Yup, I got new tires today so once again, I am retired. Just in case you were wondering, I put 12,000 miles on the van...but New York is only 3,000 miles? Okay, so I took the indirect route :D
True to memory, this entire country is beautiful. Even when the people are not so much...this trip I heard more politics than ever before and less middle ground than ever. It's a sadness...
Anyway, I am gearing up for a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico where I should be for all or most of September. A combined visit with house sitting. Fluffy's favorite west coast residence, she's a bi coastal cat now you know.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Where'd She Go?
This week went by in a very curious way...the moments went by so slowly, the days so fast! Here it is Friday and all I have to report is that I did as I should have.
On Monday, I went to the examination that brought me back to California. It was the most painful medical exam I have ever had and that's saying something! It wasn't until Thursday that I could go further than ten steps in any direction...I won't bore you with the novelty of it all, I'll just say that today I did the smallest of chores and called it good. If you're looking for me, I'm on Lorraine's couch...if this is just too exciting for you, blame it on the folks that want me to report at least once a week so they know where I am. As for me, I'll be back in the swing of things soon.
On Monday, I went to the examination that brought me back to California. It was the most painful medical exam I have ever had and that's saying something! It wasn't until Thursday that I could go further than ten steps in any direction...I won't bore you with the novelty of it all, I'll just say that today I did the smallest of chores and called it good. If you're looking for me, I'm on Lorraine's couch...if this is just too exciting for you, blame it on the folks that want me to report at least once a week so they know where I am. As for me, I'll be back in the swing of things soon.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Home Away from Home
Since returning to Los Angeles yesterday, it has been brought to my attention that my blog has had too many lapses and I must concur. Please allow me to explain.
In starting this blog, it was my intention to do two things: 1) to reassure those concerned of my whereabouts of my safety and 2) to provide myself with an overview of the journey that leads to the next phase of my life. I also was concerned that I not turn it into a pain report or some other drivel of the physical realities of my days. As a result, I limited myself to reports of activities that were interesting in some way, and I must confess, there were some days that I was just too busy experiencing the beauty of the world around me to whip out my computer. Then came the virus.
If you are under the impression that l lost some weight on this trip, you know exactly what I am talking about, for alas, the hospitality and generosity of my hosts has been such that no such thing has happened and as a matter of fact I have found some weight that I was not looking for, regardless of what that phantom post said.
Alas, other issues arose that I had not prepared myself for and that is the matter of days spent talking comfortably in some one's home, which leaves little to report and the reality of a necessary recovery day following each travel day, as well as the random lack of access to the internet. Later, I encountered the obstacle of being present to assist with difficulties too private for this blog. A more experienced columnist would have ready interesting tidbits or pre-written stories to fill these gaps, so my inexperience is revealed. No harm, I have learned my lesson and endeavor to correct my bad behavior as I prepare myself for the next phase of my journey to adapt.
Having said all of that, I am sitting at Lorraine and Jim's with Fluffy at my side, who has nearly forgiven me for leaving Jack and Sue's. Who can blame her? It was a cat's dream come true and Fluffy's west coast favorite. While Coco is relishing in his personal favorite - Lorraine and Jim who only spoil him a little bit...okay, a little bit more everyday. What more could a dog want?
In starting this blog, it was my intention to do two things: 1) to reassure those concerned of my whereabouts of my safety and 2) to provide myself with an overview of the journey that leads to the next phase of my life. I also was concerned that I not turn it into a pain report or some other drivel of the physical realities of my days. As a result, I limited myself to reports of activities that were interesting in some way, and I must confess, there were some days that I was just too busy experiencing the beauty of the world around me to whip out my computer. Then came the virus.
If you are under the impression that l lost some weight on this trip, you know exactly what I am talking about, for alas, the hospitality and generosity of my hosts has been such that no such thing has happened and as a matter of fact I have found some weight that I was not looking for, regardless of what that phantom post said.
