Ahhh, camping..

Have you ever been camping?

A friend came to visit me at my home in Florida. The following morning at breakfast, she and her husband asked if I would be interested in selling my home. I had a small home that sat on the lake (every home in Florida sits on a lake) and had been contemplating heading back West ever since my youngest graduated from high school.   The word yes, rolled off my lips so quickly I surprised myself.

Before I knew it, I was handing them the keys to my house, completely furnished, and they handed me cash, the keys to one of their SUVs and a 1974 Airstream trailer.  I was West bound!

The 1974 Airstream proved to be quite a challenge for me. She was a 34 ft land yacht and much more of a challenge than I wanted.  We parted ways somewhere in Arkansas, and I continued my journey, turning my SUV into a mini rolling abode.

It was about this time I began house sitting for seven different families. When I wasn’t house sitting, I was traveling in that SUV and camping all across the western United States. 

I worked out quite the setup in the back of that SUV. A chargeable cooler system, some drawers for clothes, a small solar charger that allowed me to cook and the most comfortable bed,  consisting of a blow up  pool floaty, stuffed inside a thick sleeping bag and multiple layers of blankets.  The perfect set up.

I camped in the wilderness, boondocking they call it. Basically, it’s when you have everything you need with you. Solar, water, etc. It’s amazing how creative you learn to become. And how having an internet connection makes life so much easier, especially when you’re trying to find showers and rest areas!

So, to answer the initial question, Yes, I’ve definitely been camping. I eventually moved on from that SUV into a Class C RV. Then a few years later into a Class A ( picture a tour bus) 

But honestly, I can say the most comfortable I was was in that SUV.  Finding out of the way, down dirt roads, camping spots were never a problem. I saw more of the United States than I even knew existed.

So if you’re looking for an excuse to head out and do some camping of your own, I highly recommend it.

Giving back

How would you improve your community?

Well, in my dreams last night, I won a LOT of money. Let me emphasize a lot.

In my dream, I set up a food program through our county schools, providing free breakfast and lunch to all school-age children.

Not the regular run of the mill school meals, oh no, no, no.

These were sit-down, drinks poured, fresh cooked meals. Nutritious meal.   And while enjoying a nutritious meal , the children learned etiquette and  manners.

I bet you’re wondering where in the world my mind came up with this cockamami idea.

From Finnish schools. That’s where.  This is being done in Finnish schools and, more than likely, other Nordic countries. I watched a documentary about this and how well it worked. Children were also sent home  with fruit to share with younger siblings who were not school age yet.

So, in my dream induced state, this is what I was doing to better my community.

The day my money ( I’m counting on it being a lot of money)  comes rushing in, I will do my best to implement a program like this.

In the meantime, I will continue donating books to the schools and library. And volunteering my time at the shelter.

Now, I’m looking forward to  dreaming this evening to see what else I will be working on to improve this lovely community I call home.

Choices

What’s something most people don’t understand?

That everything is a choice.

I chose the relationships that ended badly. I lied to myself for years about how I didn’t see the red flags. But I saw them. I didn’t want to see them is the more correct answer. I made excuses because, at the time, I believed I wanted this.

We make choices all day long. To drive certain roads, a certain speed.  To brush or not brush our teeth each morning. We choose to speak a certain way to others. Sometimes in anger, sometimes with love, sometimes not at all. 

These choices sometimes have consequences. Horrible consequences at times. Other people can trigger us, but in the end, the choice is ours. Sometimes, it may be because of our situations.  Others, well, just because.

So slow down.  Pay attention to the choices you make each day.  And make good ones.

I love it all..

Knowing exactly what time to head to Golden Gate Park so the fog gives me a good chase home. My house is chilly and a bit damp, perfect for a giant throw and some hot chocolate.

No, maybe sitting on my Florida porch watching the rain clouds form for our daily 2pm rain storm. They come on strong, quick, and leave the ground steaming, creating a mystical world.

Definitely, it’s the 120+ degree days of the desert. Lounging in my kiddy pool outside my RV under a makeshift tarp. The 6 inches of semi-cool water lapping over my body and inviting tiny birds to float with me escaping the searing heat.

Maybe it’s the 20-foot walls of snow of the North Western US. The air so dry that you aren’t freezing, making it enjoyable being out. For me, it is terrifying and mesmerizing all at the same time.

