It was a doubled-up activity day for me. Dan and I mall-walked, outside around the building for two laps (it took a freaking hour). But only after we went back to the cable/internet office and exchanged parts. Again. We gathered food, and I rode my bike. No rain. (Although it did POUR before I got up, I heard. Literally. I heard it. From my bed.)
Parking lot find.
Right now I’m having more focus troubles, as I sit here tonight, and in general. It’s confusing for me to plan, but not yet. I have to have certain shit in order for this upcoming superfast trip, but I can’t do TOO much of it ahead of time. So I get antsy. And everyone in my presence pays the price. Kinda why it was best that I just took the bike out when we got home.
And the shopping cart.
Oops.
We did spot some great plates though, while we were out. These two where we grocery shopped, plus Nebraska, and North Carolina.
My job, when he drives, is to return the buggy to the building (no, I don’t just leave it outside, our kid was a courtesy clerk box boy/girl cart wrangler, it’s a miserable job). My chauffeur arrives, pulling up neatly at the curb, and we go home. Unless, like today, I am waylaid by taking phone photos and he gets there before I show up. Yikes. (No worries, he found me.)
(He did GLARE at me though, and give me the universal WTF?! arm, head, and hand gesture, as he made an additional loop around.)
Focused on a treat.
Max wanted to let everyone know that he was fine today. Perfectly well-behaved. Delightful, in fact. But he still wasn’t too keen on sitting for a picture, so Em and I bribed him. (That’s his toy basket he’s in front of. They brought it from their last house. He’s not quite tall enough to reach inside easily, so I tilt it over for him, no idea how it worked at their old place. But here, Nana helps.)
On our card altar we got another message with a tweak. This is one of the Vision Quest signs, or so I’ve designated in my deck. It came up not-really-straight-forward.
Eight Of Cups
Emotion, and what’s in our hearts, that’s this suit. How we feel. (Which makes it coming up sideways an interesting aspect.) Eights are like the Infinity Sign, only, standing tall. It is a powerful number with endless possibilities. The illustration shows that as well, the entire world is what this character has before her/him.
In this case the Cups represent who has our back, how we are so well supported, from an emotional stand-point. We are bolstered with love and caring, no matter where we go or what we do. And we are just about to really go far, we’ve prepared (and packed!) and are getting ready to step off onto that new path. Or, as we see here, up this rocky slope.
The thing this Contrary version wants to tell us is that we’ve already begun, and we didn’t even realize it. We’ve been getting ready for this journey for a much longer time than we thought. As we stand here, from slightly higher ground, we see that now. We are able to look down from this small height and see the progress we’ve made. And it’s kinda surprising! Good for us. We’ve done what was needed and we did it without even being aware of how well it was going.
What we need to be conscious of now, is that support system, those Hearts that stand behind us. The many people we have in our lives who are caring and loving and patient. We all have them, so let’s acknowledge them by being thankful. This journey will be tiring, best to have our tanks full and our batteries charged as we head off.
Today’s Deck:
Robin Wood Tarot
I saw two feathers today and thought of you. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to photograph either one.
Yay New York plates!!!!
Interesting card, I will mull it over.
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Thank you for going back! Added it to tonight’s post mere moments ago.
J
10:44 p.m.
6-27-12
I hope that these new parts will solve you ‘net problems, once and for all!
“Cart wrangler” reminds me of a great story… I was about to get in the car in a somewhat large, slightly sloped parking lot, on a very windy day, and a cart across the lot from me starting rolling toward the back of the lot, headed directly toward a car. The wind was pushing it, so it got going pretty fast. I was way too far away to do anything, and was thinking to myself “oh shit,” when a guy in a big pick-up truck went driving after it, reached out the window and grabbed it, and redirected it up against a curb just in time to save the car! Seriously, I saw this with my own eyes! I was, like, wow, that is a true cart wrangler!
Maximum treat face!
Love your working deck, as usual, and I LOVE your take on the Eight of Cups! “The thing this Contrary version wants to tell us is that we’ve already begun, and we didn’t even realize it. We’ve been getting ready for this journey for a much longer time than we thought. As we stand here, from slightly higher ground, we see that now. We are able to look down from this small height and see the progress we’ve made. And it’s kinda surprising!” Beautiful! Surprised was definitely on my agenda tonight, in a wonderful way! Thank you!
~
Oh I am totally going to share this story of eXtreme cart wrangling with the fam now. I love that you saw him do it!
Yipee for good surprises.
J
10:48 p.m.
6-27-12
Hi Julie, Just wanted to let you know I’m enjoying your writings and travels and whatnot. Been working on 2500 words a day so not very chatty – it takes me TIME to write that many words. But I’m still here!
~
You keep writing!
And thanks SO much for checking in, I love it when I know you’re here.
J
10:53 p.m.
6-27-12
I always thought the meaning of this card was turning away from the bounty that you have. Now I have to reread my card meanings. It’s nice how you put it.
Glad you got some good walking in. I walked in 100-degree weather on Monday, and did errands in 100+ (maybe as much as 107)-degree weather yesterday. Today I am staying in and coming up with exercise I can do inside with the AC on.
Could be worse: my nephew is touring North AZ University as a possibility and it’s much hotter there!
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You were out walking! Nicely done. Any type of movement is good!
J
10:57 p.m.
6-27-12
I have a cart story too. My oldest was 3 at the time. I was taking him to grandma’s and we stopped at the Smith’s. It was a blustery day and as we headed back to the car a shopping cart stopped, changed directions and headed straight towards us. It was funny and frightening at the same time. Try and convince a three year old to get in the next shopping cart when he knows that they have a mind of their own.
I like the card – life right now is kind of a leaping off point for me.
Maxie cute as always.
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Oh wow, those sneaky carts are just out to get us! So true; funny, but terrifying.
I love these shopping trolley tales!
J
10:59 p.m.
6-27-12
Oh, super-duper card. I just got home from a trip to NYC. I love that town. On the flight home I was thinking just this…how far I’ve come in realizing my dreams, and how one never does it alone. We all have to have a posse. : )
So your draw is once again spot on for me. Thanks.
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Welcome home! And yes, you really have come so far. We all have.
J
11:02 p.m.
6-27-12
Did you say where you were going next? Cause I missed it!
We’re out of bird food here and there are birds sitting on the feeders staring at the basement door willing my husband to show up with goodies.
I love that you have a toy basket for Max. I keep telling people who have trouble with their dogs chewing up stuff to get them a toy box and teach them those are ‘their’ things. They think I’m nuts. But it works sooo well!
Love the card. I need to get back up on my path. Life is so much better when I do.
~
Back to see Dan’s family, Oakland – East Bay, and later San Francisco on our way out of town. Superfast, as in: drive Saturday, wedding Sunday, drive home Monday.
How could someone have a dog (or non-dog even) and NOT have a basket (or box/bowl/tote of some sort) for toy containment? This makes no sense to me.
J
11:07 p.m.
6-27-12
I’m enjoying an afternoon of quiet while the kids went to the beach for the day. I know I’m missing the beach, but ssshhhhh . . listen . . .ahhhh, blissful quiet!
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Even I, who ADORES the ocean, understand this quiet time/alone-ness. Barb and I were just talking about this concept today. (And your name also came up, in a very good way.)
Bask in it! Wallow, even.
J
11:13 p.m.
6-27-12
I spoil any dog or kit that gets within my vicinity. They deserve it, right? Though I have to be careful not to overspoil. One of the kits here at my mum’s has weak back legs and if I carry him everywhere (as I would do!) they would just get weaker. Huff. It’s hard to be Good.
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It IS difficult isn’t it?
I never consider it “spoiling” though, if you are caring for, and pampering, a loved one (be it human or otherwise) it’s totally okay.
J
2:12 a.m.
6-29-12