Author Archives: JanetA

Unknown's avatar

About JanetA

I am a nomad and adventurer. I used to travel for work now I travel for curiosity and fun. I started this blog when my husband of 21 years, Jim died of cancer on his 60th birthday. I started it because I wanted to have an easy way for my friends and family to follow me as I started a new adventure living in a small B class RV. I have a delightful little Roadtrek that I live in full time. It continues to be quite an adventure.

Finding Joy in Small Successes

Posted on by
1

There are moments in my life when I take great pride in my accomplishments and moments when I find joy in this continuing journey. I like feeling proud and accomplished for a job well done. It is good to stretch my knowledge and experience and know I can do more and be more. Feeling accomplished leads to feeling joyful. I attempt to look for those moments, large or small, that offer me the feeling of joy.

I have had a slow leak in the rear tire of my road bike. To deal with it, I pumped it up at the beginning of a ride and hoped it would still be OK after fifteen miles. I have been doing this for a while, and it has worked. Two days ago, I was out riding the Bay, and the tire was too soft after ten miles. Finally, I had to address this situation.

My Bike Feeling Picturesque

Before Jim died, I would have gone to him, and he would fix anything with my bike or car. If I had a flat while cycling, all it took was one phone call, and Jim would arrive to rescue me. Now, I have to think about calling Lyft or fixing that tire on the fly. That sounds easy, but changing a tire, especially a rear one, requires time, patience, and muscle.

Yesterday, I decided to change the tube on that tire. I did not have all the necessary tools; where did that bike tool set go? With the help of one tire tool and a few kitchen tools (the mother of invention), I successfully changed the inner tube and was up for a 15-mile ride around the bay.

Pride, oh yes, I feel proud. Whenever I tackle something independently and succeed, I feel proud of myself. I also know that the correct tools will be present next time, making it easier for me to accomplish this task. This is good pride. This is joy.

Joy has been on my mind often lately. I have been considering what gives me joy every day. What are the little things that make me smile each day? Yesterday, successfully changing that tire was a moment of joy at a well-done task. Pride and Joy.

Yesterday, I was at Starbucks, and one of the baristas came by to give me a free sample of Christmas coffee and bread. It made me smile and feel special. Joy at work.

What has brought me joy as I traveled over the past spring and summer? Friends, oh yes, Friends. My life would be so lonely without the love and support of new and long-time friends. I met people on Vancouver Island this summer who have invited me back to visit and live with them. How cool is that? I have people who have embraced me and made me feel treasured and valued. They have invited me into their homes and driveways, making me feel unique and loved. That is definitely Joy.

Unlimited joy, large and small, has come in the form of a little brown bird, Birdie Boy. When I think of my time in the Northwest, I immediately think of Whidbey Island, Jim and Sandy, Robyn and Tom. They think I am wonderful, and the feeling is mutual.

Mostly, I think of Birdie Boy.

How can a little brown song sparrow infuse me with such joy? How can Birdie Boy still remember me two years later? How can he express such joy at seeing me again? He leads his own life, yet I show up, and his and my world stop. We met on the deck in the spring of this year. He sat atop my computer screen and chitted at me non-stop. We had a lot to catch up on. My heart expands with great and small joy when I think of all my encounters with him. Who knew this little brown bird would be so crucial in my healing from the loss of Jim twelve years ago

I love my camera. I love being out in the wild, taking photos of birds, animals, and just about anything. Nature always cheers me up. My photos can bring me such joy. I love looking through my pictures and picking out my favorite of the day.

Socks…New socks! A few days ago I bought 3 pair of new socks. I love putting them on. I love their colors. Their softness is delightful. New soft cushy socks equals joy.

I must note those moments of accomplishment and joy in my life. When things look a little dark or sad, I find that if I can recall one moment of pleasure in the day I am in or from the past, my mood lightens, and things don’t look as bad. Finding joy, no matter how small, reminds me of life’s magic. It helps me take another step forward and often reminds me that I am not alone.

What are your small or significant moments of joy?

What have you accomplished that has made you feel joyful and proud? Please share in the comments. I would enjoy seeing them in print.

