Alia's voyage

 It has been a long time since I wrote in my blog. I have been in MA for almost 3 weeks!!!  The time has been spent in chilling out, going to 2 movies, (Barbie and Jules), seeing family, (Jon, Angie, Jack, Karuna 3 times, Sarah, John), and several dear friends and 2 music groups, while staying with my alternative family in Amherst. I am enjoying cooking, reading and some TV, as well as getting my car checked out and fixed for my trips to VT and then my return to Florida the middle of October. I am so grateful to Sukey and Rhett and Ellen, who have made my stay here so blessed, and for all the friends and family who have made time to see me. I also have much gratitude for all those who hosted and helped me on my 10.000 mile trip and who will be helping me for the next 2,000 miles until I get home to Florida. I send love to each of you. Alia

 Dear Ones, I have now been in MA for a week.  Coming "home" is good, picking up pieces of my life for so many years here.  I am well, no COVID even with travelling about 10.000 miles and connecting with a few hundred people in about 30 states. I just got my second shingles shot and flu shot, and was wiped out for a day. fatigue is my only symptom, but I am so grateful it is my only one, even though it means giving up some things I want to do.  My friends in Amherst have been so king to allow me to stay in their home--I am so grateful. I have reconnected with my daughter Karuna, and many friends. Today I will be with Karuna and my son Jon--so good. I will see my daughter Angie and her partner Jack soon, and my Vermont "sacred sister" group in October.  I saw many unbelievable beautiful places, but connecting with people: family and friends, has left my hear forever warm and I feel so much love for all of them, and the ones I met new along the way mean so much to...

Hello! I am in New York State, not too far from "home" in MA and VT. I am with my "sister" Jeannie in Accord; so happy to see her.  I left my cousin Betsy after a couple of fun days with her, seeing her beautiful home filled with art/craft work, and a Noah's Ark with pairs of cute animals climbing up the ladder. Before Betsy's, I travelled across New York with mild rain, and no more 100 degree days and nights in the 90s.  The first night I was at a rest area and I believe I was on the edge or below a tornado--enough to shake, rattle and blow my car. A warning came over my phone to get to better shelter so I put on a jacket--it was raining and blowing--and went to the rest area building where I found about 8 other people all in the family rest room where we waited until the tornado warning was theoretically over, though wind and rain were still blowing, and I got to sleep (about midnight). The power went down and the rest area building closed, In the morning ...

 Hello Friends and Family, I think some of my posts have not made it. I don't know why. I am in Grand Isle Nebraska--home of migrating Sandhill Cranes, and occasional recovering Whooping Cranes! Who knew. After a few wonderful days with Kevin Bryant, my second cousin (one removed???) and his partner Alice, and going to the cemetary where Kevin's parents and aunt and uncle are buried, and where we saw a great horned owl on a tombstone and got quite close before he drifted off. Wildlife has been sparse--a small herd of antelope is almost all I have seen. All is well, and I am on my journey "home" to MA, expecting to arrive there September 1, but who knows? Hugs and blessings, Alia

 Good morning! Yesterday I entered Wyoming--I am definitely on my way to MA and VT!!!! Yesterday was big spending day--a state park with a lake ($20), a dinner out ($20), gas ($60) and a motel ($70), so the next few days will be non-spending days--like 6 of them, oh well. I eat well, and sleep mostly well, get some walking in every day, and keep healthy.  I am happy most of the time, and try to avoid the situations in which I feel missing family and friends (when everyone around me has them, like camping parks and tourist attractions). They work better if I can find single people to connect with.  My son says I am a broken record about being alone, but he is never alone and I have been alone about 30 years! I would love to meet a single "soulmate" but the chances are about as good as astral projection, which I would really like and have been trying for years. I wish you joy and peace in these challenging times, Alia

My last full day in Boise. We will be going out to breakfast at Elmer's (my treat to say a small "thank you" to Shawna and Rod for amazing hospitality). Then we will go to "Art in the park" in Nampa.  Tomorrow I will be on my way East, to get to MA about September first, where I will reunite with my East Coast family and friends. The right eye said to the left eye, "Between you and me, something smells". May you all keep cool, no matter what the thermometer says, and may you have fun this summer. Love, Alia

 It is already Saturday August 12. I am having a great time with my niece Shawna and her husband Rod in Boise, Idaho.  They collect many things, (birdhouses, bowls, garden and garden art, metal and painted art--Shawna) and All kinds of wonderful rocks in many forms, such as slabs, chunks, cabochons and other jewelry. He slices rocks, tumbles rocks, cuts and polishes rocks, and entertains guests (me) looking at all the collections. Today we walked on a lovely piece of the Oregon Trail with Bodie Girl (their dog), for over a mile. This afternoon Shawna and I will go to the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology which is exciting and educational.  I am still reading lots of books, especially when am alone in a campground. Keep cool, wherever you are. (:-) Alia