12 Things I See Happy People Do (that unhappy people do not)

I liked this enough, to try to reblog! I hope it works! It is so inline with what I believe.

Rev. Shane L. Bishop

I have been thinking a lot about happiness of late, partially because so many people seem unhappy.  I think that was my first epiphany upon entering the world of Social Media; people are unhappy and there are a lot of them.  Now don’t get me wrong, we all know some people who wouldn’t be happy, were they not unhappy but I am not talking about them.  We will just let them be.  I am also not thinking theologically here (i.e. juxtaposing happiness and joy), today I am going to err on the practical and pragmatic side of things.  With that being said, let’s get going.

I think most people want to be happy; they are just not quite sure how to get there from their present location.  Many people honestly believe that happiness is a lucky bounce; a sunny disposition or favorable circumstances but I disagree.  Happiness is a choice…

View original post 601 more words

From Nuisance, to Project!

 “It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.”

― Theodore Roosevelt 

Finally, after a very challenging trip across country, then weeks of wandering around Kentucky, we were finally looking at Dirt. Finally. Yup said it three times.  Made me laugh. Because the only thing that is “Final” in this journey called life, is when we get to go to our true home some day.  But I am hoping that the good Lord has brought me to a place where we can own our own piece of Dirt! Perhaps, more commonly known as, Land.  Specifically, land with a barn, and there is an entire story about why not a house, and the Lord’s timing behind that!  At this point, we just want something that we could turn into a shelter for the winter. Then later, I can talk about “Finally” getting, whatever the latest project is, done. 😉

Hopefully, for now, we can find a barn large enough to park my Little Gypsy inside, then, block off a stall, or one corner of the barn for Charlie, and one part for our main living quarters.  Actually, Shelter, from the rain would not be a bad idea either, since I have hardly been able to cook, without getting soaked, since I’ve been back in Kentucky. It is still raining!  Living in the desert for the last 25 plus years, makes all this rain, seem unreal!  

We had looked at literally, hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of places on line, but Monday, just this last Monday, we were out looking at possibilities in real life. There was that new Amish pole barn. The one we heard about before we ever left Arizona. It even had an outdoor privy and a couple of rooms, they had started to add on to the building, with 25 lovely acres, but they were asking a lot for it. Quite a bit more than I felt it was worth. Plus, it would be a nuisance, and such hard work, to clear all the brush. The two houses on one piece of land? Interesting! But, wait, right in town.  Nope. No good. What about that 2 and 1/2 acre piece that was cleared and mowed, yeah, but right on the highway, no barn, and still too close to town, which means people and cell towers would both be a nuisance. There was the house the sheriff told us about.  He showed us the board that had all the listings for the upcoming auction, homes that were now bank owned.  Sad.  The one that might have worked, had lots of old vehicles and trailers parked every which way, and the house looked as though it had been unloved and neglected for years on end.  How did we find out about all these gems? 

You see, one of my sisters, knew a gentleman, who worked with the Amish. She knew, Charles and I, wanted to settle in, or near, an Amish community, so we could have good, clean, organic sources of food. She knew that I wanted, and needed, to be in an area like that for so many reasons.  The Amish are a community of people who allowed the Industrial Age, to simply pass them by, and the Information Highway, is something others use.  They have quietly resisted any efforts from others, to bring them into the 21st Century.  Others, outsiders, people they refer to as The English, (that would be you and me) have tried to impose, enforce, or even occasionally, endorse, our new ways upon them, to little, or no, avail. 

I digress.  

Suffice it to say, these communities offer me the possibility of sanctuary, at least in part, from a world gone mad. Too many electronic gadgets and gizmos, and yes, I am working on one of those electronic devices now, to bring this story to you.  But as I can, I too, have been escaping from the 21st Century. Sometimes, literally running from more virulent pesticides and herbicides. Avoiding genetically modified and engineered crops and animals. I could go on and on, but let me get back to the heart of the matter.  

