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Slow Down!

3/21/2014

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We need to slow down.

The world whirls past and pulls us along. Our phones, which are with us constantly, vie for our attention. Our jobs demand attention, seemingly around the clock. We need to cook; we need to clean; we need to shuttle our kids back and forth to this sport and that sport.

No.

Slow down. Breathe. Last week, I wrote about the power of being outside and embracing Spring. Did you get the message? I did … for that day, but then I got busy. So this week, I tried again.

I spoke to a wonderful women’s group in Hot Springs Village this Wednesday and was only a few minutes from one of the Village’s trails, so after the meeting was over I headed over to the Minorca Trail where we used to take our boys to feed the fish. If you have not been on any of their trails, you should. This link includes each one: http://www.hotspringsvillagetrails.com. They are ideal for walkers, for runners, and for cyclists.

This particular trail is a flat, wide path, without any rocks shifting under your feet. Along the way, I met a dog walker; two couples enjoying a picnic lunch (they offered me grapes and chips); a woman stretching out either pre-, post- or maybe even mid-run; and a couple on a weekend getaway.

For the rest of the three-mile journey, I meandered alone, yet I was not alone. Almost immediately, I was greeted by the sounds of the creek rushing by. The water pulled me closer, and the sun shone brightly overhead. For just a moment, I stood amidst perfection (a sight I believe I had also experienced in a when I sat outside at my house last week, which leaves me wondering how often I MISS the perfection and beauty around me.)

I pulled out my cell phone – the one that so often pulls me away from what is truly important – and began snapping photos. Wow. There is something special about only seeing what is within the frame. The curve of a tree became a piece of art. The bark itself has patterns seldom noticed. The acorn shells littered the path.

For me on that day, perhaps it was the pops of color that I found the most intriguing. There were the red berries bracing themselves amidst the sea of drab winter brown. There was the green glass resting on the bottom of the creek. And, here and there, I saw wildflowers peeking out, reminding me that life begins again each spring.

Along each of the trails in Hot Springs Village, there are benches for people to rest on. Many are etched with the names of loved ones that have been honored or memorialized. When I came across the one in memory of Robin Lynn Megahan, I stopped. The Megahan family holds a special place in my heart. I’m sure they would tell me to cherish each moment I have with my sons, as sometimes the opportunity is snatched away. They have placed this bench in their daughter’s memory (as well as a scholarship at National Park Community College Foundation). I sat. I thanked God for the Megahans and for my own family. As I began to hear birds overhead, I soon found myself actually reclining on the bench. One bird flew past. Then another.  And another.

I was at peace. For just a few moments, I inhaled. I exhaled. I experienced that life is more than the hustle and bustle so many of us live.

Next week, I’ll probably need the reminder again. But for right now, I am grateful for a community that values spending money on a trail system. I am grateful for a family that invests back in its family even in the midst of their own tragedy. I am grateful that there has been no tragedy in my own family, and that my family supported and continues to support me and my dream of All Things Arkansas. I am thankful for Spring. And I am thankful for those moments when I truly slow down.

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Spring is in the air

3/12/2014

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Spring is coming! The jonquils are blooming, and the sky is a gorgeous blue -- with nary a cloud in the sky!
Have you been outside lately?

This morning, I am relaxing on my front porch. Our dogs rest at my feet. Onyx is our large, older lazy baby. She nudges my feet every few moments and whines at me if she thinks I might have forgotten she’s there. Ace is a few feet further out, lazing in the morning sun. Both are rescue dogs – one from the shelter in Hot Springs Village and one from in Hot Springs.

To my right is a field of jonquils. Last week, as winter reminded us it was not done with Arkansas, as sleet poured down on us, my sweet yellow flowers rose and braced themselves against the onslaught. They endured. And today, the sleet is gone but my favorite flowers stand proudly, waving at me and reminding me that Spring really is just right around the corner. No bright rays of flower sunshine at your house? Garvan Gardens is flourishing with the daffodils this week, and I’m sure Camden remains a mecca for them as well.

