Sea To Shining Sea

A couple days ago, I went to the beach for the first time since I got back from my "big adventure." It felt so good to put my feet into "my ocean".

My original plan was, once I got back on the island, to hit the beach before I even came home....but, in my anticipation of being with Dave and Sadie, I nixed that idea long before I reached Snow's Cut bridge. This was a good decision...for many reasons.

Another reason ...as happy as I was to be back with my guy and puppy, I wasn't quite prepared to declare myself officially "back". If you've been on a mind (and spirit) bending trip, you know exactly what I mean. There's a part of me that yearns to remain on the road and see what the next bend in the highway may offer. It could be a huge pasture of windmills which looks like a family of aliens from some far, far away, but very friendly, planet. Or...maybe a beautiful field of amber waves of grain... or possibly, the glorious purple mountains majesty...and even a slight chance of the delicious fruited plains. Or...maybe just this little ol' funky motel that beckons your spirit and invites you in for the night. You just never know, do you?

Looks like the gypsy in me will always be there, whispering gently in my ear about all the many wondrous experiences waiting just around the next bend. I've learned that sometimes I must listen to my gypsy soul because it is as much a part of me as anything else and to deny it, is to deny who I am and what I am, and most certainly, why I am.

It seems that I've lived most of my life with one foot in and one foot out of wherever I was. Commitment, to a place, comes hard for me. This seems so contrary to the military child who so envied her friends who lived in one place all their lives and still had the same friends from early childhood. When I was little, I used to wish that for myself with all my heart. I prayed that my dad would be fired from the navy so we wouldn't have to move anymore. In 7th grade, I went to four different schools, and each move took another little piece from my heart. But, finally in the second semester of 9th grade, we moved to Charlotte and stayed there through my high school years. I settled down a little bit, and enjoyed the feeling of being a part of the "connection", but truth is...deep down, I alway kept one little piece of me right by the door... ...just in case.

I'm beginning to understand that this trip has brought me back in touch with my gypsy side, and, much to my surprise, I'm pretty sure I've made peace with her. There's the part of me (and it's the larger part of me) who loves that I've been here for almost 20 years...a lifetime record for living in one place. I love that I, with a whole lot of help, achieved a 36 year dream of getting back to the beach... which started at the age of 12 when we left Miami, and finally came to fruition when I moved to Carolina Beach at age 48. I love my friends and my community... our house that we share with Sadie Mae....our whole life here. But, in the past few years, there's been a restlessness deep inside, and it was beginning to be a little troublesome because I couldn't quite figure out what it was all about.

Now, I know. The gypsy girl inside was begging to be heard and she spoke loudly enough that when my sister asked me if I wanted to go to Colorado with her to see her son, I said...hell, yeah...as long as we can go to Graceland! Which, of course, is how we came to drive cross country and satisfy both our gypsy souls. So...I go back to my desire to "be received in Graceland", and like the Paul Simon song says "For reasons I cannot explain, there's some part of me wants to see Graceland." Well, now I can explain it to myself and anyone else who might be interested. It's all about connecting with your whole being. And, me and my gypsy are finally reconnected in a most wonderfully healthy way.

So, I can finish unpacking and know that even though I'm settling back into my routine at home, I'm not putting my gypsy soul in storage...she's going to remain right here with me and remind me when it's time to allow her spirit to take the lead. She helps me break free from the fearful, worrisome Lynn. By the way, I call my gypsy soul, Maggie. (another story here : )

But...no matter what... we both know where home is. And...with all my heart I can say...there's no place like home...there's no place like home...there's no place like home.

Home

Yesterday my horoscope advised: today isn't a good day for clear thinking or important decisions.

I had to laugh. The idea of of doing either had not crossed my mind since I got home Sunday afternoon. The idea of doing anything beyond sleeping and hanging out with my hubby and doggie was inconceivable. I was bone tired... physically, mentally and emotionally. Of course I expected to be a little weary, but this knock-ya-down and throw-ya-around exhaustion is much more intense than I anticipated. Then...I do have to keep in mind the reality of my age...not exactly a young chick anymore.

"Soon it will all seem like a dream", my son told me this morning, and the reality of that has created a teeny spark somewhere within because I want to write down as many thoughts as possible so it will remain a beautiful memory and not just a fuzzy dreamlike experience. Actually, that pretty much describes my life...a fuzzy, dream-like experience. More on that later...now, back to our trip while I still remember it.

One thing I need to do is go back and clear up is a comment I made about AFZ. I may have given the idea that Donna and I were singled out when we were stopped by the BP (Border Patrol) and that was not the case, at all. Everyone was being stopped and some pulled for for further questioning. Most of the folks who were detained were obviously not your light haired, blue eyed kind of folk. Many of them were families traveling and appeared to be taking a typical vacation. You know, with suitcases, tents, and bikes on top of the car. But, guess it was the bikes or something, right? You never know about those American Flyers, do you? We had chairs on top of our car and the inside so overstuffed it looked like we were moving, but that didn't seem to pose any concern at all. Couldn't have been the light skin and blue eyes, right? So...just wanted to make it clear... everyone was stopped, but only folks with brown skin were pulled over to the side.

I already ranted about the political signs, so I won't stir that bad energy up again. But, shortly after we left AFZ we read an article about the decrease in their tourism this summer, and it just seemed totally understandable to me. I don't understand the mentality of a state that allows these types of signs on interstate highways. It's a slap in the face for tourists who have differing political views and a double slap to the people of AFZ who think differently but still pay state taxes. OK...no more talk about this state. I promise. Well, except for this...Dave has a great bumper sticker on his truck..."Karma...it's everywhere you're going to be". Well, guess it can also be said...it's everywhere you're not going to be, right? Looks like lots of touristy folks aren't going to be in AFZ.

Almost finished unpacking. Travel tips: Don't over pack. You really don't need 6 different journals because, chances are, you won't use any of them. Also, try not to pack too many books...why would you think you'll read three or four times more books on a trip than you do at home? You won't! You probably won't read any of them because you'll go into a thrift shop and find a book that you've been wanting to read and it's only 35 cents. That's the book you're gonna read because nothing draws your attention like a super real deal. Blouses and shirts...don't go overboard...keep in mind these wonderful inventions called washers and dryers. They're everywhere! Do take into consideration: weather variances. It wouldn't hurt to being a jacket and a couple things you can layer. Of course, if you hit cold weather and didn't come prepared, that's a perfect excuse for even more thrift shopping. And, when you find an Eileen Fisher medium weight vest for $5...you don't even think twice. : )

I have so much more to tell, but will save it for next time. To all of you who are following my blog....I thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Most of you know I've always wanted to write and through this blog, I'm trying out my wings. If you have suggestions or critiques, please do share...my ego is not allowed on this spiritual venture, so you don't have to worry about that.