Technically, I have been homeless for 7 months. I walked out the door of the house I'd lived in for 18 years in mid-April and will not have an address of residence for another two weeks. In reality, it has been a privileged and voluntary form of homelessness. For 5 months of that period I … Continue reading Homeless
Hearing about my six months of travelling this year, the most common question from people is, "What was your favourite place?" (Impossible to answer, by the way. So many places, so different, each with their unique appeal.) The second is, "Don't you get homesick?" And the answer is, "No." That's ingenuous, of course. There were … Continue reading Don’t you Get Homesick?
Determined to get back in the habit of working out, I headed to the hotel gym this week. As I was doing a bicep curl on the Universal machine, I noticed I was holding my left hand a little funny. I was puzzled for a moment and then I realized-- I was protecting the gold … Continue reading Breaking the Habit of Being Comfortable
I don't know if she heard me in the night, or if she just drew conclusions from my puffy eyes the next morning. "So," she said. "Why are you still having such bad days? Maybe you should go and get some more counselling." I understand the friends and family members who are tired of my … Continue reading Why Aren’t You Over It Yet? A Year Later
"It's OK, I think I'll walk back," I said, as we stood outside the restaurant, in that warm glow of not wanting the evening of good food and good company to end. "I need the steps." And almost as soon as I turned away, the tears started to slowly roll down my face. I thought … Continue reading Yes, But how ARE you?
I've had a pain in my chest, on and off for the last two days. I try to think of anything I might have done to strain muscles. Playing pinball? I hadn't done that for years. Maybe deconditioning, after not going to the gym for two weeks? I climb to the top of the dome … Continue reading Uncoupling
To my surprise, I realize that the wedding that brought me to England might seem as glamorous to some as my trip to the Pyramids. What made it so English? Well first all of the English accents! I was one of the half dozen guests from abroad, and coming from the west coast of Canada … Continue reading A Very English Wedding
A lot can happen in a week. Last Monday, the offer on the house came in. And today I sit in the Vancouver airport, waiting for my flight to London. I marvel at what was accomplished in that time. A house was sorted, packed, and moved into storage. Items were sold, donated and recycled. It … Continue reading The People who Sustain Me- Part 2
Today the house was sold. There is an accepted offer, at any rate, which will most likely complete. When I look at the calendar I see that the house has only been listed for three weeks. It seems much longer-- I think sorting through the physical remanents of a 30 year relationship, all the while … Continue reading Saying Goodbye
Brave Travels 