more treasures

the question with so many of the things we've found "is it worthy of carting back with us?" and " is it too heavy to ship home?"

for this pitcher the question was "is it worth the asking price plus $15 in shipping?"

the answer is obvious.

 

 Fozzie Bear

 I am pretty sure this is the girl's, but I do so love it.

 made in Japan, eagle adorned serving spoon

 soooo fragile. on their way to Portland. hope they arrive intact

 interior of teacup

cereal mugs for the girl

 crazy giant tea heater. who can read japanese?

 oooh.

 pink depression glass eye cup

pagoda for a planter

Memphis Morning

First off, I'd like to say that Memphis was named after the ancient Egyptian capital of the same name because they are both cities built up along a grand river. One the Nile, the other, The Mississippi.
Here is what our morning in Memphis looked like.

beauty bird.

closed

so cute

closed

yummy

sweet potato pancakes

Graceland

"Maybe I've a reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland"

-Paul Simon

As we drove from St Louis to Memphis I had a yearning to listen to Lucinda Williams.

I asked my man, if he could make it happen.

He asked how long he had.

“An hour or two I guess, why?”

He was quiet and fiddling with his phone for awhile then he plugged the phone into the, I’m not really sure, and just like that, Lucinda Williams was strumming and crooning from our speakers.

Apparently there is an internet radio station that has a 6 day trial period for us to try.

St Louis to Memphis, enhanced thanks to Rdio.

The album had in mind was one I listened to quite a lot when the girls were little.

In my memory it was heartbreakingly beautiful album.

I have not listened to it since that time and this time around it was sweeter and lighter, and of course, still beautiful.

I asked my girl if it sounded familiar and she said it did.

We followed it up with a request for the British, Corrinne Bailey Rae, whose soulful singing matched the steamy humidity the deep rivers we were crossing and driving beside.

We moved on to Muddy Waters for awhile as well.

After a rest stop to make tea, 

where we were treated with a sight of birds nest. 

We resumed with Paul Simon’s Graceland. Another album from baby days.

The drive to Memphis was around 6 hrs I think. We stopped a few times and had some breaks from music and stuck in my head was Paul Simon's Graceland.

Honestly, I really like to sing around close friends and family, but I don't know the right words to any song. Really.
I kept singing Graceland, but one of the girls finally said "that's not even how it goes" so we found the album and listened to the whole thing.

And, no, we didn't go to Graceland.

We are having a reminiscent trip for sure.


"This is is the story of how we begin to remember”

Under African Skies, Paul Simon

Lightning is the Rainbow of the Night

Sometimes I feel anxious and long for the comfort of all that is familiar while away from home, and when I am at home I get anxious and long for an adventure.

I lie awake while everyone else sleeps, like is so often true at home as well.
Except for tonight in a hotel in St. Louis, there is a storm raging that is unlike anything I have experienced.
There is a wicked, wicked thunder and lightning and pouring rain.

When the thunder and lightning began, we were leaving the St. Louis Arch and it was dusk.
It was magical!

But it went on and on, getting more and more intense. By the time we reached our hotel it was pouring down rain and the radio announced " severe thunder storms warning" in effect for at least an hour.
Now, 5 hours later it is only more booming and electric.
One of the girls said earlier tonight "Now I understand why someone might be afraid of lightning."

Lightning is the rainbow of the night sky.

If I were home my dog would be up with me and I'd have someone to comfort, which is, of course, a comfort to me.

treasure hunting

One of the main intentions for this trip has been to find treasures for my daughter as she moves out on her own.
She already has nearly all of the practical things one needs and wants to embellish the basics.

This tiny earthen ware jar with a Phoenix on it is perfect. The Phoenix is an ancient symbol of transformation.
When she was coming of age around twelve and thirteen, the butterfly seemed and apt symbol of transformation. One of blossoming into, about becoming.
The phoenix feels a bit more dramatic and fiery and powerful.

This japanese paper tray is an unusual size.

We are both in love with this tin tray
.
We just long-term loaned out our everlast punching bag, so it's perfect that the gloves were found. Another empowering treasure.
Rock on, baby girl!

and a demure cream & sugar set to balance it all out

watch where you're going

After the long days drive the day before and the "rustic" cabin experience, we were ready for some breakfast and a slower morning before heading out again.

We were referred by our camp lady to check out The Occidental Hotel.

 She said to have breakfast at the attached Busy Bee Restaurant.

The Occidental Hotel was so lovely and the woman at the front desk was as warm as can be. I was pulled away, as my family was ready for some breakfast.
As I was walking along, I ducked to peek in the window at something that had caught my eye (magpie, that I am) and of course, I came to stand up just a bit too close to a hanging azalea planter.

I have just a little bump.

Breakfast was weird and slow and we were surrounded by not only our, we-drove-too-much-yesterday selves, but leather-chapped bikers and local sports enthusiasts in casts.

On to Rapid City where we have not only one hotel room, but two.

