The amount of “drive safe” and “be safe” from family and friends was not for nothing. On the walk out of the gas station after purchasing a French vanilla push-button $1.92 coffee, I observed the distance between me and a white Subaru, its windows rolled down and a dog panting out the window. After three steps, the space between me and the vehicle grew to nothing as its acceleration made me sprint out of its way. “You almost hit me,” I said atop the curb beside the pump before getting back in our car. Then I watched the van sit unmoving for a full minute before reversing snail by snail’s inch into the vacant pump spot.
Was I a bit dramatic in flailing backward like a defensive player taking a flop in basketball? Perhaps. But there’s this thing called the somatic marker hypothesis, which basically says emotions and bodily reactions help us make decisions by attaching feelings to different choices, guiding us toward better outcomes based on past experiences. So that is why I decided to go all in.
Corn, corn, and more corn close to maturity flanked both sides of the highway as Dave, Jeff, Evelyn, Archie, and I started to drive east on I-90 with Steve Miller Band’s trippy-sounding “Fly Like an Eagle” in the background. I’m a sucker. On a quick pit stop for a #2 for Evelyn, she also caught sight of Zuma’s superpup. I felt pressured not to add another item to our already tight space, but her excitement and how awesome she’s been made it easy to get her the gift.
We’re damp again. Dave, Evelyn, and I visited Clinton Lake, per my Lawrence local friend Joey’s recommendation, which is a large reservoir with a fantastic beach and perfectly cool water for the 96-degree heat.
Oh, and would you believe it? Our Airbnb is owned by a fellow psychotherapist. Her diplomas on the wall heading up the stairs to the guest house, along with her library of books on trauma, play therapy, and more, made me feel like I was with my kind. Relaxing on her funky patio space also inspired me for spaces I want to create.
The uncertainty of when our house would be ready and the need for a large and comfortable enough space when we reach Georgia led to me booking a “glamping,” aka a large barn situation for five days. Knowing I’ll have internet and a space to work is the priority. But also, we’ll only be 20 minutes away from our house and will be able to check in that way. Even though I’m anxious, I know it will all be okay.
So when will we get to stay in our house? Yesterday, it was soon; today, it’s unknown. The AC, granite, and carpet are certainly not done, and it’s unknown if the plumbing is set up. We don’t need much, but we will need to wait until we’re not an imposition on the workers.
I must say farewell, as happening now is an in-depth conversation about board games between Dave, a solo board game player, and my friend Joey, a board game creator. I’ve wanted this union to happen for quite some time, so to be a part of the connecting is lovely. I’ll see you for the 8-hour drive to Nashville tomorrow. Night, night.
Love, Jaclynn.
Going On 40 