Sunday Sabbath June 25, 2015 DAY         LIFE IS A HIGHWAY!

It certainly seems life is a highway.  At least for me at the present.  I have roads to travel, experiences yet unknown, people to meet, and I’m behind the wheel for hours.  And today I met two more interesting people to talk to on the steps of the Capitol building in Cheyenne Wyoming.

Once I determined my route home I decided that I would see as many of the State Capitol buildings as possible in this last week.  My trip is winding down and I’m still wound up and ready to go.  I don’t know if I would ever be ready to settle back in place if it were not for the loved ones I desire to return to.  I never suspected that I would learn to love to travel as much as I have.

My Airbnb experience was wonderful last night.  I had the entire lower level of a home.  Beautiful neighborhood, and beautiful surroundings.  Last night after some browsing on the internet I discovered that the Cheyenne capitol building was not open today, as it is Sunday.  I just assumed that since the Madison capitol is open on Sunday so should all capitols.  Not so.  But, decided I wanted to spend some time there anyway just looking around the outside.  And wouldn’t you know it, up rides my special meeting of the day.  A big burly man from a distance with a little lady on the back seat of a two seater motorcycle.  I asked to take their picture and the conversation ensued from there.  And of course I asked if he would take my photo.  He didn’t but his wife did.  We talked for quite a while and I learned some very interesting stories about their lives.  It is so interesting to talk with people in an unthreatening atmosphere with no ulterior motives except to just hear their story.

The more I talked with them the more I liked them.  The more of their life that I heard the more interested I was to hear more.  This couple is Dave and Angie.  Dave looks like the “stereotype biker” that you might be afraid to meet in a dark alley.  He had a head kerchief tied around his head, a bright red shirt and the ever present leather vest you might see on so many bikers.  And…some interesting patches.  I liked him at first sight.  He allowed me to get on his new motorcycle so I could have my photo taken on it.  I don’t know if many of you who know me realize I loved to ride a motorcycle before I had kids.  After the kids were born I never wanted to get on one again because I valued my life too much from that point on.  I was no longer living just for me but I had someone I loved very much who was  dependent on me for everything.   I wanted to be the one to raise my children because no one else in the whole world would ever love them like I did.  My kids are grown. Now that desire to ride, has again crept in.  This time however,  I think about my husband and my grandchildren and realize “how could they live without me”, especially without all my unsolicited opinions?  So I probably never will again…well maybe just a short ride.

Dave and Angie were delightful to talk with.  This new bike of his was a very important step for him.  He was in a serious motorcycle accident and had numerous, severe injuries.  It sounded like he was fortunate to still be alive.  This was a big step for him to get back on the bike.  I could tell his wife seemed to enjoy biking too and was happy for Dave’s recovery.  Dave and Angie helped me map out some afternoon driving plans.  I was able to accomplish one and even snag a photo of the beautiful yellow fields of blooming flowers.  I so wanted to go to the mountains again but decided I needed to be with my friends who are like family to me, more than I needed to go to the mountains.  Maybe I can fit it in tomorrow.  My days are so packed with fun things to do that I don’t always get them all in.

I asked Dave and Angie for their wisdom.  When you read it think of it in context as coming from bikers who love to travel and see the world.  I invited them to come and stay with us in Wisconsin.  All we need is another Dave in our life.  I would enjoy hearing more of their stories.

Dave’s wisdom:  “Life is a highway and when looking in the rear view mirror it’s closer than you think.”

Angie’s wisdom: “Watch out for people because they are not going to watch out for you.”  In reference to riding a motorcycle.

I loved their wisdom.  It is so true.  So bikers out there, take heed!

I drove the country roads to Denver Colorado and even drove out part way to Estes Park where the mountains are.  I realized I would have a late night if I went all the way and then all the way back.  I didn’t want my friends to be waiting.  Usually when I’m out like that I don’t have cell service to call either.  So instead, I stopped at a Goodwill Store and only bought two little books.  Can’t look at clothes right now because I have gone up one size and must come home to reality, workouts and smaller portions to fit back nicely in my current clothes.  I can still fit into them but don’t like the way they feel or look on me.  So I’m wearing the same things home as I did when I left, only they look and feel a bit, shall I say, tight?

Arrived in the front of Chris and Cynthia’s apartment just as my phone rang and it was Cynthia calling me to see when I would be arriving.  She was surprised to know I was actually just outside her door.  So was I.  I didn’t know which door I was supposed to be in front of.  Her baby, 3 ½ month old Noah, who was two weeks old when I was here previously has blossomed like a spring flower.  He is beautiful.  Sorry I forgot to take a photo of him this evening so you could see how cute he is.  His older brother David has even shot up.  David calls me grandma and I love it.  He was so excited on the phone talking to me yesterday when he knew I was coming.  I hope Zach and Xander will be as excited  to see me.  I know I am excited to see them and see how much they have grown.  Oh wow!  I bet they have grown noticeably in 4 months time (just like grandma did).

