Bopril

Solitude

Until relatively recently (within the last 3 to 5 years), I was very uncomfortable with the concept of "alone time" in public.

I felt more comfortable in a group or a pair - not sure why as I've always been fiercely independent, but in this one particular area, not so much. I wouldn't have dreamed of exploring a new city on my own, eaten solo in restaurants, seen a movie with no one sharing my popcorn.

Thinking about this now, I'm quite simply perplexed. It just doesn't make sense. I think in some odd way, I felt it was a huge bulls-eye on my back - I AM LONELY. I DO NOT HAVE FRIENDS. But when I see people wondering the streets of my city alone, or dining alone or at a movie alone, I don't think that at all. I don't even really notice, and of course, no one else does either. It strikes me that I probably missed out on some great opportunities to explore new surroundings due to that limited state of mind. I often read about people who take an annual vacation with just themselves and they cite them as their most treasured trips. I'm not sure I've evolved quite THAT far, but I've come a long way (baby).

For the last 48 hours, I have delighted in discovering a brand new city in the company of myself. At my own pace, in the order I want, checking off the things on MY list, walking sometimes aimlessly just to see where I'd end up. All the while, letting my camera capture every new neighborhood, each new loved street.

And love, it is. I think I could live in Boston. It has plenty of nerdy history, which I adore, lots of culture, good restaurants and neighborhood after neighborhood that just reek of charm. And of course, it is literally a beacon to the pursuit of higher education, which makes me a fan by default. 

I hopped on the subway to Cambridge this afternoon and wondered around the Harvard campus like a giddy high school graduate for more than 3 hours. I admired the architecture, smiled a the sight of current students hurrying to the library mixed with new students in awe on orientation tours. I really just lost myself in the history of the place; I was keenly aware that I was walking the same paths and staring up at the same buildings that have been home to some of the world's brightest minds. The bookstore was A-mazing. Not your traditional college bookstore bursting with souvenirs, but an actual wall to wall, old fashioned bookstore. I've never seen so many books in one place; I could have found a corner, grabbed a few good reads and stayed for hours.

This might be the first city I've ever fallen in love with all on my own, all in my way, all on my time. 

What a cool revelation to know that I can be my own favorite travel companion.

 

Along the Freedom Trail, I stumbled on a very sobering holocaust memorial. 

Beneath huge glass towers, there were quotes from survivors, rescuers, observers. Additional insights were carved into the ground.

 A reminder that we all bare responsibility to relish our freedom and prevent another holocaust by demanding an end to hatred and prejudice.

I spent the better part of a full afternoon in Boston Commons, a huge park right in the middle of downtown - this is the "frog pond"

I walked the full length of this gorgeous street and did a little shopping. Stopped for a manicure too. Just because I could.

I watched this Mama and her ducklings for a good half hour; they kept diving to the bottom in search of food and did the cutest wiggly resurfacing you've ever seen.

I hopped on the subway for an adventure to Cambridge and surprisingly didn't get lost. Not even once.

Spent an afternoon wondering the magical Harvard campus

Main library - not surprisingly, they had MANY libraries. Lot's of thinking going on in there.

Aforementioned book store mecca!

Harvard Yorkie sighting - missing my guys!

Ivy League?

Just a quick check-in today Internet. I'm in Boston and even though it is rainy and dreary and actually quite chilly, I'm about to embark on my own little journey of this city I've often wanted to visit. I've got plans for Beacon Hill, the Freedom Trail, lots of shopping on Newbury Street and plenty of other random to-do's. Also? I'm totally going to Harvard where I'll do my best to look smart.

In the interim though, I'll leave you with this beyond awesome display of any regular Sunday afternoon in the Carretta household. Happy Friday all, happy Fur Baby Friday!

j Just catching up on my US Weekly

Dad, you're totally hogging the magazine!

 More MJ stories? Snooooooozzzzeeeee!

Weekendings

We pondered the crazy weather which had us conjuring images of tailgates and football games, crunchy leaves, a variety of soups and full, beautiful mums. Some of my favorite weather, but months too early and thus not overly comfortable (or welcome).

