The One with Paying it Forward

The idea of "paying it forward" is by no means a new concept. Story after story has been shared lately about someone paying for the drink of the person behind them in line at Starbucks. I had my first "pay it forward" experience recently at a local grocery store. As I was walking to grab a cart, quarter in hand, a nice gentlemen hollered out to me and gifted me his cart with no expectation of getting his quarter back in return. I sincerely thanked him and began my shopping. After my shopping was complete, I noticed two gals were walking into the store as I was walking out, so to continue the forward motion of this current "pay it forward" act I offered them my cart. They sincerely thanked me, just as I had thanked the man I got it from, and they offered to help me carry my goods to my car.

With all the strife and heartache in the world, most currently and close to home is the battle in Ferguson, it is these small acts of kindness that give me hope. People really are capable of good. I will take kindness, no matter how small the dose, to challenge myself to be optimistic and forgiving of people as a whole.

The One with North Carolina

     A number of months ago I booked a plane ticket to North Carolina where I planned to see a Nickel Creek show with some good friends. Last week when I hopped on the plane to embark on said trip I opened the book The Giver and ended up getting to the last page as my plane landed in Raleigh. It was a fun reread before seeing the movie adaptation a couple of days later. 

     Catching up with my friends was wonderful and relaxing. Day one was filled with cuban sandwiches for lunch, naps, and the Nickel Creek/Josh Ritter concert at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary. Both Josh Ritter and Nickel Creek were phenomenal. Nickel Creek performed every song that I had hoped for... and then some. You had better believe that I clapped and sang along to my heart's content. We were all definitely on a massive bluegrass high for a good 24 hours after the show had ended. I immediately regretted not also purchasing tickets to Nickel Creek's show in Kansas City. 

     Day two consisted of spending part of the day on the Lanier Homestead/ "the farm". We shucked corn, ate peaches and ice cream along with an array of other tasty foods, went on a trek through the woods, stopped to pet the animals, and spent a fair amount of time talking about farming and farm life. I learned a lot and I cannot wait until I can grow colored cauliflower in my own garden someday.

     The third, and final, day was all about the beach. We all woke up early, some of us earlier than others, eh hum... I was just so excited that I had to set my alarm to make sure I did't miss waking up for the beach! With the car packed and ready we all piled in, even the dog, and settled in for the two hour drive to Surf City. Even after arriving in Surf City the beach was hidden behind the dunes and the ladies in the car were getting a little anxious to see the water. With the car parked we got out to stretch and gather our gear. We made our way to the beach where we first walked along the water's edge and I picked up a few shells. Eventually we claimed a spot and took turns swimming in the salty ocean, walking, resting in the sand, chatting, snacking, and applying sunscreen. The beach is my sanctuary, my Heaven on Earth. The crashing of the waves creates a deafening silence that comforts my soul. Being in the company of such adored friends in such a sacred place made for a wonderful day, even if I did gain a sunburn and eat hotdogs for lunch instead of seafood. 

      All in all, the trip was short but great. The idea of making this an annual gig thrills me and I am excited to venture back and make more fun memories. Thanks y'all!

The One with the Book List: The Magicians

   After fighting against the Harry Potter bandwagon for many years, I gave in and read the series a couple of years ago. As if a spell had been cast, I was then a fan. I was nervous and excited to see a book paired with J.K. Rowling's series and did not immediately add it to my "to read" list. It wasn't until I was ordering a different book online that The Magicians was suggested to me at checkout and I lost self control and added it to my cart for checkout. 

   It took me awhile to read this book. One reason was that I did not  identify with or fall in love with any of the characters.  I also was not entranced with the story or the writing style. Another reason was that I took an extended vacation during this time and did not often find myself wanting to spend my precious days away with my nose in a book when I can just as easily do that at home. 

   The Magicians was a fine read although I doubt I will finish the series. 

The One With the Pilgrimage: Colorado

Passing the "Colorful Colorado" state marker was a very gratifying sensation. I felt very accomplished in seeing that pass by my window.

Arriving in Colorado I had no real plan. I had no idea how long I would stay, I had no idea where I would go when I left, I had no idea of all the fun that was to be had. All I had was a list of people to see and a camera with which to take pictures of disc golfers. While on the subject, here are some of said photos...

I got into a pretty comfortable routine while away: wake up, eat a tiny breakfast, watch some of The Walking Dead marathon or History Channel, take a nap, get up for the day, drink beer somewhere, do something outdoors, and laugh with awesome people.

I laughed so much one night that my face ached terribly from all the smiling and my belly felt like it had been through a massive work out.

