May24
Posted on May 24 by Ruth Davis
I hope you are doing well wherever you are, noticing the changes in the seasons, the skies, your own energy. And I hope you are breathing often. I mean, really breathing. To ground yourself, to give yourself permission to pause, to slow it all down. It’s the only way to stay sane and centered when everything around you is a challenge.Conscious, big belly breathing is how I’ve gotten through this full and challenging month here in the Big City. After several return trips to the RV repair place, a lot of hassle and arguing, everything is finally working. And we have a toilet that fits the space, that doesn’t leak. We also have a new foam and mattress topper on the bed, stiffer foam in my writing space cushions, and a humidifier to add to our collection of temperature control items. And since Marika’s insurance is only good in this county, she got a follow-up mammogram (all clear), and took care of a cancerous spot on her cheek. We also had my dad’s house treated for termites, and got him a new ID card,...
May20
Posted on May 20 by Ruth Davis
We were supposed to be on the road today, heading west and north to our summer volunteer job on the Oregon coast. But two Saturdays ago, after a delightful dinner out with friends, we came home, turned the AC down and lost electricity in the RV. And we smelled something burning. We followed the smell to the 30 amp plug in the sewage compartment where you attach the power cord when traveling. The power cord that was plugged into the RV park’s electric post, was fine. The damage seemed to be contained inside our plug box, thank God. But without electricity or the use of the generator, we quickly packed up some things and arrived at my Dad’s house at 11:30 pm. Fortunately, we’d been there the week before, when the RV was getting a new toilet. So we were all comfortable and familiar with the space and each other. On Monday we drove the RV back to the repair place. We knew their schedule was full, but they said they’d fit us in, and have it done by Friday....
Apr20
Posted on Apr 20 by Ruth Davis
We’re in our last traveling days before pulling into Phoenix for the month of April. We’ve been mostly hop-skipping our way west, with shorter one and two night stop overs every two hundred miles between Galveston and southern Arizona, where we’re relaxing for this last week. We spent a long weekend outside of Austin near the lower Colorado River, in the same park system where we were camp hosts last March. This time we stayed on the North Shore, with open grass areas and a lovely view of Lake Bastrop. We chose to return to the area so we could get together with friends who live in Austin, and also to eat at a really delicious Chinese restaurant. We were so disappointed to find out that the restaurant had closed the day we got there. We stayed in Kerrville for three nights, in a private campground along the Guadalupe River. We celebrated my 60th birthday there with a drive into the small town, got a free cone from Dairy Queen, and scored some fun shirts at the thrift store. Marika...
Feb28
Posted on Feb 28 by Ruth Davis
It’s our very last day in Georgia, after a great, three-month volunteering gig at Fort Pulaski National Monument between Savannah and Tybee Island. We’ve learned all kinds of things about the Civil War, fortifications, and cannon (which is the plural of cannon). We know more about the low country Gullah Geechee culture that is being wiped out by development. And we’re bringing home the most amazing souvenir: A marriage certificate! Yes! After thirty years together, Marika and I got married! In Georgia!! We got the license last Thursday at the county courthouse in Savannah, and then last Saturday morning, we had the official ceremony On the BEACH on Tybee Island!!! A friend and her partner came down from Atlanta to perform the very small, very simple ceremony. Two other friends came too, to be witness. Another friend sent a beautiful, delicious, coconut cake, that we all enjoyed back at the RV, after lunch at a local restaurant. Because neither one of us had ever dreamed of having a wedding, the whole thing was spontaneous and organic and perfect for...
Dec20
Posted on Dec 20 by Ruth Davis
It has been a very full two weeks. We’ve been shadowing the park rangers on their daily tours of the fort, learning different tidbits from each presenter. We had training for ringing up sales on the computer register, and this past weekend, we participated in the Fort’s annual Candle Lantern event, a re-enactment of the Christmas Nog party held at the fort in December, 1861. We dressed in period clothing and greeted visitors who were then escorted to the fort, lit only by candles and oil lanterns, for music, storytelling, egg nog, and, of course, the firing of the cannon.And now, after three weeks of an erratic work schedule, we’re excited that this is our first week of our regular schedule: four days working, and three days off. We’re ready for those three days off in a row!I’m looking forward to some relaxing, a walk on the beach, and also a visit to the Prohibition Museum in downtown Savannah. And I’m setting aside some time to think about this past year. We spent time in 20 states, traveling and touristing and volunteering. We worked as camp hosts, and...
Dec19
Posted on Dec 19 by Ruth Davis
Every year I choose a single word as a compass, a guide, a tangible reminder of what I want to manifest for myself. The word serves as a touchstone for me as I make choices through the year. I post the word in my bathroom and acknowledge it daily, asking myself “how can I be that?” The first year I chose the word BE. Because I was always planning, dreaming and imagining the future, I was rarely present where I was. BE-ing was very uncomfortable. It made me slow down and experience where I was, not where I wanted to be NEXT. It made me sit still and feel my emotions. I began a yoga practice and discovered that the simple act of breathing can calm me and bring me back to the here and now. The next year my word was VULNERABILITY. I wanted to let go of control and open to things that I didn’t have the answers to. I was ready to feel what was uncomfortable and go even deeper. I had so many opportunities during...
