I caught my first fish this week, but it was too little to keep.
In reading vandweller friend Brian’s recent blog post I realized a couple things about my summer experiences. Brian said: “I am feeling a bit of a disconnect from my present and I am finding these things too much distraction.” He was referring to his vandwelling forum involvement and his Facebook page.
Irish Soda Bread I baked in my Solar Oven.
And my work golf cart.
Being in a work situation all summer with no internet has clarified some of the same things for me as well. I actually dropped out of the forums I was on last year some time. Many of the people responding to my remarks were swell people, but a few bad apples spoiled it for me. I never intentionally do or say anything to hurt others, but some members attacked me as if I were an enemy… and who needs that – especially when all you are trying to do is help others?!
My last campers gave me a trout. Others gave me cucumbers and tomatoes. All I contributed to this meal was the tortilla. View of Lake in background.
Even blogging has issues... as some readers/followers get the idea/feeling that because you are publically telling your story, they (the readers/followers) are entitled to claim a piece of you or just pop up in your life uninvited. RVSue has had that happen to a greater extent than I have, but still I was careful this summer NOT to give out my work location. Same for the forums I belonged to and when you blog you kinda give out the message that "Here I am... take a piece of me!!!" And ONE huge lesson I have learned this summer is that there are some people out there who feel "entitled" to do just that... or whatever they darned well please regardless of rules others must follow. Did some people never learn common courtesy???
Well, some animals don’t know the meaning of manners… this calf busy tearing off the signs I so carefully posted.
I thought I would miss the internet and cell service, but I really have not. Getting online once a month for a few hours is really good enough for me. I probably won't give up FB but I find it aggravating in that when I do go back to check up on family members, etc., many of the posts (unlike my blog) are deleted before I get a chance to see them. So, FB serves little purpose for me other than the fact that I have given family members a way to check on each other by setting up the FB page and friending them all.
Brian also said:
I know this is esoteric and oblique, but I am not comfortable enough with what I am experiencing to name it yet. That may come later but meanwhile, I am urged outside, to look up and see what manifests as I pass along in my daily moment....
What’s that book??? Living in the Now??? I’ve been learning that this year as well… especially this summer. As a campground host, your NOW is controlled by your guests. Your job is to meet their needs first (and get their money), before you take any time for your own needs. It’s actually a duty I will be happy to be freed from. I’m at an age where I need to put myself first (something that I have rarely done in my almost 7 decades on earth). We grew up being taught it was selfish to put ourselves before others, but I am glad I did not teach that to my boys. I think to be successful in life/living, you need to put your needs first... and I’m glad my boys can do that (although it leaves me out here pretty much on my own). Still this could be the ONE major factor why they are so self-sufficient and successful in life and that’s a good thing.
OK, Bri, you got me philosophizing here today, now I need to go wash my car, my bod, my hair… pick up my metal detector from storage and head back up the mountain to play awhile (I have run out of campers but am suppose to stay there until Oct. 21). May paint some picnic tables if there send up supplies/paint, etc. I hope I’ll be leaving Colorado sooner than that as I am eager to resume my kayaking, with only 8 of the lower 48 states left to kayak.
It is a beautiful area… these Rocky Mountains! Awesome.
Adding later:
My Campers
Sheep Herds and Shepherds
Dogs
Cattle and Cowboys