Pack Creek Ranch, San Juan County, Utah
Early March 2024
SPRING BREAK
The month of March manifests itself with wonky weather. Outside, but also inside. One emerges from the hibernation of winter into the seductive sun of spring with ambitious plans. And gets as far as the chair on the porch, the-things-to-do list abandoned to contented indolence.
“How are you, Fulghum?”
If you ask me that, I will reply – “Suffering the debilitating effects of a chronic health condition.”
And you will give me a look of serious concern.
“What’s wrong?”
“Spring Fever – the worst case I’ve ever had.”
Your demeanor will instantly change.
And you probably will laugh and say, “Me, too.”
It’s endemic.
Shortly after that, you will ask, “Where’s Fulghum?”
The answer is “up and out traveling into the world.”
Like the weather – one day still and calm, and the next day churning with stormy energy – one day zero-tasking and the
next multi-tasking. The contradictory nature of Spring – inside and out. Sit still vs. move it!
For many years I’ve traveled to the Greek island of Crete during the months of March, April, May, and sometimes June.
And I have collected many stories and experiences for my writing.
But this year is different.
My Spring adventures will follow the wisdom of a Buddhist priest who said that it’s not how far you travel or how long you are gone but the state of mind you are in when you go out the door.
My senior son is coming for a visit, defined by his question:
“Where would you like to go – nearby – that you’ve never been or want to visit again?” Yes – I have a list.
I’ll take him with me – show and tell.
Those thoughts prompted me to reconsider most of the stories and essays I’ve published over the years – about 7,000 – and to sort through the books in my library to revisit the ideas of others that influenced my thinking. A different kind of traveling.
So. In this state of Being I’m off into the World again – the one close by – and the one inside my mind. A spring break. To stimulate
my imagination and creativity and clear my well-spring from the debris of cluttered thinking. To notice anew all that gets ignored in
the dailiness of just getting by.
I’ll be back – with a full bucket.
As long as my life goes on, writing will continue.
And I will share that with you – promise.