We may have found the right piece of Dirt! This gentleman, that my sister knew, from a church she was invited to sing at. Well!  That certainly sounds very southern, doesn’t it. He took us on a whirlwind tour of a little section of one of the Amish communities, in Bath County, Kentucky.  He introduced us to some of the Amish, while asking about land for sale.  But it was later, when we were asking the neighbors about the unloved house. Yes, I had hoped to find an old home built before 1960 or so, but kept getting blocked, one way or another, whenever I knocked on that door. 

Anyway, when one of the neighbors, who just came out to get his mail, asked what we were looking for, I said a barn, with a few acres of land, would work. He pointed to the barn, just down the road and said he was selling that. Six acres or so, a big old barn, a shed, a pond, a little creek, more like a brook, and a well, that might be a spring! I asked the good Lord for just one of those waterways. This one has them all. More importantly, he was willing to do an Owner Will Carry loan. That is the only way, Charles and I, can make this happen, without going into debt in a big way.  Someday, I may tell you our thoughts about The Better Mousetrap. Forgive me. I am wandering all over the place tonight! So. Anyway, he took us down to see it.

And…

Yes! We want it! When Charles and I compared notes later, he told me, “Mom, everything we looked at before, had something that would be a nuisance, to take care of, but when we looked at this property, that nuisance, turned into a project!” The gentleman who was driving us around, was also impressed.  So.  We will see.  We don’t even know the terms yet.  But, hey, it could happen!  Then? Surveys? Wood stoves?  A way to set it up? We already know of one way to get wood pretty cheap. Will all this happen before winter?  Oh my! But, Charles was so right about things happening fast. We are both excited about this piece of Dirt! We are here! The owner suggested the idea of renting the property to us, for a while, very cheaply.  We can live here for a while, to make sure it’s a place that we’re going to like. A place where I will do Well.  If we do, then we’ll talk about the terms later.   We’ll see how it goes, but I think this is the place. I pray it is so, but only if it is in the Lord’s will.  It will be a lot of hard work.  Right now both of us are stuck!  Yup!  You heard me.  The owner had to get his tractor out to keep Sassy from going into the brook. 

He wound up dragging the van back by latching onto Little Gypsy and hauling me into a spot that would work until the rain settles down.  

Hopefully, I will get her a little more level, after this rain quits! I keep sliding out of bed, or squished up down by poor Macha, who also keeps sliding to the edge! 

He was able to drag Charlie’s Olde Bleu, sideways! His trailer too, so he could get lined up, to get in the main driveway.

I really can’t complain! The barn is not leaning. Olde Bleu is! Charles spent all night hugging his computer, while practically standing on his head!

 The main driveway.  Sounds impressive, doesn’t it.  But the main driveway is currently two short rows of a few big rocks laid in a ditch, which Sassy wouldn’t make it through, even in perfectly dry conditions.   I came in on the other side of the barn, and hugged the barn, to stay out of the brook, but when I tried to back the trailer in next to the shed, yeah, well, thank goodness for his tractor, and his kind heart! 

Big shed too! I saw a great place for chickens or guinea hens, Charles saw a great shower room!  That would be a more immediate need.  

A lot? Did I say a lot of hard work? That hardly describes how busy we will need to be, just to make this work for us.  But oh, the possibilities!   Charles said he had a feeling that things would happen very quickly. He was right. Our first day of actually looking, and we have a good place to stay through the winter.  

This old barn has been here for generations, it was built in the 1800’s, and it needs a lot of tender loving care. I am praying that if we wind up owning this beautiful piece of Dirt, this old barn will see many more generations to come!

By the way, gentle reader, you may think that quote at the beginning was inappropriate.  After all. We were just moving.  Just moving? Seriously, was it that hard? We were already living in our campers? But with the issues I have, moving across country this way, was extraordinarily difficult.  If you read an earlier post of mine, a Possible Post, you know we were constantly moving into areas and situations that had me in such pain, and confusion, that I would wind up in tears. Charles would become my one man comic, my court jester, anything it took to help me find a smile. He took over most of my chores, so I could rest. In fact, he got very bossy! I would try, so hard, to maintain my equanimity, but all too often, I would fail.  Personally, I think Charles had the hardest job, knowing someone you love, so much, is in such pain, and not being able to fix it.  I cannot imagine anything worse.  But we can smile now.  My health is improving. What a joy it is to feel better! Plus, now that we can stay in one spot, Charles will be able to do our running around. By the Lord’s grace, we have found a place where I can heal.  A place that will be good for The Boy too.  

