This will be short! I did it. I passed the BRC and have my motorcycle license. It was super-challenging. One woman dropped out on the first day of riding on the range. Another didn't pass the 50 question exam. One guy dropped a bike during the test. That's an immediate "fail". They take the bike and escort you off the course. Another woman missed a required "gate" and didn't make it. I did ok-not perfect, mind you, but I made it. Add to the whole thing that is was in the mid-90's both days for the riding portion, which was 5 plus hours on asphalt and on a motorcycle. Add to that the required attire of long pants, boots, long sleeves, gloves and a helmet and you get the picture: HOT! Anyway-I decided to drink lots of water and try to ignore it. It worked. I will buy a bike, but figure I will spend a lot of time on empty parking lots just working on my skills. Just because I have the license doesn't make me ready for roads and traffic. That's gonna take some time. Wish me luck.

Saving Grace

There are so many things to praise about TNT's "Saving Grace", I hardly know where to start. I thought it might be a flash in the pan at first. The second season (just underway) proves me wrong. It remains compelling, thought-provoking and fun. Not preachy, but gets the point across about the serious topics of life and how we choose to live it. I can't recall the last tv series that made me feel this way and that might be because it's unlike any show before it. Holly Hunter's Grace character is so genuine and so perfectly flawed that you feel like she is part you and part people you know. It won't be back until June, which gives you time to catch up by watching last season and the two new episodes that just aired. I am not a big tv watcher, but this one has me hooked.

I live like a guy...

Amazing isn't it? My life revolves around work, gym, the Red Sox, books and art. Ok, so art isn't a real "guy" thing, but it just occurred to me that I live like a guy. What other woman (of a certain age) do you know who has just learned to scuba dive, is learning to ride a motorcycle, considering buying one and is booked for a weekend trip to Fenway? Not that there is anything wrong with that and I am not planning to change. It's just a bit of an epiphany. My comfort level is in the "simple" things that give me pleasure. I know this and it doesn't bother me now. I have spent too many years burying my true self and I think I am finally ready to stop doing that. I am now fully myself and, for maybe the first time ever, comfortable there. 

Another challenge

Here we go again. I have signed up with the DMV program to learn to ride a motorcycle. Wish me luck! I have been fascinated with bikes and always wondered if I would like to ride. Now I will find out. This is another thing on my "challenge" list. The class is a two day, intensive classroom and riding weekend. I can't wait. Maybe a bike for spring? We'll see. If I like it a Harley Sportster looks good to me. Fingers-crossed and hold on tight!

Diving and Belize

I did it: conquered my fear and am now a certified open water diver. I have two whopping post certification dives in my logbook and am on my way. It really feels good to have this new skill and to be able to look forward to "taking it places". I am already looking toward a possible diving trip to Saba early next year. Yes, I am looking that far forward.

The trip to Belize was bliss. The place is lovely and very "old" Caribbean. Very few cars, almost no paved roads and the people are incredibly open and welcoming. I will go back and may end up in Caye Caulker, which is even more remote and "unimproved".  The time spent with my sister was awesome and I think she enjoyed it too. All sorts of new experiences opening up for me. 

Belize

Headed out to Ambergris Caye. A trip to do my open water certification and spend some "down time" with my younger sister. Looking forward to disconnecting and just living without shoes and with no watch. No agenda sounds good to me. Ambergris is the place Madonna wrote about in the song "La Isla Bonita". I'll lift a bottle to you from a place in the sun.

Just a music box

I have a music box shaped like a piano. It belonged to my grandmother. My mother was also a great lover of music boxes. She died in 2004. Something odd happened last night and I have no explanation. The music box sits on the top of a highboy chest of drawers that was in my parent's home and once belonged to my grandmother. I brought the dresser and chest back to my home when my father died last year. I was reading in bed last night, when the music box began to play. Not like it was wound up fully. Just a half dozen notes and then it went silent. How do you explain that? It hasn't been wound in years. I can't remember the last time I wound it up. I just stared at it as it fell silent. It made me miss my parents all the more.