May 14--I DID IT!!!

Sooner or later, even the fastest runners have to stand and fight.  --Stephen King

    Yesterday's adventure was no longer running from my fears and anxiety--I went right into it. 

    One of the MLB stadiums remaining on my list yet to visit is the Washington Nationals. It's an "outlier" in my travels, and I just couldn't figure a simple way to get there. The Universe set it all up for me. Yesterday, while I'm in the Philadelphia area, the Nationals had a home afternoon game, so that I could take the train there, go the the game, and return on the train all in one day. I planned this over a month ago, buying train and game tickets for this solo adventure. And so the angst began, with my magic magnifying mind thinking of all the possible pitfalls and dangers. 

    I was determined to let Spirit and my angels handle it. I had to stay connected to something bigger than me besides Google. Here's the play-by-play (pun intended):

    The 30-mile drive from Collegeville to the Phila train station was fine. There was plenty of traffic, but I had allowed myself extra time during rush hour. The parking area where I thought I could park had a sign at the entrance which says "No Public Parking," so I had to drive around searching for parking. Those who saw my license plate were mostly kind to the dumb ass Kansas driver. (That saying a lot in Phila.) The constant beeping of my Google Maps changing directions nearly caused me to throw my phone out the window. I finally found a lot one block from the train station. I parked, paid the machine, took my receipt, and headed for the station. 

    I had time to spare, and the train was on time, leaving Phila just before 9:00 am. I am completely lulled by the swaying of a train, and had a little snooze on the way south. That relaxed me a lot. There was a mixed bag of industrial and natural scenery on the way. We arrived at Union Station just before 11:00 am. Wow, that place is HUGE and beautiful. I had thought to take the subway to the stadium, but found a bunch of taxis outside, so I took the easy and scenic way to Nationals Park. The bonus was seeing the Capitol, Supreme Court, Senate Office Building and other sites along the way. 

    It was two hours till game time, so I roamed the area around the stadium and found a brewpub where I could sit outside to enjoy an IPA and slice of pizza. It was the perfect day for baseball, 72 degrees with brilliant cloud-free sunny skies. 

    I made my way into the park and spent most of an hour exploring it, as is my habit on these baseball adventures. Covid had caused quite a few changes. Only the vendors on the main level were open. There were no cash transactions. You had to pre-order using a smart phone app. Capacity was limited so that the attendance count ended up at 8,710. Many seats were blocked off with zip-ties. There was no one seated within arms reach of me, but then I bought an upper deck seat to encourage that. It was a great seat, however, right above first base. 

    The Nats hit two two-run homers, and Patrick Corbin pitched a great game, so that was enough to sink the Phillies. It was joy indescribable to be back in the ballpark!

    I had hoped to find another cab after the game, but that was not "in the cards." However, I was right next to a subway station so I decided to give it a shot. I asked some young men in front of me to help me purchase the pass. They were so kind and helpful, and I noted that the most helpful one called me "miss" rather than "ma'am." 😉😉 I was on the escalator down to the train when a man (angel!!!) next to me said, "How's it going?" I grimaced and grumbled, he asked what was wrong. I told him where I was going and that I didn't know which train direction to take. He pointed and said, "Take that one, and change to the red line at Gallery Place." Yep, that was it. I did that, and ended up right back at Union Station. I truly believe he was an angel in disguise. 

    I bought a light supper and ate while waiting for the train back to Phila. It was on time, and off we went, just after 6:00 pm. My only worry at that point--I looked at my parking receipt and it said to leave it on the dash of the car. Dang. Would my car still be there? Would they have mercy on the Kansas dumb ass? Once again, I turned it over to the angels, because really, at that point, there was nothing I could do. The train arrived at the station just before 8:00 pm. I hoofed it to the parking lot and there was my car, no nasty stickers or anything. I headed back to my nephew's house, exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. Reading this, you know I made it back safely. I slept like the dead. 

    What an adventure! I'm so glad I went!

    24 down, 6 to go!!!

        Leta

Nationals Park, May 13, 2021

May 13--Beauty in Unexpected Places

It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does to have tried and succeeded.  --Anne Morrow Lindbergh

    I've had both results to my trying--failure and success. I'm reminded that my definitions of failure and success were different from what assorted onlookers had. I'm thinking the most important thing is simply to keep on trying. Courage muscles build. 

