SEND-A-HUG

2006-05-04T23:04:00.001-05:00

Call me Johnny Appleseed or the Pied Piper
but the word must be out
that I'm takin' in animals.
A kitty at last nights campground
would not leave my side
small but round and very sweet.
"I caught myself thinking what a neat cat,"
and then I had to slap myself and yell
"snap out of it!"
Oddly enough Percy seemed to get along fine with the little fellow
whereas Weesie was havin' a hissy fit --
THAT'S where it comes from!!!!!
Anyway, Kitty jumped in my car over and over
and for a second I thought
"perhaps a trade...."
Oh Daisy, shame on you.

I'm in Ogallala, Nebraska
headin to lunch in Denver, CO
and soon
home sweet home.

Hmmmm, still considering the feline swap
as Weesie continues her campaign against Percy.
And yet
let's give credit, shall we.
they're laying down without incident
less than 4 feet apart.

Let's get down to the business of HUGs.
You still haven't heard about my last deliveries.
3 of them were given to the fellas that worked on my RV
in Covington, Louisiana.

Shoot, I'm forgetting Chris' brothers' name
they both lost their homes
and so did Big Mike who runs the front office.

They were so genuinely tickled,
it was sooooo touching to see Chris
a quiet fellow, ponder his HUG and
watch his face turn pink as he muttered
"this is soooooo nice..., this is really somethin'!"

This is Jan

She lost her home of 50 years
but in a note to MY parents
she wrote
our memories are in our hearts
those were just things.
Still, as she showed me around the small 2 bedroom she and
her husband have moved into
she beamed over the 5 items out of everything they had
that were salvaged.
She's a remarkable lady,
mother of 5 including a new friend in Louisiana
who sent me to HUG her,
but for a tiny little gal,
with a heart of platinum
on the strength of spirit scale
she's an ox!
And YES
I did say
"letter to MY parents."
After delivering her HUG,
(she got one SEND-A-HUG
and forty traditional hugs from me)
she asked for my parents address saying
"I've got to let your parents know what a wonderful girl you are."
My mom couldn't wait to read me the letter
the folks were extremely moved by her letter
having for kids and living in THEIR home now for almost FORTY years
it really hit close to home.
"Although, I already knew you were special," my Dad gushed over the phone.
Oh DAD!!!!

Did ya ever have one of those moments
where ya find yourself declaring
(either aloud or at top volume in your head)
"I WANNA LIVE!"
Yep, me too!
I was driving across the Causeway
(after already surviving a thunderous downpour, including some of the best lightning I've ever seen
the night before.
In fact it was the ONLY thing I could see while driving on the freeway
(probably going too fast at thirty miles an hour)
everyone had their hazards on.
It was crazy and exhilarating and sure
scary.
I was on this route to get to my new friend Jan,
drove two hours outta my way in this weather of all weathers
and just as I was reaching her exit
her husband called to say
that due to the weather
it would be best if I came tomorrow.
Deep breath,
My mouth said no problem
my mind was Linda Blair like
spewing comments like
"your momma eats kitty litter."
Then I caught myself
and sorta laughed
VERY VERY UN-SEND-A-HUG.
Laughed the whole thing off.
I proceeded to spend over an hour the next day
with Jan who's DEFINITELY become family.)
But back to epiphanies.
I took the Causeway to get to Jan's the following day.
At 24 miles long, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana
is the world longest over water highway bridge.
Apparently there's a low rate of cars plummeting into the Lake
but I was grateful for the
procedural runthrough of what to do
should I be one of the lucky few.
Making my way across the bridge
I marveled at the clouds ahead
beginning to feel very much like the hero
in a Sci Fi disaster movie...

Either the world was coming to an end
or certainly I would be beamed up momentarily by a UFO.
A GIANT black cloud completely enveloped the sky
I gave little attention to the white haze in front of me.
Other than to marvel and gaze and take photos
(while driving across the worlds longest over water bridge)
That was no white haze my friends.
At this point in my movie (now a thrilller), the films special effects department unloaded
enough water on me to put out the San Francisco Fires of 1906.
Jesus!!!!!!!!

I slammed on my brakes with no thought to traffic behind me
cause the only thought I was having
was
I wanna live!
And I did.
The end.

2006-05-04T23:04:00.000-05:00

Call me Johhny Appleseed or the Pied Piper
but the word must be out
that I'm takin' in animals.
A kitty at last nights camground
would not leave my side
small but round and very sweet.
"I caught myself thinking what a neat cat,"
and then I had to slap myself and yell
"snap out of it!"
Oddly enough Percy seemed to get along fine with the little fellow
whereas Weesie was havin' a hissy fit --
THAT'S where it comes from!!!!!
Anyway, Kitty jumped in my car over and over
and for a second I thought
"perhaps a trade...."
Oh Daisy, shame on you.

I'm in Ogallala, Nebraska
headin to lunch in Denver, CO
and soon
home sweet home.

Hmmmm, still considering the feline swap
as Weesie continues her campaign against Percy.
And yet
let's give credit, shall we.
they're laying down without incident
less than 4 feet apart.

2006-04-24T19:48:00.000-05:00

So much to share.
I guess that can happen when failing to check in for weeks.
Well, first and foremost there's the announcement
of the new addition to my family...
This is week's Beans.

She just showed up one day in my friends garage
skinny as a tooth pick with a HUGE, icky gash on her hind leg
and still...
affectionate as can be.
It might be about this time
folks are wonderin' how Percy feels about all this.
Well, there's some mutual curiosity
with a hint o' aggression
but thankfully a big dose of tolerance.
We even had a family sleep over in the RV,
All parties sleeping amicably through the nite
BOTH on the bed,
all three of us for that matter.
(Course I had Percy in a cuddle/headlock position at all times.)

Percy and I had a cute little television interview
on a local "Lifestyles" program here in Louisiana.
We even delivered a HUG to the camera guy
who's had a really tough go of it since the Hurricane
including
adopting a little homeless puppy who died three months later.
Here's Percy passing on the love as only he can do!

He was a HUGE hit in the studio
(less so on camera
as he slept through most of the interview.)

Although getting a bit antsy to head home
I gladly stayed to celebrate my friend Kelly's birthday.

SEND-A-HUG's been such a blessing in so many ways
one of which has been the quality bonding time with a friend
who I hadn't seen for years.
I feel like I've gained a sister!
She's been hostess, mom, confidant, cheerleader,
not to mention the member of my board of directors
among countless other roles.

Before leaving Louisiana, a local church group took me on a tour of the neighborhood they "adopted."
All the homes that we visited were wiped out by the Hurricane
and it's residents unable to pay for the rebuild.
This church has gone in, gutted, rebuilt AND refurnished several houses.
I have to say
church group across the nation have REALLY done MIRACULOUS work all along the Gulf Coast.
Whether one "believes" in organized religion or not
I'm continuously floored by the generosity, hard work and resources
of these giving and responsive folk!!!
BRAVO!!!!!!

Here are the lovely ladies who sang MY praises
which embarrassed me in the face of ALL that THEY have done!!!!!

I believe the words outta my mouth were
"that's the greatest thing I've EVER SEEN!"
Perhaps a bit dramatic
but it's rare that a gal from Los Angeles,
drives down the road and double takes
at what she THINKS is a giant, plastic cow.
in fact, it wasn't a real cow
it was a small herd of REAL cows
milling about in the middle of the road..

The humor of which topped by the neighbor
who ran outside in her curlers
yelling
"Shoo, go home!"
Ah, life in the country
can't beat it,
you know
until you can.
Heading home now,
but more Louisiana stories to come....

2006-03-29T19:59:00.000-06:00

Life's funny! Not funny ha-ha, or even funny peculiar. More like, funny marvelous. I've noticed that since the impending hope of publicity has arisen, I've been a bit distracted from the task at hand. Or shall we say, the HUGGING was seeming to feel more of a task. I was straying from the organic delivery of hugs and racing to be at specific locations so as not to miss a press opportunity. Each aspect, shooting, delivering, traveling it was all becoming spritzed with a slight sense of urgency.
(Urgency feeling a bit dramatic, but we'll go with that thought for lack of another word.)

Also, I've been getting about 5 hours of sleep a night, hugging by day
and arranging any and all aspects of SEND-A-HUG for it's maintenance and furtherance by night.

I felt like I was starting to lose sight of the mission,
to deliver HUGS where ever they are needed
...because a little hugs goes a long way!"

After getting out of the shower this morning, (I find that's where I do all my best thinking)
I realized I wanted to drive through some neighborhoods and deliver hugs to folks trying to clear out
their homes.

We (my pal, Shamus-local cameraman and I) came across a young guy working in one of the homes. I said, "Hey, let's pull over here and talk to this guy." "But he doesn't live here, he's just a builder," Shamus commented.
"That's okay, let's get his take on life after Katrina."
I approached the fellow, told him about SEND-A-HUG and asked him if I could interview him. "I don't much care for cameras," he replied.

No worries, I told him. And we started to chat. Turns out, the house is his. He bought it
30 DAYS BEFORE the Hurricane hit.

He's a fireman. Sunday was his assigned day to work, but he was supposed to be off on Monday. No one, however, got that Monday off. Everyone was told they had two hours to go to their homes grab some stuff and head back to work to help with the cities evacuation.

"I just went and grabbed a couple of shirts and pants. I didn't know my place was going to be flooded for 18 days, how could I?"

"Did the water go all the way up to your roof?" I asked him.
"Nope, just up to the top of the walls."
"JUST?!" No there's an amazing attitude for ya!

And he had the smile to match.
"What else can you do? You gotta go on."
And going on he is!

Up until 3 weeks ago he was staying in Baton Rouge in an apartment
he rented after the Hurricane, driving up to two hours, each way EVERY DAY
either to go to work or to gut his house.

He FINALLY got his FEMA trailer less than a month ago, and some insurance money...
that's a whole other story. He feels lucky that he's able to do all the work on his home himself.
All though a HUGE task, it's the only way he could afford to stay above board with all the costs
and the small amount of money being paid out by the insurance companies.

Between the insurance nightmare and the fact that families came back to homes that looked like this
it's a wonder folks stick around.
And yet, they can't afford not to.

And how bout this...
Brad, our hero, got a $300 electric bill for the month of September 2005.
He didn't end up having to pay, just part of the "humor" of the whole situation.

He gut the entire place and has most of the structure up and has done it all on his own.
Managing to do it all with that darn smile of his, of course no one can be up ALL the time
but I'll tell ya what, he's the true definition of HERO in my book.
Well, it goes without saying I HAD to give HIM a hug!
What a truly inspirational young man!

My next highlighted hero for the day...
Mr. Lionel Worthy. He calls himself Worthy
"The top name in the bible.," He told me as he introduced himself. Didn't necessarily no what that meant
but it did charm the heck outta me nonetheless.

Worthy and his dog duke had to be rescued from the attic of his home.
He was evacuated to Houston, Texas
and he can't take being away from his home although it's unsalvagable.
He feels like he can't move forward being away, nor is he at comfortable in Texas
especially now that his best friend, Duke ran away after arriving in the Lone Star state.
"He didn't like it none there either," Worthy said with a low hanging head.
Worthy's quite a character "a serious man" he calls himself,
with a sparkle in his eye that he can't hide.
He enjoyed receiving his traditional hug
but warned me not to hug him for too long (unable to hide his smile.)

His hug, Baby Goldilocks, was a most welcomed friend
that Worthy said he'd treasure as he treasured his much beloved
and extremely missed cohort, Duke.
His home is now wherever he parks his car.
Besides being utterly unliveabe, there's no electricity anywhere in the area
and Worthy said he'd never

As we left Worthy on the porch of his devastated home,
I looked back and saw him head to his car
where he sat, and contemplated what parking lot or driveway he'd be calling home that night.
It just about broke my heart!

2006-03-28T22:44:00.000-06:00

As of today
377 hugs delivered!
YAY!
photos and stories tomorrow!
Must try and get some sleep.
There's a lot more to this hugging business than meets the eye!

