The Other Place

Today I'm thinking about The Other Place, this out-of-the-way

resort on the Comal River in New Braunfels that we love.

We don't love it because it's at all fancy; in fact, it's just the opposite. When we discovered this place and started going there over a quarter of a century ago, the rooms didn't even have a television and there certainly wasn't any WiFi. No amenities. No frills.

But what they did have was so much better, a river for fishing

and deer on the playground, a respite, a place to relax and regroup.

It's where John asked to spend his birthday this year.

So off to the Hill Country we went

and down to the river he went.

It's his happy place, his other place.

As I reflect on my years at school, I'm happy to report that school truly was my other place. I loved going to school. I loved planning for school and I loved being in school. And now that I'm semi-retired, I really miss school. Oh sure, I still tutor some and I give book talks and presentations, but it's just not the same feeling of belonging that came with having a school family of my own.

I get especially nostalgic when I get to talk about school;

tune in {here} to hear the latest podcast episode I was blessed to do.

It was a blast to talk with this former principal about my days in school and how I stay connected even though I'm no longer a part of a specific school. We also talked about serving as a guest teacher as well as how it's going with my latest ~~obsession~~ crusade to quietly initiate people into the Self-Love Club.

We even talk a bit about being an educator-turned-author,

since he and I both share that accomplishment, a smooth segue

for sharing this heartfelt review from a new reader this week.