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Last night I had the experience of looking at an event happening in Vermont in February and thinking, why is someone posting this winter event in the summer. It's too far away. Then I remembered that I'm spending two months in this place where everything is opposite. February is around the corner even though I am experiencing summer. An extra summer season makes me happy. Paul and I are spending a bit too much urban time getting our lives settled. Things that are still a little fuzzy are phones, technology, work, food and communication. The trick is to establish a new routine while keeping a slow relaxed pace with enough time to explore. I think we almost have the bicycles figured out. Yitzi spent this past week in Galicia, Poland. We discovered that is where my Great Grandma Bertha Einhorn is from. A young widow because her husband died in WWI, she immigrated to the United States with nine or ten children, not knowing English. She moved to Elizabeth, NJ near two cousins. My Dad grew up in Elizabeth.

On January 15, 2023 Claire left to administer UVM's travel abroad program in Costa Rica, Yitzi left for a five day Jewish heritage tour of Poland, Paul and I left for a two month stay in Montevideo, Uruguay where we are working remotely and slowing down our pace enough to enjoy this beautiful country. We did not plan to all leave on January 15 but there it is, an unexplainable coincidence. Claire is enjoying time to relax in San Jose, Costa Rica before heading off to co-run a program for over 25 students in the Osa Peninsula. Paul and I are getting settled in our apartment and surroundings in Montevideo, Uruguay. Our first time touching town in South America was the airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, then we flew to Montevideo, Uruguay. So far we've enjoyed our walks in the old city. The number of art deco buildings is second only to New York City. We tried one folding bike here at our apartment and hoping to purchase another one for covering greater distances along the waterfront bike path called the Rambla. Yitzi sent me a poem after visiting the Treblinka concentration camp. Coincidentally we stumbled upon he Hebraica-Macabi in Montevideo: Day 2 - Rocks of Treblinka By Yitzi Gittelsohn Yitzi, currently in the Pardes Year Program, is a singer-songwriter, poet, and budding spiritual leader from Vermont. Day 2 - Rocks of Treblinka The rocks were really heavy: They must have been really heavy to move, All those rocks, Together, For the monument. The lives must have been even heavier, They must have been really heavy to move, All those lives, Together, To kill. I don’t think that they didn’t care About us: I think that they cared so much, I think we were really heavy for them, Too heavy, And they wanted to cut us out Like a tumor. They didn’t hate us: They loved us, And they couldn’t handle the heaviness of their own love, They couldn’t handle the heaviness of their own life, Of the world, So they tried to lighten it, lighten it, lighten it By burning the heaviness away. But they were wrong: They made the world so much heavier, Because the lives that were lost too soon, The millions of lives, Sit on the ground like heavy rocks, Boulders, And now the world has to hold them, Forever, So the world is heavier, And so are their hearts, And so are our hearts. But standing amidst the heavy rocks, In the center of them, With a friend, And my people, I felt the lives that had been lost there All sitting around me, Deeply rooted in the earth, And I felt a lightness Ascending upward, For coming together In our heaviness, We somehow become light. When we cut away the heaviness, And try to burn it to the heavens, We only become heavier. When we come together in our heaviness, We become lighter, And rise naturally, with those who came before and after us To our rightful place In the world to come. Now every moment is a gift, Every moment they don’t take from us, In the fear that it will make their lives intolerable, And we get to live now, A heavy life. No need to cut things out of it, No need to cut it down, No need to kill, The earth that holds so many boulders Can hold so many lives. And we can just let go, A little bit in each moment, With each exhale, Each connection, We become Just a little Lighter. All those people killed, All our ancestors, Should not just be remembered for being killed, They should be remembered For the moments they didn’t take life Or each other For granted, For the moments when they recognized How heavy this life was, For it could be snatched away, Crudely, At any moment. The moments When they didn’t wait to hug a loved one, The moments when they didn’t hesitate to sing a song, Or jump in a pond, Or smile at a dragonfly. The moments When they really felt How delicious fresh bread was, How beautiful the sunset was, How beautiful your face was When you felt something deeply. The moments That are special because they are light, Strung together become a heavy life. Those lives that are special because they are heavy, Brought together become a light, Shining out, Illuminating Our lives now: How heavy they are, How light.

Georgia spent one night in Charleston where the beaches are beautiful and the people are friendly. There were many dogs and their owners enjoying a sunrise walk on Friday. After the walk we looked at the lovely historic waterfront city and had breakfast at an outdoor cafe that fully met Mommy's standards for healthy and delicious food and drinks. Mom had GF vegan banana pancakes with granola, fresh strawberries and cashew cream toppings plus a delicious matcha late with oatmilk. Dad had a breakfast burrito, hot chocolate and kombucha not as good as Vermont Aqua Vitae. A few more pictures from Charleston. All the morning beach walk dogs know the woman in the purple sweater makes organic dog treats for a living.

