Beau presented his side of the trip reasonably well. Right now he’s asleep on the floor at my side. His name should be Shadow – everywhere I go, he is right there. It would be great if I could take him on all my teaching trips! Next week, I will be in Regina SK, CA and he will have to stay with “the girls” for a few days. they like him and take good care, but it won’t be like home.

I picked up my replacement car yesterday. It is almost exactly like the one that was totaled on 4/29. A little newer but same model with the same features (the console is different, it doesn’t tell me which direction I’m going <G>) When I returned the rental car I had to deal with the windshield damage (probably from road construction) the paperwork for that will be almost as bad as all the medical paperwork – an ongoing hassle. I’ve been driving for 40 years. This is the first auto accident I’ve been in where I was the driver. It is not an experience I want to repeat.

Here are some of the things I paid attention to while traveling:

textures of bark and lichen

bird nests

the play of light with all the wonderful greens

now I’m off to the studio to begin the unpacking/re-packing process and to gather a grouping of small pieces for a client to select from.

If you have a Holiday this weekend, enjoy!

it was a long trip. Two weeks away from home and my own yard and my cats. One of the cats hides when I show up, the other is learning a little bit about how to play. Neither one seems particularly glad that I am back.

Riding in the car was interesting. I got to lay down most of the time.

When we stopped, things were really odd.

They call them rest areas, but to me they look like places to run and play and search out wonderful new smells. Why won’t she let me loose from the leash? Something about “rules” whatever they are.

Things I learned:

When you stop at night, whatever you do, don’t walk on tile floors. they are slippery. If there is an automatic door that opens and the space is very small, DON”T go in! It is an elevator, the floor makes weird noises, time and space change.

Scary stuff. These things are usually found in “motels”. The only good thing about motels is the interesting smells in the carpet. And taking walks. Watch out though! Sometimes there are dumpsters in the back of the motel parking lot. Very scary animals live there. “Racoons”. They smell funny, make terrible noises and I am not allowed to play with them, chase them or even get close. Good thing, I don’t like them anyway. Growling makes them disappear.

One other things to avoid: ice machines. Also found in motels. monsters that make horrid noises.

The good news: At the end of the drive there was a nice place to run and play.

We stayed at the Inn, in a cozy cottage for a week.

I never got to visit the source of all the wonderful food smells, but did spend time in the “studio”. We have one at our house too, but it is smaller and there’s only one person. I deserve better. more pets, more play, more adventures.

There were lots of nice people at the “studio”. They gave me pets and rubs and said nice things. In return I left them treats, buried in their “fabric stash” boxes. I hope they like them, especially the squeaky toys, my favorite. The people say it is good to share.

I also left treats for the dogs who live at the Inn. I never met them face to face but they smell interesting. If they pay attention they will find things buried in safe places

Now we are home and it seems very busy here with packing and repacking and getting a new car and all sorts of stuff. Laura is planting flowers in pots.. I am not allowed to play with the dirt. I don’t get it. Digging is great fun and the pots are good places to hide things.

oh well.

maybe next post or in her museletter, laura will tell you her side of the story.