I realized this summer that much of my happiness is derived from my sense of place. That is not to dismiss or denigrate the importance of the people I spent time with. They gave me a sense of belonging to family that I miss now that I am back at the lake living alone with Kenya.
I spent a great deal of time on Atlantic beaches this summer. I love Atlantic beaches. I love the variety. I love the rocks. I love the ruggedness. I felt happy exploring those beaches, but I didn't feel at home on them.
Kerry and I took the children swimming at the old water source for the town of Wolfville. It was just like Pike Lake, small, calm, surrounded by woods, an oasis of peace. There I did feel at home.
When I visited Rob I canoed the Clyde in a fund raiser for cancer, and the river was a lot like Pike Lake too. I felt at home there too.
In the Muskokas the river was a green place where we swam and the dogs played happily chasing sticks. One day we went for a five hour kayak trip, just five women in five kayaks. I felt at peace. It was not Pike Lake but I felt at home there as the forest slipped by and the water flowed past my paddle.
Yesterday I awakened to a beautiful misty morning here at the lake and instead feeling at peace, I felt a sense of dread. I have not been sleeping well since coming home. I lie awake worrying about all the things I fear I may not be able to handle alone.
The lake has made me realize the importance of place; this nomadic summer made me realize the importance of family.
I left here in July knowing that I would never be happy as a nomad. I came home wondering whether I can ever be happy as a hermit again. Quel dilemme!
Showing posts with label nomads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nomads. Show all posts
Friday, 12 September 2008
Monday, 30 June 2008
Nomadic Travels #1
June 30, 2008
Ready! Steady! Go!
Kenya knows something is different ... but she goes into her usual "go to sleep till it's over" mode, so she is not a problem.
I am testing the laptop on this piece to decide whether I need to take a keyboard with me. If I find I am spending more time correcting mistakes than writing, I will, because that interferes with my thinking process. This is a brag piece about Kenya.
Kenya has her faults (don't we all?) But she is generally an easy companion and she works well with the dogs I board. She establishes herself as the pack leader and then she enforces my rules ... and dogs generally respond better to admonitions from other dogs than they do from new people, so she is a real partner in my dog sitting enterprise.
There are two dogs which she takes a back seat to: Shea and Nina. She met both when she was a puppy and they established their dominance then.
I have three stories about Kenya's recent behaviour that show just how wonderful this dog is ... well maybe they don't all prove that, but they do show why I find her interesting and lovable, and all are about pack behaviour in well socialized dogs.
1. There was the story of her telling us that Remi needed help. I posted about this the other day. She behaved very strangely and was deliberately disobedient and badly behaved, and wouldn't quit until we began to look after Remi. Remi is "her" puppy and a member of her pack. She had a responsibility to look after his welfare. I learned from this experience to pay attention when she acts out of character because it probably means she is trying to tell me something important.
2. The second story is about an error in judgment she made when Shea was here. Kenya firmly believes that all sticks belong to her. One of the dogs had placed a pile of three sticks on the ground. Shea went to get them. Kenya defended "her" property with a snarl. Shea growled back. Then both dogs stood stock still for four minutes, their bodies turned away from one another, their heads averted, and only their eyes revealed that they were not sure what to do now. Kenya had done something no pack leader could accept and both of them knew the rules, but neither wanted to act on them. Finally Shea picked up the sticks and Kenya acted as if it were his right.
3. The third story occurred a few days ago. Kenya had been out playing in the light cast by the solar lights till quite late one evening. I let her stay outside because she was having such a good time chasing toads and fireflies and took the dried liver cookie upstairs with me. I read for a while., the cookie sitting on my dream journal. Later I went down and brought Kenya in, gave her a new cookie, and we went to bed. The next morning I was at the computer in another room and I heard an anguished wail. I went to see what the problem was. She was sitting with her nose on the dream journal which was somewhat damp from her drool. But the cookie had not been touched. I don't know many dogs who could have resisted that temptation.
So three stories about Kenya's awareness of pack order. In the hierarchy I stand above her. Shea stands above her. Remi stands below her. But when Remi is hurt, he comes first. I have noticed that she backs off and lets me handle things if there is a dispute between dogs she knows well ... between Shea and Remi for example. She acts as if she is upset and confused ... because she doesn't know where her loyalties lie.