A place, I pray, if it is in His will, it will be a place, we can call Home. 

Summer Home!

Twenty shades of Green!

For a gal who has lived in Arizona, Nevada, or thereabouts, for the last 26 years, the views here are a delight to the eye! Now, don’t misunderstand, Arizona has green too, and even the desert has a barren beauty of its own.  All that rock and sand, has it’s own call to the senses, that can surprise you. 

Kentucky, though, Kentucky in the spring, has a brilliance, a glowing beauty, that I have missed more than I knew!

Grass! Rolling hills of grass.

Green, lush, thick, grass underfoot, everywhere, with just that hint of blue, in the early morning dew, that lets you know, you are not only in Kentucky, but in the heart of Kentucky, the Bluegrass section of the state. Grass that just grows. No sprinklers here, except those provided by the good Lord! Water in extraordinary abundance. Water in the air. Humidity, and it will take some adjusting, but I can breathe here. In fact, the lower altitude seems to give me more energy. All that oxygen. Well, until it got hot! Oh my! Poor Charles, he is struggling with the heat! I probably am too, but I feel so much better in other ways, that it just does not seem so bad.

Rain!

Sprinkles, showers, storms. Water everywhere. Brooks, creeks, streams, rivers! Springs, ponds, lakes. All different sizes and varieties. 

Birds!

Songbirds, and we can stop right there for a moment. Waking up to the sounds of so many different singers, each morning, has been such a joy! There are also woodpeckers, heron, quail, raptors, snipe, (yes, they really exist) sandpipers, ducks, geese, swans, pelicans, gulls, cranes, and so many more. Dagnabbit! I almost caught a picture of one of the locals. Even though this photograph is one I took elsewhere in Kentucky, I could hear geese, down river, this morning, so I feel justified in adding it here!

Oh! Did I happen to capture a picture of The Boy at work? Lol. This was taken at the Millstone Library not far from our previous camp site. Very uptown compared to here. Miniature golf, a swimming pool, all kinds of perks, plus this lovely area, but the campgrounds had campers packed in like cord wood! Two nights there was enough, they were starting to roll in, even on Thursday. Very grateful for the “two nights for one”, special, that came at just the right time.  It answered our needs at that moment, but I am so much happier here!

Trees!

So many different types of trees! Ash, Oak, Pine, Pawpaw. Beech, Maple, Hickory, Hawthorne. Pecan, Persimmon, Sweetgum, Magnolia. Even a Coffeetree, and more.

This is looking out past our camp site. You can just see a couple of old boats and some other odds and ends at the far end of the campgrounds. Yes, the sky really looked like that!

Kentucky. Back home in Kentucky. I was born in Kentucky, but I didn’t think I would ever be back to stay. Even so, after years away, Kentucky has always been Home.

Now. About my Summer Home.  We are at a campgrounds on the Kentucky River! I had a dream about living on the banks of the Kentucky River. Now it has come true.  I still can’t believe it. Good Lord willing, we will be staying here until we find a piece of dirt, land, property. A piece of dirt I can call my own. Maybe even a house to go with it, hopefully, before winter. This campgrounds closes in November. But until then, they have monthly rates, that make it financially possible for, Charlie and I, to stay for the summer.  Although, I have warned him.  We will be spoiled.  Even though we are still dry camping, in their primitive area, this is a lovely little campgrounds. Nothing fancy, and it is definitely off the beaten path, but it has showers, (a blessing) ice, (my son’s prerequisite, to get us through the summer!) even a locally made ginger ale, (It was my first soda in over 15 years, but oh my! It was good!) and all the necessities to get chores done. Water, trash, dump. It is what some might call, a quaint little place.  To me, it feels very down home.  A big porch along the front of the building, and even an old wood stove in the camp office.

