Love Shack

Question:
Can a vacation feel like a vacation when you are on permanent vacation?
- or -
Can a vacation feel like a vacatin when you take your 24/7 job and your homework with you?

Answer:
Yes!

We had a brief respite with eight of our dearest friends at the Russian River. We rented a "cabin", complete with gourmet kitchen, hot tub, kayaks, and wonderful views. We spent the weekend finding various ways to relax, explore the river, eat, and drink. We saw seals and salmon in the river. We played games and drank girly drinks (even the boys). Griffin stayed up too late and napped too little, fearing that he would miss something.

And I fell in love. Actually, I met an old love and rekindled the relationship. When we were last together, I was a child and subject to amaturish whims. I stashed this love away and pushed it from my mind. Now, I simply can't imagine now how I managed these many years without peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Oh, what a passionate reunion! How could I forget the soft whole wheat bread, the salty sticky peanutness, the oozing strawberries! A tummy filled with peanut butter and strawberry jam is happy indeed. It fill without overloading. The sensation lingers long after the event itself, bestowing an afterglow of satisfaction. PBJs are a whole different experience at 33 than they were at 8 or 10. Only once you have sampled cuisines of the world, the curries of Bangkok, the moles of Oaxaca, the kebaps of Istanbul can you really appreciate the simple perfection of this all-American dish, the perfect balance of salty and sweet, crunchy (of course!) and gooey. Fruit, nut, and grain in perfect balance.

Go make yourself one right now. You will be glad you did.