Sunday, August 23, 2015

Like a Holler

I wanted to go somewhere to see stars. I mean really see them. I wanted to go somewhere, where I wouldn't see another person, where I wouldn't hear another complaint, or a crying child, or somebody's cell phone conversation, or another siren racing up the street. I wanted to go somewhere, where if I listened long enough, I could hear a Herons's wings directly above my head.

Some people read books to escape. I go to the mountains of northern Colorado, to an old aluminum trailer in it's very own Aspen grove. It's a grand old thing. A rather dull and weathered shine on the outside, but rich varnished wood walls hug the inside, a Pendleton blanket for the bed and and the warmth of silence throughout. I've never turned Pandora Radio on inside the Silver Moonbeam, but, if I did, most likely it would be the fiddle and banjo music of The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Old timey jug blowing, foot stomping revival songs. I mean, it feels like I'm in an Appalachian holler when I'm there. Tucked down below the rocks, barefoot on the tiny porch, looking out at trees. And more trees, by golly.

It's been one heck of a summer, hasn't it? Every day has been a real gift, tied up with sage and a rabbitbrush bow. Warm, wildflower days, showing off colors that I will never know the names of. I got to have my husband with me everyday, since he has his summers off from teaching. Together, we got to explore new dirt roads that lead to, well, nowhere really. In a meadow faraway, I met a thick necked dappled mustang who makes my heart race and found a friend in one enormous gray stallion I call Muzzle. Who could ask for more?

Now that Autumn is on the heels of summer, I thought I better get my fill of solitude in Red Feather before it.... before. . . it . . . . . snows. Being alone is a thing I cherish, it's something I crave. I've always been somewhat of a loner. I'm not unfriendly by any means, it's just that I'm more comfortable being an outsider. This place, with all it's wildlife and silence and beauty is my haven and that hut is my hideout. I've often wondered what it would be like to never come down off this mountain. I quickly changed my thoughts on that because it would mean I might not have the chance again to see Dwight Yoakam in concert with NaNa'. My favorite local nature-girl, lover of wolves, bees, and all things wild. She and I share our mutual love of Joni Mitchell and she knows everything about the music scene. I'd call her a music aficionado. Yes, I would. We're still talking about that night with Dwight. We had practically front row seats but we never sat down. We both knew the words to every song. We sang along loudly, clapped for more and our smiles shined just like the rhinestones on Dwight Yoakam's jacket. I find myself singing his songs these days and I'm getting really good at that yodel-singing, that sound you can make in your throat, like he's so famous for. In fact, I think I just might turn on Pandora Radio, here in the Silver Moonbeam, and play me some Dwight Yoakam. There's some yodeling going on in the holler!

 

I'm a thousand miles from nowhere

Time don't matter to me

'Cause I'm a thousand miles from nowhere

And there's no place I wanna be

 

 

20 comments:

  1. like um....when can i come and visit you???
    and let me know when you're coming to visit me here??

    hope everything's good with you

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    1. Everything is good, Niken! Busy, busy...
      You know, you are welcome anytime. If you do any work on filming here in the USA in the future, please take a detour to my house!
      I did send you an email. I'm pretty sure you got it. :)
      x

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  2. Aw, Sissy - Red Feather is perfect. What more could you want? I love when you share your slice of the aspen heaven there. I love when you need the stars and silence. I understand about getting away from people, things, work, demands, complaints!,,, I'm also not unfriendly, just cut from a cloth that needs quiet to feel normal. I love you - and pray blessed remaining summer-glory days upon you.

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    1. It looks as though we just may be getting the gift of an Indian summer!
      We've done some of our best camping in October. :)
      Sail away, sister!
      x

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  3. Love the tour of Silver Moonbeam and the raven and the bunny napping on the rock! You and are I are the same in the need for alone time and quiet. It's rejuvenating, and necessary. Our normal silence up here has been disturbed by a house being built on the ridge opposite us and some logging over the other ridge...grr! And the smoke is as bad as ever now. Staying inside with the critters up here in the studio.

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    1. Eee gads, the noise!! Houses being built, all that banging about, logging trucks... I hope your pretty view won't be obstructed.
      I'm sorry to hear about your squirrel problem AGAIN this summer.
      Hopefully you've gotten some rains and your sky is big and clear again. :)
      x

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  4. ahhh....a breath of fresh air....i feel it, i breathe in as i stroll through the moonbeam with you....

    that sun-dozing bunny....how sweet is that?!

    it's a good life, isn't it, red dirt??

    xxO

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    1. Every time I see that bunny I stop and press my hands together, say a "thank you" and give it a little bow.
      xO

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  5. "I got echoes in my head." :) *sigh* Mr. Yoakam...yeah...

    "Holler Experience" :) yes!!

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    1. "I got tear stains on my haaaaaands"....
      Do you know , I thought about you that night?
      He's one heck of a singer / entertainer / dancer! And he's funny!
      Such a memorable show. I'd follow him around.... ;)
      Holler!!
      x

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  6. What an amazing place to go to when you need quiet time. I'm the person that likes to be in nature, too, where I hear no other sound then birds, the wind or water nearby. That trailer is perfect and looks cozy and welcoming. Love the picture of the cute rabbit :) It makes me happy for you to hear you had such an amazing summer so far.
    Lots of hugs to you,
    Beate

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    Replies
    1. Fantastic seeing you here again!
      Thank you for the nice things you say, Beate. Hello to Keith.
      I need to do some blog hopping and see what you two are up to!
      Yes! I will see you around the corner!
      x

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  7. geweldig om z,on mooie stilte plek te hebben midden in deze prachtige natuur.

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  8. A wonderful place. The peace, the quiet, time to reflect. Sounds perfect x

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  9. Now that, my dear sister, is the perfect place to usher in the coming season. I just love that little Moonbeam. I love how you've decorated it, given it character and life.
    Enjoy your days of solitude in that special place. xx

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    1. You notice the tiny details; you say the kindest things.
      I think you would love the solitude in these aspens. And the owl hoot. ;)
      x

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  10. I spot a room full of bears, and one of them is familiar! Love that blanket.

    Thanks for sharing this slice of your solitude with us. I for one, really needed to see this, and I'm so happy that you snuck out to your moonbeam hideaway holler before things get too hairy with snow and the busy-ness of winter. I've been sticking really close to home this summer, and I'm at the breaking point where I absolutely must get out under the stars, alone, soon.

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  11. Haha! Things WILL get hairy with the snow in winter, Clare! Not looking forward. ; /
    I thought it only right to hang "my bear" print that you made in the Moonbeam.
    Since we do have one visiting on occasion. Hehe.
    That blanket is an oldie- we got it in Madison Wisconsin twenty years ago. When we used to paddle a lot.
    Clare, I really appreciate you being here.
    x

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