A love affair with my home state. It lasted for around a month. We burned hot and bright and it was magical. Words fail me, so here are some photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mishamac/sets/72157647163943059/

Now I am back home, alone, and the washer is making a horrid noise. Can't we always be on vacation? My dream job is a travel photographer who gets to choose where her assignments are. Also if we are dreaming, I would also love a hot tub. Dad's friends all have hot tubs. Geniuses.

I visited my dad, who is doing amazing at 71 years old (probably from all those hot tubs). He is my inspiration. We swam in some lakes, drove around taking photos of the downtown Van Buren and Fort Smith. We even took a tour of Miss Laura's, a house of ill-repute, which is now the Visitor Center of Fort Smith, Arkansas. My how times have changed.

My sister and I went to War Eagle, Arkansas. What an amazing drive. Deer everywhere. The weather was amazing while I was home. So green for August! Everyone was so pleased to have a mild summer compared to last years.

Wow. That washer is really off kilter. Gonna have to sign off and report more of my trip later. I even went to Austin! Hadn't been there in nearly ten years! Too long to not be there and too short of a trip:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mishamac/sets/72157647163136527/

Auckland, New Zealand

I just dusted off my laptop after many, many months of neglect. I uploaded some photos on my flickr site and then I thought about how much I miss writing. I have a tablet that I use now, but there is nothing as satisfying as writing on a keyboard.

My mom taught me how to type when she was a secretary for the army. I would sometimes go to work with her and she would keep my busy on their large, army green typewriters. The kind that could really do damage if it was dropped.

I have been living in Auckland, New Zealand for the last couple of years. We love it here. The people are friendly and I love living in a town with art and great coffee. Living in Chirstchurch was too difficult. And I wasn't myself there. I feel really at home here.

That being said, I am coming to Arkansas, Texas, and California for a family visit and to see some friends. The idea of coming to Arkansas makes me smile so much. I have such wonderful times whenever I am there. It's changed a lot, but I have always found some great, new things to do whenever I come home.

I have one cat left, the Professor, our other cat passed a year ago. I still miss her a lot. The Professor keeps me company though. He is my shadow. I don't like the idea of travelling without him, but my neighbor has graciously offered to watch him while I'm away.

Every drop of rain that falls today is making it harder and harder to go outside. I am determined not to let the rain get the better of my day! Now, where is my raincoat?