My SO thinks it's a midlife crisis... but I'm going to get my first tattoo at the ripe old age of 51. I've been thinking about this for a long time.

I'm going to get a turtle with wings. The turtle has been my totem animal for a long time. It's single minded, strong, tenacious and connected to the earth. In some cultures it's associated with medicine and healing. The wings are symbols for the times when things go easier or better than expected. They're a contrast between the groundedness of the turtle and my occasional flights of fancy. They're freedom. Last, my sister, who died last year after a long battle with breast cancer loved pictures of angels and winged things. So this brings her along with me always.

I've been asking locals with tats where they got theirs done. One place kept coming up. So I went there and talked to them a few days ago. The place was clean. Everyone was very nice and welcoming. I'd expected a "biker hangout" kind of feel. But it wasn't like that at all. The artist says he's going to have my drawing done tomorrow. I can't wait to go and see it!