Home Sweet Home

     I don't know about you, but for me there is just something about going home that is comforting. But, the question is, where is home exactly? I've lived in my current home for just about 23 years. I call it home, but something about the place where I was raised has always brought a warm feeling to my heart and it will always be HOME. My childhood memories lie there.

     I was born and raised in Georgetown, Texas. Yes, I am a Texas girl. Although I don't live in Texas anymore, I will always and forever be, a Texas girl. Georgetown is about thirty miles north of Austin. Growing up, it was an eclectic mash of the hippies of Austin and the down home goodness of the cowboys and farmers. It wasn't quite either, but to me, it was that mix that gave it it's perfect charm.
     It was the county seat of Williamson County and the courthouse sat dead center in the town.

     The downtown was filled with old historic building that made up the square around the courthouse with a sign that designated where the Chisholm Trail passed through. During the summer there was a parade that traveled through the square to signify the start of Rodeo week. I don't think they host rodeos anymore but there is still a parade of sorts.

    Of course, Georgetown has changed some since I lived there. When I was growing up in Georgetown, we could ride our bikes everywhere. It definitely had a small town atmosphere. Now days, it is a bustling little city. It has officially become one of the bedroom communities of Austin and is a favorite place to live for the over 55 group. 

     But for all that has changed, there is quite a bit that hasn't. Georgetown is home to San Gabriel Park and Blue Hole. The San Gabriel River cuts a path through Georgetown and provides picturesque scenery but also great swimming and fishing locations.

 I can remember playing underneath the falls and swinging off the rope swing at the park and jumping from the cliffs at Blue Hole. That still happens and now there are trails around the river for the running enthusiast or just to walk your dog.

     If you aren't really into the water sports, there are other things that are fun to do in Georgetown. The Palace Theater used to be where we would go see the latest movie releases. Now it is home to some great off Broadway shows.

Georgetown is also where you will find one of the best Caverns around. Inner Space is a living cavern, it's formations are still growing!

      There is also something they call Second Saturday. On the second Saturday of the month around the square vendors come out... well... to sell their goods. You never know what you will discover at Second Saturday, but trust me there is something there that you have always wanted.  There might even be some live music.

   
     But some of the best memories I have of Georgetown was at Christmas time. Through downtown and some of the main streets, there would be decorations of garland with twinkly lights draped across the road. It was breathtaking. But no words could describe how pretty the downtown was this past Christmas. There is something about old buildings lit up with the twinkly lights that put you in the Christmas mood.

   
                                             This is the place I LOVE to call HOME.

My Dream of Sweden

     Bucket Lists. Just about everyone I've talked to for any length of time has a bucket list. Places they want to go. Things they want to do. I am pretty sure everyone has at least one thing in life they have always wanted to do, but haven't. Mine? I want to visit Sweden.

I have for as long as I can remember. I would like to visit many places outside the U.S. but first and foremost, Sweden. Why you might ask? My grandpa.

It's hard to put into words the effect this wonderful man had on my life.  I can not recall a time I didn't see a smile on his face. I spent my childhood learning about life from him. He was a giver. Any time anyone had a need, he was there for them. No matter what. He was creative. He liked to go to the junkyard and get the old bicycle parts and rebuild bikes and then sell them. I can remember many days helping him put the bikes together. If we weren't doing that, we were building birdhouses. I can still see the front of his house with several birdhouses and bikes in the front ready for someone to purchase. He was never opposed to hard work and always liked being outside tinkering with something. 

He is the reason I want to go to Sweden. His family came from there. He still held the thick Swedish accent and I loved it every time he said my name. As a child I can remember him singing Swedish songs and trying to teach me the language.

So where exactly is Sweden?

It's nestled between Norway and Finland. It is a Unitary Parliamentary Monarch. King Carl XVI Gustaf  has held the throne since 1973. It's capital is Stockholm. I don't know much about Sweden so I looked up some fun facts.

1. The Nobel Prize has been awarded in Stockhom Sweden since 1901

2. The current 3 point seat belt for our cars was invented in Sweden

3. Speaking of inventions, the pacemaker, ultrasound, refrigerator and computer mouse all were invented in Sweden. The Volvo automobile and IKEA furniture are from Sweden.

