in life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with

Posted on January 2, 2018 by Sheila Morris

in life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with

(Hallmark Shoebox greeting card – courtesy Lisa Martin)

I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions any more since I’ve realized I’ll never keep them. If you’re a person who makes promises to yourself and others and is somehow successful in making them a part of your life every year, my cyberspace hat is tipping toward you right this minute. I envy and admire your fortitude. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is definitely weak.

What I lack in fortitude I make up in gratitude, and this new year I am grateful for the people I’ve been lucky enough to travel with during the past seven decades of my life. I hope you know who you are…and that you appreciate the journey with me as much as I appreciate the journey with you. Your friendships are the “memory makers” for me, as Granny Selma used to say when she was in her right mind, and I carry you with me wherever I roam.

For my cyberspace followers, although our travels are in separate places in different parts of the globe, I feel we travel together and I am grateful for everything we share. I am amazed at the close relationships formed through our virtual reality. You guys rock.

Our holiday season was a happy one at Casa de Cardinal, but we are a little worse for the wear. Pretty has had a bad case of the epizootie but is working on taking down the holiday decorations and putting them away for next year. As for Charly and Spike, my everyday traveling companions, this is how they feel about their new toys and life in general.

stick a fork in us, we’re done

Stay tuned in 2018. Onward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Sheila Morris

Sheila Morris is a personal historian, essayist with humorist tendencies, lesbian activist, truth seeker and speaker in the tradition of other female Texas storytellers including her paternal grandmother. In December, 2017, the University of South Carolina Press published her collection of first-person accounts of a few of the people primarily responsible for the development of LGBTQ organizations in South Carolina. Southern Perspectives on the Queer Movement: Committed to Home will resonate with everyone interested in LGBTQ history in the South during the tumultuous times from the AIDS pandemic to marriage equality. She has published five nonfiction books including two memoirs, an essay compilation and two collections of her favorite blogs from I'll Call It Like I See It. Her first book, Deep in the Heart: A Memoir of Love and Longing received a Golden Crown Literary Society Award in 2008. Her writings have been included in various anthologies - most recently the 2017 Saints and Sinners Literary Magazine. Her latest book, Four Ticket Ride, was released in January, 2019. She is a displaced Texan living in South Carolina with her wife Teresa Williams and their dogs Spike, Charly and Carl. She is also Naynay to her two granddaughters Ella and Molly James who light up her life for real. Born in rural Grimes County, Texas in 1946 her Texas roots still run wide and deep.
This entry was posted in Humor, Lesbian Literary, Life, Personal, Reflections, Slice of Life, The Way Life Is. Bookmark the permalink.

14 Responses to in life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with

  1. Miss Harper Lee says:
    January 2, 2018 at 2:43 pm

    Wishing you, Pretty, Charly, and Spike a fun-filled journey through 2018!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Wayside Artist says:
    January 2, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    Oh Sheila! My spirit isn’t even willing to make resolutions.

    Poppy Seed and Ludo have the exact same toys, in roughly the same pile, on a less elegant, pee stained carpet.

    I owe you a note as promised, dear friend, and responses to recent blogs. Your book arrived, but I only just now sat down to a mug of cold coffee poured around 9 a.m after mopping up countless puppy accidents of both varieties and clearing up Pops’ upset stomach contents, refereeing several fights, and explaining to 2 long time friends, I work at home… As in: YOU KNOW I WORK AT HOME!!!

    Happy New Year! It’s off to a spanking good pace!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sheila Morris says:
      January 2, 2018 at 11:09 pm

      Aha, the joys of puppy messes, upset tummies, refereeing sibling fights and the never-ending explanation of Working At Home…no one ever understands what this means.
      Happy New Year to you and your Almighty Pack!!

      Like

      Reply
  3. Wayside Artist says:
    January 2, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    I forgot… Tell Pretty to take it easy. Surely her lovely decorations can be admired for a few more days. Here’s hoping her epizootie is of short duration.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sheila Morris says:
      January 2, 2018 at 11:13 pm

      Thanks so much – Pretty braved the cold weather to perform her hunter-gatherer duties today and brought us delicious barbecued ribs, teriyaki chicken wings, baked potatoes and boiled shrimp for dinner tonight! Yummy. She even made a stop at Krispy Kreme for our breakfast tomorrow…none of which made her feel any better but I have to confess made me feel tip top!! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  4. Susanne says:
    January 2, 2018 at 6:58 pm

    What the heck is epizootie? It sounds vaguely like a Flapper’s dance move. I hope Pretty’s feeling better and that 2018 brings you both more adventures on the road, good health, and lots of love.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sheila Morris says:
      January 2, 2018 at 11:05 pm

      Hi, Susanne…when I was growing up in rural southeast Texas in the 1950s, my paternal grandmother called every malady the epizootie. Of course, there is no such thing, but the Flapper’s dance move sounds just about right!
      We are thankful for your contribution to our cyberspace journey!! Happy New Year!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Apple Pie & Napalm says:
    January 2, 2018 at 7:11 pm

    I bought 150 Lysol wipes and 2 big bottles of spray. I walked room to room wiping handles, light switches and remotes. The epizootie is rampant where I live. I hope Pretty recovers soon. Was thinking of you when SC won their bowl game.
    May your journey this year be smooth and fun. Here’s to great conversation! 🥂🍾

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sheila Morris says:
      January 2, 2018 at 11:03 pm

      omg, you have the epizootie where you live, too! seriously??
      we are all very worried about you and hope that you avoid it at all costs!!!
      We were stunned with our Gamecock Outback Bowl victory and 9-win season. Thrilled, but stunned.
      You are one of our cyberspace fellow travelers, plgcm – we are grateful for you!

      Like

      Reply
  6. Animalcouriers says:
    January 3, 2018 at 5:20 am

    Couldn’t agree more about who you travel with! Happy 2018 — please, please be better than 2017…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. kirbappeal says:
    January 17, 2018 at 11:58 am

    I am sorry that I am slow to respond, my new years resolution is to read the blogs I am following as they are posted and not a month later 🙂 I love your Granny Selma’s quote and your blog.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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