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Decades ago when I was in my twenties, a therapist suggested I learn about containment. While I’ll be practicing for the rest of my life, I know more about why they advised it now.

I’m an extrovert. I love being around people and I talk a lot. I don’t have much of a filter. I emote shamelessly and in doing so, I give my energy away.

Rob’s less that way. Most people are. Over the years as I appreciate him more and more, I have learned about quiet and stillness. I journal, and meditate too. I listen deeply more often and feel energy wiggle on the edges of the container that is me. I love myself better from here.

When I travel with Rob (or alone), I build in a halfway day for no commitments, for reading and wandering. Thank Goodness, Ed and Laurie, our tour guides here in Norway, know the value of a “day of leisure” too. They built one into our trip here in Alesund, a sleepier fishing town on the Geirangerfjord, recognized by UNESCO.

It’s easier to notice and welcome spontaneity in times like these. I want to bring this peace home with me. I’ll be ready to join back into the social frivolity tomorrow.

I am up VERY EARLY yet again in Norway. By the way, I am here for another week. Once I realized it was Thursday, a fond thought surfaced: Zoom Morning Prayer with some of my besties is coming up. Thank God!

But wait…that’ll be 12 hours from now and it’ll be the afternoon by then.

For more potentially disorienting context, it never really gets dark these days in the land of the midnight sun. And the language is new to me even though the natives speak back in perfect English when I utter one word. And, oh yeah, most everyone is white, many are taller than me AND it’s warmer than I expected. Go figure. It’s a liminal stretch, I’m telling you.

I want to convince myself, in my bones, that ALL IS WELL which, of course, I know intellectually. I am here with a great group, most of whom, besides me that is, have Norwegian blood. There are some solid Lutherans (like Garrison Keillor, I’m saying.) The scenery is magnificent; so is our itinerary.

Even so and especially in the middle of what passes for “night,” I knock up against my own anxious wildness from time to time. Tonight it’s the usual “Will I have enough energy?” and “Can I stay well?” Specifically those ho-hum ordinary loops I know so well have morphed into “Can I ward off the nauseousness on these gorgeous, yet crinkly, bus rides?” and even “It’s time to wash my hair so can I go jump in the fjord first and not catch a cold?”

Oh yes, it’s fascinating in ths noggin of mine. God is shaking me up, people! And, Lord, this is exactly what it takes sometimes.

So…it will be wonderful half-a-day from now (conceivably) to sink into Morning Prayer with whoever can make it.

Before then, maybe I’ll go swimming. Or, at the very least, wash my hair.

Shortly after I met Rob, his brother Dan invited me (and Rob) to join his climb of Everest’s East Face. We could hike with them to base camp plus help support fund-raising for this expensive endeavor.

I was a teacher then and couldn’t afford the price. I didn’t want to lean on Rob to finance my travel bug (yet). Now almost 45 years later, I regret that decision as I will probably not get to Everest, in this lifetime at least.

So I’ve decided that when a personalized travel opportunity comes my way, I’ll say, “YES!”

That said, regarding Norway:

Lucky me, I know the Egerdahls. We’re in a supper group together. Ed has been called the “Rick Steves of Norway.” He founded the Scandinavian Language Institute in Seattle where he’s been teaching Norwegian for more than 40 years plus leading tours to Norway for, like, forever. Ed’s wife, Laurie, helps. She is as fun and hospitable as the day is long.

Laurie and Ed are ultimately here for a family reunion in the town of Egerdahl (near Bodø.) The event starts two weeks from today. Between now and then, they’ve invited us along for their (so-called) finale tour. We’ll see what happens. So far, it’s fantastic. Skål!

Antes de jubilarme, era una psicóloga en las escuelas. Para mi acto final, me quedaba un sabático para estudiar español. Terminaba SPAN 201, 202 y 203. Luego viajaba por tres meses a América Latina donde vivía con familias anfitrionas. Recuerdo vivamente la cena con una docena de hispanohablantes en abril de 2019 después de haber regresado a casa. Finalmente podría comprender las historias rápidas y podría agregar un pequeño cuento también sin parar la conversación. Pero el próximo día, mi esposo fue diagnosticado con cáncer de vejiga en etapa 4. Después de eso, tuvo la cirugía y recuperación. Próxima, la pandemia y mi retiro se desarrollan.

Después cuatro años, Rob está bien, repetí las clases a la universidad y estoy lista para más inmersión. Estoy tan afortunada y privilegiada porque puedo viajar otra vez. Echo de menos español nativa.

Al fin de mayo, habré terminado una clase más. Mi gramática es un poco mejor. Pero mi memoria favorita de esta clase fue el día cuando nos dividimos en pequeños grupos de dos o tres para listar nombres de bloggers, influencers, embajadores, los brand advocates y los aficionados. Los jóvenes de generación Z en mi clase conocían miles de nombres. No conocía a nadie excepto a mí mismo. En mi mente no podía dejar de reír.

Es obvio. Tanto como me gusta montar mi bicicleta de un lado a otro, así como los estudiantes y mi profe, he agotado esta opción. Es tiempo para más inmersión. Mi confianza ha vuelto. No necesito más gramática. Espero que ustedes, mis seguidores, me hagan responsable.

Wherein our kids threw us a 40th anniversary party and did all the work too. What’s the real story behind this shindig? What’s our secret to a long marriage? You gotta read yesterday’s post to find out. Here’s where you’ll find representatives from the photo booth plus pre and post-event pics of family and friends, some from as far away as Indiana, Michigan and even, Australia.

We had a grand time together.