4. Sweden is the third largest country in the European Union.

5. There are 260000 reindeer in Sweden

6. Soccer is the largest organized sport in Sweden

7. The Swedish company King is behind the game CANDY CRUSH

8. Sweden has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world with 74 for men and 80 for women.

9. Sweden also has the highest number of McDonalds with 227 per capita in Europe. 

10. The worlds first ice hotel was build in Jukkasjarvi in the 1980s. It has 60 rooms and was built out of 4000 tons of densly packed snow and ice. It rents rooms between December and April. Residents are issued special gear when they stay to withstand the temperatures as low as -8 degrees.

I guess I better bring some warm clothes when I go.

WILD HORSES

     I have always been fascinated by horses. I've never owned one unfortunately, but I have had the opportunity to ride a few and even fallen off of one. I've never been known for my grace, but that is a whole other story. There is nothing quite like riding a horse. One of the items on my bucket list is riding a horse on the beach.

How romantic. What can I say, I write romance novels. But for me riding a horse or just watching them is a thrill. There is just something about them, when they run, that is just breathtaking. Watching the movement of their muscles and the flow of their mane just stirs something within me. I've had the opportunity to see that up close a time or two.

     Since the old wild west is long gone, it is hard to believe there are such things as wild horses. Today there are only about 60,000 free roaming wild horses in the US and Canada. Nevada(Reno area) is home to nearly half the population while places in North Dakota(Theodore Roosevelt National Park), Wyoming, Montana(Pryor Mountain, Bighorn Canyon), Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina have smaller herds.
   
     Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia is the home to several hundred wild horses. It can only be reached by boat or plane and is considered one of the most remote locations of wild horses in North America.

     With the population dwindling, due to urbanization of their land and destruction of their habitat, several of the locations have become protected and many rescues and sanctuaries have been established.

   Where did I have my first encounter with wild mustangs? Oklahoma. The Hughes Ranch to be exact. The 12000 acre ranch, outside of Bartlesville Oklahoma is a refuge to over 2000 wild horses. Since 1988 it has served as part of the Prairie National Wild Horse Refuge. It was even used as the backdrop to the Terrence Malick movie "To the Wonder."

   It was the fall of 2010 just about dusk. We were driving down the back roads of eastern Oklahoma when the car slowed. Off to my left I saw it. A large herd of wild horses cresting a hill, running a full speed. I could almost hear their hooves thunder against the ground. 

If you like to read westerns and have a fondness for horses as I do, you might want to pick up "Tales From Big Country." https://www.talesfrombigcountry.com/

proceeds from the sale of this collection goes to The American Wild Horse Campaign.

Come sail away

     Part of life is about making memories. Some memories hold more meaning than others. They carry with them more than just a recollection of events and trigger more emotions. One of the memories I hold very close to my heart is a sunset trip on a beautiful tall schooner named the Appledore II. The trip came just a few short months after a very traumatic event in my family's life. I didn't realize it at the time but I still cradled life like a fragile piece of stained glass that might fall apart any minute.

     The schooner was based out of Key West Florida. I was lucky enough to take a trip to Key West while visiting family. As we wandered around the farthest southern point in the U.S., we noticed the beautiful vessel and a sign for the evening excursions. I wanted a closer look and was invited on board by the first mate. His passion for what he did was evident as he shared the history of the schooner. It was actually known for it's maiden voyage in 1978 that visited many ports of call as it circumnavigated the world. He showed us photos from a National Geographic book of the voyage. His love for what he did was infectious so we booked an excursion. 

     Now, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I am not a fan of water, especially large bodies of water. I have never been on a cruise and never plan to go on one, at least one that takes me far away from visible land.  So, I had some trepidation about going on this evening voyage but I have to say I was also very excited. It had all the makings of a very romantic evening, and it was.

With champagne and a few snacks being passed around, we set out late in the afternoon. We moved into open waters and the first mate hoisted the sails. 

Watching, as the sails captured the wind I understood how this life could be enchanting. Feeling the spray from the water on my face and listening to the sound of the sails in the wind brought about a peace within me, a peace I needed after the trying period in my life. Somehow, something that would normally set fear lose inside me had calmed a raging heartache I had carried for months.

The salty air filled my lungs and tears filled my eyes as I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

There was nothing standing in its way, no buildings, no trees, just the beautiful ripples of water, and a few well placed clouds to enhance the experience. I can't explain it, but in that moment as we headed back to port, my heart felt mended.

In the eye of...

     THE STORM. Where I live, is what is commonly referred to as Tornado Alley. This past week has proven this statement to be a true. I have lived in a few locations that seem to be a part of  this imaginary passage within which the weather seems keen on producing these behemoth storms. In Texas I stared one down. Softball sized hailstones pelted the ground as a black ominous cloud roared toward me. I was lucky to  have a friend who had a basement I could take shelter in. It is terrifying yet, on some levels absolutely captivating to watch as the storms roll in.
     I have always been enamored by the weather. I had a fifth grade science teacher who taught us about the different types of clouds and at that time I thought it would be fun to become a meteorologist. After watching one of my local stations during the recent outbreak, I am glad I didn't choose that field of study. The poor guy was on the air for a day and a half...I can't imagine what I would look like if I had to stay awake that long.
     Every corner of our wonderful nation has it's own issues with weather. The coastlines have hurricanes, the mountainous areas and northern states have snow...TONS of snow. The deserts have the scorching heat and droughts. You get the picture. Each have their ideas of what the other states face...but how many of these ideas are misconceptions? Here are a list of the top misconceptions or myths about tornadoes and how to survive.
1. Bridges and overpasses are safe places to ride out a tornado if you are on the road. The thought is the concrete barrier will somehow protect you from the intense winds. WRONG. The strength of the wind can actually intensify as it condenses and can still catch you and carry you away, plus a pile up of cars parked under the overpass is just asking for a car accident.
2. Opening a window will help save your home. The idea is that opening the windows would somehow equalize the pressure. It sounds somewhat interesting in theory but is completely WRONG. Tornadoes come baring high winds along with all sorts of debris, that can take out an entire house. Opening a window does absolutely nothing to prevent that from happening.
3. Lying in a ditch can protect you from a tornado. Um...this is so wrong on so many levels. I think this is born out of the idea of finding the lowest level possible to seek shelter.  The lowest level of a sturdy building  or storm shelter will always be better protection than running for a ditch. Now, if you are out in the middle of an open space with nowhere else to go, a ditch would be the lowest area but that is not going to protect you from the massive vortex that is produced from a tornado. Plus, tornadoes usually are accompanied by a large amount of rain so you would be putting yourself in danger of drowning from lying in a ditch...moving on
4. Tornadoes don't hit largely populated areas. Where this idea came from, I haven't a clue. Tornadoes can hit anywhere and everywhere if the conditions are right. Large cities that have been hit include, St. Louis(several times in fact), Indianapolis, Miami, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Chicago just to name a few.
5. Tornadoes only occur in the spring. WRONG AGAIN! Although spring and fall have more of a drastic temperature fluctuation from surface air and atmospheric air, which aid in the formation of tornadoes, they can happen any time of year.
     How's that for a quick science lesson?
These are just a few of the myths and misconceptions, trust me there are many more where these came from.

     Now, what do you do if you are faced with a tornado? Most of us in Tornado Alley think we have this drill down pat, but chances are we don't. Here are some things to remember before the tornado hits. Stay weather aware especially during the high tornado season. Have a plan in place of what you would do. Have a weather radio and flashlight available in case the electricity goes out. Know what to look for when a storm hits. If you have a shelter, have it stocked with water, first aid supplies, a flashlight, weather radio, and non perishable readily edible foods. This is in the event you have to wait for help.
1. If you have a tornado shelter or basement...GO! Don't go outside and video the thing barreling at you. If it's a daylight or walk out basement, put as many walls between you and the exterior wall as possible
2. If you don't have a shelter or basement and you are home, go to the most interior room in the house, away from external walls and windows, get down as low as you can and cover up with mattresses or blankets or anything that would somewhat protect you from flying and falling debris.
3. Public locations such as shopping centers, usually have a protocol they follow, LISTEN TO THEM. Most have designated areas for storm shelters. If not, again, find an interior area away from exterior walls and windows and get down and cover up.
4. If you are driving, good luck! I have been caught in a traffic jam with a tornado siren blaring through my window.  But, chances are, if you see bad weather coming you will have your radio on and have some kind of warning. Seek shelter in a sturdy building if possible to ride out the storm. If you can tell what the path of the storm is, you can head the opposite direction but tornadoes can be tricky so this isn't a great option. If you don't have time,  here is what the experts say. Seek a low lying open area away from trees and bridges or overpasses. Park your car. Keep your seat belt on. Roll your windows up. Duck down and protect your head. 

Stay safe my friends!

History in the making

     Let me make something perfectly clear right out of the gate. I am not a history buff. I don't think I learned much in history my classes. I am not much for geography either and couldn't tell you much about where certain countries are or their social skills and currency. That being said, I highly recommend doing historical trips. I had the opportunity to take a trip to New York and Pennsylvania a while back. As I was researching where we would be going I mapped out what I would like to see. Sit back, this week is going to be a bit long.
     Our first stop was Niagara Falls.
     Now I am a sucker for any kind of waterfall anyway so this was a given. If there is a waterfall within 50 miles of where I am going, I want to see it. To stand in the presence of such power and beauty was absolutely mind boggling plus knowing that it spans between the U.S. and Canada was also an interesting fact.

But it was just our first stop on our very interesting historical trip. We drove from Buffalo, New York to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. WOW, who knew Philadelphia was such a cool place. Now, I may not be a history buff but I love to look at OLD buildings and Philadelphia has some REALLY OLD buildings with some really cool stories. We will get to that in a minute. When we were pulling into Philadelphia there was one stop I had to make! ROCKY! I can hear the music playing now.

The statue used to sit at the top of the stair that he ran in the movie leading up to the art museum you see in the photo. They had to move it because too many people gathered outside the museum and never made into the museum. Too many running the stairs! Why yes, I did run those stairs. I mean who wouldn't? Is this really history though? I mean it's from a movie for crying out loud. Well considering it was written by Sylvester Stallone(a no name at the time) and he starred in the movie that won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1976, a movie that is now being preserved in the U.S. Film Registry, I would say, yes, yes it is history!
     But if you want history that is studied in school, Philadelphia is PACKED with it.

The Liberty Bell! The bell was made famous because it rang on July 8th, 1776 to call the towns people to town square for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. It is actually not clear how or when the bell cracked but if you look close you can see a whole section of the bottom of the bell is missing. In 1846 it was taken down because it was too damaged.

Declaration House. This is where Thomas Jefferson lived while he wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Independence Hall. This is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. 

To see the place where your country started, is absolutely fascinating. Our founding fathers walked the streets and lived right here. Ben Franklin is buried here.

This is Elfreth's Ally. The nations oldest residential street. Houses that date back centuries are all over Philadelphia. 

We also had to make a stop in at McGillins Old Ale House. It's the oldest, continually operating pub in the area. It dates back to 1860. It has never shut down! 

Seeing the sights of Philadelphia gave me a love for history and a passion to find other places of historic significance to visit. There is nothing like seeing the actual locations where history was made and walking in the footprints of people who made a difference in our nation and culture.

The Power of LOVE

     Aaaaahhhh..... Love. I love LOVE. I think that is one of the reasons I became a romance writer. Whether it's seeing people holding hands in public, looking at photos of friends getting married, watching a romance on TV or reading it in a romance novel, it's always fun to see people in love, and all romance novels have to end in a happy ending. YAY!!!

     Love, Amour, Aloha, Ai, Agapi, Gra, Leifde, Karlek, Upendo, Lyubit, Liebe, Ask.........in any language, love is a powerful emotion.
     By definition, love means adoration or very strong liking. Who wouldn't want to be adored? Other words for love are devotion, affection, fondness, friendship, passion and respect. All are words that conjure up an idea that someone enjoys your company and likes being around you. I think everyone has a desire to be liked for who they are.

