From running naked while howling at coyotes to naming the local insects, this post is a delight--poignant, poetic and radiant with love for the world as it reels in a time of uncertainty.
Holly, I adored this! So much so I am going to write a whole post in reply... I have shower stories galore...
I have set up the draft already and will attempt it over the next month or so... I will tag you when its ready - thank you gorgeous lady for your wonderful and inspiring writing. Actually make that voice because I always listen to that beautiful soft lilt with pleasure! ♥️x
OMG, I can't wait!!! Shower stories galore! What an absolute treat.
I am absolutely enamored of my writing inspiring others to posts and vice versa. It's such a wonderful energetic exchange and loose collaboration whenever that happens.
And thank you for listening. Such a pleasure and honor to have my words and voice be heard.
Reading your work always gives me that sun-warmed, yearning glow of adventure! I can't wait to get back out in my van, also shower-less. I have a shower that I sling up on Margot (the van's) back ladder. It's just a plastic bag and a nozzle but it works well. I always feel so wonderfully wild when I'm in the wilderness showering beneath it! It feels like an act of rebellion somehow - exposing a body to the world - a little protest against society's rules. Thank you for another wonderful post x
Oh, for sure. They’d be kindred spirits. (I really need the inventors of emojis to make a series of van emojis. Imagine two here under a night filled with stars.)
Your title drew me right in. I love Dr. Seuss , I started picturing Horton from ‘Horton Hears a Who !’ filling his trunk and aiding wanderers in need of a shower🐘. I am sure you remember the days when a cold lake and a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap was the ultimate outdoor experience in bathing. Your photo of the bus reminded me of an old Volkswagen Van
I used to ski past at the very beginnings of a backcountry ski trip. Put out to pasture, so to speak , in a hallowed burial ground honoring only one highly respected old friend. Like your photograph, the door was left ajar, peeking inside was like looking into an outdoor museum installation entitled; ‘still holding dearly to the remnants of the road’ .
An old hiking boot with a small tree growth sticking out of it, a single metal bed frame, one rusted bucket, and a shredded plastic shower curtain. I could almost hear the echo of old stories, but more likely the cold north wind howling through the empty cavern. The outside had the remnants of a large painted daisy and I could just make out the shape of a peace sign. Whenever we skied past , we nodded in respect and burst into a few lines of a song , you know the one, sing along if you’d like ; “All the leaves are brown , And the sky is gray , I've been for a walk On a winter's day , I'd be safe and warm…”
Lor! I LOVE this glimpse at that old van. The boot, the bucket, the curtain--old stories like "cold north wind howling through the empty cavern" in deed. This description is a poetry. Poetry with song. And I did sing along.
Thank you ever so much for stopping by and sharing this memory. 🥰🥰🥰
May you be safe and warm on this (and all) winter's day. (Or summer. Can't be sure which hemisphere you're in.)
I am in VERMONT ! warm and toasty on the inside , delightfully skiing in ,or falling in, hiking in , or covered in, chilling cold, wonderful snow , on most of winter’s days.
Oh I love Vermont! It such a gorgeous place year round. I recently wrote a piece with a scene that takes place in Vermont. It was years back, and I was nomading on foot up the US East Coast and staying at a hostel in … I can’t remember exactly where in Vermont in this moment. At any rate, I’d borrowed a tin canoe from the hostel and went out in a lake and lay in the hull and fallen asleep and woke up in a storm.
Wonderful Holly. It should go without saying by this point that your writing is beautiful. I also find it impressive that even with seemingly simple subject matter you find the magic in it. I mean, I loved this part —
“Jaxon, a long-legged red paper wasp who you think in human form would pick a mandolin and keep a dip in his jaw, visits every mid-morning. You’ll learn not to flinch when he dive-bombs your yoga mat; he’s just coming in for a look. Occasionally, he’ll bring Mabel, a paper wasp the color of mustard. (There may be interchangeable Mabels.)” — that gives us such a window into the wonderment with which you look at the world. :)
I really did love that bubble. At the next site, there was a black rattlesnake (not close enough that I was concerned) and this ginormous raven that hopped across the field next to me daily.
Reading about your shower adventures, Holly, I'm struck by your incredible resilience and adaptability.
