We'd be happier as kittens - they are the ones doing the stalking

Vivi is a very curious kitten. She stalks anything that moves and even things that don't move! She loved the bathtub but was dismayed to find that it filled with water. Everything to her is a new game and something to learn about. In her world, everyone is here to keep her happy, to pet her, to play, to snuggle.

 

Wouldn't it be great if that were the case for us? Although, I must say, Maryland summers are pretty wonderful. Recently, life has been full of delightfully breezy evenings with friends, crabs, corn and beer. This weekend should include more of that! I've officially started the second half of this week, so the countdown to the weekend has begun. 

I'm Shipping Up to Boston

Have you ever had a weekend where you plan nothing and everything falls into place beautifully? This weekend I went to visit a girlfriend in Boston and got to see a bunch of buddies from school. I'm convinced that if Boston did not turn into the artic tundra every fall - spring, I would absolutely move there! 

The weekend included a tour of the Sam Adams Brewery, given by a friend who works as the Twisted Tea promoter for the Boston area. 

Hours upon hours of dancing our pants off. There was a great cover band called Bearfight. Think 80s, 90s, & today with some great one hit wonders thrown in for good measure. 

Follow up a weekend like that with a lazy Sunday at the country club - can anyone say cocktails poolside aren't the best invention ever?- and you have yourself a pretty lovely weekend.

A Daily Act of Love

The second I stepped off the plane in Denpasar, the perfumed air struck me. Everything smelled sweetly and I knew I was in a foreign place. It was such a contrast to the smell of burnt sugar from the Domino Sugar factory here in Baltimore! Almost immediately, I located the source of the scent.

Bali is primarily Hindu and these are offerings made of palm fronds and are filled with flower petals and incense. Women create these newly every morning as an offering to the lower spirits, the evil which they recognize has root in all of us. Diligently, day in, day out, they pour their devotion into these offerings and place them on door stoops, window sills, dashboards in vehicles, and on and on, to protect their loved ones from evil and calamity. 

It made me question, what do I direct my energies towards on a daily basis? Are they directed towards something that benefits me or the people I love? Do I create or do I destroy?

Just something to ponder. 

I Need a Friday

I am in serious need of a Friday, preferably one in Bali. Just recently, I made some very big life changing decisions. Isn't it funny how you can see so clearly once you've taken a step back and separated yourself from things a bit?

My separation came in the form of an awesome Balinese adventure. I realize not everyone can jump on a plane and travel 30 hours to Indonesia to gain some perspective...unless of course you are Liz from Eat, Pray, Love. Did anyone else get stuck in India for a very long time? She just went on and on!

In my case I travelled for my best friend's wedding. Enjoy the pictures...yes, everything was that beautiful.

Have a great weekend everyone, and try to survive the heat sweeping the East Coast!