Through the gate and to the next gateway.

Last night found me participating in a  writers' get together held at Jerry's Restaurant in Onalaska, TX.   I met the most amazing people with a passion for writing.  We all brought something we wrote, and someone in the group read each piece aloud.  When someone saw something that needed correcting, they would speak out and make suggestions.  They spoke out every other sentence on my story, but the suggestions were valid and thought provoking.  I learned more from this group in one night than I did taking 2 years of writing classes and joining a writer's group in McDonough.  I am excited about what I learned and can't wait to make the major changes on my story.  One woman there was a total ninja editor and helped me with my grammar and punctuation.  Unfortunately, I'm not using the suggestions on this blog but as I learn from others the writing will come.  Life is good.

Down the Path

Well I must eat my words about Livingston.  If I keep myself open to opportunities placed in front of me things do happen and in the most unexpected places.  Vic and I met the most interesting couple at the pool today.  She was going on about her writing and how successful it had become because she found a niche and provides people with information on gaining custody of their kids.  One thing has led to another and she now has 4 or 5 books on the subject.  She sells these on the internet.  She and her husband invited us to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and we all had very interesting conversations.  I talked with Charlotte for a long while and she encouraged me to continue my writing.  She led me to realize I have several niche's that I could address.  She invited me to a writers workshop tomorrow night.  We used to say in the program that there are no coincidences.  Because I am seeking God's direction for my life, I believe he will and has put people in my life to guide me on this new journey.  I say it again, If I observe and listen, I will find the direction.  Is this a direction for me?  Authoring something purposeful has been my wish, perhaps wishes do come true even in Livingston, Texas.

Jumping Up and Down

Got an email today informing me of my nephews college graduation.  He graduated magna cum laude.  It is refreshing to know that our family is carrying on the college tradition.  This was some great news from the family. 

New Adventures

New Adventures, a set on Flickr.

Peering through the Gate

Livingston, Texas is an unremarkable town.  However the campground is good.  We have everything we need.  This is where we had our mail is forwarded so we decided to visit.  Have a lot of business to take care of. Texas actually got some rain, a good soaking as a matter of fact, but did little to ease the drought unfortunately. 
Listening to the Eagles album East of Eden.  The title song is stunning.  One good thing about living in a camper, surround sound puts me in the heart of the music, the heart of my soul.  From classical, opera, jazz, classic rock, to gospel, blues and new age, I love it all.  It calls out parts of my brain that exercises abandonment of inhibitions.  Much needed in my case since I get so uptight about everything.  So music is a good friend, a big smile, a settling of the mind and soul. 

Sitting on the back step

Studying the clouds today, I was hopeful for rain but none came.  Texas is in an extreme draught and it has been hard on everyone.  Day after day of high 90s to low 100s teaches flexibility to change a schedule so instead of sleeping in, I get up and get the chores out of the way in the cool of the day.  The dogs stay in most of the day with brief walks about every two hours.  Phoebe is restless today and this evening chased the ball a dozen times ears flapping in the wind with a smile around the ball in her mouth.  Millie took a couple steps and flopped on the ground panting hard.  Vic comes home tomorrow and I have missed him. 

Gates Open for Round Top

My horizons expanded today.  I know I raved about the town I'm in, LaGrange, but had no idea that I was so close to the International Festival-Institute of Round Top, a small town population 90.  Students of music come from all over the world attend six week seminars to learn and play with accomplished musicians and conductors.  Every Saturday they have a concert - all classical music.  The Hall, as they call it is an architectural wonder.  When I stepped inside my breath was taken away.  I have never in my life seen anything more beautiful.  Every inch from floor to ceiling is covered in rich, deep colors of  expertly carved wood in designs that absolutely fascinate the eye. The ceiling seems to go on forever and it is said the acoustics are perfect.  This is one place I will revisit to give it a fitting appreciation.  The Hall is just one of many architectural designs on the campus of 200 hundred acres.  The architecture is inspired by Moravian and Czechoslovakian influences in the area. A very old world look.  If anyone can get to this area, your heart and soul would be greatly enriched. 

Sitting Still in the Gateway

What do you do in 103 degree heat?  Sit in the shade.  That's what the dogs and I have been doing today.  Sometimes it feels good to just sit still and feel the breeze push the heat over my face and through my hair and see the sway in the trees like feather dusters sweeping the sky.  Most of the time I'm in the air conditioned camper.  Well you really do have to be realistic in 103 degree heat.

My thoughts turn to Dad since tomorrow is Father's Day.  I miss him desperately.  Many days like today I just want him back so I can see his smile, laugh at his jokes and wonder at his latest project.   I learned the basics of taking care of a car from him.  I can change all the fluids, jump a car,  tighten a belt or change the oil.  I respected his steadfastness, spirituality, kindness, gentleness and patience.  But when he flared his nostrels I immediately did what he asked. Because he was a man of God, I'm assured that he is in a much better place.  So Dad, on this Father's Day I send you my love.

