Returning to San Diego in mid-June has created an odd start to summer. Usually by June, I am somewhere to the north of Southern California. This year I left San Diego at the end of June, still heading north but much later than normal.

I have felt unsettled and not sure which direction I wanted to take my travels. I had thought about heading east to visit family, yet summer is not my favorite time to visit the East Coast. It is hot and sticky. It is somewhere I would rather visit during the shoulder seasons.

Why am I unsettled? I wish I knew the answer to this question. If I knew, then I could fix it or move in the right direction. The uncertainty of the answer is hard for me to understand, emotionally and spiritually. It is about depression, sadness, and loneliness. There is more, and that is undefined to me.

After spending the winter with Drew (healing from surgery) and a whole month with other people during my trip abroad, it is hard to be solidly solo again. It has been nice to visit friends and then spend time alone and then visit friends again. It is the best of all worlds.

I decided to head north. I love the Pacific Northwest with its beautiful long days. The water, the forests, and friends. I love to visit my friends and catch up on the last year. I especially feel so welcome when friends (The Gold Beach and Whidbey Island friends) get excited about me coming and make me feel loved and supported.

As I was trying to figure out where to go, my good friends who live in Boise, Idaho, helped me decide on my summer. They were looking for a cat and a house sitter while they traveled to Europe to visit their son and explore new territory.

I spent a week in Donnelly, Idaho, about 100 miles north of Boise (still in Idaho). I have been to this small town in the mountains before. I really enjoy spending time in the higher mountain country. This year was different. There was so much smoke from the fires in the Pacific Northwest that it made the sun hard to find. It also limited what I wanted to do. I did manage to take the tram up the mountain to attend a free yoga class. I thought if I could get high enough, maybe it would be less smoky.

I have spent most of August in Boise. Misty the kitty has become a joy to be with. I am so glad to be getting an animal fix. It is also interesting to have more time to explore the Boise area.

“I realized before I even arrived that I needed to make myself get out and do things. So what did I do? I found places to explore in the Boise area. One day I went to the Peregrine Fund. For over 50 years, The Peregrine Fund has worked to conserve birds of prey.

“We repopulated a continent with Peregrine Falcons in just 30 years, doubled the population of Critically EndangeredRidgway’ss Hawks in the Dominican Republic, and identified and addressed the cause of the Asian Vulture Crisis in the mid-2000s. Today, we work across five continents on behalf of all 561 raptor species.”

I was able to meet up close with an Eagle Owl. I got there just in time for the one o’clock introduction of Oliver the Owl. Not only did they have birds of prey, but some of the local artwork within the facility was also amazing.

I realized that I needed some people contact. I looked online at the public library, and each Wednesday there is a group of crafters that meets for two hours. I took my crocheting and decided to give this a chance. I joined them and made a friend. This past Friday Eleanor and I went to the Western Idaho State Fair. It is good to have someone to hang out with.

Karen, a neighbor and friend fo Linda’s, also got in contact with me. We have visited and shared meals out. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. It is nice to have Karen up the street, I can walk over for a quick visit.

I have been biking and walking usually each day. When I am in need of life encouragement, being outside helps so much. I met the nicest family while cycling when I stopped at Barber Park to get a drink.

Tomorrow I am officially off cat-sitting duty. My friends arrive home from a trip to Switzerland. Misty the Not-So-Invisible Cat gets to reunite with her peeps. All will be right with the world.

It has taken Misty almost the full three weeks to decide that I am an OK person. Now she follows me around asking for pets and skritches. Cats!

Where am I going from Idaho? I am once again heading west towards the Oregon coast. I have eleven days to arrive in Salinas, CA. My next kitty sitting job awaits. Woody the Cat will need no break in period. He and I have met several times before and he is a love bug.

It will be nice to be back near the Elkhorn Slough. The kayak is going to get busy. Migratory season is starting so who knows what I will find out there. I love birds, and I love nature. I enjoy exploring the Monterey County area.

As I have begun to mention to others my feelings of dis-settlement and yes a mild depression, I have heard from others that I am not alone. So much is changing in my country. I try to keep politics to a minimum on this site, but there are many things that are happening beyond my control. I know the changes have a lot to do with it, yet I feel the biggest factor is the insensitivity and anger so many seem to carry around with them all the time. It generates a saddness in me that is hard to shake. Sigh.

As the season change, I am getting ready for change too. On Tuesday me and EmmyLou will be rolling west, looking for birds and other wildlife. And I will remain thankful.

Today I am thankful for Misty the Not-So-Invisible Cat. I am thankful for this big wide open country that I call home. I am thankful for all my friends who continue to love and support me as I explore my world.

Today I am Open Arms Thankful.