“Paragraphs of Daily thoughts, a bit of mental therapy, this and that, published weekly or so…”

"We were not born critical of existing society. There was a moment in our lives (or a month, or a year) when certain facts appeared before us, startled us, and then caused us to question beliefs that were strongly fixed in our consciousness-embedded there by years of family prejudices, orthodox schooling, imbibing of newspapers, radio, and television. This would seem to lead to a simple conclusion: that we all have an enormous responsibility to bring to the attention of others information they do not have, which has the potential of causing them to rethink long-held ideas."
~ Howard Zinn ~

All morning long a couple words were dancing in my mind not able to put them away as they did not belong on this path while rolling towards Rattlesnake Mountain, a primitive single campsite in Big Bend Park. "Stuff" was one expressed as in "we should buy a blanket for the needy instead of sending out $7 Christmas cards". How true till I saw what was under the Christmas Tree. It kind of gave me a jolt. "Super Hero" was the other word expressed throughout a motorcycling context. Marketing can do wonders within that Industry, the illusions will no more ever cease within such Industry having quintuplets daily. You have to have “Stuff” to be today’s Super Hero. Funny I thought. Let it go was my other "a good thing" instinct. Which I did even though the correlation was so strong. Smilie here.

Maybe all this was brought up by being jibbed, meaning "I will not get paid", after writing a lengthy article for a magazine. [I can hear the words “you should have had a contract…”]. Yet, I see it as a good thing. A good slap and awakening is often needed. This one found it’s measure. I am done, finished, no more. My path, our path, is here. I felt freedom come upon me following such decision as such sequence of events was not the first time. But it will be the last. Breathing again as mostly such articles were only a distortion of the true reality written by me yet edited by… It is called "Media". I am jumping off that cliff. There is no need for such unrealistic and cut throat events. It is all forgiven.

We are here though now. A great first night. "Rattlesnake Mountain", single primitive campsite. They are hard to come by these days in the Park because of the Holidays. Same old story trying to get a back country permit without having to move every other day. Beautiful sunrise, cold as the heat rose and the ground temps dropped. We have it all with us however this time around. "Sherpa" trailered "Crusty". The "Redverz" tent, our little big home for these few days, including a Mr. Heater. "Luxury" I call it. Choices. They are present.  I am always so "Thankful" toward our kind sponsors and our Dear Friend Webmaster for keeping these pages going as such.

This morning has to be the most beautiful one. I am actually sitting in the shade as the wind is non existent and with only a couple T shirts on I already feel the warmth of the day coming up. It takes me a full 24 hours to feel "at Home" it seems like. A flat plateau with hills surrounding us a bit further away, all so much engulfs me in the present. I known it does not get any better than this for us being here as today more than ever I feel fortunate as another Year comes to an end having taken this path of the outdoor, this Lifestyle camping full time.

As the New Year is approaching I always feel it is as a time to tighten up the loose ends. Most more mental than physical. A matter of living a Real Life a bit further away from the hoopla of the Society, of the… Super Hero’s. [Here I thought I had it out of my mind…]. Maybe Spirit is a Super Hero. Actually I know he is in my eyes. He is himself though and has no needs and wants besides my Love, his food, warmth or cool, water and clowning around which all are always present. His Life is real, ours together is.

Night came upon us quickly today. A balanced evening as together the Sun set and the Moon fuller than ever rose. What an incredible time while feeling so comfortable throughout this isolation surrounding us with only the Coyotes howling. We took a ride towards Sotol Look Out as the clouds were promising a spectacular Sunset. And it was, all mixed with a cold wind and the hills turning of golden colors. Those are always the moments of retrospect when wondering if our path is of a right one or a wrong one. Maybe there is no such thing as everything else in Life not giving us much of a choice. The balance, always that juggling act trying to not drop the balls.

All the logistics changed this morning. Overnight. Grays are the ceiling, my hands are frozen, they were before the heater came on in this tent. I did not want to get out of the warm sleeping bag. It was too comfy but the day even in such times has to go on. Spirit might also be wondering what happened as I had put his coat on last night and serve him breakfast after fumbling with my coffee making apparatus. Everyone must be getting snow, we are only getting a bit of cold. There is no complaints, we known how to survive within this so far mild winter.

Winds are howling tonight. The tent is sounding like a sail let loose. No cooking. It is peanut butter and jam. I found an almost empty jar of Nutella to my surprise. That was also dinner with a tortilla. It is only cold in the wind and tomorrow might rain. We might pack it up, look at the radar and find us another space. The winds all sound different everywhere. Some are like a freight train on it’s way, some only sound like a truck and some just a blast silently slapping the body. It is all about their path, their obstacles, all making them play their own different melodies. Like the rest of us.

We are done here. The New Year, 2013, is right around the corner. I think we will go back to "The Oasis" and on to Terlingua on that Day. Many Friends there. Happy New Year to everyone reading these pages. May all your good wishes happen and more. Keep the Health up and don’t worry so much about the Wealth. It is all within. 

Stay well… Talk next Year.
Ara and Spirit