In the meantime
checkout what these folks are doing!

Same special people who brought joy to Waveland known as the New Waveland Cafe...
Say what you want about hippies
but no one, I mean
NO ONE
has brought as much delicious nourishment to
both body and soul
for the folks of the Gulf Coast than these
super loving, marveloulsly lively, hard working, truly giving folk.
AND
quite frankly
also sustaining many of the other angelic beings come from all over the country to pitch in!

2006-03-27T20:28:00.000-06:00

Hey ya'll,
Daisy & Percy are back in the saddle again.
We left our humble abode in our most modest mobile home on Monday, the 20th
in the pouring rain (only of course, because departure time plummeted from a prompt yet leisurely 11AM to a ridiculously tardy 7:30P. Whoops.) Stopped over in Indio, CA where we met a delightful young man who gave me my very first lesson in
backing up the RV while having the auto in tow. Man was that helpful and quite frankly, long over due! After stops in Tucson, Arizona and Ozona, Texas I FINALLY made it to Covington, Louisiana on Friday morning at 3AM.

Not before, however, a marvelous stop at my newly discovered, most favorite, on the road treat...
Cracker Barrel. How has The Barrel managed to woo me with such ferver you ask, where to start is my reply. First and foremost, those darn tootin tasty homemade biscuit of theirs!!! Yu-u-uuuummmmmm! With honey.... stop it! Also on their list of decadent deliciousness, the hashbrown casserole and light and crispy fried okra. My heart beats fast, just thinking about it! It would probably be more appropriate to say that their vittles are heart-STOPPING good. While one's relishing in their caloric bliss, a moment should be taken to enjoy the down home charm of the Cracker Barrel's decor
complete with 80 bazillion rocking chairs (available for purchase). Just when you're sure you've been as naughty as you can, there's the country store filled with gifts and knick knacks, something of which always finds its way to one of my seven nieces and nephhews AND the candy store which most definately finds its way to my tummy and the kids' parents.

I'd like to reiterate at this time how much I love RV life! The open road, the fine folk one meets on the way... There's just nuthin' like it!

But since time is ticking and I'm finding that there truly aren't enough hours in the day.
Let me update on SEND-A-HUG's status.

Well, I loved delivering hugs sooooo very much that my non-profit application is pending and I have an attorney and a business planner on retainer. Can't be much more official than that. Have also made up a logo and look forward to the unveil with ya'll.

I think the question that everyone tends to ask me, is are things much better now, over here and all I can say is
see for yourself. I can't begin to imagine how many years it'll take just to clean up, much less rebuild. We drove by some of the areas where we shot devastation footage and not one thing had changed. Even the same stray shoes were still lying in the street. It's utterly unreal. Shamus, my camera man, a local who also lost his home, is floored by the abandoned neighborhoods, "before, on any given day, you'd drive by in these neighbors and it would be packed. Kids playin the street, cars, parked up and down, neighbors visiting. I've lived here all my life and I've NEVER seen anything like it." Even more than the pummeled houses, it was the complete lack of life on the streets the blew his mind. On our way to deliver hugs, I HAD to pullover and use nature's restroom if you get my drift. We were stuck in traffic on a bridge for 2 hours (all because they were repainting the lines, all part of the small town charm package.
Anyway, being a good little camper, I answered the call of nature. I came off the exit and this is what I found.

Must get ready for my next delivery, but had to share with you a few of my latest huggees...

Catfish here is a wonderful man who was lookin for hug in dog form -- he lost his in the hurricane. All day long he kept walking by my little hug station, taking a quick glance and continuin on. Each time he'd slow down just a little bit more to get a handle of the activity taking place. Finally, he asked if I had a HUG that look like a lab. cause that was the one of his dogs that he missed most of all. "When they came to evacuate me, they didn't have room for my dogs. And I guess when they just couldn't make it back. I sure miss my dogs."
Mr. Catfish just about broke my heart and although I didn't have a dog with me at the time, I promised him I'd be back tomorrow with a dog especially for him. And you can bet your... there's hugged dog in my car right now, just jonesin' to keep Catfish company.

This is Abby, what she lacked in words she sure made up in smiles!

This is Abby's older sister, Alexis Their home didn't make it and the two of them along with their folks and little brother Donnie and the baby are staying with their Aunt. Alexis is a down right delightful gal, and I have a sinking suspicion we'll be keeping in touch.

Glad to be back and hugging and up and typing and sharing and doing and being and thanking and any minute now,
sleeping.

Everyone, please enjoy the new SEND-A-HUG website...

www.send-a-hug.net

that may not be offically up, but still worth a look, I think the loading page is awfully darn cute!!

2005-12-14T22:39:00.000-06:00

Nothing says it's time to head home
like an empty 16oz.
Dr. Bronner's soap bottle.
I've been on the road
over a month now
and it's starting to show.

I met my new pal Kennedy
at IHOP for breakfast
a few days after our magical meeting.
Howard the bear ordered the chocolate chip pancakes.

He's living happily
and huggfully
with a marvelous gal
who's given me
gift upon gift!

I just about fell apart
when she asked what was next for me.
Where will I live?
How will I earn a living?
What's the plan for getting SEND-A-HUG to take off.
YIKES!
She was friend enough to challenge me
and share her thoughts.
And as if that wasn't a priceless present
in and of itself
she gave me one of her beautiful
and I mean WOW!
STUNNING bracelets that retail
for more than any piece of jewelry I've ever owned.
I burst into tears!
What a gift --
the bracelet,
but even more
I know we'll keep in touch for life.

I've had moments delivering hugs
that have touched me forever.

Lester is another such moment
Lester is one of the lovely folks I met at Pearlington.
What a fellow, made me misty actually.
Thanked me but I feel that the debt of gratitude was mine.
He shared so much of himself
the pain of losing everything, the difficutly of having his family in Florida
while trying to rebuild their home in Mississippi.
In the photo above
Lester was wisking past me
and beamed when sharing that
all was looking up.
Couldn't happen to a lovlier fellow.
Strangely, coming across Lester
felt like running into family.

This young man was darling.
He's a little Teddy Bear himself.
It broke my heart when he asked me
to pose in his polaroid with him
so as not to frighten the child
who would be receiving the photo.

This sweet couple
made me feel special!
They wanted to keep a photo of
ME for themselves.

We're not the same age
but this little cutie pie and I
share the same birthday!
Hurray for Sagies!

And these little fellows are just plain darling!

2005-12-02T02:56:00.000-06:00

A date for your calendars!
No, not my birthday sillies,
although...

December 1st -- the day the final HUG from the
SEND-A-HUGS maiden voyage was delivered!

Rather momentous my friends!

I was in search of a shelter or other such place
and was directed to a Methodist Church
who connected me to their Angel Program.

They have an Alzheimer's group, and Genie,
the gal who runs it
very sweetly pitched her folks
"We're really good huggers
and love to write notes.
Won't you please come?"

Can you imagine...
"Hmmmm, lemme think about it...
nope."

Of course I went.

I had 12 hugs left.
There were 7 folks in their group
although, John, the only man,
very adamantly passed.

No prob.

After all, if it's forced it's not a hug.
Then it's just alarming.

(but he did startle me)

Well, one of the gals who worked with the program perked up
after seeing I still had hugs left.
"I wanna hug."

They were all affected by the hurricane in some way or other

at the very least

the Angel Group could no longer meet 5 days of week
due to storm repercussions.

The other two nice ladies received their hugs
and just as I was out the door with my last three hugs
in walk two High school girls who volunteer their afternoons.

One hug left, and TWO more girls walked in.

Uh oh!
How the heck did I work that out?
Aha!
You're gonna have to stay tuned and find out.
Riveting, no?!!

=)

All this hugging's exhausting, I can't go on."

"What? We're going home? Hold on Grandma, I'm coming!
Heck, throw in a greenie and I'LL drive!"

2005-11-29T22:51:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning Shamus & I began our day
driving through Lakeview, an affluent suburb of New Orleans

and then St. Bernard's Parish, a lower to middle class families live.
Unlike the Gulfcoast, structures are still standing
in St. Bernard's, but

there's an eerie-ness to the atmosphere that
I did not encounter in Mississippi.

Perhaps it's because death
seems more prevalent as indicated by
the markings on the doors.

On every door of every structure
in every area, in every state
affected by the hurricane
X's are drawn.

In each open space of the X
numbers and letters are recorded.

To the left, the agency who inspected the site
and the state they're from.
To the right, the status of the structure.
C = clear
NE = No entry

On top the date is written
and the bottom number
states matter-of-factly
how many dead were discovered.

CUT TO:

The REMA* "Thanks For Giving" Waveland Parade!
(*Rainbow Emergency Managment Agency)

What a contrast.
We somberly raced to the parade
fearing we missed it
yet not feeling particularly inspired to
watch a parade.

CUT TO:

ME

Skipping around IN the parade wearing my angel wings and white tutu delight.

I made it on the MSNBC website, go to:

http://risingfromruin.msnbc.com/2005/11/hippies_say_goo.html

This local fella made a float for himself
and proudly displayed his HUG in a place of honor.
That tickled the bajoobies outta me!

Beads flew through the air
as organic cheese fell from the sky.

Talk about the parade that cares -
ORGANIC CHEESE!!!

There was a poignant moment for me
as I watched a few of the locals scramble
to gather as much of the tossed food as possible.

I had a handful of cheese myself,
really out of self preservation.
Apparently the concern of contusion caused by cheese really inspires.

As items were thrown to me
really AT me from my new buddies
I in turn would distribute them to the spectators.
Running over bestowing beads
as if everyone had just arrived at their Hawaiian destination
except for the "did you get your cheese" inquiry.

"did you get your pineapple slice or Macadamia nut" would be more Hawaiian.

But I prefer organic cheese distribution.

Later, I previewed the footage and burst into tears.
The gift these people provided is immeasurable!
Not just for the locals but that can even be captured into words.
But also for the volunteers like the Red Cross and Disaster Relief Teams.

HEY! Did you know that Jan. 21st is SEND-A-HUG Day.
What are the odds.

Here's Shamus with his hug.
He was my camera man for two days and a hug recipient.
His place got flooded and to add insult to injury
a tree landed right smack dab in the middle of it.
He's quite a trooper and
an honorary Mertzel (even though he doesn't eat sweets.
That's gonna have to change if he wants to maintain his Mertzel status!)

Confession time, there was no rhyme or reason to how the hugs were handed out
it was all completely random, except for
the giant M&M.
This particular hug killed me!
The photo of the little guy hugging the heck outta this stuffed
candy the melts in your mouth not in your hand
was the cutest thing in the world.
Plus I was kinda hopin'
the M&M would start chatting with me outta the blue.

Huh? What?
Oh, did it?
Talk to me you wanna know...
maybe it did and maybe it didn't.
A girl has to keep some secrets.

It rode shot gun
and I planned on saving it for Doc.

I went back to St. Bernard's parish to donate some non HUG stuffed animals
at the request of a sweet, dimpled gal named Jill.
There was no one there but the various relief volunters and workers.
Except for this one little boy with his Pa Pa. (not papa)

Well, the M&M had met it's match!
This little fella was so darling.
DeJuan.

And he LOVED that M&M!

2005-11-28T01:18:00.000-06:00

I've been remiss in not posting this sooner
but I truly feel the need to apologize to all Soldiers!

Shortly after seeing the movie Jarhead and jotting my thoughts
I heard a piece on NPR covering soldiers in Iraq and their blogs.

www.npr.org/news/specials/wardiaries/archives.html

In their own voices they read from those blogs
sharing their experiences and fears.

I just have this to say
I may have opinions
but I truly have no clue about anything that's really going on over there.

Except for this...
the soldiers over there have given up their lives
lives that we enjoy every day that
must seem a distant movie viewed
who knows how long ago.

And whatever options or thoughts any one may have
the most important point that I came away with was this

With all my heart
I stand behind our American Soldiers 100%
and to presume to know anything else
about right or wrong

just seems to disrespect the men and women
giving of their lives on a daily,
momentary basis.

that's all
thanks for
reading me out.

2005-11-25T17:05:00.000-06:00

So now you've seen photo after photo
of Waveland since Katrina.

All of them looking
similar to this one.

And perhaps on the surface
these seem to
depict what Waveland's become.

Never judge a book by it's cover my friends.

For in the middle you'll find
a colorful centerfold of smiles, treats and joy
all thanks to the beautiful people at the Waveland Cafe
and their resolute and gracious guests.

That's where I was lucky enough
to spend part of my Thanksgiving.
(that's me hugging Jessika
one of my MOST favorite new friends.
The list of her fabulousness
could fill up a blog all its own.
But her smile tells ya all you need to know!)

I chopped no less than 40 onions
and cried me a river.

But that was the only
note of sadness
detected at that evening's feast.

All in attendence
had reasons all their own
for being thankful

but you can bet
we were collectively grateful

to be there
together
under the dome
of the Waveland Cafe.

I dubbed this area
"Turkey Alley;"
Preparation zone for
smoked turkey
fried turkey
Tofurkey turkey
All prepared
with loving hands
at "Turkey Alley."

There I stand in all my stature
with Junior
6 feet my senior.
It probably won't last.

Nothing could have made this
a more special Thanksgiving!
(Actually,
it's now
my dream
to celebrate
Thanksgiving
in this same
type environment
but share it with
all of my family and friends.)

How great
is Scoops
the Clown!!!!!

What a blessing for me
as I had the opportunity
on this magical day
to partake of delicious food,
enjoy lovely people
and deliver
generously
donated hugs.

It's funny in life how you wish for things
without even realizing your making a wish.

When I was a little girl
there was nothing I wanted more than
for one of my stuffed animals to come to life.
And several years later (nevermind how many)
my pal Percy came into my life.

Sometimes we don't even recognize
our granted wishes.
It took several retellings of how
Percy found me to put two and two together.

In much the same way
while LOVING my experiences at Burning Man

(go to www.burningman.com for further explanation --
or feel free to just ask me)

anyway, I noticed when telling tales of adventures at Burning Man
I always ended with
"I just wish I could take Burning Man
and bring it to the outside world."
Well, the Rainbow Group and friends
have gifted the hell outta me and an entire town!
They've literally answered prayers
and made dreams come true
for this hugger,
the folks of the town and
all those who came from far and wide to volunteer.
(pardon my language, I'm feelingly strongly about this.)

Well two very solid wishes granted
is nothing to sneeze at
but what the heck, I'm gonna go for broke...

Right then
the wish of the hour...
to make an honest living as a professional hugger.

And if I may be so bold
as long as I'm on a roll...

Wish upon wishing for
just the right producer for
SEND-A-HUG

and

hmmmmm,
well

save something for the sequel.

2005-11-23T22:05:00.000-06:00

STAY TUNED FOR THE FOLLOWING STORIES
katrina cough
shamus, my new camera guy
wings from the waveland cafe folk and their upcoming parade
"thoughts on hippies" from the locals
mary ann crying in my arms
folks seeing me on the news
dave in his yard with gnats & patches the cat
servin' up thanksgiving grub

2005-11-21T18:02:00.000-06:00

THIS POST WAS UPDATED on 11/25/05...

My friend from Covington,wanted to check out the damage in New Orleans.
I've known Kelly since 1990 and she's been taking
marvelous care of me and Percy
has researched camera folk for me and
hours of entertainment is provided by her boys
Henry (6), Patrick and Harrison the twins (4).

This first photo was taken in New Orleans.

You know how sometimes you're watching a tv show or movie
and you feel like their just showing
violence for violence sake...

I realize I haven't really shown ya'll
photos of the Mississippi Coast
and quite frankly I feel rather cheesy taking them.
It's like being a lookie loo of the worst kind,
more evil than the hwy rubber necker.
But I know that behind my camera,
peering behind the view finder
is the public at large, my family, and friends.

Kelly hadn't as yet seen what Katrina had done
to the city she loves to explore.
Frightening enough,
I've already become desensitized;
whereas certainly we saw damage and
mile high piles of debris,in New Orleans
it couldn't compare
to shock of Waveland, Bay St. Louis and Biloxi.

New Orleans got most or all of the press,
therefore I've felt compelled to concentrate
on Mississippi
where entire towns have been completely wiped out
except for the residents
who love their communities
are staying strong and plan on rebuilding.

You probably look at these photos and think
"there's nothing left, why stay."
Again... COMMUNITY. Being from Los Angeles
I had to look the word up in the dictionary.
Many of these folks and their families
have been here for generations.
This is the only place they know
and quite frankly
love the locale, the people, the camaraderie...

Photo after photo I clicked
while continuing to drive,
barely slowing down.
As the beep indicating my memory card was full,
I muttered aloud
while shaking my head...
there's no enough film in the world or
RAM on a disk to cover all
the carnage.

Honestly, I don't usually have a propensity for the dramatic
(hey, I heard that) but the area, areas was PUMMELED.
And perhaps by sharing these photos
a small explanation is given to family and friends
of why I feel so compelled to stay
and "do this right."
The hope is that on the grandest scale
I can inspire folks to take part.
No role too big or too small.

Heck, look what I'm doing.
Sometimes I compare what others have
accomplished or given
to my passing out of hugs.
But then I get out there
and before I can even deposit the hugs
into the HUG DEPOT
folks are crowding around my car.
Parents, kids and adults
who meekly ask
"Can anybody get a hug?"

I still get embarassed when they thank me
I still feel ridiculous when I say
"no, thank you."
But truly
the unabashed vulnerability,
love and courage they display
inspires the heck outta me
and keeps from quitting.
(A moment of honest --
I've had propensity for doing just that,
but that's past tense.)

On a lighter note: the Waveland Cafe.
My pal Annika, the Good Witch of the West
was kind enough to email the link for an
article written in the L.A. Times.
I share it with you now.

A Gospel and Granola Bond
--------------------

Two radically different sets of volunteers arrived in post-Katrina Louisiana to
feed the hungry, and their lives were changed forever.

By Elizabeth Mehren
Times Staff Writer

November 22 2005, 7:44 PM PST

WAVELAND, Miss. -- Days after Hurricane Katrina hit, they began cooking together
in a grocery store parking lot: evangelical Christians from Texas and Rainbow Family
flower children from all over.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/la-na-waveland23nov23,0,6596970.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Today I'll be servin' up grub with my new pals at the Waveland Cafe
as well as the folks at Pearlington.

Waveland is also know as "the hippie camp"
there's a spirit of joviality supplied by said hippies
that doesn't exist any where else.

Pearlington sure could use a boost, so
off I go!
Me and my hugs to bond with the locals and
the 80 zillions gnats waiting to greet me.

Happy Thanksgiving folks!
I think it may be a bit easier for us all to come up with
a list of things to be grateful for.
I'm most grateful to be here
and to have the love and support of MY community
out there!!!

=)

2005-11-17T18:31:00.000-06:00

Yesterday heading into Baton Rouge to meet "Scarecrow,"
I was on a strip of the I-10 that was very reminiscent of
the road to Emerald City.

Being "Dorothy" I'd know that.
It's a 2 line hwy for both directions, opposing lanes separated by
a lengthy stretch of green grass, perfect for bocce ball, (or so they tell me --
the proverbial "they")
or a skinny game of croquet.
Framing these roads were tall lush trees, creating the illusion
of approaching the magical green metropolis.
Tried to photograph said enchantment...

yeah,
not so much
unless your actually into
blurry bug carcasses.

Went to see Jarhead tonite.
(Silence.)

Strange to go see a movie
about war, killing and premeditated man-made destruction
when you're on a hugging mission
to promote love, kindness and human connection
post inexorable natural disaster.

In my head,
as I viewed soldier after soldier,
disembarking the destination Desert Shield airplane,

I imagined a deployment of huggers.

And I smiled.

Then I got back to the movie,
watched the depiction
of exploited boys,
and I cried.

Granted, anyone that knows me, is aware that I pretty much cry at every movie,
except maybe Elf, nope, got a little misty there too, but the thought of
"making things better" by killing people.

Scarecrow and I agreed, it's a fine line to walk,
opposing the war,
yet respecting, supporting, caring for those who go to war.
The soldiers aren't declaring the wars.
My heart breaks for the sincere love of country and reverence for our nation
that these brave individuals hold, and who earnestly believe and trust that those in charge
are serving the highest good.

What a sacred trust to brake, a true sacrilege.

HEAVY SIGH!

Whew, sorry folks.
I debated whether to go this route,
but heck, it's America.
Ironic.
Fighting for our freedom?
Against Hitler, I get that
but this?

You know, my dad brings up a good point that I'd like to interject here
(bare with me if you would...)

SEND-A-HUG
is a nondenominational, bipartisan, universal program open to all in need of a hug.
Huh, a little foreshadowing now that I think about it.
The Red Cross Public Affairs writer was doing a little article on SEND-A-HUG
and wanted to quote me as saying "I want to deliver hugs to soldiers."
I didn't actually SAY it to this individual but I sure as heck thought of it.
And now, look out Bob Hope (may you rest in peace) SEND-A-HUGs comin' to entertain the troops.
=)
It would be a really great idea.
Don't worry Dad, I'm not leaving for Iraq THIS week.

I will say this about pulling out now
it feels a bit like bringing a patient in for brain surgery
and midway through
the doctor declares
"oops, this was a mistake."

Well, he can't very well just leave the patient lying there with his head cut open
He DID go in and now it's his obligation to do right by the patient.

Let's move on...
I'd like to close with what will probably go down
as the quote of my entire journey.
Perhaps even a SEND-A-HUG motto.
Today I joined Arin aka Scarecrow at
an Interfaith Community Meeting in Baton Rouge.
The various religious organizations in the area pull together
to try and meet the needs of the Hurricane victims.
At least mother nature pulls people together and inspires the BEST of humanity.
(Oops, I said I'd move on and I didn't, I went the other way.)

So, we're at this meeting
and of course
many are expressing their disenchantment
with FEMA.
Questions are being raised about unpaid gas bills
and the real possibility of folks freezing as temperatures drop.

One man tried to explain that actions could not be taken until a proper
case management system was in order.
After all, we wouldn't want to inconvenience
folks by having case workers knocking on the door of their
unheated FEMA trailers every 15 minutes.

Amidst mumblings of "they wouldn't mind" and
"probably could use the company"
one of my new favorite personalities, "the mayor of munchkin city"
aka Rabbi Barry declares
"God forbid people get too much help.
Knock on wood we should be so lucky!"
(When reading this one must do so aloud as if they were Mel Brooks.)

His poignancy, coupled with the reminiscent charm
of my dearly departed elder Jewish relatives, captured my heart!

This is NOT actually
an elderly relative
it's my dad,
but how cute is he!!!

=)

Incidentally,
the good Rabbi later left me a message stating
"Daisy, this is Rabbi Barry,
it was such an honor to meet you.
If you need a place to stay,
please come to our house,
you're always welcome
just give us some notice,
about 65 seconds should be fine.
And I want to SEND-A-HUG.
My wife wants to send a hug,
my daughters want to send a hug
in fact, I'm sure my whole congregation wants to send hugs.
It's brilliant, I wish I had thought of it."

Well Rabbi, I may have started SEND-A-HUG, but you sure as heck
know how to SPREAD-A-SMILE!!!!!

God forbid there's too much help.

God Bless ya, Rabbi Barry!

2005-11-17T13:00:00.000-06:00

I've said it before,

but I'm feeling soooo Dorothy,

what with my little dog,
Percy too!

Although for me,
there is no evil witch,
I guess if there was
her name is Katrina.

While skipping down
the yellow brick highway

- interstate 10,

I've had the good fortune
of meeting so many
marvelous characters.

Doc's probably the wizard,
although I haven't actually me him yet.

Tonite I'll be meeting Scarecrow,

his name is Arin and he's a volunteer
in Baton Rouge with Relief International.

The cowardly lion
would definitely have to be our pal,
Ivan from the Red Cross Public Affairs office.

And the Tin Man, well, believe it or not,
I'd have to say Chad from Fema.
He's been most supportive and agreed to show me
what their calling "Ground Zero."

Most special of all,
lovely and magical,

Glenda the Good aka
my camera gal and
most special of special pals, Annika.

The joke I recited, and believe me it's become all too serious,
was how the heck did I ever function
before I hung with Annika.
Well, it's no joke people!
I'm not laughing now.
What should have been a 7 hour drive from Austin
sadly transformed into an 8 hour trek.

AND, even Amy's delicious ice cream
in Austin, Texas
left me a wee bit empty without out my food cohort.
Oh sure, I finished it in about 5 seconds flat, but still,
not the same without the participatory critiquing and the
ooooo-ing and ah-ing,
the tasting and plotting
perhaps even splitting another one just for the heck of it.

heavy sigh

A couple of other enchanting cameos:

Pat and Joe

were hands down a major highlight for us --
when I say us, it' cause Annika was still with me for this one!

It was after our second day of hug deliveries, I was ceremoniously dropping all the HUG thank you letters into the post box while holding Percy with Annika capturing it all for posterity. From across the street, a voice yells out, "Don't mail the dog!" And as I was laughing he continued, "unless of course you've got the appropriate postage." Good one! We continued I circled around the mailbox while Annika got some driving footage.

"Well, ya gotta tell us what you're doing now!
For the love of god, tell us what you're doing."
How can ya not respond to that plea?!

So we pulled over while the fellas crossed the street.
After explaining the SEND-A-HUG program and the reasons for getting it all on tape...
to spread the awareness for all the help still needed, the quantities of folks in need, all the fine folks from all over volunteering their time and the shocking wreckage that seems unrecoverable. (I'm gonna go ahead and stand by the use of that word, although I feel very strongly that Webster would frown upon it.)

"What you need to see is Howard street, have ya been there? Come on we'll take you." So our new friends, Pat, who in his previous life was successful drummer earning his living playing several times a week in the more than 50 clubs smattering the area -- as compared to the now, FOUR in existence; and Joe a handsome young man making good money at one of the local swanky casinos, the two of them now getting by clearing debris from a storage facility, offered to be our guides.

We followed their pickup inconspicuously in the motorhome towing the mobile hug depot.

"so was this a park?" I gazed out over an empty lot with some grass and a slab of concrete.
Joe laughed and with his darling southern accent corrected me
"that's where a building used to be."

They pointed out hotels, and then redirected their pointer fingers 5 blocks down the road to the casino
that USED to attach to the hotel now 5 blocks a way.

Bridges completely wiped out, bridges that cut traffic travel time in half and more.
All of it looking like foreign sea structures just discovered
jutting out of the open waters.

As they were leading us back on our way,
Joe stuck his arm out the truck window
indicating something on the horizon.
The signal was still red,
he got out of the truck and ran over to us
"That's where I used to work.
It looks fine from this angle
but on the backside
facing the water
it's demolished."

Then he jogged back into the truck
and we could see
he and Pat joking back and forth
enjoying eachother's company
as if out for a Sunday drive.

How's that for keeping a sense of humor.

I guess the various community folk we're hugging would be the Munchkins.
Whereas, we're providing a service (aka Dorthy's service of killing the wicked witch)
the people here are constantly bestowing their gifts upon us:
inspiration, warmth, generosity of spirit, courage,
and an intimacy that is not displayed in the everyday life experience.

Hard to categorize the firemen in from Virginia and Kentucky,
but they certainly added to the adventure,
offering encouragement, appreciation and a lot of laughs!

Lurking out there somewhere is a photo of Annika and I
standing on the front bumper of a fire truck joined by all the fellas.
I near broke into song, there was a Broadway musical feel about the staging of the picture,
especially when the boys put their hands out to escort us down.

They did confirm a little rumor I heard earlier this year.
I boldly asked, "Hey, is it true that when a girl wave's to a fire engine,
you assume she "wants you."

They were most caught off guard when

One of those deafening silent pauses took over
as I sort of caught them off guard
and then some backpedaling, "oh, well, uh I don't a... you know, not EVERY girl, but uh, well maybe..."
One brave officer comically raised his hand then used it to cover the station info on his t-shirt,
"YES it is!"
And we all had a good chuckle.

The hug concept went over very well with the fellas,
perhaps maybe even a little too well.
I had to give 'em the ole, "okay now boys, settle down."
We took a little time out to be serious
and I asked 'em what's made the most impact on them,
being out here and they all seemed to instantly get teary and quiet...
"the people, absolutely, the people." As if a team chant or prayer,
they all shook their heads and repeated,
"the people." What also struck me with the firemen
as with our nifty buddies, Joe and Pat,
the camaraderie that's built out of crisis is like nothing else.
One of the guys from the Prince William County, Virginia Fire Station
seemed particularly moved by the friendships he built with the other men.

After spending an hour with Pat and Joe I assumed those fellows went WAY back! Nope, they JUST met after the Hurricane, working at the storage facility. Annika and I were floored. They had such a way of boosting each other's spirits, jokin' around and creating that feeling of home, I felt blessed. It's true in the worst of times, the best of humanity is revealed.

2005-11-11T08:23:00.000-06:00

This photo was taken outside of "Pearlmart" in what used to be the town of Pearlington. A town alive and kicking ONLY because it's community decided to stay and rebuild the town they've called home for many years.

Well it's official, HUGS are being delivered!

After a delayed start, and again I'd like to
send a huge virtual HUG to my pal DOC,
who may very well be the loveliest fellow on the planet,
and HUGS to his family and especially his mom.
His father passed away on Monday night. All the family
surrounding dad as he went.
Shortly there after, DOC checked in with me,
to see how I'm doing. Amazing!

Sadly we carried on our SEND-A-HUG adventure without DOC, but
were received with open arms by his assistant and nurse in the clinic,
Renee. She had us follow her home in the RV, car full of HUGS in tow.
She had us in her house, adopted us really.
We kibbitzed in the living room where she sucked us into the dramatic world of lifetime television.

I've have SOOO much to share with ya'll (see the south's rubbing off on me) but internet's been a bit sparse and all my free time is now being spent in American Red Cross Shelters passing out hugs.

What an amazing experience that's so hard to convey. Especially without pictures. Which I DO have but are unavail at the time.

Spent all day yesterday in the town of Pearlington Mississippi which technically no longer exists. The only structures left representing this town are the Library and the school. Both were damaged, but all else was completely destroyed. The town indeed would no longer exist except for the fact that most of the town's people have remained.

For those of us lacking a great love for our communities it's hard to comprehend why anyone would remain in a completely uninhabitable area. In hugging these folks who have so much warmth and so much to share, through teary eyes, time after time the same sentiment is repeated, they want to stay and rebuild the town the adore with the people they cherish. Now more than ever.

Whereas many of the other shelters, while much smaller have a rather heavy air of defeat, these folks in Pearlington get so much joy out of just being together. Many I've spoken to do have alternative living options, but they wouldn't dream of skipping out on their community. Each person seems to boost the other.

And as they approached me, smiling and offering encouragement for SEND-A-HUG, they often wept and confided that it was the continuous flow of folks taking time out from their lives to come in to their town and share of themselves that kept them going day after day and gave them the fortitude and the confirmation that staying to see their town through this complete devastation was the right decision.

In all honestly, when I created and set out to SEND-A-HUG the effects of the program on the volunteers never occurred to me. I was embarrassed by the accolades given to me by these people spending week after week away from their families, living in the shelters in tents or on cots along side the folks they've come to aid.

And yet they insist, that although they are providing the essentials, SEND-A-HUG is comforting and provided much needed encouragement, love and support for all those in the area. I share this not to congratulate myself, in all honesty there have been many a moment down the road when thoughts of doubt have crept in. Wondering if SEND-A-HUG was ridiculous, silly fluff. These people, the adults more than anyone light up as they receive their cuddly hugs from folks across the country.

So I share this with you all in case anyone of you have had inspirations of assistance and wave them off as too small or inconsequential.

I personally would be honored to encourage any person requesting such.

Must now drive to Austin and sadly say goodbye to my marvelous pal and camera gal, Annika who's so generously given of her time and dag-nabbitt has been fun-as-all-get-up to have around. But a gals' gotta earn a living. So I will spend the next two days driving to and from Austin to come back and continue the HUGS.

I know the Universe will provide just the right camera person, although I certainly can't expect to match the marvelous of my compadre Annika. With the Universe in mind, I'd be most grateful to anyone who could give me and the Universe a hand and throw out some ideas.

=)

2005-11-06T22:51:00.000-06:00

Here's a question that I'll pose to all you RVers.
RVers, that is, that have the press-on map of the United States inside their rig.

Does one apply each state as one passes through,
or is it a matter of "earning" each state
through the experience of staying overnite
or at least participating in some sort of activity other than filling up?

Filling up or utilizing the restroom.
Cause if bathrooms count, then I'll tell ya what
I'm applying ALL states.
Sadly
its non-stop stopping
to pee
for me.
On the one hand, I must confess
I'm thrilled to be drinking so much water.
Usually a 16oz bottle lasts me a week - no exaggeration.
(I've got witnesses.)
However, all this intake of the universal solvent
is really dipping into my driving productivity.

It's Sunday nite and we're two hours away from Greensville, Mississippi
where we will meet Doc Myers in person for the first time.
I must confess
I'm a smidge nervous.
I was joking with Annika, my pal and camera gal
"What if I start passing out the Hugs
and the folks start in...
'that's it
we've lost our houses and you're givin' us
stuffed animals?'"

I don't FEEL like that's gonna happen
but
they'd have a point, no?

Well, enough of that.
In the meantime
just a few moments I missed earlier
that should not be skipped.

Names of favorite pit stops:

LOAF 'n JUG

Kum & Go

(love to take a poll:
named by a man, or a woman?)

Unfortunately we were unable to take advantage of the
Interactive Kool Aid Exhibit In Hastings, Nebraska.
I can only assume this was an opportunity I will regret for some time to come.

That and the World's Largest Truck Stop at Iowa 80.

Seriously, I'm a shoe-in for that kinda stuff.
How disappointed in me am I?!
Very!

Well, believe you me
they've been jotted down on the list of things to do!

But, who knew The Cracker Barrel was so darn tasty
and down home hospitable ta boot!

On our way out of Chicago
we hit some seriously exciting weather.
(Watson, Illinois)

Well, let me clarify
one person's nightmare
can be another's thrill ride
(especially if she's from Los Angeles, California
and never gets the chance to drive in the middle of
tornado conditions
i.e.
MAJOR wind gusts,
a DELUGE of rain
a smattering of shattering hail
blinding lightning with
clear bolt definition
and nerve rattling thunder that rattled
the heck outta the rig.

(more Watson)

I LOVED it!
Annika, not so much.
This is a good time to inquire within...
What happens if lightning hits a moving vehicle?

Educated responses would be most appreciated!

(and now you've seen just about all of Watson.)

In the interest of protecting the innocent
on occasion I choose not to disclose certain conditions.
Could I have shielded Annika from the distress of the storm
certainly I would have
and perhaps it behooves us that she's the ying to my yang
and vice versa.

This next particular occasion,
although in retrospect providing hours of entertainment
certainly contributed to my gray hair output.

I'm not exactly sure how it happened.
One minute we sailing along
road conditions swell
life is good
spirits are high
and for once
I don't need a pit stop.
Ah, 46 miles to the next town
we can make that.

20 miles later...
What! SEVENTY six miles to the next town
oh for love of GOD.

"Hmmm, interesting" I comment out loud.
"What's that?" inquires Annika.
"No, nothing, I just thought that the next town was coming up a little sooner."

And that was all I said.
"Oh it's gonna be fine" I told myself.
"It's just not in the cards for us to run out of gas,
I'm sure of it."
I can be pretty convincing
and I had me buying it for a while there.
Until
the steep hills ensued.
Hill after hill after climb after climb
and soon those familiar cheap gas pings
I had so easily become accustomed to
seemed to taunt me
"you're running out of ga-as."
"ha
ha ha
ha
ha
HAAAA!"

