Now, This Is Really Weird!

It's ten p.m.

It's light outside....more like seven than ten.

It's gotta be hard on parents trying to put little kids to bed...goodness, I don't even see how I can go to bed, and I'm a ten o'clock go-to-bed-person.

I tried to sit outside and enjoy the incredibly gorgeous evening, but the mosquitoes nailed me big time. My ankles right now are the size of Texas, and the mosquitoes always go for my ankles, which meant there was plenty for those moquitoes to feast on. I hadn't put on my Avon lotion given to me by Dorothy...who knew mosquitoes could make it all the way to Alaska?

So, I came inside...

to write this blog about my first day in Anchorage, and to say that I am thankful for America, the beautiful world, good books, good friends, great family, health, eyesight, food, and sunlight.

And, to say....here's to light....even if it is ten o'clock at night!

Close to Home

The year: 1965

The trip:The New York World's Fair and points in between:

The conversation: on the subway headed out to Queens to the fair:

The conversants: Loni Gee Hackworth and a native New Yorker:

Loni:"Hi, I'm from the West and we're just going to the World's Fair...I'm so excited...what exhibits should be visit?"

Native New Yorker (in awesome Bronx accent:) "I haven't been to the fair...I'm not going to the fair...I've never been further than a couple of miles from my home and that's the way it's gonna stay!"

The Message (to me):"WOW, I'm never going to be like that! When I live close to something, I'll be sure to visit it and make it a part of my life!"

Fast forward lots and lots and lots of years:

The year: 2009

The trip: Zion National Park

The conversations: Loni Gee Hackworth and people from: Texas, Poland, Germany, Spain, Thailand.

Overheard: languages from all across the world!

The message: "I forgot the resolve above. Here were people from literally all over the globe enjoying the incredible beauty of what lies in my back yard."

And, I almost - almost - forgot how glorious Zion National Park is.

I hereby resolve to explore more of the Park's amazing beauty!