Starting a BLOG....WHY?

     A new blog....why?  Because I want to show that it is never to late to learn new things, try new activities, learn new skills, and go new places!  My latest adventure has been taking a Google Tools for Educators Class.   I am super excited about all the things I learned.  I look forward to incorporating my new skills into my classroom activities, but also extending them into my personal life.  This BLOG being one of the ways I plan on using my new skills.  I will be able to post new project ideas and samples for the b. sue sews studio.  I can show off some of the memory quilts I make, share my students' success, and have a place to post pictures and musings of my various adventures!  Do I expect a major following....no, not at all, but if I inspire a few friends or family members along the way to try something new or step out of their comfort zone no matter their age, it will be worth it!

     This summer will be one of my MAJOR life adventures!  I along with 2 of my children, their spouses, and a dear friend are heading to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago....."The Way of St. James."  We are taking the French route that starts at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains and travels across northern Spain to the town of Santiago.  It is the most popular Christian pilgrim route in the world dating back to the 11th century and is meant to be a spiritual journey.  The distance we will travel is 482 miles from our starting point in St. Jean Pied De Port, France to Santiago, Spain.  We will be walking for 4 weeks and realize we will not be able to walk the whole distance in that amount of time, but are looking forward to as many miles as we are physically able to handle.

     You are probably thinking....WHY?  Why did you decide to do this.  My daughter Amber was a Fulbright Scholar in Spain for 2 years.  She walked parts of the Camino during her time in Spain and decided at some point in her life she wanted to do the whole thing.  Her pictures, her love for Spain and it's people; and my 2 visits to the country made me want to join her on this adventure.  We started talking about it in general terms.  Long story short, she fell in love, got married over Christmas, and decided she wanted to share her love of Spain with her husband.  They are both teachers and are able to take the time over the summer to go.   Thus the planning began.

     I anticipate the pilgrimage to be one of my life's greatest adventures.  I know it will stretch me physically and emotionally as well as spiritually.  


One of the sculptures we will pass on our way!

Back in the 11th century the scallop shell (concha) was used as the symbol used to identify the pilgrim on their way to Santiago.  It remains today as the identification of the pilgrim and is found on route markers to help the pilgrims find their way.

Buen Camino!