Soon I was leaning forward to help the cause
hands clutching the wheel
palms sweating so much
hands had to work overtime to maintain their clutch.

It was at this time that I experienced the moral dilemna of not being forthcoming.
There seemed to be no point in needlessly worrying Annika
when I was confident it would work out.
But now that all signs pointed to the contrary,
do I prepare her for the worst?

Or, perhaps, when her concern for the vehicles malfunctioning arises
I could console her by reassuring that
no, we're not breaking down,
it's okay
we're just running out of gas.

In the midst of my mental debate
Annika casually mentioned aloud
"Guess we're gonna need gas pretty soon."

And before I could implement my poker face
I blurt out
"OH MY GOD YES!!"

We laughed
and then I laughed again nervously
and then continued to laugh HYSTERICALLY
until it seemed possible the paper bag we have to be bust out.

I was so relieved the information was out there
that I missed the exit for gas.
Slammed on my brakes
and took a deep breath
before backing up and
thanking GOD like I've never thanked him before.
Seriously though, thanks BIG GUY!
WHEW!

Heart palpatations just writing about it.

I close with a photo of my handsome pal, Percy
looking most dashing in his winter ensemble.

And with him wondering when the heck I'm gonna quite typing and get to sleep.

BIG BIG day tomorrow, the first official day of handing out hugs.

It's the true test for SEND-A-HUG.
Cross your fingers and send-us-a-hug.

2005-11-05T01:15:00.000-06:00

These photos are from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Only saw the block housing the Trail Coffee House,
but what I DID see screamed charming.
Rumor has it I encountered most of the charm the town had to offer
but I refuse to surmise.

Well kids, we leave Saturday for Mississippi and will be meeting Doc
of the Myers Foundation on Monday, November 7th.
He will be our HUG delivery liaison, driving us around to the various areas
where folks are staying until a permanent home can be acquired.

Chicago's been a nifty little (or perhaps not so little) stop over.
I'm afraid we've gotten soft,
but will get back into gear once we soak in the open road.

The new Chicago BEAN. Parts of the Bean are still bein' buffed.
But it's quite a stunning feat of craftsmanship and innovation!
A good time's had by all who come to experience
the bean!

Reception to the SEND-A-HUG Campaign has been
most heartwarming and encouraging.
The plan is to setup as a nonprofit organization so this can be ongoing.
As previously posed, how can you put a limit on hugs?!
There are folks all over the world under many a circumstance
that should and must be hugged.

Figuring out how to arrange SEND-A-HUG events nationwide
and eventually globally is also a feat for tackling.
Hug Depot sponsorship will be the next focus upon our return
from the maiden
SEND-A-HUG voyage.

2005-10-31T11:56:00.000-06:00

Perhaps we should take a moment to go back a bit and give a little SEND-A-HUG background.

The SEND-A-HUG Campaign was born out of a desire
to personally connect with those devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

After donating money to several organizations, I still felt a bit... empty.
Although happy to contribute, I somehow wanted the folks on the Gulf Coast to know I was thinking of them.
Really, I wanted to give them each a hug.
This same sentiment was felt by friends, family, coworkers, the cashier at the market (you get the idea.)

Recently I visited a few different friends in the hospital, always with stuffed animal in tow.
I loved watching their expressions and instant reaction to hug their new pal.
The exact same response came from both children and adults both in the hospital
and when I worked with the homeless.
It made me misty when the adults would gently ask "may I have a stuffed animal too, please."
I was astounded and very touched, that although they appreciated the other items distributed
what they most wanted was a little friend to hold onto.

And so, the SEND-A-HUG Campaign was born,
while weepily driving my car listening to story after story of devastation and loss.
It's a way people can personally connect to to folks thousands of miles away.
All one has to do is get a new stuffed animal,
have their photo taken while hugging the cuddly creature.
Attach the photo, with a note and a self-addressed envelope to the hugged pal
and it's ready to be delivered to someone who could really use a hug.

Doctor Reverend Ronald Myers of the Myers Foundation in Mississippi,
emailed me and wrote "please come and deliver badly needed hugs."
Uh, my heart! I can't get there fast enough!!
Go to www.myersfoundation.com for more information regarding our very first hug delivery.

Percy, my puppy, and I are headed there now,
to Mississippi to personally deliver each hug
and take the photo of every recipient with their hug,
so we can mail it to the original hug sender.

(I tried downloading the SEND-A-HUG flyer
but Blogger's not havin it.
Feel free to go to www.travelhound.tv
for a peek, but please note
it's still underconstruction
but we have high hopes for the future.
Yep, I'm wearin' shades.)

Often I catch people saying they'd love to volunteer with the homeless
or be a big brother/sister, but unfortunately they can't find the time.
SEND-A-HUG provides folks the opportunity to really make a difference with just a little effort.
It's also a great way for families to contribute TOGETHER!
They can pick out the stuffed animals together, take turns taking eachother's photos
and together can open their returned self-addressed stamped envelopes
and experience the joy of seeing the faces of the people they've connected with.

Truly, the list of locations in need of hugs is endless.
The hope is that eventually there will be an endless flow of hugs,
for all people in need,
"because a little hug goes a long way!"

At the moment funding is being provided by the sale of my condo.
Yep, I sold my condo and quit working
so that I could make SEND-A-HUG a reality.

Honestly, it's the best thing I've ever done.
I've finally found exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life.
I plan on traveling the globe delivering hugs.
The beauty of a hug -- it has no language barrier.

****

Besides realizing that I've got to improve my backing up skills with regard to towing
it's occurred to me that IÂ’ve really got to bone up on my knowledge of mechanics.
For example, my car battery has died three times now AND
I'’m not even driving it.
There'’s a power connection from the RV to the Matrix
so that when I stop and signal the car will relay that info as well.

Okay sure, leaving the key turned on in the ignition all night was probably a bit brainless,
but OTHER than that little snafu, I felt like everything was copasetic. Oh contraire mon frere.

Finally, I decided to call my pals at Majestic RV in Thousand Oaks, CA who installed the tow hitch.
I spoke to Jason who schooled me in the art of hooking up the car.
"Hey, so Jason, my car battery keeps dying, what's up with that?" "Oh yeah, what most people do," he informed me, "is unhook their battery or install a switch." "Hmmm, fascinating, that would have been a great tidbit to share with me when I was learning the ins and outs of towing, no?" "Oops, sorry about that," he laughed apologetically.
In the meantime, I've had to get a jump in every state. Although, I must confess, it is a great way to get to know the fine people of this country.

After a long day of driving and a longer day of not eating,
and aimlessly looking for nonfast food cuisine we ended up partaking of dinner
at the Texas Road House Â– in Wyoming. Not only was the food decadently delish,
including their award winning ribs, but after hearing about SEND-A-HUG,
our waitress, Jenna and the manager, Josh participated!
Josh was also kind enough to arrange yet another jump for my car.

How great is that.
Tack on a trip to Target and these gals we’re ready to get back in the saddle again.

Bedazzling witches for Halloween and bedazzle them we did!
As much as I'd like to take credit for coining the phrase "bedazzling witch"
it was our good friends at Target who came up with that descriptive gem.

Look at me blogging for you all in my ensemble at the Trail Coffee House in Cheyenne Wyoming.
Probably the all time BEST pumpkin muffin I every had AND
Rebecca, the darling gal behind the counter who gave us treats for
sportin' costumes, also jumped on the SEND-A-HUG bandwagon.

2005-10-29T01:31:00.000-05:00

I'll tell ya what folks

there has GOT to be a way to earn a living

with this SEND-A-HUG business.

I've been on the road for a day and a half

and I may have to get my cheeks surgically deflated.

I almost iced my face, it's THAT sore from smiling!!!

Last night on our way up to collect a large contingency of hugs we stopped into Andersen's Pea Soup for dinner. When the heck did they start the "no Cheddar cheese spread after 8pm policy?!" So wrong.
And the kids menu previously large and chock full o'fun, a mere fly fold-up, hardly worth the green crayon's time. But, I've always been a sucker for the touristy photo op...

Today we (me, Percy and my pal & camera gal, Annika rolled up to the Matthew Turner Elementary School in Benicia, CA.

I'd love to throw some props out to one of my new all time favorite gals, Desiree Jansson, what a gal!!!

Shocking really, she arranged the SEND-A-HUG drive at her school.
All I can say is I sure wish I had HER for a teacher.
She's one of those kinds of teachers that even the little girls have crushes on
cause they all wanna be like Mrs. Jansson.

Benicia, northeast of San Francisco, a delightfully charming little nugget of a town where the folks couldn't be friendlier and the views are heart expanding.

No view more breathtaking, however,
than the sight of the 60 kids
sitting indian style on the floor of a mini amphitheatre
packed to the hilt with hugs.
(Sadly, NOT pictured here)
BUT, it took about four hours to go through all 160
(that's right, one hundred and sixty)
stuffed animals, checking for photos, self-addressed stamped envelopes,
and getting them to fit in the Toyota Matrix

which proudly displays SEND-A-HUG car magnets.
(I promise to get that photo to ya'll post haste.)

After entertaining 60 kids

and collecting 3 times the amount of hugs,

not to mention bestowing quite a few himself,

Percy was one pooped little puppy.

It's been raining all night and its magical. The pitter patter of droplets on the fiber glass roof. It's really rather romantic (in a non-candlelight sort of way.)

We stopped for lunch at the First Street Cafe

-- written up in none other than Bon Appetite Magazine for their Crab and Artichoke open face sandwich --
well, when in Rome... and yu-u-u-u-um!!!!!!!!!!!! Deeeeeelish!
Super decadent, especially when you consider the
not one,
not two but
THREE
desserts
we got to go.

There are moments in my life when I think: I really like me.
I experienced such a moment when I suggested we whip out the chocolate cake during a serious traffic jam.
And we've decided, Annika and I, that if everyone ate chocolate cake while waiting stopped on a freeway,
the world would be a much better place!
Maybe I'll institute RIDE W/CAKE
after SEND-A-HUG's run it's course.
Although, we've also surmised that if peoples all across the land
participated in SEND-A-HUG
imagine what a well adjusted world we'd be!

After a most scrumptious meal,
we strolled about the street stretched with enticing shops.
And just when I thought a nicer gal could not be happened upon (after the lovely Mrs. Jansson),
we came across two more: Paula and Renee at Studio 41.

Forget the fact that you could spend days upon days in that shop
and still not see all of the marvelous trinkets, eye candy and jewelry,
but those darn gals went so far as to invite us to plug our RV into the front porch of their home.
CUT IT OUT!
NOT makin this up folks.
This is what the good people of America are like.
And if your not buyin' it, then get out of your houses, out of Los Angeles and see for yourselves!

But wait, there's more!
Ya know how the plan was to hit Chicago when I was shooting TravelHound along route 66 --
which of course ends (or begins) in Chicago.
Oddly enough, although we're headed to the coast of Mississippi, we've managed to make Chicago "on the way!" WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!

And with that my friends, I must snooze I gotta lotta states to stick on that map (a present from my pals Jim & Joyce of Star Spangled banner fame on TravelHound -- everyone who's anyone in the RV world has one!)

nighty night, and may the road call to you in your dreams!

2005-10-16T10:51:00.000-05:00

The following entry was written on August 11th, but never posted:

Have you ever felt like the bottom of the bath water, that part that seems to just whirl around and around
and yet seemingly getting nowhere?
That was my homeward bound driving experience.
After a delightful visit with my pal, Chick at the Route 66 Museum in Victorville, CA

(wanted to give her - her 75th bday present - the "It's nice to have friends all over the Universe" piece by Louis Buchetto, the Flagstaff, AZ artist.)

During our visit Chick informed me that the TravelHound coverage of Brownie the Railroad dog's grave saved Brownie's grave from desecration. I don't know if she was exaggerating, but I couldn't be more thrilled and percy of course is beside himself or me or both.

