December 5: Reading While It Rains

It’s been chilly and raining last night and today, so I’ve been cocooning in my hammock. While I may not have sun, I do have Sunshine. None of my other three cats were lap cats, and this guy is soft and warm and squishy. He cuddles. He demands attention. He curls up on me and sleeps. So, I am getting accustomed to sleeping with his 14 pounds on me. Because of him, there’s more laughter and joy in my days. And more vacuuming. 

Mostly I have been reading books that I’m reviewing for Pagan Pages. There was “The Apothecary of Belonging: Seasonal Rituals & Practical Herbalism; Reconnecting to the Land, Our Bodies & Our Communities” by Alexis Cunningfolk. Today I just finished “The Busy, Lazy, Green Witch” by Rose Quinn. While it was billed as “a no-nonsense guide to green witchcraft & magic, for the modern witch on the go” it was more like a practical manual for an urban green witch. Next is “Introduction to Witchcraft: Thirteen Lessons in the Practice of Magic,” by Sara L. Mastros and "Bloom & Shadow: Earth and Moon Spellcraft for Growth, Love, Life, and Beyond,” by Elhoim Leafier. There are also five oracle decks to review. I’m excited and a bit overwhelmed because I also have Yule card to send, travel to plan, and all the daily chores of bus life. 

Before I arrived here at the skoolie homestead, I planned to stay two weeks. I passed that mark five days ago, and now it looks like I’ll be staying until Thursday or Friday next week. It depends on when two packages arrive and if I am ready to get on the road again. I feel at home here, in part because in the six years I’ve been here more times and more days than anyplace other than the summers I spent in Kim’s driveway in Connecticut and Monica’s farm in New Hampshire. Even though I don’t socialize a lot, I enjoy this community and the vibe created by other people who make their home in buses, vans, and, occasionally, a truck. The time is coming when I will get off the road, but that’s complicated because I don’t want to move out of Karmalita … unless maybe it’s to move onto a houseboat. 

I’m not the only witch on wheels here … another is building her bus. We saw “Wicked: For Good” last weekend and this weekend we’re going thrifting. Here’s hoping she’ll answer the thirteen questions so I can revive my “Witch Hunt” column. If any of you reading this are willing to be interviewed, let me know and you’ll be next.