Today, I am Thankful. I am grateful for my friends. I am thankful for the little and big moments of success in a job well done. I am thankful for any wee moments of joy in my life.

Today, I am Thankful.

Honoring Jim: A Legacy of Love and Community Support

Posted on by
4

Twelve years ago, my husband, Jim, died. It was such a heartbreaking moment in time. It took me a long time to meet him, and he died too soon. He had just turned sixty. Sigh.

We had such a good relationship. It was not perfect, but it was pretty darn close. We laughed and explored life together. He saw things in me that I never knew existed. I helped him create his adventuresome side. As Jim would say “We’re a team”. And what a team it was. And even though it is twelve years, I miss him dearly.

At this time of the year, I like to remind people about the scholarship I created in his name. The Jim Fenningham Memorial Scholarship was created at Grossmont Community College in San Diego. Jim was a believer in education for all people. The Scholarship is doing well. We have actually increased the amount offered to a student each semester. I feel good that people donate and the fund is managed well. It was a good thing to do. He would be proud.

I have given some thought to this usual reminder of Jim, our life, and the scholarship. This is like raising money for public radio. There is so much going on in this world and so much need for money and time. Since the scholarship is going well, I would prefer to ask for contributions to other causes.

So many people have experienced hard times over these last few months. When requesting donations, I decided to focus on helping others this year. The Hurricane Relief Funds need everyone’s contributions. Yes, the first helping phase has been in effect for a while. Many of us know that it takes a long time for things to return to normal, whatever that is. The hard work often begins when early help is completed.

Donations in cash are the best choice. Here are some organizations that need our financial help.

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina encourages individuals to donate. Contributions to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will help communities recover from the extensive damage Helene has caused. Donations can be made by visiting NC.gov/donate. All donations will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims.

The Florida Disaster Fund: The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund. It was established to assist Florida’s communities. The fund helps as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. You can donate online, by mail or with PayPal. 

One SC Fund: 99% of donations are granted to local nonprofits providing disaster relief and recovery in South Carolina. The remaining 1% are directed to outreach, research, reporting, and the administration and oversight of grant contracts. Donations to support Hurricane Helene relief can be made online. 

East Tennessee Foundation Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund: This fund exclusively aids the response and recovery in East Tennessee. It focuses on helping after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Donate online.  

The Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief Fund. We can’t forget all our furry friends and their need for rescue, food, and recovery.

These are a few suggestions. Some will contribute $5, while others will contribute more. No amount is too small or too large. Listen to your heart and your pocketbook.

As another year of life unfolds, I continue to move ahead alone. I acknowledge the continuing phases of grief as I try to embrace life and others to the fullest. I will always be thankful for the time I had with Jim. It was an incredible time of my life and such a gift. Now, I can help others, which must be enough.

Today, I am thankful that I am alive and can continue to move ahead with my life. I am thankful for the time I had with Jim. I am thankful that the Jim Fenningham Memorial Scholarship is performing so well. I am thankful for those who have loved and supported me. Now, I am thankful that I can help others.

Today, I am Thankful.

Travel Stories of Change: My Unplanned Adventures

Posted on by
2

This spring, summer, and fall of travel continues to be a year of flexibility and change.

I make plans, and they change. New plans are almost cemented in place; they change.

I hated planning. It would drive Jim, my husband, nuts. He would almost have to corner me before I would commit. Once a plan was implemented, moving forward and getting excited was easier. But committing to a plan? That was hard.

It began last winter with an itty-bitty infection that decided to hang around and hang around. Driving to Alaska was out, and I started waiting. Waiting to see if the infection would return. It did, more than once. One day, I decided that waiting was not how I wanted to spend my summer.

I made plans, and off I went to Vancouver Island, BC. I visited with friends, saw amazing things, and participated in fun activities. I also attended a workshop on Cortes Island for a week. Throughout the week, I hiked, sailed, kayaked, and learned about the rainforest. I will never see lichen, moss, and green things the same again.

I grew bolder and planned a ten-day trip to Haida Gwaii, formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands. I traveled by long ferry rides to the land of totem poles, rainforests, and whales. I saw interesting things and left with a wealth of new information and a wish to return.