Anyway, from there I proceed to sink deeper and deeper into a world of lost, hot and angry - it was ugly!!! You know how you're in your own world of pain, a depth of dark despair that seems to have no final resting place, I went to that lonely, awful place and it was terrible.
Upon leaving the Museum I had mapped out a route that although was off the beaten path SEEMED to be more direct. I proceeded down the desired hwy, however the direction I headed was most undesirable. "That's okay, these things happen." Having NOT gotten too far out of my way, I merely turned around and head the appropriate way - West on the 18 towards Palmdale (passing the 15 - which any schmoe can take, but not me no sir I'm a TravelHound, I'm an explorer up until the last mile!) As I pleasantly rolled down the road I noticed a sign for the 18W which seemed to go inconjunction with the 15south, hmmm, interesting I pondered as I passed right on by. Well, what to make of this, I wonder what road I'm on, shall I turn around, surely a sign will imerge and show me the way as has always been the case. AHA!!! Look at that I'm on Route 66 -- how destinatious. I began my trip on Route 66, makes perfect sense to end it as such. Hmmmmm, hhmmmmmm, driving, driving. What! Entering Barstow. Oh for the love of... well, I'm most definitely headed the wrong way and have certainly sealed the deal as to whether I'd be making Charlie and the chocolate factory with my nephews. Called my sister, "i can't believe it, I suck, got lost, went the wrong way, never gonna make it" And she supportively laughs, "happens to me all the time, don't worry about it, call me when you get closer." Well, things went from bad to I'm gonna kill myself or someone else!! It was hot, I took a random, out of the way what the hell was a thinging, I hate my guts route and an 1 1/2 later I was just arriving in Palmdale. AFter begging Percy to go PEE PEE, I get back in the RV to hear my sister's message, "on the fwy now headed to the movies where are you." And I lost it. What, she's locked me out of her house in this bazillion degree weather. Why wouldn't she check on my status -- how come she didn't use telepathy to know exactly what I was dealing with and that I was barely hanging on! "Hi ya Daisy, where are ya?" "I'm in Palmdale, where are you!" "Headed to the movie, you're gonna make it right?" I'm in Palmdale, please tell me you didn't lock me out of your house." "Oh yeah, it's locked, where are you?" WHAT!!! I;'ve been driving for 6 flippin hours what the hell, work with me try and put yourself in my shoes -- seriously, you locked me out!" "Geez, remain calm and put the air on." It IS ON I'm driving a TRUCK its not like a car, why are you torturing me." "Oh, there's a key." What key WHERE! Anyway, you get the drift it wasn't pretty. I lost it or so I thought I had. After flipping out on my sister I get back on the road. The little red beater car is going way to slow in the fast lane. I go around him am driving in the slow lane and now he decides to speed up -- IN THE SLOW LANE!! Honestly, I screamed profanities I didn't even knew I was aware of and my head didn't just do a 360 it literally POPPPED right off my neck!!! I had to clutch onto the wheel with my right hand while I fished around with my left to try and grab my noggin. Which was tough since my eyeballs were on the floor next to the brake pedal noticing that I really ought to take better care of my feet. Poor Percy! I took a deep breath, which isn't quite as satisfying when your head's detached but nonetheless recognized my insantiy and sad state of affairs, collected myself, including reattaching my cabeza and laughed. Whew! Apparently I needed that, felt worlds better. But boy was I exhausted and still not quite sure where I was. had to pull over again and collect my thought - easier to do now that all extremeties were placed accordingly. Okay, go to mom and dad's take a break and continue onto the nephews after traffic hour. SO I decide to sneak over the folks, feeeling confident they wouldn't be home, I was in no condition for visitations. Oh, better just let them know I plan on coming over to decompress. "Hi Dad." Daisy! Where are you! "Dad, I need to ask you a big favor. You're on your way out right, cause I'm about ready to kill myself or someone else and I really REALLY just need to stop driving and take it easy. I'm just not up to talking to anyone." "Oh, hold on Joel wants to talk to you" (our relatives in from out of town.) In the short time I was on the phone with him I almost missed my exit and got into an accident trying to make it. "Hey Aunt Daisy, get over here and you drive careful." I'm so embarrassed, in the excitement of almost ending it all i said the f-word under my breath. n ot sure if he heard me, but if youre out there cousin joel, it wasn't dire cted at you, it was just sheer terror talking. And then... laughter. Ah, the humor of it all, of me taking myself so seriously, of the Universe conspiring to make it all soooo ridiculous I'd juist have to laugh.

Still new firsts in the RV coming my way: showered in my RV for the first time.
I'll be honest it was much more pleasant than anticipated. Perhaps it was the way the camera man scoffed at my shower when he saw it for some reason I thought, perha[s my shower is unworthy. Oh contraire mon frere, it was refreshing and bright -- thanks sky light, and a bit of an adventure. For a minute there I was pretty darn sure I had locked myself in.

Although I missed the movie, it just made the joy of my first hosted slumber party all the sweeter. My first night back in town I parked infront of my sister's place and the boys slept over.

Proceed of course, the following night by parking in front of my brother's house and the girls slept over. In fact, we held Mertzel card nite in the mini TravelHound mobile home. It was quite a squeeze getting all 13 of us in there. (3 Mertzel's were missing).
Now I'm parked at the beach soaking up my little stake of beach front property. Percy seems rather perky over the whole thing. We're ocean people, not that either of us actually go IN, but just looking at it puts a wag in both of our tails.

It's feasible that RV life may be losing it's luster. In all fairness to my mobilehome, it could just be my need NOT to be mobile that's now putting a damper on this un-adventure. It's one thing to be bouncing from town to town site to site encounter to encounter. But, coming back home and needing stay put in one spot -- mostly because I now have two sets of wheels. The Matrix, my turbo station wagon AND the Phoenix Cruiser. Using the RV as an everyday car proves to be less than practical, don't even care about the gas prices, it's really just the whole spatial issue around parking. So, now when changing venues becomes necessary I must constantly plot and plan and enlist an assistant. I'm most grateful for the delightful aid thats come my way -- but a fiercely independent gal has a hard time with a continuous state of neediness. Sure it's okay if someone ELSE needs me, but not so comfy for me having the shoe on my foot.

I type to you now from the Walnut RV Park in none other than Northridge, California, which is pretty darn hi-larious considering I'm from Northridge and have fought living here tooth and nail. My space is out of reach of the wireless internet and I had to refrain from typing to brace myself as the 10:20pm amtrak went blaring by. Ah, the mystique, the glamor that IS RVing in the Valley - "like oh my god," indeed!

2005-07-26T11:58:00.000-05:00

From: auntdaisy@earthlink.net
Subject: TravelHound - sniffing out the sights
Date: July 24, 2005 9:54:45 PM PDT
To: amyjunius@6degreesinc.com, sonnova@comcast.net, auralfixasean@yahoo.com, amanda@riverstreet.net, lana.andrews@bydeluxe.com, amynadine13@yahoo.com, fromemma@sbcglobal.net, ailtis@hotmail.com, squee8@comcast.net, aronic7@hotmail.com, ann@annhowley.com, alex@philsfilms.com, and 85 more...

It got chilly last nite and stayed brisk throughout the morning.
I never thought I'd be so grateful to be cold, I was almost giddy.
Much like the first snow just before Christmas,
not that I'd really know
being I'm from L.A. and all,
but that's how it is in my head.

At the Albuquerque RV park a woman named Jackie was instantly smitten with Percy. She's travelling with her husband and their four kids.
Their from New York and once again, I was asked if I was a New Yorker by a New Yorker.

Mom, Dad, is there something you want to tell me? Is my theory of being born a New York Jew correct?
Listen, it's okay, I'm glad my original parents chose the bagels over me, I can't imagine any better folks in the whole wide world!!!

That too would explain the question, "Who the heck does she take after."
She being me, for clarification purposes.

I think I should let everyone know, I'm just kidding, I think the years of wanting to pass me off as someone else's kid
have came and went. If they didn't try and ditch me as a teenager, well then
Maresiedotes and James-O have most definitely earned the sit back, watch and enjoy years!

(Although, I still may be giving them a run for their money.) =)

After Soda Dam Falls (the first time - I'll explain)
I went in for a sandwich and heard someone call out
"Hey Daisy! Where's Percy?" It's a funny sensation to be somewhere you've never been in your life
and have an unfamiliar voice call out your name.

Now the "where's Percy" statement most assuredly par for the course.

It was Jackie, Percy's newest pal. Enjoyed a bit o'bonding time with her family -- they were eating ice cream
(only ONE scoop each, can you believe it!) and I got a little misty for the Mertzels!

Tent Rocks was the next destination I placed on my itinerary.
Saw pictures on the internet -- which is a good thing, because 2 days later still haven't seen them up close and personal.

When studying the map, I noticed a quicker route to these "teepee-shaped formations of Volcanic debris."
Impressively, I even printed out informational tidbits about the area, including directions.
Less impressively, I didn't actually scan the sheet until I had already driven an hour 1/2 into my new found short cut.
The road was VERY narrow and quite bumpy. It was at this time I rummage around and came across this warning
"At Forest Road or the 266 begins the most dangerous part of the trip. In some places 266 is severely washboarded. Unless you're driving a hummer or Sherman Tank, speeds over 10 miles wil rattle your teeth and ruin your shocks."

Interesting. I pulled over to take time to reflect on my current situation. First and foremost on the noteworthy list
I was surrounded by incredible beauty and rather humored at the sight of my Percy Prominent RV in the middle of Sherman Tank country.

Hmmmmm, I got out snapped some photos and took a quiet moment. Just then (answered prayers are soooo fun, especially when instantly gratified. One of the great miracles of life. Try it some time!)

In that moment a white pickup truck came from the opposite direction and Michael pointedly filled me in that the road I was experiencing now was NOTHING compared to what lay ahead. And what lay ahead for me was most likely RV damage and a severe case of being stranded.

Alrightie then, give that man a luggage tag! I thanked him so much, I think I made him nervous -- coulda been the part about calling him an angel, but I did see smile cross his face.

Three hours after departing Soda Dam Waterfall, I found myself right back where I started.
Which was perfect! I was disappointed in myself for not swimming in the hole
(Percy wasn't up for it so I opted to pass too) and I was consuming mass quantities of sugar to counteract the sleepiness.
(Yes, Dad, I did brush.) I pulled over with great resolve, left Percy to hold down the fort and climbed back down those rocks in my flip flops.
Most refreshing, although passerbyers didn't know what to make of me, but I'm certainly used to that by now.

The road to Taos was stunning, passing thru a plethora of landscapes, forests, large open valleys, hillsides and clouds topped with sunset sauce that almost made me drive off the road. (really should stop filming while driving.)

taken WHILE driving, thank you very much!
(I mean, shame on me, that's very dangerous young lady!)

VERY famous church -- my first sight of Taos

being welcomed with open arms into Taos

My day in Taos was filled with new friends who love their dogs,
and quite frankly
loved mine!!!
Percy yet again given the key to the city, well, perhaps the golden biscuit.

Nancy - super delightful store owner in Taos, could not give Percy enough treats.

Kara & Jackie at the Taos Inn invited us to join them for a margarita.
Percy wagging heavily at the idea of having his first alcoholic beverage,
but alas being under age, he was got tipsy on life, knowing that he manifested the invite.

This is where they made Percy "Prince of Taos."

Later Rebecca and her two friends, rats, I hate that I cant' remember their names befriended us along with their dogs, Petey and Momo.
The next morning I met Kara for breakfast and couldn't get enough of those darn delicious green chiles!
Good thing I don't live here, apparently too much Green Chiles takes quite a toll on your insides.

"Getting plugged in" as a friend suggested:

created atmosphere by me at Taos RV Park

created atmosphere by "the Big Guy" at Taos RV Park
(Nice teamwork, no?! -- maybe we oughta go into business together!
Oh wait, I'm pretty sure we already are.)

