A huge portion of my childhood was spent in the back of a station wagon, on the way from here to there.
Here was wherever we lived at the time. Six states and at least eight houses by the time I turned eleven.
There was either the next place we were going, or back to visit relatives. Mostly Granny & Grandpa in Minnesota.
Minnesota, you see, has lakes and lakes have fish and fishing was what my dad did on vacation.
Many of those trips happened in the dark of the night, my sister and me (hopefully) sleeping in the back of said station wagon, long before seat belt laws.
They all involved interstate highways… the fastest way to and from Granny & fish.
Boring exits with fast food and cheap gas. And my dad’s motto… “Pee now. We’re not stopping again!”
(Trust me… he was serious!)
So, somewhere in the 1980’s, not too long after it was published, I was pretty amazed at the book, Blue Highways, by William Least Heat-Moon.
It felt like a whole other world!
A world I seem to be exploring again, in these days.
Not through prairies and over mountains, so much, as on an adventure to explore new things.
Choices.
A lot of the exploring is happening in my head, which is – realistically – easier on my knees.
And it doesn’t matter how long it takes or how often I take a break.
It’s a whole lot like learning for the sake of learning instead of learning to pass exams and get degrees.
It feels spacious. Way more than nursing school or seminary.
Conversations about myths and legends. Yes!
Crystals. Essential oils. Local organic food… in my medicine basket… Yes! Yes!
Creating out of what I’m learning. Yes! Yes! Yes!
Honestly, it takes a bit of editing.
Editing filters and strategies.
Editing the way we’ve always done it!
And here’s the surprise for me…
It turns out that it’s all been part of the journey because, now, I know more about how to choose for me.
And that may just be the message of our time!
So… there is a painting calling for the next right thing.
And – gulp! – a book hatching inside.
And some really good smoked salmon in the fridge.
I’m liking the blue highways!
ps… do you hear a new path calling? It might just start HERE!
pps… looking for some inspiration along the way? See “who’s” calling your name at FierceArtWithHeart! Just type in BLUEHIGHWAYS for 15% off the inspirations of your choice! (Great gifts, too!)