Month: July 2016

Living on the Road – Part One

I may very well separate these Living on the Road posts with other things to write about.  Just now I am determined and passionate about beginning life without a home base.  It is a risk I did not think I would under take at 50.  I have always been disconnected with “place”, roaming around never wanting to be still.  At a young age, perhaps thirty, I decided to embrace this part of myself.  Rather than thinking about it as irresponsible or unsettled I starting thinking of myself as an adventurer, a wanderer, a responsible nomad.  I’m not scared of much and it suits me not to put down roots.

Recently, most of you know, I was violently uprooted.  Having shallow roots anyway I am recovering quite quickly.  Now I have the opportunity through my job and new lifestyle to pick up and change everything.  I am pushing myself into a five by ten storage unit and it means getting rid of a lot of things.  I sold my crock-pot, pressure cooker, all of my dishes, my saddle that I love, furniture with which I thought I would never part.  Pairing down is difficult kind of like losing weight.  You constantly deny yourself things until it feels natural not to be weighted down with objects, debt, or attachment to material items.  I am fortunate and worked hard not to have debt and very soon will write a check for the balance on my 2013 Ford F150 Crew Cab.  It is a nice vehicle with only fifty thousand miles.  Possibly I will sell it too but I am not quite willing to part with it yet.  I still have dreams of a trip cross country.

Michigan fungus
In the woods near Petoskey, MI

My living on the road journey will begin in Petoskey, Michigan a place I fell in love with years ago.  I am fortunate to have cousins Timothy and Dianne that have been gracious to let me stay there many times.  It is a lovely cottage and I spent many days, afternoons and evenings enjoying the quiet lovely town.  It has so much to offer from high end dining at Chandler’s to yummy breakfast at my favorite spot in town Julienne Tomatoes.  I will spend the end of September and the first of October there this year before returning to the American Queen for my October shift.

Click here for information on my favorite American town!

Yummilicious! Click here for Julienne Tomatoes info

My favorite spot for super delicious food! Click here for Chandler’s

Next up…Mexico for Thanksgiving?  Nicaragua for the winter!

Sisters in Bay Harbor
Sisters Sally and Polly in Bay Harbor, MI 2010

Along Came Jim…

In any endeavor there are risks.  Each post I write is a risk.  A risk that somebody will be offended or will not appreciate my candor. But now, in life, it is a risk I must take because I need to write.  It is cathartic.

The Jim I am writing about is my boss.  When I met him via Skype I had an instant connection and I told him so.  I knew, absolutely knew, that I was supposed to work for him, that this would be my last job, and that I would do well.  I had and have never been so sure of something in my life.

Desperation looks good on no one.  I don’t know if I came across as desperate but he did not treat me that way.  What I have learned about Jim is that he is a mentor and a patient and kind man.  He is not soft or wishy-washy.  He is a strong, decisive and influential leader with a huge heart.  I don’t think he will ever know what he did for me (unless he reads my blog and honestly I have no idea).  By letting me earn this job he has helped me learn again that I am smart, I am capable, and that I can handle whatever life throws at me.  He taught me how to be me again.

I will make this a short one because I am on to more interesting and fun writings.  If he does read my blog I thank him openly and publicly from the bottom of my heart.  Mostly I thank God for bringing into my life Jim Palmeri, the American Queen Steamboat Company, and the group of strong, kind and brilliant people who make up Shore Excursions of America.  I am blessed beyond measure.

IMG_1050

Coming soon…

Another HUGE life change is a comin’.  I’m moving out of my home in Boerne and going to live “on the road”.  I have plans through the winter, which I will write about, so I am not flying by the seat of my pants.  I have a plan, and it’s big!  As of now I cannot find any information online about living out of two suitcases, what to do about clothing and what about creature comforts.  So here we go!  I will be documenting my planning, my travels and my life…free and roaming!

Thanks to all who read and to all who care.