Upon my return to the mainland, I planned to take the ferry to Bella Coola, British Columbia, and drive “the hill” back to Washington state through BC. A landslide and flooding of the Chilcotin River stopped my plans. I returned to Vancouver Island and slowly headed south.

After returning to the United States, I volunteered with the Washington State Parks for three weeks. Well, that must have been planned. No, it was not. I applied for this position in June and never received a callback. As I was driving north into the wilds of Canada, I received a phone call. Someone had a “change of plans,” and the parks needed help with surveying. Doesn’t that sound familiar? I surveyed several state parks in the Seattle and western Washington state.

After volunteering, I planned to visit the Olympic Peninsula and slowly meander south. Did this happen? As you may well know by now, No, It Didn’t!

A good friend of mine, Mary, aka Zee, got in touch and was looking for a partner in fun to go on a few-week adventure along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The Range of Light.

We hiked, camped, and kayaked through early fall. We spent time in Virginia City, NV, and Bodie State Historical Park in northern CA—ghost towns of the mining era. Heading down the 395, my kayak experienced high mountain lakes while the aspen quaked yellow. Some days, we only traveled 30 miles before we found our next campsite for a few days.

We continued our southerly journey stopping to visit Manzanar National Historic Site, a World War II Japanese Internment Camp.

 “One Camp, Ten Thousand Lives; One Camp, Ten Thousand Stories.”

It is in a rather desolate area with a constant wind. I am glad Manzanar is being preserved as a reminder of a moment in American History.

Our last southerly stop was the Alabama Hills. The hills are a formation of rounded rocks and eroded hills set between the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the geologically complex Inyo Mountains. The same uplifting 100 million years ago shaped both geologic features. The hills are located west of Lone Pine.

In 1920, Hollywood filmmakers became interested in the Alabama Hills for its natural scenery. Since then, over 400 movies have been filmed here. The first movies were the westerns; Gunga Din, How the West Was Won, Hopalong Cassidy, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Have Gun Will Travel were among many films shot in the Hills.

I kept expecting to see John Wayne come riding out of the hills. Did you know he had to be taught how to ride a horse? Who else came out of those hills? Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gary Cooper, Gene Autry, and any of the Singing Cowboys. But wait…there is more. No movie would be complete without the army riding in to save the day. But wait…there is the Lone Ranger and his faithful sidekick, Tonto, coming in to save the day.

When the hills were not filled with westerns, parts of Star Trek and other sci-fi films were produced in the hills. Well isn’t that cool. I love Sci-fi movies.

After traveling with Zee it was hard to say goodbye and become a solo traveler again. I traveled west through Yosemite National Park, visiting the valley floor and the Hetch Hetchy area of the park.

Hetch Herchy

I had planned to visit friends in Sonora and Cool, California, when I got a text. Oh no, can my plans change again? Yes!

Those who have followed my adventures know I occasionally house-sit and pet-sit for friends. You might remember Woody the Cat. Woody, Rocky the Dog, and my friend Mandy live in Salinas,

California. Mandy needed some assistance. She needs to spend her days with her dad and could use some help with her animals. I truly believe all we can do is help when we are asked. Plans changed again, and here I am in Salinas. I have been here for a few days and will be here as long as needed.

“All we can do is walk each other home.”

Currently, I have no plans! Well, I do plan to get my bike out and ride the marvelous paths in the Monterey area. I plan to put that kayak out in the Elkhorn Slough. But I am not planning beyond that. Well, yes, I am. That will be for another post.

This has been a year of flexibility and change. I am not always comfortable with change yet I realize that change will happen whether I am ready for it or not. This is life. This is my life. This is your life.

Today I am thankful for adventure and change and the excitement it can bring as I find new places to explore and new people to meet. Today I am thankful for my friends near and far who when needed I can reach out and help. Today I am thankful when friends reach out and help me.

Today, I am Thankful.

Personal Growth and Gratitude: Reflecting on My Volunteer Experience

Posted on by
4

I am beginning my third week of volunteering at Washington State Parks, and my last day is Monday.

