Tag: America

Three Texan Women. Three Dogs. And I. One Bathroom.

Two nights ago I sat on the edge of a bathtub, in Oak Cliff TX; (Dallas County) the second stop on my journey to Louisiana from New Mexico. A beautiful white dog with one eye crouched under my legs as three Texan Women and two more dogs took up floor and toilet space. (Not quite socially distanced — but you can probably imagine a Texan bathroom next to a NYC bathroom) The three women and I — A Pisces, Virgo, Leo and Libra (not sure about the dogs’ signs:) were riding out a Tornado. And not just a warning. Something Texans are used to; there was even a siren from downtown Dallas to sound its incoming. Also why do we say “Ride out a storm?” Why not Sit? Crouch? Run? Lol. 

So much to say about these women and how they all happened to be/land or live on the current premises and how we gathered in one bathroom that unified us. The gift for me was this: this was my Thanksgiving. Two nights early — minus the food, a table, a familiar face, friends, family. Yet, I made another family, on this stormy night; two of which are now penpals. (I’ll speak on penpals later) Each of the women were around my Mother’s age with the exception of one and all have roughly, the same number of ex husbands.:) Currently all sans Husbands, including myself, as you know. 

We spoke of everything under the sun, besides who we voted for. We spoke of my adventures since leaving NYC, fourteen months ago; Egypt really catching their ears. Southern women and their parents, beauty “ideals,” depression, addiction, The Covid 15, (that’s the extra weight) were topics also touched upon. We spoke about Texan old money and Texan new money and the current migration trend around the U.S. of A. We confirmed I must come back for cooking lessons with Claudine, who studied at Paris’s, Le Cordon Bleu at the age of 49. We all agreed, number’s do not matter. But damn, good food does! 

To our surprise, it was an hour and a half later when we stood up and exited that lovely bathroom, me returning to my bungalow(airbnb) sans Three Texan women and Three dogs. Just I. What a Day of Thanks.

P.S. The 🌪️ touched down around 15 miles from us.

ONWard — A Travel Nurse(who doesn’t like labels) in the U.S. of A.

Welp, my journey has begun, and part of me wants to turn around and go back to the Mountains. 5 hours on the road today — Got pulled over for going 95 in a 75 about 2.5 hours in.(still in NM) I was so enveloped in a podcast, “This Jungian Life,” with three analysts, discussing dreams followed by the topic, America’s “Wall.” Or is it Trump’s Wall? Oh and I only got a warning. On that speeding thing. Was this White Privilege or a Nurse/Cop thing?? I’m going to answer, “Both.” You’re free to chime in. Also, I really should write in, to this podcast, about some of the dreams I’ve been having…if you haven’t heard. 

Speaking of Trump, I’m in Texas now — and apparently the slogan still goes, “Don’t mess with Texas.” Yikes! I will not and I kinda want to — mess with Texas. Though it got dark and I cannot drive so hot after the sun goes down. Anyone else have this problem??  So I went to the supermarket, settled for beer and got the fuck out of there. I just couldn’t. And I don’t really drink beer anymore. The market was like DisneyLand and one of the biggest stores I’ve been in. EVER. Okay, maybe I’m being dramatic. A bit. But there are no bits here in Amarillo. 

Masks worn inside = 70%.  Worn properly = 50%.

Now remember, I’m coming from Ojo Caliente, a population of not even 600 people. Not thousand. Not million. People — Just People. (These past 7 months)  Oh, Ojo. I have to remind myself that this journey is not to compare. It is to BE. In witness. In curiosity. To ask, “what does it mean to be you?” Oh and also, to make a paycheck and have thirty five days off in between Nurse contracts, if I so desire. Desire — Cannot forget desire. 

Ok, I’ll have a beer along with my Chipotle and chill in my airbnb,(joking, already sipping #2.  Travel expenses get reimbursed, btw, so I picked a good one. Who am I kidding, I would pick a good one either way, as the interior/environment is a value of mine. There are lots of plants here and super cool chairs.(I’m into chairs) I’ll wear my already 20 yr old birkenstocks into the ground before compromising on the “home.” What about you? Shoes or chairs?