Not Maine

I haven't pulled a tarot card since that morning I left Pittsburgh. Tonight I was looking for my knife, and realized I wasn't sure those cards came with me. Well, they did, and I pulled another card. This is what it means:

On the Three of Wands, we see a figure standing on a cliff looking out over the sea to distant mountains. From this height, he sees all that lies ahead. This is a card of vision and foresight. When we want to see farther, we climb higher. By going up, we increase our range and remove ourselves from the immediate situation. We detach and gain perspective.

In readings, the Three of Wands can tell you to take the long view. Don't react to the heat of the moment, but step back and reconsider. See how the present fits into the greater picture. This card asks you to be a visionary - to dream beyond current limitations. It can indicate premonitions or other intuitions about what is to come.

Taking the long view is an aspect of leadership - another meaning of the Three of Wands. When we see far, we have the knowledge to guide others to their best future. Someone who knows the way can show it to those who follow. When you see the Three of Wands, know that now is the time to accept your vision and be confident that you can lead others to it.

A leader not only sees far, but he is willing to go there first, if necessary. The Three of Wands is also a card of exploration. Compare this figure to the Fool who is also on a cliff edge. The Fool steps out in innocence, not realizing he is going to fall to his fate. The adventurer on the Three of Wands is also willing to step out, but with full awareness of what he is doing. His courage is more informed, if less spontaneous. The Three of Wands encourages you to move fearlessly into new areas. Let the ships on your horizon take you far out into unknown seas.


Nothing has really panned out, yet, here in Belfast and as much as I enjoy the quiet and beauty, I think I am going to drive up to Quebec, something I promised myself ages ago, and then drive back through Maine, and see how things feel on a second look. Several people say they have places for later but it is unclear how much later. I've also posted a wanted for the Rockport-Gloucester area, but only received on response and it is in Beverly, the last of the towns I would be interested in or perhaps I know too little about in Cape Ann.

I just thought I'd write it down, especially since it isn't always easy for us to talk. Poor Ruby Slippers, I hope her stomach is going to get better soon--I can't imagine how it must hurt and she can't tell you.

All my love

Oklahoma

Sometime on March 10, I traveled on the Turner and Will Rogers Turnpikes. These are not free. I paid 3.50 in Oklahoma City and another 3.50 in Tulsa.

Columbia MO

Arrived in Columbia, MO before dinner on Sunday, March 11. Met Brandi and Mike almost immediately. Had dinner, set myself up in the Inn. This is among the nicest I've stayed since I got on the road.

Springfield, MO

It's already Saturday, and I've been on the road for nearly a week. Tonight I am in Springfield, MO, in yet another La Quinta Inn, this one much more upscale than the last, but also about $20.00 more each night.

I seem to be missing the city part of these large or medium large cities, but catch them whilst they are about to host a sporting event. So, today when I headed for the Comfort Inn, it was booked up.

Perhaps tomorrow I'll actually see something more than a room, a television screen or my computer.

Petrol on the road
MacDonalds
two tolls 3.50 each

Oklahoma City, OK

In Oklahoma City, at the La Quinta Inn, waiting for a phone call from the desk. The inn is under renovation, not up to others of its kind I've stayed at in the past. Even a dirty towel in the bathroom.

Expenses since I started the trip:

• Petrol in Taos, Santa Rosa and then in Shamrock, Texas (about 10 gallons each time, approx. cost $80.00).
• Didn't buy that much food as I had brought some with me: take in Shamrock and Oklahoma City; approx. $20.00
• Picked up some aspirin, chapstick and water in Shamrock (approx. $5.00)

Movies

Two disappointing movies I saw are Henry and June, the fictionalized version of Anais Nin's diary of the same name. It seemed to be made for the shock value and not the literary content.




Bee Season, one of my favourite novels, didn't work for me. It didn't seem to contain the high impact, emotional jolt that I felt from reading the book.

Movies

More movies, and some I really enjoyed.

Ararat was a wonderful film and so educational. Now of course Armenia and the genocide is in the news with the recent murder of one of the top journalists.

the Hours, a book I had on my bedstand for months, and didn't read, was a wonderful movie and makes me want to borrow the book from the library. The performances were top-knotch.

I thought I was borrowing the movie Dune, but it turned out it was a made for television 3-part miniseries of the same name. I enjoyed it but it is the original I wanted to see again.

Universally 2007 is the a nine year.

Individually 2007 is a 17 (8) year.

The movie today, Monday, 8 January, was rather a disappointment. The Weight of Water as I recall it as compared to this screenplay seemed at odds. But, then again, I am not certain and I don't want to read the book again. Shreve is a rather good writer, but just as I have a zillion movies I want to see--and catch up, there are far more new books I'd like to devour.

The Horse Whisperer, yet another tear jerker on another winter Sunday, 7 January.

Life is Beautiful

It's been eons since I regularly went to the movies, so now I have been renting about 3 to 5 films at a time; trying to space them out and absorb their theme and plot lines. Some of it for the sheer enjoyment others to inspire me to write (again).

One of the last batch I rented included "Life is Beautiful," a film that won many awards and received great acclaim.

It is a stunningly beautiful film, more so for the sensitivity that Bertolini brought to his characters than the visuals. However, during the last few scenes, knowing full well that the protagonist would not survive, I felt this heart-wrenching loss so much so that I could barely watch. Oh, if those of us that fail to see how life is beautiful, it is painful.

The neighbours and I have been sharing some DVDs. The other night they shared, "Life as a House."


Not a great movie, but a movie that makes you think about missed opportunities, loss and gain. The two most interesting issues that came up for me were the idea that love is not all, and how to achieve your goals, even when time is running out.

So many relationships are built on affection, but it appears that is insufficient to make relationships work. A hard lesson to learn!

And as time is such a precious commodity, it is also a lesson to take the rein and run wild on the horse, something I advocate and frequently ignore.