writing

Oklahoma City, OK

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Once I crossed the border into Oklahoma (which I did not even realize because there is no grand announcement or large sign like many other states) I immediately saw Windstar Casino which is quite the vision – look it up! I did a double take.

After digesting it, I was struck with the wide open space on both sides of the highway. Wind turbines were present (another unexpected sight) and the air smelled so sweet and fresh. I took a quick detour to Turner Falls but could not walk it because no dogs are allowed (even though AI told me the opposite). I am learning AI cannot be trusted. I have found so many inaccuracies as I have used it during my travels.

My senses were alerted to all of the unexpected glimpses of Oklahoma. I love how travel can oh so quickly dispel the false notions of what is my head about a place! The surprises continued as I reached downtown. The city is beyond clean (like Singapore clean). Just wow!

I am visiting Oklahoma City because my mentee asked me to and I am so glad I did. We met for lunch as soon as I arrived in Norman, Oklahoma. Norman is the cutest town with University of Oklahoma as its main tenant. After a meeting, we met at the dog park. Needless to say, Pete was thrilled to meet all the fun-loving Oklahoma dogs! We then went to dinner in an area called the Paseo Arts District.

After dinner we went downtown since I wanted to see the Clara Luper Sit-In Memorial. I did not know about Clara or what she did. Her bravery was incredible and the bronze life-sized statues were impressive. Afterwards, we went to Tellers. It is a restaurant, hotel, bar and apartments in an old bank building. The bar is in the vault and we had a drink, of course. I also learned that Oklahoma has a sinners tax so be prepared for your liquor bill to have a 13.5% tax on top of the 8.5% sales tax! Thank goodness the building was beautiful, historic and so cool.

The next morning I visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, which was a sobering lesson in the Oklahoma City bombing. We walked the site with the ranger and he explained all the thoughtful details that went into designing and building the site including leaving the building wall with its damage exposed and the chairs in the garden that represent all the folks that were killed, including five lined-up chairs that represent the five people outside the building on the street that lost their lives.

I then drove to Myriad Botanical Gardens. Although this is not its prime season, it was still pretty and has a lot of great elements such as the ponds, children’s area, a stage and downtown as its backdrop.

I also drove through Bricktown. Needless to say, the weather has been amazing. My introduction to Oklahoma has been educational and surprising. I am really enjoying this part of the country. Tomorrow I will see Tulsa!

The Wandering Continues

Posted on by Seniye Groff

San Francisco is generous with her beauty. I have been traipsing through neighborhoods all while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Yes, the hills make for great workouts but they also pitch me to great viewpoints. Pete and I have established our walk routine and he insists on at least one daily visit to the Francisco dog park to meet with his new pals and one visit to the valets at the Fairmont for his nightly treat. It’s a routine I can live with.

On Sunday I walked 3.4 miles to and from a 24 Hour Fitness in the financial district. I was the only woman working out, which was a bit unsettling. I asked the front desk why no women were at the gym. The only answer they could give me, “It’s Sunday”. Hmmm I think women can work out on Sunday.

My short term rental is on the path of the cable cars so I hear the bells all day and see the delight as the numerous tourists hold onto the railing and swing halfway off the wooden steps. It’s a quintessential San Francisco vision. The noisy underground cables in the street scare Pete so we walk quickly when crossing.

I see swimmers in the water morning, midday and in the evening. Tai Chi happening at Washington Square in North Beach. Fruit and vegetables piled high in China Town. Fort Mason littered with bikers, runners and walkers. I think I have figured out the parking situation although the street cleaning schedule does throw an additional wrinkle in finding and, more importantly, keeping a spot.

I even managed to pick up Carli from the airport today…yes, the San Francisco Airport! It was easier than expected Each day gets easier. I am using my phone map less and less. I am not as bothered by the sometimes pungent smells on the street. And most importantly, Pete has a bop of happiness each time we go for a walk. He is happy here and so am I.

