Monday, August 19, 2013

Run Away To Fight Another Day










This past weekend I did something I desperately needed to do since about mid July...I took a mini vacation. 2013 has been a pretty challenging year for me so far and getting through the past 11 weeks of summer was particularly daunting. Despite my best efforts, I struggled with insomnia along with working 14 hour days while still trying to get my writing in, so needless to say I was a bit frazzled once school started up again.  

I counted the hours of sleep I missed out on...220 hours over 11 weeks...and for me that equates to 27 1/2 days of NO SLEEP out of 77 days of my summer.

So I took a break, gathered my pennies, and ran (drove) as fast as I could to the mountains for a little mental rest and a lot of physical relaxation. It was supposed to rain Sunday so I decided to spend Saturday at Dollywood. 





I thought I would forget about everything to do with writing for children and just have a little fun. But it's not so easy to say you're not going to be a writer.  These past three years have trained me to search out the story ideas no matter where I may be, and when I saw this statue as soon as I entered the gates I realized my "inner child" had come along for the ride.






There was the Lemon Twist teacup ride to remind me what to do when life throws a lemon my way.




I rode on the merry-go-round. I really wanted to ride that green dragon just ahead of me but I wasn't going to wrestle with the kid who got there first. Maybe I should have because as soon as I scrambled up on my horse he jumped off and picked something else.  Oh well, I'm getting used to not always getting what I want but still enjoying what I have...





This reminded me too much of all I had to juggle over this past summer so I just admired it from a distance.





One of my favorite rides at Dollywood is River Rampage. I am not much of a daredevil in other parts of my life, but this ride reminds me it's okay to take risks every now and again...even with my writing.














I even rode the Dollywood Express through the mountainside.  I have been on this train many times, but never actually listened to the history behind the engine that pulled us up the mountain.  I was so fascinated with the engineer's talk that I came away with another story idea. So much for running away from everything...;~)




After a few hours walking the park, I decided to grab a bite to eat and go watch a movie. If you've never had fried pickles before, you are missing out!  I haven't had steak in probably over a year but decided to treat myself to it along with streamed broccoli since I'm not really allowed to eat it any more. I was on vacation and wasn't worried about calorie counting...lol...




After a restful night's sleep where I actually slept EIGHT WHOLE HOURS I sat out on my balcony and welcomed the quiet view.  You can't see it very well, but I am looking over a park with picnic benches and the Tennessee River is flowing by those trees.  It's peaceful and I spend the next few hours reading until it's time to check out of my hotel room.




On my way out of town I passed this upside down tourist attraction.  I've been inside Wonder Works before and I thought it quite fitting this would be the last thing I see before heading home from my mini vacation.  The crazy, topsy-turvy life that I lead can be challenging but would I really want to change it?

Well, maybe with another published piece or two under my belt, but other than that, I guess not. I needed to run away this past weekend to be able to fight another day on this path to publication. It also reminded me that I can't truly run away from what I was born to be and that is a writer.  It's in my blood. It is the center of who I am and who I want to be. Now it's time to hop back in the ring for Round Two...





17 comments:

  1. Hi Karen and welcome to my blog! My favorite "replenishing" spot is the beach...predawn...but since I'm at least 8 hours travel time from the nearest beach the mountains will have to do...lol...

    Fyi...I'm your newest follower of your blog.

    Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Hi Donna .. I can understand your need for change - and it sounds like a great trip ... and lovely to see Dollywood.

    I find myself all the time thinking of things for blog posts .. I've learnt to ignore many - I have so much in reserve, but the thought and ideas are always there ..

    Happy revival for the rest of the year .. cheers Hilary

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    1. HI Hilary! A student of mine gave me two free tickets to Dollywood so I used one this weekend and plan on using the other one toward the end of October when the leaves turn their beautiful colors!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back anyt ime!

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  3. Oh I do understand the necessity to get away! My husband took me to the beach this last week and it was so needed. No computer, no phones, no television, just the waves. Those lovely constant waves - we slept with the door open so we could hear them all night long.

    I've never been to Dollywood, but loved the tour!

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    1. Hi Yolanda! Oh, how I envy you the visit to the beach! I am a moon child, Cancer zodiac sign, and I am most at peace at the beach. Unfortunately, I haven't been back to the sands in over 22 years...l~(. I used to run a tape at night of waves and seagulls and whales singing so I could go to sleep...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hey! Where is that tape? I need it.

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    3. Janet, if I come across another one like it I'll let you know...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. What a great getaway! I loved the tour and the authoring analogies, but I can't seem to think about anything except the fried pickles! GAH! I'm missing out! :)

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    1. Hi Genevieve! They tasted soooo good! Almost like fried oysters in their consistency with a hint of dill...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. Looks like a fun getaway! How do you do all that you do??? I'm amazed. :) Meg

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    1. Hi Meg! "How do you do all that you do?"...to be honest, I'm not exactly sure myself...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. From the looks of things, you got away to a great spot. Good idea to unplug and unwind. Now, with your batteries recharged, you're ready to swing at it in Round Two.

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    1. Hi Angela! Lol...three days of getting decent sleep doesn't exactly "recharge" my batteries but it's a start...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. Little girls grow into women while little boys just grow into big boys. As what I write is all based on life experience as opposed to imagination, life is always providing me with more material. I just need to get it down before another chapter produces itself.

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    1. Hi JP! There is also a saying about the different between boys and men is the cost of their toys. With my own son that was quite the case as he switched from action figures to electronics...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  8. I LOVE this blog. I've been to Dollywood with you and I know that I never want to go without you. You are a fun travel buddy.

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    1. Oh the tales we could tell of our travels far and wide couldn't we, Janet? Somebody needs to win the lottery so we can go on another road trip...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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