Jozien

The sign, six feet tall, read

ART

Lot 33

I made a u-turn and with only a glance at the subdivision's* map, drove straight to her door.

Her welcoming smile and invitation to coffee evoked memories of travels in other lands where hospitality toward strangers is still the norm.

Her art had/has an appealing immediacy (see it here) and we spent the next couple of hours discussing all things of importance, including polyamory.

Vulva  (6-12-11)

At dinner we had bison steaks; the bison having been "taken" by her husband from their back forty.

Three weeks later, on my way back from Alaska (to visit Canice), we, she and I, spent several idyllic weeks (August, 2010) atop a bluff overlooking the Takhini River.

 I got water at Mendenhall Landing, the river so clean it didn't need to be boiled.

In November she rode The Bus to Albuquerque. After introducing her to Michelle, we embarked in Trevor, the Ford Aerostar van, on a six-week sojourn into the wilds of New Mexico and Arizona.

Taking the roads less traveled (the only ones), she guided us over the Animas Mountains to Douglas. From there we followed along the border until turning north to resupply in Sierra Vista. In those days the border was rife with para-military. 

And though we were frequently stopped for questioning, we reveled in having it to ourselves.

Westward across Coronado National Forest to Patagonia Lake, we eventually came up for air in Arivaca. (I STILL cannot find the roads we traveled. At one point we went through a corral (two gates) that was 200 yards from the ranch-house. She was an incredible navigator!)

At home she spends much of her time hiking, weather permitting (or not, as the case may be), wearing naught but a holster with bear-spray. Although nothing of a stereotype, I read not long ago of a Dutch woman who, apparently unaware some people are uncomfortable with nudity, was, while strolling poolside, asked to don a bathing suit.

After we parted, Jozien (pronounced Yo-zeen in Dutch tho I used the Spanish: Ho-see-en), expanded on our experience. Over the following six years she explored the myriad rooms and dungeons of Castle Fetlife. As my karate instructor used to say, the highest compliment was when a student surpassed their teacher.  A woman of exemplary courage!

May 2018

* Subdivision is a bit of misnomer.
Not only is it the only concentration of homes between Whitehorse and Haines Junction, but the smallest lot is 20 acres. Of the twenty or so families who live here, many own several lots. It's 50 miles to Whitehorse and 80 to Haines Junction.

Two weeks ago Jozien came home to find a bear digging in the compost. Ignoring her honking, it continued until having unearthed it's prize, a soup bone, it retired to some nearby bushes.

Fort Trevor & The Vigraha Art Gallery in Prescott

On the way to our meetup, Suzan stopped to visit a friend. As the friend's daughter was admiring Suzan's  hammock and stuff, she commented that Trevor was like a fort. Thus, his name, which means Trusted Traveler, became Fort Trevor. 

Suzan and I are spending a couple of weeks together while she acclimates to finding her way "home" each evening. 

She's adapting amazingly fast and you can tell by Fort Trevor's smile he's pleased 
to, once again, be oot & aboot.

We stopped in Prescott where I sampled the Nasty Lady (with mushrooms) at Nastee Dogs hot dogs (one block South of the Court House on the West side). They make all their own dogs, buns, mayonnaise and ketchup. The meat is smoked behind the store. It was the best Brat I've had since Germany!! And only $7.50. 

We also visited The Vigraha Art Gallery at 115 E Goodwin Street, Suite E. It's just up the hill from the Chamber of Commerce in the back left corner of a little court yard on the same side of the street as the Chamber. It was full of museum-quality Tibetan, Nepalese and East Indian bronzes (for reals!!!), a few of which were life-size. 

Suzan keeps her guiding principles on a white board so they can be easily updated. 

1) Face the fact of your own death.

2) Stop making excuses.

3) Become a woman of your word.

         A) Be impeccable with your word.

4) Don't take anything personally.

5) Don't make assumptions.

6) Always do your best.

Trevor - 1992 Aerostar XL

In those early days there was a .357 in that shoulder holster; I'd been living in the city too long.

Maybe someday I can check my journal to see where I was. The photo below, from the same period, is (worthlessly) labeled, "The Road Less Traveled."

Eric's - February 28, 2010

 Dripping Springs, Texas

Chico made himself comfortable on my t-shirt. Notice his nonchalant foot against the water jug.

It's hard to believe I carried a "personal" trampoline -- at right, above.

There're ten acres but in order to be nearby, I parked down by the barn.

Enough room to spread out.

I was "into" scrubs in those days. After YEARS of living in the city I'd attained my all-time highest weight of 242 pds. (Same as I weigh now, 2/7/21)

Eric is four years younger. I was 58.