What Color is Your Homeland?

A colleague and I attended a conference several states away. It was a valuable conference, but by the time it was over, we were ready to come home. Looking out the plane window after 30 minutes of flight, I saw green. The next time I looked, I poked my colleague and said, "Look! It's brown!" Hooray! We were getting closer to our arid home!

Now I've moved, and my eyes are adjusting to green, green, green. At first I was thrown by the lack of colors in the pallette here. I still love my desert reds and browns. But now I'm getting acclimated. Green is no longer boring, but fresh, lush, verdant, and full of promise.

What color is your homeland and what does that mean to you?

Synapses Afire!

Experts say that to keep the brain alert, active, and creative, we need to keep challenging it and trying new things. If that is so, you might see smoke coming out my ears, my synapses are firing so fast!

Since I last wrote, I have (with the assistance of dear ones--THANK YOU!) packed up my household of 10 years, left my job of 17 years, moved two states away, gotten married, taken a honeymoon to a place I'd never been, merged two households, met new in-laws, and remember where I put the things I've unpacked. I've changed my name, address, phone number, drivers license and license plates, hairdresser, medical caregivers, church, grocery store, and umpteen other things.

Though I was familiar with my new city, I still need to concentrate on what route to take to my destination and back, mindful that Hansel & Gretel's breadcrumb method didn't work. So far, I haven't gotten hopelessly lost or needed more than two tries to get where I was going. But I do allow for extra time, and my usual efficient self feels stymied by having to try so hard to do the basics.

If the brain experts are right, all this mental exercise will result in excellent mental health and acuity into old age and happily ever after.

To keep your brain sharp, see the puzzles at Brain Metrix: http://www.brainmetrix.com/index.htm