It’s been months since I posted as The Permanent Tourist.  I haven’t communicated with readers for quite sometime because I’ve always based this blog on positive and happy subjects.  2018 has been a very rough year for my family.  First with the loss of my father on February 1 and then my precious husband, known as Mr. T to readers, on May 25th.  My mind has been in such a blur I could not have put words together to make even a short post.  And it was a very private time for my family. I felt like Tom took part of me with him but, slowly, I’m coming back to life.

We bought a lovely family home in Louisiana and spent as much quality time as we could together before hospice stepped in for both dad and Tom.  I cannot say enough about the amazing folks who work with Heart of Hospice.  They helped us with care and prepared us as best they could for the inevitable transitions of these two amazing men.  I can now say that I understand the term “Widow Brain”.  It’s an unbelievable fog that descends on the mind after great loss.  Putting one foot or one thought in front of the other seems an impossible task.  Losing my sweet husband and my father within months of each other is the most painful thing I have ever survived and, believe me, there have been days when I thought I wouldn’t.

Tom worked right along side me as I began this blog five years ago. He even came up with the name in his creative way. He had that side to him many didn’t know, but I did. He never ceased to inspire and support me.

These two men were my biggest fans.  Dad always encouraged me to write and keep this blog going as did Tom.  So here I go…..it’s time to get back into the blogging groove!  I may not produce daily posts but the ones I do share will be interesting and introduce you to this wonderful place we now call home.  Life must go on and joy must replace great sorrow.  Join me on all of the new adventures that are beginning to flow into my life now!  It’s a time to rediscover joy and happiness, to celebrate love and, hopefully, a local radio station that wants a great new show!

Melissa | people | 08 14th, 2018 | 22 Comments »

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Melissa Lee | Out&About | 07 16th, 2017 | 1 Comment »

It’s a lazy, hazy Louisiana summer day.  The cicadas are chirping and everything has shifted into slow gear with the holiday weekend beginning.  Sharing this lovely piece with you today!  I’m still on track with my health/wellness coach and 8 pounds lighter just paying attention to timing…magic!

Let peace reign today and live In Joy!

Melissa Lee | Out&About | 07 2nd, 2017 | 1 Comment »

Loving this music as a week of rain, wind and storms descended upon us.  I feel it is a cleansing, a healing of our lives.  Hospice admitted Mr. T to in home care.  It is not a time of sadness but rather a time to treasure each day and say thank you for the love….then moments we share.  “Seize the day” keeps coming to mind!  Life is such a gift…love the ones you’re with!

Melissa | Out&About | 06 24th, 2017 | 3 Comments »

I find myself searching for answers more and more these days but they allude me.  Learning to live in the now is a very valuable yet tough lesson for me.  I’m taking a crash course in accepting rather than expecting.  Life is easier and much happier this way.  I hope you have a lovely day of rest.  Get outside and embrace the day, say thank you out loud as you reach for the sky!  Let love reign and be at peace!

Melissa Lee | Simple Sundays | 06 18th, 2017 | 3 Comments »

It’s Friday, the end of a very busy week….

I shared some of what is going on in my life with you earlier this week.  I have stayed the course working with Carol O’Dell to improve my health and I feel better than I have in such a long time!  I’ve dropped a few pounds and feel more in control of what I am eating.  

One of the things I am doing as part of this regime is positive self talk.  It’s so easy to slack off and venture into negative what if’s and maybe.  Catching those thoughts and gently asking if they serve my highest good has made it easy to answer “no” and shift my thoughts into a more positive space.

And now that I have opened the door a bit to share my current life with you I can say that I have learned a lot about hospice this week.

I always thought calling in hospice meant THE END.  But it doesn’t. Mr. T now has hospice care and I cannot sing their praises loudly enough.  These folks dedicate their lives to improving the health and well being of their patients as well as the family.  Everything focuses on positive living.  That said, Heart of Hospice is wonderful and we feel very blessed.

The prayers and well wishes of so many have reached into our hearts and shifted the way we look at and experience life.  Each day is a gift…a chance to improve and be of service whatever that may be.

It’s Friday!  Make your weekend a positive experience!  The happiness starts from within.  If something or someone makes you feel less than how you want remove it or them and carry on!  Enjoy!

Melissa | Out&About | 06 16th, 2017 | 1 Comment »

Life is a never ending path of twists and turns.  Just when you think you’ve figured it all out things change….life happens in ways you never imagined they could.  I am right in the middle of all of this as health issues consume my family and leave me as caregiver for my beloved husband as well as my parents.  I’m featuring photos from my own camera as well as my dear friend, Nancy Kirkpatrick, and other photographers whose work I love…life is in bloom…enjoy!

I am going through grief therapy, trying to find anything to help me hang on and fight the fight. I have been very private about this.  This is why I have not been writing my blog for months now.  No words could express what I am truly dealing with.

Rebecca Louise Law

Today, I began a new journey.  I have connected with a wellness consultant, Carol O’Dell.  Carol is a friend, fellow author and has healed her own body having been caregiver to her mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s.  I’m looking forward to taking my health into my own hands.  We talked today about how I can tune into my body to find out what it wants me to do.

Gentleness is the order of the day.  My appetite has disappeared and I know, in order to be healthy, I have to address it before my health fails.  I am not a disease, I am a work in progress.

So join me, if you will, as I journal and blog about my work with Carol.  I expect it will be a very interesting time of self discovery and conscious eating.  I’m excited!  It’s one of the few things I have any control over.  Life is wonderful at all stages.  One has to embrace the “bad” with the good.  It’s all a challenge!  I look forward to sharing it all with you, my readers who have patiently waited for me to bring you into my new life.  A life I am determined to live….to grow….to love!  Because love, my friends, is all there is.

Melissa | Out&About | 06 13th, 2017 | 14 Comments »

Melissa | Out&About | 05 23rd, 2017 | 1 Comment »

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Melissa Lee | Out&About | 03 26th, 2017 | 3 Comments »

It’s a gentle Sunday morning with so much to be grateful for!  My brother and his wife have been here with us all weekend celebrating family and life.  I wish we lived closer to each other but the times we do get share are that much more special because of the distance that separates us.

We’ve enjoyed great food and libation with plenty of time to talk and take care of things my parents need.

I chose a rather long play list today for you to enjoy.  Beautiful piano music!  Have a peaceful, loving Sunday!

Melissa Lee | Out&About | 03 19th, 2017 | No Comments »