I could have gone to the U.S for a touristy holiday, I could have gone for a huge burger but instead I went for the American experience (and a huge burger). So what better way to immerse myself in everyday life than to share it with a fantastic and typically American family.
Spending time with Christina, Penny, Jordan, Jack, Emma and assorted cohorts and pets (four cats and two dogs), I chose to subsume myself not only in the culture but also, and totally unintentionally I might add, a character study of the dynamics of the family unit.
It interested me on many levels from the outside, observing the creativity and kinetics, to the fusion of love and enthusiasm that was whirling around the house. It was impossible not to get involved…
There were many reasons for going the ‘family route’, not least for soaking up the inspirations of my fellow wordsmith bloggesses Penny and Christina. The amount of ideas I got from their creative infusions should keep me going for a substantial amount duration, whilst their grip on sanity is a wonder to behold at times.
The versatility of discussion and activities within the house each day was eclectically diverse and pleasingly random, it was a genuine shame not to mention right proper sad to have to come back to ‘normality’ for the moment…..Next time selected highlights of my two week Washington State Wipeout!
Book to the Future 
Sounds like it was a fun time. I don’t know if I would have been brave enough to go into a family unit. Although Penny and Christina are two of the most inspirational bloggers that I know of. Between the two of them, they inspired me to start poetry. I look forward to more info on your stay there. There’s kids in the house and there is still sanity??? 😆
LikeLike
Sanity is a flexible word sometimes lol. I garnered a lot of ideas form my time there, I probably forgot more than I remembered but I am fuelled up to write like a mad ‘un.
LikeLike
I think sanity also depends on who it is describing 🙂 You’ll probably remember stuff as you start writing. As an aside … I like the tags you used – “Time Travel” 🙂
LikeLike
Yeah lots more has come back to me, I thought I would write it all out in one post but it looks like being a few now which is good. I almost asked people back home to tell me the lottery numbers so I could them on in the past, although i would already have won in the future, then it started getting paradoxical in my mind and I got confused and had to have a sit down.
LikeLike
😆 Yeah I can see where there would a problem with that. FREE One headache when attempting to think in two time zones haha. Have you recovered from your time travel now though?
LikeLike
Coming back to the future was weird, bright sun, dusk, pitch black and dawn all in seven hours. After the though I am feeling fine, except for craving the odd nap. There are to many time zones in my humble opinion.
LikeLike
That craving will never leave you .. how old are you? It’s set in early, there’s nothing you can do to stop it now … except maybe stay awake.
LikeLike
31 but I think something happened in the U.S I seem to have come back a bit more mature, so perhaps I am aging to quick. I fancy a nap now.
LikeLike
I’m 45 and fancy a nap alll thhhh .. snnnnzzzzz .. huh? time.
LikeLike
Time for another nap, of course!
LikeLike
;-D
LikeLike
Hey you! You didn’t call me LOL!
LikeLike
Many apologies B. I got waylaid by the American-ness of everything…next time I promise I will!
LikeLike
Me too – I’ll pick Boomie up on my way!
LikeLike
Excellent, I shall provide the snacks!
LikeLike
It’s so much easier to experience a culture through the real people rather than the touristy side of things, and I’m glad you had a good time in congenial company. I haven’t been to the US since 1999! Must get back there soon.
LikeLike
The touristy type of holiday can tend to be a bit patronising I think, so i like to go ‘off road’ if you will and see the real America. Yes go back, it’s still awesome, even if I have come home haha!
LikeLike
You could not have picked a more perfect spot to vacation and enjoy the US family experience. I look forward to future posts.
LikeLike
It was great and I would love to go back again. It has much to recommend a return visit for sure. More posts are on the way.
LikeLike
Looking forward to them!
LikeLike
I love that picture! And wish I could write like that. I can never find the right words even when I speak! Tho the tone changed suddenly when u said right proper sad 🙂
LikeLike
You can write like my friend, it’s not the words that make it, just the enthusiasm and passion with which you speak. Well noticed, you have the talent for toned nuances hehe.