Off to Santa Fe and cousin Loralee.
(see next update)

And then...

yep, back home

I feel as if I've been rather remiss....
Yes, I've met some delightful folks on the road,
and seen scenery that's made my heart swell,
but nothing's touched me more than all the notes of support and phone calls of encouragement I've
gotten from my family and friends and family of friends!!!
Thank you you SOOOO very much for coming along with me
You know who you are!!!
you're priceless gifts in my life
and as I drive these quiet roads
waves of gratitude continually sweep over me:
for what I've seen, been lucky enough to do
and most importantly what I have
YOU GUYS!!!!
That makes me the luckiest gal in ALL THE LAND!!!
Even if the thought crossed your mind...
wonder how daisy's doin' on the road these days, that counts too.
That kinda stuff makes it over to me.

Wow, granola-y AND sappy.
Mmmmm, sounds like some good makin's for a healthy breakfast.

=)

please tell me you see THIS rainbow!!!

2005-07-20T22:47:00.000-05:00

Subject: TravelHound... "I've got a blog"
No, I'm not "taking" anything for it.

It's 1:36am, and I've finally posted all my TravelHound Updates to a "blog."
It's basically a web/internet journal/forum/diary thingy.
Oh let's face it,
I really don't know what the hell it is, but I've been told it could be helpful in building my
or rather "our"
fan base.
Although, with my history of crazies
I could just end up building a throng of stalkers.
Either way, I guess they say there's no such thing as bad press or attention.
Might need a judges ruling in my case.
Anyway, send people to....

http://daisyandpercy.blogspot.com/

It's pretty much just a rehash of what you all are getting first hand.
Basically you've got a free subscription to the newsletter
whereas others will have to "tune in."

Now besides bug carcasses all over my windshield
I've seemed to have started a trend
the computer screen's seen a lot of death tonite.
BLECHHHH!!!!

In the words of Professor Golin, my College History Professor...

"And now, lemme go on with me story."
(Ya hafta say it out loud in sort of a deep, breathy, mafioso-esque voice.)

**********************

Yesterday (or what was yesterday when I started this)
morning I started off by writing letters to my nephews (the twins)
who, I'm very proud to say are headed off on their very first solo vacations.
Maybe someone out there DOES take after me!
(Quick , someone pick my sister up off the floor.)
=)
Anyway, I wrote them letters including photographic representation of my journey
and a souvenir TravelHound luggage tag. I have no idea why, but I was soooo tickled
to be sending them little daisy envelopes from New Mexico.
I was almost giddy and indulged in WAY too much self disclosure with the post man.

I made a second attempt at reconnecting with folks from our 1979 family vacation.
Oh, my mistake, apparently we met THIS particular family in 1977. A mere 28 years ago.
Seems like yesterday. (Nope, not in the slightest do I remember meeting these people,
but Dad's all excited, and I hate to let my pal, James-O down.)
So, I drove to the Zuni Pueblo, south of Gallup, New Mexico and remarkably
when I asked for Wayne & Virginia Quam
the fellow at the gas station walked me around the side of the building and pointed to a trailer.

Apparently Virginia and Wayne no longer live together.
Seeing as how it's been almost thirty years
there could be any number of reasons,
none of which are my business, or yours.
Although Virginia was out and not to return for hours I felt vindicated
having at least stepped foot in her home.
(Unless of course there's another Virginia Quam in the Zuni Pueblo.)
Her grandsons were there and didn't quite know what to make of me
nor did they care enough to try.
(Yes Dad, I left a note and my phone number.)
It was well worth the trip just for a gander at their itty, bitty, teeny, tiny puppy dog
who was the only one in the house that seemed to notice me.
Not that it would have been appropriate for the boys to lick and nibble my feet, but...
(Okay people, move on!!!!)

And that's just what I did; onto the Bandera Volcano & Ice Cave.
One of the original destinations I had researched for the TravelHound itinerary.
When Percy and I walked up to the front gate we encountered the following sign:
"No Dogs Allowed" accompanied by another big sign
"No Pets Permitted."
I was starting to feel very much as if I was living in a Peanuts cartoon...
I was half expecting people to talk like this, "wah wah wah, wah wah, wah wah wah wah."
(It makes sense if you've ever had the viewing pleasure of a Peanuts cartoon.)
I thought about going with the approach that Percy's really not a pet,
but rather more of a family member.
Instead, I gave up all too easy, put Percy in the RV and headed back to the "trading post/ticket office."
"How are you today?" they smiled. "Well, I must confess, I'm pretty disappointed," I confided.
"I was really looking forward to sharing the Bandera experience with my puppy dog. I was gonna carry him and everything."
"Oh, well if you can carry him, you can bring him."
WAHOOOOOOOOO!
I thanked them profusely and gave them TravelHound tags.
I went to rustle up a little snack from their very small snack selection
and when I tried to pay for an apple, they said it was on the house
cause I gave 'em the tags. They were grinning away!
How sweet is that!?!?!!!!!!!

Just when I thought THAT's THE sweetest,
I met the Angeles Family. They were sort of a modern day Partridge Family
but in an RV vs. a technicolor bus AND I have no idea whatsoever if any of them can sing.
But Mom was driving them all from Hollister, CA to Disney World, Orlando, FL.

Mom: Gardenia (no wonder we hit it off!)
Bella, Arlene and Percy, of course.

Ollie and Quentin were like tag team comics.
There were HYSTERICAL...
stay tuned for TravelHound, the t.v. show
and live coverage.
(I'd love to get them in as reoccurring characters.
I think they could be bigger than Kramer!)

Alisa (and not pictured: Grandma & Grandpa)

I loved chatting with the grandparents in spanish.
(This whole spanish speaking business has come up on several occasions,
which leads me to wonder...
TravelHound en español?!"
We'll get back to that.)

The Angeles Family took such a liking to Percy and I that they invited us to
hop in their RV and make the pilgrimage to Orlando.

"Daisy, you just spent 3 1/2 weeks on the road, living your dream and shooting TravelHound,
no where are ya gonna go?"
"I'm going to Disney World!!!!"
SOOOOOOOOOooooooo tempting I can't tell you,
of course if ya know me at all
no words are necessary.
Man that woulda been fun!
Alas, I waved good bye to my favorite on the road family
and headed to Albuquerque for the night.

More snapshots from the road - while driving...
behind all the bug splatters, there's a rainbow.
Honest, take my word for it.
(Sound's almost like a philosophical statement on life...
"behind every bug splatter, there's a rainbow."
Hmmm, I feel a t-shirt in the making.)

Hate to sound too Granola-y, but the Universe is really supporting me.
Just when I begin to question myself, lack o'camera person, continuation of this trip...
along the way, multitudes of rainbows filled the sky.
And then, the Angeles Family to really bring it home
and show us why we're still on the road.

Also for the record I'd like to state
that along with my conviction that we're ALL God's people
(no teachers pets so to speak, the big guy doesn't play favorites)
there's a heck of a lotta "God's Country" out here.

Soda Dam Waterfall, Jemez Springs, New Mexico (thanks Moizee!)

Although many areas make this claim
I gotta say...
"God moves in mysterious ways, ALL over the Universe!!!!"

New Mexico Sky
(there is something awfully special about New Mexico,
can't quite put my finger on it.)

On that note (fingers and nature) let me also say
I'm surrounded by the miracle of nature
every day
in every way.
Get a load of my "famous fingers..."

Same two digits, honest injun.
(Ooooo, perhaps not the most politically sensitive phrase considering my location.)

On our approach into Albuquerque I kept noticing big flashes of light on the hillside.
The lightning storms are like a continuation of the 4th of July.
I heard in the news that 90% of all forest fires here in New Mexico
are caused by lightning.
At about 2AM there were huge, intense gusts of wind.
Scared the bajoobies outta me & Percy,
although in all honesty,
Percy seemed to handle it a little better than I did.

another big day.
(I'm sure it wouldn't surprise any of you
that I have enough pictures of Percy sleeping to have a one woman/one dog show.)

The question has arisen,
when EXACTLY do I plan on coming home?
A very good question, indeed.
Whereas we've established that I really like driving
(as I DID state in my 2003 Century 21 tv commercial...
"I love to drive. If you want to go on a road trip, I'm your gal!")
I've also discovered that RV life is the life for me.
However, it does seem evident that my little pal, Percy not quite as "taken" with the mobile home existence.
As Dorothy herself states, EVEN after having met the wizard,
partook in marvelous adventures and formed new friendships...
ultimately
"there's no place like home."

That being said I should be arriving in Santa Fe Thursday or Friday.
Will stay, however long I stay, (don't fence me in -- but, probably a couple of days)
and then head for home; perhaps via Sedona/Flagstaff.

I'll say this, don't start August without us!

=)

daisy & percy

2005-07-20T02:12:00.000-05:00

Having gone against one of my cardinal rules last nite,
(minds out of the gutter please, I said "cardinal" NOT "carnal")
had pasta for dinner, not just after 6 but after 8p.
And not JUST pasta but a HUGE portion of fettucini
smothered in olive oil and garlic, accompanied by
not just ONE but TWO kinds of buttery, cheesy bread.
Percy and I were inspired this morning to take a walk,
perhaps less inspiration befalling my little four-legged companion,
nonetheless we set out to stretch our leggs and decrease our dimples.
(Again, less on Percy's part, but you get the picture.)

We jaunted along the side of the road until we came across a little dirt path
nestled among some low weeds and wildflowers.
Instantly it was as if we were taking part in a scene from the Wizard of Oz
little grasshoppers jumped to and fro as if to say "hello" and lead us to the Emerald City
(or at least, the bank.)
The experience was a cross between Dorothy following the yellow brick road
and a stroll across a frying pan of popcorn.
As soon as the area become shaded, all activity stopped.
We journeyed forward and as that path ended the next began
this time with foliage heading up to my waist and as we waded through
butterflies waved us welcome in flying salutations.
As all good paths do, this one soon ended and we were left on the sidewalk.
But out of the curbside crack of THIS sidewalk, grew sunflowers in a row
all pointing the way to civilization ahead. They stood at attention saluting us as we passed.
We didn't actually make it to see the wizard but we did purchase a refreshing bottle of H2O
whilest being showered with compliments regarding Percy's good looks.
I have to say, I appreciate that even with all the attention, my little guy remains
the social, down-to-earth fellow we know and love!

I heard about those kids that have picked up this new trend of "car surfing." Apparently they stick themselves out the windows of fast moving cars, and I thought to myself, how preposterously unsafe! On that note, I share with you my photos taken while driving...

best co-pilot ever, althogh his map skills could use some work

driving 'round the bend into Sedona
(don't try this at home.)

Our trip to Sedona did not yield a camera person
however, we did acquire more delightful friends.
On our way to meet our new pal, Frankie at her gallery
we stopped into a store called "Soothe Your Soul"
with a name like that, how could I not.
As you can see, Scott the shops owner was quite smitten with Percy.

Papparazzi comes to Sedona

I'm not sure who enjoyed the "home" experience more,
Percy or me. He must have done like 80 laps around the living room
giving carpet very much the same appreciation that he gives to grass.
I on the other hand did double flip flops over the laundry machines!
And I still can't get over the views, the feeling was rather mutual for Percy.

Percy conveying his sentiments:
"Sedona's lip licking lovely!"

This just in...
go to the following website:

http://www.wickhams-stickems.com/news.html

a) for TravelHounds first official sponsor/press release
b) for the cutest darn magnets to put on your car, any one that knows me
(which actually should be all of you!) has seen all sorts of fun magnets on my car
from hearts to stars, and daisys (hurray) as well as a whole lot more.
Hmmm, perhaps we stay tuned for travelhound car magnets.
In the meantime, I have been passing out TravelHound souvenir luggage tags.
Gotta get to work on the TravelHound Website -- HELP!!!!
or rather, if there's anyone out there that could lend a helping hand
I'd be oh-so grateful and thrilled to bits!!!

Farewell breakfast with my new special Flagstaff friends.

Then we went to the top of Humphrey's Mountain
where we relished in the scenery and giggled
as we watched Percy bounding through the wild flowers
whilst fetching sticks.

seriously, could he be any happier?

