The most loyal creature

My constant companion, and 'hero,' is Patchy, my dog. She is a Lhasa Apsa and 16 years old. I need to get her in to this journal, I feel her time on this plane is limited. She is now having some old dog syndromes. One of which is her total blindness.

  Not long ago in Florida she attempted to "save" me from what she thought was a life-threatening encounter with  3 hunting dogs that were clamoring and barking, snarling, and generally causing mayhem around me. Patchy was blind then, but she made a beeline for those dogs by sound alone, galloping on those little short legs and barking up a storm. Nothing I could do to stop her, but eventually I picked her up and got her away. I must say that I do love this little creature, and it will break my heart when she leaves...

Sunny shores, goodbye. On to Texas

Kind of a late post, because we've been in Texas for a few days. land of my birth. It's been a long time. I grew up here (well, kind of grew up, I left when I was 16) and began an adventure into the 'outside' world. It was a shocker. I wasn't the traditional kid raised in the family, high school, and on to the job. The things that happened to me when I was on the road then for a year,, and then on to the Army, were life changing events, to put it mildly. I mention this because I believe a seed of non-traditional thinking and philosophy was planted at that time.  My (our) goal is to leave bitterness behind, just like everyone living this lifestyle.

  Anyway, I've been thinking maybe I should appreciate the seed that was planted way back then, and just take for what it is. Life.

Hey, recognition!

Well, Andy. the 'famous' oil field gate guard in Texas, just left me a note thanking me for my service in Vietnam. I am sitting high today, for a bit of recognition that lifted my heart away from bitterness. Andy's web site is so full of useful information on just about anything related to RVing and life in general that I have to plug him a little bit. A man after my own heart, with the dignity and honesty to admit his human failures and triumphs. http://myoldrv.com/?p=2603&cpage=1#comment-4037

  Right on, Andy, and thanks

A look at sudden change

I have just been sitting here (raining outside, the remnants of tropical storm Lee), and thinking about the sudden trigger that allowed me and Deb to pursue this gypsy life. I hung on to my old life and line dance (have I said that phrase before?) that I pursued for so many years, the numerous self inflicted chains of "honor," and the so-called "American Dream." When I think about it now, It just doesn't make any sense at all. I was hustling and bustling with a business that could barely stay afloat, Deb was doing the same with her accounting job. We raised two boys, through 20 years or so, wanting them to follow in our harassed footsteps. I got a heart condition, and one sad day in a matter of seconds, in 2005, Deb lost much of her ability to think and function because of a little blood bubble in her head that burst. Yes, it was a brain aneurysm.
   So suddenly everything changed. Life reminding me, over the course of a couple of years, that you can work  your butt off and plan all kinds of shit, but any of a thousand different fates could await you, and you realize you are not LIVING at all.
  Just existing on this wonderful planet and doing what most people do, which is play follow the leader. You might just say that you were never the following type, that you do your own thing, and that you are a bonafide individualist.
  I was required to wake up, as I sat there in my bedside vigil beside Deb, who happened to be in a coma. I knew that she might not survive. Months later when she came home, she was of course different. No short term memory. No ability to drive. half blind in one eye. And  a real problem with sudden panic attacks.
   After the operations over the next couple of years, she is somewhat improved. But that sudden event changed everything in our lives, and caused us both to look at what really counts in our lives. We decided we were not going to live pursuing a fantasy, and instead to pursue a dream.
  That dream being traveling wild and free, and taking the time to see through a program of madness. So we are nomads now, and we still have our problems with maintenance, where to camp, gas prices, what to eat, and so forth. But let me tell you, the stress level is considerably reduced. And most of all, we have come together like never before. I have a quiet mind today.

The "romani" syndrome

OK, what's the deal with this romani stuff anyway? Well, I am a gypsy descendent, and my first name is Guy.  But it goes a lot deeper than that. It's also a matter of attitude. Not everyone is cut out for this mode of living. Ya gotta cut everything loose that you did that line dance for, have an adventurous spirit, and most of all get down to the heart and soul of your time on earth and what is important.

The international Rom flag

  No organized society has ever tolerated nomads in the midst of town and city dwellers, it goes against the grain of society building and expansion. It makes people uncomfortable, a free spirit in their midst. I guess I have always had this philosophy about life, and living, since I was a kid. I think some are born with it, others aquire it when or if they lose everything. Everything being all that material stuff that you really did'nt need in the first place. Yeah, you still need the things that are necessary for your general welfare, but not the albatrosses around your neck that you keep on hanging there until you fall flat on your face.
  It does take  a brave soul. And courage. And a quiet, deep look at life as you know it...

It's HOT!

Cuttin' up some dinner

Our trailer

This is our trailer that we haul the bike and our other supplies with. The toolbox for my carpentry tools will be mounted on the front of the trailer. Of  course, we had to get a hitch extension to keep from jacknifing in to the box. We'll see how it works out.