We expanded our family to a third car yesterday. Not a decision we took lightly. I’d estimate around 100 plus market place messages shared between the wife and I. We wanted to find a solid dependable car for the other member of our family. She’s not quite ready to drive all all over town on her own but we’ve got a pretty amazing kid who’s carrying around a surplus of good grades in some tough classes. Eventually she’ll call it hers but until then she’ll get to putter around in it and probably scrape a few things along the way. I had to buy my own first vehicle. It was a 65 CJ-5. No top, not much of a bottom either and the clutch had about 12 miles left on it. Paid $1200 I earned working part time jobs.

It lasted a few months before I had to retire it.

I pushed my parents to get me a car for awhile. We weren’t in the best tax bracket during my childhood years. A second running car wasn’t a luxury for us it was a pipe dream. I always get a laugh when people think I come from money. I learned to get creative with food because we never had much in our pantry.

We didnt want our daughter to have to “earn” a car like we both did. Also I didn’t want to have the constant worry of mechanical failure. Earning your belongings is valuable. Enjoying your childhood is even more valuable. I impulse buy way too much due to the fact that I never had much growing up. I didn’t get the name brand or the one just below it. I got third string clothes. If my bike got stolen that was a generational purchase. Hope a friend has one you can borrow. Sky City was my mall. Moores was my sports store. Vacations were spent in creeks not beaches. My savings account is trash because I buy things to live not save things to die.

Sorry yall I’ll take my chances. I’ve lost it all once. I lived to tell about it.

We brought the car home to her as a surprise. Her smile is permanently implanted into my heart. She sat in it while it purred in the driveway for at least 45 minutes. I’m sure sending videos and pics to friends. Jess (passenger) let her drive to a couple of friends homes to show them. I haven’t ridden with her yet. I’m the anxious one of the family.

Life’s beautiful yall.

Think after 53 years on the same roundabout I’ve finally found the right place to turn.

Gratitude

*wipes corner of eye

Find your frequency.

My brain has been calling for water lately. Not the thirst kind but rivers, lakes and creeks. I intend to answer that call. I fell behind on outdoor activities last year I’ve been busy catching up

Couldn’t figure out as to why Linville kept calling me back after a long absence. Even told me exactly where to camp. At first I didn’t listen I found another spot and I’ll be damned if every little single teeny tiny distraction or logistical problem didn’t arise immediately. Enough to cause me to pack up and move to that intuitive spot. So I did. I moved all of my things 2 miles down the mountain.

I set up and with almost a sigh my intuition said “there, that wasn’t so hard was it?”

And rewarded me with possibly the prettiest sunrise I’ve ever witnessed. If a sunrise makes you cry you’re doing it right. That’s all Linville wanted to show me.

That she’s back.

She hasn’t fully healed yet but she’s back. I stared at the horizon until the sun told me all was well.

I’ll say this and practice it everyday. First thing in the morning find something to make you laugh outloud and something that makes you cry.

Best morning reset you can find. Coffee too

I’ve cut out around 50% of my social media time. The only reason I stick around is because there’s quite a few of you on here I really enjoy and if I leave I may never touch base with some of you again. I sort of post and ghost now. Also not posting things that make me seem like an asshat helps.

Life lately. ☮️