Blog 37–The journey continues
January 12, 2016–After much time I am starting my writing to you once again. I’ve been holed up in New Orleans spending time until I have to be in Mobile, AL to face the judge about that accident, which will take place on Jan 2, I will let you know how it turns out.
I’ve not been writing, because I am not caring about myself or anything (of course, I do care about you.) So, in my mind, with nothing being important, I have nothing to say or write.As I wrote in my last post, I will eventually get back on a more positive track–you will see.Nothing was really happening in New Orleans, although Mardi Gra will start soon, so not much to write about. I did help Kyle with his juggling.And, we went out to some bars playing blue-grass music. I did meet Tammy and we talked for a bit. That showed me that, yes, I could find someone new.My new friend Kyle allowed me to stay in his unoccupied apartment for a week.
See Kyle here: http://www.kyleclowns.com/about.html Missing the wilderness, it was off to Big Biloxi Campground in De Soto National Park. Hard to be at a campground when you hear constant gunfire going off and think of the poor animals who just want to live their life.
And, I stopped by Airey Lake Campground:which was quite full. There was a nice little lake with duckies, but I thought I would move down the road. So I
popped over to another campground, I was the only one there. Jan 24–Today as I was driving I was passing a church with many cars outside, I decided to join them. The pastor was a good actor, shedding tears and then making jokes, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.Whenever I go to a church I want to argue and talk with the person speaking. These people listening were mesmerized. Here they are:Hard to believe how much money churches bring in, I guess people give because it helps them in life, that’s a good thing.As I’ve written, I have been really down on myself. Having no family or close people to me I worry, at times, about what would happen if I physically was injured or the van broke down or . . . It does make life hard and sad to think in this way, I must refrain from doing so.Yesterday I met Rosa, from Peru, at a McDonald’s. A new friend is made. I told her about my daughter April’s adventures in Peru, she liked that.
And, this day I felt down. I happened to open the book I wrote, Your Brain, and read pages 60-70. Boy, I should follow my own advice, huh? I’ve attached this book with this email, have you read yet?
Jan 26–Last night I parked to sleep the night in a Lowe’s parking lot. It was quiet and calm, but I did like it better the night before camped in the wilderness.Will write you again soon>>>>>>>KitJanuary 31, 201600Blog 36–Here I am
A few have written asking if I was alright, not having received any posts from me lately. The caring is nice to see.
My court date is Feb 2, about 150 miles from where I am now, New Orleans. It will take place in Mobile, Alabama. I will let you know the outcome, of course. So, I just have to hang out until then.
I’ve been staying in New Orleans with Kyle, a local juggler here, he currently has an empty apartment. In a few days I will leave toward Mobile, stopping at a couple national parks on the way.
Currently I am looking into finding volunteer work overseas. I need to get away and start a new life. If you know any details about this, please let me know.
In the future my posts will be more positive and inspirational, sorry, in recent posts, the words were so sad.
I’m glad you’re there>>>>>>>>>>>KitJanuary 31, 2016Blog 35–Stalled in New Orleans
For a month the weather has been quite dreary, rainy and cold. As the weather is, my mode and outlook have been the same. I want this to be a positive blog, helping you with ideas to move ahead, but if I am not, I do not want to lie. If you want to be taken off the list to receive future posts, just let me know.January 2, 2016–Today I drove into New Orleans. The architecture and foliage are quite nice. I went to The French Quarterand drove around for about 40 minutes looking for somewhere to park, I gave up and continued on west.I’ve been trying to contact people through couchsurfing.com and various jugglers about staying over, have not reached anyone so I will be heading on.
Actually, my old juggling partner Randy Foster and I came to Mardi Gra, here is New Orleans, to perform in 1979. In our time together Randy was never interested in the female gender, something we never shared.In New Orleans there is a certain section that attracts males who like guys, Randy was there every night. I believe this is where his connection to men started. In 1991 Randy died from aids, a terrible thing.
I tried to reach jugglers and couchsurfing.com to find somewhere I might stay over; the last night was quite cold, I was not able to get anyone.I went to the French Quarter and drove around for about 40 minutes looking for somewhere to park, never did. So, I decided to pass by New Orleans and start heading southwest. About 30 miles out I stopped at another McDonalds to connect, finally reached a juggler.