But honestly, it’s any autumn day. The early morning air is so crisp, leading into warm sunny afternoons and then shorts and sweatshirts evenings.  The world slows down, beginning her rest. One last burst of life from nature, showing us her brilliance in color before her long nap.

Remembering Miss Cosma

1968 Mercerville Elementary

My 2nd grade teacher was wearing slacks, yes slacks, a big no for all females at our school. But there Miss Cosma was, in bellbottom slacks, holding a sign about fair pay. I’d never seen a protest before. From our classroom windows I could see them all marching in front of our school. I was mesmerized.

She was in her late 20s, single and I idolized her. She was completely opposite of my own mother who was frail and drowning in her depression.

I worked hard in class wanting to excel, so she would see I was like her. And even though she made every child in class feel special. She let me know she saw me. At 63 this still empowers me.

In 6th grade, we petitioned the school to allow us to wear pants under our dresses so we didn’t freeze. (We won.) From the Principal’s office where we stood with our petition, pleading our case, I caught a glimpse of Miss Cosma watching us from the hall, smiling.

Over the years, I’ve returned home, each time inquiring about her. I wish I had tried harder to find her, to let her know the impact she had on me at 7 years old. But honestly, I believe she knew.

I will always be forever grateful for the strong women who helped mold me. From my heart, thank you Miss Susan Cosma, 2nd grade Mercerville Elementary 1968

Daily writing prompt

Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

View all responses

Being thrust into the unknown…

There was no planning.  No saving.  No big dreams of leaving it all behind, and wandering.

No prep.

I broke my neck and nicked my spinal cord.

Life was going to be different now.

Its once again time…to move on

My carry on is packed.

The house where I have been house sitting is vacuumed and dusted and ready for her owners return.Tonight I will Ooo and Ahhh at fireworks with my grandchildren and squeeze them tightly knowing it’ll probably be a month or so before I see them again.

My little ones and I enjoyed a day at the beach. We conquered fears of the water and the waves. We caught minnows in our hands and dug for sand crabs. What a beautiful day I was given.

Flights look good in the morning, I should be back on the west coast by late morning. I’ll have just enough time to get situated in my mini RV (read SUV with a bed) and begin my wandering again, down the coast. Excited about the time I’ll be spending in Southern California. And that I’ll be only 2 hours from my beloved Yuma.

Lots pictures to come…..

btw……Isn’t he a cutie.  I claim him….he’s my Grandson

I Wandered a Ghost Town

I Wandered a Ghost Town.

I Wandered a Ghost Town

I wandered a ghost town off Hwy 395.  At the end of a 12 mile dirt road I found a treasure.

Bodie State Park.The real Bodie lies behind the dust and dirt covered windows.

The left behinds.  Bedding, cookware, books…a stocked bar, empty caskets at the undertakers.  Patiently waiting for the miners return.

But if you listen closely, and stay very still.

You will come to realize, they never left..

Is this really my life?

Its been about 6 months since I decided that wandering for awhile, with no actual home, was exactly the path my life should take (no time limits, no expectations)

Traveling, it has always been a part of my life.
Joining the USAF, and then moving on to a commercial airline made my yearning for far off places possible.
(My children grew up thinking everyone flew to NYC for lunch…)

25 years in the airline industry and I have friends all over this planet. Friends who say,”there is always an extra bed for you.”
This is a way of life for us “Non-Rev travelers”…
*Definition:Non-Rev~ a non revenue/non paying passenger. Someone who flys standby. Airline employees, their families and friend’s (only friends you completely trust…lol)
We are always ready to go.
We know how to pack.
We understand the importance of the words, “close the doors, close the doors”
One carry on, that holds everything we need for a months journey, that includes every climate imaginable.
We understand someone may show up looking for a place to sleep without notice (With a friend) And that we will more than likely do the same.
There will be cars available to use,and Pilots will have cheap rentals for other “airline employees” to enjoy, in exotic localities.
This has been my life since I was 18 years old. And its been a wonderful ride.

Tahoe, Hilo, Tucson, Orlando, Barcelona and Panama City (yes, the country) are all on my schedule for a visit in the next 6 months.

Is this life for everyone?
No…
(Its hard for me to understand that, but I am trying)
Living the life of Riley.
On the budget of Fred Sanford.

My advice…..
Go see the world.
If that’s too big of a step,
Start in your own backyard.
I bet you’ll be surprised at what you find, that you never knew was there.

NOW GO……
and remember, I want to see pictures.