Spending time

I read a quote once that reminded me we shouldn’t get stuck thinking we never have enough time – we each have all the time there is, and we make choices about how to spend it. In day-to-day life, though, our work and the other commitments we make often put demands on our time such that we feel constrained in what we are able to do – a little less able to make choices that we favor.

That’s what vacations are for.

The Prelude

I love the fall season and always take a vacation in late September / early October to recharge my batteries and spend time the way I want to spend time. This year, I had some projects at home I wanted to get to, but I didn’t want to give up walking on the beach, which is always my favorite recharging activity. I decided to split my time, then, between a few vacation days at Rehoboth Beach and a lot of stay-cation days at home. Eleven glorious days of spending time my way.

The opening weekend of my vacation was filled with activities at Christ Church. We hosted Luke Timothy Johnson, a renowned New Testament scholar, for a Friday evening lecture and Saturday workshop. Dr. Johnson reminded us that the core of our Christian faith is that Jesus IS alive. His talks were profound and inspirational, and they gave me a lot to think about.

The Vacation Part

Next, I spent three lovely days at Rehoboth Beach – rainy, but lovely. I stayed in The Bellmoor Inn – a beautiful hotel just blocks from the beach and just blocks from Rehoboth Avenue – the main street in town. At this time of year, it’s pretty quiet, which is just the way I like it. I spent hours wandering around the stores in Rehoboth and Lewis, hours reading and writing, and the best hours walking on the beaches. I realized that I actually don’t do a lot of thinking on the beach – I am too fascinated by the patterns of the waves and the sounds of the pounding serf. Walking clears my head and readies me for more deep thinking and writing when I’m back in a comfy chair or at my keyboard. Regardless – it’s pure bliss and absolute proof (as far as I am concerned) of the existence of God.

Monday…

On arrival at Rehoboth Beach –
  

Tuesday…

At Cape Henlopen in the rain before lunch –
  

Seen driving through Cape Henlopen park –
 

In Lewis after lunch – Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church…
  

Back to Cape Henlopen in the afternoon… (Note blue sky!!)
  

Sunset on the boardwalk back in Rehoboth Beach…
  

Wednesday…

A clear early morning in Rehoboth –
  
 
 Pure bliss. Farewell, for now…

How do you top THAT?! You go in a completely different direction!

The Stay-cation Part

My “stay-cation” has been great, just not in that awe-inspiring, relaxing way – it’s been more of a whirlwind. Cleaning the house – especially the basement (but not done yet!). Shopping for fall clothes and household items (but not done yet!) Writing an article and preparing for a conference presentation next weekend (but not done yet!). Keeping up with my students’ online assignments, cooking, paying bills, doing laundry – all the normal tasks that never seem to be done either.

On the fun side… Time with family and friends.  Dinner with Tad, Jackie, AJ, Alicia, Roma and Jerry on Wednesday night – Lunch and shopping with Maryellen and Tara Saturday – Knight of Music (Daniel’s band competition) with Nick, Tim, and Ethan (and Daniel – but he was busy hosting) on Saturday night – Dinner with Pat, Lisa, PJ, and Emily on Sunday night – Lunch with Nick today.

Also on the fun side.. Reading.  I finished Brandon Sanderson’s epic “The Way of Kings” – a 1001-page introduction to a planned 10-book series, in which we basically get to know some of the main characters and get set up for the Desolation to come. Fantastic, engrossing, and so huge in scope, it boggles the mind.

And one more highlight on the fun side… a few walks in Longwood Gardens. The next best thing to the beach.

At Longwood on Sunday morning –
  

This is the life…