I've always wanted to go to San Diego. I'm not really sure why other than as a kid I loved watching nature shows with my grandpa and they often would show bits and pieces of the San Diego Zoo. Last week, my husband and I finally spent a week there.
Compared to Cleveland, it was pretty much heaven. Blue skies and bright sun every day, high temperatures in the mid 70's, and lows in the high 50's! Back home we have grey, cloudy yuck about 362 days of the year.
Then there's the ocean and all of its beautiful bounty-- pelicans, seals, sea lions, the sound of waves crashing to shore... Ahhhh
La Jolla Beach -just north of San Diego
Year round flowers and green trees--bougainvillea, palm trees, roses...
Rose Garden in Balboa Park
The Zoo lived up to my childhood dreams-- we got to see koala bears, sleepily munching eucalyptus in their trees! Yes, they are just as cute as expected!! There was a giant elephant enclosure with jungle gym like toys to keep the elephants happily playing (I hope they were happy at least); tigers, cheetahs, lemurs, meerkats, mandrills, and so many other monkey-like animals.
*TIP: Definitely get there right when it opens, it gets quite crowded later in the day with a plethora of parents pushing multi-child strollers. In the morning, we got to see many of the little fur-balls active and having breakfast and we didn't have to make our way through a maze of strollers.
We had such a wonderfully relaxing time, it was definitely hard to head back home-though we missed our own little fluffy beasts (a beagle, a dachshund, and a toy Aussie Shepherd) and of course our kids (who are mostly adults but still mostly kids. 🤣🤣
And that is part of the reason that I totally forgot to post my IWSG on Wednesday! I was so excited last month to start posting again regularly and already on my second month I'm posting late :(
So sorry!
THE IWSG!!!!!
If you're new to the IWSG, it's all about connecting and supporting other writers. Here is the official mission statement of the IWSG.
Purpose:To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting:The first Wednesday of every month is officiallyInsecure Writer’s Support Groupday. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional
November 6 question - What creative activity do you engage in when you're not writing?
I have two other main creative loves:
1. Figure skating, which as far as I'm concerned, is equally art and athleticism is my first love after writing. I have been skating maybe longer than I've actually been writing. Being originally from Michigan, where many babies are born with skates on, I started skating almost as soon as I could walk--which was before I could hold a pen or pencil in my hand to make letters. I've continued to actively skate my whole life with the only time off when I was pregnant with my kids. I've spent almost 35 years coaching skaters and one of my favorite things is creating programs for the kids in which they can tell a story to the crowd.
Video below is me a couple months ago. :)
2. Cooking/Baking is my other creative love. There is just about nothing better than creating a meal that brings people together. Special memories and bonds are made when friends and family sit together around a table talking, laughing, and enjoying great food. I love cooking so much that my next writing project is actually creating a cookbook. Right now I'm in the process of gathering all my recipes and cooking them to make sure they are written correctly! Every now and then I'll be posting them here on the blog.
Here's what I baked this afternoon with fresh Ohio apples-you'll have to wait for the recipe!
Apple cinnamon muffins. Yum
Can't wait to read what you all do besides writing!
Take time to take care of yourselves this month and then have a wonderful love filled Thanksgiving!!!