The day after that should be filled with touristy goodness South Dakota style.

Deer Creek

The second day out on the road made us feels gutsy for driving, I suppose. When we looked out at the wide expanse of Montana we decided that we would stop in Missoula, Billings and Butte to poke around neighborhoods a bit and to treasure hunt some, but uninspired, decided to forge ahead, get some road behind us.

We changed our third night camping reservation to be for the second night and cancelled the second night's reservations.

We drove for what seemed like a million miles, two days worth of driving.
We drove from Coeur d'Alene all the way across Montana to Wyoming.

Driving into Buffalo Wyoming at 1am was less than ideal, but when we couldn't locate the campground, it became far-less-than-ideal.
While meandering about in frustration with maps and GPS systems and deer in the road, we passed by some yahoos having an out of control fire.

It looked too big for the summer's Forest fire season so I took a good look as we passed.
It turns out they had a picnic table on fire as their bonfire, surrounded by a half dozen RV's.

Yes, even in my stupor I called emergency services.

Maybe it's just a regular Monday night in Buffalo, Wy.

When we awoke from our rustic cabin, I was excited that the campsite had showers.
It was very 50's with hard linoleum with starburst patterns, but clean and welcome.

As I was gathering the things I had brought, I was, in the softness of morning, reminded that in my "let's pack super light", that I had chosen to bring a tiny super absorbent camp towel.
Ok, that's a lie. It was a sham wow. But really it's the same thing as the camp towels we have from REI, except for the color.

I looked at this ridiculous scrap of cloth, shrugged and walked up the hill to the shower.

Beauty Creek

We left on Father's Day, after a brief gift giving.
One of the girls made a reduction block print of a Buddha and the other girl made a hand stitched silk neck tie. It was the first tie their papa has had since it was required in school.
Pretty amazing and thoughtful gifts, especially since it was done on their own. I had gotten a shirt for their papa in case they needed something last minute, but no. They were more than prepared.
We left home around noon, as planned, after a few last minute visitors stopped by to wish us well.

We stopped in Spokane for a pretty good Thai dinner.
The wood carvings were more beautiful than the food, but we are so spoiled in Portland with fabulous Thai on every corner.
There was an awesome Ganesha in the entry. Make sure to check it out if you go.

We camped the first night at Beauty Creek Campground.
The girls had their tent up before I had a fire going.
The creek was beautiful and it's just a stone's throw from Coeur d'Alene Lake.
Simple and rustic. Just right.

once begun is half done

All four of us go about preparing in our own ways.

One daughter is packed perfectly with thought to every contingency with an ease a week before any trip.

The other daughter much the same, but the day before.

The papa, he prepares for every contingency mechanical and technical.

As for me? A month ago when the trip was getting closer I made a few lists on blue post it notes and, comforted, set them aside.

Tea . green and black tea. loose herbs. honey. Infuser cup for each person.teakettle

First aid. Anti-infection blend tincture. Ginger tincture. Band-aids. Salve. Charcoal. Arnica. Rescue remedy. Aloe Vera gel. Lavender oil. Yellow dock tincture. Tweezers. Gauze & Tape.

Make sure Sadie knows how to pick the Calendula.

Packing tape and sharpies. In case we need to ship things home. You can always find boxes and packing materials, but no one at the post office will let you touch the tape gun.

personal gear. contacts, glasses, toiletries, clothes, etc.

I always prioritize things you can't easily get on the road. It seems like no matter how light I pack, I still never use everything I bring.

I set these aside and began the harder part; work stuff.

work 1. schedule for three weeks without me

work 2. payroll the day I leave and payroll for while I am gone

work 3. stock the store with as many lovelies as possible

done.

Last minute supplies

Having raised the girls super natural and organic, going to the drugstore, at their request, was full of negotiations.

One girl wants deodorant and toothpaste. One girl wants insect repellant.

We need shampoo and conditioner.

All of this seems ridiculous and yet, open minded at the drug store I stand.

One girl holds deodorant and toothpaste, both of questionable origin and ingredients. I look at them and back to her. She begins, “I know it’s poisonous and I understand all about it, and I don’t want to be sweating in the south and I know this kind works.”

Pause.

I look at the toothpaste. She looks at me. I counter with “I’ll buy the poison deodorant if you put back the poison toothpaste and use mine”

Done.

Girl two is set on the poisonous bug spray.

"Oh my god," I begin, "you’re kidding right?”

She’s ready.

“Mama, I know, but I get eaten up and it ruins my whole summer, then I scratch them and I get scars and..."

"ok fine."

On to the hair care aisle.

I say we need smallish bottles. One girl needs mondo conditioning for super long hair, the other girl needs it to be not tested on animals.

And we all want it to smell good.

Quickly and efficiently we check labels and then open and smell from bottles.

Done.

We leave tomorrow.

what, when, where & why

what: an epic journey, a family road trip

when: mid june through early july

where: destination baton rouge

why: to collect memories and treasures in preparing my oldest daughter to set out on her own