Typing at random…
I wasn’t sure I would post this week. Our weather in East Tennessee has been dreadful. We have had cold rain and foul weather conditions for days on end. Situations like that don’t lend themselves well to an active lifestyle, and I found myself dealing with a case of the blahs. I don’t write blog posts when I have the blahs. Thankfully it doesn’t happen often but, since it did, I wanted to shake it off. My exercise classes at the YMCA provided some motivation to get moving. Next, I picked up my camera and decided to focus it and my attitude on the bright spots around me.
The grounds crew that takes care of our neighborhood showed up to begin mulching the flower beds and trimming the shrubs. These tasks usually are a signal that spring is not far away. The sound of the lawnmowers reinforced that signal. I’m ready. The smell of freshly mown grass is a powerful antidote for the foul weather blahs.
Laughter is strong medicine as well. Helen is away on a gal-pal trip with friends from our old neighborhood. I’ve introduced them to readers in previous posts about our annual meatloaf dinner and Helen’s surprise birthday party. They have taken this trip every year for forty years. At some point during their adventure, the husbands try to get together for dinner and some fun. We have a good time in a very relaxed setting, usually at someone’s home, and share a lot of laughs. Laughter goes a long way in easing symptoms of the blahs.
Lucy came home from the shop. After our trip to Florida, I had to take Lucy to the dealership for a few minor repairs. Unfortunately, the shop manager suddenly retired, and Lucy got caught in a backload of work orders. She has been in the shop for over a month, but finally broke out this week and followed me home. I get a big smile thinking about the trips we have planned for later this year.
Feeling better by later in the week, I decided to check out the daffodils that always bloom in high numbers in the run-up to spring in East Tennessee. I heard that there was a massive field of them a little to the north of our home and close to the storage facility where we keep Lucy. After I dropped Lucy off and tucked her in, I went daffodil searching. It was impossible to miss them. In one spot near the highway, hundreds, if not thousands, of white and yellow daffodils filled a hillside with color. This sight would cure most anything, including the blahs.
The Camelias are blooming as well. I found this lovely specimen in my back yard. I love Camelias and especially so because they usually arrive as winter is breathing its last gasp. The hot pink variety is the only one we have now, but others will follow. Hot pink doesn’t erase cold weather, but it helps.
On the one sunny (though cold) day we had this week, I brought home Smoky, the trailer that we won last October. We have not used Smoky for camping yet, but we’re about to take him on a trip across the country and give him to our grandchildren living in California. Helen worked hard to clean the inside and I spent the whole day removing the promotional decals and glue from Smoky’s exterior. Smoky is ready to go. We leave in two weeks. Helen’s ready, I’m ready, and really excited. I can think of nothing better than a road trip to cure the blahs! I hope you’ll join us.
Feeling better already…
Joe, it sounds like you didn’t have to look far for a cure to bad weather blahs. Laughing with friends and a field of Daffodils would certainly do the trick for me. Best of luck to you guys during your journey to California. I look forward to following along.
Hi, Suzanne,
You’re correct, I didn’t have to look far–all I had to do was pause and get over it. There is a lot out there to smile about. We’re looking forward to our trip. Hopefully I can take a few pictures that are as good as yours. I stole one of your best for wallpaper. Hope you’re ok with that. Joe
Joe, Thanks for the post. Your words help me consider my seasonal blahs in a healthier way. Now before the weekend is over I need to find meatloaf. David
David,
LOL! If you don’t find meatloaf, let me know and I’ll send you my favorite recipe. Blahs are treatable.
Great hearing from you.
A road trip, grandchildren, and the wonderful gift of giving…that sounds like a perfect recipe for blah-beating! Please keep us posted on that trip.
Good morning, Donna,
We’re over the hump with the blahs. The road trip will finish the job. Would love to have you Easin’ Along with us on the road trip. Joe
Hi Joe,
Well, even with the blahs you still manage to keep busy…and spring is in sight. Daffodils always mean spring to me, too.
And I can’t help thinking how lucky your grandkids are to be able to make memories in the camper that their grandparents gave them. Can’t wait to hear about that trip!
Good morning, Nancy,
We look forward to heading west. I’m not sure that the grandkids are aware that the camper is coming. I think the parents are keeping it a surprise which will make it a lot more fun. It is their spring break and we will be camping for four days to give Smoky a “shakedown”. I’m very excited. Thrilled that you will read along with us. I bet spring has really broken out down there. Enjoy!
You did a great job talking yourself out of the winter blahs, Joe! I can’t wait for your “Smoky Meets the Grandkids” post. They must be incredibly excited. And this is just our kind of adventure – “Hey, honey, let’s drive all the way across the country and drop off a ‘little gift’ for the grandchildren!” Oh, the joys of retirement. You can bet I’ll be riding along.
Hello, Mary,
I’m not sure the grandchildren know that Smoky is coming which will make it a lot more fun. I hope that I can take some good pictures of the moment. We are finally having some really nice early spring weather here and the blahs are history. I’m ready for a road trip and delighted to have you Easin’ Along with us. Retirement is a pretty good gig. Joe
A surprise gift for the grandkids? That would make for an even better adventure. Hope you and Helen have tons of fun!
Always nice reading your trips. I hope you guys are taking care of yourselves with this coronavirus going around. I was wondering if you and Helen made it to the celebrations in Normandy for the 75th. Take Care
Rick
Rick,
So far, we’ve managed to stay ahead of the virus, but we’re leaving on a cross-country RV trip next week. We’ll be very careful. Didn’t make it to Normandy, but it’s on the bucket list. Great to hear from you. Joe