Louisiana Resident

Today is a big day! I got my Louisiana St. drivers license!! Holy Mackerel, this must make it official, I live in New Orleans, LA now. I didn't write about my last experience at the LA DMV here, because I shared it with so many friends via email. Without going into much detail, suffice to say it was both frustrating and (after the fact,) totally hilarious! Today's visit was very different. I was in and out, with a Louisiana license in my hand, in just over two hours. I think that's some kind of record in this area.

I've started walking again. A friend who works at Xavier U, invited me to join her walking each day. We walk on a "track" of sorts in the admin building, for about three miles, 45 minutes of air conditioned bliss! I just can't get moving outside, in the heat and humidity, any faster than barely a stroll. And my hips are starting to reflect the lack of exercise I've had these last two months!! I'm so grateful for this chance, the walk and the growing friendship! We chatter away the whole time, and before I know it, we've accomplished our goal, and we're done for the day.

I've also finished painting another chair and found a wonderful little nonprofit shop, nearby, where I can buy more chairs, and maybe other wood furniture, to paint. I put the ones I've painted on the internet to sell. I feel more like myself today than I have in weeks. Things to do, places to go, deadlines and commitments to honor. It's a light load (the commitments and places to go) at the moment (and I'm glad for that), but the great big "blank" that seemed to define me and my life, when I first got down here is starting to fill in.

If anyone reading this has ever read "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron, (and I can't recommend it too highly!!! It's a wonderful book!) I'm thinking this space could be something like "morning pages" for me. (Something Julia recommends her followers do each and every day, to clear their minds by unloading all the "have to's and need to's" stored in their heads, with the goal of getting more easily to the "WANT TO'S" in their hearts.) I probably will not write everyday,as she recommends, or do my writing first thing in the morning, as she feels necessary, but, since there doesn't seem to be anyone but me reading or writing here, (very often anyway) this can be an almost private place for me to organize my mind a bit, and sort through things a little.

One of the reasons it appeals to me to write here is the lack of book. How many times have I bought an absolutely gorgeous little diary, leather bound, or some other attractive covering and then felt it was to perfect, to pretty, to take another chance on me either writing something not worthy of those pretty pages, or fearing I'll not follow through on writing faithfully, so I dare not even start??? Talk about self fulfilling prophesy. Here, I can delete any or all at a whim. I can face the fear of risking someone reading my words and commenting. Or I can trudge on, just as I am, seeking some kind of direction and/or purpose for myself in this great adventure and chronicle the process of that great discovery (or series of little discoveries as the case may be.)

Hang in there faithful friends. this isn't the Great American Novel (it just feels that long!) Julia wrote in one of her books, a character from a novel she had written "came strolling on to her morning pages one day, and wouldn't let her rest until she got to know him." I don't have a novel in mind, but then again, there is no specific plan for this space. I wonder what will wander onto my pages?

soon and very soon,
my