One tip for easing the expense of a vacation is to make the vacation a quick trip that incorporates some sort of opportunity for self-expansion. Driving three hours to another state for a three-hour Kundalini Yoga seminar may seem nutty, but it gave Joe and I the opportunity to spend time together (away from real life) and deepen a particular branch of our yoga practices.

Point Judith, Rhode Island

The weather was less than optimal due to the approach of Hurricane Kyle, but it was a powerful reminder of the raw beauty and raw wildness of nature. If you are in the path of a hurricane, there is no beauty to be found, but we found some stark beauty seaside in Rhode Island. Thankfully, Rhode Island was spared. Even the flotsam and jetsam littering the shoreline created an oddly pretty pause.

After a month that was both physically and emotionally draining, a pretty pause was perfect for us. I look with fresh interest to the month ahead.

Non-bloggers can never really understand the power of the blog world and the community it creates. Joe's boss was highly amused by "the power of the blog" to help Snickers with her injured leg last August.

I cannot thank all of you enough for all of the support and love you showed to Snickers (and us) during her injury. Earlier this year, I delivered a State of Snicker Address that pronounced her doing well.

Sadly, Snickers developed a small, hard mass on her upper belly/chest several months ago. The vet determined that it was most likely the start of mammary cancer, and they have grown in size and number. Several weeks ago, she began vomiting regularly. It hit full stride at the end of last week when she could not eat without immediately vomiting. Since Friday, she had been living on water and milk.

Last night in a fit of silly hopefullness, I fed her a small bowl of her regular food, and a mere 10 paces away from the bowl, she vomitted. It was clear that her situation was not going to miraculously reverse and that Joe's decision (made with the vet late last week) was really for the best. In one hour, our sweet Snickers will get her final peace.

This is how I want to remember her -- before the injured leg and the belly full of tumors.

Snickers in the wild.

The Plantar Fasciitis is healing, but it is still bothersome after long walks and easy hikes -- which is exasperating to me and my podiatrist. I feel hampered, and my podiatrist is certain that his heel pain handouts do not recommend long walks and hikes of any kind as part of the treatment.

When I mentioned that no walks and hikes made fitness and weekend time with Joe rather difficult, Dr. B issued this caveat: all hikes must be followed with a foot massage. Joe scoffed when I delivered this news, assuming that I was either creating fiction or bribing Dr. B to make these ridiculous statements.

During today's visit, I relayed Joe's response and joked with Dr. B that I needed a note from him as proof. With my chart at the appointment desk:

With three refills, no less!

Begin Again

Often I am accused of flitting from one thing to another. A new idea, a new book, whatever. I a too often magnetically drawn to things (and people!) only to later abandon them for the greener pasture. That is the negative spin.

I like to couch it more positively. I have a strong curiosity to investigate or learn something new or challenge myself frequently, and I am not alone. A friend is a certified personal trainer, a certified software trainer, a two-time Power lifting Champion and shockingly impressive aerialist. She taught me to knit, to sew and to bind small books/journals. The knitting... well, that was the one that "took", although I am still on hiatus.

I have been exploring two new-to-me areas: working out to DVDs, and raw food.

The gym at work is a inconvenient and dominated by students, and the yoga classes are either boring and/or held while I am tethered to a desk.

Raw food is something that took root in my mind about a year ago when I partook of the CSA, however, it was an idea that needed to marinate. Honestly, I cannot imagine buying a dehydrator or forsaking two rounds at the Indian buffet in Jackson Heights, but I like the notion of leaning more towards raw and striking a personal balance. Feel free to slap me if I start nattering on a about a "raw high"...