Here you can see the main campgrounds, where all the regular sites are at, with water, electric, and so forth. You can’t even see the office from here,  it is around the bend to the left, past the boats. It will take time, to build up to it, but walking to the office is a new goal! 

I made it! Today! I walked to the office! Amazing! I was even able to kind of jog a bit, a couple times, on the way back Little Gypsy, to try and beat the rain. Incredible! First time I could do that in 20 years or more!

We are in an overflow section at the end of the campgrounds, which gives us lots of space, and as you can see, it keeps us safe from the chemicals others use, so often.  There is Wi-Fi, so Charles can keep his web page up to date, but just when you’re close to the office, so it won’t bother me. Plus, we are right on the Kentucky River. 
Perfect!

The Kentucky River! Have I mentioned the river? I can just see the river from my campsite.

Can’t quite see it? Well let me get you a little closer.

Go about one hundred feet from camp and you can see down by the bank.

See the little table and benches? They are scattered along the bank for campers to enjoy the view.  Tent campers love those little areas! 

Yes, there are ticks, I’m sure, and chiggers, and snakes, and it will get cold this winter, but it is gorgeous! Haven’t had any problems with mosquitoes, yet, but they need still waters to be a real issue.  A dear friend sent me a picture of the cactus in bloom, in case I was missing Arizona.  Nope. There was much to admire and enjoy about Arizona, but Kentucky is home! Besides, it is so much better for me here!

The Kentucky River starts in Beattyville, Ky, and wanders through the forest, flowing Northwest, for the most part, until it joins the Ohio river at Carollton, Ky. We are not far from Versailles, Ky, much more than halfway down river from the three forks. About 260 miles of water, wandering and winding, its way through mountains, meadows, marshes, and incredible gorges. Gorges, with solid, vast, walls of rock, often hidden by the trees, and little valleys, or dells, like this along the way.

Best of all, I am better here.  Charles is concerned that it is too soon to be certain. But of course, Charles and I have had to move so often, trying to find the right place to camp, that we are both a little gun shy, and we are close to a cell tower here. But I have been able to walk.  I even got my guitar out last night and sang a little. It felt so good! I was able to get my stove out today!

The best part, is knowing we don’t have to move. For at least two weeks! They have you pay two weeks at a time here.  But the way this all happened, the page kept popping up for this campgrounds.  I just know the good Lord has His hand on this and it will work out. I am certain we have found our Summer Home. The difference a few days make!

Home, on the banks, of the Kentucky River.

Now that sounds like a song, doesn’t it? I will have to work on that! 🙂

A Possible Post? Email to a Friend

“Hello in Owingsville Kentucky First Church of God.  Can’t write more now. Crying too much. (4/17)

(4/18) Unfortunately camping in Kentucky is very different and there’s not a lot of options so we are trying to find some way to rent land or some thing. The pastor has been very gracious and told us we could stay there at the church for a few days, but because I can’t sleep there and that’s becoming extremely painful to stay, we left because I started crying. Two big cell towers less than a mile away.  Back east does help the EMF fields, but once I reach a certain point, it totally overwhelms me.  The horrific burning pain gets so severe, like every nerve ending on fire. So much that I wonder if that is a taste of what hell will be like. I so pray for those souls who are lost.”

(4/23) What? Shocked? I know. Me too. My posts are usually more upbeat. My grammar, even in an email, is usually a little better too. But I left it all as it was. For that too is affected, so severely, when I have been around too many chemicals or electromagnetic fields.  My ability to write, think, speak, walk, they all get incredibly difficult to do. The pain is a nightmare. Most people do not appreciate the absence of pain. For those of you who deal with severe, whole body, pain, which no medicine can relieve, I know you understand.   

Still shocked? Surprised? Perhaps a little uncomfortable? I am too.  Even as I write, I wonder if I will really post this.  When discussing the tougher aspects of my life, which does not happen often, I try to show the funny side.  I dress the pain and sorrow up, in such layers of laughter and silliness, that most people see only the humor, or if they do see past the frills and the chuckles, they only see me as “Amazing Woman” or a “Tough Ole Gal” because I can laugh at my troubles.  Sharing something this personal, this difficult, out here for the world to see, is not, typically, something I do. 

