it took a north-flowing river a campfire, a bottle of Yuengling, from America’s oldest brewery, and stories of hogs, sunflower gardens, pepper relish recipes, and great dane kisses, to help me breathe, in deeply out slowly with a sigh underneath a perfect blue cloud brushed sky
~kat
There is something special about a riverside campfire. The easy flow of the water, waterfowl riding the current, good food, great company, and cool crisp air…lots of it…that has a way of healing the heart and soul. I didn’t even realize that I needed a sit by the river until it happened. It was the last day of a perfect time away. I am not entirely back into my pre-trip routine. And that’s okay. Sometimes you just need to pause a spell to take it all in.
there is love hearts chiseled from stone crying out for justice for peace yes, even the rocks
~kat
It’s been a short long week. While I have been writing and collecting glimmers along the way, I am only now catching my breath. Today’s glimmer is a glimpse of the heart shaped treasures I found on my walks with Gabby. It was quite a productive few days. Everywhere I looked there were heart-shaped stones. Amidst rousing conversations on the state of the world over dinner, I returned to our hotel and grounded myself in gravel plant beds. So many things about this trip were healing. Today’s theme and glimmers are the rocks that begged me to notice them…and bring them home with me.
glimmers from the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania, US
the long way home
I took the long way home through memories vivid as the restored façades of centuries old buildings, stories of family and friends, of places that have long been razed to pave the way for shopping centers and parking lots but as the roads narrowed the country I love still stands along winding freight rail tracks and rivers, just off the highway in valley hollows and on mountaintops, flags flying high at local post offices Main Street centers with gazebos, diners and soft serve drive ins, corn and soybean fields and cows feasting on sweet grass and clover it was a long and winding road through the Allegheny countryside, the Shenandoah highlands, and finally the Blue Ridge I’m filled to the brim with new memories grateful to be home where my heart is
~kat
I owe you a few more glimmers and hope to be on track later today as I unpack and settle back in. But for now meet some of the new friends I met during our travels.
some days I am red at dawn, and at dusk thoughts and prayers are not enough no hint of sweetness four killed, nine wounded maple tree leaves are turning
~kat
Another day meeting found family. My life partner is adopted. When she was in her early 20’s her birth mother’s family found her and reached out to her. It has not gone entirely well. So much drama. These types of things can be volatile and messy. There is one sister who she maintained contact with. We visited her today. And then…
She never knew who her biological father was until this year. I had gifted her a DNA test a couple years ago. After about a year she decided to take the test and send it in. About the same time a sister she never knew existed… and who never knew she existed took a DNA test for fun as well. And through the magic of DNA mapping, there was a match. Her sister eventually reached put to me, and lo and behold T has 3 sisters she never knew existed, and three or more nieces and nephews, and a father who is still alive.
We met that sister on her biological father’s side for the very first time. It went well… Very well in fact. This side of the family has its own dramatic twists and turns, but the sister who reached out to us earlier this year was delightful to meet. And gave my partner another piece of the puzzle of her origin story. It was a good day. A very good day. And today’s glimmer? Well, it is family! The family you’re born into, the family you know, the family you create…and sometimes the family you discover.
Much love, peace, and glimmers to you. Hug those you love…family, wherever you find them are precious gifts.
the air is cooler maple tree leaves are turning memories of home
~kat
Being a Midwest kid who transplanted to the eastern mid and south Atlantic regions of this country had been a culture shock when life first took me east. We spent the day yesterday driving by old neighborhoods, schools, unrecognizable downtown buildings that have either deteriorated, been renovated, or are no longer standing, paved over into a parking lot. It’s very weird. I didn’t grow up here, my partner and our friend did. It was so entertaining for me to hear them talk about the old haunts, stories of their wild teenage years, teachers that made an impact on them, their families, friends, and to feel their joy when discovering that some of the old dive bars that they hung out at were still standing and open for business! Memories. It was wonderful to watch them tour down memory lane.
We ended the day at a wonderful restaurant. Good food, great company, and engaging conversation. Needless to say as exhilarating as the day was, I was exhausted by the end of it, but this trip has been so good for both of our souls.
And we brought Gabby along too! She has been such a good little traveler. All around a good trip. Some of the interesting discoveries we have made on our walks around the hotel have been so interesting. So there are your glimmers. I know there is a skeleton of a small critter, maybe a squirrel, amidst the sights…I found it beautiful in the sense that it had been left undisturbed allowing nature to reclaim it along with the leaves now beginning to turn and fall around it.
So it is easier for you to find all the parts/chapters of my ongoing fiction series, I created a new page that lists all the links. You can check it out HERE!
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