Lofts to sleep in and wake up in the sun:
Coffee and mimosas on the morning patio:
Lazy afternoons by the water:
…and skinny dipping at dusk:
Did I mention hip hop dance parties in the kitchen with my friends dad too? Yeah, those.
There are grocery stores called Festival as if there were a party inside:
…and there was. String cheese that looks like this? Yeah- that’s a party:
You’ve gotta love a courtesy phone like this in the meat section. Let’s face it- you don’t get this in the big city:
More? There are spots to eat dinner called Elmer’s Place that have signs like this:
So I didn’t participate in the Friday Fish Fry, but yes- I totally ate fried cheese curds for dinner last night and they were delicious. When in Rome…
Preface:
I’m a modern-day nomad. I have no permanent address, no possessions except the ones I carry, and I rarely know where I’ll be six months from now. I move through the world without a plan, guided by instinct, connecting by trust, and constantly watching for serendipitous opportunities.
People are my passion. Unlike a traditional nomad, when I go somewhere, I settle with the locals long enough to share the minutes of their days, to know the season of their lives, and to be trusted with their secrets. I have lived with people in thatched huts, slept in their gilded palaces, and worshipped with them at godly ceremonies and dens of black magic. I have also cooked with women on fires all over the world.
I’ve been living and loving my nomadic existence since the day in 1986 when, at the age of forty-eight, on the verge of a divorce, I looked around and thought: There has to be more than one way to do life.
There is.
***
I’m sorry I can’t remember who gifted me this book for Christmas 2005, although I am thinking it was probably my Mom. At least I had the date written on the inside of the front cover. I picked up my copy this morning to read again, then sent Author Rita an email (we’ve been in touch now for about 6 months) to which she immediately responded. (It’s pretty amazing, you read or hear about someone you think is fantastic, contact them to tell them that and they really do get back to you, which is of course the reason you thought they were fantastic in the first place; they are.)
Thanks for being such an inspiration Rita. The last paragraph of your preface is what continues to stay with me most about this book after 7 years. After rereading it again today I had to post it here. Â There certainly is more than one way to “do” life and I fully plan to keep on doing it. Glad you are too!
…from Otter Creek Brewing Company.
No matter where I am in the country, every time I see a Vermont license plate, my stomach does a happy flip. I love my home state. I spotted this VT plate and sticker a couple days ago in Chicago and had to smile:
There sure is a lot of delicious beer in the Green Mountain State. Here’s to local brews for the summertime!
ILOVERMONT.
Exquisite:
I snapped this one while wandering the city this weekend. I could have an entire blog dedicated to funny signs I see.
I was in produce heaven at Stanley’s this weekend. This place is the mecca for cheap, fresh fruits and veggies in Chicago:
There was a guy making fresh sweet potato chips, they’ve got a dairy section, nuts, a meat deli counter and more. Fantastic. Last night for dinner? I sliced some crispy cukes, made yummy bruschetta with the heirloom tomatoes I picked up, and whipped up some corn succotash too.
I love summer and all the fresh foods that come along with it.
After seeing the video of the dancing dude in the goggles yesterday, my friend taped his little girl dancing to my post. Watch this and try not to laugh again. What a cutie pie.
Thanks Aly- you are a superstar!
My sister sent this to me last night. It’s is a friend of the guy she’s traveling with- he is in Italy. I need to go to Italy again if this is how much fun they have alone on a Speedo-esque pair of shorts and a bathing cap:
I’ve watched it about 10 times and I can’t stop. My favorite part is around minute 2. My stomach and face hurt. Seriously, the running man, totally straight face, with the goggles put me over the edge. This is freaking hilarious. Ok, I have to go watch this again…
How could this picture not make you smile?
Because it’s a gorgeous day out, I decided to walk my errands today. Trader Joe’s was my last stop to stock up on a few snacks and some beer for after my double-header soccer game tonight. As I headed home I walked by an auto shop with a few guys standing outside taking what looked like a much deserved break. I smiled and said hi as I approached them. One of the guys saw my 6-pack of Blue Moon and jokingly reached for one of them. We both laughed as I walked by. As I turned the corner I thought, I have got to go back and give this guy a beer. He looked like a jolly and hard-working guy, why not?
I walked back and said “Here you go, enjoy!” He looked shocked, smiled huge, and was very appreciative. We laughed, I introduced myself and asked if I could take a photo of him of course. After a minute of chatter, he was being summoned to go back to work so we said our goodbye’s.
It’s amazing how a 2 minute interaction with someone you’d never otherwise meet can change your day, give you some perspective, or put a smile on your face. I always get back way more than I give when meeting people like Isas along my road. I live for this stuff. This, is what Blue Lollipop Road is all about.
Cheers Isas. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