(4/24) Even with dear friends, I usually do not share this much, but this is part of an email, several attempts, that I was going to send to dear friends, who pray for Charlie and I.  Prayer Warriors.  The kind I want to be someday.  They wanted to know where we were now and how we are. There are several people, friends and family, who are concerned, because we have not been in touch. I have been trying to answer each of them, but was having trouble finding the Joy, or even the funny, to share. 

(4/25) These kinds of days are usually logged in my journal, and perhaps that is where this belongs. I have not been journaling, it hurts to write physically as well, during these times, but, somehow, even as I get a little better, I felt it might help others like me, to know, you can survive this battle too, or perhaps it will help someone else to share.  You never know when sharing the tougher side of your life, might help those around you.  Except for the names of my friends, and the dates, clarifications, and corrections, which are enclosed in parentheses, here is the rest of the email. As you read through this, you will see that just getting away from those towers helped my outlook improve. But where the good Lord wants me to live in this crazy journey called life, is still a question. 

“We moved to one campsite (on 4/18) Clear Creek Campgrounds up near Cave lake, but $10 a night seemed too steep, for a shared spot. (It was actually $7.50 confusion reigned still, but Bee Rock would have been $4)  So, we were just able to get to Bee Rock Campground, on the 19th, also in Daniel Boone National Forest, but down near London, Ky.  Lol. As Charles pointed out, we have now been to Italy, Florence, Paris, and London! 😉 We had just enough, financially, and physically, to get here.  Then Charles truck broke down. Olde Bleu is always so polite!  He only breaks down at the most convenient spots! Oh my!  Hey, you have to find the humor in this journey called life, otherwise it would be unbearable! Not sure, but I think we should have stayed at the Clear Creek. Although, coming down here, we may have found a great mechanic to help on Charlies truck issue.  🙂 Isn’t it great that the Good Lord provides for our needs, even if we mess up! It’s even more wonderful, that He can still use us, despite our weaknesses. 

Today is 4/20 but this probably won’t go out til Monday, when we go to town.  Fortunately, no cell signal at all, is very good for me, physically, but makes it difficult to continue searching for a home, and for Charlie to keep up on his site.  Someday he hopes to earn a living, selling his photography.  He is so talented!  I will try to remember to send you a link so you can see his work. 

 (thetheaterinmyhead.weebly.com  I remembered!) 

We have two weeks here, Charles is hoping to fix his truck himself, if not, and he never has worked on the clutch before, we have the name of a good shop near here, just no funds to fix it.  We may end up asking for help from everyone.  It depends on so many things. 

We found out that in Kentucky, with the USDA Direct Rural Development Loan Program, you can only have one acre of land with any house. So much for the dream of a few acres. (To keep the neighbors at a safe distance) The house has to cost $60,000 or more, which I can’t afford to do on my own, but they say you can sometimes get a grant to help offset your payments.  Not sure how that all works, but I hope to get the application and proof of income, sent back to them by Monday.  I need to at least knock on that door. (How else will I know, if that is where the Lord wants me!) It also has to have updated electrical equipment, pass a whole house inspection, all kinds of rules and regulations.  But that is not a problem for our Lord, if, and it seems like a big IF, right now, that is where He wants me. Sometimes, I know it is where I want me, but only if that is where the Lord needs me. Other times? I still wonder.  One bad neighbor moving in, using toxic stuff, and my home could be a burden instead. (I could wind up paying for a house, that I could not live in) I’m just not sure how to keep going out here any more either.  Just had to have Charles help me remove a tick!  Ugh!  The creature feature! On second thought, a small house, one acre or less, well manicured, seems totally acceptable! Spent all night checking for icky bugs! Ugh!  Lol. 