Try applying all of this to human behaviour ... it is an interesting exercise.
Ready! Steady! Go!
Kenya knows something is different ... but she goes into her usual "go to sleep till it's over" mode, so she is not a problem.
I am testing the laptop on this piece to decide whether I need to take a keyboard with me. If I find I am spending more time correcting mistakes than writing, I will, because that interferes with my thinking process. This is a brag piece about Kenya.
Kenya has her faults (don't we all?) But she is generally an easy companion and she works well with the dogs I board. She establishes herself as the pack leader and then she enforces my rules ... and dogs generally respond better to admonitions from other dogs than they do from new people, so she is a real partner in my dog sitting enterprise.
There are two dogs which she takes a back seat to: Shea and Nina. She met both when she was a puppy and they established their dominance then.
I have three stories about Kenya's recent behaviour that show just how wonderful this dog is ... well maybe they don't all prove that, but they do show why I find her interesting and lovable, and all are about pack behaviour in well socialized dogs.
1. There was the story of her telling us that Remi needed help. I posted about this the other day. She behaved very strangely and was deliberately disobedient and badly behaved, and wouldn't quit until we began to look after Remi. Remi is "her" puppy and a member of her pack. She had a responsibility to look after his welfare. I learned from this experience to pay attention when she acts out of character because it probably means she is trying to tell me something important.
2. The second story is about an error in judgment she made when Shea was here. Kenya firmly believes that all sticks belong to her. One of the dogs had placed a pile of three sticks on the ground. Shea went to get them. Kenya defended "her" property with a snarl. Shea growled back. Then both dogs stood stock still for four minutes, their bodies turned away from one another, their heads averted, and only their eyes revealed that they were not sure what to do now. Kenya had done something no pack leader could accept and both of them knew the rules, but neither wanted to act on them. Finally Shea picked up the sticks and Kenya acted as if it were his right.
3. The third story occurred a few days ago. Kenya had been out playing in the light cast by the solar lights till quite late one evening. I let her stay outside because she was having such a good time chasing toads and fireflies and took the dried liver cookie upstairs with me. I read for a while., the cookie sitting on my dream journal. Later I went down and brought Kenya in, gave her a new cookie, and we went to bed. The next morning I was at the computer in another room and I heard an anguished wail. I went to see what the problem was. She was sitting with her nose on the dream journal which was somewhat damp from her drool. But the cookie had not been touched. I don't know many dogs who could have resisted that temptation.
So three stories about Kenya's awareness of pack order. In the hierarchy I stand above her. Shea stands above her. Remi stands below her. But when Remi is hurt, he comes first. I have noticed that she backs off and lets me handle things if there is a dispute between dogs she knows well ... between Shea and Remi for example. She acts as if she is upset and confused ... because she doesn't know where her loyalties lie.
Try applying all of this to human behaviour ... it is an interesting exercise.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
The Hermit Leaves the Lake ... Test Run ...
Such excitement! We delivered the laptop to Tammy and then I dropped Kenya at Marta's and went to the Amakhozi show.
I was expecting more African faces ... but then the tickets were very expensive. (Thank goodness mine came as a gift!) The price didn't stop rather large families from buying tickets, and a large contingent of mentally and physically handicapped people were there. One of the charities had likely donated the tickets ... and a good thing, too, because they were a wonderfully enthusiastic audience. Only the middle section was filled. Perhaps a dozen or so of the the other 2/3 of the seats were taken. Despite all that, the enthusiasm of the players was contagious.
The costumes were usually brightly coloured and often wonderful. Monkeys with round pink and blue bums cavorted on a trampoline. There were grasshoppers whose wings were made of fragments of thin fabric held together with ropes so that they flowed realistically. The bigger- than-life zebra puppets carried by dancing players were my favourites. Their heads were realistic, but the bodies were made of thin filmy fabric with the stripes merely suggested. There were many elaborately sculpted head dresses. Lots of bright reds and yellows, the colours I associate with Africa.
Other things of note: the ten foot tall stilted men; the cheerful black dancer in an massive beehive head piece who was able to portray great indignation; and everyone's ability to get the whole audience rhythmically clapping with the djembe drums.
