magic and mayhem
Welcome to my birthday month! The month of magic and mayhem—of the “in like a lion, out like a lamb” variety—women’s history month, math and literary celebrations, leprechauns, hints of Spring (jonquils and crocuses for some of you and more snow for the rest of us), and me. There is something irresistibly mystical about a Pisces woman. Ethereal. Complex. Whimsical. Creative. Ok, fine. Dramatic. Moody. Slightly manipulative in the name of adventure/fun/imaginations/peace/hope/what ifs.
Jonquils (daffodils for those of you un-Southernly cultured) are signs of new beginnings, which offers hope. Holly was unamused at my whimsy.
Here’s where I panic. I must make the most of another chance of turning around the sun. I must capture every moment and not lose the advantage, relish the fullness of life, see it-feel it-cherish it. To the max. Yeah, I know. I exhaust myself too. I recall my roommate in college exasperatedly admitting, “I can’t keep up with you!” Well Craig, I can’t keep up with myself these days either. I have it all, I really do, and yet like Ariel from The Little Mermaid sings, “I want mooorrre.” How predictably Pisces. Sigh.
Hmmm, this digression is not where I intended to flow this week. My goal was to share some of my elaborate whirlwind birthday excursions. Haha! The wild winds of change that March brings can’t be contained though I guess. I’ve mentioned before that one of my super powers happens to be planning a 24-hour adventure. Remember Vernal Break? I wanted to share the time I convinced friends to ride across the sea to skip around Victoria B.C. for a birthday delight. And I’ll get there. I promise! First, I want to mention the thought I forgot to finish with last week.
Wind. The way it creates etchings in the snow. The beauty in the natural forces; how it carves and scallops along fence lines or roads causing you to wonder at the patterns. Life is like this too, right? No matter how battered by the breeze blowing in our hearts, minds, souls we still hunt for a pattern. A reason. That is what I failed to share with you last week. But no picture fully showcases the beauty of the snow after wind blows through.
It’s a bit like sand on the beach after the waves, but not quite. Squint. A bit like sand dunes or rock wall cliffs along the shores of rivers out west. But not quite. I hope someday you get to walk amidst the snowfields and see the patterns for yourself. I am always mesmerized by them and think you would be too. And a bit poetically, maybe we can learn to be just as mesmerized by how the winds of life carve each other too.
Tanya, Lauren, and Sprite enjoy the calmness of the inner passage
On to the memorable birthday weekend I planned on sharing with you! Tanya, Lauren, and I experienced a bit of everything. A rollicking boat ride, a whimsical photo shoot in the local park, a delightful dinner overlooking a bay, the Empress lit up at night, breakfast at the breakwater, and sunshine. All so very magical. Thank you to Lauren and Tanya for the belly laughs, celebration, and inspiration.
Beginning with a ferry ride out of Seattle, the sailing to Vancouver Island is generally uneventful. However, there was a gale that March morning so our captain altered the route to the inner passage where we sailed beneath Deception Pass before hitting the choppy open waters of the Sound. Dramamine helped my friends and everyone else on the boat while I enjoyed the highs and lows of the waves.
Upon arrival we walked to our hotel to drop off our luggage before exploring. An afternoon in the sunshine (Often, Vancouver Island is in the Rainshadow, meaning it experiences sun while Seattle does not making it a perfect winter getaway destination.) cheered our spirits. We practiced our photography skills (and posing as band cover album model skills) in a nearby park. Then, enjoyed a special dinner at Milestones (not what it was called back then, I think but who cares?) overlooking James Bay and directly across from the Empress (now known as the Fairmont). Afterwards, we enjoyed the romantically lit buildings, which twinkled gently on the water.
The next morning, taking the advice of the server during our dinner the previous night, we walked all the way out to the Breakwater for breakfast and coffee. He was right. It was worth the walk. We also met someone who sparked the idea of possibility in me. Magic. Pure, simple magic. Finishing out our trip, we indulged in tea service at the Empress (I will forever continue the tradition of that title.) that included mimosas and delicate sandwiches and treats. Then, we took an adorable boat taxi ride to China Town to browse the shops. What a fancy, fun time we had!
Lauren & Sprite enjoying the magical lights
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
Since that trip seven years ago, I more recently took TAJ for his birthday. We walked amidst the gardens at Butchart, dined in a different restaurant overlooking James Bay, and enjoyed some touristy locations learning the history of the area. While I stressed about squeezing everything in and all the details lining up, TAJ relished simply existing. On a bus stop bench in the sun. Not having to make any life or death decisions.
Whether you are like me and want to gather it all up actively or are like TAJ and admire it all through stillness, may this roller coaster of a month bring you opportunities to be you and celebrate being you.
The Sunken Gardens