Life is Good

And not just because I'm starting my second glass of wine.

I have come to the conclusion that I am my happiest when exploring new places or trying new foods. Or having a glass of wine with friends/family. Perhaps the good life is not nearly as complicated as we make ours out to be. Maybe that's the secret.

Last Saturday I flew to Pennsylvania for Christa's Celebration of Life. Even though it's been a year, I knew it would still be a difficult thing to do, yet so important. The ceremony was beautiful and sad. A good reflection of life I would say.

That night, after pizza, all the ladies gathered around the kitchen table with bottles of wine and beer, and just talked. It was far later than I would normally stay up, although I was also on the east coast while my biological clock was on the west coast.

I was completely off my normal routine, and those who know me know that I am very routine oriented. But sometimes, things are important enough to interrupt routine. Wine with the women of the family being one of them. I slept late, I ate pastries, I didn't run once. The heat and humidity made me cower in one air conditioned building after another.

The family invited me to their home on the coast, to spend another week, and tried to convince me to change my plane ticket. I was incredibly tempted, but I knew my boss had been patient enough with me taking time off and I didn't want to overdo it.

I went to Philly for a day of exploring. I was ecstatic to see the liberty bell, my nerves buzzing with excitement.

I had to ask a guy working there if it was the real thing, and not a replica. He assured me it was the real thing. I still have my doubts, but there was an awful lot of security there, as well as bullet proof glass in the windows behind the bell.

I spotted Independence Hall across the street.

After going through another security line, I was admitted into the courtyard of Independence Hall.

True words.

The photo above is a water spout.

I went through a guided tour of Independence Hall (you can't go in without a guide). The tour was a bit long winded, as I was on a time budget (everything was going to close shortly), but it was worth it.

Independence Hall was once Pennsylvania State House, and the above is from the courthouse.

Where George Washington, Ben Franklin, and others drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence:

I rushed off towards the National Constitution Center, which would close in an hour and a half.

 I believe our religious freedom is possibly one of our most important. I'm reading the book "Jerusalem" by Montefiore, and I guess I never really realized the amount of violence and barbarianism that occurred throughout Jerusalem's history, and mostly in the name of religion. George Santayana said "Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it." I think of all the Facebook posts that demand to bring God back to the schools, and in public places, saying our country is a Christian country, and I'm reminded of the near constant massacres occurring in Jerusalem for centuries, all due to some one wanting their own religion to be the religion of the land. It is inconceivable to me that we do not see this, that we dare suggest that the United States government support one religion over another, after all that history has demonstrated. Religion will never be a smart way to rule a nation.

It was time for me to move on to the National Constitution Center.

I saw beautiful photos of Jackie and John Kennedy, an absolutely amazing theater performance by one actress and a few special effects on the evolution of civil rights in America, and I walked among statues of our founding fathers debating the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

It was time for a cheese steak...because, well, when in Philly....

It was far better than the one I had in Eureka, California, years ago. Next time I will also try out the variety of sauces available.

Everything was shutting down, and I had to find my hotel for the night.

In the morning, I had just enough time to meander through the infamous Reading Terminal Market before flying home. I bought a coffee and wandered through the stalls of meats, cheeses, flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade soaps, Amish goods, sandwiches, fresh seafood, chocolates, eateries, and everything else.

I bought a few boxes of chocolates, a hoagie for lunch on the plane, and then breakfast at the crepe place.

It was time to go. I would have to return another day to see the rest of Philly. One day was nowhere near enough.

Tomorrow I turn 35. Am I stressed about that at all? Nope.

The local paper in Stroudsburg, PA said something about how in a survey of older people, the favorite age is 40. I can buy that. Every year I wonder if this is the year I will finally feel like a full fledged adult. I remember my parents being in their 30's and how much I really viewed them as adults, but maybe that's because I was really young. Maybe you don't become an adult until your 40's.

I got back home from Philly last night, so today was spent grocery shopping and doing laundry.

I thought about all the things I could do tomorrow for my birthday, which I will spend alone once again. There are plenty of options, we'll just have to see what I feel like tomorrow.

I bought myself a bouquet of flowers and just had a cheese, olive, fruit, and salami plate with wine, one of my favorite meals. 3 types of cheese, a variety of olives, black grapes, salami, and a halfway decent sherry.

And then this happened across the street.

And all I could think about was getting a good photo. I should've grabbed my real camera which has much better zoom capabilities. The dumpster appeared to be far enough away from structures that it wasn't going to spread.





Then I heard sirens, and assumed the fire department was enroute. And I wondered...if the skin on salami does not come off very easily, then does that mean that it's edible? I hope so, because I ate it. And the cheeses were absolutely delectable.

And the fire department put out the burning dumpster.

And I realized that life is just a crazy adventure. We're here for awhile and then we're gone, and that's ok. Every single thing in this universe that is granted a life, is also granted a death. We're born and we live and we age and we die. And there are so many experiences in this world to be had. So much living to do. So many people to love and spend time with. You just have to go out and grab it, because you only get this one beautiful chance.