There are times...

when the song fits the situation. Take for instance, I'm flying home tonight listening to XM on the airplane and staring out the window. Supertramp's Take the long way home comes on. I smile. It fits. Just the first few opening notes -- the soundtrack of my life.

Yours truly escaped the midwest this weekend to a west coast destination on the water. It was my first real trip without the spouse. Now it was me doing all the driving in an unknown land. My mom was in my former positon. I had to teach her the rules to road tripping. Camera in hand, be prepared for funny photos and learning to take self portraits. None the less, I had a weekend of no worries, Sirrius blues and the water.

We spent the day at the beach, cameras in hand I walked the beach letting the water wash over my feet. I picked up shells and rocks to take home, they are a symbol of my freedom. My mom looked over and saw that the bottoms of my jeans were soaked. I just told her I didn't care. It was a baptism of my new found freedom and free spirit.

I found myself appreciating every minute. My mom slept in the passengers seat, I had the blues cranked up. Perfect weather, blues, and the open road is just what the doctor ordered.

I also decided that I was going to get crafty again. I bought a pattern and fabric and will make my new purse. Again, getting back to the basics. Eleanor Roosevelt said, You must do the things you think you cannot do". I did and I will. I will learn to sew again and I did, for the first time kayak. I was afraid. My mom, however, was excited to get me in the water. Once I was in and balanced. It was awesome. I can't wait to do it again.

My ex would have never kayaked. I'm sure he would have bitched about the traffic, tried to mow people down and complained about walking. Finally, I did something where I didn't have to worry about what the other person would think.

It was just another example of getting over my fears. I just have to get over that hump by taking that first step.

I did catch a nasty head cold. You know the one where you just want to cry because you don't feel good. When that happens, I keep thinking how I just wanted to be back in my own bed. I really don't have my own bed anymore. I wasn't thinking of the one at my parents, I was thinking of the one I left behind. Then those thoughts of what I left behind come creeping in.

Add that to the fact that my trip home from the airport is a little extended these days and have to pass by my old way home. I got sad, let a few tears fall and took the long way home.