Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Riverside, California
Exhausted, the explorers returned from The 2nd Star around 7 am … cruising into Riverside. Sir Thomas Leaf was supposed to head into work by 9 am, but sheer exhaustion from driving all night, and no pressing issues at work – requested the day off. His new firm that he joined in California is a small operation that is unable to offer benefits of vacation, sick days, dental/medical, but they do offer “flexibility” – the ability for him to shift around his schedule, take days off when he wants to, and operate his business as he pleases. This was one of those days that was extremely valuable with this benefit. The weary adventurers pulled into their driveway to their little duplex, brought a load of provisions in that would perish in the deadly California mediterranean-like heat, and passed out on the bed. Of course, young Prince Cian who slept the who journey in the vardo, was full of excitement and joy at being home – wanting to play swords, adventure, and watch cartoons. This led little sleep for the parents. The Prince of Endurance living life to his namesake.
The duet were able to get some rest as Sir Thomas Leaf restless awoke and started unpacking the van bringing in their gear, equipment, and merchandise. The roof was cleared first of the clothing rack, card rack, and rooftop carrier containing his box of ritual supplies, holy well water, furniture, step stool, trash cans, clothing, costumes, computer repair kit of tools, electronics, and whatever else he was able to stuff into it from their Oregon storage unit.
Then the interior of the van went in, several crates of Pirate gear, costumes, clothing, rocks, gems, jewelry, bumper stickers, magnets, art, prints, cards, tapestries, pirate flags, swords, horns, and faerie gifts from their shop The Tree Leaves Oracle. A stack of month-and-a-half-old mail that someday he would address. Bags of clothing, a microwave, a safe, a vacuum cleaner, and household cleaning supplies were the remaining gear left to move. He was exhausted.
Later that day they family headed off to Trader Joes to replenish their pantry and fridge of goodies they just do better in life with than without. On the way back home, they passed a freebie pile along the road – mostly junk, but containing several used kids toys to upcycle, beach pails, a toy parking garage, and a full size electronic kids dune buggy. Of course the electronics were shot, but as a push toy, Prince Cian was excited about his new chariot. First thing pulling in home the young excited prince wanted to be pushed around in his found treasure and play with his parking garage in the back yard for imaginary adventure time with his cars, trains, and helicopter across the dunes (sand pile) and tracks (wooden toy railway tracks, plastic car track) bouncing often over to his dune buggie wanting daddy to push him.
That evening was left for an early retirement of movies and sleep that these adventurers much needed.
