Another Roadside Attraction

Tom Robbins first novel. Published in 1971, I discovered his writings starting with this one back in 1978 when I was hiking the PCT. I have since read every succeeding novel learning about each one just after publishing.

I read the words on the pages, sort of comprehend much of his stream of conscious (?), Is reading him and understanding similar to mountain biking: you can ride your bike and get by or you can sit your bike and experience more out of it. Sure, I can read his words, like riding, but I am stretched to comprehend his sitting style. There is much that reinforces what I internalize now or back, when I read it in 1978, might have created that awareness? My mind gets full after while. Which is why I am writing this tonight as this keeps me away from being expanded. I’m full.

Came across this today which captures my situation:

“It is better to live free and endangered than captured and comfortable.”

Presently I am living the former, I am working on the near term later. Approach / avoidance? Horns of a dilemma? Courage to remain the former and the strength to acknowledge the former.

Today temps rose to lower 90s. This AM I drove into west side for propane and groceries then returned to same spot as last night. I set up my chair in the shade then set down to read. Dehydrated. At 9 PM I am sitting in my driver’s seat with no shirt on as my back sweats sticking me to the fabric. I have since inserted a shirt between man and machine. Sleeping with side door open.

I missed reporting ride data after 12 years. 35,248 miles from 2,427 rides. Elevation gain as recorded by garmin is 3 million something feet.

Down here ground squirrels and chipmunks are plentiful and bold. Authorities have killed off the tier 1 predators which feed on these amusing critters. Population density is waiting for their pandemic to reduce their numbers. Man has upset nature’s applecart. They are climbing up the bitterbrush and harvesting their seeds. Quite acrobatic. Then their scampering and chasing antics. Haven’t seen a knock down scrap yet. I arrived here as the bitterbrush was flowering sending out their fragrance. Flowers attracted pollinators, fertilization occurred resulting in seeds for their future.