Overhead is a periwinkle blue sky. Not a cloud anywhere. Birds occasionally soar past, and I stop typing and watch their effortless flight. The air this morning is brisk, but it’s refreshing. Out here in the country, there are no smells of industry or the sounds of a frantic peace. It is simply peaceful. It is nature. For me, it is a reminder of my God and His infinite power and wisdom. The peace I feel right now, I wish it for you, too. I wish it for me as I move throughout the day.

There is something that happens to us all when we spend time outdoors. We breathe more deeply. We love more fully. We are in the elements and, often, we are in our element.

Spend a few moments outside. Do it today. Do it tomorrow. If you’re up to it, explore the trails near your home. Arkansas – which is The Natural State after all – is renowned for its trails. We have trail systems so long (223 miles extending into Oklahoma!) that there are three-sided cabins along the way for overnight hikes (though I will warn novices that it can be a tad unnerving to hear deer blowing at you in the middle of the night!) There are short day trails, great for families. There are small waterfalls. There are large waterfalls. There is a trail for you!

To find nearby trails, Google is your friend, as is the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and its visitor centers. And, of course, there are the guidebooks by Tim Ernst. If you don’t have at least one of his books, you are missing out! They are available throughout the state, and of course All Things Arkansas carries them. These books tell you how to get to the hiking trails, how to travel the trails, what you can expect to experience on the trails, and what you can expect to see on the trails. They include maps and photos and information you need to know that you did not know you needed to know! One customer told me she had the book with her on a trail, got lost, and used information in the book to call Mr. Ernst for help. Truly, these are the guides for everyone wanting to spend time in the great outdoors.

Whether you get a guidebook or even get on a trail, it's time to go outside!! Throw off the covers of winter and embrace Spring.



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The Flame of Hot Springs

3/6/2014

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The Majestic. February 27, 2014 Photo by Blake Butler
What a difference one week makes. This time last week, people around Arkansas were abuzz with Rex Nelson’s blog “The Shame of Hot Springs,” a lengthy article that began by discussing the shuttering of the Majestic in downtown Hot Springs.

Then came Thursday. All Things Arkansas had a few last-minute customers, and around 5:30, I began hearing sirens. While emergency personnel use Central Avenue almost every day, it was quickly obvious this was different. Siren after siren blared past the store. Fire truck after fire truck, all heading north.

I live north. Perhaps a more reasonable person would have immediately taken an alternative route home. Not me. I called my husband as I was leaving and began chattering that something was going on but that I didn’t know where. Once I passed the Arlington and there was a break in the skyline, I began to see smoke. Lots and lots of smoke. I still had no idea where the fire was, but I knew it was nearby.

As I sat in the traffic, more emergency personnel were trying to make their way to the scene. Downtown Hot Springs has two lanes of traffic each direction, with very little wiggle room (my grandmother won’t drive downtown because of how narrow the roads are), and intermittent medians for street lights and foliage. Because traffic was backed up, the police cars and fire trucks moved directly into ongoing traffic and headed toward the fire. I still did not know what was burning, but the severity was quickly becoming obvious.

A few minutes later I rounded the last corner and there it was. The Majestic. Up in flames. I hung up the phone and snapped a few photos. We were turned around on Whittington.

The shame of Hot Springs had become the flame of Hot Springs. We can allow that flame to burn and destroy, or we can choose to stand together to let it light a flame in each of us as we band together to revitalize Hot Springs.

It appears we want more. Words on Facebook may not mean much, but today’s Downtown Association of Hot Springs monthly meeting had more people in attendance than I’ve ever seen. Interestingly, the Association has already been meeting about a strategic plan, revitalization, and partnerships. The people were in the room today, ready to fan the flames of change.

Join us, won’t you? Be part of the new flame … a flame which will rebuild where needed, a flame which will dream new dreams where needed, a flame that will seek the greater good for our community, a flame that will stir the passions of people throughout this region and world. Let’s do this.

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    Lisa Carey is the owner of All Things Arkansas. She knows a little about a whole lot of Arkansas. Explore with her here.

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