I think the thing that impressed me most, possibly because I am a sucker for metaphor, was the subtle way they created effects and made you suspend disbelief. In particular was a night scene in which only the fluorescence was visible; and a stormy night at sea in which a juggler almost made me see the wind-tossed waves. A juggling pair were able to create an aura of silence amidst choral music, and had slowed everything onstage down to slow motion, creating the illusion that the storm had passed.
It was a good show. If I were to judge it against Cirque du Soleil, I would put it halfway between the first and last shows I saw them perform. What this one sometimes lacked in polish it more than made up for it in personality and humanity.
After the show I drove to Marta's to spend the night. We ate and took the dogs for a walk, and then went to bed. On my pillow was the short story she had written for me for my birthday: "Vancouver Can Wait". I love it.
Saturday morning was fun. A good breakfast and then a trip to Bruce Pit. I imagined Bruce Pit to be a barren hole in the ground, but it is beautiful. Woods and paths. And the dogs had a ball playing with other dogs and racing around. Kenya met a dachshund who reminded her of the nasty one that bit her nose, but this little guy had no fear of big dogs and they got along fine.
Back at Marta's I discovered the flat tire.
I spent three hours at Canadian Tire. At first we just stayed in the car. I read and Kenya snoozed. Then, after the car went into the shop, I took Kenya for a walk in the rain, and then decided to sit quietly in the waiting room. An old lady objected so we left and sat on the cement floor in a corner of the parking area where we could see my car when it was driven out. As soon as it appeared, Kenya went back in the car and I paid the bill. The old lady's friend apologized, and I was gracious. She had more of a problem than I did. Imagine being afraid of nice dogs, especially nice, quiet, exhausted dogs who just want to collapse like rugs on the floor.
By the time I got home I was ready to collapse on the floor beside her. Just too much excitement for a hermit and her dog.
I was expecting more African faces ... but then the tickets were very expensive. (Thank goodness mine came as a gift!) The price didn't stop rather large families from buying tickets, and a large contingent of mentally and physically handicapped people were there. One of the charities had likely donated the tickets ... and a good thing, too, because they were a wonderfully enthusiastic audience. Only the middle section was filled. Perhaps a dozen or so of the the other 2/3 of the seats were taken. Despite all that, the enthusiasm of the players was contagious.
It was a story, but the sound system or the acoustics in the tent distorted the storytelling voice, so I would be hard pressed to give you the plot line. It didn't really matter though. The strength of the production was the performance itself. In many ways it reminded me of Cirque du Soleil productions. Not quite as slick, but also filled with trapeze performances, jugglers, acrobats, singing, dancing, and infused with colour, beauty, and energy.
The costumes were usually brightly coloured and often wonderful. Monkeys with round pink and blue bums cavorted on a trampoline. There were grasshoppers whose wings were made of fragments of thin fabric held together with ropes so that they flowed realistically. The bigger- than-life zebra puppets carried by dancing players were my favourites. Their heads were realistic, but the bodies were made of thin filmy fabric with the stripes merely suggested. There were many elaborately sculpted head dresses. Lots of bright reds and yellows, the colours I associate with Africa.
Other things of note: the ten foot tall stilted men; the cheerful black dancer in an massive beehive head piece who was able to portray great indignation; and everyone's ability to get the whole audience rhythmically clapping with the djembe drums.
I think the thing that impressed me most, possibly because I am a sucker for metaphor, was the subtle way they created effects and made you suspend disbelief. In particular was a night scene in which only the fluorescence was visible; and a stormy night at sea in which a juggler almost made me see the wind-tossed waves. A juggling pair were able to create an aura of silence amidst choral music, and had slowed everything onstage down to slow motion, creating the illusion that the storm had passed.
It was a good show. If I were to judge it against Cirque du Soleil, I would put it halfway between the first and last shows I saw them perform. What this one sometimes lacked in polish it more than made up for it in personality and humanity.
After the show I drove to Marta's to spend the night. We ate and took the dogs for a walk, and then went to bed. On my pillow was the short story she had written for me for my birthday: "Vancouver Can Wait". I love it.
Saturday morning was fun. A good breakfast and then a trip to Bruce Pit. I imagined Bruce Pit to be a barren hole in the ground, but it is beautiful. Woods and paths. And the dogs had a ball playing with other dogs and racing around. Kenya met a dachshund who reminded her of the nasty one that bit her nose, but this little guy had no fear of big dogs and they got along fine.