The time had finally come to uproot from Flag.
and continue ahead to New Mexico.
On the way, at my father's urging
I attempted to dig up some folk my family had met
on a Hopi Reservation back in 1979.
I was directed to go past the burnt wash
turn right at the church
pass the small trailer and continue on to the larger one behind it.

I did come across said trailer
but it looked rather deserted and
I wasn't sure if the leashless dog with black tongue
was greeting or guarding,
alas...
hopefully I'll do better at the Zuni Reservation near Gallup
where I am currently.

Sorry James-O!

I was rather disappointed and started feeling that perhaps
I should have just headed for home.
And then I saw rainbow after rainbow heading into Gallup.
Man that's good stuff!!!

I'll be continuing on to Taos and finally Santa Fe where I'll
spend some quality bonding time with my Dad's first cousin.
She has three dogs, one of which I thought played the harmonica
however, I misunderstood. Apparently, SHE plays the harmonica
and they sing. Too bad, but sure was a great visual!

Back in about a week folks,
keep those ideas and driveway offers coming!

=)

hugs & wags,
daisy & percy

2005-07-20T01:52:00.000-05:00

Of all the photos I've shared
the "blister shot" seems to be creating the biggiest buzz.

Thanks everybody for your concern.
They seem to be healing nicely...

the latest blister phase

I've must confess, I'm loving Flagstaff.
I've been spending a lot of time collaging, writing and hanging out with my new artist friend.
His studio, may very well be one of my most favorite places to be.

I just can't stay out of this studio!
And Percy's sooo "in"
he's got his own little are complete with bowl of water and brand new squeaky ball.

I don't think I've ever had an artist come over and hang his own work...

Nothing says home like art.

Well, I'm getting a taste of the celebrity life.
I've been at Kit Carson RV park long enough that word of TravelHound has spread.

I even have people coming by to take our picture.

Percy's building quite a fan base, for that matter, so is the RV.
(I think their just being polite by including me.)

The Kit Carson RV park in Flagstaff is run by an outgoing gal named Diana.
She's fun as all get up and refuses to believe that we're actually going to leave.

She proudly displays her TravelHound luggage tag on her key chain;
and I've caught her bragging about me on several occasions.
She's offered us both jobs, Percy's gonna get back to her.
Her husband just got out of the hospital after a stroke,
and yet they both just smile away.
LOVELY LOVELY People!
She brought him by the motorhome to meet me and Percy.
It's fun having company over,
although big soirees seem unlikely.

We're head back to Sedona to meet with a couple of camera folk.
Cross your paws. Either way, word is, New Mexico is not to be missed.
So, camera or no camera, we're there and then we're back here
I mean, there.
Oh, you know!

Alrightie, catch ya on the flip.

your pals,
daisy & percy

2005-07-18T10:50:00.000-05:00

After dropping off the camera guy, the two biggest questions
hanging in the balance were...

1) Where to go from here?
Do I continue on to Chicago as planned?
Although after seeing how much footage we had shot
and quite frankly upon realizing the difficulties of having this guy around
I had decided I didn't want to experience Chicago with this person.
However, now that he was no longer in the picture, why not?
There's a ton of stuff going on there, but...
it's far!
AND Percy & I could easily fly there in the future
plus, better to shoot Chicago once someone's purchased the show, no?
Soooooo,
that being decided, a voice kept telling me to go to Santa Fe, New Mexico by way of Flagstaff, Arizona which was pretty easy considering Flagstaff's 30 miles from Sedona.

2) The other BIGGER question, what to do about filming? I have enough footage, easily to edit a 30 m in. show --
that is if the camera guy truly got "the great stuff" he told me he did each time we shot.
I don't see why that shouldn't be the case and I may very well purchase an additional drive
and take a peek.
Anyway, I figured I'll grab stuff when I can -- although admittedly I'M NO camera person, plus
Percy and I are sort of a team.

Perhaps we should take a moment out to broach a certain subject I've been avoiding...
BBQ Sauce is no longer with me, and I must confess, it broke my heart.
We were in Kingman, AZ and I took him out onto the grass to stretch his little turtle legs.
He was basking in the sun, a smile on his face. I looked away for a MINUTE, I swear it was just a moment in time
and when I looked back... GONE!!!!
We looked for him for 8 hours and no go!
=(
I wanted to share this photo of him with ya'll in case anyone out there's thinkin'
he was just a turtle. He was such a great, magical little creature, super interactive and filled with personality.
I can only hope he ran away to freedom to start a whole, big adventure all his own.
Certainly, I can respect that!!! Keep good thoughts for the little fella wontcha?!

BBQ Sauce in all his glory

(Of course, this brings up yet another question...
I loved having BBQ Sauce with us and I think he brought a special sumpthin' sumpthin' to the team
not to mention the fact that he's a fantastic part of the logo which I love sooooo much!
Let's take a moment out to publicly thank my pal, Amanda (not to be confused with my niece Amanda, who is also my pal)
for creating the logo and doing to super speedy and with GREAT kindness and generosity of time and patience.
HURRAY for you AMANDA, it's a HUGE hit!!!! So much so that when Percy sticks his head out the window,
people say, "Hi ya, Percy!")
So, do I get BBQ Sauce - deux?
Think about it, get back to me.

Back to question #2 -- the question on filming.
Sooooo, I'm wondering what to do about filming, find a camera man,
go to Chicago to shoot and get someone there.
Make a great effort to shoot all I can on my own?

Well, when in Rome...
Sedona is a town sitting on a vortex.
People come from all over to get messages from the Universe.
I went to the Crystal Castle to get a reading for Percy, but they had no one there specializing in animals.
I had to cards of folks who did in my pocket, I called them from the porch of the Crystal Castle
both their numbers were disconnected. In attempting to leave, Percy wouldn't let me.
So, being a big fan of Universal messages, I took it as a sign.
There I was given the confirmation to head to Santa Fe (hitting Flagstaff first)
go with my instinct and hold off on Chicago
and not concern myself too much with shooting.
Not to mention the fact that earlier that same day, Maureen Tunney, one of my most favorite people in all the land,
(folks have heard me mention her so much perhaps, they may have developed "Marcia" syndrome with regards to her.
You know Jan, from the Brady Bunch... "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.")

Anyway, Mo Tun called me and said, "Go to Santa Fe by way of Flagstaff."
Well, there ya have it!!!

With the new destination decided, I was still a bit contemplative over the whole filming dilemma.
To really get my space "up to snuff" as Maresiedotes Mertzel would say, I got a sage wand, some incense and a
"messages from your masters" candle, with glass votive.

That night, Percy and I walk around for no less than an hour and a half looking for a restaurant
that would allow me to enjoy a nice relaxing meal with my guy. Alas, to no avail.
However, I did walk by many a gallery, most of which weren't my particular cup of tea.
But there was this one... Wild Heart Gallery, that as I walked by, even in it's darkness
called to me so much that I turned around, grabbed a business card
which happened to be hung on the OUTside of their door
and I "made note to self, MUST come here in the AM before departing."
So, I did. And we'll get to that in just a moment.
After finally ordering dinner to go from, now what was one of the only places still open by this time
I headed back to the RV Park on foot after being warned about the Havalina or Javalina --
the wild pigs that roamed the roads at night.
"You should be fine they said, just be sure to use your flashlight."
Flashlight? What flashlight? The city girl that I am, left the motorhome while the sun was still out
and didn't even consider it would be dark aka no street lights for the walk home.
oops.
Having avoided a wild pig attack, and feeling utterly zonked from the dinner search extravaganza
I ate my salad, lit my "Masters" candle and literally passed out on the bed.
Only to be jarred awake by the sound of my fire alarm; startled the heck outta me and
scared the bajoobies outta my pal, Percy.
The candle melted and broke the glass votive and caught fire.
EVERYONE remain calm, well, A) cause you're getting this email, and
B) it was a very small fire.
So I put the fire out, I convinced Percy to extricate himself from the corner
and realized my right hand was killing me!
I must have burned it during my super stealth spring into action.
OUCH!!! It was really hurting.
I've always heard butter helps a burn.
Not so much really.
Then I remembered the first aid kit I insisted on purchasing, good girl.
The cooling burn gel... nowhere near as soothing as good ole fashioned running water.
The only problem was standing up at the sink all hours was not my idea of a good nites sleep.
So, I filled up a big bowl of water, grabbed my Mr. Happy ice pak from the freezer (thanks, Moizee)

and went to sleep with my hand cooling off in my salad bowl.
(NO! I didn't wet my bed, sillies.)

My right hand, being my filming hand, I decided to go ahead and listen to this message lest the whole arm fall off next.
I awoke the next morning, happily eased from the large quantity of pain to a dull discomfort and
my fingers had obtained an array bulbous blisters that I'm finding really rather fascinating.

Me and Percy and my blisters set out for the Wild Heart Gallery as noted to self the previous evening
And met the most wonderful gal(s).
Well, Percy really gets the credit - as usual; being the ladies man that he is,
he swept the owner of the gallery off her feet and proceeded to do so with most of the gallery owners in the area
not to mention customers.
I ended up spending almost 6 hours in that gallery visiting with Frankie the owner, meeting her husband Mark.
Socializing with Judy across the hall and taking EVERYONE's picture with Percy.
In Frankie's gallery, she has an artist featured who has somehow managed to capture my imagination
and put it on the canvas. I absolutely fell in love with his work and am convinced, if he painted murals across the globe
the world would finally live in peace!!!!
His stuff also screams children's book.

(Frankie above in her Wild Heart Gallery, Louis' artwork above)
So, Frankie says, "Louis, the artist would love you and his daughter would love Percy,
before you continue on your journey, you MUST go to Flagstaff and see his studio, you'll love it!"
HELLO!!!!
Hit me over the head, I'm heading to Flagstaff!

Tirza, Louis' daughter with a faceful of peas
(they had never tried English Peas in the pod
even though one of Louis' pieces features peas.)

They took me out for pizza that nite
I must confess I had pizza this am with my coffee for breakfast
as I sit her typing to you all in my polkadot pajamas.

Must get going, I'm meeting Frankie and her husband at Louis' gallery this morning.
How sweet is that, they're closing up their shop on a Saturday to show me around Flagstaff!

Mucho smoochos!
daisy & percy

2005-07-14T13:59:00.000-05:00

A multitude of experiences have come our way.
The visuals have been most marvelous
but it's the people we've met and mingled with that have made this trip unreal!

Percy getting the party started at the Sandbar Grill in Lake Havasu, AZ
(our new pal Nancy who couldn't get enough of my guy, Percy
but then, who can?)

Percy & I made it onto our first "wall of fame"
at the famous Hackberry General Store in Hackberry, AZ off Route 66
The couple who own the store were a bit shy at first, but we managed to get them a gigglin!

One of their 5 adopted dogs: Max the Puppy @ Hackberry General Store

our pal Earl (75 on July 2nd) and his dog Taffy (21 - not pictured)
Quite a character this one and a jokester too!

Fireworks in Williams, AZ
sitting in lounge chairs in a field on the side of the road
after waving in their 15 min. parade.

2005-07-14T13:49:00.000-05:00

I knew I'd find the man of my dreams on my trip
although I a little torn. In Calico I found me a real Cowboy, but he's a little on the stiff side.

Then, in Lake Havasu, I hit it off with a guy who really knew how to be a kid, plus he LOVED Percy.
But I think we're at different places in our lives.

Well, there's still New MExico.

=)

2005-07-14T12:54:00.002-05:00

On June 24th, 2005 we headed out in my new, or rather repo-ed 2005 Phoenix Cruiser to live the dream. What dream you ask, and thus I answer: I sold my condo, quit working, bought an RV and hired a camera guy to shoot the pilot episode of TravelHound; a travel tv show starring me (daisy), percy (my puppy -- he'll be 3 in August) and bbq sauce (my baby red-eared slider turtle.) I present to you some snap shots and tidbits from our adventure thus far.

Just a little sumpthin to get your tail waggin!!!
love to all
from daisy, percy & BBQ

TravelHound RV & logo

percy on vacation in style

yosemite