The Drive

There is something peaceful about driving at night. And liberating. The rainslicked road. Hugging the curves. No one on the street. Headlights flashing over trees and ocean. Music blasting songs from your youth. Fog rolling in.

For a brief moment, you consider driving forever, starting a wild new adventure.

Then you remember you have to work in the morning.

13 Things For Warm Feels

Sometimes all you want is the warm feels. To feel loved and comforted. At home and warm. Safe and sound. Tonight as I sit here wondering why I procrastinated writing this and wanting nothing more than to curl up in bed with the sounds of my dogs snoring, I am thinking about those little things that make us feel good. They are small, seemingly insignificant things that happen to pack a powerful punch.

Here are my top 13 things for the warm feels:

Drinking a glass of water when you're really thirsty.

• There's something oddly refreshing about feeling the cool liquid rush down your throat and into your belly. Not much can top the reassurance that glass of water brings with it. Alas, you won't dry of dehydration like you feared you would. 

The first swim of the summer.

• Dipping your toes into the ocean or a lake after keeping your legs hidden for the previous six months is awfully invigorating. On top of that, you can relax because you know there will be many more swims and water wading in your future.  

Applying chapstick to your burning, dry lips.

• Nothing in the world can match the irritation of needing chapstick and not having it. The indescribably burn and, even though you know you shouldn't, you tell yourself not to, you can't help but lick your stinking lips. Then, your saviour arrives in tube form and you don't even care it's the classic original kind and not spearmint like you really wanted. 

Eating fresh bread right from the oven.

• They say bread makes you fat. It's true. It does. But as soon as a fresh loaf is pulled out of the oven, fat doesn't matter anymore. It's just you and that bread, and most likely a pad of butter or margarine. 

Getting into a cool, clean bed after being camping. 

• While the dirtiness of camping is liberating in the most primal of ways, taking a shower and getting into a fresh pair of underwear is only trumped by the feel of those crisp bedsheets as you slide into bed. The only thing better is the best night of sleep waiting for you to drift off into. 

Sinking into a long hot bath after intense exercise.

• Aching bones, sore feet and angry muscles all rejoice when submerged in hot water. Added bonus if there are candles and bubble bath involved. 

Returning home after a long trip.

• Being free to travel and explore the vast wonders of the world is an amazing privledge, but it isn't until you are off on a great adventure when you realize how appealing 'home' is. And when your time abroad is over, there is very little that compares to the rush of euphoria when you board the plan, train, bus home. Or the joy you have when you step through the door and feel truly and utterly safe for the first time in days, weeks, months.

Snagging a warm blanket from the dryer and curling up with it.

• So much comfort comes from warmth. Swaddling one's self in a blanket fresh from the dryer is nothing short of bliss. Of course, some numpty may reason this is because it reminds us of being in the warm womb of our mothers. But they are, of course, drunk, and ruiners of all things amazing. The simple truth of the matter is, we love warm dryer blankets because they are warm and soft and comforting and small cocoons of safety. Duh.

Listening to the sound of rain as you go to sleep.

• No weather can tame the wild beast of discomfort quite like the rain. All at once it is melancholic, soothing and contenting. As it taps, taps, taps against the window pane, one cannot help thinking how nice it is to be inside, gently being lulled by Mother Nature into a sleep fit for kings. 

Finishing a great book. 

• Good literature can leave one jealous at times, but great literature lends to its readers only inspiration. A thousand creative sparks have been struck. There is nothing more rewarding than closing a book and knowing those flawed characters, the frustratingly perfect plot and enviable beginning, middle and end will stay with you forever. Or until you find the next great book to gobble up in a sitting and forlornly set aside once finished.  

Learning about heartwarming acts of kindness. 

• There are so many people pointing out the terrible things in the world. It can be a bit daunting, to say the least. Still, through experience and assumption, I've ascertained for every wrong there are equal or greater rights. It's just the wrongs are forever in the spotlight. This is why we are so quick to snatch up heartwarming acts of kindness and refuse to let them go. There is nothing more rewarding than reading an article about a dog being saved, a kid being surprised, or a couple falling in love all over again. (Well, except maybe doing these things. Maybe that is more rewarding.) Still, we love hearing about the good in people. It validates our existence here and proves the age old saying 'it isn't all bad' is truth.

Laughing until you cry. 

• Belly laughter so sincere and honest it aches in your guts and tears spill forth from your eyes. Breaths refuse to be drawn. Words come in gasps. And the point you were trying to make is lost in another fit of laughing. Priceless. 

Pie.

• Everyone loves pie. Right out of the oven. Made with love. 

It's Sunny!

Gloriously sunny!

We should all take a note from the weather. One day, blustery, rainy and grey, the next sunshine and fluffy white clouds.

Something like, don't let yesterday's rainstorm ruin today's sun.

Or another optimistic
sunny side of life motto.

Grateful for Mother Nature and her mood swings today.

Blustery

Blustery is one of my most favourite words. Today, is one of those days. The wind is howling. Rain is falling in a sheet, from the side, cold and fierce, undeniable in its desire to soak you through to the bone. Wind chimes are knocking together. We have the wooden ones. So the sound is quite pleasing to the ear.

Dixon stood in the doorway for twenty minutes staring out into the storm. All day, he's done the same thing. Sat on the porch, smelling the air, but he refuses to go out in the rain. There's something amusing about him not wanting to get wet. I even went out there to clean up the garden a bit. Still, he sat on the porch. Watched the cars go past. Smelled the fresh, wet air.

I have decided to take a cue from my hound dog and am staying in.

My lofty goals for this weekend are to finish the novel I have been writing. It's a magical story full of wonderment and odd encounters. More so, it's about friendship and being who you are. You know, those boring themes almost all novels have in them. It's been going on far too long, though. Writing this thing.

So, as the rain comes down, tapping on the window, I will be tapping on my keyboard.

Trying to be creative. I am grateful that I can pretend to be a writer today.

Tears From Heaven

No, this does not give reference to that horrible Eric Clapton song. And yes, I am aware that statement will cause people the world over to gasp in horror. But it's the truth. Tears In Heaven is a horrible song. It's terribly depressing and breaks my heart. I mean, come on! It's about the death of his four year old son. I can't handle that. Too sensitive.

Don't get me weepy. That song and Life Is Beautiful. PASS.

Anyhow, I'm talking about the rain pouring down from the heavens today. It is nonstop. The clouds aren't even taking time to breathe. Wonder who make the sky so sad.

On days like these, everyone talks about the weather. They make comments about how miserable it is outside. Weather talk is about my least favourite kind of discussion. So, I am writing about it! How exciting, for you.

From where I stand, rain is awesome. It cleans the air. Feeds the flora and fauna. And who doesn't like that tap-tap-tapping against the window pane in the middle of an epic storm. Oh, and it takes care of snow. It's like, Hi Snow, you came, you saw, now you must go. Just like that, a little downpour and the snow takes off without so much as a goodbye. Fine by me. I'll take rain over snow every single time.

Unlike others, I look forward to the rain, I appreciate it. I am grateful for it. I even like walking in it, if I have the right footwear. Nothing better than puddle jumping. But do it on the way home, then you know you will be warm and dry in a matter of minutes. And have you ever smelled the forest during the rain. It's the sweetest scent you'll ever draw through your nose. Maybe you have to be a fran of nature to appreciate raindrops on roses. But then again, who the hell isn't a fan of nature?

Interestingly enough, I think this rainstorm is all my doing. I did the rain dance in our kitchen the other night. The Sidekick refused to join in. Typical. Still, my thighs and chants were strong enough and Mother Nature complied.

The other day when we were driving back from the ferry, we saw a rainbow. It was sunny and rainy and we knew it was coming. When we saw it, there was this sigh of relief because nature didn't disappoint. All this wetness is cleansing. Refreshing. It's washing all our sins away and giving us a fresh start.

Rain, rain, don't go away. Stay around another day.

Shoe Stealing & Bambi

It took me awhile to get my license. Not because I kept failing, but because I was lazy. I lived downtown and preferred walking. It wan't until my later-ish twenties (see how I avoided using my age?!) that I actually got off my duff and took the test. Passed on the first try, of course. Like you would expect anything less.

Also flew through my road test with flying clouds.

Never understood what that saying meant. What does it mean to pass with flying colours? Perhaps I should look this idiom up on the intersnacks. Is that an idiom? Or something else?

I digress.

What I am getting at is - I love driving.

Even at night. Fog. Rain. It doesn't really bother me. Mostly because, I am a safe driver. Other than the lead foot thing we've discussed once or twice. That being said, I really am good at handling my vehicle. Still, I am a little nervous about taking road tests, like someone is going to see me making a California stop and take my car wielding abilities away. And my vehicle represents but one thing to me. Freedom.

I have an escape at my fingertips. It's so comforting to know I can flee at a moments notice. Flee what? It all. I can run away. I can be a runaway. How exciting!

Anyway, last night I drove down to Nanaimo to pick the Sidekick up from ye olde ferry terminal. It was a nice drive. Peaceful. Despite the fact I chose a horrible Songza playlist and was trapped listening to terrible music. No, I couldn't change it. That would have involved stopping and pulling over to the side of the road, which wasn't going to happen. Safety first, people! It is dangerous to fiddle with your phone while driving. I've seen the commercials!!! And I didn't hit one red light.

Other than the music, it was a gorgeous night. A little windy. Like I actually thought I was going to pull a Dorthy and land my truck on a witch from OZ and have her sister get all up in my business. Such a horrible thought, considering I always identified with the Wicked Witches. Truth be told, though, I wouldn't steal the dead girl's ruby shoes. No. That's just low. I always considered Dorthy a bit of a selfish bitch for stealing from her victim. Good fairy saying so or not. She should have been ashamed!

Back to reality, I do get a little nervous on the Inland Island Highway. Apparently, according to Dr. Googles, it is called Highway 19. I had no idea. The anxiety comes, not from the darkness or traffic, because I have headlights and there is virtually no one on the highway at ten at night, but because of the elk.

And deer.

I have this undeniable fear that I'm going to hit an animal. It terrifies me. What if Bambi doe-leaps out in front of my car? Actually, was Bambi a doe? Or a buck? Does anyone know? The voice sounds young boyish, but that name is feminine, no? Was Bambi asexual? These are the things that go through my mind.

Moving on, I'd be riddled with guilt if I killed Bambi or any other asexual animal. I couldn't handle it. I'd be the person trying to give the creature mouth-to-mouth. It would ruin driving for me. And it happens, too. I personally know a handful of people who have mowed down magical creatures from the forest we've encroached on.

This is the only part of driving that gets under my skin. The possibility that I might hit an animal. What can I say? I'm a nature loving type of gal. Still, I am happy my ex, Scraps, poked and prodded me into getting my license. I guess I am grateful for the escape at my fingertips, which wouldn't exist if I didn't have the plastic card in my wallet with the most atrocious picture of me ever. Yes, I look like a Latina gang member.

Don't worry, I am not planning on running away. Not yet. Rest assure, if and when I do, I won't be stealing the shoes of anyone I kill. Accidentally or not.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

I have decided that Sundays are going to be my one sentence day. Not only because I put my vlog out on these days, but because it's the beginning of the week and we all need a day of rest. So, from this day forth, Sunday will be known as cop out day.

Today I am thinking of the rain. I'm grateful for it.

It's beautiful and refreshing. And anyone who stands in the forest after a fresh downpour, or during one, has experienced the best scent in the world.

Rain.