This story is just the magic we all needed for Ruby. It HAD to be Witchy Mama! Oh, the ache and the absolute rightness of it all. You know I cried. But happy sad tears. Thank you for always reminding me what we're all doing here.
I love that Ruby (Doo) and Witchy Mama found each other. It makes the letting go a little easier—happy sad rather than sad sad. To many beautiful miles ahead for all of you! 🩵
Aww, Ruby Doo and Witchy Mama, sounds like a perfect match. Thanks for the update and your beautifully written farewell to your love, Ruby van Jangles. The adventures continue.
I’m happy sad for Ruby too, or Ruby Doo. Witchy Mama sounds like the perfect new owner. How strangely satisfying that is. Thanks Holly, that’s was great
A lovely continuation of Ruby on the Road! Wonderful how things can sometimes work out, Holly. I think you've all 3 been blessed--with peace of mind!!!! A job well done!! Through luck, a bit of karma no doubt, and the indomitable will of the beckoning road of life.
‘Let the Shenanigans begin’. Oh man, I picked that tee out immediately, could she have worn anything more perfect for that first (and last) photo? How incredible that Ruby will have another human who will treat her like family. Not the same, never the same. But still, it must feel right. Living in Vermont and loving Robert Frost, one of our own, I couldn’t help but think of these few lines from his poem Death of a Hired Man;
“Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” And in this case, Ruby was both, home and family. I know that Viv will become the same, how could she not. She will carry you to places old and new, and on the way, she can’t help but absorb a small part of who you are. Just like Ruby, you have left remnants of Joy and tears of sadness and everything else in between, no amount of “wood soap” can wash away.
I’d forgotten that Robert Frost line. But I do think it’s perfect here. And I think Ruby absolutely had to take Witchy Mama in, just as when I first found her, she had to take me in. And the same, I believe, was true of her previous person—a student of a friend of mine who temporarily very much needed a place to lay his head.
First, I have taken that same picture of that road in Escalante. I loved hiking that slot canyon. It is so amazing there. Pics like this make me miss the US and want to stay to explore more of her! In a van, sitting in a stunningly beautiful place like Escalante, with all the doors open, a soft breeze blowing through our home.
It looks like Ruby has found a great new companion. Witchy Mama & Ruby Doo - what a duo!
When we sold Ballena Blanca, the new owner moved in and stayed in her in the driveway where we were staying for a few days. It is odd to see someone else's stuff in your home. But I think the right new owner found her. Well, it's been over a year and we haven't heard from him so I assume he is happy.
Oh that’s right. I forgot about him moving in in your driveway. How interesting. Witchy Mama’s family live close to where my cousin lives. And I wondered if it was going to be hard not to alter my route so I took that road. Just for a peak. But it wasn’t.
I LOVE that you have a photo of that same road. That road is sooooo gorgeous and empty. And yeah, sitting in the van with the doors flown wide right about there is pretty much heaven.
We are back. In Atlanta right now. We have ordered a new van. We should have it soon. We are going to be house sitting around the Southeast while we build it out.
What a perfect person for Ruby to care for. I felt 'happy sad' with you.
Thank you, Jan! I kinda keep wanting to check on them both. But I won't. She'll call me if she has questions. ♥️
Oh, I know the feeling, of wanting to check in on them both.
Right?!
what a beautiful love letter to Ruby and to a life...a new dawn for Ruby too and I love witchy mama already. Your new home?
Thank you, thank you, my friend!
My new home is a tall white van who makes Ruby look tiny.
Her name is Vivian Van Gogh. ;)
This story is just the magic we all needed for Ruby. It HAD to be Witchy Mama! Oh, the ache and the absolute rightness of it all. You know I cried. But happy sad tears. Thank you for always reminding me what we're all doing here.
Gah. What a beautiful thing to say, my friend.
I so appreciate you being here.
Awwww, love this. We don’t always get to have such sweet complete goodbyes. Happy trails to Ruby Doo.
Sweet and complete! A perfect way to describe the Ruby farewell.
Thank you, Julie!
I love that Ruby (Doo) and Witchy Mama found each other. It makes the letting go a little easier—happy sad rather than sad sad. To many beautiful miles ahead for all of you! 🩵
Thank you, Wendy. So true that it takes away the sad sad.
