Freedom

Don't fence me in

Recently, I’ve felt constrained.

Not exactly breaking news.

Let me explain.

I been on a goal-setting binge—writing, learning more about the game of Bridge, exercising.

We’re headed to the ancient land of Northumbria, the Eastern border between Scotland and England. Lots of walking.

Goals for food and, with intent, I’m going to bed and waking at the same time.

And still I end up like a squirrel in the middle of the road.

Frozen.

Can I do all of this? Which way should I run, if the answer is no?

Take writing, for instance.

Working on a novel is a big project. It dominates life. Other activities, including a hardy breakfast, are pushed aside. It’s satisfying to be this engrossed in something.

Why did I become distracted? Why do I want to explore? Where do I want to explore? In writing, that is.

According to the Gallup strengths assessment, (Not going off on a scholarly bent. Promise.)

I need:

*freedom to explore possibilities without restraints or limits

Let me put it this way.

FREEDOM

Off I go.

Because I like rabbit holes, a genealogy project was started and over a month has passed. Also a trip to Tennessee. Home now, blinking and dry-eyed, I read pages of history on the Goode family. And found something I can noodle over.

John Goode from Cornwall, England went to Barbados, West Indies.

I don’t know exactly why he did but I suspect. On the island he married Frances Markarness. Isn’t that a great name? Frances bore Samuel about 1656. Then, they moved to Virginia, four miles below Richmond on the James River. There they built an estate called Whitby before 1660. That means they had about four years to live in Barbados, marry, produce a child, move to Virginia, and build another home. Busy elves, huh?

Anyone smell a trip to Virginia?

Remember FREEDOM.

Goodness. More rabbit holes—Virginia or Barbados?

In case you’re wondering, this is what a rabbit hole looks like and how it affects your pocketbook:

Yes, I went for the key points.

But, before that…

And, I knew what I was doing. So there.

Blaming it on the internet and those pesky “People Also…”

I looked at that. Wouldn’t you?

Lastly, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Barbados.

I’m in.

Thus far, my rabbit holes have resulted in a trip to Tennessee, signing up for Northumbria, and in the future Barbados. I’m telling myself it’s a resort island and more family research.

Off to look for airline tickets…