What a wonderful post, Sabrina! Such a great idea to count up the days you've been away. We have a map on which we put a new pin every time we sleep in the van, but those pins only represent locations, not numbers or dates of stays.
During Covid I kept an ongoing record of when I stepped out of the house - and when I didn't, which was even more alarming - I looked back on that a while ago and it absolutely horrified me!
THIS line was everything: Most of my essays are triggered by days away when I NOTICE things. I have a harder time paying attention when we are doing the same or similar routine day after day.
YES YES YES! It's amazing how a change of scene, or even just moving around, can spur ideas into action. I needed reminding of this, especially in this 'lull' in the year. Thank you so much! xxx
I love the idea of a map! And slightly jealous of your pins. I think we should do that too, but knowing me, it will just make me want to go to the places that seem pin-less, and that's all I need: more places to go to! Of course I wrote about noticing to remind MYSELF to pay attention. It's so hard to remember and so important for us writers to do it. Wishing you a wonderful New Year Rebecca!
Actually, those map-gaps are tremendously motivating in that regard! We haven't camped since the end of October, I don't think, but we did take the van to the beach yesterday for a very blustery walk, hot soup and cheese toasties (a trip which didn't earn a pin, as we didn't stick around for the night!).
Happy new year to you too, Sabrina - gosh, I can't believe it's so close. 2024 is my 50th calendar year, so I'm feeling rather 'ulp' about it......! 🤣
It has been astonishingly blustery, hasn't it??!!! Good for you for braving the weather anyway. And I loved turning 50! It made me feel strong and powerful. Hope it feels the same (or better!) for you!
I so enjoyed this Sabrina! Your substantial travels (as well as that of other long time friends) have always been sources of fascination to me, as I haven’t historically traveled extensively. In retirement though I have started to do a bit more which I’m really enjoying, along with “noticing” more while at home. Coincidentally I just read an article in the Washington Post a friend forwarded about the joys and benefits of nostalgia, which concluded with this:
“Being present in the present thus sets us up for future nostalgia and well-being.”
Being present in the present feels like a worthwhile (and enjoyable!) intention for 2024! Happy happy New Year!
I love that sentiment Martha! Thanks so much for sharing it (and the article, separately) with all of us here! I am incredibly lucky to enjoy travel and to be able to do it so much. Glad you are finding some delight in y our recent travels as well. Wishing you and John a wonderful 2024 and the hope we cross paths in one or the other of our travels. ❤️
If wonder is all I experience in 2024, I will be immeasurably happy.
As I age, I want to experience my own island, its wildernesses and secret places. I am no longer interested in confronting the queues, crowds, delays and cost of international travel. I would rather find a beautiful rental and stay in comfort, then head out with poles and daypacks and just experience nature - to wonder at it. I've ignored my own country for way too long.
See you next week and have a wonderful NY Eve doing whatever takes your fancy!
Happy New Year! I will definitely have moments of wonderment when I reflect back on this past year. We didn’t travel quite as many days but we made it to Germany for a week and I’ll treasure that. 💕
I'm so happy you were able to visit (return to ?) Germany this year. I bet it was quite a treasure, indeed. Happy to hear wonderment is in your future! Happy 2024 to you and your family! I'm looking forward to all the gorgeous snapshots to come this next year. ❤️
Thank you for another terrific post, Sabrina. As a frequent traveler, I enjoy the new experiences, sights, sounds, walks, and foods while I'm away, and like you it's usually to see family and friends, but no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I'm always excited to get home. I am so fortunate that our lovely homey home is the place I want to be most.
Your comment about noticing things struck me because it made me wonder where and when I'm most observant and what I pay attention to. I'll have to ponder that more on today's afternoon walk. In my daily treks around Madrid, I do pay attention as I'm always looking for stores, restaurants, galleries, museum exhibitions, and fashion in my immediate surroundings. Keeping that top of mind will help me be more present in any case.
Happy New Year to you and Pete! Looking forward to wandering through the Geography of Home in 2024.
Thank you so much for a year of comments and your observations Andrea! I've benefited from your company and look forward to more in the next year. I'm enjoying your Snippets from Spain and all the NOTICING that you share with us, too. You are an even more frequent traveller than I am, so I am sure your senses are attune most of the time. Happy 2024 to you and Fabio!
What a great idea! As a lover of spreadsheets AND a Geography major, I'm starting 2024 with an 'Out of Town' spreadsheet to prove I'm not as provincial as I feel at times! Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you and Pete next month. xoxo Judy
What a wonderful post, Sabrina! Such a great idea to count up the days you've been away. We have a map on which we put a new pin every time we sleep in the van, but those pins only represent locations, not numbers or dates of stays.