     There are seven different types of Love. This was developed, from what I can tell, through Ancient Greek philosophy.
1.Eros- The hot steamy passionate love for another. This is the romantic soulmate love. The love beyond reason. The fun one to write about in the romance novels!
2.Philia- is a love for another in friendship. A love developed through companionship and trust. This love is the authentic love that knowing you can be your true self and share your true life with the other person.
3. Storge- is the familial love. The kind of love a parent has for their child. It's a love born out of familiarity and something that is unconditional.
4. Agape- The kind of love someone has for strangers, nature or God. This is a love sometimes defined as altruism or a love for the welfare of others
5. Ludus- Is the playful, flirty love. The no strings attached type of love.
6. Pragma- Sexual attraction is not in the forefront of this type of love but instead its more personal qualities, shared goals and making the relationship work. This love is sometimes born out of arranged marriages but can develop into one of the other types of love!
7. Philautia- is a self love. Everyone needs to learn to love themselves for all their quirks and awkwardness, before they can really love someone else. Some may take it a little too far and become arrogant and conceited. This is a love of self in a way of trusting your instincts. Having enough confidence to move forward with decisions you make and not always relying on another.

     When I write my novels, it's like taking a movie playing in my head and putting it on paper. I love watching my characters go from the fun, flirty, playful love into a deeper passionate love.

     I was recently asked by someone what my character's love language was. Do you know your love language? Better yet, do you know the love language of the people you love? Did you know there was such a thing as a love language? I have heard about the love languages many times but I don't know that I've actually explored what they are. So here we go!
1. Affirmation- Does it make your heart explode when someone gives you a compliment? Just by hearing, "Wow, you look amazing!" give you enough happiness to last you a month? If so, maybe affirmation is your main love language.
2. Time- Does it just knock your socks off having someone spend time with you in a good conversation or doing a project together? If that fills your heart up, your love language may be 'time'
3. Gifts- now everyone loves to be the recipient of gifts, and retailers definitely play upon that with their commercials. We all know giving gifts to our loved ones is surely a slam dunk for making them happy but for some, it is their love language. Receiving a gift to them is the perfect way to say I LOVE YOU.
4. Acts of Service- I'm going to be honest here. I think every young couple develops a need for the act of service love language when kids come into the picture. The more their spouse can help them with the day to day craziness of raising kids and trying to keep the house from exploding from laundry and dishes and muddy tracks and dirty diapers... well you get the picture, the more they feel their cup filled. Simple things like loading a dishwasher or taking out the trash or basically taking on a task that the spouse normally handles can mean everything to someone who has been up to their elbows with different crisis' throughout the day.
5. Physical Touch- I am a hugger...most of the time. If  you have the flu don't hug me, but for the most part, I love hugs. I think it has something to do with my southern upbringing. We wouldn't go as far as the kiss on each cheek greeting but hugging was just a way to show a person you were happy to see them. Scientific studies have proven that physical touch from an early age helps develop a healthier emotional life. For me, I think physical touch is up at the top of my love languages. I love it when my hubby holds my hand or gives me hugs. It really has very little to do with intimacy and much more to do with caring. When he holds my hand, it shows me that he enjoys my company, that he wants to be near me, that he cares for me. That means so much to me. Don't get me wrong, I like when he does the other 4 love languages that I spoke of, but ultimately, I love the hugs.

That one song

 
     Passion. When I started this blog, I wanted it to reflect the things I was passionate about, but what exactly does that mean? What is passion? To me, passion is when something or someone spurs an innate spark inside that far exceeds any normal feeling of love. Its something familiar, something ingrained. You can be taught to draw but there are some who have something inside them that spur them to pick up a brush without one lesson and blend colors. You can be taught to cook but for some there is a desire to bring flavors together that create a tasty masterpiece.

     One of the things I have been passionate about my entire life is music. I have this connection to music on a very personal level that is hard to explain. Whether it's Rock, Country, Pop, Christian, Blues, or any other genre, there is something about music that moves me. Some songs I connect with the lyrics, some with the melodies, some with the rhythm and some with the arrangements.  The 70's band KANSAS is one of my all time favorite bands. Their harmonies are phenomenal. Their lyrics are amazing and their music is mind blowing. Music speaks to me. It always has.
   
     My dad was a musician, so I am sure that has something to do with it. Every child wants to have some kind of special connection with their parents. Music was mine with him. He played guitar, drums, bass, piano, trumpet and probably other instruments I didn't know about, and he could sing. I can remember, when I was very young, going to some of his gigs. I was always enamored with his ability. Whether it was that or some deeper genetic ingrained instinct, I was passionate about music.
   