Back at Marta's I discovered the flat tire.
I spent three hours at Canadian Tire. At first we just stayed in the car. I read and Kenya snoozed. Then, after the car went into the shop, I took Kenya for a walk in the rain, and then decided to sit quietly in the waiting room. An old lady objected so we left and sat on the cement floor in a corner of the parking area where we could see my car when it was driven out. As soon as it appeared, Kenya went back in the car and I paid the bill. The old lady's friend apologized, and I was gracious. She had more of a problem than I did. Imagine being afraid of nice dogs, especially nice, quiet, exhausted dogs who just want to collapse like rugs on the floor.
By the time I got home I was ready to collapse on the floor beside her. Just too much excitement for a hermit and her dog.
Friday, 27 June 2008
Feeling Scattered
I will be glad to get on the road. I am feeling totally scattered just now, a bit like a horse pawing the earth as he waits for the starter's gun. I have things to do but many of them cannot be done till I am almost walking out the door. As a result I flit from one thing to another and don't do the things that keep me sane and fully human. I am always living in tomorrow, and today is like an angry bluebottle buzzing round, annoying me.
Yesterday I went to the June luncheon at my old school. It was an odd affair. The retired teachers outnumbered the active ones, and there were no Board personnel present. The school principal was forced to work at the Board all day , but he provided the wine and dropped in between interviews for a new VP and a reception for the retiring Personnel Director.
The teacher responsible for setting everything up forgot to do it. (No she wasn't one of the old ones who had lost her marbles; she was a young teacher.) As a result some older staff members, some retired people and a couple of members of the support staff hustled and got things together at the last minute. They felt it was important to honour the teacher who was retiring after spending most of her career at Philemon. I was glad I went, because it is important to show people that what they did for all those years matters to their colleagues. She was a teacher who gave more than she needed to give to earn her pay cheques. Most teachers I know do.
In the photo, Maxine, has a corsage stuffed into her cleavage, a bottle of white wine and a box of tissues beside her. She gave a good thank you speech ... some laughs ... some tears ... but also some strong words about what is happening to the education system. Apparently teachers are no longer permitted to evaluate students honestly. If a student hands in no work at all he get 35%. If his work is late it is no longer possible to penalize him. Her words were for those teachers still active, the ones who will need to stand up for their right to teach; the ones who will be responsible for teaching students not only the things they need to pass exams but also what they need to know about life. Nobody gets a free ride in life. When you do nothing, you get a zero for your efforts. If you are late it may well be too late ... and you will have to pay penalties or interest.
When teachers are forced to be dishonest with students they cheat them of an education.
I was reminded of what Mud Mama told me about the Waldorf conference she attended this week. The main presenter spoke about cheating our children of their childhood if we don't teach them to become loving responsible people. Being spineless and always giving or giving in creates self centred people who expect something for nothing.
Afterwards I came home, threw sticks for Kenya, picked up broken glass, watched French Kiss, and tried to calm the thoughts buzzing my brain before I went to bed. By four this morning I was at the computer doing some editing for a friend. I will need to get some sleep before I head out for a busy afternoon and evening or I will fall asleep at the African Kings show at Lansdowne Park!
Yesterday I went to the June luncheon at my old school. It was an odd affair. The retired teachers outnumbered the active ones, and there were no Board personnel present. The school principal was forced to work at the Board all day , but he provided the wine and dropped in between interviews for a new VP and a reception for the retiring Personnel Director.
The teacher responsible for setting everything up forgot to do it. (No she wasn't one of the old ones who had lost her marbles; she was a young teacher.) As a result some older staff members, some retired people and a couple of members of the support staff hustled and got things together at the last minute. They felt it was important to honour the teacher who was retiring after spending most of her career at Philemon. I was glad I went, because it is important to show people that what they did for all those years matters to their colleagues. She was a teacher who gave more than she needed to give to earn her pay cheques. Most teachers I know do.