Kyle Johnston and David Chervony are two local jugglers in New Orleans. We met up yesterday and I did coaching on their juggling.
Feeling quite cold, alone and lonely out here currently. It was nice in the summer/fall to visit national parks and such. Now I am not having fun, sort of regretting I have chosen this lifestyle.
Jan 8–Still in New Orleans. Kyle has a second house which he rents out, he acquired this recently. I am staying in this cold empty house sleeping in a sleepy bag on my pad. Nothing in the house, at all, just me. Every morning I go over to a McDonalds, which is a half mile away, to get on their wifi. Kyle and I have gone on a couple bike rights around the French Quarter and New Orleans.
The weather is still dismal here, as is my outlook. Although, yesterday was sunny, I painted part of my van that needed a touchup.
The reason I have not written very much for my blog is because I am bottled up here, waiting until February 2, when I have to be back in Mobile, Alabama.
You read of the accident I was in a few weeks ago while in Mobile, Alabama. Here is what occurred: I was driving in the rain on a curvy road with walls on both sides of the roadway. I took a turn wrong and hit the person in the lane coming toward me.Something I did not tell you before: with nowhere to pull over because of the walls on both sides, I just kept driving, and kept driving. Not trying to get away, but my mind just went crazy momentarily and I did not know what to do. The cops eventually caught up with me and had me follow them back to where the occurrence occurred.
I made sure I apologized wholeheartedly to the women I hit. She saw how upset I was and gave me a hug. I also sent her a card to apologize the following day.
I ended up getting a ticket for leaving the scene of an accident. So embarrassing and upsetting for me, I do not know what to do or think. Of course, I will be there before the judge on Feb 2, hoping for the best. In fact, I wrote a nice letter to him and sent it a few days ago explaining myself, trusting this will help.
As you have read from my past writings, in 2012 I had to spend a month in jail on a false charge; this was the worst month of my life. I am just concerned that seeing the judge might lead me back to jail.Dire thoughts running rampant in my mind–my driver license being taken away, my insurance being cancelled, going to jail and losing everything, and more. Not having a home and living in my van, I have nothing else.
Between here and Mobile is De Soto National Park. I think I will go there soon and spend time before Feb 2, but expecting cold.
Since Tina left me I have found little joy in life.
In the end nothing matters–because you are dead.
Sorry if these words I wrote bother you.
Bye for now>>>>>>>>>>KitJanuary 9, 2016Blog 34–Staying south (but still cold)
Hope you had a fantastic Christmas and wonderful New Year. I spent each by myself in the wilderness and ate tacos.Getting very cold and quite lonely for me.I am not able to get my photos going right, but I do want to get this to you today, so here you go.Will you write me?December 18–Quite cold last night in Huntsville, Alabama, even with my warm sleepy bag. I had come here to meet up with Brinley Schmuck, who I know through juggling and Facebook. For Saturday she is getting some jugglers together to meet up.I’m seeing that, in the future, I will have to drive back down south for the warmth and even, perhaps, get a small heater for the van.Getting around 3 to 4 hours of sleep each night, yet, still functioning fine and not tired during the day.Dec 19–A hard night. The temp got down to 30–burr. I had purchased an extra blanket, but still was freezing. I was parked in a park on the outskirts of Huntsville, Alabama.At about midnight I was awoken by a cop lady. She was nicer than most, checked my id and said people are not allowed to sleep where I was, but she would let me. The problem is, I could not get back to sleep. So, pretty much up all night.The following day I met up with BrinleyHow nice to talk with this beautiful lady.Next, on to Atlanta.I know Bruce Plott from many years at US juggling conventions (ija). We connected and I am staying in his driveway for a couple days. But, Bruce does have two felines, and I am allergic to cats, so it is hard to stay around in the house. Bruce actually lives on the shores of a small lake, a very nice area.And, last night my old friend Dan Berg came over. Take a look:We go way back to the 70’s. Back then we both performed as jugglers, here is Dan in action with his old partner Bruce Pfeffer:Dan studied computers in the 70’s and started a company with software for the agriculture industry. He went on to sell the company and did quite well. But, he is still there, as “Development Manager”. The company name is “Cultura”, the website is:“AGRIS” is the leading accounting system in the country for Agribusiness companies (Dan designed it, developed a vast majority of it, and have been managing the developers for the past 35 years)Their customers are all the companies that work with the farmers – selling them seed, fertilizer, chemicals, and anything they need to grow their crops; and then they buying the raw crops from the farmers at harvest time (corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, cotton, etc.)Dan helped me financially with a repair for the van, so good of him, a