For the past decade of my life, whenever the trail I was following narrowed to a dead-end, a new path would suddenly appear. Now I've begun watching for those trailheads. At times it feels like I'm wandering through a maze - if I think about it, it seems a little scary, but I just need to adjust my vision a bit and it becomes a big adventure.
It is rarely - dare I say never? - the path I would have chosen for myself, if I had my druthers. These aren't trails I've pursued in any form or fashion, but along each one I learn something new, either a skill or some aspect of myself, that helps me when that path hits a wall and the new one appears.
If I had my druthers (I know you're wondering) I would spend my days with my camera and a laptop, alternating between traipsing around Texas (or the world!) shooting photos, and sitting in my rocker on the back porch, capturing the words in my head and sorting them into stories.
But because I haven't figured out how to pay the bills by doing either of those, I'm forced to spend most of my time doing something else for a paycheck. Without a degree or any set area of expertise honed by years of practice, that's getting tougher, but add to it my age and my impatience with jobs that don't challenge me or that bore me... um, what was I saying?
Anyway... my old job is dwindling down (the company is moving) but a new one popped up and today was my first day. I'm not sure if it's okay with them to be specific on my blog about it, so I won't say much, except this...
1. I'm exhausted
2. I enjoyed it
3. my feet hurt
4. it's not something I ever wanted to do and probably wouldn't do anywhere but this specific location, but, be that as it may, I think I'm going to like it and might even be able to handle it.
5. I hope they feel the same about me!
It's a weekend job, totally away from a computer (probably a good break for me!) so if I don't answer your emails or visit your blogs from Friday through Sunday, it's nothing personal! I'm just pooped!
And now for my favorite photo of the week. I had planned to post something different from later in the week, but my computer is being ornery and won't let me upload the latest photos from my camera, so you could say these are my default favorites.
First, the purple prairie verbena, still stubbornly blooming. I love these flowers, for their color and their grit.
Next, Max wading in his own pond. The water is already almost gone again, but at least he had his own backyard pool for a few days.
Hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend!