Today I left my sister's in Massachusetts and drove about 210 miles to a brewery in New Jersey. All highway. I have not driven (a) that far on highways since I left the condo in 2019 or (b) driven that far in a day (on back roads) only twice in six years in a skoolie. I was pretty drained when I arrived, not even caring I am on a slant in a grassy field with one wheel in a depression that might make getting out difficult with the underboss storage bins.

The weather was nice, the scenery beautiful ... but it was nerve-racking because from the time I first turned on the ignition about noon, I had problems. Karmalita stalled once, then twice. She has never stalled. Quickly putting it into gear I was able to drive off, but at the end of the street, the brake light and the ABS lights came on. I pulled over. My emergency brake was not on, and the brake pedal felt normal, so I took a few deep breaths and continued another mile. Then I called my awesome mechanic at Ultimate Auto in Cromwell CT. He told me to check the brake fluid and if it was not low, it was probably a faulty sensor light and I would be okay, but if it was low, to get to a repair facility.

At the first gas station I came to, a very kind FedEx driver helped check that I had plenty of brake fluid. When I turned the bus back on, the lights were off, but it stalled. It started easily and I continued on my way, all the while carrying on a one-way conversation with divine spirits and ancestors.

I had not programmed the GPS, and was flying by the seat of my pants so when I found myself 12 miles from Albany NY, I was sure I missed my exit. I asked the universe for a sign and I got it around the next bend. It was literally a sign with an arrow pointing ahead to Route 87. After traveling south on it about 10 miles , the lights came back on, this time accompanied by a beeping. I tested the brakes and they felt normal, so I continued about ten miles to a pull-over-to-text lot and turned off Karmalita. I attended to Pyewacket, sipped some coffee Jim had made in my insulated bottle, began talking again to every divine and elemental energy. Turning on the ignition, the lights came on, then went off, and had an uneventful 144 miles (except for Jersey barriers, potholes, and disappearing lanes).

Before I left, my sister and I exchanged pieces of jewelry to wear while we are apart for what could be 18 months. Two she had gifted to my mother, so they hold her energy, too. Barbara also gave me a small amethyst heart mom's brother, Uncle Mike, sent from Vietnam. (Mine had long since been lost.) I added that to the dragon's treasure chest.

I just plotted the routes for the next two days, both of them only a bit more than an hour long. Then comes the big decision: to head to Asheville NC to see four friends ... or not.

I have been sleeping longer stretches now that no acorns are falling on my roof, but my dreams have been vivid and unsettling, so I am hoping tonight is better here in a dark field behind a brewery.