on the road

Scarcely able to control myself, much less the world, add a cat on the road and I have had a bag full of surprises. Most I consulted implied a host of alternative methods for the experience. A carrier, of course, but then leash and halter; neither have worked very well. Annie was largely silent until I put her in the car. Then the caterwauling began in earnest for an hour finally silence. Her protest renewed at each stop.

At the first overnight stop I attached her to a chair with the leash. Leaving her alone for an hour wile going on errands. Upon my return discovering her leash taut disappearing beneath the bed and a bed side lamp wrapped in it, bulb shattered, shade and cat no where to be seen.

Soon afterward, having moved the attachment point, I returned to discover she had slipped off harness and leash, either hiding or escaped from our temporary home. This being the first day of my new life, Annie being a friend and companion for the past five years, I panicked and called Pam. Who advocated that I leave Annie in peace until the morning. When I awoke Annie was snuggled beside me upon the bed as per usual. During the entire time of our relationship Annie has seemed not place, but person, centric. More like a dog than a cat.

I will attempt to place her in the carrier sans leash and harness awaiting the next stop to see what will happen during this, the second day, of my new life.

130704 CDT Effingham, Illinois 06:06

I think I have arrived at the epicenter of my life, this 4^th of July and third day on the road towards Pamela Joyce. Discovering myself as “litter mate” to Annie who for the second time is free and roaming about our motel room happily free of her carrier, halter and leash.

Coincidentally, I am about to cross Ohio towards my next destination and overnight at Zanesville. Tempted but will not go through the remains of my father’s family and/or to visit mine in Maysville, KY. That was then, this is now, the infinite within my awareness; as in BE HERE NOW.I remember being transfixed at first sight of the book as the same title in Wakefield, RI. Many decades ago and what it means to me now.

Having traveled around the globe so many times the prospect of travel bores me—the getting there—not being there. The difference in me is astonishing. Not so much because I am in love, loved by both Pam & Annie and confident of where I will be upon arrival. But also the process of consciously choosing to love my fellow travelers. Accepting their unconscionably rude driving as do I with my being in their way. Overloaded and observing the speed limits to save fuel and tires. Not to say a word about Annie and myself.

There is a vision I hold, recently discovered, of America being once a common land mass singular with all others—a one continent world so to speak. My sense being: we are one family of life including those who grasp and those who give. Add. Pam and I have a mutually affirmed sense of when everything goes south, by accident or consequence of age and disease.

Annie travels beside me in her carrier and in good consciousness I refuse to prolong her captivity by another day for me to revisit my childhood summers in Ohio and Kentucky. This now is our new life heading for Vermont. I pray for, think about, and ponder my friends left behind more than what I was in childhood; longing for love. What I give not what I received.

My paternal grandfather played third base for the Zanesville Mud Hens. Perhaps I will discover another Spratt or two while I overnight there.

More in the later future; be well.

130702 CDT 06:20 on the road

© 2013 by Jack Spratt—All Rights Reserved