Last week, I went on vacation in lovely Bend, Oregon. I did not take my laptop. Even though all along the way, there was plenty of wifi available, I did not get on the internet. No email. No facebook. No blogging. I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep myself away from the internet. It was a test of will, because my husband did take his laptop and believe me, it was very tempting to google.
But I didn't.
I stayed true to my pledge to take not just a physical vacation but an internet vacation as well. I must admit, after I got over the initial withdrawal from the world wide web,I started to see the real world, the one around me.
I walked with Jilly as I always do, but exploring the winding paths brought me sights and sounds I don't normally get to enjoy. There were so many deer, mostly does with fawns who were just as curious about me as I was about them. Jilly was fascinated by them, holding herself very still, her ears on high alert. She stared at them and they stared right back.
There were natural sculptures everywhere...rocks, tree stumps, rolling grasses and jagged mountain tops. The river had rapid areas and slow spots, some with a thick layer of green pollen covering it. The sound of the Stellar Jays swooping by and the grasshoppers jumping was the music I listened to most, not the Ipod I'd brought with me.
Sitting out on the sunny deck, I watched the tall ponderosa pines sway. I read a silly mystery novel involving a bridezilla, murder and crab cakes. Writing in my journal, I let my pen guide me for a change. I read girly magazines and crocheted a sock. At night, I sat under the starry sky cozy in the hot tub. My husband and I enjoyed cooking as always, barbecued chicken and fish with veggies brought from our garden at home.
One day flowed into the next with ease and grace. Relaxing under the stars and breathing in the sage scented air, I didn't miss surfing the web. I was caught instead in the web of living.
7 comments:
Susan, this is such a wonderful post. So inspiring and so...fresh. Beautiful.
You know, the other day, I just sat and read a book to the neglect of all else. To even write that sentence is absurd, because that was ALL I used to do to the neglect of all else! But lately, with so much time spent reading, writing, searching, and working online, reading a book, even touching the pages, is a rarity.
I held my book and read, and when I finished my book, I really was distressed to be aware of how utterly delicious those three hours were! I had almost forgotten that pleasure!
Thanks for reminding us all. :)
That sounds like a perfect vacation! When I've taken a break from the internet and tv, time has stretched out so there seem to be a lot more hours--and pleasant moments--in the day.
Sounds very definitely Good!
I'm so glad my post was a positive reminder that reading is a valuable experience. I know what you mean about feeling that taking the time to read, is a guilty pleasure, one only to be undertaken on vacation, or down time...can we let ourselves read knowing that we can also live the rest of our lives, too?
Lisa...isn't that interesting, not doing produces more time, more hours and pleasant moments, not less?
Isn't the fear always that we'll lose track of time...lose ourselves in nothingness?
Interesting.
Oh my gosh, your vacation sounds wonderful. It was relaxing just reading about it. That's my idea of a dream vacation.
Hey Stacy...glad I could give you a little 'virtual' vacation with my post! I hope you get a chance to get out to a real one, soon.
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