November Gratitude
I've gotten better about being grateful in general, but here's a celebratory chunk of it.
I'm grateful for the clients and their furred children I get to work and play with:
I'm so thankful for my Mayfair, who has been supporting my efforts to work with Dogs. She has been flexible and understanding and offering me opportunities.
I'm pretty grateful November is almost over. It has been kicking my ass. Some of it physical, but mostly in the emotional department.
The aforementioned ass kicking makes me all the more grateful for this past weekend. Reconnecting with the coast and my community there is always good for my soul.
On Friday Cassandra and I had some of the best sushi - McRandy rolls for life! - and went window shopping. We laughed loudly, sharing matters of the heart, expressing needs for freedom and letting our freak flags fly. Back at her place, we got stoned, watched something that was more or less misleadingly titled "Happy". There were also some attempts to convince me that the area north of Santa Cruz could hold the next place I move to. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't tempting, but I'm not sure it's right for me. I'm not sure that's far enough from here.
We ate a ridiculous amount of ice cream and did a bit of tarot. Cassandra pulled some cards that totally pertained to some of what she had been expressing earlier. I pulled one that spoke of inner doorways opening, new talents surfacing and the practical application of wisdom emerging. Another that said friends would be playing large roles in my life, possibly in travel or work and that a new friendship is approaching. The third said I was being closely monitored by a soulmate or partner, to determine my intentions. But I haven't either anymore, so I'm not sure who it could refer to. Perhaps more of a business partner? That I do have.
I happily ended the night on the couch with my cuddle buddy Gunner.
The next day was Gunner's birthday, making him six years old. We all had a lovely morning eating blueberry muffins, sitting in the dirt next to the garden and drinking tea. Then Cassandra and I watched Beverly Hills Ninja while putting on our outfits and makeup for the day.
I wish I'd gotten some more pics with the birthday pup, but my camera died in the night. At least I got the above, thanks to Cassandra.
Once down the hill, I was slowed by some construction beside the beach. While rolling through the cone zone, I passed a young man on the crew, sitting in his truck. And for the first time ever, someone leaned out of their window to watch me pass by. Not just a head crane, but practically his whole torso.
I guess I can see why, as I was not sporting an everyday look at the time:
It was pretty amusing, and I glanced back in the sideview mirror. Fairly adorable to see him still watching and waving at me. So I put my hand out the open window and waved back.
Heading inland, I went to visit one of my surrogate mothers. Unfortunately she wasn't home, so I left a note on her truck and went back to town to get a black bean, rice and cheese burrito and a churro. There I ran into one of my favorite people from my time living in the Redwoods, a most pleasant surprise. The food was incredibly good. I will be ordering that again, I tell you whut. With some carrot juice next time.
I then took the back road over to the store, where I was invited to a farm party. I stuck around for a half hour or so, smoking a joint, watching a Great Blue Heron hunt, making friends with Dogs and a tiny Tabby.
But I didn't know many people there and found myself getting antsy. Plus, I looked like a mermaid and felt that I had to take some beach pictures. So I walked back to Arana and headed for the beach to have a photo shoot with myself, in the last of the sunlight:
https://instagram.com/p/B5QrfInhoYL
I'm not big on selfies that don't include animals or people I love. But when you put this much effort into a look it's nice to have some pictures of it.
Then I headed back to the store, enjoying tunes of Claddagh and the good company:
The day ended with another friend meeting me at my favorite karaoke spot, to get a few songs in. It was a great night. Everyone was decent and a few people really knew how to sing. The tune I had the most fun singing was "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House. It was one I hadn't yet sung outside of my truck.
The next day was pretty lazy by comparison, a most welcome contrast. A few errands in the day and in the evening I went to a friend's place for the first time. Neat nook way back in the hills.
I brought dinner and he provided a hella strong joint outta Santa Cruz as well as dessert - mmm ice cream and berries. As we grubbed down, there was the update of what's going on in our lives at present and where we'd rather be in the future.
Possibly because we were both so high, it proved difficult to settle on a movie. I got first pick and voted for The 'Burbs, but I was waaaaay to high for that flick - it was so much darker and intense than I had remembered. Then he picked something political that we both tired of in the first two minutes, mutually mocking the music. We finally agreed on good ol', stoned-friendly Back To School.
I do wish I hadn't gotten quite so stoned, but I was grateful to have a super mellow time with someone I'd been missing.
I am really thankful for my parents and that they are letting me stay at their house for the time being. I've been in this house for way too much of my life, but it is a central location that has been providing me with nearby work. So grateful to have a place where I'm not struggling to pay rent, so I can save money for whatever move I end up making next year.
And I am grateful for California. As I wrote to a surrogate niece in a recent letter, I am sad that my dream of Canada life has ended, but it did reaffirm that California is home. The new dream of Norcal living grows stronger as time passes, for it is a place that I have loved deeply and felt so connected to since I was a child. My instinct has always been to go North. Disneyland or camping? Most of the time, my answer was camping. I guess I'm just not going as far North as I originally imagined.
Most of my tribe is here on Calafia's Island. Cannabis products that I use for recreation and mental health are legal and readily available and part of my shared activities. I don't agree with all of it, but I believe in the importance of progressive culture, which is alive here. (I'm gonna chalk that belief up to Star Trek. Love you Roddenberry.)
True, it's expensive here, and like any place, the state has its issues. But when have I ever loved anything or anyone for being perfect?
I want to be with the Redwoods and the Pacific Ocean - they have my heart now. I have loved my travels and I'm looking forward to what will hopefully be trips to Wyoming, Iowa and B.C next year. (Gotta love Alaska miles.) But this is home. California's been everything I've ever had.
There's so much more I could say, but it feels right to leave it at that for now. To whoever gets this far, I hope you have a swell holiday and thank you for reading.