go listen and play outside

So, I've been working on this Spotify playlist for some time. It's called "Summertime Playlist" and it's full of fun, upbeat songs that I want to hear when I'm enjoying a nice day outside. I've been editing this playlist for a couple of years now. It started with a classic rock base, because once the weather is nice enough for me to roll down my windows in the car, that's what I turn to. But, I keep my ears open all the time, and when I hear a song that I think makes the cut, I make a note of it on my phone and I test it out later in my playlist.

At this point, I have 147 songs in my playlist, and right now that's 9 hours, 13 minutes worth of music. I'm constantly adding or removing songs, based on what I think is appropriate. I'm trying to grab as much music as possible from as many genres and decades as possible, so please make suggestions for what you think should be on my summertime playlist. And if you're on Spotify, go follow this playlist of mine (it's public,) give it a listen and let me know if you have any suggestions. I would love to collaborate with anyone else that might enjoy this playlist too! Click here - Summertime Playlist - if you want to help me perfect it. FYI, you need to have a Spotify account to listen to it, but it is totally free and totally worth it. I love listening to music on Spotify!

Moving on, I've got some spring tasks that I've set for myself. One is a flower garden for my front yard. My front yard is boring, apart from the rose bush growing (out of control) and our Ukrainian flag blowing in the wind. So, it's time to make it prettier. I love getting my hands dirty and it's such a satisfying ongoing project, keeping up a garden. So, I'm on it. Right now, it's just sketches on paper and an outline in the yard. I'll post photos as it develops.
We're planning a nice trip for spring. We'll be exploring New England again, just Andriy & I, and we're heading all the way out to northeast Maine, up to Acadia National Park. I'm psyched to go that far east and to explore somewhere I've never been. We'll be doing a lot of hiking, eating a lot of shellfish, and enjoying some nice coastal views. CAN'T WAIT.  http://www.barharborinfo.com/acadia_national_park/
Then, we're spending some more time in Vermont, which we are still examining as our possible future home. This will be an exploratory visit to Vermont, checking out what kind of jobs and homes are available out there and what kind of $$$ it might take to move. It's exciting, and terrifying at the same time, to think about moving somewhere completely new on a permanent basis. This is coming from the girl that packed up and moved to Ukraine for 2 years, I know, but I knew that would be a temporary thing with Peace Corps and I didn't have a mortgage to worry about then. I'm sure Andriy understands this feeling better, but even he had a home base to start at here in Jacksonville when he moved from Ukraine. It would really be helpful if one of us were to find a good job in Vermont, but that hasn't happened yet. Maybe some day, we'll just decide to DO IT and see what happens. If anyone has connections in Vermont, holler at me! I'm serious!

I wonder how it never was

Today is the annual Jacksonville Bar-to-Bar Golf Classic. Honestly, it's a shit show, an excuse to day drink for most (starting at 11:00 am) held at the bars in downtown Jacksonville. I haven't actually played the Bar-to-Bar in a couple of years, trying to avoid the drama of herding around a "team" of drunk fools, but i try not to miss seeing old friends gathered together in our home town, a rare occasion these days. So, I met some of these fine folks out this afternoon, ready to enjoy their company. It was good, as it always is, because the people I call friends are awesome.

I'm home now at a decent hour, and their fellowship has inspired me to write a bit.

I'm having a beer and listening to some music. Right now it's Peter Bjorn & John - "Young Folks."

Six inches of snow fell last night, the most we've had at once so far this year. As much as I'm ready for warmer weather, there is something undeniably lovely about a heavy blanket of fresh snow. Everything is brighter and so.....quiet.

It's been over half a year since i wrote last. Here's what's been going on since then:

Andriy & I traveled to Ukraine last May, and we spent, what was for me, the most valuable two weeks I've ever had there. We spent the entire time with his parents, sister and niece & nephew at his parents' house. This trip almost didn't happen, since Ukraine has been in a state of uncertainty since the protests on Maidan. We almost didn't go....but how do you know if it will get better or worse?

In the end, we had zero problems travelling and had such a wonderful time just enjoying summer in Ukraine. And on our way home, we spent a day in Warsaw, Poland, because why not? Lovely city. Go see it.

At the moment, Hall & Oates, "Rich Girl" is playing (Spotify radio, btw, based on my summertime playlist, follow me there.)

Shortly after this trip, we attended the annual McLaughlin Family Reunion. Talking about awesome people...maybe they are why I enjoy being around people so much? I'm so lucky to come from two of the GREATEST FAMILIES: The Scott's and the McLaughlin's. 

We replaced the roof on our house, thanks to the help from our family and friends, mainly my uncle Leo Anslyn. If you live in the greater Jacksonville area, consider Anslyn Home Improvement (from Winchester) for your next home project. Seriously, this guy is such a professional and sooo talented. 

And "Born on the Bayou" just came on by CCR. Seriously, does John Fogerty's voice make anyone else just crave summer and baseball?

I spent some time in August with my mom and two sisters in Missouri wine country. That was lovely. Mainly because they're lovely. This was the first "girl trip" we've all taken together, I think. We have to do that again.

Andriy and I traveled back to Indiana in August for a reunion camping trip with our very good friend Jeremy Doughty. We both met Jdo while he was a fellow Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine and we've been best friends since. We spend time with him every year for a camping trip. This was our second year meeting him at Shades State Park in Indiana, since he's attending Bowling Green State University in Ohio for his doctorate. We explored many of Turkey Run's canyons and riverside trails. Spending time with Jdo is always relaxing...we just get each other. Maybe this is an RPCV thing? We are of such a similar mind...I wish we lived nearer to each other!

Some friends of ours started playing Dungeons & Dragons and invited Andriy and I to join. Neither of us had ever played before, but we agreed to give it a try...and we both really love it. We try and meet monthly, at least, with Denver, Joe O'Neal, Joe Sculley & whoever else might be around and it's been such a delightful way to spend time with friends, just nerding out. I never thought D&D would be part of my life, but now I wonder how it never was.

Marvin Gaye, "Let's Get It On." Seriously, if you don't understand soul, you've never heard Marvin Gaye.

Speaking of listening to things: I probably listen to more podcasts than I do music now. That's kinda sad, only because that means I listen to less music. HOWEVER, I enjoy my podcasts so much. Normally, that's what I'm listening to if I'm getting ready in the morning or driving to or from work. On my podcast feed now: All Songs Considered (great hosts, great music,) The Bugle (with John Oliver!) Radiolab, This American Life, (the last two great NPR productions) Sound Opinions (Chicago area music podcast, i'm new to it, but I like it so far,) Serial ( just because,) Cognitive Dissonance (another Chicago area podcast, this one geared to skeptics, very funny,) and The Nerdist (my new favorite thing.) Stuff You Should Know was my intro podcast, and I still love it. 

On the music side...I did, however, get a record player for Christmas. Listening to vinyl totally changes the way you listen to music. Do you ever just sit and listen, not just to music, but to a whole album from start to finish? Pour yourself a nice glass of wine, whiskey or tea and give a listen to your favorite artist's best album. It might change your life.

So, I keep listening to things, I keep going places and seeing stuff, and I keep eating stuff too. Life keeps happening. I hope you're enjoying yours. I'll write more soon.