Another Day Older and Deeper in Debt
I had no idea there was a “Go Go” version of this song when I looked for this video on You Tube this morning. Its also the song that was playing in my head when I woke up. It’s my birthday you see and I guess everyone has a birthday song. This is mine.
However there are a few things that make my world spin on its axis every day. I’m going to to tell them Thank you because its the only reason I get out of bed every day. Thank you is all that I can say. Because, words will never express the gratitude I feel for the love that I feel day after day.
Dr. B is the most shameless, uninhibited person I know. His life is dedicated to having fun and making sure I have fun. Just this morning when my daughter gave me a beautiful pearl necklace for my birthday Dr. Brian leaned over and said, “i’m gonna give you one of those for your birthday too!”. I know it was too early and I know it was inappropriate but, it made me laugh. He makes me laugh and sometimes laughter happens when its very, very inappropriate. Thank you for loving me.
Mr. Bug & Ms. Puddin. Having children grow into adults is probably one of the toughest moments for a Mother. I’m no longer allowed to rescue them and tell them what to do. I’m only allowed to offer advice and hope that it helps. These two children willingly and graciously allowed me to be their mom. They’ve are beautiful humans that have offered me unconditional love and support from the day that they could perceive such emotions. I wake every day and make wishes for them. Thank you for loving me unconditionally even though I know, it’s never been easy.
Anakule. You stepped in when I needed a mother. Even though I’ve stood by the assumption that I need no one. I’m aloof, I’m closed off and I’m tough to get to. But you stood there until I left an opening. You still do and I’m grateful. You have made me a better human. Thank you for loving me unconditionally.
Luna. I know you’re Man’s best friend and, I have to compete with Brian. Your little face and your giant ears and your non-stop begging and your smile. You have a smile, I see it all the time. You feel love, I feel it when you convince me to go to bed every night and snuggle until you wake me with your whining to go pee. It’s amazing how loved an animal can make you feel. Thank you for loving me because you make every morning better with your bright eyes, your wet nose and non-stop kisses.
Another day older and deeper in debt. No complaints here.
In the car, out of the car
Since Dr. B was laid off again we’ve had to cut back. Cut back on vacations is actually more like it. Which means that all trips now include camping. Its true I hate to camp. I have no desire to get in touch with nature that way. Here’s a short explanation. When Dr. B asked, “would you just love to sell everything and live in a car?” I reminded him that I used to live in a car, I used to camp out every single night of my life. I’ve roughed it, I survived and I have no need to do it to myself again. However, when your cute daughter and persuasive boyfriend smile and promise to take care of you……
Here’s a short pictorial of our recent camping trip through some very beautiful and very dangerous country.
Yosemite Valley Meadow, 2010
Yosemite is one of the most beautiful, contradictory places I’ve ever seen. Abundant beauty is nestled in one of the harshest mountain ranges in the United States. I realized this even more when my daughter woke up the next morning to let me know that a bear came to visit her in the middle of the night. I put together two and two and remembered, that was probably the moment Luna wedged herself under the covers and “wufed” silently. What I realized even more the next morning is that Puddin’ left a piece of garbage in the fire pit. This helpful, kind bear returned it to its original owner and left a note. “Don’t litter, this is my house.”
Luna, 2010
What we’ve also learned is that Luna likes to stay in the car. The wilderness is not for her. She also likes to give directions and drink only bottled water. She also doesn’t like the desert. It is here that we confirmed her desire to be fanned at all times and draped with a cool wet towel when the temperature reaches above 80 degrees.
Andrea likes it!
This is what Andrea looks like when she’s camping. Except when a bear comes by her tent or, in the middle of Death Valley on a dark night and she’s found her tent door was left open for an unidentifiable amount of time. Then she’s frustrated and turns her tent upside down looking for snakes. Then she sits on her air pad and it hisses and asks to sleep with her mother in her tent.
Half Dome over Yosemite Valley, 2010
Then its just beautiful, there are no words and no photos to describe what this looks like. As an amateur I may never develop the skill to explain how I felt when I looked at this view. I can only describe it like this; when you see something this beautiful you know the world is good and is worth your effort. Taking photographs for me is like trying to tell you how I felt when I see something.
Then you break the law.
Its very difficult to travel with your pet. Its actual illegal to let them swim in a protected environment. I didn’t know this when Luna leaned out the window of the rental car and whined at the water. We gave in, pulled over to the most beautiful mountain lake ever seen and she dove in immediately. I’ve never seen such satisfaction on her face. Before anyone yells at me, I didn’t know it was against the law until seeing a sign later that day. I would have happily taken the ticket because she was so damn happy.
Our family portrait and, she blinks.
Death Valley, 2010 – Devil’s Golfcourse
Death Valley is the most desolate, dangerous, gorgeous, enticing place I’ve ever been. Its hot, its 120 degrees hot. So hot, that this year camping on the valley floor is over for the season. After finding a place to camp 2 thousand feet above the valley floor, we settled in the complete darkness with a night sky show that would make you jealous. There was a moment that can only be described as spiritual as the three of us sat in complete darkness and silence while watching the moon rise above the mountain cliffs. We watched as all the constellations slowly disappeared and the moon shed light on the valley below.
Artists Palette, Death Valley
Death Valley is very rich in mineral resources. However due to its heat and lack of water it is nearly impossible to mine. Many have tried and many have failed. I’m grateful for this desolate protection because what would have happened to this beautiful landscape if technology got hold of it?
That being said I still don’t like camping. I still don’t like it when my boyfriend asks “wanna take a shortcut?” I abhor the shortcut when it turns out to be a 39 mile dirt and rock road on a remote portion of Death Valley. I abhor all things like flat tires and survival scenarios when my dog is a pansy and I hate getting my hands dirty.
But we did survive, the flat tire, the remote road, the dirt, the heat, the bugs, the bears and now we’re home.
