Growth

Books have always played a significant role in my life.  They’ve been like a constant friend for me.  As a child, I would stay up reading well past my bedtime, using a flashlight so my parents wouldn’t catch me.  (I’m 93.5% sure that’s why I have to wear contact lenses today.)  When I graduated high school, my valedictorian speech centered around the theme of books.  As an adult, though, I’ve struggled to make time for reading.

30×30: Adirondacks Edition

So, I realize I started my 30×30 journey five months ago.  I also realize I’ve only reported one completed item.  Seems I’m a bit behind!  I do have several items to check off, so I thought I would start with the latest batch.

I love the mountains, truly love them.  I’m not necessarily the rugged type; I don’t sleep in a tent or forego indoor plumbing.  However, few things make me as happy as a little cabin and a mountain view.  So, naturally, I decided on the mountains as I started planning my vacation.

30×30: #8 Solve a Rubik’s Cube

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” -Lao Tzu

Perhaps my 30×30 journey does not consist of a thousand miles.  However, it does indeed begin with a single step.  And, I am very happy to say that first step has been completed!

30×30

Today’s my birthday.  (Woohoo!)  I turned 29.  Actually 29, not the I-don’t-want-to-tell-you-how-old-I-am-so-I’m-going-to-lie 29, and I’m pumped!  I honestly don’t remember the last time I was so excited to be a particular age.  There’s nothing special about 29, but I’m excited nonetheless.

I seem to be fairly alone in my excitement though.  Almost all the feedback I’ve received about this age has been negative.  It’s not 29, necessarily, but what comes after it.  The general consensus is that this is your last hurrah, the last piece of carefree living, before full-fledged adulthood hits and life becomes humdrum.

Bucket List

Some years ago I decided to formalize my bucket list.  For years I had accumulated a mental list of things I wanted to do: graduate college, read all the Jane Austen novels, visit all fifty states.  As I grew, so did my list, to the point I had to start writing it down.

One item that has been on that list for quite a long time is viewing the northern lights.  I’ve always been fascinated by the vivid colors, the clear skies and the breathtaking opportunities for photographs.  Unfortunately, the northern lights aren’t often visible in south-central Kentucky.  And, by not often, I mean never.  I’ve always been on the look out for opportunities to see the lights, but I very rarely travel north.

All Who Wander

We all have a cliche quote that we secretly love.  You know, shoot for the stars and all that.  For me, it’s a travel quote.  ‘Not all who wander are lost.’  Well, it’s kind of a travel quote.  I guess it’s kind of a life quote too.  Either way, I’m secretly, or maybe not so secretly, obsessed with it.

It’s been a while.  Approximately eighteen months, actually.  I spent much of that break building a blog with some of my favorite people, and it was great fun.  Until life got in the way and we decided it isn’t the right time to coordinate the schedules of five busy (and awesome) women.  So, I wandered around a bit.  Then I landed back here, my old stomping grounds.  The Crafty Sojourner.  After a face lift and a bit of a purge (those early posts…eek!), I felt the need to come back to my keyboard.

The In Between

I vividly remember my first day of college.  I was a bright-eyed, slightly more naive version of my current self, and I was headed to History 119 on a Monday morning.  You could tell I was a freshman by the lanyard around my neck and the skip in my step.  On that morning, the first of many treks up The Hill, everything was full of possibility.  I remember studying each person I passed.  Could that be my new best friend?  Is he my future husband?  I was in a new world, and I had the next four years planned out.

An Open Letter to Godly Men from a Godly Woman

Dear Godly Man,

First, let me say thank you for existing in this world, a place where self is becoming more and more important and God is being pushed away.  And, thank you for maintaining my belief that good people are not only present but thriving.  I admire your commitment and acknowledge your struggle.  Please know that I, and many others with me, appreciate you.

I must admit that I am not writing to you simply out of adoration.  Because I hold you in such high regard, I want to present a few requests. 

The Skinny

It’s Thursday night, and I’m debating what I’ll wear to work tomorrow.  It’ll be casual Friday, so I know I’ll wear jeans.  I just don’t know which pair: my well-worn pair or the brand new skinny jeans.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Skinny jeans.    Surprisingly enough I bought my first pair, and I’ve already worn them.  In public.  Seriously.  If you don’t know me, allow me to explain why this is rather shocking.  First, I’ve never been accused of being fashionable.  Second, I’m not, well, skinny.

As I walked out my front door wearing skinny jeans for the first time, I had second thoughts.  As I got out of my car at work, I debated going back home to change.  After unlocking my office door, I considered staying behind my desk until time to go home.