The stars finally aligned this weekend: I was in decent health, had free time, and the weather felt like traditional spring complete with blue skies, a lovely breeze and highs in the seventies. Adam and I took advantage, doing a little exploring close to home and reminding me that adventure is what you make of it.

Here are some things I remembered along the way:

Not all bookstores are created equally and it’s ok to leave empty handed when the vibe is off. That’s not to say it isn’t a good store. That’s to say it isn’t a good store for you. 

If you see somehting you really, really like and can afford it, just treat yourself. If you don’t you may devote a lot of time and gas money trying to locate it again later and face loads of disappointment when you can’t find it. This is pertinent because there was a wallet I wanted and didn’t buy and then spent months ransacking every TJ Maxx and Marshalls within reach. Thankfully, the Athens, Ohio Marshalls came through for me. 

An Impossible Cheeseburger always tastes better when someone else does the cooking and Applebee’s does it especially well. 

A table of nerdy guys making too much noise playing their fantasy board game is still better than a silent but empty library. Their laughter, inside jokes, and tip sharing was a joyful thing to hear. It was also a bit distracting as I shopped the used book sale but I was still glad to witness their camaraderie at the library. 

Some places are meant to be revisited and experienced with different people and in different head spaces. We went to the Ridges, a property now owned by Ohio Univeristy, which is home to the former Athens Lunatic Asylum. We walked the brick street perimeter, hiked on a beautiful nature trail, and admired some of the ways Ohio University is using the property to honor what once went on here while proving that life really does go on. We also explored a cemetery where patients were identified as numbers, not names. This place hits me differently every time and I’m glad because that means I’m still processing the reality of it all rather than dismissing it as a chapter of our history. 

Most of all, I was reminded that sitting on a park bench with someone special is always a good choice. Especially when you both appreciate the shade of aged Elm trees and the squirels that scurry all around. 

Come back tomorrow and we’ll talk more about that asylum on the hill.