This past week was one of the busiest I’ve had in a long time. I had something planned nearly every day, which was fun and exhausting! Here are some of the WOWs that happened along the way.

I took a watercolor painting class. When I was in college, I took a couple of drawing classes. I haven’t picked up my charcoal pencils since then. I’ve wanted to try another form of visual art, so I signed up for a watercolor painting class at my local rec center. So far, so good. I love learning something new, and the instructor, a professional watercolor artist, is teaching us everything she wished she knew when she started. We’re working on a landscape, and learning about color, saturation, and gradients.  

I attended a TEDx event. I was invited to join the Nashville TED cohort, and “yes” was the immediate and easy answer. The group held a storytelling event at a local restaurant, where 2022 TEDx Nashville speaker Michael McRay taught us that the shortest distance between two people is a story. After listening to Michael’s talk, we shared stories with the people at our tables. It was enlightening, and I was amazed at how many things four strangers had in common.

I was introduced to Dixon’s Violin. If you need inspiration to follow your dreams, Dixon is the person who can provide it. Here’s his bio: “A former technology leader and symphony violinist, Dixon walked away from a distinguished career to follow his dream full-time and invented a whole new music genre. Dixon now improvises on a 5-string electric violin with a looping system he developed to create an all-live one-man symphony, guided by his remarkable personal story of life transformation.” My sister has seen Dixon several times and invited me to go to a local performance. His music is mesmerizing, and the insights he shares empower you to pursue your own journey to fulfillment. I mean, just look at the joy on his face!

We visited Biltmore Estate. My son Nick and I met in Asheville for the weekend. It was the first anniversary of David’s death, and we wanted to do something special to acknowledge it. We went on a hike of the property, visited the petting farm, and enjoyed great meals and live music. We also toured the estate, which is the largest private residence in the U.S. Room after room after room was filled with so many objects and furnishings to admire.  

We saw the Chihuly exhibit. Biltmore hosted an exhibit of Dale Chihuly’s glass art, and Nick and I grabbed tickets. The exhibition is beyond words. When you think there can’t be anything more spectacular to do with glass, you walk into the next room and are blown away again, each piece spectacular and awe-inspiring. If you’re in Asheville, I recommend going.

What were your WOW! Moments from last week?