“My  Personal Daily Therapy, published Weekly or so…”

“Your true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of his liberty-his excessive freedom. He accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure.” ~ Aldous Huxley ~

Music for the road… for the ride… for the soul “Summer Rain” by “Satya” [Memoirs of a World Traveler]

[audio:http://www.theoasisofmysoul.com/wp-content/audio/The_Summer_Rain.mp3]

That is about all the time we have as we have to be back to "The Oasis" by the end of March. "Old Faithful" is receiving some serious maintenance, much needed, seemingly an endless task as she will need to carry us on throughout Spring and Summer approaching. We have just finished spending a few days house sitting for my Friends Mark and Brenda and, this would be Spirit’s Girl Friend, Mya. My favorite goofy [as in "silly"] and loving and sweet Boxer. It has been strange, nice, relaxing, all at the same time. I keep thinking "what have you done to yourself?" as I am always slapped with the motion I could not again live in a house. Maybe part time some day as the need will arise, as the body will weaken toward some of the capricious moods of Mother Nature.

We did not stand still too long however. As in past times a couple rides on Arrivaca Rd. As never before a ride to Bisbee to be fitted with a new hat. Hat… with a capital "H"! Luxury? I feel as it is. What is wrong with me? I always desired a nice hat since now driving "Sherpa" here and there. A hat now is possible. Stephen Grant is the Master. He said it himself, he is the Dinosaur of the trade. We spend all day at his shop in Bisbee, I wanted him to pick out the proper hat. There is the shape of my head taken with this strange apparatus which in turn marks a piece of paper which goes into another contraption which will form the hat. Steam, lights, the big show. A hat goes through 140 different steps before being ready to be worn. A true education it was. Much respect for hats. Mine fits like a glove, I waited 63 years for such a hat!

The Gem Show had been going in Tucson and a rider I met on the road suggested an afternoon at the "African Village". Done. Spirit stayed behind and this was one of those rare afternoons without him, feeling a bit detached from my Buddy and yet enjoying the surroundings, the people, the Artifacts laid out. French was the common language and I realized I had not forgotten my maternal language. They were here from Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea, Benin, Gabon, Namibia, Zambia. There was a Touareg Gentleman spending his time on his silver and brass craft. The afternoon took me back, way back as I long the far away Continents I have not set foot on for so long. The different cultures, the food, the incredible hospitality everyone has always had, the smells in the air and the smiles. True smiles always regardless of a tin roof or otherwise. Everyone should go to Africa for two weeks to truly appreciate our own Life here.

The walls disappeared this morning as we left early almost as always feeling as well if not better than the first day ever. The road fever went through the roof. Mountains ahead, clouds today playing incessantly with no rest. Rain. Sunshine. Every scenario in one day. We pushed and pushed some more filled with an uncommon energy. Kingman passed, Beatty was the next stop till we landed in the dark on the glare of Las Vegas present as a giant spaceship ready to take off. GPS to the rescue, an aspect I now depend on more and more. We found Red Rock, a space away from it all and yet the clouds are lit as with a full moon, but not, it is the eerie stage of the lights of this giant spaceship not far from us.

 

 

The ride was thoughtful. Much. Valentines Day, Happy Valentine for my Buddy who was mopping Mya all day. Those two are a pair. I now know I would like to have two buddies. They played and played more. I feel bad having to now separate them. I have not spoken to Mark and Brenda today who arrived late last night but I have no doubt Mya is now suddenly also lonely.

In my effort to stay on the road “we” now have a T Shirt and Merchandise store. I think you will like it.
It is called “SpiritedOasis”.
Photos and Digital downloads are on “Smugmug”.
The recipes are on the “One-Pan Recipe” section. They free downloads, contributions are gladly accepted.
We both appreciate your support and hoping we are giving something back.

Be well… Always.
Ara and Spirit