 Moving every two weeks, here in Kentucky, is a real concern, because you have to leave the forest for ten days, after every two weeks, and there are not many options, and all of them are expensive. Well, they are when you are used to free! $12 a night here, but, that’s because Charles truck broke down, he and I wound up with a spot for each of us.  Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous, here!  See my pics! The best spots in the camp!  A camp host position, may be available here, but my ability to handle much of anything, even in my own world, seems severely depleted. Charles has to help me with so much.  I am praying a few days here, will help me regain some strength.  Charles came up with a new goal for me to try, maybe tomorrow!  There is a path to the river, right from my campsite!  

I think I can make it tomorrow, if I get off this silly tablet!  Lol. But I so value your prayers, and I am so grateful that you want to know how we are and where we are!  I wanted you to know the good that has happened, and the very difficult. 

You can barely see Charles’ truck in this picture, which is a blessing, because he can edit pictures on his phone, and it won’t bother me! 

The good Lord knew just where to have Olde Bleu break down. I am so close to the river, that it may seem strange to you, that Charles considers that to be a goal for me, but it has been a challenging time.  I am so blessed that Charles is with me!  There is a culvert that one of the streams runs through to get to Rockcastle River, so I can hear the sound of the water gurgling over the rocks!  

It is lovely here!

Please keep us in your prayers.  Both for praising our Lord, and thanking Him for His mercies, knowing that He has a place, or way, in mind for Charlie and I.  It may not seem so, from this email, But I assure you.  I am doing so much better here, than I was in Arizona. So much better!  I just have to learn new boundaries, and that will take time and practice!  🙂 Please let our mutual friends know we are all well, which is true, in so many ways. 

Besides, Macha loves it here!

Thank you dear friends! I am praying all is well, or better, in your world!”

(4/20) I slept some after tearing apart my world to be certain there were no more ticks anywhere, and was able to go for a walk in the rain, across the walking bridge, the next day. A long walk for me! Which meant I slept very well last night, and I am clearer in my mind. Charles also went for a long walk. Miles up trails, and down the highway, seeking signal, and enjoyed it!  I am so excited to see health returning to my son as well!  For that alone, I would do all this again. 

I know that I am still unable to think as clearly as I used to, before all this started. Math still eludes me. My memory and abilty to concentrate on anything, even a conversation with my son, is practically nonexistent. That hurts more than any thing else. But, Dr Gray assures me, that as I follow his regime, I will regain all I have lost, it will take years, but with the strength of the Lord, I shall prevail! Even now I struggle to write clearly, concisely. The damage the toxins of this world, have caused my mind and body will slowly clear up, as I get them out, and keep them out, of my body. I see it get better, each day I am away from this world filled with chemicals.  

Like today. Today is a good day, and I want to acknowledge it. Acknowledge it?  I want to rejoice in it! I walked my path to the river today! I think it is recognizing, that you, dearest friends, and gentle readers, will never know why I get so excited about being able to do such simple things, if you do not know just how tough the hard days really are.  Yet even now, while I still find myself feeling urged to post this, I’m wondering if I will. 

I will, and I pray, the Lord will have only those who need to, or want to, read this.  

April 25th, Yes, we got to town yesterday, but as Charlie’s friend says, maybe I should tell you all this story before it gets longer! 

And Then ….. there were the fireflies! A story for another day! 🙂

And Then, the River was rising! A story for another day! Oh my!

And Then, the van broke down! A story for another day! Oh dear! 

Finally 4/26 post time. Sitting at Gentrys Auto Repair, in Woodbine, Ky. Praying.

For more information on the effects of man-made chemicals and electromagnetic fields, please see the following.  

https://youtu.be/GqfeB3KgV-8 

Dr Gray is my doctor in Arizona. 🙂

http://lisanagy.com

http://www.magdahavas.com

Inexplicable Joy!

In the foreground, that lump under the covers is my little Macha girl, sitting on her throne, designed by yours truly, and built by my son, Charles.  Through the window, looking out of my van, Sassy, you can just see my son sitting in his truck, Olde Bleu

How can I possibly explain this photo, much less this day? It has been a very tough day. Cold and rainy. Charles and I have been going over and over the numbers, trying to figure out just how we can make everything work, within the parameters that are an intrinsic part of this journey to Kentucky.

