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I know it's been a long break, and I'll explain. A generous friend gifted to me his registration to OUTPOST, the Fishtrap workshop held on the Zumwalt Prairie for six days. I returned last Thursday, but had a medical issue that has required my attention. BUT... yesterday I took a break with my friend, Lynn. It was the one year anniversary of her husband's passing, and I suggested we make a better memory of that date by kayaking at the Lake. Included in this adventure was the launch of a boat I made for Petey. It is constructed out of a plastic snow sled disc, two styrofoam float sticks (is that what they are called?), and baling twine. Here's Commodore Petey Podengo boarding his ship for the first time (tentatively, I might add.)  We launched, and he did okay at first...  But he began to take on water. His ears are down. This is not looking good.  COMMODORE PETEY PODENGO JUMPED FROM HIS OWN SHIP! I'm not sure how this will be recorded in the deck log. I tried to grab him, but he would have none of me. I don't think he's too impressed with my big ideas on The Adventures of Petey Podengo.  I'm happy to report he made it safe to shore. It was worth noting that he made no effort to help us load the watercraft in my vehicle. Rather he found a dried up dead trout onshore, rolled in it, then held it tightly in his mouth when he jumped in my car. It smelled horrendous, which is just how he likes it. But his love for atrocious olfactory offenders is a story for another time.
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I'm still trying to figure out some technicalities about blogging. I wrote one yesterday for 4th of July and somehow failed to publish it. Lots to learn here. Had a wonderful meeting with the writers group I belong to. They are so supportive and offer such helpful suggestions. I sometimes fall into a lack of confidence lag, and they don't allow me to stay in there! I'll be attending The Outpost workshop at Fishtrap next week. Through the generosity of a special person, the opportunity fell into my lap and I am so surprised. I cried when I was told. It's a wish come true. A big THANK YOU to my benefactor. The picture below is just for giggles. Have a wonderful day! 
 I laughed when I first saw this picture. Yet it's given me a lot to think about.
My first thought was, "Jesus, you'd have to be a train engineer pulling a long line of cars holding my baggage." But I don't think that's really true today. The main purpose of my being in Wallowa County is a spiritual retreat of sorts. And "of sorts", I mean, at almost 60 years old, I'm taking time out to sort through my life by writing, trying to make sense of it all. What I'm recognizing at this point is that a lot of the baggage I've carried- baggage which influenced many, many of my choices- never was MY baggage. They were the ill feelings and beliefs carried by others that welcomed an opportunity to dump them on me. And being a child with no filter to discern what was mine and what wasn't, I took them on. Letting go of what isn't mine, and owning what is, gives me the freedom to hand my stuff over to Jesus of Nazareth. When I do, it's like He says, "Okay, good. Now let's go." "But, but... I want to explain this stuff." "No, we're good. I know all about it anyway. Let's go." "But, but... I need to go over what I need to be forgiven for." "I already know about those things. You've already asked for forgiveness. It's a done deal, now let's go." "Then why are we taking this stuff anyway? Why not just leave it here?" "Because we may meet someone along the way who has matching luggage. We'll sit with her or him as their stories are unpacked. You'll be able to show what you carried for so long and tell them about your Baggage Handler. They may want to give their baggage to Me, too. It will all be good." "But, but... where are we going?" "With Me. That's all you need to know." I'm the kind of person who needs a plan, an itinerary of the stops along the way. Wants to know our destination, then who we will meet and what will we do when we get there. I'm not given this information with His offer, and have to trust that it is enough to just be with Him, following His lead, doing the next right thing. I could continue arguing, but... Oh, well. I'm in. That's how this Wallowa Gal muddles around with her faith. One of the things I'm learning here is how to stay cool on such hot days as we've been having. One of my elders taught me to leave the windows open at night to cool the house down, then, in the morning, close them up and draw the curtains to keep the cool in. Last summer I didn't do this- I wanted to always see the views outside my windows. But lately I've been trying it, and it really works. Though my house is darker during the heat of the day, I am able to stay cool, very comfortably. Recently I was camping with friends. Petey got hot and came to me. This is how he shaded up...  Just crawled under my legs and crashed!
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AuthorA 50-something woman comes home to a place she's never been before. Archives
January 2021
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