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 4th 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