Yes, to many beautiful miles ahead for all of us.
I look forward to watching the adventures of Holly and Viv unfurl! 🚐
Happy trails to Witchy Mama and Ruby!
Thank you, Michael!
Ruby Doo, ready.
Now is Witchy Mama’s time,
turn to hit the trail!
Love this! I’m doing my own turn to hit a new trail as well. :)
I hope I’m just like Witchy Mama when I grow up
Right?! Me too.
And there are some other parts of our convos that didn’t make it into the story that would make you double down on that hope. 😜
Thank you for reading and commenting. ❤️
Aww, Ruby Doo and Witchy Mama, sounds like a perfect match. Thanks for the update and your beautifully written farewell to your love, Ruby van Jangles. The adventures continue.
Thank you, dear friend. The adventure continues indeed!
They do seem the perfect match, indeed.
I’m happy sad for Ruby too, or Ruby Doo. Witchy Mama sounds like the perfect new owner. How strangely satisfying that is. Thanks Holly, that’s was great
I know, right. And it’s funny (affirming?) how it all sort of fell in place (after the initial how-the-hell-did-I-lose-the-title chaos 😂).
Thank you, Jonathan.
A lovely continuation of Ruby on the Road! Wonderful how things can sometimes work out, Holly. I think you've all 3 been blessed--with peace of mind!!!! A job well done!! Through luck, a bit of karma no doubt, and the indomitable will of the beckoning road of life.
“Through luck, a bit of karma no doubt, and the indomitable will of the beckoning road of life.” Alternate title!!
Thank you, Jeanine. Peace of mind is, indeed, a beautiful thing.
“Let the shenanigans begin…er, continue…” 🙏❤️
Exactly!! 💕❤️💕
‘Let the Shenanigans begin’. Oh man, I picked that tee out immediately, could she have worn anything more perfect for that first (and last) photo? How incredible that Ruby will have another human who will treat her like family. Not the same, never the same. But still, it must feel right. Living in Vermont and loving Robert Frost, one of our own, I couldn’t help but think of these few lines from his poem Death of a Hired Man;
“Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” And in this case, Ruby was both, home and family. I know that Viv will become the same, how could she not. She will carry you to places old and new, and on the way, she can’t help but absorb a small part of who you are. Just like Ruby, you have left remnants of Joy and tears of sadness and everything else in between, no amount of “wood soap” can wash away.
Sweet words,Holly!
Awww, thank you, Lor.
I’d forgotten that Robert Frost line. But I do think it’s perfect here. And I think Ruby absolutely had to take Witchy Mama in, just as when I first found her, she had to take me in. And the same, I believe, was true of her previous person—a student of a friend of mine who temporarily very much needed a place to lay his head.
And that T-shirt says it all!!
First, I have taken that same picture of that road in Escalante. I loved hiking that slot canyon. It is so amazing there. Pics like this make me miss the US and want to stay to explore more of her! In a van, sitting in a stunningly beautiful place like Escalante, with all the doors open, a soft breeze blowing through our home.
It looks like Ruby has found a great new companion. Witchy Mama & Ruby Doo - what a duo!
When we sold Ballena Blanca, the new owner moved in and stayed in her in the driveway where we were staying for a few days. It is odd to see someone else's stuff in your home. But I think the right new owner found her. Well, it's been over a year and we haven't heard from him so I assume he is happy.
Oh that’s right. I forgot about him moving in in your driveway. How interesting. Witchy Mama’s family live close to where my cousin lives. And I wondered if it was going to be hard not to alter my route so I took that road. Just for a peak. But it wasn’t.
I LOVE that you have a photo of that same road. That road is sooooo gorgeous and empty. And yeah, sitting in the van with the doors flown wide right about there is pretty much heaven.
Y’all still in SA?
We are back. In Atlanta right now. We have ordered a new van. We should have it soon. We are going to be house sitting around the Southeast while we build it out.
Yes!!! A new buildout. Can’t wait to see it. We’ll have to meet up at some point, each with our new rigs.
The match of Ruby and Witchy Mama couldn’t be more perfect if you’d made it up. 💕
Right?! I know it has much to do with perception and all. But it really did feel meant to be—the connection between Ruby Doo and Witchy Mama!
"The way dawn would spill through the crack I left open onto my cheek" ... absolute gold.
Thanks!