Laundry day

 It's finally laundry day, not that I have so much underwear that I only have to do laundry once a month. I have learned some tricks about getting an extra day out of some items by turning them inside out. Hey, you live in a travel trailer for 59 days THEN we can talk about compromises necessary for this lifestyle. Anyway, going to a laundry mat has never been one of my top 10 things to do on a Saturday. Alas, I have not left my site. The owner has a washing machine outside with an organic dryer-a clothes line. He has a line of what appear to be washing machines, actually, 2 lines. Maybe some are dryers, who knows. They are all covered up with plastic of various kinds, wood, other metal washers, and rugs. All 8-12 of them.  I guess that the salt air would eat the metal or they would all get dirty and having a dirty washing machine is unacceptable to him. The raccoon that I spotted next to the water didn't appear to care. I am back at my site, sitting in the sun, actually shielding myself from it. It's sorta warm on the body at 9:37 am. The green trees surround me with numerous unknown birds slowly waking to the day. The gossipy ones chatting about their evening apparently. Yesterday there was a wood stork? in front of my trailer all day. 'Nice legs, shame about your face' are words to a song from long ago. They came to mind as its head looked like it were draped with a gray cloth. Like a villain from an old movie. Well, laundry should be ready. After breakfast I am going canoeing on the Indian River, right off the property. Ah, so so sweet.

sunset over Indian River

Off the grid

 I am 100% off the grid. I have always wanted to try this lifestyle. I have read articles, blogs, books and now that the day is here, I am unprepared. Not totally unprepared mind you, I have taken steps that I thought were appropriate but apparently they aren't. The lights are dimming. Oh well, that's the great thing about knowing. I'll figure it out and The Universe will provide.

 I use to plan and research everything ahead. Caring for a parent and running a business, I utilized that skill to the utmost. I would visualize my workday the evening previous. I learned that my day went much better when I had already done everything once before. Also, I love to research. I can tell you laws and give you advice BETTER than some lawyers that I went to for information. At one point, after mom was diagnosed terminal, I went to the nursing home to find out what I would have to do if she had to be admitted. These things aren't always a choice.  In Pennsylvania, they send you to the state assistance office to fill out paperwork. I went with all my information in hand and then a caring, sweet lady that was assisting me noted a law that very few people if any knew about. The rural town that I lived in had mostly nice people who wanted to help you, nothing like the city life I was accustom to. As she was telling me the required paperwork that I would need, I was digging in my file and pulled it out. She stated that I was the only person that had ever had the information. Like I said, I love to research. So, whats going on here? Me, unprepared for this experience? The Universe provides.

  I have gotten back into my groove. The Universe knows what I need before I do and, it usually gives me something better than I could ever imagine. So why continue to screw up a good thing? I rented a tiny apartment on the beach in Florida years ago sight unseen. I showed up with a beach chair and a small table and lamp. No furniture, just my necessities. My friends came over to see the tiny beach front apartment that I had rented and weren't understanding. I told them that I had told God that I wanted an apartment on the beach. I prayed, talked, and sometimes meditated. That is what I wanted. Not an unreasonable request I though. So, when it showed up, I was in Pennsylvania visiting my sister who was having major health issues. I always dropped everything to be with her when she was ill. Anyway, no need to see the apartment I figure as it had been provided to me by The Universe. When it came time to furnish it, my thoughts were that The Universe gave me the apartment that was within my budget, so the furniture must be soon to follow. I didn't think God wanted me to sit in a beach chair too long. My friends were aghast. But the furniture showed up at my door, delivered. Now, as the saying goes, beggar's cant' be choosers, so I was extremely grateful for all the furniture given me. Ironically, it all fit and was the perfect size for my mini micro tiny beachfront apartment.
 The lights went out as I write this, the battery is dead.  I'll go start the generator and then lay here for a while talking to God, praying and maybe meditating, telling him that I need direction  to figure out how to resolve this problem, the money to accomplish the task, and is the case with age, as him to throw in some good laughs or at least a good story to tell. The Universe knows what I need before I need it. Maybe he'll even throw in a date for me too!

 tonight's sunset on Merritt Island

Allow

 Patricia and I went to church this morning. It didn't call itself a church. She enjoyed it. I am more of a traditionalist than I thought. I want the sermon. I love hearing people speak in public, sharing their views and opinions. That's what church is right, someones opinion. As I always do though, I find the good. The 'talk' was about allowing the good to come into our lives. I pray, I meditate, but am not confident that I allow the good to come into my life. Obviously, I have these past few days. The allowing has opened up numerous new doors, positive experiences that I am eager to give a try. Trusting seems to be the key to allowing. Trusting people, who deliver The Universes messages and gifts. A good focus for the next few days will be simply to allow. A post it note will aid in this project. The results will be fun to see.

 

Your friends reflect you

 I moved physically from one environment to another and everything changed. My thoughts are reflected in the people that I attract into my life. People who are concerned not only about themselves, but enhancing the lives of others in a capacity of love, support,  and understanding. People who I now call friends. Friends who share. They share their private space, food, thoughts, love, understanding, and encouragement. Friends who, without knowing, assist me in being the person that I want to be. A better person. Friends who share their passions without judgment. Strangers until nomadic serendipity stepped in. Chance? Fate. Coincidence? I know better. The Universe gave me exactly what I needed, when I needed it.

 Gratitude.

Merritt Island, Florida

 Leaving behind friends in this lifestyle is still difficult. I have had the opportunity to live in campgrounds for the summer when I was younger, and had to learn to say 'until we meet again.' That's all we really ever have. I will miss them.

