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Coons, Colds, Cramps, Computers, Bikes, and Backs
Coons, Colds, Cramps, Computers, Bikes, and Backs
When working hard on a project there is always that point when the deadline for completing the project closes in and I wonder how we are going to get it all done. In this case the PIELC Conference is in 8 days in Eugene, OR. We wanted to spend a least a week in Missoula doing computer stuff that desperately needs to be done. You know, the current announcement, a schedule, bookkeeping, trifolds, and fundraising to begin to cover the $5000 loan and launch the tour…. Yet as so often is in our life a few challenges apparently need to be tossed in our way to see if we are really serious. In this case it has been coons, colds, cramps, computers, bikes, and backs.
The first challenge along the way was the coon attack. It only cost us a few hours of work, what with the treating of the scratches and investigating rabies stuff. It left Megan a little sore and slow for a few days but no big deal. Then just when Stan and I finally got an opportunity to have that weekend alone, off of work, to enjoy each other’s company, loudly, before we hit the road a nasty winter cold came through. Ya’ll must understand that living in close quarters of the bus, staying at other folks houses, and being unable to afford motel rooms for a weekend, opportunities for real privacy are few and far between. But alas, instead of a romantic get-away before the final push we had a weekend filled with snot and fevers. And just because the two days we took off were over didn’t mean the cold was. Of course we all got sick a day apart, so now we all lost a couple of days beyond the weekend off and are still dragging as a result of the ever-lingering rhinovirus.
And Megan’s manner of luck continues. While it is true a raccoon scratched her when she peed on it, at least it didn’t bite her so she is not currently being treated for rabies. And on Saturday when she got hit by a car riding our only bike while legally in a cross walk, there was no serious injuries to either her or her dog, just bumps and bruises that left them both a bit sore. Of course the bike, which ended up under the car’s front tire doesn’t work so well anymore and the driver of the vehicle split before Megan could even get a license plate number. Afterall, her first concern was the well-being her and her dog. Ah well, I really didn’t have time or money to get that bike rack on….damn.
And if that isn’t enough to throw us behind schedule yesterday I threw out my back during a sneezing fit of all things. Now, I find this terribly frustrating because, with all my health problems, my back is not one of them. I hardly ever have back issues but I suspect with all the weird contortionist stuff one does while building a bus combined with weakening muscles due to a cold, a mighty sneeze managed to strain my lower back. Of course, there is no health care, alternative or otherwise in the budget, and truly I do not think it is that serious. It just needs the rest I do not have time to give it for a few more days. The colds put us behind enough that we still have to sort our stuff and pack the bus. You know, lots of lifting and bending.
And let us not forget those normal bothers us women face - menstrual cramps. Yeah in the midst of all this both Megan and I started bleeding, with cramps. Oh yeah, and when we finally get to that computer work the desperately needs to be done my computer still dies whenever its unplugged because I need a $125 battery. It also has a flashy screen due to a short that we can not afford to fix. Oh yeah, Megan’s computer is dead because its little plug-in connection has shorted out and we have yet to be able to find anyone to fix it. Apple will look at for $300-plus whatever repairs and we have yet to find anyone else who can do the repair so we are down to one computer, sort of.
Yet with all this we press on, doing the best we can with what we have. To me this is the true nature of sustainability. It is not about having what you want, or even what you perceive you need, but about making the best out of the situation you find yourself in. On a daily basis I assume that the spirits that be have provided me with everything I need to accomplish what I need to accomplish. I may wish for more and often tire of the struggle but in the end I truly believe that me and mine are being taken care of. I used to say that I knew I was being taken care of because I had never been homeless or hungry. That is not true anymore, yet I do still know that me and mine are being taken care of. Whether we are homeless, wandering California or broken down in a truck stop in Indiana or surviving coons, colds, cramps, computers, bikes, and backs in Montana I know that I am in the arms of the divine. As long as I can retain my ability to laugh, sing, and dance my life will continue to be blessed. Or maybe, I keep my ability to laugh, sing, and dance because my life is blessed. Either way, through life, death, and adversity the sense of being guided and cared for gets me out of bed and into my day for the next great adventure, even if adventures do suck sometimes.
Blessed Be, Delyla
Donate On-line:
Go to: www.permibus.org
Click on: Donate
Donate by Mail:
Make check payable to: A.C.T.
