Blue Skies Smiling at Me

A few weeks ago, I wrote about all the new critters I've been exposed to each time we've moved from one place to the other. Our new duty station wasn't on my top ten list of places I would like to live, but I'm finding it does have its benefits, and they're pretty remarkable.

We moved from Washington, DC to a sleepy little town a few states over. Truth be told, I miss the Washington area. There's always something interesting, and free, going on in our nation's capital. There are a million restaurant choices, fantastic shopping, countless festivals and lots of hustle and bustle. Life in the big city was good.

However, there are some advantages to living in an area where the pace is much slower. I love that my husband and I can walk to a local diner for breakfast on the weekends. I love that I've been here for two and a half months and filled my gas tank up only three times because everything I need is within five miles from my house. There are rarely long lines at the post office, bank and grocery store.

My husband and I grill out almost every evening. Often, we sit on the back patio while we're grilling and we can't help but notice that the sunsets here are absolutely stunning. The sky seems so much more dramatic in these parts, it actually takes my breath away. Each morning when I go outside to put the flag out, I pause for a moment and gaze at the sky. It's simply gorgeous.

The fog and smog in the big city must cast a permanent haze over the sky there. Here, the view is pure and crisp and clear. The best part of all is that it doesn't cost a penny to view this magnificent work of art. When I want to clear my head, it's only 27 steps from my office to the great outdoors where a big, beautiful sky is waiting to greet me.

What's your blue sky where you are?

Comments

[Stephanie]

My 'blue sky' is the beach. I too came from a large city to a sleepy little town when we married, so it's been an adjustment.

When I get frustrated with the lack of choices and need to drive 40+ minutes to even get to a Target, I remind myself that I have free therapy only 10 minutes away. The beach always seems to calm me.

I think it's a fair trade off. I'm starting to get used to it.

[Stacy Lee]

Mine is a blue sky most of the time, but my view is a little different. I get to see all kinds of animals such as deer, raccoons, squirls, chimpmunks, rabbits, ducks, and of course all of my own critters almost daily.

I can sit on my front porch and watch them all and they never know I am there, or they just don't care anymore.

Norhing more refreshing that to sit on the porch and watch all the critters drinking coffee of a morning.

[Nomad Librarian]

Since temps are still in the 90's here, I haven't experienced my "blue skies" yet, but after growing up in Minnesota, I can't wait for 'cold' temps in the 40's and 50's!!

[HH7]

Our blue sky is usually gray around here =( But when it does clear up we have a mountain range that still takes my breath away every time it's visible. It's absolutely beautiful. I've lived here most of my life and if we ever PCS that will definately be the one thing I miss.

[Sandy]

My blue skies are varied...I collect them as memories wherever we are stationed. My hometown area is rural and treeless...lots or oranges and pinks at sunset, my current fave is the sun dipping into the turqoise waters at the beach. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy the simple things.

[wendy]

I love the variety of "blue skies" I have found on the military journey. Just last night my husband and I were holding hands on the beach at sunset. Beautiful! I miss real mountains and weather, but, like Stephanie said, the beach is calming. Love it.