  I arrived at Merritt Island at 11p after leaving Trilby a little after 8p. I was waiting for the traffic to subside around Orlando before departing and it made the journey much easier and less stressful. Actually, driving this time was more like-driving. I had purchased some extension mirrors that were highly recommended online. They have suction cups that attach to your existing mirrors. They worked great, aiding in my ability to see further into both lanes and down the side of the Fun Finder. I never met the speed limit, unless it was 55, so passing another vehicle isn't necessary. My arrival was picture perfect. The moon being full, lit the ponds and grounds as if to welcome me. Jim, the owner, stumbled over to great me and then Patricia with her dog Crumbface. A completely different world on many levels and I am anxious to see what this type of life experience is all about. I am expecting loads of positive learning, laughs and fun, spiritual enlightenment, and a peaceful soul. Good night.

Not the direction that I want to go

 The past few weeks have been a huge eye opener for me on many, many levels. A friend of mine said that this experience of vagabonding would be a type of soul searching. I have learned that is an understatement. First and foremost, I realize that this is MY life. I am no longer responsible for another person and all their needs. I am no longer responsible for a home and all its needs. I am done settling estates, always fulfilling what has to be accomplished. It is my time, for myself, about myself. (Funny, that wasn't my intent when I started this journey. I just wanted to travel.) Sounds like a simple concept to grasp right? To a degree it is. Here's where the twist comes into play. Now I only have myself to be responsible for, to make happy, fulfilled. Should be easy right? It has been, or should I say was, a difficult transition for me. I have put myself 2nd or 3rd for years and the habit is difficult to change. This is where The Universe (ie. God) jumps in. The past 3 weeks have shown me everything that I don't  want in my life, and a few things that I do. I guess The Universe decided to throw me off a cliff, as it were, into the traditional 'learn quick or sink'.

 So, I learned quick. I have witness behavior, belief systems, and addictions that would stop someone cold. It forced me to question my own behavior, my current belief systems, and addictions. It was just my birthday and a new year rang in. Isn't that what we're suppose to do at this time? I decided that I must surround myself with people that I want to emulate. People who have similar behaviors, belief systems, and addictions. (There are also good addictions. I want to focus on those.) This is where The Universe jumps in again. Damn if it doesn't know just what I need when I need it. First, meeting Patricia by what every person knows- there is no coincidence-coincidence. Meeting her in a rest area then becoming fast and furious friends, with our own unique belief systems that match! What are the odds? A gazillion to one. The Universe. We share where we came from, spiritual beliefs, eating belief/habits, love of dance, open communication and so many other life essentials that make this life worth living. We help each other with intentions and without. I feel so blessed to have met her.

 I want to make clear that the experience that I've had for these past few weeks I wouldn't trade for anything. The Universe allowed me to view life in a manner that will keep me focused on my wants, needs, and goals. Yes Virginia, vagabonds have goals. Now, I did have some fun in there too. Spending time on my friends farm was really great. I loved the farm fresh eggs, feeding the cows and horses while the dogs danced in circles around us. It makes me consider farming as a hobby, maybe someday. I got to see friends I hadn't seen in years and possibly make new ones. I got to dance, and I do love to dance. All in all I consider it a positive experience, albeit one I don't care to repeat. I think The Universe knows exactly what it is doing. Guiding me ever so not gently in a direction more conducive for me, as I believe that The Universe knows me and my needs better than I do myself. And this part- making life about what I want-is really fun! I really enjoy it!

3 weeks

Hello Blog. 3 weeks. It's been that long?  I have experienced so much in such a short time. I'll start this blog by going back to the holidays, where I left off. It feels like such a very long time ago.
I spent time with sis and her gf on the29th. It was great to see them and enjoy some time together. They gave me a GPS for my truck which will greatly assist my wandering skills. I've reached that joyous age where driving, reading directions, looking for signs and traffic is becoming difficult. Also, they bestowed me with a T shirt which reads 'Not all who wander are lost.' Appropriate. Their friends came over later that day and we enjoyed what we all agreed to be the best Bloody Mary's ever.
 The next day was my 44th birthday. I was lucky to have a couple friends to share it with. We drank wine and had some great laughs. Looking back on my life that day proved to be difficult with the passing of mom the 31st and my brother Bill the 26th one year previous. I focused on myself and the fact that the rest of my life is mine, totally mine. Something I haven't had for a very, very long time. New Years was also difficult for a few minutes. I took pause to remember and honor the past. Then I made it a New Years to have fun, which I did.
 New Years day was a day to remember. A couple months previous to my dear sister Ellen's death, she came to visit me when I lived on the beach in Pass a Grille, Florida. I hadn't seen her in a while and when I did, I didn't recognize her. I was unprepared for the shock of seeing her in such a state. At that time I had a job working for a gentleman by the name of Rich. I was so distraught seeing my sister in such a state and having her visit that I quit my job with no notice, a decision that I have always regretted. That is not the man I want to be. However today, the Universe gave me a chance to correct a wrong from 7 years ago. In a crowd I spotted Rich. My first thought was that I had to apologize for my behavior. When I approached him, it took a few moments for him to remember me. He graciously accepted my apology and set the tone for a new year.

In Memory and Love

 I still find it difficult to look at pictures of mom. I just can't look at her face. I'm not ready.

 By the age of 42 I have lost both parents, a brother and a sister. Lori and I remain. What a life, what a family.