Day 1870: Where has the time gone?

For six years I've kept this blog and now I'm having trouble letting go.  When I first began writing every day, it was meant as a means to keep track of the progress on my book, record daily activities, recount amusing backpacking anecdotes and most importantly, share fabulous nature photos.

I have loved every minute and found the discipline of daily writing to be very satisfying.  The public venue helped me mentally and emotionally prepare to have people read my book.  And the blog became a forum where I could express my views on political issues.  I held back on my most intense feelings, believe it or not.  I was constantly aware of having an audience so I self-edited, even when I need an outlet for rage, disappointment and frustration.

On the negative side, it was very time consuming, especially the editing of photos.  The last month has been so busy that I could barely get through the day without collapsing, never mind write an entry in the evening.  But, that's happened before and I managed to at least post a photo or two.  One of my big mistakes was that I did not make a copy of each post on a document so I'd have a permanent printed diary of the past five years.

It's the first day of the new year.  All the remains of Christmas have been stowed away and hours of vacuuming have cleared away most of the artificial pine needles, glitter and cat fur.  The hard physical labor has a way of liberating my mind because sorting ornaments and bagging lights requires very little thought.

For days I've been considering whether to resume the blog or move on to another project.  Plus, I've been considering my goals for the coming year.  I thought perhaps that completing the book would create a huge void and leave me depressed.  It hasn't happened yet, or perhaps it won't happen at all.  However, I will admit to being exhausted.  I've sought quiet and alone time which is pretty difficult during the holidays.

Suddenly, I have four or five hours free each day.  Although I began working on the book in Nov. 2008, the intense work began in Nov. 2010.  From October to March each year, writing consumed 3-8 hours a day.  So, now what will I do?

Read, write, hike, swim, visit with friends, travel, take photos and my new pastime, political activism.  All my favorite activities, but more intensely and often.  Typically, I read 12-15 books per year, but now perhaps I can read 20-30 books.  Last summer, when my book was in the final stages, I only swam 80 miles, so perhaps 100 miles will again be in reach this coming summer.   We also have big plans to hike across Scotland in September along the West Highland Way at a rate of 10 miles a day.  That means serious physical preparation in the months ahead.

My new camera was greatly underutilized last year, so I hope to learn how to use the two micro lenses.  As for writing, I have lots of ideas floating around, but I need time to sort out what project will come next.   I think I may start with some short stories or essays from my childhood.  Several groups have asked me to speak about Quest and writing a book, so I have to prepare for those presentations.

Most importantly, I intend to work to defeat Congressman Tom Reed and help elect a Democratic majority in the House and Senate.  We will not tolerate the status quo for another year!  A blue wave is coming!

I am so very grateful for the many blessings in my life.  A loving family,  excellent health, the means to travel all over the world on grand adventures,  wonderful friends.   I'm also thankful for the US Constitution and the fundamental principles of our nation.  I feel very hopeful about 2018.  It will require intense effort and some unity that usually evades Democrats, but it will bring us a few steps closer to the end of Trump.

So, because I still haven't decided what to do about the blog, I will think about it a few more weeks and in the mean time, continue to write.  It may not be every day, but I will keep writing.