There’s a well-known saying among experienced pilgrims.  The Camino will provide.  But, how does one pack for a long trek such as walking the Camino de Santiago? I suppose when anyone takes on an adventure that most consider a bit out-of-the ordinary, the inevitable questions arise, such as how does one even begin to figure out the logistics and what’s in the pack, Jack?

“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

I wonder if there’s a 12-step program for planning addiction.  Hi, my name is Patti.  I’m a planner.  Always have been, always will be. I like the challenge of planning, stretching my organizational skills to the max and putting together all the pieces of the puzzle.

Prague. For whatever reason I just couldn’t hit that “book it” button.  I’d somehow managed to check off the rest of the key nights, you know the ones – gotta be there the night before the flight – nights.  Our upcoming trip is a 4-parter and while I had parts 2, 3, and 4 mapped out I just couldn’t seem to pull it together for part 1.

The Voice of Resistance

A recent conversation, on a recent winter’s morning, sounded a little like this.   Mine is the voice of resistance.

“The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.”  Alfred Hitchcock

With conveniences such as Redbox, Netflix and microwave popcorn, it’s kind of hard to justify paying $20 for two people to see a movie in the theater.  Don’t you think?  But every now and then a movie will be released that just calls me to the theater.

I don’t know why walking the Camino de Santiago has such a hold on me, but it surely does.  I learned of the Camino through my blogging community and then Abi and I had the opportunity to see the documentary, “Walking the Camino, Six Ways to Santiago” and I left the theater completely inspired and fully committed to walking. If a young woman can push her 3-year-old son in a stroller across the country of Spain, then surely, I can make the walk.

One of my most favorite things to see when we travel across the vast prairies of this country is the mile-long freight trains that often run alongside the highway. I start out trying to count the number of cars but soon give up because I simply can’t keep up.  But if I’m really lucky I’ll hear that long drone – somewhat lonely – call of a train whistle.  There’s just something about it that tugs at my soul; almost makes me want to bum a ride in an empty freight car headed for parts unknown.  Almost.

The Yin and Yang of Life. It’s the title of my – our – life these days.

Here’s the thing, we actually closed escrow on the sale of Abigail’s on March 31.  Yep. It’s true.  Let no one have any doubt that I can keep a secret.  Ha!

“It’s so nice to see someone who eats so much fresh food,” said the man standing in line behind me at the Costco check out. I turned, smiled, and replied, “Well, the truth of the matter is I own a B&B in Ashland and this is my weekly run.”

I think the biggest misconception about B&B’s – for people who have never stayed at a B&B, or for those who are just unaware – is that a B&B is not a hostel.  And, there are those who do not seem to understand the difference.