Spike, Bridget and I are here at Slab City for one more day.
I’ll pack everything up before dark and first thing in the morning (Monday) I’ll hitch up, say goodbye to our friend, Ken, and drive over to Solar Mike’s. Once the work is done, the crew and I will move to a new camp.
I hope to leave an old companion behind.
Ever since I sold my house in Georgia and set out on this new life of full-time vagabonding, every day has been a joyful one. Even when something unwanted occurred during a day, such as when Spike didn’t feel well and worried me half to death or when Bridget tore the ligament in her leg and needed pain pills, a spirit of joyfulness supported every moment. Why? Because I’m living the life of my dreams, each day surrounded by beauty.
Maybe coming to the Slabs was a mistake.
Some of the things I’ve seen here allowed my old companion, depression, to creep back into my life. He’s been gone for over a year now, after hanging on to me since my childhood days. Now I realize he will always stalk me. Only now I have a weapon that keeps him far from me and the crew, and renders him powerless over my life. It’s a simple but powerful weapon: If I surround myself in beauty, I will keep a grateful heart and a joyful spirit!
I absorb the sadness and despair of others like a sponge.
As you read in the last post, I found this area of Niland and Slab City depressing. I don’t even feel like taking a photograph. While in this depressed state of mind I let critical remarks get the best of me. I reacted with carelessly written remarks of my own. In so doing I offended a friend by giving the impression that I don’t think people should give to others, to strangers in particular. If I offended a friend, surely I have offended some readers.
I apologize and hope to clarify my remarks.
I tried to make the point that sometimes — sometimes — it is best not to enter into a stranger’s life with an unsolicited hand-out. Most of the time it’s okay. I’m sorry I didn’t do a better job of expressing my thoughts on the subject.
Today I’ll work to keep my old companion at bay.
Tomorrow Bridget, Spike, and I will get back on the road and leave him far behind choking in our dust!
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 