Seeing the forest for the trees.

"Don't blink, just like that you're six years old

And you take a nap

And you wake up and you're twenty-five

And your high school sweetheart becomes your wife."

There are times when we are sure what we see, is what really is in front of us. Some times.

I have been one who has hoped that what I thought I was doing, and seeing, was what I was supposed to do; but when you are so caught up in the moment, it's possible to lose sight of it all. I have done it, maybe you have too, but in the end hopefully we will begin to focus on the right things. I am working on it.

For many years I focused heavily on work. I didn't take the vacation time I had earned, I was one of those individuals Mastercard sought out—in so many words, they were saying, "Hey fool, what are you doing? You're wasting those days you earned" When I would go on vacation I would stay in "work mode" because what would happen if I missed something that was going on while I was not there? I am sure I am the only person in the world who goes through this. Really? No.

So, what am I doing about it? My daughter has decided that we, as a family, need to go on a vacation; she is actually paying for part of it—when I am there, I already know there is no electricity during the day, only at night. That means, no internet, no news to watch, no opportunity to connect with the outside world. Well, that is unless we go into town and then I can get caught up—this is going to be really hard. I am really hoping I can break away from life, catch up on lost moments, and re-connect. Good luck to me…I wouldn't go to Vegas and bet on it.

I have already been told it's alright to bring my camera and take as many pictures as I want. Knowing where my focus is right now, I would suspect there will be fewer photos taken; no worries, instead of 10,000 pictures I will probably shoot 8,000 or more. I guess we will see if I can actually do it.

Before we made our final decision on location, there was one thing I insisted on—I needed to make sure I was not going doing my business in the trees. That's something I just can't deal with; I am told that will not be an issue. Let's hope not.

Time is something I am working to get a better grip on; I need to make sure with the time I still have left—and there had better be plenty of it—I can work to achieve greater balance. It's likely I'll fall short at times, but I am going to give it my best. Hey, I am only me. I know myself very well. 

The photo above was taken this past Fall at the Morton Arboretum outside of Chicago. I really wanted to capture the sunbeams as the day came to life. Unfortunately I did not dress properly that day. I wore shorts (no biggie) but as I walked through the brush to get the perfect setting, I didn't notice the poison "whatever" rubbing against my legs and ankles. I suffered for days—-lesson learned.

Thanks for stopping by.