I slide my computer backpack onto the long, oak table in the North Kingstown Free Library. The weather outside mirrors my innerscape, gray and lackluster. Since leaving my home in October I’ve adjusted my morning routine to afford my host(s) and me some personal space. I get up and out of whichever home I happen to be living in that month.
In Sarasota, I would make my latte and head out to sit by the waterfall in 70 degrees of perfection, but here in rainy, cold ass New England that isn’t an option. Since landing back in RI, my daily routine alternates between yoga and the gym, followed up by a chunk of time at a local coffee shop. This expensive habit affords me a lovely place to do business.
Well, I screwed that system over last week when I joined a 21-day January Detox course. Coffee, dairy, meat, gluten, and sugar are out. No turmeric latte or avocado toast for me! This detox has turned my already upside-down world sideways. But I couldn’t resist the opportunity as clean living is my passion.
Therefore, the NK Library it is and I’m pretty sure it’s going to work out.
Sipping my organic green tea while overlooking the Historic Town of Wickford is quite lovely. It appears to be bath time for the Canada geese as they whap their large wings against the frigid water. Small ducks dart back and forth among the large birds like tugboats dodging freighters. A lazy seagull and a few geese sit on a small sandbar in the center of activity playing king of the hill, sans challengers.
Again, I ask myself, “What have I done?” Leaving my Sweet Little House of Light for a year of travel and adventure has left me feeling ungrounded! Everything in life is up in the air. Not having my own place to land, linger in, and completely let down, is hard. Fortunately, I only feel this way in brief pauses amidst this fantastic umbrella factory journey.
Currently, I am living on the farm with my mom and dad. I haven’t lived at home since the age of 18. Humans are not meant to be living back at home at the age of 60! I am turning into an old person, like bam! I haven’t been out on a date, dancing, or dinner in weeks and to boot, my hair is turning gray, and my knee is giving me shit.
The evening routine: we cook dinner, clean up, watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, make tea, eat dessert, and at 8:00, we pull out the big guns; 2-3 episodes of Suits on Netflix. Mom snaps the TV off promptly between 9:10 and 9:15. Anything beyond that is strictly prohibited, even if we are at the climax of a scene! We all proceed upstairs to get ready for bed.
The other night, out of the blue, my mom quipped, “Are you aware that we wipe down the shower walls after every shower?”
“What”, I ask incredulously. “With what?”
“Your towel,” she retorts.
“Ewww, gross,” I whine.
“Well, that takes the bleeping joy out a warm, sumptuous shower,” I mumble under my breath.
In every home I am grateful to live in, I become hyper aware of how the household runs. I notice what the woman of the house likes to have or not have on her countertops, how she loads the dishwasher, if she keeps fruit in the refrigerator, and how long she keeps leftovers. But I missed the darn shower cue!
Overall, living with my parents has many silver linings. It has truly been a gift of time.
In fact, every situation that has been presented so far has been an opportunity for expansion. Did I really want to live alone in my home, in a peaceful, safe, yet boring routine for the rest of my life? (Maybe a little.)
On February 4th, I leave for Costa Rica. The first week will be spent at a yoga/surf camp. I should have done more research before booking! Their Facebook is filled with 20 somethings partying their thongs off. This will be a trip I can’t wait to tell you all about!
Until then, be well my friends. May your blessings be bountiful.