In the photo, Maxine, has a corsage stuffed into her cleavage, a bottle of white wine and a box of tissues beside her. She gave a good thank you speech ... some laughs ... some tears ... but also some strong words about what is happening to the education system. Apparently teachers are no longer permitted to evaluate students honestly. If a student hands in no work at all he get 35%. If his work is late it is no longer possible to penalize him. Her words were for those teachers still active, the ones who will need to stand up for their right to teach; the ones who will be responsible for teaching students not only the things they need to pass exams but also what they need to know about life. Nobody gets a free ride in life. When you do nothing, you get a zero for your efforts. If you are late it may well be too late ... and you will have to pay penalties or interest.
When teachers are forced to be dishonest with students they cheat them of an education.
I was reminded of what Mud Mama told me about the Waldorf conference she attended this week. The main presenter spoke about cheating our children of their childhood if we don't teach them to become loving responsible people. Being spineless and always giving or giving in creates self centred people who expect something for nothing.
Afterwards I came home, threw sticks for Kenya, picked up broken glass, watched French Kiss, and tried to calm the thoughts buzzing my brain before I went to bed. By four this morning I was at the computer doing some editing for a friend. I will need to get some sleep before I head out for a busy afternoon and evening or I will fall asleep at the African Kings show at Lansdowne Park!
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
To help me on my journey ...
"A verse from the Veda says, 'What you see, you become.' In other words, just the experience of perceiving the world makes you what you are. This is a quite literal statement."
- Deepak Chopra
I must not race through the experience; I must remind myself that the journey is more important than the destination. I must take the time to breathe, reflect, and enjoy this trip I am about to embark upon.
Every other experience has helped to make me the woman I am today ... working in the developing world ... teaching ... traveling ... being a parent ... a friend ... a lover ... and living here in my hermitage. Each experience has allowed me to see something important. I need not fear leaving this place. Of course it is home, a place I love, and the place I feel most secure, but I can welcome the new insights I will have as a result of embarking on new experiences, too.
- Deepak Chopra
I must not race through the experience; I must remind myself that the journey is more important than the destination. I must take the time to breathe, reflect, and enjoy this trip I am about to embark upon.
Every other experience has helped to make me the woman I am today ... working in the developing world ... teaching ... traveling ... being a parent ... a friend ... a lover ... and living here in my hermitage. Each experience has allowed me to see something important. I need not fear leaving this place. Of course it is home, a place I love, and the place I feel most secure, but I can welcome the new insights I will have as a result of embarking on new experiences, too.
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Contemplation of a Nomadic Summer
Two little tidbits for my traveling summer arrived in my mailbox today.
"Today I drifted [in the floating studio] with Camille on the Seine at Argenteuil. The views materialized and dissolved and I was as contented as a cow in her stall." (Claude Monet, 1874)
"Don't be afraid if things seem difficult in the beginning. That's only the initial impression. The important thing is not to retreat; you have to master yourself." Olga Korbut Gymnast - Four Time Olympic Gold Medalist
I have been dragging my feet about getting things done here. I am not sure if it is my body which is not up to snuff or if it is my mind creating a spider's web of ennuie that traps my body and sucks out my energy.
It is almost as if I am refusing to face the fact that I will be away from my hermitage all summer.
I plant herbs and tomatoes I will not be here to enjoy. I tend flowers I won't see blossom. But I don't pack up my life here and clean away my presence so that the place will be ready for other tenants.
Well ... I will just have to get a new take on things, won't I?
I will have to remind myself that this is an adventure. It is a chance to see the world with new eyes.
It won't be quite as peaceful a way to travel as Monet's. My car won't simply float along so that I can enjoy new views. But I can stop along the way and picnic with Kenya ... and Wild Thing if he travels with us. I can stop when we need a break from the TransCanada, and we can follow our senses to something more interesting ... take a road less traveled ... meander a bit ...
And once I get to a destination, a whole world will open for me. I really am looking forward to a month in Wolfville and to visiting friends and family I don't see often enough.
So ... I just have to get past this initial feeling that things are just too hard ... and focus on what I am looking forward to.
"Today I drifted [in the floating studio] with Camille on the Seine at Argenteuil. The views materialized and dissolved and I was as contented as a cow in her stall." (Claude Monet, 1874)
"Don't be afraid if things seem difficult in the beginning. That's only the initial impression. The important thing is not to retreat; you have to master yourself." Olga Korbut Gymnast - Four Time Olympic Gold Medalist
I have been dragging my feet about getting things done here. I am not sure if it is my body which is not up to snuff or if it is my mind creating a spider's web of ennuie that traps my body and sucks out my energy.