It has been an interesting two-plus weeks. I have met many people, Americans, Canadians, Belgians, and others from all over the Americas, Europe, and the Asian Continent. I have enjoyed these moments in time and have had many delightful conversations about their visit to the park, their homes, jobs and joy of being out doors.

I am also exhausted physically and maybe a bit emotionally. I feel like I am peopled out. I work about four hours a day, and by the end of the four hours, I return to my rig, stare at the computer screen, and do nothing.

I am a member of the Sisterhood of Widows Facebook page. It is a private group that is for women who have lost their partners. When I chose to help my friend Tina through the loss of her husband, I was introduced to this group. Below is a recent post that made me stop in my tracks. It struck a strong chord of truth for me.

“Trauma survivors often get in the habit of spending a lot of time alone because alone is Safe—relatively anyway. Alone is controllable. We understand alone. We don’t have to stress about alone. 

People are unpredictable. When we are alone, there is less risk to manage.”

Since my husband’s death, I have spent most of my time alone. I travel to the wild outback countries of the United States, Canada, and more by myself. Since my cat Elsie disappeared in 2019, I have traveled alone. I spend much of my days and evenings by myself, and I am comfortable.

I enjoy rich conversations with people, friends, and strangers in small and intimate doses, and then I return to being alone again. Sometimes, I meet up with friends and camp for several days. I love the company and conversation. Even in these group situations, I have time alone to recover the silence that has been such a part of my life since Jim’s death.

Over the past few years, I have recognized that for my mental health, it is time to enter the world of people. Part of the reason I took this volunteer position was to be more involved in the world of people. When this position appeared, knowing it was a limited-time position, I decided this was a good way to try out the world of people again.

I am sure I will learn many things from this three-week volunteer position. I have learned that I need to manage my dose of people. Being around people for four or more hours a day consistently, day after day, is a bit too much for me. It has physically and emotionally worn me out. I think I will decrease the dose of people after the following Monday.

Don’t get me wrong—I love socializing and having intimate small-group contact. However, the daily dose of humans is a bit too much. It takes a lot of energy to be “on” so frequently. I knew this when I worked as a tour manager, yet I think I have forgotten it, or it has faded into the background of my life.

I will continue to reach out more often to others as I continue this life journey. Hopefully, I can manage to find a good balance between being together with others and spending time alone.

Today, I am thankful for the continuing opportunities for personal growth and meeting so many delightful people in these beautiful state parks in Washington State. I am grateful for my family and friends, who have supported me through the interesting times since Jim’s death. I am grateful for their unconditional love and support. That alone helps me to reach out from my comfort zone.

Today, I am thankful.

A Summer of New Adventures

Posted on by
2
Totem

I returned state-side from British Columbia last Monday. Sadly my time in western Canada has drawn to an end. It was a grand adventure north of the border. I spent a month traveling on Vancouver Island, Cortes Island for a workshop at Hollyhock before boarding the ferry and going as close to Alaska as I could. I spent ten days on Haida Gwaii before I reversed direction, After spending more time on Vancouver Island I once again returned to the United States.

Was it a good summer, so far? Resoundingly, Yes!

I have returned to my friends home on Whidbey Island and have been here for six days, resting up, visiting with Birdy Boy and getting ready for my next summer adventure.

You may ask, what is my next adventure.

Lake Sammamish State Park

After successfully completing a security clearance I am becoming a volunteer for Washington State Parks. I will be conducting surveys in the northern Washington State Parks. I will learn more about what I am doing today when I move into my home for the next three weeks, Lake Sammamish State Park.

Do I really know what I am doing? Not yet. I will be checking in in the early afternoon today, Tuesday and then receive a full orientation. I am expanding my world, trying something new. I will be volunteering through the Labor Day weekend.

I am looking forward to this new experience. It will be interesting to learn more about Washington. I am able to work with the state parks and give back to a park system I support. It will be interesting to meet people from all over the globe.

And…since I only work twenty-four hours a week I will have time to reach out and explore new territory.

And…I will be camped near a camera store that I have always wanted to visit, Kenmore Cameras. A photographers dream.

