Kim McMahill

Here’s what’s happening in February.   February 2 - Groundhog's Day February 3 - Feed the Birds Day February 7 - Super Bowl Sunday (Superbowl 55) February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday and Chinese New Years February 14 – Valentine’s Day February 15 - President's Day and Singles Awareness Day February 16 - Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) February 17 - Ash Wednesday February 22 - Washington's Birthday  

Adventure means something different to everyone, and each person’s definition of adventure will inevitably evolve over time. Many of the adventures earlier in my life now sound like good opportunities to break a bone, but I am not ready to slow down too much or to quit learning and exploring. I came across this quote by Wilferd Peterson and it pretty much sums up my definition of adventure at this point in my life and my goals for 2021.   “Practice the art of adventure by breaking the chain of routine, renewing your life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.”

I read a comment from a fellow author recently that her blog followers seem to enjoy excerpts from her books. I’m sure I’ve posted some, most likely on the heels of a new release, but seldom thereafter. So, here’s an excerpt from Marked in Mexico. I’ll try to remember to post about one or two a month so please check back. This novel is available from most on-line book retailers in paperback, ebook, and audio, or paperbacks can be ordered from your favorite bookstore. Here’s a link to Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PXLNWC9/ “The last stop on the tour will be at the sacred well. The sacred well is a sinkhole about sixty-five feet across and is located a half mile from here. Legend is that the sacred well was used for human sacrifices. Skeletons of about fifty people have been found at the bottom, giving credibility to the story. It’s a magnificent feature of the ruins, but if anyone is not up for the hike, you can wait here or meet us back at the bus.” Many of the older particip...

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.” - Wilferd Peterson-

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for the following dates. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm January 18: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. April 17: First day of National Park Week August 4: One year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act August 25: National Park Service Birthday September 25: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day

  “What is adventure? If a lone wolf lifts his plaintive call into the moonlight near your campsite, you might call that adventure. While you’re sweating like a horse on a climb over a 12,000 foot pass, that could be adventure. When howling head winds press your lips against your teeth, you face a mighty struggle. When your pack grows heavy on your shoulders as your climb a 14,000 foot peak, you feel the adventure. When you suffer freezing temperatures and 20 inches of fresh powder on a hut to hut trip in the Rockies, that could be called adventure. But that’s not what makes an adventure. It’s your willingness to conquer it, and to present yourself at the doorstep of nature. That creates the experience. No more greater joy can come from life than to live inside a moment of adventure. It is the uncommon wilderness experience that gives your life expectation.” Frosty Wooldridge, Golden, Colorado

  “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”  ―  Franklin D. Roosevelt

  If you haven’t checked out the video trailer for my Risky Research Series, you can view it here: https://youtu.be/clZIRJ1s-Fo  

January feels like a new beginning. Even though Covid is still devastating the world, at least it seems as if there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. So, here’s some happenings in January to focus on as we anticipate a hopeful start to a better year.   January 4 th - Trivia Day January 5 th - National Bird Day January10th - Houseplant Appreciation Day January 18 th - Martin Luther King's Birthday January 25 th - Opposite Day January 26 th - Australia Day