Monthly Archives: June 2022

Assumptions

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Assumptions are a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.

I have been thinking about assumptions. As human beings, we make assumptions about each other, about the stock market, the weather, and just about everything.

Having others make assumptions about me is uncomfortable. How much is true? How much is not true? Why does this bother me? I think it bothers me because it limits me. It makes me realize that even the closest friends make assumptions that make me uncomfortable. Sometimes I am uncomfortable because they are true. Sometimes I am uncomfortable because they are not.

Here are some of the assumptions people have made regarding me over the past few years.

  • I am not vegan or vegetarian. I do love farmers markets for all their fresh and organic produce. I may not get as excited about them as someone who has just become vegan yet it doesn’t mean I don’t like them. They are a go-to place when they are in season.
  • I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I have never been allied with either party. I like to think that I will vote for whoever will do the best job for me and everyone else. Ask me what I believe, don’t categorize me.
  • I don’t like casinos. I don’t judge the people that like this entertainment. Some of them are my people, in fact, a good friend of mine goes to them often. I don’t like the noise, the smell of smoke, and all the audible stimulation. I like camping in their parking lots. I do like their buffets. A year ago a group of us who were camping in the parking lot, went into the casino for dinner. Everyone was required to wear masks. Now I don’t want to go in because Covid is still a part of our lives and fewer people wear masks.
  • Yes, I might make a good Univeral Unitarian. Do I want to be one? No. And maybe I wouldn’t make a good one.
  • I am not brave. If you only knew how often I have heard this since I bought my RV. There are times when my fear overwhelms me. I have been known to delay departures because I get so nervous about taking that first really giant step forward and I get sick. I am working through life just like the rest of us.
  • I am not a Buddhist. I believe in many of the tenets of Buddhism. I have practiced yoga for many years. I am not a Buddhist.
  • I do not listen to NPR, a lot. Except maybe on Saturdays and even then, not frequently. I am not a news person. The news stresses me out. I finally decided I needed to keep up so I get the New York Times headlines in my inbox every day. I can read what I am interested in and let the rest go.

Interesting, aren’t they? These are only a sample of what I have heard from people over the past few years. If I am present when a friend or acquaintance states an assumption about me I will attempt to talk about the assumption with that person.

Rather than assuming something about me, ask me. I am pretty upfront about myself. Ask me why I don’t want to go to a casino for dinner. Ask me about my faith and beliefs. Tell me why you think I would make a good UU. I may learn something about myself.

Why has this subject come to my awareness, now? It has been there for quite some time. It frustrates me. It would be so much better for each of us to learn about each other by asking the questions that would open us up and take our friendship to the next level if that is where we want it to go. Assumptions can limit where we might go and what we might do as people in this world. Assumptions make people feel safe and set boundaries.

What assumptions do I make of others? Hmm, that is a good question. When something comes into my awareness it is time to look at myself. The lesson will ride in the forefront of my consciousness for a while. It has already been there for some time. It is time for me to take a look at myself and change what needs changing. Is this an easy task? No, absolutely not. The key is not to be too hard on myself and recognize, like everyone else, that I am human. Growth is what it is all about. Awareness can help me change and grow. And maybe I won’t be so quick to assume things of others.

Because strangers, acquaintances, and friends make assumptions does not make them less valued in my life. Heck, we all do it without thinking. I value all who enter my life, whether for a few minutes a few years, or forever. People enter my life to teach me lessons in self-growth. And here I am at almost seventy still growing.

Today I am thankful for a tough and delicate topic for me to address. Today I am thankful I have a platform to discuss this. Today I am thankful for those who have helped me to bring this subject forward. Today I am thankful.

On the Move North for the Summer

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I have been traveling. Woody the cat and I departed company at the end of May. Mandy, his owner, and friend, and Rocky the dog returned home. And, just like that my time in Salinas came to an end. 

It was a good month with a lot of kitty time, kayaking “The Slough” and riding my bike. Salinas and Monterey County is such an interesting area. It is the home of Monterey and Carmel, where the views are amazing and wealth abounds. It is also the home of many hard workers. They work planting tending and harvesting the crops of many things that we eat every day. Artichokes-check, cabbage-check, Strawberries-check, Garlic-check, check and check. The soil in this Salinas valley is so rich and something is always growing here. 

Memories of Salinas

As a Tour Manager, I remember taking tour groups through this area. We would stop at “The Farm” to learn more about this culturally rich area and the hard-working men and women and children that still harvest the food we eat. One group was even offered to get off the bus and help the workers harvest celery. The driver and I refused as it had been raining and these were seniors. The driver didn’t want to get his bus super muddy and I needed to protect my tour group. 

Salinas is Steinbeck Country. It is the home of John Steinbeck and his family. Have you read The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men or Cannery Row, and many of his other books? Steinbeck wrote often of these hard-working people and the perils of the working man. Salinas has a museum, library, and more dedicated to John Steinbeck. You can even have a meal in his childhood home. 

My trip north was a good trip. I found State Recreation sites and State Parks to camp in. All of them are on my list for a return visit. One was on the Salinas River in northern California and the other was on the Willamette River in Oregon. I may be kayaking on the Willamette on a return visit.

The most memorable part of the trip north was visiting with friends. Mary and I were able to catch up, in-person in southern Oregon where she lives. She is getting ready to raft a few rivers. That is her June activity. I had the opportunity to swamp for her on the North Fork of the Flathead River several years ago. It was work and it was fun. We are planning a trip in the fall into the southwest, not involving rivers and rafting.

On June first I met up with Pat another Roadtreking friend. We had made plans to meet at Scenic Beach State Park near Seabeck, Washington about nine months ago. Why? Great Blue Herons and Eagles feeding on Midshipmen Fish that come in the spring to breed among the oyster beds, and an opportunity to see nature happening close up. I also had the opportunity to photograph all the action.

Now I am on Whidbey Island, arriving just less than a week ago, to house sit for another summer in the same lovely home I was in last year. Ooooh, more amazing sunsets. It has to become summer first. People who live here tell me they are still waiting for spring and summer to arrive. It has been raining, a bit. 

And…guess who was here to greet me? Birdy Boy? If you have followed my blog from last year you will remember the posts about my relationship with a sweet little Song Sparrow. He is still here and is back to sitting on my arms and legs and singing up a storm. It is so fun that he remembers me. I have been enjoying the low tides this week while waiting for spring and summer to arrive.

Summer is off to a good start.