Escape

Our adventure begins Monday afternoon. We board a flight for Dallas, stay the night at an airport motel, then fly to Guadalajara on Tuesday. From there, we’ll get a taxi to Ajijic. And there we will unwind. The unexpectedly full calendar will cease to exist for a while. The obligations of retirement will disappear. The commitments we’ve made without realizing we’ve made them will be put on hold. Vacation. That’s a welcome word.

I’ve allowed myself to over commit. I wasn’t forced. I’ve taken on the role of treasurer of the Writers’ Club. And membership data maintainer. And newsletter writer and distributor. And presenter. And on and on and on. And I’ve allowed myself to commit to being the newsletter editor for the Unitarian Universalist church. And I took on management of an art show for an artists’ club. I’m stupid in some senses. But I’m withdrawing from some of these obligations. If my effing arm stops hurting so I can write–really write–I’ll drop more of them.

But I need someone to take my place. I’m easily replaceable, believe me. A trained monkey could do most of my duties. But I’ve gotten off track, haven’t I? We leave for Mexico tomorrow! Oh, yes!

I will eat guacamole more than I should. I will drink tequila (and other alcoholic beverages) more than I should. I will refrain from exercise more than I should. But I will have a wonderful time!  I will spend time conversing with my very intelligent brother and sister-in-law and that, alone, will make the trip worthwhile. God, I need time to unwind from whatever it is that is keeping me tightly wound. I need an escape valve. And Ajijic is it.