I am thankful that I am always ready for a new adventure.

A Change in Plans, Again!!!

Posted on by
2

This spring and summer is about change. Alaska is in-Alaska is out. Driving back to the United States from Bella Coola, BC is in-now it’s out. This is why I don’t like making plans. Life intervenes and what once were solid plans are now melting away and other plans surface.

The Inside Passage

I had planned to take the ferry to Bella Coola, drive the “Hill” and return to Washington state driving through British Columbia.

First there was a fire north of Williams Lake that made me take pause. Now it is under control. The latest is a rather significant landslide and possibly flooding along the Chilcotin River from the back up of water behind the slide. What?

Currently there is one fire of significance, not yet controlled that could interfere with my route back. Wait! what?

I have a volunteer job in Washington state starting August 20th through Labor Day Weekend with the state parks. I can’t wait it out and hope issues with the landslide will resolve, by the time I reach that area.

What to do? What to do?

Did I tell you I dislike making plans? I don’t like to make plans. I usually do not plan and when I do look what happens! so I am being taught the Buddhist lesson of Impermanence.

Easier said than done.

I will arrive back on Vancouver Island at the end of the day. It has been a beautiful ride down the Inside Passage. It is brilliantly sunny and the Humpback whales are breaching.

I don’t have to rush down this island. I will have time to explore before I arrive state side in about a week. I will meander my way south, visit with friends and if the weather holds, get some biking and hiking in.

I have to be back in time for the state parks to get my finger print and finish their security check. it is a government job after all.

Latest post…Change is in the Air, Again!

Exploring the Rainforest and Totem Poles of Haida Gwaii: A Unique Adventure

Posted on by
5

I have been in the wettest rainforest that I have yet to experience. I am on the Island of Haida Gwaii in British Columbia. It is west into the Pacific Ocean, further west than the Continental United States. And…it is wet!!! They experience approximately one hundred days of sunshine each year. It is wet! In case you don’t yet know, it is moist here. One day, when rain was expected, the sun came out instead. The people on the Island said they had a bonus day.

The Rian Forest

First known by the Haida as Xhaaidlagha Gwaayaai or “Islands at the Boundary of the World,” these islands are more commonly known as Haida Gwaii, or “Land of the Haida.” The area represents more than 3,600 islands in all, with an oral history that can be traced back 7,000 years.

“Haida territory encompasses parts of southern Alaska, the archipelago of Haida Gwaii, and its surrounding waters. The pre-contact population of Haida was in the tens of thousands in several dozen towns dispersed throughout the islands. During the time of contact, the Haida population fell to about 600 due to introduced diseases, including measles, typhoid, and smallpox. Today, Haida comprises over half the 4200 people living on the islands.”

In 2018, I spent a month on Vancouver Island, exploring Vancouver Island in depth. While there, several people asked if I was going to Haida Gwaii. I told them no. The idea of a trip to Haida Gwaii began to percolate, and now, six years later, here I am.

Why come to Haida? It is remote and rugged, surrounded by water and a rainforest. I wanted to learn the history of the First Nations People who live here. I came to see totem poles. Hiking in the Rainforest is magic. The people are welcoming and kind. Since canceling my trip to Alaska, I wanted an interesting destination in place, so I did not regret the un-trip to Alaska. And….I love to ride ferries (it took three long rides to arrive here).

The poles are carved from the logs of giant local cedar trees and then painted. Different totem poles include clan crest poles, mortuary or memorial poles, and potlatch poles; totems are ready from the bottom to the top.. These are the remains of the totems of Haida Gwaii. They are left to decompose naturally. Only after the mortuary poles fall can the spirit of the chief be free.

I arrived on July twenty-first and will depart on August first. I have been on two tours to visit the remains of villages, learn about the First Nations’ way of life, and learn about the significance of totems. The tours were more inclusive than I realized. On the return trip from the last tour, we stopped to check fishing lines and crab traps. The natural food sources are very plentiful. More than once, the guides said it is only the individual’s fault if they starve on Haida Gwaii.

