According to part of the definition in Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the word “wander” means to:

to walk, to change, exchange or transform. To rove; to ramble here and there without any certain course or object in view; as, to wander over the fields; to wander about the town, or about the country. Men may sometimes wander for amusement or exercise. . . .

This is something I’ve been working on. Sometimes, I get so focused on a purpose, on learning, or on teaching that I rush through an experience and don’t really take time to savor every aspect. One of my goals last year was to know when to let things go and when to slow down. When to wander a little. For me, sometimes wandering can be in thoughts, in rabbit-trailing a little to answer research questing, or literally taking a slow, meandering stroll along a trail or in a museum. It’s amazing what we find and how refreshed we can feel when we wander for just a little while.

After busy days of moving, getting settled, and learning a new job in the last months of 2019, I tried to set aside a little time to explore slowly. An autumn walk at the battlefield, taking in the swirling leavings, chattering squirrels, and trickling brook. An unhurried trip to farmers’ market or the gourmet grocery store to learn about “new” foods and breath in the earthly scents or sharp odor of cheeses, olives, and cured meats.

And here’s what I’ve been learning along the way:

1. We see new things even in familiar places when we wander.
2. The ordinary becomes extraordinary.
3. It’s easier to have a grateful mindset.
4. Wandering can lead to more motivation and bigger dreams/ideas/goals.

One of the things I’ve been doing in my wanderings is re-evaluating what I’d like to do with this blog and business. Things got a little crazy at the end of 2019 and when “something had to give” in life so I could get in bed by midnight, I decided to let goals slip a little at Gazette665 to take care of myself. But a new year lies ahead, and we’re moving full steam ahead once again. As we’re plunging forward with some new twists and projects, I still need my time to wander.

Certainly, many of my wandering trips and thoughts are private, but I feel like sharing some of these strolls and epiphany moments will reflect the restful purposeness that I’m striving for. To always be busy, but also appear calm and self-possessed. (It doesn’t always happen, but it’s a goal.)

So, on Wednesdays, I invite you to go wandering with me on the blog. I’ll be sharing some of the things I’ve experienced and learned as I moved to Virginia along with thoughts and inspiration from history books I’m reading, favorite novels and poetry, art adventures. You know…wandering. Just a little. In this great adventure of learning, writing, and living. History.

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah