365 Inspirations—180: Floating

"Seeds of great discoveries are constantly floating around us, but they only take root in minds well prepared to receive them."—Joseph Henry

I think it's very easy to think we have control over things in this life. The truth is, we are really just floating. And if we pay attention to where we are floating, we'll find that everything we need is right here.

And that's exactly what I experienced today. There is sooo much freedom in floating—in letting go of the reigns and letting life lead me.

It's been 85 degrees in Washington State for the past two days. I know for many of you that that is nothing compared to where you live, but that's something for these parts.

It rarely gets up above the 70s in these parts, so mid-eighties is considered a heat wave here.

My husband and I decided it was time to buy some floatable devices and head to a lake 5 minutes from our house where we planned to do nothing but FLOAT.

We floated for several hours without a care in the world. Dozens of other people were floating along with us. It seemed like everyone had the same idea.

Canadian geese floating past us, a mother with her ducklings floated by, even a man and his dog floated by. It was a regular parade of floaters.

I felt so free floating out on this little lake near our house in Seattle. There was nothing to do, nothing to say or nothing to think out there.

When we came back home I took a shower and Yoon, my husband, fell fast asleep on the sofa. I ended up tip-toeing out of the house to buy groceries for dinner. Nothing was planned out today, including dinner.

I whipped together salmon, corn on the cob and a tossed salad and we dined out in the yard and discussed everything under the sun.

We decided to drift on down the road and rent a movie. We rented the movie Open Road, which went very well with our theme of drifting and floating today.

Now, after a long day in the sun, I'm ready to float away on my bed. Can't wait to see where my dreams will take me.

Do you ever have a spontaneous day of floating or drifting? 

365 Inspirations—173: Cabin Fever and a Book Winner

Sunset at cabin tonight!

"A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul and that I am sure is why he does it.”—Roald Dahl

Day 4 of my solo retreat. I may have cabin fever.

What are the symptoms exactly? An insatiable desire to go out for sushi and to the movies?

Tofu and broccoli are getting a little boring. I was determined to only eat what I brought, which are mostly fruits and vegetables and those are starting to run low. I do have eggs and my juicer. Doing lots of juicing and feel quite healthy, but I'm salivating thinking of all the food I can't wait to eat when I get back to the big city.

In Korea Town in NYC while on book tour. Delish!

At the same time, there's a deep peace I feel out here.

Today I went swimming. How could I hunker down in the dining room when it was 72 degrees and sunny outside? That's a rarity in these parts.

I opened up the storage and took out an air mattress, got my suit on, slathered on the suntan lotion, got my book, towel and a drink and headed to the end of the dock.

Within minutes I was out on open waters on my air mattress with my drink and suntan lotion in the cup holder. I paddled out to the center of the lake, let my feet hang over the edge and my arms fall loosely at my sides and just closed my eyes.

The cool water on my feet and hands felt so relaxing and the sun on my face and body was soothing. I let the wind decide where I would go. The gentle movement of my mattress on the water practically put me to sleep. I woke up and saw sparrows glide across the surface of the lake. Frogs croaked in the distance. I heard the laughter of children and the talk of grown-ups enjoying the weekend along the shore, yet I was in my own little paradise connected and protected by the natural world out there in the middle—part of the deep blue below and above. I could have stayed there forever.

Back at the house, I threw my air mattress up on the dock and sank down into the cool water. It was buoyant and I could see the bottom clearly. The sun on the water made it sparkle like diamonds. I swam and swam with broad breast strokes. I was nearly in the middle of the lake by the time I decided to turn back. I kept even strokes and an even breath and swam calmly back.

I sat up on the dock and read my book. I did NOT want to go back inside to write. I sat out there until nearly 4pm. Perhaps I needed a break.

My mother suggested I turn on the TV and watch a few episodes of HGTV or a movie on Netflix. I think she could sense my cabin fever. She said, "Why don't you go into town and get yourself some real food." It was tempting. I haven't gone out or watched anything besides the sunset and the moon since I got here.

By the way, the sunset was absolutely amazing tonight. I sat at the end of the dock and watched it until there was nothing left of it.


I'm keeping my plans loose, but I may leave on Wednesday. Three more full days to work on things should be enough. That will be one entire week out here.  Let's see how my cabin fever goes.....

Okay, and on another note, I have a winner for Torre De Roche's book Love with a Chance of Drowning. I know I said I'd announce it on my blog a few Fridays ago, but life caught up with me and I got off track on many things I thought I'd do. Now I'm finally catching up! Phew!

I sat down at the dining room table with all the names of people who had left a comment on this post that they were interested in a book and I pulled Karen Cafarella's name out of the bag!

Karen, you are the winner of Love with a Chance of Drowning. I'll be contacting you soon!

Now a question for you all.....

Have you ever had cabin fever?