great friend.Dec 20–As you know past writing, my check engine light has been on, letting me know I have a spark plug problem. Dan said I should have it checked out, so I went to four different places today, I got varying quotes from $360 to $648.After leaving my van there this morning, I felt very strange. This van has been my home, transportation and part of me for months. It was a weird feeling of loss somehow.Dec 21–Had a long video call with my daughter, April, and how wonderful it was. As I wrote, she is in Peru staying with a host family and working with kids (she is amazing at dealing with the youth.) Sounds like the only thing that is not pleasant right now is the language, still sounds like gibberish to her. Her brain is superb, she will catch on to Spanish soon.Here is April: http://aprilsadventures.my-free. website/ Some years ago I taught April that “experiences” were far more important than “things”. Memories generated, lessons learned, makes a great life.Dec 22–Stayed a few nights at the home of Andy Ford, who I have also known since the 70’s through juggling and the national juggling convention. He has cats (yikes, not again!), but has a separate apartment he had built for his mother-in-law which I am staying in. Thanks, Andy.The last few days rain has been coming down, much. Andy has a house and land out in the country. As I was pulling out to get back on the road, my van got stuck in the mud. Andy had a truck and chain and pulled me out, a great thing, saved the day.This vehicle I have is amazing, getting through so many things so well and running excellent.BACK I HOP INTO FLORIDAFor Christmas eve I had wanted to find a church to attend, just because, but could not. Also, for Christmas day I had wanted to volunteer to help people, like a food kitchen or something, but, once again could not find.So, as I wrote that I might, it was tacos while camping in the wilderness by myself for Christmas dinner.As you might know, I have no belief in any God. The Christmas celebration is mainly for kids, me when I was young, then my daughters when they were. It is a great time of year, even without worshiping a god.A free campsite–oh boy!Dec 25-27–I looked on the internet and found Grassy Point Campground, had to go. Getting there was quite hard with the limited directions, but I stuck with it, and so glad I did. In fact, liked it so much I stayed two nights. Take a look:To get there, at first, quite difficult to find, but search I did, and so glad. I did stop at an autoparts store at one point to ask directions, which helped. I had to go back about seven miles.This guy I had asked directions of, I do have to tell you about him. I normally will not write about people such, but I have to this time. In my mind I call him “The slimy guy”. It must have been a month since he showered, the smell was extreme. His skin was just kind of glossy and sweaty. And, it looked like it had been weeks since his teeth were brushed. I write about this to remind you to always present yourself in a good way.After a four mile drive in on a red-dirt road. there were about ten sites, and only two were taken. I settled into a nice site right on the beach. The word amazing comes to mind. Beautiful here. There were picnic tables on each site, as well as fire rings. There was a port-a-potty, things were clean and nice.I saw some people who came and went up to a tree. They pulled some of the many mushrooms off to take with them, I had to ask. They told me to taste wonderful; I had to try. I fried up some and they were correct. So fresh and good, delightful.People came in with boats, which they launched to go fishing. Most caught plenty of fishies.The word, “fish”, is a strange word, once again, the wierd English language. It is the name of the animal, but also what we do when we catch it. We are actually hunting fish, I think. When people to kill deer, they are not deering. Such a strange language.GPS is amazing, I am depending on it so much. But, in coming out of Grassy Point it had wanted me to take some dirt roads that looked very scary, especially after the recent storms. I wrote before about a six mile dirt road it sent me on and that was a scary mess. So, I stayed on the main road and did make it out.Dec 29-31–Stayed with Joshua Guidroz through couchsurfing.com. What a lovely place he has, right on a small lake, as with a small boat ramp, too. We got along splendidly, a new friend is found. And, he learned to juggle so quickly, I was surprised.Dec 30–Well, today it happened. Driving on a rain soaked road with rain falling and the road curving back and forth, I didn’t take a turn right and hit someone. We are both fine, for my van, just kind of a fender bender, but her door got quite knocked in. Embracing and very upsetting for me.My bumper was rubbing against my tire when I turned to the left, something had to be done. I purchased, at Home Depot, a thing that winches and pulls things. Josh and I went to a park, I tied one end to a big tree, and was able to pull my bumper out so it will not rub. I do have to get a new headlight, though.Hoping my insurance rate does not go up much. This has really affected my mind and has me questioning about everything.The person I hit was so very kind. She saw that I was very upset while the cops were there and came over and gave me a big hug.January 1, 2016–Next, off toward New Orleans.
