ELC's Top Nine Favourite Places on Earth

I've been so lucky. I've been to many, many of our 50 States. Haven't counted lately. But would ballpark 35. I've been to some EXQUISITE places in Mexico. Victoria, British Columbia. Costa Rica.

I've never been, however, to England (where my maternal ancestors lived). Nowhere in Europe, actually. And, at this point in my life, most of my traveling days--to exotic, faraway destinations--may be over. Long story.
 
Here, now, are my nine favourite places on Earth (this was hard...I needed it to be at least nineteen!):

1. Our country casa. On our hill (we can see for thirty miles!). In North Central Texas. From the moment we found Our Personal Heaven 13 1/2 years ago, I've not had one minute where I didn't feel at peace the moment I drive up our road. I always say this is where my soul lives. It's My Truth. My Serenity.

2. TLC's home. Where Little Leighton grows and changes and laughs and learns and gets deeper and deeper into my heart.

3. Maui. My Sweet Hubby (MSH) and I have been beyond lucky to have visited Maui four times in 35 years. We aren't true "beach" peeps. But we ADORE Maui. Wish I was there right now...

4. New Mexico. Ruidoso. Santa Fe. Taos. Red River. Love them all. Seriously love them.

5. Colorado. Estes Park. Durango/Ouray. Heavenly. Pure Heaven.
 
6. Destin/Seaside, Florida. Yep--MSH and I are Mountain Lovers. Seriously. Cross my heart. First. But, after Maui, this area soothes our stress. GORGEOUS.

7. Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Fun. Charming. Laid back. Memorable. AWESOME.
 
8. Whitefish, Montana. Near Glacier National Park. The sheer SPLENDOR gives me shivers.

9. Fredericksburg, Texas. Oh, oh, OH. Love, love, LOVE.

So many AWESOME cities I couldn't list. Because of this "9" thing. New York. San Francisco. New Orleans.

Thank You, Lord God Almighty, for all of the amazing places I've explored! 

Smushed Pennies

Due to technical circumstances beyond TLC’s control (LOL’s Photo Editor), the post we had 80% ready for last night will have to be re-scheduled for Sunday. Ish.

Sooo…since TLC is at work (i.e. a real job and not whatever this is that I do now—tee hee hee), I’ve volunteered to share some random thoughts this morning. Friday. The 13^th. YIKES. (I do love that Taylor Swift embraces the number 13! Don’t y’all? Really? It’s sort of defiant. I adore her. She is positively amazing to me.)

Despite the fact I’m scared of many things (rattlesnakes, scorpions, centipedes, and sharks, most of all, with some semi-controlled fears of flying and tornadoes), and despite the fact astrology and numerology intrigue me, I am not afraid of Friday, the 13^th. (I will concede I’m old enough to have had, in my past, many Friday the 13ths that seemed to be, at the end of the day, not some of my lovelier experiences. I may have said: “I hate Friday the 13^th.”)  I’m truly not now, nor have I ever been, particularly superstitious. Yes, I might avoid, if possible, letting a black cat cross my path. I would NEVER walk under a ladder. Ever. Isn’t that just common sense?

I have, in my 58 years, had some “lucky charms.” I don’t mean the cereal, although that’s what I buy when I know our grandkids are coming for a visit (they don’t usually get to have it at their homes—which I understand—but Grammies get to offer it—it’s actually a Grammy Law).

When I was in junior high, the lucky charm to have was a rabbit’s foot. I thought those looked icky. And sad. And were, basically, kind o’ creepy. I latched on to other things that were cuter and that I could attach significant-er (yep—new word) meaning to (and I’m ending in a preposition—sorry). I’ve had several St. Christopher charms. I still have one of those smushed pennies—you know, where you run them through a smusher machine?—I got the first time Hubby and I went to Hawaii. I smushed it at Pearl Harbor. Even though I completely believed it was horribly tacky to have a tourist-y machine like that at such a sad and solemn memorial. It really is inappropriate. Pearl Harbor is one of the most moving places I’ve had the privilege of visiting in my life. That was over 33 years ago. It amazes me I haven’t lost the penny. Therefore, it must be “lucky.”

Luck, in my humble opinion, is downright mysterious. I think of words like accidental, coincidental, unexplainable and, well, okay, unfair, when I ponder the concept of “luck.” I’ve read, lately, several magazine articles about creating good luck for ourselves. After reading them, my reaction is: “What the heck? Why not try these ideas? How could it hurt?” Then I promptly forget what the suggestions are. So there you go.

{A little irony: I know almost everything there is to know about my daughter. We have few secrets between us. Yet, as I write this, I can’t remember her ideas/thoughts/opinions on luck. Hmmm. She is one of the most creative people I’ve ever known, and she is often (not always, but often) open to new ideas, philosophies and theories. She is, however, extremely practical. Logical. She does heart St. Patrick’s Day. I'm not sure she believes in Leprechauns. It’s true she can’t wait for her nieces and nephews to come for a visit—because she, too, craves Lucky Charms cereal! I have to make her share. Sheesh. Cannot wait to see if she buys this for her kids.  I think I see blackmail in our future.}

On this Friday the 13^th, I wish y’all nothing but GOOD FORTUNE, THE BEST OF LUCK, HAPPINESS, JOY and WELL-BEING!!! (Don’t walk under a ladder, please.)

It may be the 13^th, but it’s also:

FRIDAY! Yippee!!!

Label: T.G.I.F.