It is almost as if I am refusing to face the fact that I will be away from my hermitage all summer.
I plant herbs and tomatoes I will not be here to enjoy. I tend flowers I won't see blossom. But I don't pack up my life here and clean away my presence so that the place will be ready for other tenants.
Well ... I will just have to get a new take on things, won't I?
I will have to remind myself that this is an adventure. It is a chance to see the world with new eyes.
It won't be quite as peaceful a way to travel as Monet's. My car won't simply float along so that I can enjoy new views. But I can stop along the way and picnic with Kenya ... and Wild Thing if he travels with us. I can stop when we need a break from the TransCanada, and we can follow our senses to something more interesting ... take a road less traveled ... meander a bit ...
And once I get to a destination, a whole world will open for me. I really am looking forward to a month in Wolfville and to visiting friends and family I don't see often enough.
So ... I just have to get past this initial feeling that things are just too hard ... and focus on what I am looking forward to.
Monday, 2 June 2008
Random Thoughts
Arrow and I talked yesterday on her 8th birthday ... she was quite definite ... she was still 7 till the magic hour of her escape from the womb. As we talked, she was surrounded by helium filled balloons and had a blue one attached to her toe.
Gabriel picked up Zeke who didn't bother to leave Kenya's food dish to greet him. I think he realized that his fears had been for nought as he stroked Kenya's head while we talked. Zeke was out in the porch rummaging about, quite unconcerned about going home with his person. The dogs were calm.
Both Gabriel and Debra were enthusiastic about Stephen Lewis' speech at the Bishop's convocation on Saturday. Gabriel was one of the graduates, and Debra had gone to be with her daughter. Debra was the guest minister at the UUC yesterday. I hadn't been to a service there for a very long time. I am glad I went. She spoke about unexpected pilgrimages when we travel, literally into the world and figuratively into ourselves, keeping ourselves open to experiences that can open our hearts and encourage us to live our lives more purposely. It made me think about my own "pilgrimage" this summer.
Not sure what today will bring. The lake is very misty this morning, and the sun has not started to burn it away. I'd like to plant the beef steak tomatoes, lavender, mint, thyme, and rosemary ... but likely won't get everything done as planting here requires dog proofing every site. But I can start.
That is one of the changes that has taken place in me. I used to feel the need to get things done RIGHT NOW. Lately I am comfortable with the idea that I can do a little today and a little more tomorrow. It likely has something to do with the enormity of the tasks surrounding me and the realization that I am just one small almost 68 year old woman. It is not patience so much as an understanding of what is possible.
Gabriel picked up Zeke who didn't bother to leave Kenya's food dish to greet him. I think he realized that his fears had been for nought as he stroked Kenya's head while we talked. Zeke was out in the porch rummaging about, quite unconcerned about going home with his person. The dogs were calm.
Both Gabriel and Debra were enthusiastic about Stephen Lewis' speech at the Bishop's convocation on Saturday. Gabriel was one of the graduates, and Debra had gone to be with her daughter. Debra was the guest minister at the UUC yesterday. I hadn't been to a service there for a very long time. I am glad I went. She spoke about unexpected pilgrimages when we travel, literally into the world and figuratively into ourselves, keeping ourselves open to experiences that can open our hearts and encourage us to live our lives more purposely. It made me think about my own "pilgrimage" this summer.
Not sure what today will bring. The lake is very misty this morning, and the sun has not started to burn it away. I'd like to plant the beef steak tomatoes, lavender, mint, thyme, and rosemary ... but likely won't get everything done as planting here requires dog proofing every site. But I can start.
That is one of the changes that has taken place in me. I used to feel the need to get things done RIGHT NOW. Lately I am comfortable with the idea that I can do a little today and a little more tomorrow. It likely has something to do with the enormity of the tasks surrounding me and the realization that I am just one small almost 68 year old woman. It is not patience so much as an understanding of what is possible.
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
A hermit prepares to become a nomad ...
The car and Kenya are easy ... oil change, tune-up, good tires ... add in meds and food for Kenya ... and they are set to go.
