And just like that…..vacation is over.

If only I could bottle vacation anticipation… I’d place it on my bathroom shelf, pull it out when I need new air to breathe, rub a little vacation nectar on my temples like lavender essential oil to summon peace and relaxation that only comes from change of scenery. No television. No life interruptions.

Sea gulls sail overhead.

Hypnotic ocean views hold me spellbound.

Fresh salmon with strawberry salsa for dinner…

All the planning and thinking and build-up disappears into a wave of Texas heat and a busted suitcase held together by duct tape. Yet for a few days, life felt different. 

While I’m still half-snoozing on west coast time, John is up and out the door headed back to work. I’m grateful to be home with the smelly laundry. I drink coffee and drag through my first post-vacation day while the puffy circles underneath my eyes sloooowly deflate.

Maybe I’ll edit a short story. And pay a few bills. Those bills always lurk in the imposing stack of after-vacation mail.

A neighbor, out for her morning walk, waves to me.

A cardinal swoops across the pool and lands on the fencepost.

Lucy and Annabelle follow on my heels, curl at my feet… 

As life quickly returns to normal, I realize my normal is damn good.

talya

Musical Pairing: