Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Zucchinis and Zen

Count-down: 17 days until departure for Alaskan Adventure!

I can’t believe today is already the last day!  The Challenge went so fast this year! 

I have a hard time with “Z”.  I always want my last post to be really good, but “Z” words often don’t fit too well with my themes.  Last night my son, who’s nine, was trying to help me come up with a good “Z” word.  It was getting late because I’m a procrastinator and we started rattling off all the “Z” words we could think of.  Finally, he blurted out, “zucchini”.  I told him zucchinis didn’t have anything to do with Alaska.  He thought for a moment and told me we needed to take a zucchini with us on our trip, then we’ll have one in Alaska and I can write about it.  

Amid bursts of laughter we thought about drawing sharpie eyes on the zucchini and dressing him in a hat and sunglasses.  We would name him Zorba the Zucchini.  I told Ryan he might not make it through airport security.

My actual “Z” word, I decided is Zen.  I’ve only attempted meditation a few times, but I feel like our long drive will be a sort of meditative experience.  There will be long stretches of looking inside myself while my eyes focus on the constancy of the road.  I can let go of the everyday stressors and concentrate on breathing. On Being.  

Being not an individual, but a part of something bigger;  a family, a mountain valley, a speck in this grand universe.
   


Thanks for stopping by each day to read my posts! I had a great time this year and I learned so much from everybody. I want to thank Arlee for creating this wonderful A-Z Challenge! And thanks to all the co-hosts and helpers who help to make it run smoothly.  I know it takes a lot of time and effort. You guys/gals are awesome!  


Kathy :)

23 comments:

  1. Yay! You crossed the finish line! Good job. :)

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  2. Have a wonderful time in Alaska. Take lots of pictures and think about using Alaska somehow in the 2015 Challenge.

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  3. Congrats on making it through, enjoy Alaska too!

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  4. Congrats on making it to the end. I hope you have an amazing adventure and a fantastic trip!!

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  5. Zucchini works for me, whether it's connected to Alaska or not!

    Zen does, too. Meditation kept me semi sane this April.

    Congratulations on finishing the A to Z. Great to find your blog and get to know a bit about you.

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  6. You should take a zucchini with you!
    Congratulations on completing the Challenge.

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  7. Well done for completing and have a great time in Alaska.

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  8. I do wonder what airport security would think if you take a zucchini with you, especially one with sunglasses and a hat.

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  9. I've never tried zen, but I'm sure it helps!
    Congratulations on getting to the end of the A-Z.

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  10. Z is another tough letter. Happy end of the challenge! Stay zen.

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  11. Congrats on making it through the challenge! 17 days . . . woot, woot!!

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  12. Whew! We did it. Congrats on finishing A to Z.

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  13. Congratulations on finishing the Challenge! I love the idea of Zorba the Zucchini! It would make a great blog series :D

    Jen

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  14. Have fun on your Alaskan get away! I often fall asleep meditating (or praying). A lady at church told me I either have a clear conscience or none at all. LOL.

    I think Zorba is a great name for a zuchini (a vegie I evidently can't spell and am too lazy to look up!), though I'd probably fry him up and eat him. Poor Zorba.

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  15. David- Thanks! It feels good.

    loverofwords-Yes, I will take about a zillion pictures, I'm sure!

    Pat- Thanks! Alaska will be fun, this Ohioan might finally get to see the sun!

    Julie-Thanks! I'm sure it will be an adventure.

    clee- I wish I had done some meditation! But we made it through tip May!

    Alex- We just might!

    Rosalind- Thanks!

    Cherie-It might send up a red flag!

    Fanny- Thanks!

    JE-I will try to stay zen!

    Jamie- Thanks you too! I can't believe it's almost time!

    Sydney- Oh I know, it's been tough but well worth it! Congrats to you too!

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  16. Jennifer-Thanks! Maybe I'll use that for next year's challenge!

    Elizabeth-I'm sure your conscience is clear! Haha, I didn't spell it right at first either! I like them fried too.

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  17. Hope you have some zen times on your trip (with zucchini). Congrats on a great Challenge!

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  18. well done on finishing the challenge, and I sincerely hope that you have a great time in Alaska.

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  19. I tried meditation a long time ago and wish I had stuck to it.

    Congrats on finishing the challenge.

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  20. I'm not good at sitting still, but driving does have a meditative effect, now that you mention it. I'm meeting you at Z, but that's good...looking forward to reading everybody's non-A to Z blogs!

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  21. Way to finish strong. I've always wanted to visit Alaska -- have a great time. May the 4th be with you!

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  22. Finally returning the visit (from way back in April)!

    Congrats on finishing the challenge!
    Zucchini is so yummy! Probably one of my fave things to eat. As far as having it as a travel buddy, well, not sure about that one ;)

    I do a lot of yoga so I'm definitely about the zen. Hope you enjoy Alaska!!

    Sam
    Writing Through College

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  23. I love the idea of dressing up a zucchini, and taking it with you to Alaska! Your son sounds adorable! Congrats on finishing the challenge, and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

    Julie

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