It's inspiring to see how you've embraced the unpredictable nature of life on the road, finding unique and creative ways to stay clean and connected to nature. Your stories remind me that true freedom often lies in letting go of our expectations and embracing the unexpected.
The building of resilience and adaptability has been among my most cherished parts of living a nomadic life. It’s like a version of doing crossword puzzles to keep the mind limber. What is life if not a series of changes, joyous and difficult alike, to adapt to? ;)
I always very much appreciate your close read and thoughtful comments, my friend.
Well as my dad used to say (and so many others), the only thing that is constant is change and taxes. I’ve really loved to read your lessons and reflections on nomadic life.
I absolutely loved this post, Holly! I actually said last week that I'd passed the point in my life where an outdoor shower is appealing. You've got me reconsidering! Especially if my shower comes with a hawk overhead. Thank you for this!
Haha. Truly, thank you. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this one. And if you do have opportunity for another outdoor shower, my a hawk circle as you do.
Brilliant - both the topic and the second person perspective! Every one of these called to me (except perhaps the orange bowl). The shower tent looked amazing until I see you running across the desert in a windstorm!
Well done Holly on your amazing creativity (I meant writing, but it could also be showering🤣)
From running naked while howling at coyotes to naming the local insects, this post is a delight--poignant, poetic and radiant with love for the world as it reels in a time of uncertainty.
Thank you, Rona. I had quite a lot of fun recalling many a shower and deciding which to include in this collection. ♥️♥️
I very much appreciate you being here and sharing my love for the world. They are uncertain times, in deed.
Best shower I ever had was at the home of a friend. Her shower was open to the sky and to the wilderness on one side. Thanks for reminding me.
Mmmm, I do love a home with an outdoor shower! So very glad to remind of one facing wilderness. :)
Holly, I adored this! So much so I am going to write a whole post in reply... I have shower stories galore...
I have set up the draft already and will attempt it over the next month or so... I will tag you when its ready - thank you gorgeous lady for your wonderful and inspiring writing. Actually make that voice because I always listen to that beautiful soft lilt with pleasure! ♥️x
OMG, I can't wait!!! Shower stories galore! What an absolute treat.
I am absolutely enamored of my writing inspiring others to posts and vice versa. It's such a wonderful energetic exchange and loose collaboration whenever that happens.
And thank you for listening. Such a pleasure and honor to have my words and voice be heard.
Reading your work always gives me that sun-warmed, yearning glow of adventure! I can't wait to get back out in my van, also shower-less. I have a shower that I sling up on Margot (the van's) back ladder. It's just a plastic bag and a nozzle but it works well. I always feel so wonderfully wild when I'm in the wilderness showering beneath it! It feels like an act of rebellion somehow - exposing a body to the world - a little protest against society's rules. Thank you for another wonderful post x
Did I know you have a van named Margot? Of course you do. 😊
I know exactly what you mean—that little act of rebellion / exposure. Pure delight!!
I don't know if I mentioned her! She's an old VW gal but she has life in her yet. I think she'd be best buddies with Ruby.
Oh, for sure. They’d be kindred spirits. (I really need the inventors of emojis to make a series of van emojis. Imagine two here under a night filled with stars.)
Your title drew me right in. I love Dr. Seuss , I started picturing Horton from ‘Horton Hears a Who !’ filling his trunk and aiding wanderers in need of a shower🐘. I am sure you remember the days when a cold lake and a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap was the ultimate outdoor experience in bathing. Your photo of the bus reminded me of an old Volkswagen Van
I used to ski past at the very beginnings of a backcountry ski trip. Put out to pasture, so to speak , in a hallowed burial ground honoring only one highly respected old friend. Like your photograph, the door was left ajar, peeking inside was like looking into an outdoor museum installation entitled; ‘still holding dearly to the remnants of the road’ .
An old hiking boot with a small tree growth sticking out of it, a single metal bed frame, one rusted bucket, and a shredded plastic shower curtain. I could almost hear the echo of old stories, but more likely the cold north wind howling through the empty cavern. The outside had the remnants of a large painted daisy and I could just make out the shape of a peace sign. Whenever we skied past , we nodded in respect and burst into a few lines of a song , you know the one, sing along if you’d like ; “All the leaves are brown , And the sky is gray , I've been for a walk On a winter's day , I'd be safe and warm…”
(The Mama & the Papas).
Thank you Holly, loved it.