I have hiked and watched for birds, wandered beaches, picked up shells, and taken photos. I have met so many lovely people through the tours and in the campgrounds. The longer I stay at one campground, the more information the owners have given me regarding places to explore and hike.

Bald Eagle
White Winged Scoter
Red Throated Loon
Birds of Haida Gwaii

While I was here, I took a kayak tour. We kayaked for six-plus hours. It was a long day. I saw starfish, anemones, sea cucumbers, and other sea life. The water is cold, clear, and teaming with life. Being out on the bay and exploring from the water was fun. The hardest thing for me was getting out of the kayaks. I have short legs. Here in Haida Gwaii, they call them canoers legs.

Shells Along the Coast

It has been a successful trip. I would like to return and take a multiple-day tour to Gwaii Hanas National Park. “Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site is a wild place. With no road access, stores, cell phone coverage and little signage, it is a true wilderness experience.

Gwaii Haanas is home to a plethora of unique subspecies and environments, it is also home to Haida. Today the Council of the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada manage Gwaii Haanas through a cooperative agreement. They work together through the Archipelago Management Board (AMB), which protects Gwaii Haanas from sea floor to mountain peak.”

I have enjoyed my time here. I have stayed longer than most visitors. Three to four days is the usual stay. I am glad I stayed longer so I could experience more of the Island and its culture. The more the local people get to know you the more they open up and share their knowledge. It was nice not to rush.

I leave Haida Gwaii on August 1. It is time for another ferry ride back to Prince Rupert on the mainland. After two more ferry rides, I will travel through British Columbia to the Untied States. I am sure there is more adventure to come. Please come and join me.

Today, I am thankful, for my sense of adventure, and, traveling off the beaten path. I am grateful for the people who have encouraged and supported an unusual lifestyle. Today, I am thankful for the beauty that surrounds me.

A Journey of Unforeseen Changes and New Beginnings in 2024

Posted on by
4

In the Spring of this year, 2024, I announced I was going to Alaska. I was ready to go. I was traveling with two fellow Roadtrekers, Gregg and Bruce. I was finally going to achieve a dream I had since I bought EmmyLou (my RV) in 2013. Alaska Bound.

I was ready to go. First, I planned to visit friends in Oregon and Washington, and then drive east to meet up with my travel companions in Banff National Park.

The trick is not in the planning but in seeing it through and making it happen. Unfortunately for me, I had some medical issues to deal with, and it did not make sense to follow through at this time. Yes I was disappointed.

My plans changed, and they continue to change as spring has moved into summer. I don’t mind creating my travels on the fly, yet I have not been comfortable truly not knowing what is next.

And I have been waiting. Are the medical issues under control. Do I have to visit one more Kaiser? I currently have guest memberships in all the West Coast Kaiser facilities. What? How did that happen? Oh, life can change, just like that.

I am doing well and have plans, knowing they can change. After visiting with my Oregon and Washington friends, I have been on Vancouver Island, BC, since early July. I decided I needed to make a plan so I didn’t spend my whole summer waiting.

I am attending a 5-day workshop on Cortes Island on the Salish Sea. Hollyhock is a retreat and learning center on the island. I have known about it for a long time and have always wanted to attend a workshop there. It is good to look forward to something.

I will explore Cortes Island by land and sea while taking good care of myself, eating well, and attending yoga classes. Someone pointed out that I decided on a workshop looking outwards instead of inwards. I believe there is some profound truth in that statement.

I have spent the last four days in and around Victoria on the island’s southernmost tip. I visited Bouchart Gardens, saw a Maori performing group, attended Pride weekend, biked the paths, and even got my kayak on the water. It was a very diversified four days.

One of the best parts of my time was staying with the same Boondockers Welcome Hosts I stayed with when I explored this island in 2018. Ann and Ian are a delightful couple. They live in a little bit of paradise north of the city. They welcomed me with arms wide open. Our friendship deepened. It was delightful to spend time with them. We found we had a lot in common. Absolutely delightful.

Yesterday, I moved north to Qualicum Beach on the eastern shore of the Island. I have friends I am going to visit here as well. Cathy and David I met through Boondockers Welcome in 2018. Tonight, however, I am camped on the coast of the Salish Sea and tomorrow I will explore this area while doing my laundry. One can travel all they want but there are still chores to be done.

