Unlikely Portals

Today, I felt stuck and lethargic.  It happens to the best of us.  I'm realizing that even these times in our lives, the ones we would rather not feel, are beneficial.  In these moments, something incredible might be brewing.  What to do when we find ourselves in a place like this?  Love ourselves exactly where we are.  Embrace whatever it is that we are feeling, know that at the moment, we are in the perfect place.  I'm still learning this allowing.  Even as I type, I think, "did I do this for myself in the midst of my discomfort".  No, I did not, entirely.  That's okay too.  I'm doing it now and I feel lighter!  

Today is day four in our treasure quest.  Below is a picture of me standing in what I envision as a portal.  Can you find what is hidden in the picture?  It provides a means of gaining access to or understanding of something.  

Third Day is a Charm

Little did I know what this would turn into.  This idea for a treasure hunt began as a lighthearted, fun expedition to lead others on.  It still very much is that but has unfolded into something more to my life.  It dawned on me in the first day, that while I lead us on this ten day adventure, I am being taught soulful lessons.  It is a quest within a quest within a quest.  Today's message is a gift, as they all are.  Giving is one of the sweetest experiences on Earth yet it's counterpart has equal blessings if we allow them.


What is the word for today?
PS...In case you are new here, this is day three of a ten day treasure hunt.  Each day presents a riddle to solve and there will be treasure at the end of the rainbow.  Here's the skinny.  

Our Guide

We are on day two of our treasure quest pilgrimage.  If you are just joining us, journey over here, to find out what we are up to.  Today's riddle...

What Am I?

I am your strength but can make you feel weak.

You can lose me but still keep me.

I can be closed but am most powerful open.

I guide you daily but some do not listen.  

Our Treasure Quest Begins

Ooooooo!!!  I'm so excited!  Today, we embark on an adventure together.  Time to dust off our inner compasses and let our inner child out to play.  This journey will last ten days.  Each blog post will present a riddle, a clue, hidden image or something to figure out.  At the end of our quest, there will be three winners:

• the person who solved the most individual post riddles
• the first person to solve the final riddle on February 11th
• and a mystery champion - how they are selected will be revealed at the end.

The prize?  The treasure?  A magical jackpot care package assembled by yours truly.  Ten mystery items.  Each day of our ten day odyssey together, I will find something exquisite to add to our booty.

 There have been many movies that filled me with wonder when it comes to quests, like the one we are on together.  Our first riddle comes from such a movie.  The hero in this particular story has to pass through a gate guarded by Sphinx.  What is needed to cross this Sphinx portal?  The answer is one of hardest lessons I've had to learn (and am still learning).  It is key to a happy life.

Lucky Leprechaun in Vegas

It is an incredible feeling to be on the other side of a cold/flu or pain.  I always feel like this, like a rebirth when my headache subsides.  Life is brighter and better and oh so glorious!  A fresh start.

It's moments like this that remind me of how many times we get to renew.  Little gifts in an average day that can "wipe our slate" if we let them, like:  waking up in the morning, a shower, or taking a deep breath.  Today, the beginning of this luminous month of February, Greg and I kick up our heels to feeling better, feeling fresh, ready to go!

I had an exciting idea during our migration West.  As I mentioned in previous posts, I love to see life as this magical quest we are all on.  Since I first watched Indiana Jones when I was just knee high to a grasshopper, I wanted to live life like that.  An adventurous, spirited treasure hunt.  Why not?  Why can't we see our lives that way?  Here's what the beginning of February means for me and anyone who is reading this blog, we're going on a treasure hunt together!  I'm going to hide hints, clues and riddles in each blog post starting tomorrow and ending February 11th.  The jackpot will be a magical care package sent to the first person who, after following the clues and going on this virtual treasure hunt, solves the riddle at the end.  I'm feeling like a lucky leprechaun in Las Vegas who is about to share her pot of gold to whoever can solve the riddle.

This is gonna be so much fun!  "May the odds be ever in your favor."  

Full Moon and Pho! Whaaaaa!

Greg asked if that was going to be my blog post title since I screamed it with glee on our way to the Pho Bistro near our campground.  Hahaha.  He knows me so well.  It was romantic, watching the full moon rise in the desert mountains while both of us heal together through this cold/flu.  We're both feeling much better but definitely not 100%.  Since I believe in the power of threes, I'm going to allow myself one more shorty patorty post while I'm mending.  Tomorrow, I plan to dive into a longer more robust and healthy post.  For now, here's a few pictures from today's sunset, moonrise and the delicious nutritious pho.  PS...I'm upset I missed the lunar eclipse at 5am pacific time. 😞  Hope some of you got to see it.  PSS...I've never experienced a cold/flu that made you feel as if you had run a marathon the day before.  I woke up to my body feeling like after races I've ran in the past.  😳

Behind Greg, the lights in the distance, is the Las Vegas strip

Getting better, I think

We're still healing from whatever it was that we picked up.  We did feel good enough to leave the house today and drive around.  I saw where Greg will be working and we drove the strip.  Seeing all the glitz and glamor was dazzling especially in our current state of  "brain drain associated with colds/flu".  I thought I would be ready to dive into an exploratory post today but I'm going to gift myself another day of few words and a few pictures.  Here's some randoms from driving the Las Vegas strip today.