Judy Crawford and wear the lovely hummingbird she made for me.
My apologies for my absence. 2022 was a difficult year and 2023 not much better. Had my second shoulder replacement surgery. Just prior to that I assisted my "last best friend forever" move back into a sticks and bricks as he, with declining health, was no longer able to boondock alone. I over-did it myself in breaking camp and helping him move and ended up on crutches due to hip pain. Then I had a long drive from AZ to CO (where my doctors and surgeons were located) and had to get past that big fire in New Mexico, the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires.
But finally got my surgery and while in recovery, I learned the camper trailer I was interested in was for sale, so I bought over the phone, with the understanding I could not take delivery until surgeon released me and I was able to drive again. The day came and I returned to AZ to get it... during a very very hot spell. While transferring things over from the old van, a task I had to pace myself on as I was still under lifting restrictions on the shoulder, I got Covid, Shingles and Vertigo. Eventually, I got moved in, gave my cargo trailer to HOWA and sold my old van and bought a truck. I felt I needed a 1Ton truck instead of the small cargo van. A few other health issues and tweaking of the trailer kept me grounded at my son's until Sept. 2024. At last, I was able to return to the wild, where I belong. I'll catch you up a little.
Earlier post from May 2024.
Once upon a time, long ago and far away, I thought I could not live without my husband, my children, or my grandchildren. I felt surely I would loose my mind. Then I decided I needed a goal/a dream bigger than life itself. I began a bucket list and put the wildest things on it, things that seemed impossible, hoping something would light my fire and motivate me to "go on living," a promise I made to my last-forever-husband, David Swankie, on his death bed! (He meant, to date and marry again, but once you have had the best, why bother with the rest?)
All true, I never could have dreamed up a scenario that crazy. Still pinching myself.
Dream big, find a goal or purpose bigger than life itself!
Last thought, a friend of mine who was considered for Nomadland, but turned down because producers felt she was too fragile... she was wheelchair bound in 2018, has since lost 100 pounds by 2024, is walking and jogging outside daily now and just bought a 2nd hand van to build out herself as a camper. She plans to buy a teardrop trailer for her adult handicapped son to use as "home" while she uses the van as her space... and they will hit the road when it is done, hopefully by 2025-26 winter AZ camping season. I would have thought that was impossible too. But she did it!
Dream Big! Go for it! And to all of you who have helped me along the way... your responses remind me of how many others have been a part of this journey! I kayaked with some, camped with others, hiked with a few. All of you matter! I love you all!
More stories to come. What was it like to be at the Oscars and be treated like a star? How did I feel after having my van broken into in Hollywood, in a "secure" parking lot, the night before the Oscars? What does it feel like to be in my 81st year with four bionic joints, 2 fake shoulders, 2 fake knees?? I will tell you all about it.
