In considering my response to Egídio’s challenge to this week, “to explore fun destinations and favorite pastimes,” I came up with three general categories of landing places that I consistently gravitate toward for enjoyment and relaxation; activities that engage me creatively, being with family and friends (including beagles and their friends!) and being in nature. Though I will present them separately here, in my life they are intrinsically interwoven.

Creative activities are especially fun for me, including photography. Instead of saying “I’m going out to work in the garden,” I say “Oh, boy! I get to go play outside in the garden!” The top left photo was taken after I had redone the landscaping in my vegetable garden plots last fall. The next three photos show this years Lemon Basil both growing and cut, and finally in a pot of bubbling olive oil with garlic to make infused oil to give and to use throughout the coming year. Next, on the right are tomato plants, harvested tomatoes and the fruits being processed to make tomato sauce.

Being with family and friends, including beagles and their buddies is always a fun destination. Top left is of me with my sisters in St. Louis last year. We have another trip planned for this October, which I’m looking forward to very much. Next is my immediate family at my home for a Christmas gathering, husband Creighton with Max, and a shot of our Dog Park friends, Daisy taking the drivers seat, and the group of writers I have been gathering with to write and share our works for several years. This photo was taken when we visited the Community Garden features here on September 2, Garden Delights+Cee’s FOTD.

Being in nature is my number one go to fun destination, especially Long Beach, WA. All summer we stayed home in Vancouver, and did not go out to Long Beach because it is always very busy in summer, and we prefer the quiet times. On returning this week I participated in a nature walk to an, as yet, not open to the public area in the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. After being transported to a drop off point on old logging roads, we followed an Elk trail to Bear Creek which had been diked and dredged during the logging years, and is now being restored to, once again, be a natural Salmon spawning habitat. What a delight to see such dedicated folks and organizations working together to reclaim this beautiful wild space.

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Thank you Egídio, for another wide open challenge. So sorry I’m late getting my post finished and up for you to see. Sometimes “life” gets in the way of schedules!!!