#153 - Does anybody really know what time it is?

I've been in the greater Boston area for five days now.  The first three nights to the west, the last two to the north. One lovely afternoon taking public transit to the awesome Map Room in the Boston Public Library for cocktails (yes, there actually IS a bar in the Boston Public Library).

We've had great tastes in many places in Belmont, Arlington, Watertown - all around my friend's new home.  We've also had some wonderful social gatherings with my youngest's friends/chosen family and my husband's relatives, in spite of the rain.  

Today is the Porchfest (rained out from yesterday) where we get to see my son's band playing live, followed by dinner in one of our favs in Cambridge.  Then, back to my friend's new home, where we await her belongings arriving mid-week from back on the other coast.  My husband will head back home in 2 days, but I'll stay on until the month changes.

I've had a mix of helping my friend get settled into her new digs, some re-writing of my short film script, and some watercoloring in the last two days.  But what time is it really?  Time to create?  Time to write?  Time to spend with my child and my friend?  Time to find a new, changed life? And what will the time be like when I'm back home, after a long year of varied travel, new abundant experiences, joy, tribulations, loss and routine?

It will be time to do.  Just what exactly, only time will tell.  At least I hope it will.

#152 - Reflections

This last weekend was my 50th high school reunion.  I didn't go. I went to my 30th, and once was enough for me.  I had very few lasting friendships in high school, and in spite of my theatrical background, I never performed in a show - only did readers' theatre and my own directorial special project for independent credit.  Still, I garnered the Wanda B. Mitchell Speech Arts Award (one of 2 or 4 who received the honor) for my contributions to the theatre department at ETHS.

I've seen lots of photos on social media from this weekend, and realize I know so few of these people.  Or perhaps it's my own lack of memory about those years, and the pain of being an outlier, one of those quiet socially awkward types who didn't garner long lasting friendships during those years.  Except for my two close friends, neither of who are connected on the alumni networks or social media at all (nor to myself anymore), I recall some names, but no real understanding of my connection to them. Or memories of those years.

Back to the present time, my best friend's big move is about to begin.  Her car is on it's way and will arrive at her home location tomorrow; the pod is on it's way and arrives in a week and half, and we arrive in two days.

I've been sorrowfully looking at my neglected garden - full of promise but not much to show except weeds, though actually some things HAVE grown, ripened and bloomed, and some of them aren't even weeds (or as my dear friend Katy would say, "habitat.").  Another year of potential that hasn't (due to so many days and weeks away) lived up to its promise, in spite of a plethora of sungold tomatoes.  I think my 2025 vision board needs to be more proactive on the garden oasis I want.

I have been doing lots of thinking and dreaming about films, and writing and screenplays.  I have so neglected my own things to put my dear sister/best friend front and center.  And the last big trip of this year (I think) will make it worthwhile.  We'll get to go to some great places, do some art, and I'll get to see my youngest.  It will be wonderful and when I get back, I will take some really deep breaths, and dig back into myself and my journey. 

Then, I will have to stop being so reflective, and become the active participant in my own life.

#151 - Two down, one to go

Ok, the inevitable "travel" has continued with a sorrowful event, followed two weeks later by a joyous one.  Some aspects of the same family who don't have any connection to each other but both have a connection to us, has made the entire thing sorta weird.  Two cousins with the same name - they're second cousins mind you - have met only once in their lives.  I got the east coast one to do a quick video birthday greeting to the west coast one, who responded by video in kind, both via me.

Next up on the travel parade is the big move for my best friend to her new "home to be" on the east coast in the Boston suburbs.  Yes, I have the chance to see her and my son for this trip and on each subsequent visit, but not likely before her grandchild arrives in the spring.  Yes, things are changing already.

I'm working on scripts, and have a staged reading of a play I'll be in, which will take place the day after the presidential election in November.  Will anyone want to come and see it?

Guess we will have to wait and see.