After all the traveling I've done, you would think getting me ready would be at least as simple, but it's not. Even choosing which clothes to take is a problem. I have to consider ranges of temperature and all kinds of weather because I don't wear metal or fur year round. I have to worry about the demands of different social occasions.
I also have to deal with mapping things and ensuring that I can find pet-friendly accommodation.
And make sure that I can manage my finances from a distance.
And I have to consider my sanity. I am most sane when I am settled in my hermit's life at the lake. That is where I write, watch my films, read and reflect. I become too scattered for thoughtful pursuits when I am on the move.
I love the infusion of new experiences and the adventure of travel but I also need the settled feeling of being at home. That is likely why I travel as I do, settling in to a place as soon as I arrive, even if it is only for a few days. I treat each new place the way I treat a move to a new home. I travel out from it in ever-increasing concentric circles, learning where I am and what amenities are close by.
On this trip I will be staying with friends and family for periods ranging from 4 days to a month, and, except for the road trip to Nova Scotia I will be staying in people's homes.
Nevertheless I am mentally preparing for this trip as if I will be on the road with Kenya for 2 ½ months. I am trying to ensure that I can carry as much as possible of the serenity of our life at the lake with us. Kenya will be perfectly happy as long as I make sure she exercises regularly, eats properly, and has the odd cookie. She will also have other dogs to visit most places.
I need to be able to read and write. I need to create hermitages even in the midst of family life.
I have decided that I will take an interesting range of books, a fresh journal, a used laptop, and my first cell phone.
My book list is eclectic: two books of poetry - Ariel by Sylvia Plath, and Birthday Letters by her husband Ted Hughes; a book about death - nothing to be frightened of (Julian Barnes); three books about Africa - The Village of Waiting (George Packer), God's Bits of Wood (Sembene Ousmane), and When a Crocodile Eats the Sun (Peter Godwin); a memoir - The Gargoyle's Left Ear: writing in Ottawa by Susan McMaster; and two travel memoirs by women who travel as I do - Dinner with Persephone by Patricia Storage and Touch the Dragon by Karen Connelly. I should not be bored.
No novels, despite the fact that novels have always been my favourite genre. Perhaps because I know that I can likely pick up novels along the way.
Almost all of these books are about transience, and I will be a transient all summer.
And my own writing this summer will likely be pick up and go, so stream of consciousness travel writing is most like journaling.
I hope that the book about death will, like the poetry, give me food for thought as I drive.
My journal will likely be a day-to-day account of my travels with Kenya. As long as I can carve out a couple of hours every day to reflect and write, I should be okay.
This summer is an experiment. The next nomadic summer (2010) I may choose to rent a place in Newfoundland or Western Kenya or Nova Scotia rather than traveling from one place to another.
After all the traveling I've done, you would think getting me ready would be at least as simple, but it's not. Even choosing which clothes to take is a problem. I have to consider ranges of temperature and all kinds of weather because I don't wear metal or fur year round. I have to worry about the demands of different social occasions.
I also have to deal with mapping things and ensuring that I can find pet-friendly accommodation.
And make sure that I can manage my finances from a distance.
And I have to consider my sanity. I am most sane when I am settled in my hermit's life at the lake. That is where I write, watch my films, read and reflect. I become too scattered for thoughtful pursuits when I am on the move.
I love the infusion of new experiences and the adventure of travel but I also need the settled feeling of being at home. That is likely why I travel as I do, settling in to a place as soon as I arrive, even if it is only for a few days. I treat each new place the way I treat a move to a new home. I travel out from it in ever-increasing concentric circles, learning where I am and what amenities are close by.
On this trip I will be staying with friends and family for periods ranging from 4 days to a month, and, except for the road trip to Nova Scotia I will be staying in people's homes.
Nevertheless I am mentally preparing for this trip as if I will be on the road with Kenya for 2 ½ months. I am trying to ensure that I can carry as much as possible of the serenity of our life at the lake with us. Kenya will be perfectly happy as long as I make sure she exercises regularly, eats properly, and has the odd cookie. She will also have other dogs to visit most places.
I need to be able to read and write. I need to create hermitages even in the midst of family life.
I have decided that I will take an interesting range of books, a fresh journal, a used laptop, and my first cell phone.
