My Joys in Massachusetts

My heart was certainly won to western Massachusetts, more specifically to the local co-op in Williamstown than the crazy trails on Mt. Greylock. For one who lived in the Rockies, you would think that I would not be such a wimp, but my pastime there was most to stare in wonder and drive in them. The hiking part .... much less dedication. Anyway, the co-op was amazing, filled with the freshest of all goods, including proceeds from a local creamery. Skyr is not something I've seen before and after a wonderful week in Iceland, but had to give it another shot. I discovered that the wonderful Maine blueberries offsets the typical sourness absolutely perfectly and just possibly bought them out .... carefully plotting my route refrigerator to refrigerator.

The time with Ellen at the Berkshires was absolutely wonderful, but time marches on ... she returns to her school and then I puttered over to Boston (with a refrigerator organised for the beloved Skyr). I realised, with a certain amount of humour, that I bustled over to Federal Wine & Spirits (importer of unique and absolutely great options), completely oblivious to it's historical setting on State Street across from the old state house and Boston Massacre.

As usual, wonderful finds were discovered. Besides the pictured prizes, I got one of the few remaining Woodford Four Wood's and some nice Grecian wines. This, plus a wonderful walk through the old dirty streets reminded me of my love for cities. Difficulty parking, diesel engine smells, trains, hot pretzels, ducking scaffolding, occasional breath holding while walking past dumpster alleyways, endless shoppes, and being just one of several million people. It makes me smile and feel free :) 

Mt Greylock's Anger: Hike #2

After a two day recovery from the hike up to Mt Greylock's summit in the Berkshires, we determined to have another attempt. (Remember that the soft socks had lulled us into the belief that everything would be all right.) However, we decided to handle the planning a little differently. Walking into the visitor's centre, I announced that we would like a trail that wasn't so long and arduous as what we did a couple days ago (it was highlighted on our map), but we wanted to see waterfalls again. This was greeted with some mild sarcasm that our previous walk was dubbed "Moderate", was only three miles, and that waterfalls tend to limit themselves to difficult locations by their very nature. Immediately conflicted with the inward horror that the trail was moderate and feeling insulted with the obvious science lesson, I realised that I had somewhat asked for it with my clearly new hiking boots and yoga pants - let's say we, or at least I, did not particularly look like a sage hiker. 

Do you see me? I'm up on top of a rock half asleep pretending that I was a magister taking a break after a day of adventuring. (Don't tell anybody that I said that!) Ellen's down staring into the water. I think she's spotted a fish.

Coming down to the waterfalls was a pleasant enough trip and we were quite happy and relaxed. 

Going UP from the waterfalls was a nightmare. I had this sudden fear that this was another "Moderate" ... being that out of shape was really going to upset me, so I stopped by the centre again and was relieved to find out that it indeed was assigned the status of "Strenuous". 

Thank God. My ego may stay intact.

Altered Priorities

 As you saw with my post last week, stress was certainly a threat to destroy me, especially given that my 7-day week was shortened to a 5-day week. Why? Because Saturday I jumped in the car for a 13-hour drive up to the Berkshires in northwestern Massachusetts. It was a lovely drive, especially through the Catskills. The final leg from Albany over to Williamstown was a stunning history lesson of a very old Western frontier in the early to mid 1700s. Village and village dated back to that period, with nothing but wildness between. It's drive to take again.

Meanwhile, the week has been extremely emotionally stressful because it starts the last two weeks of one of my career paths. I had resigned months back, but now that it's here, and I'm in the process of transitioning the replacement, it's a constant reminder of having developed something from nothing over a period of seven years, and then walking away. This has happened before, and is a testament to my better role as a start-up consultant, but the difficulty in transitioning never changes. Other emotional aspects of course are intertwined with the decision to move forward, so suffice to say, it's a difficult week, with another coming. 

As such,  what better time to put myself into circumstances that are utterly beautiful and relaxing to my spirit? My friend and I had massive plans of hiking, yoga, reading, eating, drinking and learning. After a hike from hell (pictured above), the following day deteriorated into multiple naps followed by extremely difficult decisions,  such as "should I watch this utterly stupid movie" or "should I fall asleep again reading a book"? Very stressful. 

Once that day was utterly blown in a wonderful way (after my work was done), we realised that the previous day had zero activity (unless rolling over on the couch counts). Thus, a huge foray was planned into the village of Williamstown, in which I was informed was the location of the exclusive Williams College. It's an adorable village that proffered the wonderful opportunity to purchase soft socks and replace my broken pencil sharpener.

Yes, it's very possible our sense of urgency dramatically altered in priority, and it's equally possible that the soft socks are keeping my brain altered (they are really awesomely soft). In fact, before another lovely day of meetings and tasks, we are striking out for another huge hike, convinced that our new soft socks will protect us from the insanity of Mt. Greylock.

We will see.

One Day at a Time

When your personal kanban board looks like this for the week, and you have to get it done by Friday because of travel on Saturday / Sunday, there is a choice. That choice is to take it one postie at a time and remember to self-care, or to let the board control you into a frenzied mania of unstoppable work. For anybody that knows me, the latter is usually my choice, but I am happy to say that on this second day of a harrowing week, I chose the former and I am at a sustainable pace with ten cards GONE.

Who knew that walking away every now and then to sit on the porch with a drink actually works.

Who knew that taking the time to discuss the important world of Ponycraft (Minecraft with a Ponyville mod) with Ellie would not destroy my productivity?

Who knew that puttering breaks keeps me from crashing and burning by 4p?

Granted, it was a long day (7a to 1a), but I am proud to announce that the last four of those hours was indulging in one of my favourite movies, actually engaged, and not asleep :)

Woot!

Also, one day at a time is a valuable mindset.

A Clash of Kings (book review)

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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