Trips By Sam

I pulled in on winter's dregs, cliffs shrouded in damp mist, and paid for 2 nights. “How many climbers?” asked the gear shop employee / campground receptionist. “Only me. And I’m not a climber. Just here to hike.”  Maybe cry into some pines .  But I spared him the watery, Pisces-season afterthought.  Still, confusion befell his bearded face, as pilgrims hail from California and Colorado for Red River Gorge’s world-class climbing.  8 days later, on the first morning of spring, I forced myself onward, fresh streaks of blonde and tears framing and staining my sun-kissed face.  I nestled too-tight-for-her climbing shoes, gifted from a new friend, in the spare tire.  My scraped, callusing hands formed a heart-shape in response to the proffered one, painted in defrosting dawn windows as they pulled out for a day on the crag.  The transformation started with my neighbor, Q (his actual, introduced name), who lives half the year running a business and farm in N...

    2021 New Year's Tarot Spread, as read by Smeagol     Future Opportunities: Knight of Cups, representing a loving person who is kind and gallant; a romantic relationship.     This did not sit well with my barbed heart, but (after several pages of morning journaling) I eventually warmed to the idea of dancing with romance again.  I even acknowledged a deep-seeded desire to be saved by a knight in shining armor. Someone to swoop in, rescuing me from my own compulsions, unhelpful thought patterns, and fears of being alone.        A damsel, distressed by her own darkness.     I wanted to be saved by a romantic partner, because I didn't want to put in the effort of rescuing myself; the grunt work of meditation, eating mindfully, preparing vegetables, sitting down to write, running against wintry winds, another Friday night of puzzles and MJ's company.       I wanted to be cradled in strong arms and ...