I’ve just come back from holidays. Oh, very nice, you might say – and you’d be right 🙂
At the same time, it was a busy couple of weeks. No sitting around on beaches – instead we had a planes-trains-and-automobiles type trip starting in Vancouver, Canada and ending in Cambria, California, taking in the sights of Seattle, San Francisco and Monterey before heading to a family wedding on the coast.
I’ve written before about how being away can make a big difference, and so I have found it to be again. In June this year I had pretty major surgery, and the recovery process took quite a while. I also published my second book, upped my blog output and was training fairly regularly in a variety of different exercises, as I’m of the use-it-or-lose-it school of thought when it comes to staying active. Since my surgery I had been easing back into my usual life, so taking a break has let me see where I could make some more positive changes to my regular routine. I’m also part way through Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, and it’s certainly given me food for thought about how I conduct my creative life and what I expect from it.
I’ll be writing more about my trip over the next little while, including a post about the fact that I really, really dislike flying, plus a few other ideas that have been percolating in my mind. For now, I’ll leave you with this picture of a rather gorgeous door that I took in Cambria – perfect for Hugh’s News and Views latest Photography Challenge – Thursday Doors.
And thank you to everyone who stayed in touch and kept up with my blog while I was away – much appreciated! xx
A quick update: Hugh from Hugh’s News and Views very kindly let me know that the door challenge isn’t his – it’s actually Norman Frampton’s, from Norm 2.0, and the link to his challenge post for today is here. So pop on over and check out his door, and add your own if you feel like it!
Helen Glynn Jones 
I’m sorry to hear about your surgery—I hope it was nothing too serious and the procedure was curative. Holidays can be hectic and tiring, but at the same time refreshing—just the change of scenery is often good nourishment. But it’s always nice to be home again! I’ve bought ‘Big Magic’, too, and can’t wait to read it—I’m sure it will ‘speak’ to me, especially as a writer. Lastly, I know what you mean about exercise—I’m actually doing more, and doing it more regularly, than I ever have. I like to exercise outdoors, as one can easily and for most of the year in Perth. I think my skin suffers, but I need to see sky—gyms just don’t do it for me.
Thanks Louise – it was fairly serious but absolutely necessary, and I’m much better for it now 🙂 Perhaps I’ll write about it one day, once I’ve got past it all. And, like you, I’m not really a gym person – the closest I get is my Pilates reformer class. Otherwise it’s dancing and karate and lots of walks, whatever the weather! I think you’ll like Big Magic – while the beginning is more about starting the creative process, once she progresses into talking about ideas and living creatively, it’s quite fascinating. I’ll be interested to hear what you think 🙂
Hi Helen, welcome back and glad you had a great holiday. I hope you managed to get plenty of rest to recharge those batteries.
Just a heads up on the Thursday Doors challenge – it’s actually a challenge belonging to Norman Frampton (Norm 2.0) and not me. He’s my ‘blog of the month’ this month and wrote a great post all about photography. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve included the link to his Thursday Doors challenge below so that you can add the link to this post on his blog. That way other participants can then view this post and see the door you have included for the challenge.
https://miscellaneousmusingsofamiddleagedmind.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/thursday-doors-november-12-2015/
It’s a beautiful door and one that you show off on Norman’s blog.
Best wishes,
Hugh
Thanks Hugh! Will update my post and link through to Norman as well 🙂 And yes, it was nice to get away for a little while, trying to hold on to that holiday feeling…
Thanks for joining us this week Helen and welcome! That is one lovely door you found 🙂
Thanks Norm! I linked back to you (once Hugh gave me the details) and I’m glad you like my door :-). I have a few more so will be back next week! Great challenge.
Welcome back Helen! Glad you had a good time on holiday… look forward to hearing more about it and seeing some gorge pics! I had no idea you had surgery in June. Hope you are recovering well. Xxx
Thanks Ali 🙂 It was a lovely time away and I took LOADS of pics, so will be sharing them for sure. And I’m pretty much recovered now, much better than I was before – I had the op about six weeks before the Blogger’s Bash so that was my first big day out, I remember xx
Gee that is a very special door.
Thank you 🙂 I thought it was pretty special too
Sounds like a wonderful break even though it was busy! Always helps to get those creative juices flowing.
Thank you, it was a nice break. And yes, I’ve come back inspired!
Glad you’re recovering. 😊💖 That door is proper stunning . I must read that Elizabeth Gilbert book I hear good things
Thanks Sacha, I’m feeling fine now 🙂 and the book is good – I’m yet to finish but have had a few lightbulb moments already.
That’s an amazingly creative and beautiful door. Thanks for sharing it.
janet
Thanks Janet – I love it too, wish it was on my house 🙂