It’s good to be back… writing to you once again.

 I took this photo for you…from my son’s car….on the first leg of our journey home.

While I was away from my laptop and iPad…I very much appreciated the Readers who visited my website.

Yes, I admit. I did check my Google Analytics data this past week, via my phone.

As I mentioned in my last post on Friday, May 15th,  I traveled to my son’s college town – one of my favorite spots on earth.

I wanted to help my son button-up his apartment and ship boxes of belongings back home –  since he was tied up in a  summer course far away from campus.

When he returned to town, we made the long road trip home together.

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HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Realizing this is Memorial Day – you are probably busy cooking for your family, friends or neighbors.

You probably don’t have a lot of time to read a really long message today.

But I need to tell you a few things before you go.

I had two amazing conversations… with two amazing women… on my trip.

I accidentally met one lady on the plane, and I had a prearranged coffee klatch with the other lady in my hotel.

They enlightened me with their wisdom and sage advice which I will share with you in upcoming posts.

Here’s a snippet of one of those conversations.

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The Friendly Stranger

I have to sit in an aisle seat.  Period. The End.

I am a tad claustrophobic so half of my torso is subtlety leaning toward the aisle at all times.

Usually, I clamp on my large Bose earmuffs (which my husband won years ago) as soon as I get my seatbelt on – ready to watch a movie.

As a rule, I never chitchat with the stranger seated next to me.

But this woman was, indeed, different.

She exuded an unmistakable positive energy.

Her smile was engaging.

Her voice was kind…not-fake-drippy-exaggerated-overly-sweet…but the sincere type of kindness.

Since we were clearly in the same age bracket, we talked about retirement.

We exchanged ideas about the PERFECT place to settle down for the ‘golden years’.

(Remember my post about downsizing on April 1 and how I despise the phrase:  Aging-in-Place.)

Don’t get me started on that.

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The Stranger with the Solution

She gave me a wonderful suggestion, and I have to share it with you.

Right here.  Right now.

I have always believed… the wise way to explore a new, unfamiliar locale – was to ‘dip my toe in the water’.

This ‘new friend’ on the plane suggested otherwise.

 She advised that my husband and I should lease a tiny condo for 3 weeks.

Do not visit a new town by staying in a hotel with  in-house restaurants and room service.

Pretend that we are retired and living in that community. Total submersion.

Shopping for groceries in supermarkets and farmer’s markets.

  Finding inexpensive local entertainment.

Scouting out affordable neighborhoods.

Mingling with the residents.

Guess What?  I told my husband about it.  And that’s exactly what we are going to do.

And, I thought about you.  I wanted to tell you about this great idea on my first day back.

Why didn’t I think of this?

 The road home was long.

But my son is an excellent driver.

I didn’t have to drive one mile, so I had time to think about You and my Blog.

Here are a few titles for upcoming articles in the next week or two:

As always, I have a new post for my Dyslexia Series.  A must-read book for all parents.

And a profoundly, personal post related to my Gratitude Board – The Vision Board.  You won’t want to miss it. I’m actually making a new one, myself.  I can’t wait to write this message.

A special post for Parents of Young, Competitive Athletes wanting to play college ball.

 An article for my Success Series with information learned from one of my smartest bosses…he is a Harvard Business School Baker Scholar.  Not a shabby source for an article on success!

It’s going to be a great summer…

You bring a full cup of hot coffee each morning.

And I’ll supply plenty of words.

It’s wonderful to be back.