Where Am I Going?

A funny thing happened to me on the way to pick up information How To Use A Compass at a ranger office. 

I got lost!

It gave me an opportunity in my midlife adventure to find some humor.

I allowed myself enough time to find my destination.

Circled a few times in the wrong direction.

Made every stoplight.

I encountered every slow driver barely looking over the steering wheel.

In such a hurry that I turned down a homeless person.

I guess I had good reason to get that information. I felt dazed and confused.

In its own time I've learned.

What I came away with is to slow down and take pleasure in the ride.

It's not the destination but the journey that we should pay attention to.

Even if it takes a few turns to find it.

Lucy and Ethel Take a Spiritual Road Trip

While rolling down the highway, the antics of the popular 1950's television series, I Love Lucy, came to mind.

My friend Melissa (Ethel) and I (Lucy) agreed to cast an exploring eye at the house of my son and his wife of unwanted spirits making their presence known by their shadowy mischievous presence, creaking around making their homestead uncomfortable. With my GPS in hand, we’re ready for a midlife adventure down the highway in an unfamiliar area.

Ethel Mertz, “I’m not gonna do it!”

Lucy Ricardo, “You haven’t even heard my idea!”

Ethel Mertz, “You thought it up. That’s enough for me.”

And the adventure begins!

Lucy shrieks, “Ethel, did we just pass Exit 141? Turn around over there at the roundabout and don’t go over the curb.”

“I’m following these directions from your robotic GPS woman who keeps yelling, “U TURN… U TURN!”, Ethel cries out as they go around in circles.

“Do you think maybe we’re going where we’re not wanted?” Lucy puzzling over their wild ride adventure.

“A fine mess you’ve gotten us into now, Lucy” taking them through an unexpected maze that made them dizzy.

Our turbulent journey’s end came to a screeching halt when we arrive suddenly at a dead end road. Looking at the house and then each other, we cautiously take steps out of the sedan with a watchful eye.

The home appeared to be weathered by time, the landscape unkempt and a lone tree guarding its fenceline. Ethel hugs Lucy’s arm, moving up the sidewalk, closer to the entrance  when she spotted a beautiful green butterfly clinging to the window screen and says, “Lucy, look up there!”

Lucy embraces the fate of the butterfly who is opening its wings, “yes, I think this cute little thing is giving us a message.”

“Oh Lucy, that’s just a coincidence!” Ethel muttered. They were taken aback by this vibrant insect’s appearance in what appeared to be a lifeless homestead.

Lucy responds, “I know there’s nothing to it, but I want to know what it is there’s nothing to.”

“Ugh, I’m not sure why I came, but let’s just go in” surrenders Ethel.

The friends' detective work stopped cold when they bellowed together, “There is no key here!” “Dang it”, we chanted together. Pass key was absent from the designated hiding place.

“Time to go home, Lucy!” Ethel said.

“I have a plan” her friend snapped back.

Ethel grunted, “I’m still recuperating from your last plan. If I had known THIS is what friends were for, I’d have signed up as an enemy.”

Lucy surmised, “I’m not giving up, it’s just a feeling I have. There may be a better way to move those spirits where they need to go!”

“I’m just not feeling anything, but I’m here, so let’s just hear your idea!” Ethel responds. “what are you pulling out of there?”

Lucy reached into her bag pulling out healing crystals and sage explaining, “if we can’t go in then we’re gonna eliminate those unwelcomed spirits from the outside.”

Just then Ethel begged, “What’s the matter?”

“I felt the darkness coming from the door!”

“Oh no, Lucy, you must be wrong!” Ethel bellowed.

“No, I’m not and we have what we need to finished them off.”

As the sage billowed smoke around the area and the crystals laid assuredly in the dirt, the friends ran to their car leaving, accomplishing what they set out to do.

  

My Name Is Herman

Meeting some inspiring people on my mid life adventure…

I saw him from time to time at the neighborhood park we frequent. Herman is a kind gentleman making the world a better place to live.

His green Kawasaki can be seen around the park cleaning up the grounds and doing it with pride.

This park employee could be seen lending a hand with visitors doing it gently and heartfelt.

As I walked past his truck I noticed a weathered, black elongated lunchbox sitting on the front seat among other work items he kept nearby.

                                                                                                      

It was something that I haven’t seen in years! It brought me back to my childhood memories, remembering my dad going to work with this black vintage lunchbox in tow.  

It was before the cool insulated totes and the expensive coffee lattes we required in our daily lives today. A slower life when we took the time to make a bologna sandwich and put our coffee in a thermos. I can still envision my dad putting on his weathered, work bib overalls over his suntan pants, plaid flannel shirt and well-used work boots, getting prepared for a full day’s work. His pockets overflowing with essentials like a flat carpenter’s pencil, a wooden fold up ruler and a white folded handkerchief. A send off farewell after he gave my mom a peck on the cheek. An early morning memory that I cherish. Monday through Friday, never taking a sick day, he climbed into his jalopy station wagon filled with tools and lumber and headed out for a honest day’s work.

Striking up a conversation with Herman was easy. He reminded me of a slower lifestyle, taking the time to have a heart-to-heart exchange with others about their day. 

Herman was happy to talk about his ‘walking foundation’, which he called his lunch box. Inside was an enclosed wipe his wife wanted him to use to clean his glasses instead of using water to wash his spectacles. He showed me the handwritten notes he saved from grateful visitors. Some food in a can and crackers to snack on. Any little trinkets of toys he found, he was happy to give them away to children he would meet. A little blue bag had dog treats inside if there was a need.

It reminded me of when life was simpler, feeling the worries of my day melting, my body relaxing, just because I took the time to meet a man with a heartfelt passion to enjoy his life to the fullest.