I am lonely, please write.January 2, 2016Blog 33–Sweet Home Alabama
After a week at Dave’s, I got itchy to get back on the road–new destinations and new people. Yet, I feel strange, not knowing where I am going and/or where I’ll end up. Kind of exciting, but kind of brings on a feeling of loneliness also. Christmas coming up, where and what will I do?
From Dave’s, it was back to Acala National forest; I like it there. And, back to Alexander Springs Campground. There is a natural thermal pool that is amazingly clean. And, hardly anyone there. So, two nights at the Springs. I had books to read and things to do.I looked west and saw the town of Swanee, had to go.Come on, sing with me:Way down upon the Swanee River, Far, far away
That’s where my heart is yearning ever, That’s where the old folks stay
All up and down the whole creation, Sadly I roam
Still longing for the old plantation, And for the old folks at homeChorus
All the world is sad and dreary, Everywhere I roam
Oh, brothers, how my heart grows weary, Far from the old folks at homeAll ’round the little farm I wandered, When I was young
There many happy days I squandered, Many the songs I sung
When I was playing with my brothers, Happy was I
Oh, take me to my kind old mother, There let me live and dieOne little hut among the bushes, One that I love
Still sadly to my memory rushes, No matter where I roam
When will I see the bees a-hummin’, All ’round the comb
When will I hear the banjo strummin’, Down in my good old homeCome on, did you sing?
Enjoy this:
Spent the night at a park, all alone, not even any cars around. A great night of rest and thinking.
Why looky there, to the west is Apalachicola National Park, here I go. Two nights here were very relaxing.
Now toward Alabama I roam. So strange not to have any kind of schedule for time or place, just going. Quite lonely, not sure if I like it. But, good to know you are reading my words (and, are y you?)
Dec 14–Spent the night last night at Conecuh National Park, Open Pond Campground, just north of the town of Wing. Gathered much firewood, I get enough for the night fire and then the morning fire. Last night was splendid, backed up to the lake with no one around, beautiful. Over night the rain started, so no morning fire.
A song comes to mind–again–sing with me:“Sing around the campfire,join the campfire girls . . .”You know the rest.
Just heard from my daughter, April, who just went from Scotland to London to Peru. Did you see: http://aprilsadventures.my-free.website/
From one National Park Campground to another, I am loving it. Continuing in Alabama, from south to north. Next was Payne Lake Campground in Talladega Forest.
To get there the GPS lady too me on a six mile dirt road that was quite scary. The bad before it had rained, so there was mud to go through, and rocks. I had to speed up to make it up some hills. By arrival my check engine light was on and the van was dirty with mud.
Found out from Autozone that the check engine light came on because it said I need new spark plugs, and, I had been scared.
Stayed at a lake in Bankhead National Forest last night. There were two other guys staying there, separately. Strange, I have never thought of going camping by my lonesome like they are doing. I am in route, they specifically went to camp.
Dec 17–Yes, I am out doing stuff, but, often, I feel that I am wasting my life away. I want to help more people and more forward, faster.
Have no idea what I will be doing on Dec 25, perhaps tacos in the wilderness by myself again?January 2, 2016
