What it's like to live out of a Prius, and what's it's like not to.

I'm enjoying the best of Truth or Consequences. Comfy digs, snuggly kitties, a perfect blend of friends and solitude, and the walk-to-ableness of desirable hangouts. I walked-to and hung-out at Black Cat Books and Coffee this morning and indulged in both.

Flooding has subsided here. It took two lives while it stayed. 

The Rio Grande used to flow freely through here, where people now live. Rivers pretend to be tamed, but they have long memories.

Moral: guitars are a gateway instrument

Tina lived in T or C for a year, playing Scrabble. Now she's in Texas trying out gate-guarding.  

What's rowdier than four middle-aged women playing Scrabble? House plants.

Terry asked me about traveling in Spud: am I really doing that? what is my daily life like? and that seemed like a thing to talk about.

I haven't been living out of Spud for the past month because I've been housesitting here in Truth or Consequences. The timing was great for me. I'm comfortable. I've been able to enjoy friends and re-center myself. The home I'm in holds the spirit of the people who usually live here - it's peaceful and cozy and happy.

When I'm in Spud, my days are varied. It's easy for me to be in places that are interesting. I try to find a place for the night early-ish in the day, or at least have a place in mind. I like state parks and BLM campgrounds because I'm supposed to be there, so I'm comfortable and can put up Spud's Habitent. And they have toilets and often showers. I wander around. I ask people what they would tell me to see. I see those things. I find good books and squirrel them into empty spaces. I read them. I do crossword puzzles. I meditate. I take naps. Meditation ➪➪ nap.

I can get unwound and anxious if I think about the future, whatever that is. I can feel sad if I think about the past. Being here now is my favorite tool, and I use it for everything. Loose nut? Oh good, it's pliers. Becoming unmoored? It's a rope. Need attachment? It's a joiner. Too attached? It's a crowbar.

I feel joyous and grateful when I'm seeing new, beautiful things. My days are like that a lot.

When I take a notion, I pack up and move on. The packing up may take as much as five minutes, if I've scattered myself around.



There is thunder in the not-so-distance. Literally. I metaphor you not.

~~~~~

Get yourself a Thundershirt.

Living in your car - vandwellers wanted

I'm assembling a separate Wall of Fame for vandwellers in the right-hand sidebar. If you know of a blog that should be there, let me know. If you think you should be there, let me know. Not in a vehicle, but your blog is about the vandwelling sensibility? Bring it.

I'm about to start living a whole new way. What do you want to know? Should I track my spending? Do you want to know where I found wifi? Public showers? Where I parked?

Scenes From the Blotter


Officer 1: Oh, this is bad.

Officer 2: What happened here?

O1: It's ugly.

O2: [gags] What the ...

O1: Better get on the horn. Tell dispatch we need a ...

O2: [gags]

O1: Criminy, Ed, step away from the scene. Just go call ...

O2: How? Why? [gags]

Roxi: Officers, it's just lunch. Can I get you some ...

[Officer 2 runs behind bush]


Please don't ask me to track what I eat.


For a scene witnessed only once before by an Appalachian doctor, please visit Desert Diva's latest post.    She could have helped me, but she ran for her camera instead. I hope you're happy.

Living out of my car.

Thanks so much for your good wishes for me, and for Annie. Thoughts matter, and intent is huge. I'm very grateful.

Can you see them?

 

I caught this shot by a hare's breadth.

Spud and I scooted out of Tucson yesterday.

Google predicts that trip will take you four hours. Next travel technology: get there via internet, because no car can travel like Google Maps can. I didn't time how long it actually took me, because that  makes me neurotic. Turning off the clock while I stop to rest(room). Putting off the nap so I can get anywhere sooner. It's not a good strategy for me. The trip was longer than I like.

Las Cruces is Cheryl's winter home, and Cheryl's winter home is where I'm resting in the lap of Luxury. When I'm not sitting on Luxury's knee.  [*slap*]  Fresh, Luxury! Luxury and me, we're very close. Cheryl, may your karma always get the gas mileage of a hybrid.

You're reminded of Ang Lee's cinematographic use of US Western scenery to symbolize psychological states?
Oh, sorry. I misheard.

My cousin and friend, Lori, gave me a bottle of this stuff. I make no claims about safety. I only claim that it works. If you've ever had the great good fortune to take diazepam/Valium in times of distress, it feels like that, but without that judgmental look they give you at one ER after another when you start asking for oxycotin for "back pain." I've heard.

What would Judy say here?