How am I going to end this trip?  I take just one day at a time and keep each day full to overflowing.  It may take me awhile to come down.  It has become my normal to do, do, do, and to go, go, and go.  How will it be to sleep in the same bed every night again and not have to pack up day in and day out?  I certainly know the next trip I take I will have A LOT LESS STUFF TO TAKE.  I can hardly wait to see if I stick to my promise to myself to travel light.  I do not what I don’t need to take.  I just hope I’ll remember when we take off again.  I’m already formulating plans to drive to Alaska.  Don’t know when and don’t know if it will ever happen but I do know it will never happen if I don’t plan.

I am so looking forward to what life has for Dave and I.  No matter the ups and downs we may someday find ourselves in, we are together for a reason.  The first is the love God put in our hearts for each other.  The second is for what good we can do together rather than just singly.  We are a team and I am so thankful for that.  I am excited about the transition we are entering with his retirement.  I wish I could have been in two places at once these past four months.  Now I will just be there to step into the nitty gritty of the day his retirement begins.  One day you work, the next day you don’t.  I’ve yet to feel that for me because I still have work to complete when I arrive home.  My goal is to have it all done in as little as two months.  Then I too will step into that world that is always the dream but never seems it will really happen.  And so much of what happens to us is out of our control.  That is where taking life one day at a time comes into working.  Regardless what this day will hold we must just always remember that our strength is from the Lord and He will help us through it.  I have just a few more days on the road and I ask you all to pray for my protection and safe trip home.  I have some long drives ahead of me this week.  The drives have been my most favorite part of this trip.  I love the hours in the car, the solitude, the time with the Lord, the peace, the beauty of what my eyes behold, stopping and talking to people along the way, eating out of my little red cooler bag that sits on the front seat beside me with all my snacks and food arranged for the day.

I did a first today.  I had not eaten at a fast food restaurant (except for a MacDonald’s soft serve ice cream) until today.  My food is gone for the most part and I haven’t been to a grocery store for fruit and veggies. Well, today I chose to eat at the one fast food place that for me seems to work the best BECAUSE THEY DO IT MY WAY.  I bought a subway tuna sandwich on flatbread and had ½ of a 6 incher for lunch in Cheyenne.  Then when I got hungry in the afternoon I ate the other half.  Then I came to my friends and had a delicious dinner of chicken and potatoes and carrots and grapes.  Oh yes, and asparagus.  Lots of asparagus.  The asparagus was a gift from Carrie and Blake two days ago.  They go down to a river bank close to their home and pick it by the bundles.  It was starting to go to seed so they picked as much as they could and came home and refrigerated it.  I just happened to luck out and be the recipient to their generosity. I have been eating that for the past two days.  I even had a snack of it tonight.  For some reason not many other people like it raw.  That is my favorite way to eat it. Cold and uncooked and crisp.  Thanks Blake and Carrie for my wonderful green food.  I have enjoyed it immensely.

I did another first at Blake and Carrie’s house.  I washed a load of clothes and it wasn’t until I was taking them out of the dryer that I realized I had forgot to use the detergent in the wash cycle.  Oh well, I wore them anyway.  I guess they were a little cleaner than they had been, even without the soap.  I did another first a couple of months ago (and fortunately did not do a second of the same) but haven’t had the guts to tell about it in my blog yet.  I finally did break down and tell someone the other day.  It is funny now, it wasn’t then.  The first person that asks me about it after I get home, in person or on the phone I will tell it to and then to no others (at least until I am over the embarrassment of it).  This will just let me know who is reading the blog.  Dave you don’t count because you will see me first.  I’ll tell you anyway.  And no, it’s not about my checkbook that I lost.  I haven’t told that story either.  If I ever get a book written about this four month saga there are a few other tidbits I might put in for public knowledge.  Not quite certain what will make the cut.  After all, I need to preserve my dignity!  Just needless to say.  The blog only has a little of all that transpired.  So, so many wonderful memories I will have for  as long as my brain functions. NO COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY (that means you Dave, and Courtland).

I think my biggest fear in returning home is that people will not even know that I’ve been gone. even though they haven’t seen me for 4 months.  When I worked so much I wouldn’t see or talk to some of my friends for a year.  I do hope that changes with our retirement.  I have discovered that relationships are the most important endeavors to  undertake.

Remember…LIFE IS A HIGHWAY AND WHEN  YOU LOOK IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IT IS SHORTER (my word) THAN YOU MAY THINK!

Good night everyone.  Have a great tomorrow.  Remember it is you ATTITUDE that determines what kind of day you will have.  Smile…it goes a long way and is always free to give away.

 

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY

by Kathleen Martens

June 28, 2015

 

A highway is but a road

Laid out smooth and straight

One that you learn to love

Or one that you may hate.

 

The decision is all yours

For many things will come you way.

How you deal with what comes

Determines how you stray.

 

And if you stray too far off

The path laid out for you

Becomes blurry in your quest

And you can’t see through

 

So look ahead for each moment

The past is no more

Live with truth in your heart

Then your life will score.

 

When you dwell on what is past

It smacks you in the face,

Live each moment as it comes

Let NOW occupy your space.

 

Worry not for the unseen

Enjoy each moment alive

For it is in the present

That we are revived.

 

Life’s highway stretches out

So many bends and turns

Be thankful for each one

For that is how  you learn.

 

Inspired by Dave on the Motorcycle.  Thanks Dave for you wisdom today.  It is so true.