May29
The Other Side…
One of my favorite books is Blue Highways: A Journey into America, by William “Least Heat” Moon (a.k.a. William Trogdon). It’s old and tattered, but I find myself turning to it when I need a “boost.” Trogdon loses his job as a university professor and his troubled marriage ends on a cold day in the midst of winter.
His “reply” to this challenge in his life is to convert an old van with bare necessities, and travel on secondary roads (blue highways on old maps) for three months throughout the United States. He documents his travels by keeping a diary (hence the book) and photographing people he encounters along the way.
“A man who couldn’t make things go right could at least go. He could quit trying to get out of the way of life. Chuck routine. Live the real jeopardy of circumstance. It was a question of dignity.”
Now you know my secret inspiration. Especially now, I have the feeling that I can’t make things “go right.” I know there is another side to the pain and struggles I have been going through lately, and I won’t always feel “dark and twisty,” although “bright and shiny” isn’t my ultimate goal.
So, in a couple of weeks I’m going to “just go,” if only for a few weeks. Hopefully, my wrist will be better by then. I hope I can manage my digital SLR, but I’ll resort to my “point and shoot” if needed. However, at this point I’m more concerned with surviving.
6 Comments »Journal, Pondering Life
Sounds like a great idea. Have a safe trip. I love driving on new roads and seeing new things. The Road Less Traveled (one of my favorites).
Be safe. Take care.
looking forward to seeing your summer adventure through your photos and narratives…..and looking forward to you feeling good again…..show us Cali’s results from her beauty appointment……give her a kiss for us….
I’m not sure if we can ever ‘make’ things go right, you know? But lots of times it seems like most everything is going wrong.
If the SLR is a no-go, then embrace the point and shot and go with it, enjoy it. I’m glad you’ll be hitting the road soon.
There’s nothing worse than not having control of what happens. I’m in a “funk” right now with that same feeling. Escaping to the world unknown is probably the best thing to do at this point! Do it, have fun, be careful, and keep a diary of it all! You’re awesome!
I agree with the just going thing.
You know, I just started reading a book and totally reminded me of you. Especially the traveling part. You may have heard of the author before Sue Henry. I’m reading her The Tooth of Time book which takes place in Taos. She has a dog and a winnebago and travels all over. You might like it too.
I loved that book, too; first read it when I lived in Japan. Much luck to you in your travels