Around the world in 12 days

I didn’t have any plans to travel this year. Last year I went to the UK but that trip was originally planned for 2020. Specifically the end of March 2020. As you recall, no organized trips took place outside the country at the end of March 2020. It was postponed twice and I finally was able to go on it last year. So, it was a no-brainer that I would not travel outside the US this year. But plans change and not only did I leave the country, I traveled all the way around the world without even knowing I was going to do it.

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The Feather

Backstory #1: years ago, I started finding feathers everywhere. It was shortly after my mom had passed away and someone had commented that a feather found means your guardian angel was nearby. Full disclosure: it was actually from a pillow that had seen better days and the feathers were stowing away on me and then dropping at various places. But, being the dreamer that I am, I like the whole guardian angel thought.

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Lil B

Every year, usually around the end of August, my niece Bubba invites me to come and spend a few days with her family. A cute family with two red-headed boys as bookends and one sassy brunette sister in the middle. Inevitably, I return home with an collection of stories to share by recounting the week of antics. The oldest will turn 8 in a few months, the youngest will turn 4 a month later. So, yes, there are plenty of stories to share. This one is about Lil B.

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The UK trip I finally got to take

For two years I waited to take a trip. When the time finally approached and people asked if I was excited I answered, “eh.” Not that I wasn’t excited but because of COVID this trip had been postponed twice. So, it was hard to get excited or even believe it was actually happening. But it finally happened. I went on my 2020 trip with my brother and sister in law.

Over London
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The 2020 Trip

In March 2020, I was supposed to go on a trip to the United Kingdom. Our travel company was scheduled to leave the end of March. If you remember your recent history, that was about a week after the world shut down due to COVID. I did not get to go on that trip in 2020. Instead, I waited. But let me start at the beginning.

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Falling from the sky with style

I am not a bold person. It’s true. For most of my life I have followed the path of least resistance like water. It’s funny though, it only took one decision to step outside my comfort zone to help me choose something some people call daring or brave or stupid. I’ve heard them all. Whatever you want to call it, this is how one trip outside the country eventually led to me parachuting out of a plane four years later.

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When reality of it all settles in and stinks

In 1985, I went to the movie house with my friends and watched The Goonies. Actually, I’m just assuming I did because I’m from a small town and on Friday nights my friends and I were usually either at the Family Recreation Center or we were at the movies. I don’t actually remember my first time watching The Goonies. It has become one of those I have watched so much that I can’t really remember a time before I knew Mikey and the gang. I will say that from the first watch I felt like an honorary Goonie. Thankfully, it wasn’t until many years later that I discovered otherwise.

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Call me Rose

Do you remember when The Golden Girls was on television?  I do.  If I remember correctly, the show aired on Saturday nights.  Don’t quote me on that though because my social active life made it difficult for me to watch tv on Saturday nights.  By active social life I am referring to watching the Love Boat and probably Golden Girls with my folks.  Anyway, I remember it was one of the shows my mom got a kick out of and enjoyed.  And so, because I have a chameleon personality and will absorb other people’s interests, I of course enjoyed it.  In hindsight, I probably didn’t understand or relate to a group of geriatric women but because mom laughed I laughed. Continue reading