LikeLike
Hello SteJ. Hope you have recovered from your sojourn, thank you for your kind words. We all enjoyed your visit. As far as the family dynamics in this particular household, I fear it is far from norm (excepting the loving part that I would wish every family to have) but the exuberance that pings off the walls from each member of this family would put most people,anywhere, (including this country) into orbit. The inventivity of creative chaos is an established subroutine in our daily lives.
We are very alive and filled with the fun and adventure and exploration of life – from a somewhat original perspective. Life’s recent adventures and our own individual natures (both children and adults) have decided this is the way to be. After some adjustment, (ha,ha – “are you still sane?”) you did seem to be doing well in our unique environment. Sadly your visit was too short and I am hopeful you can visit again soon, we all miss you (and your creativity) my friend! Penny 🙂 xx
LikeLike
I am fine and dandy, except for the incessant need to nap, which I by and large conquer. It was an awesome if over to quick visit, as for the normal well what’s normal? I always seem to acclimatise fairly easy to environments once I am in them, my sanity is buffed up and steeled for next time. I hope to visit again too and I am sure I will. Miss you guys too, give Sasha some lovin’ for me!
LikeLike
Will give Sasha big hugs and mention to her they are from you my friend! The two of you did bond quite quickly! 🙂 xx
LikeLike
She has that relaxed manner, after a few days whenever we made eye contact,her tail would wag and how could I resist then!
LikeLike
Sasha has the heart of a fierce fighter and loving mother. A large female dog with a huge protective love of her family of more than ten years, none the less, she does recognize kindred souls. A compliment from an animal of the most significant kind (She is a highly intelligent breed of animal). So I do mean what I say here SteJ.
LikeLike
Then I am more honoured than I was, to have been accepted so quickly. Yet another awesome female in the Brownlee Howeshold.
LikeLike
What a wonderful way to experience a new part of the world – by living / staying with a family.
On rare occasions – when I get the chance to travel – I always enjoy the non-touristy stuff more 🙂
LikeLike
It’s a lot better of the well worn path. I never envisioned getting to know the culture in such an intimate way but I am glad I did it. I love different perspectives and seem to have some confidence in myself these days.
LikeLike
Looks like fun. I find everything is more American with a huge burger in one hand.
LikeLike
It’s the other hand that worries me, so much to fill it with so little time, at least you know where you are with a burger, full up just by looking at it.
LikeLike
A burger is a bit more predicable, if only because it’s self-contained and won’t diverge onto random tangents, like trips sometimes do. What parts of the States did you visit?
LikeLike
I stayed purely in Washington State, although I did land in Oregon and saw it in the pitch black of night which was not….well that thrilling really. I stayed a couple of hundred miles outside Seattle, in the desert it was hot but not to hot thankfully.
I’m all about the random tangents, so it was lucky my other hand tended to contain either a book, a coffee or another hand, it was the safest way to be, stopped me getting kicked out to quickly.
LikeLike
To have had you here was my highest honor and pleasure…you’re too fun and your charismatic charm and wit…not to mention extremely amusing sarcasm and never ending ‘short’ jokes at my expense was quite endearing! I extend the offer to you to return anytime… as you wish….xxxx
LikeLike
Sarcasm, moi? I swear I did see your feet on your driving licence photo though. Offer accepted, time ’til touch touchdown TBA. xxxx
LikeLike
Ha! Yet another short joke….you are a tease! But you are awesome and I still await with bated breath said announcement….Apparently…I am a glutton for punishment haha xxxx
LikeLike
I look forward to it too, you love all the abuse lol. It’s what makes you special (but I don’t want to go to the store special). xxxx
LikeLike
LOL!!! Only from you….perhaps I shall rethink my allowance of said abuse from you…naa it’s part of your endearing charm…therefore I shall accept it with graceful aplomb! xxxx
LikeLike
Yay I am a lucky chap, best get my abuse cap on then! xxxx
LikeLike