the weekend i became a fair queen judge.

(now where's my reality show?)

but really, this past weekend i became a fair queen judge. complete with bio announcement, special seating, and a light so i could write down my scores.

i must say, one of my favorite parts of the journey to fair queen judge was the drive north through the country. the endless farmland made me want to be a farmer (or a farmer's wife). even though i know what a tough life it can be... there's something simple and majestic that is on exhibit around every turn.
even in the man stopped on the side of the highway cutting wildflowers to take home to his (i'm guessing) sweetheart.

simple. i long for that. long for the chance to not worry about if i have the 'latest' clothes, 'latest' shoes, 'latest' boyfriend.
i want to raise children to appreciate the beauty around them. the beauty in the birth of an animal. the beauty in watching a storm take over the horizon.

to experience the nation. not just to experience the daily grind. i want to teach through exploration. learn through trying it out. and love because in the end, it's really all we can do.

do you want to run away with me? a camper? a computer? a camera? and maybe a stop along the way to judge a fair queen pageant...
(let's go. let's leave it all behind).

were you wondering?
i said i would be better at this. i promised myself i would be.
(and then i left town)

traveled via car through 11 states in a mere 10 days with stopovers in florida and texas. vacation is supposed to be therapeutic, relaxing, worthy of the time you take off from work... and i guess in many ways this jaunt across the southern states was all those things. but there's a piece of me that wonders now that i'm back and trying to get in the everyday groove.

was it?
i'll let you decide. stay tuned.