This was the title of a book by Richard Farina, who died shortly after he wrote this book. He was thrown off the back of a motorcycle. It was 1966 and he was 29 years old.

This was a book that spoke to younger people. I would have related to it more had I read it when I was in my 20s. My father did give me a copy, but I lost it. I got another copy in my 50s and read it then.

I don’t remember much about the book except for the fact that there was a road trip and interactions with Cuban revolutionaries, or references to them. The title has always stuck with me though.

This is how I now feel. Seems like it’s been a long downhill stretch for me, what with the overabundance of books and the messed up hip.

I am feeling like things might be on the upswing with the hip. I am being more mindful, and today I did body awareness work. No seizing up, no pain. Tonight, I am a bit tired, but I have taken care of the animals and will soon go to bed.

Things also feel like they are on the upswing politically. What’s been going on with Trump and his antics have been wrong, wrong, wrong. I am far more politically astute than I used to be – the wanton disregard for the focus on climate change (number one priority) woman’s abortion rights, health care issues; these are just a few things. Oh yeah, and Trump’s treatment of woman. This IS going to change – yes, the pendulum is swinging back to the left. Yes, yes.

Tonight, on the way home, I stopped at the BLBP hotel (Bacon, lettuce, baloney, and pork) and again found the former banquet room turned into a warehouse to be a mess. There were books in the hallway – I took them in small loads back into the warehouse and sorted them. I also stocked the hallway bookcases. And I stocked Bill’s boxes.

Pete called as I was writing the first part of this dispatch. My telling him about the situation bolstered my sagging spirits. This is for sure a huge project, a really huge project. And yes, the weight of it is on my shoulders.

Pete told me that all is going well at Ride Camp. Tyra has settled in for the night and is relaxed. Pete will be riding with our old friend Terri Meilke who also has an Icelandic horse.

So up I come, from the depths. The water is getting lighter in color. I still don’t see the top of the water, but I feel like I am getting closer.

Next: 204. 7/27/24: Home Alone, further thoughts