May I present Gunn House Hotel in door #3. Utterly charming and delicious in every way imaginable. An old hotel with enormous wicker chairs outside my door just for me. Having a comfy cozy chair in a hotel room where I may rest my road weary arse is an absolute necessity. Gunn House understands this.
Nevada City in door #9. The most beautiful city of my trip. It's a few miles away from Grass Valley, another lovely place, where I stayed the night and paid a visit to my friend Lyman Ward, narrator extraordinaire from Angle of Repose. We talked of many things. I asked many questions and left satisfied. And that, muchachos, is a 100% true story.
I made more postcards. Picking which label I will place on the front is the most thrilling part of the entire process. I insist that the cat posse gather around in a circle about the workshop table and sigh OOOOHHHH AAAAHHHH when I stick it down. I reward them handsomely for their cooperation.
And finally a serving of a poem by John O'Donohue. Sent to me yesterday by my sister Dottie, from her remote Kentucky cabin. A piece today, a piece tomorrow.
FOR THE TRAVELER
Every time you leave home,
Another road takes you
Into a world you were never in.
New strangers on other paths await.
New places that have never seen you
Will startle a little at your entry.
Old places that know you well
Will pretend nothing
Changed since your last visit.
When you travel, you find yourself
Alone in a different way,
More attentive now
To the self you bring along,
Your more subtle eye watching
You abroad; and how what meets you
Touches that part of the heart
That lies low at home:
How you unexpectedly attune
To the timbre in some voice,
opening a conversation
You want to take in
To where your longing
Has pressed hard enough
Inward, on some unsaid dark,
To create a crystal of insight
You could not have known
You needed
To illuminate
Your way.
you are the consummate traveller…taking it all in, in a relaxed way…
x..x
I love the collage, the wicker *sigh* and the postcards you’re making are wonderful. If only I could thread my sewing machine……How is your sister doing by the way? Is she enjoying her time away? I love the poem she sent. Thank you for sharing your time. You make me want to drive away somewhere…..
i so love those postcards.
What a story you weave….
oohhh! Ahhhhh! Love the stencils, and admire the time it must have taken to cut them. I still think about the sun burst one…
This is some of the best eye candy I’ve ever seen. And I’m weathered like a wallet, so that’s saying a lot. Did you sneak one of them chairs into yer ride? Nah, it’s much nicer that it be sitting there when you return.
Kiss the cat posse for me.
p.s. Did Lyman start wearing his shirts untucked like I suggested?
I love your life
xox – eb.
Are those sweet potato fries? (Homer S. sound: mmmmmmm sweet potato friesssss)
I recognized the street in Grass Valley. I was there December 2003 and saw opening night of Return of The King. I tucked the red and white stripe candy bag from the “ole fashion” candy store up the street in my travel journal of the time.
It seems like you reached most of your destinations and supplanted the missed with lovely alternatives. A mark of a open hearted traveler indeed.
I am also glad to see the road fairly empty since you are snappin’ photos and driving at the same time.
Wow! the first song in your playlist was the perfect song to enjoy this blog to. Thank you for everything. It is nice to know you.
S