October Already?

Wow! Time sure flies when you're writing Fluffy! I have been editing it and editing it. Simplifying the text for the five to seven year old bracket. It is so much fun! I've added about half the pictures that I need and I am trying to find an illustrator. I have no idea how to do this, but hey, I don't know how to do most of the stuff I'm doing these days....why should this be any different? In the meantime, I have really enjoyed being here at the Warford's. We are very comfortable with each other, and it feels just like home, except the meat is burned...it has been nice to house sit for them and focus on my writing and it has been nice to have them back,they are such fun.

Susie is getting better, day by day. She is back to her usual self, except she now takes naps that last more than 15 minutes. She is playing the piano, gardening, and has her honeydew list well in hand. It's nice to see her back on her feet!

I had a repeat customer here in New Mexico from when I was here last year. That felt so good, I can't tell you. Not much money, but you have to start somewhere.

I have laid out my calendar for the next couple of weeks-I don't want to rush into anything, you know? anyway, I'll be leaving New Mexico for Colorado springs to see Aunt Joan Helm. I expect to stay a couple of weeks. On Oct 17th the New Mexico Book Association is having a workshop on publishing, so I'll come back for that, and then head to Los Angeles about the 20th.

I may stop in Tuscon to see the Wallaces (Trina's family) but I haven't had much success catching up with them lately, so we'll see about that. None the less,I expect to be in the Los Angeles area through Thanksgiving (assuming folks aren't sick of my face :) That's about all for now, talk to you next week!

Fluffy's First Adventure Begins

I am so excited! This morning I finished my first complete children's book based my my actual cat and our great adventure. It is so cute, I can hardly wait to print out the final copy with the pictures and all.

Since I am on the road, I don't have a printer with me, so I'll need to take my thumb drive over to Kinko's or something to print out my first copy! I just know this is going to be a really good thing in my life!

On Tuesday, Jack's writer's group is having a workshop on publishing. How cool is it that I can go with my finished book in hand. God loves me! Oh I can't tell you how cool this is.

How great would it be if Fluffy ended up being the answer I've been looking for? I can write a new book on each of the places we've been to and we could go everywhere (except England-where they quarantine animals for three months). The possibilities are endless! What fun to have something to get excited about, however it turns out. It has been so long since I've felt excitement like this. Nice :D If you want to hear it, give me a call...

Just Thinking

Sitting on the portal at Jack and Sue's, I came to realize that this period of traveling has allowed me to refine and define what it is that I really want. In a sense, I knew I would know it when I saw it. Now I could explain it quite clearly to a realtor or other to actually find it. Since the van is going into the shop on Monday for some sensor or other (yeah, I know, I said I wouldn't fix it) it is a good time for me to figure out my next steps.

I have stayed in so many beautiful homes, I am honored to be welcome in so many wonderful places. Nonetheless, I know that I don't want anything that big to take care of. I don't have it in me anymore and I don't like a mess so I'm thinking something small and open.

I have become aware of the fact that I am not only NOT a New Yorker anymore, but I am in fact, a Californian. Why this surprises me so can only be explained that although I have lived in California more than half my life, I always considered myself a New Yorker.

I remember telling Dad that I was bi-coastal nearly fifteen years ago and it makes me smile. His response, "I don't want that much information Marian" I still believe he thought I was saying that I was bi-sexual, his hearing was never that great. He was certainly confused when I laughed about it. If you knew him, then you know that there was no point in trying to explain, his mind was set and the subject was closed. He would have been ninety this past Saturday. It's nice that I can smile when I think of him, that's a lot of healing right there :D

Anyway, I am just starting to devise a plan for the end of September and the beginning of October. I really want to begin looking in earnest, rather than just visiting and thinking in a global sort of way. I need to be in Los Angeles for Oct 23, for part two of my interrogation, I mean, deposition. I'll probably need to go back for a doctor's appointment sometime between now and then, but only the Shadow knows for sure.

I'm thinking of heading north through Colorado (yes, I did promise Aunt Joan/Jean another visit) and then continuing north west to the coast. I suspect that if I take the secondary roads I just might find exactly what I'm looking for.

I have been thinking of doing a weekly rents somewhere up north so I can leave the animals while I house hunt...I need to do some research on that though. Any recommendations? So, I guess that's it. I know what my next step is, so thanks for letting me figure it out.

For those of you interested in the animals' well being, Fluffy has actually hunted something bigger than she is and took like three days to digest it. She had the weirdest expression on her face and her stomach was full right up to her neck...should I call this one: Fluffy Makes Her Own Thanksgiving Dinner? Coco has finally gotten Ginger to play with him. Ginger is bigger than Coco and pretty timid even if she is a two year old. It's funny to watch because he is so intimidated by her size. He's been running around a lot and has actually lost a few pounds-which I kind of think I found, but that's another story.

By the way, if you are a reader and aren't a follower, I have no idea that you are checking in. And if you are a follower, did you know that you can make comments?

New Eyes for the Desert

It seemed to take forever to drive out of California this time, one of the last things I did before leaving was drop off the garage door opener at my former residence. I should have anticipated it, but the animals were so happy when I pulled into the driveway, and so very upset when we pulled back out! Coco jumped into the driver's seat and absolutely refused to budge out of it. If he could have, he would have physically prevented me from going one inch away from our former home. I felt so badly for them because, I too want to go home. It is such a different experience to travel without a humble abode awaiting my return. It took a little getting used to, and I confess that I am chomping at the bit to begin my house search in earnest.

Nonetheless, I am headed to New Mexico for the month of September to visit with Jack and Sue, then house sit for them, with another visit upon their return. I am look forward to this. Of course I want to visit with my dear friends, but I also want to spend some time with myself, writing and collecting myself from twelve thousand miles of driving across this beautiful country as well as laying down my emotions from so many heartfelt experiences visiting family and friends-many of whom I hadn't seen in decades.

There is a lot to process but when I crossed into Arizona that all changed. Perhaps it was that the speed limit went from seventy to seventy-five, or that the roads were repaved to a smooth sweet finish, rather than the single lanes with construction of my previous passage...perhaps it was the glorious weather, cool clear and sunny? Perhaps it was the feel of the new tires and realignment? Perhaps it was all of these things, but it was a beautiful drive.

I have never been a fan of the desert, but this trip could change all of that. All through eastern Arizona the black-eyed Susans smiled as far as the eye could see. Coming into Flagstaff, the trees were in full leaf with every shade of green dappled in the plants and grasses. For the first time, I saw true beauty in the southwestern colors of the rose colored hills contrasted by the sage in full bloom. Crossing into New Mexico, the landscape stretches out, you can see the mountains and ridges in the distance. I felt that I could drive forever, which is a good thing because I had quite a drive yet to go.

I have arrived in Santa Fe, at the home of Jack and Sue Warford. I don't have much to report but I am safe and sound. My feet are swell, in both meanings of the word but I have plenty of time to relax and recover. In the meantime, I intend to begin my research into relocating anew, and prepare an itinerary for October beginning with a short visit to Aunt Joan Helm in Colorado and going northwest to see where affordable housing leads me. It is possible that I will need to return to California for doctor's visits, but that will only shift my departure point as this phase of visits with family and friends comes to a conclusion. I hope to be ensconced in my new abode by Thanksgiving, and that means I have some homework to do...good thing I'm good at it :D