In Philadelphia Georgia really enjoyed hanging out on the couch and cuddling with Vinni, Claire and Elliott. She also enjoyed spending time with Tobie on a walk outside of Phili where there was some challenging bushwhacking, steep rocky areas and logs to climb over. We all had a good workout. Mom conked out in the car and missed seeing the circus school where Elliott will be working.

Georgia begins her trip to Floriday from 5 Pleasant Ave., South Burlington VT on Feb. 15, 2022. This is the longest road trip Georgia and her Mom have every taken. Georgia's Dad has been across the country numerous times. Once he drove 45 hours straight from Montana to Vermont.

We all really liked the St. Augustine Airbnb. There was a fenced in yard, comfy bed, workable kitchen and it was walking distance to the historic downtown. As we were driving there, Dad realized he had overlooked the "smoking allowed" amenity and he dislikes the smell of cigarette smoke even more than Mom. Mom frantically started looking for alternative lodging but everything was booked so we were meant to stay in the Airbnb tiny house that allows smoking. They walked in and were happy to discover that they couldn't smell anything with there human noses. Although my dog nose told a different story, I don't have a history of being stuck as a child in a smoky family station wagon in the 1960s. Speaking of history, after Dad and Mom got me tired with walking the residential streets, with good smelling lawns and admirable old houses, they walked around the campus of Flagler College. The buildings were originally designed as the Ponce de León Hotel, built in 1888 as a luxury hotel with fancy Spanish architecture. Mom wondered if she could become unstuck in time and apply to this small, student centered school. Walking through the rest of St. Augustine, they also discovered the most touristy street they had ever seen. Mom was then very focused on finding The Sprout Kitchen (tiny place) where Dad had a smoothy that tasked like a chocolate peanut butter cup and was healthy at the same time. Mom had a sprouted bagel, with cashew cream cheese seasoned with everything bagel spice, sprouts, house made sour kraut, and avocado. Mom said it was a perfect balance of flavor and texture. She told the server how grateful she was for this food oasis and the server responded that it's not easy to be vegan in St, Augustine. North of the city we found Anastasia State Park with a bit of beach.

St. Simons Island has the best and biggest off leash dog beach just a short walk from our cozy Airbnb. We have been out for two sunrise walks. Mornings are cool enough for Dad and I to play many games of fetch. In the afternoon on the beach, I enjoyed burying my ball in the sand and digging it out. After Dad and Mom fell asleep on the beach blanket, Mom was moved to practice the yoga pose Warrior I. Wednesday night we attended Yitzi's open mic, virtually, at the South Burlington Community Library. Dad sang three Georgia songs and Mom woke me up to situate me in front of the webcam for the Sweet Georgia Brown song. Yitzi's open mic theme was piano plus he mentioned Purim. Jim, a regular open mic performer, sang Irish songs in honor of St. Patrick's Day and introduced his 6-year-old.grandson. After the open mic, Dad, Mom and I took a walk in downtown St. Simons. In honor of Purim Mom was moved to take a photo of the full moon. Dad then had the idea of the full moon with the lighthouse. Mom loved her birthday, interspersed with walks with me and Dad, and electric bike rides exploring the island while I relaxed at the Airbnb. Other highlights of Mom's birthday include a photo of a sculpture sent from Aunt Sandy's vacation in Puerto Rico with Uncle Steven. The name of the sculpture is Sisters:) It was a beautiful day on Mom's birthday until the evening when it became cool and rainy. I enjoyed the cool of the car backseat while Mom and Dad celebrated at a seafood restaurant named Fiddlers. One of the items on the menu was healthy bowls made with freshly caught fish, coconut rice, and asian slaw. The server asked Dad what he wanted from the whole menu. She then turned to Mom and asked, "What kind of bowl do you want?" Dad and Mom had a good chuckle over the server's ability to know what Mom would want even though they just met. Mom loves the southern accents, friendliness and sense of humor in this state where all the license plates show my name -- Georgia. Mom and Dad loved the food at that restaurant because the fish was perfectly cooked and the sauce made them want to lick the plate. The citrusy Georgia crafted sour beer was also delish. The morning of March 19, before driving to Savannah, Dad and Mom took another photo of a lighthouse. They've been influenced by Daniel who more intentionally collects lighthouse photos from all over the country. Below is a video of Dad and me on our 14-year-old-dog, slow pee, slow walk.

After leaving St. Augustine Dad and Mom took the slow road From St. Augustine, FL to St. Simon's Island, GA. After a ride in the backseat and relaxing in the back seat while Mom and Dad had lunch in a place with healthy bowls, we all went for a walk in Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island. After reading the FOR YOUR SAFETY sign, Mom and Dad held onto to me especially near the water so I would not become alligator lunch. The park had many plants, birds and other animals putting me in a paradise of smells but no chasing my ball in the water of course.

