Hello, reader. How you doing? Ming and I recently traveled down Oregon to the radical faerie sanctuary and Grant’s Pass, through California’s central valley, to Davis and Sacramento, California. Our goal was to see old friends for a 50th birthday tea party, and visit the ashram I spent 12 years close to. Then we came home via the coast in order to avoid snow. Our trip changed me.
The attempt to avoid snow was a smart one, but it didn’t work. We saw a ton of snow on the coast driving home, but we were ok in my 2006 Prius named Cabin in the Woods. In Davis we lost the dash lights again, but I got used to driving not knowing our speed. No biggie. Ming thinks they can fix it again.
I travel to see people I love, including graves and the water where my mom’s ashes were scattered. We didn’t make it that far south this time, but maybe next time. I travel to visit the land and to pray–to say thank you. To smell special smells connected to the land.
Learning is a big part of what I’m after. I’m happy our trip changed me because I learned.
our trip was amazing
Here’s a list.
- seeing the huge elk herd in a meadow by the road, and recognizing the tall, beautiful elk standing there on the road as something like a camel
- deciding to change my name to Teşekkürler
- crying in the car about the abundant emotional labor I saw women doing at a small town cafe, all the emotional labor flowing one direction
- the four day ritual and everything I learned from doing that intense spiritual work
- so much snow and seeing the slid car facing the wrong way in the median
- dreaming with Ming about bringing a dog into our family
- sunning at the Sanctuary
- Shivaratri at the ashram I moved to Sacramento to live near
- when I was scared a horse experiencing strong emotions was going to jump on our car
- wearing my cute cherry dress for the first time
- seeing one of my closest friends who I speak with every day, and who I’m doing a book project with
- huevos con soyrizo gluten free sandwiches in Davis
- hand delivering zines and love notes to old friends and faeries
- a tasty bowl of soul at Naked Lounge in Sacramento on Q Street with a dearest one who’s so supportive, creative, and alive– such a reader
- a poem I wrote in the morning
- remarrying Ming under the grape vine
5 replies on “our trip changed me”
Wonderful lessons !
We also learned we can personally hold a boundary on a level of acceptable quality at a lodging we are at and that we can choose to leave
We are resilient to adversity
We can drive far as needed
A PT assessment appointment can be done in a stationary car
Our dog dream is great
Oranges gifted to us from our Davis host are delightfully delicious exceeding my expectations
My expectations were unjustifiably in error
There are good vegan Impossible sausages to be found in Arcata that are denied access in Oregon apparently
The High Tea experience is fun
I love you ! I love being with you !
yes, sweetheart. I love you. thank you for your additions.
Love of the beauty of Mt Shasta, Black Butte, and the presence of crystals in Mt Shasta the town
The Inoa ʻĀina and Aloha Spirit of the Hawaiian culture of our Davis host’s abode
The Hawaiian sovereignty movement as interpreted and explained by our Davis host
Sounds absolutely awesome, in the original meaning of the word “awe-some” before it applied to pizza. So glad for you both. I’d like to hear more about the name change.
thank you, friend. I appreciate your care shining like sunlight on my life and my spirit. hugs and hugs!!