     At around five, I started singing in front of crowds. By eight I was playing the piano. I found I could hear a song and play it without the music in front of me. At twelve I got into the band playing trumpet and at fourteen I got my first guitar, and at fourteen I lost my dad. His death, in a way, put a fire in me that has effected me to this day. After learning how to play the guitar, I started writing songs. Like most fourteen year old girls, most of my songs were about boys.

   
     As I was looking through some old stuff the other day, I found my book of songs. It was a crazy blast from the past. Suddenly I was drawn back to my fourteen year old self. I remembered sitting on stage performing some of my songs. I was petrified to be in front of people performing but the feeling of creating the music, telling the story, releasing that pent up urge was freeing.
   
     My question to you is, what are you passionate about?

Better Living through Chemistry

Funny things happen as you get older. Words become smaller, you make weird noises when you go to stand up weird splotches show up on your skin...etc. I have to admit, I'm not as young as I used to be. My brain wants to believe I am though. In a way, I kind of like this age. When I was younger, I wasn't very adventurous. As I've gotten older, I either have built up some courage or gotten dumber, but either way, I have definitely accepted more riskier challenges.
     What caused this change of attitude? Several years ago I started having some health issues. I went to the doctor who gave me some medicine for my symptoms and sent me on my way. The symptoms were better but not gone and it made me wonder. There are so many medicines out there for the symptoms but what about really taking care of the core problem. I set out to find a doctor that focused on taking care of the problem instead of taking care of the symptoms. My findings were very interesting.
     We have long heard, in order to be healthy, doctors want you to eat right and get some exercise. Well most of us don't know how to eat right now days. We are so busy and there are so many different fast food chains on every corner we choose convenience over healthy just about every time. That, along with the way crops are grown now, it's actually hard, even if you try eating healthy to actually get the nutrients you need on a daily basis.
     The food we eat now is just not as nutritious as it used to be. Crops aren't rotated to let the soil replenish the vitamins and therefore what we eat just doesn't give our bodies the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy. So what happens? We get sick.
     Seventy percent of people in America are on some form of prescription medication right now. That is astounding! I was one of them. I used to take a handful of medication every day for anything from allergies to stomach pills to cholesterol. There is a high percentage of Americans taking statin medications for cholesterol. Along with that, a high percentage of Americans taking medication to balance their blood sugar. A third high percentage of Americans take medications for anxiety or depression.
     What I found out is some of the issues might be caused by a lack of nutrition. Our bodies need the nutrients or they start to break down. Do I still take a handful of pills? Yes. But now I take supplements. After changing my diet and adding supplements, I started to feel better, and when I mean better, I mean than I had felt in YEARS. I started exercising at the gym and building my body up to the point I wanted to try new things. No matter what your age, you can still exercise, lift weights and get out and have fun.

 

So what are some of the nutrients people might need to add to their diets? 

 

1. Omega 3 fatty acids- help lower cholesterol, improves brain function, lowers inflammation. Found in oily fish like Tuna

2. Vitamin D- helps strengthen bones but also may help balance blood sugar, help with lung function, balance moods and promote sleep. It's commonly found in milk

3. Get your Bs-  B12 and B6-A deficiency in B vitamins can cause Anemia along with depression, memory loss, instability, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in your extremities and stomach issues. Green leafy vegetables and whole grains and nuts are great sources for this vitamin.

4. Along with your B vitamins Niacin is a common nutrient that is deficient in the body. Niacin is Vitamin B3 and it is huge in heart health. If someone is battling with cholesterol issues, they may be Niacin deficient. Niacin not only helps lower the LDL but raise the HDL. It also can help protect your skin, aids in digestion and also helps with muscle weakness or pain. Another major benefit to Niacin is it helps with anxiety and depression. Foods high in Niacin are Poultry and pork, peanuts and Avocados. 

5. Magnesium-has been found to aid in the lowing of the A1c level for those with Type II diabetes. It also has been shown to lower blood pressure, help prevent migraines, has anti-inflammatory benefits, reduces depression and reduces PMS symptoms. It can be found in green leafy vegetables, meat proteins and nuts. 

