One Serving Of Scrambled Eggs

The original plan was to depart at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning and pound down as many miles as possible to the south (to leave Michigan) and then west. However, all plans are adjustable. 

Due to inconsistent sleep patterns Monday night, I spent a considerable amount of time trying to sleep. Once I finally hit the REM state, I woke up at 7:54. Really? Okay, fine, I’m outta here by nine, I told myself before climbing out bed. 

I had all summer to make backup CD’s of the photographs and files (like the books I’ve been wanting to finish writing for years). But, when did I take care of the task? At the last minute as you would guess. I was up late Monday night, after a fun-filled evening with my three grandsons and daughter-in-family, burning CD’s and installing the two laptops and cellphones with the most current updates. It could be months before they’re hooked up to a strong enough internet connection to handle the requirements for updates. It was annoying to continuously decline the “necessary” (according to Windows and Mac) updates last winter. 

Willie James and I walked into mom’s house, a short walk since I was parked next to her garage door, and got the morning routine of heating water for tea started. I finished one more CD and wa-la another effing update on the Windows laptop.

“Really? I just updated you late last night,” I muttered. “Fine. But this is the last one!”

I got a shower and noticed the update was at 2% completed. “WHAT?!”

I told mom I was going to hook up the truck to the camper, and asked if Willie James could stay with her inside the house. Approximately fifteen to twenty minutes later, I’m ready, the dog is ready, the camper, truck, tea, everything is ready… except the laptop. It’s at 22%. “Are you seriously f*cking kidding me?!?!?”

“Would you like some breakfast before you leave,” mom asked.

“Sure. I wasn’t planning on it, but why not.”

“When life happens, make scrambled eggs,” mom said as she set the skillet on the glass-top stove. 

The computer quickly jumped to 48% complete. By the time breakfast was cooked and being plated, the computer restarted and the update completed. I heard my father’s voice, You’re welcome.

I finally departed at 10:11 a.m. 

As I prepped the camper earlier in the morning, I realized that last year’s adventure was me running away from all things familiar and separating myself from my past. This year, I am, once again leaving all things familiar, driving to explore my future. I’m not escaping anything this winter. There was something very powerful in that knowingness. 

As I whittle away this story to share, I’m parked in a rest stop somewhere near (according to the weather app) Effington, Illinois. Of course, with my sassy temperament, I pronounce it EFF!ing-ton.

It took a while for the continuous rumble of semi-tracker engines and the camper generator parked next to me to lullaby me to sleep last night in the 81 degree nighttime temperature. Note: the air conditioner works with DC (direct current) electricity and since there are no electrical hookups at rest stops that means no AC. And, yes, I’m drinking lots of water this morning.

Willie James is still sacked out on the bed. He’s adjusting to life on the road. He’s barking at less strangers (men mostly) and understanding that when there’s grass under his feet it’s time to pee and poop – thank goodness!! He also learned the hard lesson that he cannot drink what I am drinking while I’m drinking it while I’m driving!

As I set out on the next adventure, I thought I’d share a few realizations:

One. In order for change to happen you have to change. As silly as that may sound, we are creatures of habit. In order for new habits to begin it is necessary for us to disconnect ourselves from all that is familiar.

Two. If after you have changed and you return home, you may find yourself rolling right back into your old behaviors and thought patterns. 

Three. When you have enough friends to tell you you need a new tribe because the old tribe no longer wants to participate in the things that you are doing, listen to them. Please, for the love of yourself, do not continue to try to make perfect the projects, communities, group things, Facebook stuff to entice those individuals who no longer resonate with you and have no desire to follow you. If they are not interested, they are not interested. 

Three and a half. It’s okay to be a tribe of ONE. Be the most awesomeness tribesman of ONE as you can be.

Four. Once you separate yourself from all things familiar and go on an adventure, you return home different. There will be friends and family that do not like the transformed you. Simply put, it’s strictly because you are no longer predictable to them. Chances are they can no longer influence you the way they once did.

Five. Everybody is busy with their own lives, self included. Generally speaking people do not have the time to follow nor hear about your stories of adventures (even when they say, “stay in touch”). It’s okay. You’re not doing the adventure for them, it’s all for YOU.

Six. If you feel the need to disconnect from all that is familiar, there’s a good reason for it. Follow your heart and nothing else (or no one else – especially those who wish to control, monitor and determine how you shall live).

Seven. Trust that everything will work out. You will meet the right people at the right time. Everyone who crosses your path is there to show you something about your self – good, bad, the ugly and the loving.

Eight. You were only responsible for yourself.

Nine. Have fun. Giggle. Play. And for Pete’s sakes, stop taking life so seriously. 

As they say, “Love the one you’re with” (aka Self). 

Captured moments along the way…