A Radical Ranger Reunion...

Quote of the week

Find joy in all you do.

On Saturday I attended my good friends Leah and Terry's wedding. It was such an honor to be there and experience their day with them. The love that these two share for one another is spectacular (even after 12 years). Unfortunately I didn't have the privilege to work with them at Lake Sonoma (I came later), but I was introduced to them through many stories that were told by my fellow ranger colleagues. I finally met them at a holiday party and I instantly saw why these two people were special.

On Saturday I celebrated Leah and Terry's day with a few of my favorite rangers from Lake Sonoma. To say the least we had fun...

Congratulations Leah and Terry!

Me, Leah, Terry, Hillary and Joel

Chappy, Wife and Bobby Beaver

Mikey and Bobby Beaver

Change of plans...

Due to unexpected family events, my sis and I decided to stay closer to home for our time together. We settled on me visiting her and the kids up in Lake County. We made the best of it and after a few days I realized it was a blessing in disguise.

My sister and I were still able to bond and she was able to take care of things around the house and for the kids. We went to a bio-dynamic winery, hung around downtown Lakeport, took the kids to Fort Bragg and got some good food from the farmer's market. In the end it all worked out and I was still able to be there for my sister.

Last thoughts...no pun intended

“Thoughts lead on to purpose, purpose leads on to actions, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny”

Tryron Edwards

From Sac to SLO...

I spent all of last week with my family in Sacramento. I spent my days sleeping in and watching tele. It was my step-mom's bday, so part of the week was spent celebrating. I also got a few dates with my lovely sister and her little princess (my niece) Sophia. Although some of the trip was a little chaotic (as family things normally are) it was really nice to spend time with those that matter most in my life, mi familia.

Tomorrow I start my day at 6am to take a long bus/train ride with my big sister down to San Luis Obispo (aka SLO). This is a much needed vacation for my sis...like say four or five years overdue. With two children, a husband in the military and distant family support...five days near the ocean, away from it all, with her little sis is what my sister needed. I hope I can help.

Happy Birthday Pam...Muah!

Presently Living in the Present...

Quote for the month:

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”

Greg Anderson

I had a discussion with one of my friends last summer about this very quote. We talked about how in life we tend to move fast, heading right to the end product or destination. How often do we literally stop to smell the roses on our evening walk, sit on a bench on vacation to take in the sights and sounds, or really watch our children play and interact with their friends, all without judgement and just a pure present awareness? He left the conversation with: it's not about where we end up in life but how we got there.

Currently I'm in Sacramento visiting my family and I have found myself mentally wandering in and out of the adventures of the coming months. My future plans could change at any moment and yet I sit here wasting my present time thinking of the future. I realize how important it is to live in the present and enjoy the gifts, such as family, that life offers you.

So I write this now as a reminder to you the reader and me the writer that if we hurry too fast in life then we might just miss it.