Altitudinal Attitude

Seriously, how can you have an attitude when you see this....

Have you ever noticed how, the minute you step out of the car or the plane and that warm salt ocean breeze gusts a welcome hug, all the worry in your brain just melts away?

Or is that just me?

Of course, the ocean tends to give me more of a slap, but still...

There's a lot to be said for the for that beach attitude: chilled out, relaxed, no worries, mon.

Naturally, I have a theory.

I live 760 miles from the nearest ocean access and about 464 miles above sea level.

283 miles to Memphis – no longer care that the train commute to work makes me nauseated.

418 miles to Huntsville – the kids are fine.

702 miles to Floribama – wonder if Rob could grow a mullet for that contest they have.

760 miles to Destin – 401-Schmore-o-one, I could get by just fine being a diner waitress.
2072 miles to Tortola - I have children? A job? That's just crazy talk...

Take me further from home, out into the open sea and I forget there is a whole world out there acting like a big overgrown baby.

Its not just the latitude, as that one guy likes to sing about, its the attitude.

Chicken and egg?

Potato, po-tah-to?

I guess it has to do with the curve of the earth or the down slope of the Mississippi River Valley...whatever...

For every mile down hilll I travel, I lose a daily stress.

This phenomenon is not related only to sea level.

When we travel to the mountains – 9052 miles above sea level- the same thing happens.

But, where sea level is a bare foot, dread lock my hair, I'll catch a fish for dinner feel; the mountains are more of a calico skirt, change my name to Trellis, let me weave you a pair of pants while that loaf of bread bakes in the wood fire stove.

Which, using scientific deduction (don't try this at home) can only mean one thing.

Stress is found at exactly or midway between ocean and sky.

Looks like its time to call the movers.

Coast of Illinois A-Z Rules of Beach Life

A: Attitude is everything. Find that place which clears away all the bad stuff, puts a smile on your face, makes you the person you want to be and grab hold of the feeling. Don't hoard it deep within yourself but let it permeate through out your very being. Create a tidal wave, a tsunami, of happy around you and let it wash over everyone you meet.

So, this was A of the April A to Z challenge.

Come back on Monday for the letter B...

(We get Sundays off. heehee)

Sunrise and Smell-o-vision

I can't express how much I am truly enjoying my daily writing. Even though I am more than a little stressed at times, trying to juggle work and ideas. It's no different for anyone else - that balance between 'have to-s' and 'want to-s'. 

I just have a forum to whine about it! 

But today happens to be a beautiful sunny day and even thought I am again on the train to work and writing this on my phone (that's a weird statement for someone who grew up with a party line!) so there will be no whining. 

Got that Universe? 

No Whining! 

Because I have my favorite lotion on-White Citrus by Bath and Body Works. And one whiff of this magical ointment sends me back to my first fancy hotel, my first trip to the ocean and puts me in a California/Tropical Island mood. 

(I may have snorted half a bottle of this over the past few days. Don't judge.)

 

I am listening to my Summer Sun playlist, composed of a variety of breachy, up-beat tunes, when Sunrise by Norah Jibes came on. I completely forgot about this song and hearing it again was such a pleasant diversion from the arguement between the train ticket checker and the clearly ticketless train rider I felt the need to share it with you all.

http://youtu.be/ss3148ZXwuc

Happy Sunny Spectacular Friday!! 

As always, this post is not sponsored by anyone. Especially Bath and Body, even though I have sent at least two of their executives children to college. 

Challenge Extended, Universe...

I am in the habit of saving fortune cookie fortunes.

But until now, I have never called the Universe on one.

I initially miss-read this and thought it said BIG things. All I could envision was an ACME Anvil...

This one has been hanging around since July 5.

It didn't get lost.

Or forgotten.

(Okay, my husband found it by accident yesterday on my clip of things I want to remember and hung it on the calendar.)

But still.

'Good Things'

Let's think about this.

Are we talking really good things?

Like One Million Dollars? A random contact from a publisher actually paying me to simultaneously write that novel and a travel show? A sudden painless fifteen pound weight-loss with subsequent toning? No traffic on the way to work and a nausea-producing smell free train ride?

Or are we talking more mundane 'Good Things'

Things like a phone call from my best friend from high school? Surprise flowers? A random compliment? An endearing exchange with a stranger? A chance meeting with one of my kids? 

Maybe the fact that I got up this morning is my Good Thing. 

Which means I have already peaked...although the text is in the plural... 

I feel as though I should only expect the typical good things. Those things that we tend to take for granted. Perhaps this is the Universe's way of reminding me to be grateful for what I have and perhaps be happy going to bed tonight with the knowledge that I got one more day...

I don't want to sound ungrateful, Universe, but I could really that million bucks.