As far as working out goes, I did hike a mountain in Boulder. That experience is now one of my biggest accomplishments thanks to the best hiking buddy around. I stopped many times both to rest my wobbly and weak legs and to gaze at the awesome views. By the time I reached the top I was told that I had major bragging rights, so that is exactly what I am doing. I hiked all the way up a mountain. At the top was a picnic lunch and time for listening to the silence while preparing for the descent.

Even before the hike in Boulder my legs were wobbly and weak from trekking up the stairs at the Red Rocks Amphitheater for a showing of Catching Fire. A friend had agreed to meet me there but she had our tickets, so I planned to putz around and explore while I waited. There were so many thousands of people, however, that I became slightly overstimulated and decided to sit on a rock and wait there instead. After a fair amount of time waiting on the rock a very kind lady generously offered me an extra ticket to get in which I anxiously accepted free of charge. I cut in line with a Colorado native and began the slow walk up. 

Once in the amphitheater I decided to get popcorn and M&Ms for the movie and walk even further to the very top to watch the sun set before showtime. Seeing the sun and the moon both amongst the rocks was so cool. Watching the sun roll away gave me time to catch my breath before claiming seats. Although I had seen Catching Fire before, it seemed like an entirely different movie watching from such a different perspective and in the company of funny friends.

Other fun happenings while in Colorado: petting a horseshoe crab, playing games such as Scrabble and Shuffleboard, Fourth of July fireworks, mountain drives, watching kickball at City Park, listening to stories from my parents' glory days, and making new friends while catching up with old ones usually at a table with food and beer.

"We all need a place to feel free. The silence you can hear. The space between each heartbeat. A place to feel free." -Bearfoot

The One with the Pilgrimage: Kansas

The dull drive across Kansas is usually dreadful. It's flat, it's fields, it's boring. This time, however, it was different. The beauty of the sun's shine, the crispness of the clouds, and the unbelievably open road before me was intoxicating. As I crested a bit of a hill I actually felt a dizziness in my chest and in my stomach. It hit me in that moment that I was alone and that I was happy to be alone.

 Alone with my thoughts, alone with my crazy singing, alone with my decisions, alone with my finances, just alone. Alone, with the exception of the multitude of cows to which, in true Tapley Fashion, I honked at and hollered, "hey girls!"

Regularly, I do not enjoying doing much on my own. I like the company of other's and usually seek that out to eat, to shop, to run errands, to travel, to anything. This time, however, being alone was overwhelmingly freeing. After driving for more hours than I am accustomed to, I made it to a small town hotel and checked in somewhere in Kansas. Much to my dismay my room key did not work just like the last time I stayed at this similarly named hotel. Eventually, I got into my room and decided that I needed to eat. The lady at the front desk had recommend a family restaurant just down the road so my decision was made. The restaurant was a "please seat yourself" type so I chose a booth and sat down for my first lone public meal. There I enjoyed a BLT and pickle chips while I contemplated the first few days, people, locations, and experiences of my pilgrimage thus far. It was sure something to have driven the roads through so many locations that were once stomping grounds from my childhood.

After dinner I made my way back to the hotel, donned my bathing suit, went for a dip in the pool, and enjoyed more alone time there.

Kansas, specifically Wichita, was yet another place I did not schedule myself enough time. 

"Win or lose it's a hell of a game. The roads we choose, they all end up the same."- Peter Bradley Adams

The One with the Pilgrimage: Tulsa, OK

Tulsa was my second stop and unfortunately I did not schedule myself enough time there. What a blessing it was to stay with a dear friend from many many years ago. She, along with her husband and three kiddos, welcomed me in so graciously. They cooked a scrumptious dinner of home grown zucchini and brats, made a Sonic run for shakes, goofed around with the Wii, made the couch super comfy for me, opened a seat for me at Tea Time, gifted me some discs for disc golf, and openly chatted about (hippie) life. I love that family and one night was definitely way too short of a visit.

"Oh, won't you take me from this valley to that mountain high above." - The Civil Wars

The One with the Pilgrimage: Springfield, MO

Springfield was the first of my many stops. It was nice to laugh with friends that I have not laughed with in far too long, chit chat for hours while watching neat people lay a kitchen floor, play silly games with a little gal who calls me "Aunt Jo",  eat yummy foods with friends who put up with me when I attempt to read children's books in French, share wine and frozen donuts over hysterical conversations about church and spiritual experiences, and to visit the place where I used to work and get caught up on so much.

Although I missed Andy's Frozen Custard and failed in an attempt to visit a friend working at the hospital, I did manage to squeeze in a stop at Pineapple Whip. Springfield was the perfect place to kickstart my pilgrimage and my heart was so happy and blessed by my time there.

"If nothing else I can dream."- Over the Rhine