Lor! I LOVE this glimpse at that old van. The boot, the bucket, the curtain--old stories like "cold north wind howling through the empty cavern" in deed. This description is a poetry. Poetry with song. And I did sing along.
Thank you ever so much for stopping by and sharing this memory. 🥰🥰🥰
May you be safe and warm on this (and all) winter's day. (Or summer. Can't be sure which hemisphere you're in.)
I am in VERMONT ! warm and toasty on the inside , delightfully skiing in ,or falling in, hiking in , or covered in, chilling cold, wonderful snow , on most of winter’s days.
Oh I love Vermont! It such a gorgeous place year round. I recently wrote a piece with a scene that takes place in Vermont. It was years back, and I was nomading on foot up the US East Coast and staying at a hostel in … I can’t remember exactly where in Vermont in this moment. At any rate, I’d borrowed a tin canoe from the hostel and went out in a lake and lay in the hull and fallen asleep and woke up in a storm.
The piece is called “My Greatest Fear” (https://substack.com/@hollystarley/p-152433052)
Very glad that you’re warm and toasty inside and enjoying all the winter wonderment outside. ♥️♥️♥️
Wonderful Holly. It should go without saying by this point that your writing is beautiful. I also find it impressive that even with seemingly simple subject matter you find the magic in it. I mean, I loved this part —
“Jaxon, a long-legged red paper wasp who you think in human form would pick a mandolin and keep a dip in his jaw, visits every mid-morning. You’ll learn not to flinch when he dive-bombs your yoga mat; he’s just coming in for a look. Occasionally, he’ll bring Mabel, a paper wasp the color of mustard. (There may be interchangeable Mabels.)” — that gives us such a window into the wonderment with which you look at the world. :)
I love this ode to outdoor showers. Wonderful pics and the views!
Delightful post.
Thank you, my friend. An ode to outdoor showers. Love it!
You even making showering seem like an adventure 🥰 I’m always so jealous (but in a good way) of your life after reading
Beautiful memories from a challenging time, Holly. I love the bubble you created for yourself. You were surrounded by the very best people.
Indeed, I was surrounded by some wonderful people. ;)
Thank you for reading and commenting, Troy. What a wild time that was for all of us, eh?
Pure Holly Starley magic. What a joy!
Magic! I’ll take it. Thank you, Jeffrey. 🥰
What a bubble, though! Bart, Jaxon, and Mabel(s) - a delight to read this, Holly. xo
I really did love that bubble. At the next site, there was a black rattlesnake (not close enough that I was concerned) and this ginormous raven that hopped across the field next to me daily.
xo back at you, my friend
It's such a fun and alluring post.
Thank you!!🥰🥰🥰
Reading about your shower adventures, Holly, I'm struck by your incredible resilience and adaptability.
It's inspiring to see how you've embraced the unpredictable nature of life on the road, finding unique and creative ways to stay clean and connected to nature. Your stories remind me that true freedom often lies in letting go of our expectations and embracing the unexpected.
Thanks, Alexander!
The building of resilience and adaptability has been among my most cherished parts of living a nomadic life. It’s like a version of doing crossword puzzles to keep the mind limber. What is life if not a series of changes, joyous and difficult alike, to adapt to? ;)
I always very much appreciate your close read and thoughtful comments, my friend.
Well as my dad used to say (and so many others), the only thing that is constant is change and taxes. I’ve really loved to read your lessons and reflections on nomadic life.
♥️♥️
Pure magic, Holly.
A picnic. A roadtrip. A sermon without guilt.
Haha. I love this reply!!
I absolutely loved this post, Holly! I actually said last week that I'd passed the point in my life where an outdoor shower is appealing. You've got me reconsidering! Especially if my shower comes with a hawk overhead. Thank you for this!
Yasss! My work here is done!
Haha. Truly, thank you. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this one. And if you do have opportunity for another outdoor shower, my a hawk circle as you do.
🥰
Brilliant - both the topic and the second person perspective! Every one of these called to me (except perhaps the orange bowl). The shower tent looked amazing until I see you running across the desert in a windstorm!
Well done Holly on your amazing creativity (I meant writing, but it could also be showering🤣)
Haha! Thank you. Living in the van has certainly fostered creativity in many areas. :)
I do love that tent. But I’ve also cursed it various reasons.