Letters To

Two more days left in July, then August, and then I'm on my way. It seems almost impossible that I'm actually going to do this, but I know I am. In the last few days, the "real world" has been trying to encroach on me; real world meaning in most cases "financial reality". This past year, I have been so blissful because I've had a pretty decent bank account, and haven't had to work full time. This will not be the case when I get back. I am working to make that all right. I am working on preparing various options to explore without letting the situation overwhelm me. And, still, be open to whatever happens on the Road, to who I will meet, the places I will see, everything. Today, after my walk, I drew a card from my favorite Tarot deck, the Osho Zen deck. I've worked with this deck for years, and it is completely amazing to me how accurate the cards are, or how "on target" the message is when you pick one. Today, my pick was 6 of Rainbows...

Every morning, I've been getting up at about 5:15 a.m. and walking the dog. I try to go another block or so every day. I can't do much more, though, because I think I'll wear out the dog! She's just a little pound poodle, Peaches, so an hour's walk for her is a big deal. She loves it, however, because as soon as she hears me click on my fanny pack, she's dashing across the room to make sure I don't leave without her!! I've been watching some YouTube videos of The Camino that were sent via email from a group that I've belonged to since I hatched this wild plan to do this, back 7 years ago, if you can believe that. My Spanish lessons are coming along, and I feel fairly confident that I will at least be able to accomplish rudimentary communication while I'm there. I'm starting to hear Spanish in my head a lot and if Glena wouldn't mind, I'd be watching the few Spanish channels that we have on our DirecTV! In fact, I did watch today whil...

It's about 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 19. Up this morning at 5:30-ish, took the dog for a long walk, back for my shower, breakfast, paper, and now here with iced coffee ready to post for a bit then get to work. My long walk is approaching, perhaps faster than I would like, but it comes when it comes, right? My shamanic teacher has agreed to do a blessing ceremony for me and my equipment the week before I leave. I will have to decide who to invite, although I think I probably already know. My mind is always crossing itself with ideas of what to take, what to leave, how to pack it, etc. On the e-mail list regarding the Camino that I've belonged to for years, people have just said, well, just go...pack your bag and go! This was in response to when I posted a couple of years ago and said I was going to do my first (notice I do say "first") Camino when I turned 50. But it's not something you "just go" and do. Even though I am neither Catholic nor Christian, ...

I bought my ticket for Spain. There's no turning back now, a pilgrim I will be. I have been turning that over and over in my head. I bought a set of Spanish flash cards today, and I've been taking private Spanish lessons for the last 6 weeks. I know it's all going to fly right out of my head the first time I, God forbid, actually have to SAY anything in Spanish, but at least I should be able to read signs and find directions which will be a good thing! All the planning and packing for the Vision Quest have come in very helpful. My pack is now much lighter than it would have been, and will probably get even lighter. And quite a bit of it will probably be stuffed with various "feminine hygiene" products!!! But, since I survived the, quite literal, bloodbath of the VQ, I think I'll be able to manage on the road. After all, I'll be stopping some place every night with running water, and with luck, showers. Checking the weather, I see it's 80's and 90...