Back door musing

After teaching special education for 28 years one tends to, in a sense, become what you teach.  Now that's not a put down of my students it's just that my vocabulary lacks the vibrancy it once had and spelling is a challenge.  I even type words backwards.  My once shining ability to use metaphor and simile is dull and lackluster.  So when I want to describe this amazing little area I am visiting I'm at a loss for words. 

Who would have thought the middle of nowhere Texas had amazing, talented artisans and musicians.  The little shops, night spots, bistros, and cultural activities are all enough to keep the population busy on a daily basis.  The resident stained-glass artist is sought after world wide, and the Czech heritage is displayed in a small group of buildings from the settlement days along with their gorgeous quilts.

This gives me pause and then exciting expectations for further experiences everywhere we go.  Today I celebrate the individuality of every person here and worldwide. 

The Gateway of Rebuilding

This morning I am enjoying the freedom of rediscovery and reinvention of  mind and soul.  How easy it is for me to lose sight.  I have always lived within boxes.  The box of earning a living, the box of being a partner, the box of motherhood, the box of spirituality  all separate and apart.   The tasks of each box required completion before I could go on to another.  Overwhelmed describes the feeling because I never could really finish the tasks of one box to move on.  Obviously multitasking, not a strong point.  Simplifying, downsizing and retiring from teaching has given me the chance to throw away all the boxes and to look at my foundation.  Crumbled as it is,  I am standing here looking to see where to start.  The gate is open.  Anything and everything is at my disposal, for it is the mind and the soul that is ready to be rebuilt.  No more boxes only open spaces.

Hmm.  First step to rebuilding, start listening.  I was making a list in my head of all the little things I could do today, but there on the table was The Daily Bible.  The reading for today is Jonah. Listening for a truth I heard remember the gators in the pond and the whale who swallowed Jonah.  Perhaps the first new brick to add, stay away from gators and whales. Ha, it's up to you to figure that one out.  Me, I'll stay on the path.

The river is flowing fast today.  Or is it just the refreshing breeze that is a constant around here?  Physically moving is another brick in the foundation.  I had stopped moving, doing or thinking.  So Phoebe, my little Yorkshire Terrier and I took a walk on the river path.  She wanted to go in after the turtles and frogs.  How cute, I thought.  She loves the water and wanted to jump in.  I realized then, that if she did  the current may take her away.  I could just see me jumping in after her and both of us floating down the river.  But no harm, no foul.  People tube the river frequently.  Who knows where the river would have taken us.

Leaving a Crack in the Door

Having to leave a crack in the door for now.  Leaving teaching was the easy part but beginning a new lifestyle not so easy in these days and times.  We join the woes of middle America leaving a house still for sale in Georgia.  Our new home, the Chapparal Lite travel trailer fits us perfectly.  We had to downsize considerably but it was a conscious choice to delete all the unnecessary flotsum and jetsum that one accumulates over the course of years engaged in home ownership.  We are bare bones and I love everything about it.  Not being ones who enjoy housekeeping or yard work, we now enjoy pursuing our real interests and hobbies.  Of course we still have to put food on the table but as we roll along, opportunities seem to come our way.  Our first place of residence is LaGrange, Texas.  A very quaint and likeable town.  We also have friends here who are more than willing to show us the quirks and highlights of the area.  We are camped on the Colorado River in a very quiet and beautifully kept RV park offering all the amenities you could ask for.  I am learning to live one day at a time, and make the most of the time I have. 

Going through this gateway has relieved me of tunnel vision.  Emotionally and physically weary from my teaching job, I came home and crashed. I saw nothing, spoke only when spoken to,  then went to bed  just to get up the next morning hoping I had the energy to get through the day.  Decidedly not a way to live.  Out here in the wide open spaces I can take joy in the people I meet and the diversity everywhere I look.  Who'd a thought it, while walking my dogs at a gas stop we round the back corner and there sits an old man, beard to his waist in full lotus position.  I thought I'd been beamed to India.  I smiled, he smiled then said, "Better watch that pond thar's gators init."  I'm still deciding if those words had any cosmic or karmic meaning.  Yesterday we met a couple who are bicycling across the USA.  Get this, they are volunteering as they go, did you hear me, volunteering!  That is the greatest concept of the week.  Go safely Kristine and Kevin you have definitely inspired me.  Their web site is karmicproliferation.org if you're interested. So you see what a wonderful, diverse place we live in.  What a gateway, ya'll.  and I'm just peering through at the moment.