    My trip continues. After a lovely breakfast with my college roommate and lots of doggie loving, I headed out. Prior YMCA research and several phone calls (trying with both results) finally netted me a swim at the East Shore Harrisburg YMCA. It was built in 1933, a huge brick building along Front Street facing the magnificent Susquehanna River. It is dark and old, but mostly clean, and the staff were super-friendly. What a surprise awaited me at the pool! The pool room is completely covered in decorative tiles, very intricate. It truly is a work of art. The pool itself is 1" tiles. Along the edges of the 25 yard pool are markers in the tile for 5/10/15/20 yards. On the pool floor in the tile are a turtle, crab and lobster. I told the lifeguard that this is definitely the most beautiful place I have ever swum.   

    Then it was off to Collegeville and a visit with my nephew's family. I arrived around 2:00 pm. I was treated in the evening to a real PA hoagie while enjoying a jazz band concert at an outdoor amphitheater. It was a blast-from-the-past treat to hear the middle school and high school bands.

    I've driven just over 1,500 miles so far. I can hardly wait to tell you about today's adventure!!!

    Onward,

        Leta

My mid-trip doggie "fix"

May 12--On a Roller Coaster

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.  --J. K. Rowling

    This post is about the bravery of riding an emotional roller coaster. Yesterday's trip adventures had me all set for hanging out at the peaks. I left NE Ohio and headed into central PA to visit my "old stomping grounds." I drove over Nittany Mountain out of State College (Penn State University) and drove by the house where I grew up. At least that was the plan. The house is no longer there. My first pass left me disoriented--was I having a senior moment? Was I not where I thought I was? So I made two more passes, and sure enough, it's not there. I'm still freaking about it. It was a rock-solid home that my mother cared for like her child. There are trees encroaching where the house was. I checked my photo history, and it was there four years ago when I drove by. Fire? No clue as to what happened. To say this has rocked my foundation is an understatement. Just like my life, that house seemed permanent. So with it disappearing, it brought home the realization that I'm not permanent either. I know all this, obviously, but the home's disappearance slammed it into my heart in a new way. 

    Forging ahead, I went on to Alan Seeger Natural Area and walked my favorite trail. As my angels would have it, I had the place to myself, quite a joy. Stay tuned--I'll soon post a video describing my favorite spot on earth. 

    My next stop was Peight's Country Store outside Belleville, PA. I can summarize by saying that it is the Amish Wal-Mart. It is a small store that has everything--food, hardware, clothing, office supplies, home decor, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, fabric and sewing supplies, toys, cleaning products, fresh baked goods, glass-bottle milk, cookbooks, even a whole rack of assorted-color suspenders.

    Then I drove through beautiful tree-covered central PA to the Carlisle area to spend the evening with my college roommate, whom I had not seen in person for decades. We couldn't remember the last time we saw each other. We reconnected through Facebook and online yoga classes. We had a great evening catching up, walking the beautiful farmland, getting my doggie fix with her beautiful Golden Retrievers, sharing a great home-cooked meal. It was a heart-comforting ending to a wild emotional ride. 

    Onward,

        Leta

May 11--Enjoying a Larger Life

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.  --Anais Nin

    Visiting this past weekend with my niece's friends over several beers, I was describing my trip so far and plans for the rest of it. One woman said, with shock on her face, "Are you doing this alone?!?!?!" When I said, "Yes," she squealed, "You're my hero. I'm going to do something by myself!" You go, girlfriend! 

    I'm not sure how it came to be that my desire for adventure so far exceeds my fear. In part, I know that I won't get to see my family if I don't make the effort. No one in my family has come to see me in Wichita since my wedding 35 years ago, so I'm surely not holding my breath there. I've let my courage and intense love of baseball take me to 23 of 30 major league ballparks so far. That mission continues. I've been to many extraordinary places around the world, and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. I've done a lot of traveling inward (see May 10 post) and have covered some pretty scary ground there, all worth the effort. I'd say my mission, on my death bed, is to be able to say, "No regrets." That takes courage.