Alas, other issues arose that I had not prepared myself for and that is the matter of days spent talking comfortably in some one's home, which leaves little to report and the reality of a necessary recovery day following each travel day, as well as the random lack of access to the internet. Later, I encountered the obstacle of being present to assist with difficulties too private for this blog. A more experienced columnist would have ready interesting tidbits or pre-written stories to fill these gaps, so my inexperience is revealed. No harm, I have learned my lesson and endeavor to correct my bad behavior as I prepare myself for the next phase of my journey to adapt.
Having said all of that, I am sitting at Lorraine and Jim's with Fluffy at my side, who has nearly forgiven me for leaving Jack and Sue's. Who can blame her? It was a cat's dream come true and Fluffy's west coast favorite. While Coco is relishing in his personal favorite - Lorraine and Jim who only spoil him a little bit...okay, a little bit more everyday. What more could a dog want?
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Nearly Home
So much has happened since my last post that I hardly know where to start...so I'll start at the beginning. Alice is such an incredible hostess that I found myself there for more than a month! Knowing that I need a couple of weeks to drive west, I left NY/NJ and stopped at Mom's for a kiss goodbye and found her in distress. So, rather than an in and out, I stayed long enough to get things straightened out and left with such a heavy heart. At that moment, if I was able to stay I would have for an indefinite period of time. Nonetheless, I met Barbara and Louis at, where else, the Broadway Diner and headed off into the west.
My next stop was at my long lost cousin's, Beth Anne Gerhart, whom I haven't seen in at least thirty years. It was so wonderful to meet her and her family! What charming people, I am so glad I took the time to stop, certainly there is a closer relationship in the future.
I hopped up to Interstate 80 since I haven't taken the northern route thus far, It was so beautiful! We are certainly blessed! I drove with a mind full of wonder with little regard for time or place, this is a luxury I wish for everyone. At some point, I had to choose a route and since I was caught by surprise, I headed towards Denver. No reason, I guess it sounded good.
Of course, I swung by Aunt Joan's in Colorado Springs since I was in the neighborhood. I had stopped on my way east but she wasn't home. This time, she was. We had such an amazing visit! If you remember how funny she is, then I don't need to explain why I was so reluctant to leave after three days.
New Mexico is eight hours out of Colorado Springs, so here I am. Sue is struggling through her radiation but you couldn't tell by looking at her. She looks better than I have ever seen her! Given my need to be in LA this weekend, I will have to plan another visit when I can stay longer.
My next stop is the Wallace's in Tuscon, AZ. I don't really know how I am going to stay more than twenty minutes since their dog will eat Fluffy for breakfast and it will be too hot to leave her in the car or garage, I will at least say hello and head for the Stewart's for a belated birthday celebration.
I will be in LA for at least a week, but not much longer since I am itching to find my new place and call it home. Then again, they are quite good at keeping me entertained so we shall see...
My next stop was at my long lost cousin's, Beth Anne Gerhart, whom I haven't seen in at least thirty years. It was so wonderful to meet her and her family! What charming people, I am so glad I took the time to stop, certainly there is a closer relationship in the future.
I hopped up to Interstate 80 since I haven't taken the northern route thus far, It was so beautiful! We are certainly blessed! I drove with a mind full of wonder with little regard for time or place, this is a luxury I wish for everyone. At some point, I had to choose a route and since I was caught by surprise, I headed towards Denver. No reason, I guess it sounded good.
Of course, I swung by Aunt Joan's in Colorado Springs since I was in the neighborhood. I had stopped on my way east but she wasn't home. This time, she was. We had such an amazing visit! If you remember how funny she is, then I don't need to explain why I was so reluctant to leave after three days.
New Mexico is eight hours out of Colorado Springs, so here I am. Sue is struggling through her radiation but you couldn't tell by looking at her. She looks better than I have ever seen her! Given my need to be in LA this weekend, I will have to plan another visit when I can stay longer.
My next stop is the Wallace's in Tuscon, AZ. I don't really know how I am going to stay more than twenty minutes since their dog will eat Fluffy for breakfast and it will be too hot to leave her in the car or garage, I will at least say hello and head for the Stewart's for a belated birthday celebration.
I will be in LA for at least a week, but not much longer since I am itching to find my new place and call it home. Then again, they are quite good at keeping me entertained so we shall see...
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