My Sunset View for the Next Three Nights.

Where to next? I have plans. They could change so you will have to stay tuned along with me to see where I head after my time at Hollyhock. Plans are out there but it appears that waiting is still part of my summer and I won’t reveal them until I know I am moving forward.

Stay tuned. When I know I will let you know. It is just that kind of summer.

Today I am thankful for my health. Today I am thankful I am up and traveling and exploring, inward and outward. Today I am thankful for these beautiful places I am seeing. Today I am thankful for friends who greet me with arms wide open.

Today I am Thankful

Reunion with Birdy Boy: A Heartwarming Encounter on Whidbey Island

Posted on by
2

For those of you who have followed my blog, Journeys of Thankfulness, four years ago, you may remember my interaction with a small brown bird, a Song Sparrow, Birdy Boy.

Birdy Boy and I met in the spring of 2021 while I was house-sitting for friends on Whidbey Island in Washington State. I heard an unknown bird song in the yard, so I investigated. Thanks to the Coronell App, Merlin, I identified the sound as belonging to a song sparrow.

When this young bird heard the sound, he flew onto the deck, sat on a stake, and began to sing. From then on, he would appear and sing away each day I was there. Eventually, he would land on my feet, knees, arms, shoulders, and finally, my head. There was seldom a day that I did not see him at least once. We became friends.

Finally, I left the Northwest. I introduced Birdy Boy to the homeowners, and although not as frequently, he would come and visit with Jim and Sandy. Fast-forward to June of the following year, 2022. I returned to the Northwest and returned to my favorite house-sitting gig. Upon my arrival, Birdy Boy was waiting for me. Our relationship changed that summer as he had a family to raise, yet we remained friends.

It has been two years since I visited Whidbey Island. I returned to the house four days ago to see my friends Jim and Sandy. I was looking forward to this visit.

I did not expect to see Birdy Boy on this visit. It has been two years since our last meeting, and he is a wild bird. I knew that the owners had seen him from time to time. Upon my arrival, the three of us sat on the deck. Guess who was there? Birdy Boy! He flew in and greeted Sandy and Jim, sitting on their feet.

It wasn’t until I was alone on the deck that he came to me, sitting on my feet, knees, hands, shoulder, and arms. He is gradually trying out the head. He sings, chips, and tinks, telling me his stories of the past two years.

I notice more song sparrows in the yard now and wonder if these might be his offspring. There is so much I don’t know about the birdy world.

I do know that Birdy Boy is my friend. As I sit on the deck and type this post, Birdy Boy is perched on the computer screen. Once in a while, he sings a tune and settles in again. He is the most delightful of birds. I am honored that he chose me and my friends to be comfortable enough to become part of our world. I also am glad that he remains a wild and free song sparrow.

When I leave today, I will feel a tug on my heart to stay. I have had a wonderful visit with Sandy and Jim. I love being back on Whidbey Island. I have had a wonderful visit with Birdy Boy. When I leave my friends, I always feel a tug on my heart to stay and bask in the warmth of my friendships, human or otherwise.

And…I remain convinced that I will never look at a little brown bird without remembering with love, Birdy Boy. Each little brown bird will remain individual and unique.

Today, I am thankful for friendships, human and otherwise. Today, I am grateful for Sandy and Jim. Today and always, I am thankful for Birdy Boy, the little song sparrow who continues to bless my life.

Today, I am Thankful.

Cross-Border Kindness: My RV Journey Discovery

Posted on by
1

Kindness” is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity, consideration, rendering assistance, or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return.”

Spending time with friends is essential to me. Friends can be people I know or meet along my journey with EmmyLou (my RV) and people already in my life.

Recently, I spent time with a friend, and we talked about the kindness of people. She stated that people in Canada were kinder than in the United States. I believe that kindness crosses borders without thought of the country.

I believe that people are inherently kind. When I have needed help, invariably, someone has come to my aid. I have had help from strangers, fellow RV’ers, and from friends. I have never felt alone and helpless because someone has always offered me help, a place to stay, a shower, company, sometimes a voice at the other end of the phone, and so much more.

