Roads Unknown

Little Rock, AR

My apartment seems brighter, cleaner, more welcoming than I remember. Bliss.

Kitty and I took a nap together. Life as usual begins. I don’t know if I can pick up my mail tomorrow, Presidents Day, I’m hoping there may be a small staff working at the post office mail center holding my mail. What’s one more day, if not?

I’ve loved every moment of traveling roads unknown. Every day is an unknown road and I hope to find each filled with unknown moments of joy.

Elk City, Oklahoma

I walked out of my motel room and almost walked into a man dragging a vacuum cleaner behind him. We, both startled, apologized and went on our business. I to retrieve my cooler from the car and he apparently to retrieve something from my room. I yelled, “Hey” as he walked back out the room with a can of beer. He smiled and offered the can, “You want?” “No, thanks.”

It was momentarily unsettling, then I figured either someone had left a beer in the room refrigerator and he discovered it when cleaning or he had brought it and stashed it in the room nearest the cleaners storage room. Either way, I can’t fault someone wanting a beer after cleaning motel rooms.

He must have told someone about our encounter, and they ratted him out - about a half hour later the front desk called, “This is a courtesy call, is every thing okay?” I said sure, just fine. I’ve been on the road for almost two weeks and never have I been called by the front desk to make sure I’m cozy and comfortable.

I hope the guy doesn’t get sacked. Just so my motherly friends don’t worry, I’ll lock all locks tonight.

Roswell, New Mexico

As I was driving along highway 70 toward this town that mocks aliens I was reminded of a poem by Pablo Neruda. Can’t remember the title, but it extoled the geography of a woman. The sensuous, feminine, beauty of the mountains I drove through was spectacular.

Now I am in the flat high plains and wanting to be home.

Wilcox, AZ

My cell phone chirped as I was approaching a bypass around Phoenix. Thank the goddess traffic was slow as I reached to the floorboad, found my purse and rooted around until I found the chittering creature. It was my brother, J.B., and I experienced my first highway cell phone conversation.  I don’t want to do it again.

I think I’ve mastered driving in any given lane on freeways, but I don’t like my attention diverted.  Talking on the phone is diverting. I slowed down but was not in the slow lane and had to change lanes with one hand on the steering wheel. That is not wise, but I did it, and we continued to talk until I said, “I have to hang up, I have all the windows closed so I can hear you and I’m boiling in here. It’s the desert. It’s hot. I’ll call you when I’m home. Love you.”

2300 miles.

Been too busy with family to get online. Will report on the wonderful ceremonies and festivities soon.

Best thing is Tamar was beautiful. I cried lots. For the beauty of the moment and memory of Joe, Tamar’s grandpa and my late husband, who was also honored on this day the anniversary of his death.