Alexis Hartz, Author

Upon arrival in Phoenix -- Ice  still on the Coach roof! I'm back!  Just re-read my last post. Yikes!!  Some days just don't go well, and that was one of them.  Sorry to leave you hanging in such a awkward part of the story. But now, "for the rest of the story" . . . . . First of all, on that day, I woke up to the reality of my coach life -- that there are some things that are just not comfortable about it. Sleeping in it in temperatures that are lower than I prepared for or expected is one of them.  Another is preparing to spend the winter in it in a cold climate -- definitely not comfortable to even consider . . . but consider it I did!  And then there was the whole, "Ok, I got the RV, and I was actually able to drive it somewhere, and load a car on a car caddy, and pull that behind it." ------ Now what??? With Thanksgiving fast approaching, and relatives to visit up and down the front range of Colorado, and visitors coming...

Are you still there?  Sorry for skipping out on you.  Sometimes I just don't know where to begin. First of all, status of the coach.  Well, winter is upon us so it's time to move to the south or to storage for awhile.  My vote is storage.  Yes, it is possible to live through the winter in a coach, but it's not the kind of adventure that I was looking for. So, I've been researching options for the next several months of the year. Next, status of "career change".  I haven't been talking much about how I will support myself in this life, but it has been heavy on my mind.  Opportunities arise daily, and I am evaluating how they fit into the second half of my life. Reviewing the options, and picking up odd jobs when they arise has also cut into this blogging time of mine. Finally, I've been letting go of my obsession to build a relationship with a man that never had any intention or desire to do so with me.  I'm struggling with the emot...

I just glanced at my profile picture and find it hard to believe that Phoenix is really as warm as it is ---- all the time! We had our first snow showers last night, and the lightest of snowflakes fell out of a sunny sky this morning.  I have been toying with winterizing the coach since Sunday, and still am considering options for keeping the water pipes from freezing and deciding between heating options for the winter.  I had a long conversation with my friend in the Park office, and afterwards concluded that I'll be heading south or in permanent quarters for the winter months. It was never part of the plan to live through a cold winter in this cozy place, and considering it has put me face to face with how far my adventurous spirit will take me.  Even I have limits. There are already options on the drawing board.  What others should I consider? -- Any suggestions?

 It's not the weather, I always look like this.  The last of the sunny blue sky is fading into the east, and the grey cast of impending snow showers is upon the park.  Deer are gallivanting through the grassy meadows surrounding our tin-dominiums, they are so at home here with us two-legged creatures. It's four in the afternoon and it's looking particularly dark overhead.  I have to remind myself that darkness will fall an hour earlier tonight. Yesterday I arrived at church halfway through the first service, thinking I was only a few minutes late for the second service, until I was reminded of the time change on to Daylight Savings Time --- or off of it. They don't change the time where I come from so I'm not sure which is the case. Whatever benefit this human-inspired-time-control offers to our race surely doesn't take into account the emotional lows produced by a 4pm sunset on a cloudy day. They don't have these where I come from either. Do...

Ok, time for a new project.  Winterizing begins tomorrow.  I've decided to hang out here in Southwest Colorado until Christmas which gives me time to experience a taste of winter in the coach.  So far we've had a few hard frosts, but the days have been sunny and well into the 60's and 70's --- ahhh, that Colorado weather is spectacular, isn't it?! I doubt that it will change much in the next 7-8 weeks, but I want to be prepared.  I'll need skirting, and plastic covering for the windows, and insulation for the fan vents.  AND, I'm going to attempt to install a programmable thermostat also.  That thermostat did not make the list of essentials that the RV Park Office staff offered to me.  It is driven by my love of reading and writing in the early mornings.  At 5 each day I'm ready to get up, but have hesitated to get out of my delightfully comfy and warm bedroom by the cold morning air lately.  My strateg...

I'm craving a road trip today.  The coach has been sitting in one place too long, especially for a vehicle with wheels instead of legs. But none of my trip options are quite making sense yet, so I'll practice cherishing the simple comforts of day instead. I took a long walk through town today --- over the river and through the neighborhoods.  (Hey, where did all the deer go?  Not one to be found today.)  On nearly every block I passed a house where I had visited a friend at one time or another, who I had worked with, or met to share a great meal, or together celebrated a special celebration, or just appreciated some good company every now and then. So much of who I am is wrapped up in those memories.  Years of relationships, parenting, working, and relocating have buried that pure spirit.  Over 25 years later I am on a quest to revive her.  No wonder I am in this place now.  No wonder I find comfort in t...

These little critters are like flies at a picnic. They are everywhere! A passerby directed me as I shot this photo, "Hey, there's six more over here, and there's 2 more over there."  I'm sure I looked no different that an Asian tourist at Disneyland to her. Just like the deer, the hungry people come to the Soup Kitchen where I've been helping out. My responsibilities have included cleaning and organizing the pantry, assisting with food pick-ups, and general good will towards volunteers and "clients".    On one of the food pick-ups the store florist offered  old flowers to us.  Without hesitation, we scooped them up, and stopped at a Rehabilitation Center before returning to the Kitchen. Just like the deer, and just like meal time at the Soup Kitchen, "clients" were everywhere.  Joy and tears flowed as we distributed the bouquets. Obviously there are better places for those flowers that the trash can. Today I...