falls this morning on this beautiful August day. Sunny skies, warm temperatures and little humidity made it the perfect combination to take the hour drive up to Buffalo, New York and surrounding area of the Falls. The loud rush of the water on the American side was intense and awesome. It's been a few years that any of us has gone to see them, so being so close, it was a good choice on our loose itinerary. 

Short and sweet post—as a picture is worth a thousand words:

Yay to Friendship!

The Rhodes girls started our day on the ski lift (for a fun pic) and hike around a lake at the top of one of the runs at Holiday Valley ski resort. The mountain coaster was not too shabby either! This area is a boon for winter sports enthusiasts, but a cute town in the summer to hang out with friends, especially with ones I've known for a long time. 

A fan favorite amongst our crew is eating a good lunch and dinner at cute, fun or interesting restaurants. So far, so good; we've liked them all here in Ellicottville, New York. 

Photo below is all of us on a chair at the top of the ski lift (not operating). I've never downhill skied in my life, but the five other girls have. Thankfully, I have been on a working ski lift only during the summer months so I know what it's all about.

BSoleille! The bright side of friendship!

Terri

Ellicottville New York!

People reading along with me might think I don't want to be home this summer, as we just finished the month of July with being gone (5) weekends in a row. I do like my home...but it's time to get back out there - all safely too. 

I happen to be extending my weekends in August with this first trip to Ellicottville, New York (home of Holiday Valley for winter snow skiers), with my Rhodes High gals. There is never a dull moment when the six of us get together. We've been doing a yearly trip for the past several years now and wanted to explore this area of New York in the summertime. The town is cute; our Airbnb, big and wonderful to accommodate all of us. 

I think a hike is on tap in the morning in one of the nearby state parks. It's bear country here too. We will be on alert for Smokey the Bear!

BSoleille!

Terri

Dinner at the Ellicottville Brewery: Robin, Debbie, me, Sue, Sarah, and Kata

Thoughts on Olympics 2020 in 2021

Are you watching the Tokyo Olympics? Are you enjoying them? I am, though I do think it's a bit disjointed due to the Covid and low(er) participation from all the countries, or so it seems. I love the unexpected; winners of gold medals that gives the crowd, as little as they are, a golden moment in time. World records are even better, and frankly unbelievable! 

I was lucky enough to attend the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles after graduating college a month before I left. I went with three other girls (a pair of sisters and my hometown friend, Mary). We drove across the United States, taking the southern route out, and the northern route back. It was all very exciting! It was my first trek driving across the US and visiting many states out and back. I think we were gone almost 4 weeks.

We bought Olympic tickets a year or so in advance. When others decided not to make the trek from Ohio, the four of us were given a lot of tickets for a lot of events. It is one of the highlights of my life to see Olympic glory! If my memory serves me correctly, this is what I remember: swimming and diving (at USC outdoor pools); soccer at the Rose Bowl; the first women's Olympic Marathon on the streets of LA - won by Joan Benoit;  Equestrian at the Santa Anita horse track; and a lot of Track and Field at Los Angeles Coliseum. I was amazed at sitting in the front row (another story) while watching Carl Lewis win gold in the 100m dash and others win gold, silver and bronze. I think I even witnessed Olympic records shattered, if not a couple of World Record performances. Awestruck every day/every event that I attended.  

A funny story while the four of us were headed toward the Olympic Village one evening. Fans were allowed to go anywhere at that time. We met people from all over the world, competitors and fans alike. One day on the green at UCLA, we were headed toward the dormitories. Lionel Ritchie was performing in the dorms but ended up being at the wrong one and had to run to another dorm across campus. As we were walking, he came running toward us and about knocked me over. I screamed what the heck are you doing?? He shouted back over his shoulder that he was late to sing at another dorm. My brush with fame...Ha!

While watching the games now and seeing the empty seats in the stadiums and arenas, it truly saddens me. Except for the coaches and trainers and those working the entrances and exits of the venues, the athletes seem to have very little support. It's practically silent at some of the venues. Of course, it's not what anyone wanted, but the need to keep most, if not all, athletes safe gets top billing in addition to medals being won all over Tokyo. 

Go USA! We are all rooting you on from home!

BSoleille!

Terri

Photo: Souvenir Program of 1984 in Los Angeles, California

First Meet Up with Writing in Community

When I first signed up for the first ever Writing in Community through Seth Godin's Akimbo programs last summer, I would never have imagined the magic found with the friendships made from all over the world. How you may ask?  Through this six month solstice to solstice online writing course. Posting each day, called a daily, is the drip drip ship mentality I needed to finally finish, then self-publish, The Focused Fight. Reading other's work every day made it easy to find like-minded people that have turned into genuine friendships. Many of my writing pals published. Several are still working on their manuscripts with the intention of publishing this year.

When last summer was a bust for travel, as well as a good part of 2021, there were very few meet ups with people not in our bubble groups. Our world is now in a different place (for how much longer no one has a clue), but it seems more and more people are traveling for work and pleasure to some degree.

So tonight was a super fun treat to meet up with Annette Mason of Solana Beach, California, and her husband, Bob. They are in the DC area for work and wanted to meet up with us. Bill and I had a magical night IRL (in real life) with Annette, and Bob who was a good sport while the three of us talked about our experience as part of WIC1, and now, WIC2. We have written many times together in zoom rooms and chatted in many other avenues over the last year plus, but never met in person until today. 

The funny thing is through this course, I really got to know Annette and vice versa. We have so much in common it's uncanny. It's kind of wild on how close we got through the miles and on the discourse. Nothing was awkward tonight and we seamlessly chatted throughout our dinner at Succotash at the D.C. National Harbor (beautiful by the way). 

It was so much fun to meet with Annette and Bob, that I'd love to meet up with others from the WIC when the chance opens up. 

BSoleille!

Terri

Where is Summer Going?

The days are rolling by way to fast this summer. I'm thinking they are faster since so many of us are actually doing things and vacationing which is a wonderful thing. Can you believe it's August 1st? I'm patting myself on the back for not missing a day blogging in July (it's a looong month). I'm trying to keep those (6) off days at bay for as long as possible (self-imposed deadline of 3000 posts come 12/31/21). 

I hope we all have sunny skies and warm temperatures through September at least. 

My photo below screams summer don't you think?

BSoleille!

Terri