Ramblings on a Stormy Day

While I put closure on 2023 in my last entry, I neglected to include a very important notice: Did you know that the inaugural Macy’s parade was held in 1924, but was not held during WWII? As a result, the 100th anniversary parade is scheduled for 2026, which just happens to be the year that I roll into a new decade. What celebration am I wishing for? One guess. ​

So, I am putting it out into the universe that I oh-so-want to be in that parade! While I’d love to be holding onto a balloon, I’m not proud, and will be happy to scoop horseshit in a clown suit, too.

Back to Reality 

It’s a rather rainy, windy day here in Sebastian; one of many I’ve seen this winter in Florida. Oh, but lucky me that schedule restrictions and absurd prices have me out of my tent at the moment. I’m pretty comfy right now in a one-room studio in town that I’ll be calling home until the calendar turns to April.

Coffee on the patio? Yes, please.

Sebastian has been a stop nearly every winter this past decade. Once more I find it more developed with housing 3x the cost I recall, far too many cars, and of course, less greenspace. Yet, I am feeling so relieved to be here as I know where to find my relaxation spots, can still cautiously bike about town, and consciously be as kind as possible to the true locals. The environment feels a bit tumultuous, but that’s not unique to Sebastian.  

Right now, my little world is the backside of a quiet home with a single, 60-ish woman who has lived through the transition for 14 years. It’s a good fit and I’m getting plenty of time to read and write, and hash out ideas for the remainder of the year.  One thing that's become clear to me is that I've lost some of my passion for the constant, rapid movement. As I continue to read my journals and blogs from the beginning, I realize that I traveled a lot, but maybe too quickly in some instances, too (New Mexico and Utah still call me).

It has been 10 years, which yes, is a long time living out of your car. The flipside is that the travel I really want to do now requires plane, train, ferry transport and longer periods of time car-free. I’m not there yet as this isn’t the year to settle in the USA. So, I will continue to roam about, (always) biking, perhaps more hiking, finding new spots with a few revisits, keeping my social circle intact, reading like mad, and writing much more. 

​Sometimes you just need to mix things up a bit and see where you land – and that’s my only plan for 2024.