Out-of-the-Pot

     No point in keeping on the move if your soul's not at rest.  Today, I read a Couch Surfer's description; a self-proclaimed (diagnosed?) 'Chronic Nomad'.  I think I enjoy this same affliction.


   As such, though I so treasure rooted-ness, it hasn't exactly shone as my most recent achievement.  I could philosophize about how geographically I may not be diggin deep, and am more a potted plant, roots intact, sticking with my owner.  (And could you ask for more?!)  I've liked it well enough, seeing the sun from new vantages, knowing I'm still in good hands.  But my soul keeps urging for me to find something more - and gaining articulation.


     For someone who likes open horizons and equally panoramic options, the prospect of choosing one place to ground - to 'transplant' (leave that pot!) seems foreign - and yet, exciting!

(Pixelated) Clay Pot Adventures

  It's coming clear the things my soul wants; deeper community, family time, close friendships - and the way I've gone about my potted ventures haven't come to line up, and likely won't

-- unless I trade in my hard (sturdy!  protective!) terra-cotta for a pliable, biodegradable pot - and let my roots and real earth mingle.  Then, maybe it could happen.  Soon, I probably won't even realize the pot is gone.

  Conditions will get harsher.  But, I will feel the sun more intensely, and drink in the rain's value more intently.  When storms come, and lightening with 'em, you know I'll enjoy absorbing every possible bit of nitrogen showered.  That's some direct exposure.  But imagine the growth!  

 This is where the Adam's and Eve's of all plants started, no?  The ground?  His name says it all, and hers, that it works.

   From place-to-place as potted photosynthesizers we can surely adapt, and well.  The sun's everywhere we're willing to look, and even where we won't.  But to think of what it means to be suited to a particular environment - starting from a tiny seed, overcoming adversity, working collaboratively with our neighboring flora and fauna... that's special.  Yes, yes; there's overpopulation, as well as under-, and the winds will carry us where they want.  And sure, we can adapt.
But native grounds are native grounds.  We make a lot of sense in our original contexts. 

And then there's always the wind.  

 

Same Caretaker everywhere though, right?
__________

Maybe it's right-brain-heavy justification.  Maybe I'm ready for some dynamic new growth. 
Either way, with this, I officially declare my intent to return to Ohio, or otherwise settle somewhere soon.
I'll re-adapt, and adopt new life - and as soon as I'm adept at adapting, who's to say I won't have the increased maturity to even adopt something new, or it, me?

At my best, I can remain open to the wind.

This is no boring road you're traveling, by any means. 
This is two-handed, take-your-time,
"Lord, the views you've made!"
have you ever seen anything more beautiful
  kind of driving.
Don't got too fast-
  speed up,
and tax your vehicle
  and your own energy,
but you may risk not seeing
   those leaves
   the twist of that branch
   the color of that wood,
   that bark's unique hold on that tree,
       your own breath.

So, stop a while.
   Listen to your car tick, feel the hunger in your stomach, check out the moss on that tree!  (The tree on that moss!)  Pray the advancing-only-other-person-up-here doesn't mean shady business, and that someone finds this if (s)he does, and that their cough goes away, leaves them and leaves them alleviated either way,
sit amazed at how a little altitude, elevation-and-a-view --- an elevated perspective --- can overcome the noise of a whole big city,
muse over Incubus' correctness/wisdom "to obtain the bird's eye...", give the motorcyclists a head start.

 
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
       praise the Lord.
   Oh my soul, rejoice!  and let all
that is in me
       all          
          that is in me
             praise
             His
             holy
             name.

a
m
e
n
!

How do you remember a place like this?  There is little left than to be appreciative.

Thank you, Lord.

I have this notion the sooner we get surrender, the better.

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

be careful you don't find only what you seek.

San Francisco / Sausalito

   A whirlwind experience of the most easygoing nature, and I've only just arrived!  Ten minutes into San Francisco, I was hooked.  To fill the time before my host friend (from the Environmental Education internship - Tori, herself!) completes work, I decided to drive around to get acquainted with the city.  Fascinating streets, a diversity of cultures, lots of 4-way stops --all it took to find myself completely, totally hooked.  In my automotive wanderings, I happened to make my way sooner-than-anticipated on the road to Sausalito which meant, inadvertently, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge!  Funny how you happen upon things like that.  Heading N. on the road/consequent Bridge, there is no toll.  To come back to the city, though, could only happen at a price.  Since I'm ultimately headed for Sausalito tonight, I decided to keep going in order to explore more of where I'll stay settled the next few days.  After searching out a coffee shop on the GPS, (naturally,) I found 'Fred's Place.' 
   More a restaurant than a coffee shop (think of a very nice old diner, but substitute the tacky [sorry] chrome with  old and established-looking wood,) I took a seat at the bar and ordered a latte.  Simple enough.  Lack of outlet made for limited internet time, which really was all I needed, as I arrived around 2:15 and they were to close at 2:30!  Very gracious of them to allow me to stay, and they were all very kind.  I had a lot of latte to finish, and they a good amount of cleaning, so I was able to stay a little while longer and make a couple notes in the journal, as well as write a brief letter to everyone at AICM - a first of hopefully many fun, concise travel updates.  I asked the person beside me whether there was a post office nearby and after giving me directions shared that he'd probably see me around there in a bit, as he was headed there to check on his car.  We both finished up around the same time and he could stand a ride and I, a guide, so we exchanged!  Since we both had some time to spend after mailing and checking, he offered to show me around the houseboat community, right down the street.  We walked and talked and thoroughly appreciated the plants on either side of the main walkway - a fascinating bunching of scents and textures and lime plants and succulents and cacti and so. many. roses.  If you know me and colors, you know I was a happy girl.  Happy to meet Mr. Alex and do some Spanish chatting and learn about his travels through Central America...and beyond! We parted ways after that without exchanging information.  Very Serendipity, I know, but we're not in love, though I am grateful for such a pleasant life experience.
  Anyway, now I'm at a Starbucks in downtown Sausalito, which is of course very nice and surrounded by people even nicer-looking than those in Malibu, and completely, wonderfully rife with the echoes of many different languages, mostly French, and even so many more that are so foreign to me I can't even decipher the origin!  Of course, that makes me very happy, too. 

Grrrreat shot, I know.
   Today is the first I've loaded the film in the old Minolta, so hopefully I'll get some neat shots over the next few days.  As it happens, my digital camera's battery is nearly exhausted.  Life goes on!  Right now I've got a lovely window seat with a nice view of Alcatraz.  Perhaps I can use the computer camera for a picture!  That would be a good way to preserve such a memorable view :)!  Worth the risk of looking like a sketchball too, I guess.
  
  Praying God continues to teach me and make good use of my being here, however He sees fit.  Looking forward to the next moment.
  In His love and joy,
  Ashley :)

Today I hope you realize how incredible you are.