My book list is eclectic: two books of poetry - Ariel by Sylvia Plath, and Birthday Letters by her husband Ted Hughes; a book about death - nothing to be frightened of (Julian Barnes); three books about Africa - The Village of Waiting (George Packer), God's Bits of Wood (Sembene Ousmane), and When a Crocodile Eats the Sun (Peter Godwin); a memoir - The Gargoyle's Left Ear: writing in Ottawa by Susan McMaster; and two travel memoirs by women who travel as I do - Dinner with Persephone by Patricia Storage and Touch the Dragon by Karen Connelly. I should not be bored.No novels, despite the fact that novels have always been my favourite genre. Perhaps because I know that I can likely pick up novels along the way.
Almost all of these books are about transience, and I will be a transient all summer.
And my own writing this summer will likely be pick up and go, so stream of consciousness travel writing is most like journaling.
I hope that the book about death will, like the poetry, give me food for thought as I drive.
My journal will likely be a day-to-day account of my travels with Kenya. As long as I can carve out a couple of hours every day to reflect and write, I should be okay.
This summer is an experiment. The next nomadic summer (2010) I may choose to rent a place in Newfoundland or Western Kenya or Nova Scotia rather than traveling from one place to another.
Monday, 28 April 2008
Patch Adams
I think we all need to get a little "excessive happiness" in our lives. This is my favourite Robin Williams movie, I think. He is funny but not frenetic, and very very human.
Speaking of doctors: Kenya went in for all her shots today and met three golden retrievers and Wilbur's dad at the clinic. It was a good day, and she was a very good dog. She is almost all ready to be a nomad for the summer.
Speaking of doctors: Kenya went in for all her shots today and met three golden retrievers and Wilbur's dad at the clinic. It was a good day, and she was a very good dog. She is almost all ready to be a nomad for the summer.
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Kenya and Oma: Vagabonds for the Summer
I have begun to plan our summer as nomads.
I think we will spend the first week of July near Montreal with Maureen and Jeff, and then spend three days traveling to Nova Scotia, stopping in Riviere du Loup and Moncton at pet friendly hotels.
Then a month with Kerry, Maurice and Sam ... half of which will also be with the rest of the family. Kerry and I will see Ami McKay's play at the Two Planks Theatre near Wolfville.
Then I will head back by the same route, stopping along the way as before, and end up for a few days with Rob and Scott in Lanark.
Then on to Orangeville to see Deb, Rob and the kids for about a week.
And then to Haliburton to spend time with Linda, Bob and Atticus.
A quick stop in Peterborough to see Claire after all these years.
And back to Wakefield.
By then it will be the end of August ... and I will either move back home to the hermitage or stay at Tanya's on the lake or with Marta in Ottawa or Tammy and Carlos in Hull. In any event my home will be my own in mid-September.
I am feeling a little uneasy about it all ... it is a long time to be away and I will need to make my plans carefully ... but I am also looking forward to the adventure of being on the road with Kenya for two months or so.
Couldn't ask for a more compatible companion than Kenya. She has shared both my homelessness and my hermitage in the past two years.
I think we will spend the first week of July near Montreal with Maureen and Jeff, and then spend three days traveling to Nova Scotia, stopping in Riviere du Loup and Moncton at pet friendly hotels.
Then a month with Kerry, Maurice and Sam ... half of which will also be with the rest of the family. Kerry and I will see Ami McKay's play at the Two Planks Theatre near Wolfville.
Then I will head back by the same route, stopping along the way as before, and end up for a few days with Rob and Scott in Lanark.
Then on to Orangeville to see Deb, Rob and the kids for about a week.
And then to Haliburton to spend time with Linda, Bob and Atticus.
A quick stop in Peterborough to see Claire after all these years.
And back to Wakefield.
By then it will be the end of August ... and I will either move back home to the hermitage or stay at Tanya's on the lake or with Marta in Ottawa or Tammy and Carlos in Hull. In any event my home will be my own in mid-September.
I am feeling a little uneasy about it all ... it is a long time to be away and I will need to make my plans carefully ... but I am also looking forward to the adventure of being on the road with Kenya for two months or so.
Couldn't ask for a more compatible companion than Kenya. She has shared both my homelessness and my hermitage in the past two years.
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