There is this issue of the seasons. It has always been a reassuring thing for me that the seasons come and go in much the same way that they always have. At least this one thing stays the same while so much else in our lives changes. Well, it hasn't been that way for us lately. We spent January in Upper New York with our friends the O'Connells. January there was the way January is supposed to be. Cold, snowy and crisp. Even February was pretty ordinary while we were in Ohio, though most “Buckeyes” would swear that there is no such thing as an “ordinary” winter day in Ohio. It was a time for family, doctor's appointments, renewing acquaintances at Trinity Episcopal Church in Troy, and doing all the things one has to do to prepare for a year away from home.

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Then came March and with a short flight to Tampa, Florida, we went from the heart of winter to what seemed ever so much like summer as we spent two weeks with Don's sister, Carol.

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Festivals, walks in the park, short sleeves, and sunscreen. We went to the beach, ate fresh strawberries, and even met Don's daughter Terri and her husband Darin (who were misplaced Northerners on a short business trip), for a warm evening stroll through Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island.

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Those two weeks in the sunshine state were so relaxing since most of our preparation for our upcoming trip to New Zealand was done. But with all of that, we missed Spring somehow! Flew over it in Tennessee.

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This past Tuesday, we came to California to spend a couple of weeks with Mary Ann's daughter Sarah and her fiancé, Brian. Already we are settled in and again enjoying what seems for all the world like summer!

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On Wednesday we walked between their condo and Starbucks for that important time of centering, journaling, reading, paying attention, and enjoying a skinny mocha latte!

The view of the mountains to the North is nothing short of breathtaking! So, not being sure just how long the wonderful warm days would last, we decided to head up toward Mt. Baldy Friday. Would you believe that in that thirty minute drive, we went from summer to winter again – bypassing spring once more? We took the ski lift to the 7,800 foot peak as a pleasure excursion, but most of our fellow “travelers” were attached at the feet to either skis or snowboards. “Baldy Bob,” as he called himself, told us there would likely be a month more of those winter sports! Just Saturday, they got a few inches of snow!

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As we returned to Brian and Sarah's condo, we descended into summer again. So, who would blame us for feeling “seasonally challenged?” In just over a week, we get on a Quantas Airline flight to New Zealand and guess what? It is fall in Wellington with winter not far behind. We aren't complaining, mind you. These transitions and churnings keep us alert and paying attention. We are intentionally trying to be conscious and awake to all of our moments. It is our job and our calling.