Wait! Didn’t I tell you?  Well gentle reader, we are on our way to Kentucky! That’s right, We. My son Charles, is moving with me.  He is living in his pickup and hauling a flat bed trailer, and I am driving Sassy, hauling my trailer, Little Gypsy.

How did it happen? This whole story is an extraordinary example of the good Lord’s incredible timing.  Once more, He is closing doors, and opening windows, in my life, and the life of my son.  You have heard the saying “The Lord moves in Mysterious ways” that is not a quote from the bible, it is from an old English hymn written by William Cowper, yet it certainly describes these last few months.

February 10th my dad passed away and we went back east for the funeral. The train trip going out there, and the one coming back, are both worthy of posts all by themselves.  In fact, I could go on and on, about the wonderful time we had in Kentucky. Tears and laughter, sorrow and joy, but exhaustion will, most likely, keep me from my usual verbosity!

The amazing event during this part of my journey, is that I got better in Kentucky. A lot better.  My son said it was almost miraculous!  As you may know, I am Allergic to the 21st Century. The rest of the world calls it Environmental Illness, or Multiple Chemical Sensitivities with sensitivity to EMF/RF. Allergic, is not really accurate, since I am not truly allergic to chemicals. They are actually poisons for all of us, and my body, like one fifth of the population, just does not deal with toxins well. Anyway, I like to say that I’m Allergic to the 21st Century because it makes people smile. 🙂

Back to the short story? Oh, okay fine!

We were cold, wet and tired. Eating instant organic oatmeal made with water that was not quite hot enough. But it was so good to have something warm to eat.  We were sitting in the Natural Grocers parking lot, in Abilene Texas, right across from McAlisters Deli, which you can just see in the background of that first photo.  Both of us sitting, eating, in the drivers seats of our vehicles, knowing we had to go a little further yet that night.  We also had an organic beef hot dog, that we were eating cold. But as we each took a bite, while standing behind my rig, we thought it was pretty tasty, even cold.

Charles went to his truck to get out of the rain, and I went back to the drivers seat of my van, and there was a moment.  A special, joy filled, moment, that I doubt I can ever truly explain in a way, so you could understand the love that I have for my son. How can I describe, how incredibly proud I am, to have a young man like that as my son.  We were sitting there, cold, tired, and wet, but we looked through our rain streaked windows at each other. Each of us with a half eaten hot dog in our hands, and simultaneously, lifted that cold, but tasty, hot dog towards each each other in a silent salute.  We smiled at each other, both of us knowing, with out any doubt, that we were both happy in that moment. Content to be okay, right where we were at!  Getting down the road that little further was tough, driving in the rain when you are bone weary is so challenging, but that little moment, that shared bit of appreciation and happiness, with my son? That’s what makes life worth living! You can find them in the strangest places, if you are looking for them. Those little moments of sheer joy!

Me and The Boy!

It is a glorious thing, this journey called life! I am so blessed!

A Tribute to Unconditional Love

A Dog?  Unconditional Love from a Dog? Yes.  I say.  A Dog. I think the Good Lord gave us dogs, so we could have some small understanding of what it really means to show, and to have, Unconditional Love.  How many times have I let her food dish run empty, and my Macha Girle just gently taps the side of her bowl, to let me know she is out of food or water.  Love is Patient.  How many times have we been waiting at the shop, for hours, while we get the van worked on, yet again. Despite being stuck in one place, for such a long time, Macha, is always willing to say hello, and give a little love, to everyone who walks by.  Love is Kind.  

But I said “No!”

I did not want to get back into the music industry. “No!” I had told my son that repeatedly, and yet every time he would come to see me, he would question why I wouldn’t do something in music. I have a best friend, who was also questioning why I would not get back into the music industry. I explained, to both of them, that I had seen what the music industry could do to people. I had seen it destroy families, friends, and ruin people’s lives. Then last winter my friend told me “But it wouldn’t be like that this time.”