Another week has passed here in the quiet mid-west. My home-town St. Louis Cardinals baseball team are competing to be National League champions. The US government has been shut down now for nearly two weeks. And despite a hint or two of cooler weather, it continues to linger in warmish great big sun shiny days.
It’s Saturday and I am grateful to prepare for a little outing with my sister and a few members of her family. Her oldest boy has a double-header baseball game and I will take a break from time and life with my parents to hang with them. The weather couldn’t be better with bright clear blue skies, sunshine and an expected high in the low 70s F.
This past week has continued much of the regular syncopation of life here. There were some health challenges with family to be present to and tend to. There was the occasional (and sometimes more that occasional…) viewing of HGTV. I can’t forget my favorite escape of late, attending classes at the wellness center at my parents church just down the street. These classes have really been a breath of fresh air for me. I attend yoga on Mondays and Fridays and strength training classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At the center I am surrounded by kind and friendly faces. While, yes, I am usually the youngest face in the room, I am certainly in good company.
Earlier this week, a friend of my mom’s was generous enough to invite me on an outing. Currently without a vehicle and in a town with no public transportation, some good company and new scenery are more than welcome. I joined her and her daughter as well as another friend of theirs at the local arboretum and botanical gardens. I couldn’t have picked a better spot!
The weather that day continued its spectacular streak of perfect fall weather. We were greeted with blue skies and sun as we meandered through the gardens and tree-covered pathways. There were so many blooms and colors even in mid-October in the area called Monet’s Garden. As we wandered through the trails nestled in the trees, we did our best not to get lost. When day was done we departed to a near-bye restaurant for lunch. Returning to my parents home, I felt happy and refreshed.
I now have just a little over a week left in the States before returning to work and life in South Korea. The time has slipped away leisurely but also quickly. I am really grateful that I had a chance to come home and visit with family. I am also glad for a break, some time to take it easy and indulge in some cushy conveniences of American life.
But for now, off for the day. Good-bye for now from the still neighborhoods and stunning fall weather of the mid-west United States.
Gypsy Woman 
Important lessons of focusing on the present and the delightful passing parade. Glad to know of others who are enjoying the trip.