Tales from a Mid-Lifer

1. I returned last week from 16 days in Texas. If you’re new to this blog, my youngest moved there three and a half years ago.
2. My travel miles throughout the two and a half weeks included 3130 miles by air and over 1500 miles by car. The driving is not exaggerated. My Life360 app confirmed the distance. We traveled to various cities for various reasons. A couple places were just for fun and I’ll highlight those in upcoming Texas Tuesdays.
3. I’m convinced that driving the endless Texas highways where 80mph is the norm and 100mph is not rare, has accelerated my aging process.
4. Lengthy holiday conversations with an array of adults centered upon viral videos and social media posts. I feel detached in these moments with nothing to contribute. More on this soon.   
5. I paid the most ever for an alcoholic beverage. The shaken concoction was poured into a plastic (small) cup (we were outdoors), was half full, and cost $25. For some of you, this is just another round at the bar…an every weekend occurrence. I rarely drink and I’m still bothered.
6. In the last few years, I’ve experienced five people obsessed with gaining wealth at all costs, for every one person who is seeking and building a life with depth, meaning, relationship.
7. Above said, money is imperative. A lot of it buys a better quality of life. But it can’t heal all wounds. It doesn’t love you back. Kids need time with Mom and Dad much more than a $6K mountain of gifts under the Christmas tree.
8. When I left NY in mid-December, gas cost $3.24/gallon. Depending upon what city we were in, Texas gas prices hovered around $2.25/gallon and if you purchased a car wash at Buc-ees, your gas cost $1.24/gallon. Everything I bought/saw (except my Christmas cocktail) was less expensive down there – even in Dallas and Austin.
9. Like many, I love wearing sweaters and black boots when the temps drop in late September. October in New York is stunning. The first November frost is exciting. But, leaving two feet of snow at home and walking daily in the Texas sunshine without a jacket was absolute freedom.  
10. Above freedom appreciated, I also heard myself saying out loud, “this sun is relentless!” Half my crowd laughed. The other half asked what was wrong with me. Can’t take the east coast out of the girl (including my daughter who still misses “weather”).
11. New Year’s resolutions don’t work for me personally. But I’m a fan of sincere intentions. I just read through my 2024 calendar and stayed the course with many (not all) 2024 intentions. I feel inspired to set a couple new ones for this year.

I’m grateful for this blogging community and email subscribers. Most who read I only know through WordPress and I’m thankful for the connection. I wish you excellent health, really good days, and laughter throughout 2025!🎉🤍