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HOME

8/16/2015

8 Comments

 
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I have been home for 12 days.  I am slowly getting back into what that means.  I am back on our mean, orange mowing machine, back in the barn, back in the gardens.  I am trying to be back to all these things that I know so well in a new way.  One that is no longer hurried. I am looking at my gardens through the eyes of Paul Strand.  I am not seeing the weeds.  Enjoying each day.  It is working so far, we will see how that goes once I start work again.  Some things I am letting go of, at least until next spring.  My daylily back hill is one of them........  

I have been feeling very closed in........ not personally - my husband has not only allowed me to transition in my own way -- but has done so with a sense of humor.  No, physically.  The shrubs around my house, that used to make me feel cozy, now make me feel closed in, like I am being strangled.  I have gotten used to being exposed.  The wide open spaces and the big sky.  Yesterday, I pruned everything off our back porch down to the ground.  Todd was funny, " glad that didn't happen on my watch".  Feels wonderful, open.  I stopped myself from cutting the Nandina all the way back, will wait until Oct/Nov so I can decorate with it --- then it too will have to start anew.

Need to go back to share my plane ride home.  A young family was on the first plane, a small commuter from Burbank to Phoenix. They were trying to all sit together.  They had a plan and had reserved their seats six months ago.  However, their seats were in the very back, as was mine.  One of the children was a baby and the mother planned to nurse on the flight.  Everyone all settled in.  Then, the flight attendant threw a wrench in the works.  She couldn't sit in her particular seat because there were not enough air masks that pop down in that particular row.  Who knew????  We re-arranged and as a result, I was blessed with sharing a 5 year old boy's first experience with flight.  Pure joy for all of us.  At lift -off, his eyes widen, his mouth drops open ---- WHOA!!!!  Then look at that, look at that, can you see that........  I, of course, had tears in my eyes, as I smiled and laughed at his unbridled exuberance.  I looked up and across at the gentleman sitting one row up.  He had cocked his headphones, so he could hear.  He too, was quietly sharing in the innocent joy of a young boy.  While sharing in Lucas's experience, we were both remembering our own.  Landing, while not the same level of excitement, was still fun....... more shock, than wonder.

I 'd like to share some numbers here.

Visited : 10 National Parks, 6 National Monuments, 12 National Forests, 3 National Rivers, 5 National Recreation Areas, 1 National Seashore, 1 National Battlefield, and 1 National Cemetery.  

Total mileage :  5397.2   I am only 8.2 miles from clicking 10,000 on Stormy, since I bought her in Jan. of 2014.
Total fuel, oil, chain lube, coolant cost : $352.86
lowest price per gallon ( premium) -- $2.76 in Siloam Springs, AZ
highest price ---- $ 4.49 in Bakersfield, CA

Lodging :  $4089.75 --- notes -- I camped much less than I had planned on.  Too wet or too hot.  Or I'm just getting old.  
Some interesting taxes out there -- transient tax -- in Ashland, KY it was $1.29.  In Petaluma.CA it was $14.40.

Restaurants ( includes tips) : $439.08
Groceries/Supplies : $228.84

Beer : $139.82
Water: $14.24 ---- I drank much more than this implies, I filled up for free where ever I could.
Ice : $20.05 -- Again, bought only when had too.  Tried to fill up water bladder and little cooler via hotel ice machines.  Not all of which worked.
Coffee : $20.82  -- made my own most of the time with my camping french press and little stove.
Shipping home, Stormy and Tom's Ducati : $900
Plane ride for me plus 2 bags:  $260

My original estimates were pretty accurate.  If I had kept to mostly camping.

I still have not even looked at all the photographs I took on my D90.  Once I do, I will add some galleries to this website.  Probably, a month.

Once again, Thanks is insufficient for the support I have gotten from family, friends and strangers during this incredible life experience.  I have indeed found so much peace, not only within myself, but in everyone I have met, everything I have seen.  I thank God, every morning. 

 
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8 Comments
Todd
8/16/2015 07:23:18 am

Welcome home...I do think we really surprised you at the airport...thanks to Kimmy, Claire, 9R, and Ary for helping me out with that. Can't wait to find out when the next adventure starts. :-)

Reply
9r
8/16/2015 07:54:44 am

The beer cost is my fave!!

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mmw
8/17/2015 03:07:33 am

of course, it is

mmw
8/17/2015 03:14:46 am

This is a comment for Todd --- weebly wants to keep putting it under 9R's comment -- hopefully this time it will work --- but if not, I'm going to let it stay.
Indeed, you did surprise me!! Best surprise ever!! As for next adv --- what do you think about the Pacific NW -- on way to HCMB re-union 2016?

Reply
Marion Mullan link
8/16/2015 12:17:11 pm

Great Job! So proud of you. Thanks for sharing all of this !!! You are living every moment. Xoxo

Reply
mmw
8/17/2015 03:08:09 am

Thanks, Marion!
xoxo

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Claire
8/18/2015 01:39:08 am

Your transition sounds wonderful! The feeling of being closed in and its remedy - brilliant!!! So awesome, you are, my friend. Glad I could be a part of your homecoming - good stuff. I enjoyed the entire ride!!! :-) Loving you muchly. ~*~ Oxxx

Reply
mmw
8/18/2015 11:05:20 am

🍻👍🏻❌⭕️❌❤️🍀🍀🎉🎉🎉🎶🎱🎢. How come there are no motorcycle pictures in the emoji library????
Love you. And Thank You.

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