I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us so I thought I should check in. We’re in the final few weeks of our time in Idaho before heading south to warmer weather. Temperatures have been dipping below freezing (and even into the teens!) overnight for the past 10 days or so and we are really looking forward to setting out for the 5th winter of our full-timing adventure.

Today is the first day in a few that the “feels like” temperature is well above freezing. It’s sunny and crisp with a moderate breeze and even though I’m not really feeling it, I bundle up and head out to get some exercise.

My goal is a quick four miles—perhaps even a 15-minute mile pace—and since the first two of those are downhill it’s pretty easy to keep my speed up. But when I turn around to head back up the hill for some unknown reason I decide to slow down and pay attention to the mechanics of walking. I stand up straight instead of leaning into the sloping roadway, lift my chin and square my shoulders elongating my spine, and breath deeply. This is new for me and puts me into a contemplative, introspective mood.

As I walk in this new personal awareness posture, I look around for something suitable to photograph for a quick social media post. We’ve been in the area for several weeks and I think I’ve captured most of the notable features. As winter is approaching, any vivid colors have faded and I am doubtful anything will catch my eye. And with that being the case, I begin to try to come up with something interesting, witty, clever—or at the very least, readable—to say to my friends. 

And then all of a sudden, surprise(!) something *does* catch my eye. I’ve seen it dozens of times but today it speaks. Well…not really “speaks”…but that’s the whole point. A message from the universe to me. And you.

Stand straight and endure even when you have no words…

sail4free
sail4free@zoho.com

7 thoughts on “No Words

  1. Sometimes no words means you have nothing to say…

    It’s good to see you’re still around Jim! You guys heading to the Slabs this winter?

    1. Oh Yeah — want to do some more work on our build there (Sanctuary One). Headed into retirement “winter” #5. Things still going well for you guys? I’m not very good at checking my Email anymore so I miss your notifications when you post to your blog . . . will try to get better about that. 🙂

  2. Hi folks; Haven’t been on here for ages so how are you…staying safe I hope …I am not on email but on Messenger with FB….is everyone staying home this year with Covid…I am sadly….would be nice to hear from you…take care, Deb

    1. Hi, Deb! Clearly we haven’t been on here much lately either. 😏 I hope to post again soon.

      We cancelled our “Northwest Tour” to see family and have been trying to lay low. We are planning—if nothing changes too drastically—to head south the first week of November. It just gets too cold here to stay through the winter. Thanks for touching base…glad to hear you are well! ~Annie

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