I stood in a porta-potty line at a street festival and recalled days gone by when I was lost in the music, comfortable in my surroundings, at home in the crowds. I sighed, rolled up my jeans to avoid "debris" and wondered how time moves so quickly (and muttered "I'm too old for this" once or twice). 

I laced up my sneakers and surrendered my thoughts to my ipod and the pavement for five good miles; I visualized a healthier me and felt good about a small step in the right direction.

Always fascinated by the connection of mind, body and spirit, I picked up the Quantum Wellness cleanse and read it cover to cover, nodding in understanding page after page, relishing the comfort of a mutual understanding, a state of mind brought to life on the page and the resulting click when its contents registered familiar. Tears poured down my face as I read the chapter titled "Awakening" because this lovely author was able to articulate with such grace every reason I've wholeheartedly embraced a vegetarian lifestyle. It was validation I didn't know I needed, encouragement for a part of my soul that doesn't know how to ask for support. I can hardly wait to begin the actual cleanse and see what happens and Internet, I'll bring you along when I do.

I started to think about my upcoming trip to Boston, making lists in my head and seeing the images of Cambridge, Beacon Hill, Newbury Street and the Freedom Trail through my camera before I ever even board the plane. The break is needed, and I plan to make it a good one.

Hubby took Coop to the vet for his check-up and while we lamented the price tag of the visit, we sighed with relief at his good health and happily filled his prescriptions to keep those liver levels in check. And then I thought of Sydney, my sweet girl, and remembered the wiggly pup of 13 years ago that stole my heart with a glance and has never let go. She wears time on every inch of her body...a muzzle covered in grey, a slow ramble where there used to be an unstoppable dash, but the eyes...those soulful eyes can still whisper secrets and show me past, present and future. I fear she's nearing the end and I can't embrace it, not yet. I'm not ready to let her go, but its not about me and I know if I'd let her, she would show me that. Dogs are awesome that way.

Sunday was a quiet jumble of errands, walks, doggie play and movie watching. We saw Away We Go and its humanity stays with me still. Amazing, beautiful portrait of family and of love. 

And now we're all back to the grind, but trying to keep the peace, the stillness, the joy of the weekend in tact, hoping its magic will color the week ahead.

And you?

The Space Between

Do you have a special place you call your own? Not your home or car or office, but a specific place that you turn to when you just need to get away? To think...to breathe...to take a break from the frenetic pace of your life for just a minute. And when you're in that place, you can always see the truth - regain perspective.

I've been lucky enough to have several such places in my lifetime and they all have a common theme. Water. I've receded to hidden retreats in the woods - trickling streams and awesome water falls that you can only access via remote hiking trails. I've taken great solace in the sea, walking to the water's edge and surrendering every stress to the crashing waves and the salty air. I miss that five block walk from my front door to the mighty Pacific more than I ever anticipated.

But today, I find similar peace at the lake. On our last trip, I spent a full afternoon into the evening just sitting at the end of the dock with a good book, my camera and a glass of wine. It was divine. And when the work week proves exceptionally stressful, I whip out my photos and conjure contentment.

I love the powerful connection we feel to certain elements, certain places. And I hope I will always find solace and comfort and peace in the bodies of water that surround each life stage.

Happy Love Thursday; I hope your own special place is waiting for you, and that you're able to escape there very soon.

 

Welcome!!!

I entered the world of blogging in 2007 just to see what the buzz was about. I immediately fell in love with it as a tool for sharing photos and updates with family and friends.

At the time, I had just moved from LA to Chicago and having a blog really suited that transition riddled period for us. I had no way of knowing the world that was about to open up to me...

A couple of months after I started Carretta's in Chicago on Blogger (I know, the name is just terribly creative), I began my new job with Edelman where the real world of social media promptly exploded all around me. The horizon knows no limits and the community aspect is just terribly cool.

I loved Blogger, but wanted to update this space to better reflect my current love of and appreciation for the Internets and all communities therein, and finally, it has happened. Thanks to the Typepad chops of Sweetney and the design prowess of  Katie, I now have a new online home.

Poke around and let me know what you think; I hope you'll stay awhile and set your feeds to visit frequently. Bear with me as I get everything polished (and I have a few more plans for down the road) and I hope to hear from you soon (and often).