So, shortly after I wrote you guys my last email, we were packed into Aquarius and on our way. You know the sound of the little VW engine....
Ppppppppppppppp
It was early in the day on Thursday. The sun was shining, the sky was blue with fluffy clouds. I was singing loudl y (and out of key)
"Why don't you come with me little girl
On a Magic Carpet ride"
Playing drums on the steering wheel so loudly I didn't hear it at first....
Pppppp blub Ppppppppppp
"Why don't you share your dreams with me
Fantasy will set you free.
Close your eyes girl
Loook inside girl
Let the sound take you...."
Pp bluck a bluck a Ppp p p.
I drifted to the side of the road. All the dashboard lights were on simultaneously.
I said a bad word.
Fortunately, I had purchased both versions of the repair manual for the 1971 VW bus.
How different could it be from surgery?
I lifted the hood (cutely found in the back, of course). I was met with billowing smoke.
I said another bad word.
Unfortunately, auto repair is much different from surgery.
For one, my patients never smoke when you open them.
Never.
I checked the odometer. We had made it 19 miles.
I called our awesome VW mechanic. He told me to call a tow truck.
I said my third bad word... actually it was the first one, but louder and I repeated it.
This is my usual approach to car repair.
Or house projects.
We called Mary's sister, Linda...or as Mary likes to say her sista Linder. She picked us up. We missed the ferry to go to the island.
Now, because this is not my first Magic Carpet Ride, we had a well developed Plan B.
1) transfer contents of bus into red Honda with roof rack and Thule Clamshell (hippy or yuppie, I never really decided)
2) Stay in house rental on Islesboro that we were going to park in the driveway of...
Gotcha this time, Universe.
So mission accomplished my beloved readers. It is a week and a half later, and I return relaxed and master of Zen.
We watched the sunrise.
We watched the sunset
We ate fresh vegetables from the farmers market
We ate a lobster or two
We read
I flossed every day
We watched the tide come in
We watched the tide go out.
I took some pictures (these and more)
We ate those red popsicles that leave the color inside your mouth.
There is a cool custom on the island to wave to everyone you pass. Each car that you meet, you acknowledge the driver with a wave. I think I saw some signature waves.
I saw the peace sign
I saw the nonchalant wrist lift
I saw the "Queen mother" wave
Mary had to remind me on the way back yesterday that it was only a custom on Islesboro. Not so much in Lincolnville or Bucksport.
So put me in coach. I'm eager to be back.
I can't wait to get the first fur on my pants.
I suppose I'm gonna get a Panda or two tomorrow.
Be patient while I catch up with emails and calls. You know the best part of vacation is that it puts it all into perspective. We live in the most beautiful state in the world and all we need is the time to experience it. As beautiful as the sunrise and sunset were this week, I thought as I returned that the sun rises and sets every day, often time in splendor. I don't think I've actually watched it happen in awhile.
I'm not complaining, just noticing. The fact is I wouldn't trade my job and practice for anything. But I also realize that we do our best work when we are centered, have a full pie, and the chi is flowing.
So that stuff I said to the staff before I left...Lets see, I think it was something like
"this is #$%ing ridiculous
No one is #$%ing taking off any more in the
^$%ing summer."
Maybe I was a little harsh.