Dad finally made it to the city where his grandfather, Jacob Gittelsohn (Grandpa Jay), grew up as one of six children before moving to California. Jacob's father was Yitzchak Mordechai Gittelsohn. Jacob's mother was Lena Shabashevitz. They lived in a house near their Shul built in 1909. Dad's Grandfather taught Hebrew School at this Shul at age 15: Before going to the Shul Mom found the local Health Food Store (not Whole Foods) with sidewalk tables for me. We then took a scenic walk through Forsynth Park where there was a fountain and many artsy looking people. Many of the buildings, including Grandpa Jay's synagogue, are owned by Savannah College of Art and Design. Interesting conversation snippets Mom heard while walking: "His birthday is on March 18." (same day as Mom's birthday) "Stay in love with God." Dad and Mom really liked looking at the buildings in the Savannah historic district including one of the oldest synagogues in the U.S. This is a Sephardic Synagogue. The congregation started in 1735 and the synagogue was built in 1878. We also walked on the Riverfront. There were many good smells and things to look at including a Riverboat with one of the many variations on my name Georgia Queen. Penny, one of two dogs who live at our Savannah Airbnb, welcomed me home after our long walk in beautiful and historic Savannah. Today is an inside rainy day while Dad engages in genealogy research at the Georgia Historical Society. Yesterday we spent time outside. Mom is a pisces so liked the photo of me, at one of the historic landmarks. Mostly I like to be outside with the smells of nature. This poem by Yitzi Gittelsohn expresses how people like to experience both nature made and people made. This stillness is too sweet to leave The fresh air quenches the thirst of my breath So much After breathing in the thick cotton of a mask all day All the masks we wear Mingled with the scent of my lunch And the staleness of recycled oxygen The fresh air Is so crisp and clean It feels as if it is coming from the icy water underneath Evaporating straight up Into my naked nostrils And I suck it in desperately As if I were a man Who found a well After wandering the desert Too long And my heart drinks the sweetness of the stillness Which tastes so clean and warm After the dirty anxiety and the daily noise Filled up its mouth It is instantly refreshed And holds the energy of the stillness in close In its storage rooms, in its attic and basement For later use When the heart lies panting on the floor Exhausted In some claustrophobic office space Or cacophonous party Yes, this stillness is too sweet to leave But I will leave it now, again For I must eat, real food, Not just the food of the soul And I must eat it with my people Who do overwhelm me But who also love me And I must listen to music, real music Not just the silent music of the soul And I must listen with my people Who do chatter on But who, in their chatter, say I love you I love you Georgia said goodbye to her Airbnb friends Penny (big) and Charlie (little).

We made one overnight stop in Raleigh, NC on the way from Savannah, GA to Ellicott City, MD. We stayed in a dog friendly Candlewood Suites near some lovely walking trails behind a residential neighborhood. Mom and Dad forgot to take photos. Highlights of Raleigh include trails, a little hotel kitchen where Mom made us all breakfast in the morning and a restaurant that was well suited to Dad and Mom's taste. One side of the menu was meat and one side vegetarian/vegan. It was great to see our friends in Ellicott City, MD where we took some fun walks with Dan, Jill and Buddy the dog. Dad and Mom had to get used to being in cold weather again. Even though it was the end of March, temperatures in Maryland dropped into the thirties. I like cold weather. We also got to see Dan and Jill's daughter Jamie and their exchange student from Germany named Paula. Their other daughter Jessie was off at college. Our last stop before driving home to Vermont was to have a quick lunch with Lynne, Daniel and Lilly the cat at Lynne's apartment in Somerset, NJ. Lilly is a very friendly cat who even likes big dogs like me. It was great to See Lynne and Daniel. We are hoping for a longer visit sometime soon that will include a photo of Daniel. Yitzi called on the way home and let us know he had a nonCovid cold so we stopped at Healthy Living in Saratoga for some chicken soup. Now we are home

I've decided to continue this blog with a new category for life's adventure at home: Sometimes on the weekends I get to take a special walk like this one in January at Rock Point in Burlington with Lynne, Daniel, Dad and Mom. Even though my regular walk in Red Rocks Park next to our house is fun everyday. It's even more fun to experience a new world of smells and hear my human companions ooh and ah over the views. We all had a great time together in January, Mom is planing to post more recent photos so I can comment.

Sometimes my family goes away and leaves me with Mia the dog's family or Mia's family goes away and she stays at our house. Doug Goodman (Mia's Dad) took the above photo of me and Mia sharing a sunbeam. Even though I miss my family when they go away, I feel unconditional love when I see my friend.