On the “For” line write: Skills Tour”
Send check to: Alliance of Community Trainers POB 160757 Austin, TX 78716-0757
When working hard on a project there is always that point when the deadline for completing the project closes in and I wonder how we are going to get it all done. In this case the PIELC Conference is in 8 days in Eugene, OR. We wanted to spend a least a week in Missoula doing computer stuff that desperately needs to be done. You know, the current announcement, a schedule, bookkeeping, trifolds, and fundraising to begin to cover the $5000 loan and launch the tour…. Yet as so often is in our life a few challenges apparently need to be tossed in our way to see if we are really serious. In this case it has been coons, colds, cramps, computers, bikes, and backs.
The first challenge along the way was the coon attack. It only cost us a few hours of work, what with the treating of the scratches and investigating rabies stuff. It left Megan a little sore and slow for a few days but no big deal. Then just when Stan and I finally got an opportunity to have that weekend alone, off of work, to enjoy each other’s company, loudly, before we hit the road a nasty winter cold came through. Ya’ll must understand that living in close quarters of the bus, staying at other folks houses, and being unable to afford motel rooms for a weekend, opportunities for real privacy are few and far between. But alas, instead of a romantic get-away before the final push we had a weekend filled with snot and fevers. And just because the two days we took off were over didn’t mean the cold was. Of course we all got sick a day apart, so now we all lost a couple of days beyond the weekend off and are still dragging as a result of the ever-lingering rhinovirus.
And Megan’s manner of luck continues. While it is true a raccoon scratched her when she peed on it, at least it didn’t bite her so she is not currently being treated for rabies. And on Saturday when she got hit by a car riding our only bike while legally in a cross walk, there was no serious injuries to either her or her dog, just bumps and bruises that left them both a bit sore. Of course the bike, which ended up under the car’s front tire doesn’t work so well anymore and the driver of the vehicle split before Megan could even get a license plate number. Afterall, her first concern was the well-being her and her dog. Ah well, I really didn’t have time or money to get that bike rack on….damn.
And if that isn’t enough to throw us behind schedule yesterday I threw out my back during a sneezing fit of all things. Now, I find this terribly frustrating because, with all my health problems, my back is not one of them. I hardly ever have back issues but I suspect with all the weird contortionist stuff one does while building a bus combined with weakening muscles due to a cold, a mighty sneeze managed to strain my lower back. Of course, there is no health care, alternative or otherwise in the budget, and truly I do not think it is that serious. It just needs the rest I do not have time to give it for a few more days. The colds put us behind enough that we still have to sort our stuff and pack the bus. You know, lots of lifting and bending.
And let us not forget those normal bothers us women face - menstrual cramps. Yeah in the midst of all this both Megan and I started bleeding, with cramps. Oh yeah, and when we finally get to that computer work the desperately needs to be done my computer still dies whenever its unplugged because I need a $125 battery. It also has a flashy screen due to a short that we can not afford to fix. Oh yeah, Megan’s computer is dead because its little plug-in connection has shorted out and we have yet to be able to find anyone to fix it. Apple will look at for $300-plus whatever repairs and we have yet to find anyone else who can do the repair so we are down to one computer, sort of.
Yet with all this we press on, doing the best we can with what we have. To me this is the true nature of sustainability. It is not about having what you want, or even what you perceive you need, but about making the best out of the situation you find yourself in. On a daily basis I assume that the spirits that be have provided me with everything I need to accomplish what I need to accomplish. I may wish for more and often tire of the struggle but in the end I truly believe that me and mine are being taken care of. I used to say that I knew I was being taken care of because I had never been homeless or hungry. That is not true anymore, yet I do still know that me and mine are being taken care of. Whether we are homeless, wandering California or broken down in a truck stop in Indiana or surviving coons, colds, cramps, computers, bikes, and backs in Montana I know that I am in the arms of the divine. As long as I can retain my ability to laugh, sing, and dance my life will continue to be blessed. Or maybe, I keep my ability to laugh, sing, and dance because my life is blessed. Either way, through life, death, and adversity the sense of being guided and cared for gets me out of bed and into my day for the next great adventure, even if adventures do suck sometimes.
Blessed Be, Delyla
Donate On-line:
Go to: www.permibus.org
Click on: Donate
Donate by Mail:
Make check payable to: A.C.T.
On the “For” line write: Skills Tour”
Send check to: Alliance of Community Trainers POB 160757 Austin, TX 78716-0757
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