    Trip update: my last day in NE Ohio included a one-mile swim at the Akron YMCA, a nap, a hike at beautiful Gorge Metro Park, and a super-fun dinner and margaritas with my niece and a friend at a local Mexican restaurant. I finished off the evening telling stories with my brother and his wife. It's tough to leave here where I feel so much love and connection! Today I head to PA. 

    I continue to have an expansive life, and I am so grateful!

        Leta

At one of my favorite places on the planet!

May 10--Dark Places Serve a Purpose

Everyone has a talent. What's rare is to follow it to the dark places where it leads.  --Erica Jong

    Very interesting!!! As I think about the talents I am currently using, I see that each has involved some traveling to dark places. My spiritual coaching training was largely working on myself, digging deep into those dark places and cleaning them up (and you know how I dislike cleaning!). That work continues to this day.Yoga teacher training with Ana Forrest is diving-head-first-into-the-dark-places on steroids. The intense breathing, rigid schedule and long hours sooner or later break down every feeble defense. Years of teaching Melt Method and yoga have certainly relieved me of any fears of messing up in public--I do it regularly. It's part of putting oneself "out there." The more-than-full-time grind of tax work simply wears me down, strips my defenses, and leaves me no choice but to be myself, screw-ups and all. Ultimately, I think that's the purpose of all the exploration in the dark places--to recognize that we all have them, that they help to shape who we are, and who we are is perfectly fine. Then we flourish from that place and share our unique talents. It's a simple system, though not necessarily easy. 

    Switching gears... I had a lovely Mother's Day with my NE Ohio family. I talked with both sons and my mother-in-law, and spent time with my niece (mother of three sons) and her mom. All these moms have had a huge, loving impact on my life. I honor them. I made the trip to this area complete with a visit to Handel's Ice Cream 😉😉

    Grateful and joyful,

        Leta

My favorite brother and I

May 9--Thank a Mother

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.  --Sir Winston Churchill

    I spent last evening with my niece and four of her long-time friends, whom I have partied with many times over the years. All six of us are mothers. We celebrated life with several beers. It was wonderful to be together again in person. 

    On this Mother's Day, I offer the excellent words of Rev. Dr. Christian Sorensen:

    Your first teacher was your mother, whose arms were created to bring you peace and comfort. Her heart was to give you love so you might find your own. Her blood connected you to your ancestors so you would never be alone in this world. You were not kept forever in the confines of your yard but sent into this world to find your strength, which may have been the bravest thing your mother ever did. She let you go to your self-discovery. Mothers are walking, breathing miracles. 

    Your mother sacrificed so much for you to enter the world. This day is to remind you to find the gratitude in your depth and to express it mom's way.  Allow positive mother memories to activate your heart so your love connection beyond time and space becomes the delivery system for what is more beautiful than flowers. 

    The maternal nurturing energy of the feminine is not bound by birth or gender. Let your love and appreciation go forth from you to all those amazing expressions of God's love, those spiritual mothers who help birth your soul's journey with their grace--the ones who encouraged you when you were down, who were there for you when your heart and soul ached and who reminded you that you are a child of God. 

    Mothers are courage incarnate! Please thank a mother today!

            Leta

May 8--The Journey Continues

Life is a series of collisions with the future.  --Jose Ortega y Gasset 

    This quote makes me smile. Most collisions are minor, no one and nothing gets damaged. Then there are the fender-benders of life, and finally the major crashes. I'll leave it to you to file your own collisions into the various categories. In looking back for myself, I see that what may have seemed like a major crash at the time was really only a fender-bender. The bumps and bruises haven't killed me, but rather, made me stronger and more resilient. 

    I made it safely to NE Ohio yesterday. I had a mid-trip stop at a YMCA near Dayton for a one-mile swim, relieving much driving stiffness. I've visited many YMCAs over the years of my travels, and the staff are always so kind and helpful to visitors. My niece's home is just over 1,000 miles from mine.

    What joy to reunite with my brother's family (three generations) and share an evening meal together! My brother did not know I was coming. The look of surprise on his face was priceless! I hope I never forget it. He has some serious health challenges, and there were times during the pandemic lock-down that I feared I would not get to see him again. 

    In my ultra-comfy bed at my niece's condo, I slept in till almost 8:00 am. Heaven! I realized that for the first time in months, I have absolutely no agenda for this day. What a treat! 

    Stay tuned...

        Leta