Real Change in Real Time

Posted on by Seniye Groff

I am on my third house sitting gig and my fourth move since I sold my house and moved out in mid August. I was telling a friend today that it’s been more difficult that I expected. The constant moving and learning a new house, establishing a new routine and making sure my dog is taken care of has been a lot of work. Additionally, I make sure that the homes are treated with extra special care (more than I showed my own) because I want to respect and show appreciation for the generosity people have shown me by sharing their homes. Sometimes, this feels like “walking on eggshells”.

Even with the discomfort, I remind myself that I am doing all of this for a reason. I intentionally blew up my life because I don’t want to live a stagnant, “autopilot” life. I believe short term irritation will garnish me with big time gains of a new perspective and value for life and all of its facets, ups and downs and experiences.

My to-do list is getting shorter and shorter. New tires on my car yesterday. Today I signed up for Trusted Housesitters. I figure it will open me to potential locations I haven’t considered or even know about! I also met with a friend today, and as with other friends I have visited, I invited her to accompany me on the road or join me for a part of my road trip. I let her know how important she is to me. I think we don’t tell people enough how they have added to our lives and journey. I am adamant the my friends know they are truly special to me.

And so my journey continues. It will have its peaks and valleys and I will continue to remind myself that it is where the growth happens. And more important than growth, it reminds me I am human and striving to be the very best version of myself, parent and friend.

Musings

Posted on by Seniye Groff

I am a 58 year-old woman that is leaving everything I know after 30 years of cultivating a community in Portland, Oregon.  I sold my house in July, put everything in storage and decided to wander with my dog for the next year across the US and Canada.  My trip begins once I drop my daughter off at college on September 26th.  In the meantime, I have assembled six weeks of house sitting and dog sitting gigs since my house sold faster than expected. I am still in the cocoon of familiarity. The “realness” of my adventure begins once I step away from all that I know in Portland.

My time wandering will allow me to discover the nooks and crannies of America and learn a ton about myself at the same time.  This is a story about exploration, curiosity and courage as I travel solo.  I believe this story is timely because a lot of people my age are at a crossroad about what to do once the kids leave the house. Change is scary to many and I believe the myriad are afraid to actually take the plunge into the unknown.  There is no judgment of this fact. I hope to inspire others to take the leap in whatever form is right for them.

Autopilot is so easy to fall into. The daily minutiae of life sucks up so much time and energy and provides us with so little value. And yet the majority of our energy and attention is focused on this minutiae. Without a house and kids to take care of, I believe my time can be focused on being present and focused on learning, exploring and exposing myself to new things.

Croatia October 2024

One of the biggest questions I ask myself while thinking about this upcoming adventure is how I can continue to build community while on the road and transient. Since community is so important to me, I hope that friends reach out and say hi, ask questions and just cheer me on. I know the trip will not be perfect and there will be days when hearing from a known entity will be exactly what I need to be able to keep moving forward. Follow me on this webpage, on Instagram and Substack. Ask questions, make comments and send words of encouragement. I hope to hear from you.

Article Published!

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Getting published is no easy feat so when I was a book reviewer, even if the book did not resonate with me, I read it, I reviewed it and I tailored my review to have a positive focus. I have published my thesis, several business articles and an article in Adoption Today after I adopted my second daughter. But for the last six years I have focused on getting some of my creative nonfiction pieces published.

I started writing again during my divorce. Writing late at night helped me process the swirl of feelings I was experiencing during this turbulent time in my life. Last year I joined a writing group to continue to finetune my writing. It was an amazing experience writing, reading, getting immediate feedback and hearing the writing of others. This encounter was immensely helpful not only in my writing, but also in the thought of getting some of my pieces published. I had never really considered publishing articles of my most deepest, personal thoughts but once I read them to the group, it became easier to expose myself.

Any writer will tell you that getting a piece published is extremely difficult. I have received so many rejection emails, I have lost count. So imagine my disbelief when I received an email with the subject line, “Submission Accepted”. I actually read the email several times because I did not really believe it. I am happy to report is was true.

My piece was accepted <a href="http://&lt;!– wp:embed {"url":"https://www.sfwp.com/sfwp-quarterly/issue-32-/spring-2025&quot;,"type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"embed"} –> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed wp-block-embed-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.sfwp.com/sfwp-quarterly/issue-32-/spring-2025 </div></figure> here.

My piece is here.

Let me know what you think.