All of the “Staycation” excitement this week made me start to think beyond the obvious.  Yes, people are trying to save money and get away a little closer to home (or, at home!).  But, I began to wonder this weekend (as I was on another “Staycation”) what the consequences are going to be related to people not getting far, far away. 

Hmmmmmm. Might it affect the new baby population nine months from now in a positive or negative way?  Will the summer of 2009 go down in the history books as the 21st Century “Summer of Love?”

Oprah is the perfect person to report the results when she begins taping again in the fall. Plenty of women should “O Know” by then whether they’ve got a bundle of joy on the way.

So, by now . . . many of you reading this are plenty confused.  Especially, if you have never heard of the tie between going on vacation and getting pregnant.  Yes, there are entire businesses that revolve around getting women relaxed enough to conceive while on vacation. 

I’m not joking.  Really, read all about it if you don’t believe me (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15592124/).  Or, “Google” the topic and you will be amazed.  Apparently, these little getaways are technically called “Procreation Vacations.”  A little crude if you ask me, but I’d have to say I know first-hand that they work.  You can go almost anywhere in the world and come back with a “bonus” according to several of the websites I found. 

And, yes.  My husband and I chase around the 4 year-old by-product of this type of vacation.  His name should be “Hilton” if you get my drift.  And, I’m not the only one – I have a number of friends who conceived on vacation.  It’s true.  You’ve got the time, you’ve got the place and apparently the right frame of mind.  Stress has been named by many experts on this topic as a leading reason woman can’t conceive.  So, if you get pregnant on vacation . . . you know it has been a VERY, VERY successful getaway.

So, what does this have to do with “Staycations?”  It’s a matter of whether staying close to home (or, again – at home) for vacation will result in more “conceptions” (or not).  Can women get relaxed?  Will it be like a big snow storm in NY?  Are “Staycations” forcing people together because the excitement outside of the “hotel” might now be as thrilling as staying in?  This could be interesting. . .

Personally, I would not recommend naming your child after the place where you “were successful.”  As the once child of my parents, that is WAY too many details for me.  I think most kids would like that kind of stuff to remain a mystery.  And, with all of the “Staycationing” this summer – names could get dicey. 

As I mentioned, I just returned from another micro-vacation.  We headed over to some super cool sand dunes not far from our home – Bruneau Dunes State Park.  No matter whether it is a boy or a girl.  Or, how you spell it.  Bruneau (pronounced “Bruno”) just isn’t the most attractive name for a baby.  But, if you have a puppy. . .O, Baby!

And, about the photo:  The lizard was a little creature that lurked outside our cabin this weekend.  If I were trying to conceive, that might have hampered my effort.  Thank goodness that was not the case.   We called him/her “Speedy” (by the way) and he/she will remain on “Staycation” for now.