Ultimately it is a great idea to increase your intake of green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, and other greens,), nuts, berries, avocados and lean protein and fish and decrease the processed foods and sugars but again, although eating healthier will increase the nutrients you may still need added supplements.

BUT 

Before you dump out your prescriptions and head off to your local GNC to hop on the healthy bandwagon, get a blood test. It's easy enough to find out what supplements you might need just by getting a simple blood test. Also, research the different supplement brands to make sure they are high quality. There are plenty out there that aren't worth the cotton that is stuffed inside.

Joy comes in the morning

     Joy. That unexplained rush that comes over you that makes the corners of your mouth tip up or maybe even cause you to burst with laughter. There are no good words to describe the feeling of joy but everyone yearns for it.
     There is one thing that I can guarantee that feeling to arise in me. A sunrise. It is one of my favorite things in life. In my first novel, and I am sure many others to come, I write about the beauty of a sunrise. It can not only evoke a smile but tears. Standing on the beach or in my yard, it doesn't matter, a sunrise filled with color will definitely start my day off right.
     I normally get up before dawn and am on the road at sunrise. I have stopped many times just to take in the beauty of the sky.
     I have wished many times I had the talent to paint a large painting of a sunrise that I could hang in my house just so I could look at it any time I wanted. But, I don't think it could capture the true essence of the colors the sky holds.
     Being a shutterbug, I have taken many photos of  sunrises. But again, as I look at my photos, none compare to the real thing. There is something about watching the sun crest over the horizon, and the colors of pinks, yellows, purples, oranges and blues dance among the clouds that fills me with a peace yet sets my soul on fire.

     There is a Winnie the Pooh cartoon called Cloud Painting that depicts how I feel when I see a sunrise.
     Have you stopped to really take in a beautiful sunrise lately? Set your clock. Get a good cup of coffee and a good view, and soak it up.

Take a hike

In my new book that I am working on, my characters go on a hike. I love to hike, but that was not always the case. Hiking scared me. The only thing I saw on TV was people hiking in wilderness with no path or any way to find their way home. They climbed steep rocks and rappelled and that definitely was nothing I was interested in. All I could picture was me getting lost, my body never to be found. I will continue to leave that kind of hiking to the extreme hikers.  But, trust me, if you have never been hiking, you need to try it. There are plenty of hiking trails all over this beautiful nation that don’t require climbing mountain faces or repelling from steep cliffs. These hiking TRAILS reveal some of the most spectacular landscapes and breathtaking scenes that you wouldn’t find from the seat of your car..

One of my most favorite trips was to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Nothing could have prepared me for the feeling I had hiking down trails surrounded by towering rock formations in multiple shades of browns and reds.

The trails we followed were well marked with how long the trail was and how easy it was. I don’t know if all places are marked accordingly but for us, this was a huge factor as to whether we hiked it or not.

I distinctly remember one place we stopped at. We had left Zion and were headed to Bryce Canyon and pulled off when we saw a sign. There was a trail that was about a quarter of a mile down to a cave. We decided to check it out. Photos just could not do justice to what we found. This cave had pillars of ice extending from floor to ceiling in the most beautiful crystal blue color. It was one of my most favorite finds of the whole trip and I would have never scene it had we just driven through the area. It was like finding a treasure.

Just a few words of wisdom though if you plan to hike for the first time.
1. Always wear sunscreen no matter what, and probably a hat and shades
2. Always wear bug spray no matter what
3. Always wear well fitted comfortable shoes (that have been broken in) made the mistake of buying hiking boots for a trip once. I will never do that again!
4. Always bring water with you.
5. If you are hiking in areas like Bryce Canyon that is in a higher elevation, be wary of altitude sickness.
6. Take your time. It’s not a race. Enjoy the view
7. Watch out for wild animals.
8. Never go hiking alone, even if you are on a trail. It’s not as fun if you don’t have someone to share it with.
9. Take some snacks with you on longer hikes to keep your fuel up. Natural energy bars are great.
10. Plan plan plan! This probably should have been number one but do some research. Find a map of the trails and figure out which ones you want to hike beforehand, then when you get there ask the locals.
Also TAKE PHOTOS!
Have fun on your adventures this summer!