prepare – verb | pre·pare | \pri-ˈper\ : to make (someone or something) ready for some activity, purpose, use, etc. : to make yourself ready for something that you will be doing, something that you expect to happen, etc. : to make or create (something) so that it is ready for use I spent part of our […] Read more
input – noun | in·put | \ˈin-ˌpu̇t\ : advice or opinions that help someone make a decision : information that is put into a computer : something (such as power or energy) that is put into a machine or system I knew I needed a vacation long before we loaded our suitcases in the van and […] Read more
vacation – noun | va·ca·tion | \vā-ˈkā-shən, və-\ : a period of time that a person spends away from home, school, or business usually in order to relax or travel : the number of days or hours per year for which an employer agrees to pay workers while they are not working When you read this […] Read more
summer – noun | self–em·ployed | \ˈsə-mər\ : the warmest season of the year that is after spring and before autumn Summer seems to have snuck into our lives here at the Craig house. The boys have been out of school for more than a week, but I was traveling and catching up with work, so […] Read more
Last week, we took a trip to the sea. Steve and I had saved and planned; we reserved a condo and mapped out our travel route; we bought sunscreen and aloe vera. We packed more clothes and games and movies and snacks than one family can ever hope to use on a six-day excursion. Then, […] Read more
Well, my vacation is basically over. Were it not July 4th, I would have made my way merrily to work this morning, and in less than an hour I would have found myself at home, sitting in this very spot, doing this very thing. Writing. Serendipitously, or rather by design, my week off fell pleasantly next to a national holiday and was thus extended by a day. Read more
The breeze was blowing; the sun shone dappled through the trees. I was sitting at a small cafe at a table by myself, enjoying the lunch special, drinking the iced African rooibos tea I heard recommended to the next table over. As I munched on sandwich and salad and nibbled the last crumbs of scone, […] Read more
This week, I am on vacation. Though I marked the start of the break last Friday when I left work, announcing loudly to my coworkers still busy at their desks: “I’m on vacation!” I would have had Saturday and Sunday off regardless. So, technically, today is the first day. I have celebrated it by laying […] Read more
There are early signs of Spring emerging in the back yard. The days have been a little warmer, a few trees and bushes have begun to push out their first buds, and patches of grass are growing greener. There is hope out there! But inside, in my heart and spirit, the long days of winter […] Read more
My time in Washington was a real vacation. I laughed with family. I ate really good food. I drank lots of good Seattle area coffee. I saw lots of interesting sites. I splashed on the beach. I hiked on a mountain. I even rode on a couple of ferries. And then I left. My time […] Read more