I know there is always an example that can show how people are kind or unkind, helpful or unhelpful. Yet, I believe most people worldwide are inherently kind and want to help and befriend others in their time of need.

Early on this RV journey, just as I went full time, I made a stupid mistake and drove when I was tired. I drove over a boulder in a Box Store Parking lot, and when I backed off, I pulled my front fender off. I do not handle this kind of situation well. Thanks to my good Roadside Assistance plan, they could send a mechanic to help. While this person was arriving, a couple in a BIG RV came over, and with everyone’s assistance, the bumper was secured to the rig. The next step was to get it fixed. Enter a stranger with a Roadtrek (the RV brand). When she found out where I needed to go to get the front end fixed (her hometown), she offered me a place to stay for the week and picked me up from the dealership. Mary and I have become strong and good friends since then. 

Not all my experiences have been that dramatic, but time and again, I have encountered the kindness of strangers and friends. We might not share similar beliefs or ways of life, but we all share the willingness to help, offer compassion, and be kind.

Kindness does not come without some preparation in one’s life. As I was researching for this post, I found the information below, and it made me pause and think about how I can learn to be kind and encourage others to be kind.

“How to Be Kind: 6 Ways to Be Kind”

Written by MasterClass

“Focusing on kindness can help make you a better person, encouraging you to be more generous and patient with the people around you. Here are a few tips for how to be kind in your life.

Give others the benefit of the doubt. Judging people and situations prematurely without having all the facts is easy. Remember that other people can go through difficult times just like you. If someone mistreats you or ignores you, there may be a hard battle in their life that’s making it more difficult to be kind, whether it’s a mental health challenge or a bad day. Be kind by giving them the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to conclusions and getting upset.” Oooh, this is an essential thing for me to remember.

“Identify your biases. Sometimes, you may have unconscious obstacles to your empathy that prevent you from practicing unbiased, true kindness. Think about the small decisions you make and whether you may have prejudices. Consider taking an unconscious bias course to learn how to overcome these biases so you can be kind to everyone—regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, or other characteristics. 

Practice gratitude. Kindness can stem from the feeling that you have enough of what you need—tangible items (like food or income) or intangible things (like respect or love). To help yourself become a kinder person, regularly practice gratitude to remind yourself of all the good stuff you have.” And this leads to Self-Compassion.

 “Start with self-compassion. Being kind to everyone in your life includes being kind to yourself. Remember to prioritize your physical and emotional well-being and employ the same kindness techniques on yourself for friends, family members, loved ones, and others. Your self-care tactics may include complimenting yourself to boost your self-esteem, treating yourself to an activity you enjoy, or encouraging yourself to take time each day to relax and unwind. 

Think about how others want to feel. The “golden rule”—you should treat others the way you want others to treat you—is a great place to start when performing kind acts. However, a valuable variation can help increase the effectiveness: think about what others ask for and treat them the way they want. Everyone has different preferences and love languages, and sometimes, what they wish to differ from what you would like in the same situation. To spread kindness, make a conscious decision to meet their needs. For example, if you know your partner prefers acts of service over gifts, try to perform a small service (like offering to clean up) rather than giving presents, even if you prefer to receive gifts.

Try random acts of kindness. Random acts of kindness are the good deeds you do without prompting or expecting something in return. These can be simple acts that help people in small ways. For example, you may let a stranger ahead of you in the grocery store checkout, pay for someone’s cup of coffee, bake brownies for a struggling friend, reach out to someone who seems lonely, or send a kind note to your coworker’s inbox. Small acts of kindness are a simple way to remind others they deserve love, and they can encourage others to do the same for the people around them, generating a far-reaching positive impact.”

Whenever I experience kindness from people, I want to put myself out more for others. Maybe that is the benefit of empathy and compassion. We experience it, which encourages us to reach out to others and learn more about compassionate understanding.

Today, I am thankful for all those moments of kindness and support from others. Today, I am grateful for this cross-border experience. Today, I am thankful to allow contemplation on such a rich, deep topic.

Today I am thankful.