It’s there…
I can see it for the first time in years…
Source
But it’s still just beyond arm’s reach…
Source
But then, it’s only been a week….
I suspect it’s gonna take longer than that to break the bad habit of living in panic mode…
I see now, just how much I needed this break…
Source
So I could learn to calm down and live.
Taos, New Mexico
I’d like to take an old, colorful, not so perfect truck like this on a long, slow road trip in the American west. No interstates, back roads only. I imagine we’d find some tasty food in those small town diners along the way, along with some incredible scenery enhanced by the view through the windshield of this old Chevy. I’d leave all the technology home and just enjoy the AM radio stations that no doubt are the only thing available on this pink beauty. That’s just fine. I’d rather listen to the sounds of the breeze and the road.
Yeah, just one time, I’d like to take a long, slow road trip in a truck like this.
Monte Vista, Colorado
Then, when I’m done with that trip, I’d do it all over again in this one.
Holly, Colorado
Then another in this one…
Ferryville, Wisconsin
…and then this one.
What are you daydreaming about today?
Hubby and I spent our Saturday on the shore of Lake Michigan near Kenosha. It was a gorgeous, unseasonably warm day. And very windy, making the lake a little rougher than normal.
(photo by me, taken with my trusty iPhone)
There is something about me and any shore like this…..I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be. Do you have a place you feel like that about? It’s nice to start the week with a memory like this one.
I hope the weekend was good to you too! Have a happy Monday and wonderful week everyone.
xo
Jeweler’s Row – Chicago’s Loop
This looks better bigger. Click on the image and see for yourself. 
I love Chicago.
I used to work 2 blocks from where we took this.
I miss the urban hallways of the city – the shops, the architecture, even the urban noise.
I just miss Chicago.
I miss the diversity of its people. I especially miss their kindness.
I miss having their energy to inspire me everyday.
Speaking of inspiring people…
Stephanie at Misprinted Pages has nominated me for the Liebster award. I have to tell you, it’s a real honor to receive this from her because she’s someone who inspires me. Stephanie is a writer. Period. You can tell that writing is what she was born to do. Her blog is about books and writing, and if you visit her site, you’ll find links to even more of her writing. Last night she posted a link to her 300 word story, Ribbons of Red, that introduced me to her fictional writing. I love this! Stephanie clearly cares about every single word she puts out there for us to read. That kind of energy, and passion, is inspiring. It’s infectious, and makes me want to put that kind of effort into the things I’m passionate about doing too. Thank you so much for everything Stephanie….
The guidelines for accepting this award are:
I’m uncomfortable choosing just 5 bloggers for an award. That’s the only reason why I rarely accept blogging awards – because it’s just too difficult for me to do this part. But, in the spirit of recognizing Stephanie today, I’ll do it. If you’re not on the list, it doesn’t mean that I don’t love you. I promise. One day soon, I will do a full-fledged blogroll to recognize everyone I follow and love.
If I remember right, The Liebster Award was originally meant for newer blogs that are just starting out – those with fewer than 200 followers. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to five blogs I’ve found that deserve to be seen. They’re my choices to receive The Liebster Award.
No pressure to do anything guys, I just wanted to recognize you!!!!!!
iPhone Photographer – David is creating wonderful images with the exact cell phone I have. As a photographer who uses DSLRs to make my living, I find this to be amazing, but he does it. Daily. He also tries and writes reviews about all the photography apps available for our iPhones. This is a beautiful, fun blog, and David is a terrific guy who engages his readers. He cooks cool stuff too! Check out his Oreo Truffles that I will never, ever forget
Bryan Gaynor Photography – Just go visit Bryan. You won’t be sorry. This is a gorgeous photography blog that inspires the heck out of me. Along with David, Bryan has motivated me to get out there and take good pictures! Oh, and he’s from Chicago. He automatically wins any award he wants.
Ramblings & Roasts – Talk about a writer! Tara is a great one too! Just go there. Learn, laugh and enjoy! I “met” her a month ago in the blogosphere, and I was instantly sure she has the other half of my brain. Read her handy tips on “How To Win a Cooking Contest” right now. You will laugh. Out loud. And what’s better than that?
Earthmuffin Adventures – Alyssa is a real find for me. Blogging over at Blogger, she’s created a place for me to go to get information on healthy, sustainable, organic, GOOD eating here in Wisconsin. It’s so nice to have a road map to the local food scene. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the information she writes about. There’s recipes too! Like this one for Pickled Eggs. Try it, you’ll like it
The Boho Life – This is a beautiful blog filled with gorgeous photos, thoughtful little essays, and inspiration for design….and life. She finds some great things. I just found this blog a couple of weeks ago and find myself looking forward to every post.
Enjoy them all!!!
This is one of my favorite pictures. That I’ve taken.
I’m not sure why.
It might be the lines of the bridges. It might be the houseboats in the fog under the bridge.
Whatever the reason, I love it.
This is the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wisconsin.
A place I love for it’s amazing scenery.
That you can’t see here because of the fog.
I love La Crosse.
Hubby is an architect who has been traveling there for his job every week during the spring and summer for the past three years. Yep, he’ll be doing it again this year too. I used to go with him every week because I loved having that change of scenery. Annnnnnd ok – The truth is, there was this incredible Mexican Restaurant right next door to our hotel. I’d never had such wonderful Mexican food here in Wisconsin. I’d go with him on his trips just to eat there. This wasn’t American-ized Mexican food, it was the real thing. Authentic. Therefore, perfect. Definitely worth the weekly 3 hour one-way trip.
The restaurant was called El Charro.
And the last time I went with hubby, it burned down in the middle of the night.
We didn’t get much sleep that night. The fire and all the commotion it caused was just way too close to us…it was pointless to even try.
So instead, I wound up photographing the fire. This nice fireman noticed my camera not long after they all arrived. He asked if I’d keep shooting and give them copies of the photographs. He they’d help with the investigation. For my money, firemen are true American heroes, so of course, I obliged. Happy to help, yes, but as I watched it burn, I became sad. We had eaten dinner there mere hours before the fire started and as usual, it was wonderful.
I wish I’d taken pictures of that meal, because there won’t be anymore. The restaurant was a total loss. The owners did not relocate.
I plan to take the trip with Hubby this year again….you know, for that gorgeous Mississippi River/La Crosse scenery. But it just won’t be the same…..
Have you lost a restaurant in your town that you loved? What did they make better than any other restaurant in the area?
