Life is Short - Hug Everyone You Love

I am in New Mexico....in my sweet little casita. We had a wonderful drive here, making stops along the way to visit with friends. Once I arrived, it was time to get settled and to commemorate all the deaths that have happened in our family in November. Remembering and lighting candles for my father (1989), my husband (2004), and the first anniversary of my mother's death on November 7th. My father's birthday is November 9 and my mother's is November 15th. Oh, and we had the election thrown in there, too.

 Just as I was completing my "hibernation" and honoring of those family memories, a tragic thing happened.  My niece's 24 year old daughter completed suicide. It happened on my mother's birthday. It brought our family to its knees. I was blessed to have my youngest son arrive from San Antonio with his darling dog, Betty, to spend Thanksgiving with Sierra and I. That was a comfort.

No sooner had Justin departed, I came down with some sort of respiratory/sinus bug that I have been fighting since December 4th. I have been diligent about using essential oils, neti pot, Chinese herbs, homeopathic medicines, acupuncture, fluids and rest....I have not run a fever so I put off going to a regular MD.  I keep starting to get better and think I am on the mend and, plop! I am right back in the fatigue, sinus pain, vertigo, and cold junk.  This morning, I surrender, I am headed for the Walk-in Clinic as soon as it opens.

So here I am in the beautiful little village of Bernalillo, in the most perfect little home and I haven't done much of anything but fill humidifiers, burn wood in the fireplace, make chicken bone broth, sleep and (when I feel up to it) wrap up in blankies on the couch and binge on Netflix and Amazon.  Hope I don't sound too whiny, but I am DONE with this.  Keep your fngers crossed and if you have any spare healing light, toss some this way.

This is still just the beginning of my adventure.  There is much more to come. You can't keep a good woman down for long. Namaste.

Tangerine Elora Johnson - with the Angels

Vision

I created this Vision Board in the beginning of 2016.  It is filled with things I value and I am manifesting in my life.  It is filled with travel, adventure, friendship, fitness, family, spirit, Sierra, good health........the blue sky of nature and deep gratitude.  Packing continues - we are nine days from launch. 

My Vision Board

Packing as a Spiritual Exercise

Preparing to hit the road for 6 months is an interesting task. There are things you know you have to take....dog kennel, dog food, the Vita Mix (for green smoothies), hiking boots, cooler for healthy food and snacks, 3 seasons of clothing, books, essential oils, art supplies and then all the things you "think" you need "just in case".  There is only so much room in the Prius.  I am carefully curating my suitcases and boxes now.

For the past three years I have been working to simplify my life - fewer possessions, more time! Packing is an object lesson in simplifying life.  I am very excited to open this new chapter of my life.  Much simpler is just ahead. What would you pack for a six month journey?

The Adventure is Just Beginning

I have spent a great deal of my life taking care of others - first my children, then my mother in law, then my husband and finally my mother.  My children are all grown and launched, and doing fine, thank you very much.  The mothers and my husband have all died and are the angels on my shoulder as I begin a new chapter in my life.

This is my traveling partner, my sweet doggie daughter, Sierra.  She is a rescue pup and has been my companion for the past three years.  She is about 5 years old and is the funnest and funniest little girl ever.

We are about to pack up our Prius - the Little Red P - and hit the road for new adventures and to escape the long Minnesota winter.  We are headed for New Mexico where I have rented a little Casita in a village just north of Albuquerque; this will be our home base for the next few months while we explore the Southwest.  We have a sketchy idea of where we are headed but not too, too much as it wouldn't be an adventure if every detail were already outlined in ink.

This blog is a place for our photos, our reflections and our discoveries as we try out new places to live, meet new people, and say YES to whatever the universe brings our way.  If you have stumbled upon our blog or are one of our invited guests, welcome.  Let's get packed!!!!!