During Covid I kept an ongoing record of when I stepped out of the house - and when I didn't, which was even more alarming - I looked back on that a while ago and it absolutely horrified me!
THIS line was everything: Most of my essays are triggered by days away when I NOTICE things. I have a harder time paying attention when we are doing the same or similar routine day after day.
YES YES YES! It's amazing how a change of scene, or even just moving around, can spur ideas into action. I needed reminding of this, especially in this 'lull' in the year. Thank you so much! xxx
I love the idea of a map! And slightly jealous of your pins. I think we should do that too, but knowing me, it will just make me want to go to the places that seem pin-less, and that's all I need: more places to go to! Of course I wrote about noticing to remind MYSELF to pay attention. It's so hard to remember and so important for us writers to do it. Wishing you a wonderful New Year Rebecca!
Actually, those map-gaps are tremendously motivating in that regard! We haven't camped since the end of October, I don't think, but we did take the van to the beach yesterday for a very blustery walk, hot soup and cheese toasties (a trip which didn't earn a pin, as we didn't stick around for the night!).
Happy new year to you too, Sabrina - gosh, I can't believe it's so close. 2024 is my 50th calendar year, so I'm feeling rather 'ulp' about it......! 🤣
It has been astonishingly blustery, hasn't it??!!! Good for you for braving the weather anyway. And I loved turning 50! It made me feel strong and powerful. Hope it feels the same (or better!) for you!
😁
I so enjoyed this Sabrina! Your substantial travels (as well as that of other long time friends) have always been sources of fascination to me, as I haven’t historically traveled extensively. In retirement though I have started to do a bit more which I’m really enjoying, along with “noticing” more while at home. Coincidentally I just read an article in the Washington Post a friend forwarded about the joys and benefits of nostalgia, which concluded with this:
“Being present in the present thus sets us up for future nostalgia and well-being.”
Being present in the present feels like a worthwhile (and enjoyable!) intention for 2024! Happy happy New Year!
I love that sentiment Martha! Thanks so much for sharing it (and the article, separately) with all of us here! I am incredibly lucky to enjoy travel and to be able to do it so much. Glad you are finding some delight in y our recent travels as well. Wishing you and John a wonderful 2024 and the hope we cross paths in one or the other of our travels. ❤️
A beautiful post, Sabrina.
If wonder is all I experience in 2024, I will be immeasurably happy.
As I age, I want to experience my own island, its wildernesses and secret places. I am no longer interested in confronting the queues, crowds, delays and cost of international travel. I would rather find a beautiful rental and stay in comfort, then head out with poles and daypacks and just experience nature - to wonder at it. I've ignored my own country for way too long.
See you next week and have a wonderful NY Eve doing whatever takes your fancy!
Wonderful sentiment, prue! Your country does indeed look splendid. Enjoy the turning as well. ❤️
Happy New Year! I will definitely have moments of wonderment when I reflect back on this past year. We didn’t travel quite as many days but we made it to Germany for a week and I’ll treasure that. 💕
I'm so happy you were able to visit (return to ?) Germany this year. I bet it was quite a treasure, indeed. Happy to hear wonderment is in your future! Happy 2024 to you and your family! I'm looking forward to all the gorgeous snapshots to come this next year. ❤️
Thank you for another terrific post, Sabrina. As a frequent traveler, I enjoy the new experiences, sights, sounds, walks, and foods while I'm away, and like you it's usually to see family and friends, but no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I'm always excited to get home. I am so fortunate that our lovely homey home is the place I want to be most.
Your comment about noticing things struck me because it made me wonder where and when I'm most observant and what I pay attention to. I'll have to ponder that more on today's afternoon walk. In my daily treks around Madrid, I do pay attention as I'm always looking for stores, restaurants, galleries, museum exhibitions, and fashion in my immediate surroundings. Keeping that top of mind will help me be more present in any case.
Happy New Year to you and Pete! Looking forward to wandering through the Geography of Home in 2024.
Thank you so much for a year of comments and your observations Andrea! I've benefited from your company and look forward to more in the next year. I'm enjoying your Snippets from Spain and all the NOTICING that you share with us, too. You are an even more frequent traveller than I am, so I am sure your senses are attune most of the time. Happy 2024 to you and Fabio!
What a great idea! As a lover of spreadsheets AND a Geography major, I'm starting 2024 with an 'Out of Town' spreadsheet to prove I'm not as provincial as I feel at times! Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you and Pete next month. xoxo Judy
Oh, I'm so glad you liked that idea! And I'm so glad we will be seeing you soon too! Happy New Year and here's to travels wherever they lead us!