August 23: A Wonderful Week With Witches

This past week was an adventure. Since launching on Karma, I have only traveled in my skoolie. Last week I closed up the bus and was a passenger on a trip to Pennsylvania for five nights. The only time I put a cat in a carrier was when Pyewacket had to go to the vet about two years ago. Sunshine moves around the bus as he pleases since I got him in Georgia. So the extra large cat carrier was new to him and me. On the way down, I was more upset for him, happy he slept about half ride. But on the way back, I was much more chill but he let it be known he was not happy for all but the last 90 minutes of the long ride.

The visit was wonderful, being with sisters 24/7 rather than a just meal here or a ritual there. We spent two relaxing afternoons on a pontoon boat on a huge lake in a state park where water, trees, and sky were about the only things we saw … aside from an occasional boat and lots of birds. We visited the crypt of Demetrius Gallitzin, a Russian prince who left a life of ease to found a Catholic colony in Loretto in 1799. We walked down into his crypt and up into the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, which was the fourth structure built on that site, the first being a chapel made of logs. As a recovering Catholic, I was not uncomfortable. It did not feel ‘churchy’ but rather had a reverent and historic vibe. The architecture is stunning. My mother and her mother both lit candles with intentions in church, and I lit one for each of them.

We played bingo one night, with each of them winning twice. If O72 had been called, I would have won the coverall game. On a rainy day we binged the first season of the British show “Riot Women” and highly recommend it. We visited Raven Moon’s Oracle where I got a house blessing incense (made by Raven) and an elaborate evil eye talisman to protect my new home. We also surprised when we found our way to Starr Hill Vineyard and Winery in Curwensville as it was having Free Wine Friday.

About the only reason I was happy to get back to Karmalita was to sleep in the hammock. It’s been almost two-and-a-half years since I've slept in a bed. I figure it will take some getting used to doing it when I move into the cottage… by the end of next month if I’m lucky.