Geocaching : or a final look around before going

Geocaching : the recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates posted on a website.

Well, the final countdown days are upon me. I find myself more and more restless/sleepless as the hours to departure shorten. I didn't sleep at all last night (doot-doot-doo-doot-doo..) - but for real though, because my head is spinning with things I know, things I knew, things my heart told me, and things I have come to understand. Things I am happy about and things I wish were different. Ideas I have accepted and ideas I cannot accept but choose to let go and find peace. I have taken a roommate at The Estate to watch over the place and take care of some things - and to be honest with you, it's been nice to have someone around the place again.

Final suitcase count was 5 of the large size and one carry-on size. Everything I really need to take with me fits in those bags. Everything else is staying behind. You'd be surprised at what you think you need and what you actually need -things, ideas, and even people. I'm moving to a modern city in a desert area, not simply a desert, so I will be able to purchase things there as needed. Mentally and physically I am fatigued with the thought process of cleaning, sorting, packing, and then cleaning up from the packing process. Fatigued with the process of leaving of things and people and ideas here as I go.

It stopped raining at the same time it wasn't the surface temperature of the sun outside and I had a chance to cut the grass and hedges.

Lawn work is always a psychological gauge for me. I love this house. I love this yard and I'm looney enough to love these hedges too. I remember the first time I was tasked with the entire process of The Lawn here at The Estate, about a month after Himself was gone. We had gone nearly an entire set of seasons without any hedge trimming due to all the changes happening and as I stood at the edge of the driveway looking at what was to be done, the numbness of his death wore off, and the whole situation hit me. I was faced with much personal, mental, and physical work in getting it together and keeping it together.

I watched a video on hedge trimming from the Lowes' website, got on a ladder, and 6 summers later, I have nurtured a family of robins who chose to nest yearly and I haven't killed the hedges or maimed any shrubbery... or myself.

I've come a long way since that overcast, dreary, Saturday in May 2013.

I'm ready to go a long way too.

Seven time zones is pretty far - a bit more than 1/4th of the way around the globe, and I only needed 5 bags, plus a small one for fragile glass pieces and paperwork to be submitted upon arrival in Doha Customs -- and for excursion trips to places yet to be decided.

I will miss you and our antics.

But there's lots to see and do and go and explore and I have to go.

You should go and see and explore too.

Which brings me to Geocaching. The art of the hunt of stuff someone has left for you to find. There's a world website about the whole thing. I had to geocache for a continuing education class I took and it was much fun! While I am out adventuring and being good at life, I leave you this list. It's not complete though! Let the hunt of this stuff lead you further. When I miss you so severely, I will think of these things and when you miss me in return, do one of these -- and let me know how it went and what you found there!

Go see Eric Rudy or Tony Vergnetti play guitar somewhere.

Have a coffee at Northern Light and get one of those cinnamon buns, sit facing the doors at the high top table at the back of the place, near the couches.

Check out a book from the library downtown and actually read it.

Attend Winter in the City parties.

Find a random fundraiser and attend or donate a gift card. There's always a benefit at Morgan'z or Backyard Ale.

Have fun at a First Friday event and make a new friend or two.

Attend a Leadership Lackawanna Event.

Take part of the Networking Events at Montage Mountain and brainstorm with some really fabulous local business people.

Have a picnic at Nay Aug with a sandwich from Riccardo's.

Have a drink at Backyard Ale on a Friday night after 10:30pm and make a new friend out of someone next to you.

Take a Yoga Class.

Go to a concert at Penns Peak.

Attend an event at The Sands Casino.

Enjoy a tea and tiramisu at Bar Pazzo.

Walk (or run) the Trail in Scranton from Olive Street to Broadway (and back).

Volunteer at a Church Picnic or a Charity Event.

Donate clothes and supplies to St. Joseph's Center.

Go to Ale Mary's and watch a sporting event, have some wings or pretzel bites.

Give my roommate a call for pizza and show him something fun about our city.

Get a mani/pedi with Adrienne at Alexander's, tell her I sent you, and have her tell you a good story.

Find a hike at a state park. Lackawanna has some nice walking areas.

Shop Local. Eat Local. Support Local.

Take a bus to New York City - if you're inclined, stay at Arlo NoMad or Hotel Shocard or be swanky and stay at the DoubleTree on Lexington and 53rd.

... but most of all - go enjoy this beautiful city of ours and this beautiful region. Be busy and meet some new friends.

I will be busy too... I believe I have to visit Vienna and Budapest in October.

If you've read this far - thanks for being with me on this journey. I'll be at the place where my adventure jump started and all my epiphanies seem to happen on 9 August around 7pm if you'd like one more hug before I depart.

Until then - I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places that this heart of mine embraces. I'll find you in the morning sun, and when the night is new. I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you.

Sláinte.