(From top to bottom- Sophie (now Ziggy), Felix and Oscar on Orcas Island)
In just three more days, on October 1st, I will have been intentionally homeless for a total of seven years. On that date, back in the year 2011, I walked away from the marina in the West End of Vancouver for the final time, having sold my beloved sailboat to a couple of young French Canadian brothers, who were keen to get their sailing career underway.
I was bound for Orcas Island in Washington state, for the first of what would end up being a regular house sit at my friend, Cathy's place. Back then, she only had two furballs, Oscar and Felix, but eventually a third one named Sophie (changed to Ziggy later on) would show up on the scene. Orcas Island would certainly rate as one of my favourite house sit locations during all of these years.
Wow! Seven years of intentional homelessness. I don't know if that is a record, and I don't really care if it is, but I most certainly am grateful for having had the ability to live this lifestyle for so long. Intentionally homeless and intentionally unemployed makes it even more unique. I don't personally know anyone else doing the same thing, although I imagine they're out there somewhere. It certainly has been a wonderful experience, to wake up each day, and be able to plan out how I would like to spend my precious time, especially nowadays.
The list of critters that I have had the opportunity to care for is very long, and includes multiple boneheads, plenty of furballs, a variety of birds, some goats, a few horses and even one toad named Mr. Bumples. Quite a few of them have died over the ensuing years, but the memories remain. They have all been special in one way or another.
So now what?
It's late in the year, and I most certainly feel that it is late in the human experience and so where does The Thoughtful Wanderer go from here? It's a good question, but for me the answer is an easy one. I expect to be doing exactly what I am doing now until I take my final breath. The jury is still out on what day that will happen, but in the meantime, I continue to enjoy each and every one of those breaths, as well as enjoying the company of my current four-legged friends.
TOVA
SAKI
living in acceptance,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
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