Major win for the storyteller! Pooh removal is now the most fascinating thing I've read this morning, and I've been up for hours. I sincerely wanted you to find a place to pee, and you did! But that man helping you figure out how to get rid of the stuff--a true hero.
Oh my god, no doubt. I have no idea how long I’d have stood there trying to figure out how to operate that friggin thing without this particular stranger. 😄
This was wonderful, Holly. Your story telling is superb. I so enjoy the way you weaved to two stories together to arrive at a takeaway that suited both. And I so enjoyed that you wrote about something I’m gonna call ‘everyday’ — in that I appreciate writing that eloquently covers subject matter that some view as too low-brow. There are so many opportunities for people to relate in these ‘everyday’ stories.
Haha. I was pretty stoked on the title. I’m so glad you liked it. I was worried people were going to be like—ew, how could you? No one wants to hear about this!
Yeah I can imagine there are some people that may think that way — but I am not one of them. I enjoy hearing about real shit (no pun intended) there is so much untapped potential in the mundane and the profane. It’s fun and relatable.
Holly, I can relate to your predicament now after having tried out our new trailer., after which we had a friend who followed us into a dump station and casually helped us take care of business.😳 It’s very nice to have some experience with these kind of things. :) Your story was fun and real.
That’s right! You, too, are learning your way around a dump site! Love it. My biggest piece of advice, remember to stay stocked up on gloves and hand sanitizer. ;)
Truer words have not been spoken. The world is massive and tiny, indeed. Thank you ever so much for reading and commenting, my friend. I much appreciate your support. ♥️
I should do more anecdotal research. I’m not quite sure if people living in vans that are clearly quite more pricey than mine have the same experience. But I have already experienced quite a bit of unwelcome, let’s say. And I am careful of following signage and generally being low-key and situationally aware. I imagine a lot of people are up for more late night knocks, being told to move on, and general hostility—at least.
As for those living in cars and parks and streets out of necessity rather than choice, I am absolutely certain this ruling will make, for many, finding dignity and safety that much much more difficult.
Haha, so much for the levity, eh? 😉
Thank you, Skylar, for reading and commenting. I saw very much appreciate it!
Loved every inch of this, from the rainbow light to the behemoth RV guy helping you to the orange candle and “bidet.” It helps dampen some of my rage at the latest SCOTUS abomination, “let’s-make-being-houseless-a-crime.” 🤯🤬
Thank you, Julie! These times require a bit of levity wherever we can find it, eh?
This ruling and the city ordinances that will surely follow our baffling to me. I suppose fear must be the driver—the way we can justify the dehumanization of more or less criminalizing sleep.
I much appreciate you reading and commenting, my friend.
Bring it, Holly! All the beautifully awkward bits of reality that the bedazzled social media realm omits. #vanlife INDEED! I am smitten with how you managed to weave in the magnitude of the solar eclipse and our relative blink of existence. #tao INDEED! And I can never have enough reminders that there are angels everywhere, even at sanitation stations. Thank you for this!
Yes, when traveling by boat or camper, conversation always comes around to poo at some point. I'm sure we would all like to pretend it doesn't happen but travelers know all too well it does. I remember the dumpster station story from your blog. We didn't use dumpster station much but every once in a while it was easier to poor pee in one. I think I was surprised the first time we used one that it was just a hole in the ground.
Great story. I'm all in for reading more about your poo adventures!
Such accurate details, described with delight and despair, and so familiar to all of us RV roadies, past and present. Ever think about doing these as podcasts for RV listeners on the road? And, oh yes, memories of Quartzite too. May be time to watch "Nomadland" again.
Thank you, Gary! I knew this one would be familiar to you. 😁
Funny you should mention the podcast. Just over the last couple of weeks I have decided to make podcast versions of these posts. It seems, on the face of it, Substack has actually made a fairly easy way of doing so and being connected to Spotify and Apple and other platforms. But I’m running up against some technical difficulties / questions that will require some research I guess. Thanks for mentioning you think it might work!! 😊
Woweee! What a wonderful, beautiful braid. I learned lots, laughed, and cried. I am so happy to know you in this Substack virtual space while you are claiming new space with Ruby. You are doing the thing, Holly, and able to write about it as you go. Being immersed in the poo of life and being able to write immersive work with sparkly lighting on the poo as you are living it is so hard to do! You inspire.
Awwwww, Emily, thank you. Someone else said it on another thread, and I totally agree. You’re among the people I’ve met here who I would also love to share a cuppa someday outside this virtual space.
Being able to write during recent challenges has been so deeply important. As has meeting, fellow readers and thinkers and writers and sharing our thoughts and hearts—not to mention the gift of having my words be read and found resonant. ♥️
Awww- thank you- I hope you and Ruby head my way in Ohio. And hopefully WITD camp?! The joy of seeing you, and others here, and the joy of being seen and actually hearing about it in real time is really extraordinary. I think quiet lives like mine are celebrated in obits more than in real time. It is a new aspect of visibility I am understanding. In order to find your people you have to poke your head out. 💜
Your toilet piece inspired me. Also, timing is funny. I told a very different version of this story on an old blog that had hardly any eyes on it and wanted to rewrite it for this space for sometime. I’m glad I waited till now, as it feels like the right time. :)
Well done Holly! I was feeling g your bathroom angst right along with you. I’m glad it all worked out and am dismayed about the atrocious court ruling.
Major win for the storyteller! Pooh removal is now the most fascinating thing I've read this morning, and I've been up for hours. I sincerely wanted you to find a place to pee, and you did! But that man helping you figure out how to get rid of the stuff--a true hero.
True hero indeed! Hahaha. Thank you thank you for reading. I was worried people would be like why are you talking about this?
Been thinking of you in your new spot. I hope you are settling in and generally feeling well!
Oops, I meant poo. My apologies to Winnie. 😊
I put the idea in your head with my title. I’m sure Winnie takes no offense. 😊🍯
You're a true travel guide. The Dumpster -- so good.
Awwww, thank you, thank you, Mary.
Thank Miss God for kind strangers!
Oh my god, no doubt. I have no idea how long I’d have stood there trying to figure out how to operate that friggin thing without this particular stranger. 😄
This was wonderful, Holly. Your story telling is superb. I so enjoy the way you weaved to two stories together to arrive at a takeaway that suited both. And I so enjoyed that you wrote about something I’m gonna call ‘everyday’ — in that I appreciate writing that eloquently covers subject matter that some view as too low-brow. There are so many opportunities for people to relate in these ‘everyday’ stories.
Also the title is perfect! :)
Haha. I was pretty stoked on the title. I’m so glad you liked it. I was worried people were going to be like—ew, how could you? No one wants to hear about this!
Yeah I can imagine there are some people that may think that way — but I am not one of them. I enjoy hearing about real shit (no pun intended) there is so much untapped potential in the mundane and the profane. It’s fun and relatable.
Thanks Holly :)
Holly, I can relate to your predicament now after having tried out our new trailer., after which we had a friend who followed us into a dump station and casually helped us take care of business.😳 It’s very nice to have some experience with these kind of things. :) Your story was fun and real.
That’s right! You, too, are learning your way around a dump site! Love it. My biggest piece of advice, remember to stay stocked up on gloves and hand sanitizer. ;)
Amazing writing, Holly. I agree with Noha--this was spellbinding.
Thank you, thank you, Jeannine! Your reading and commenting means a lot. ♥️
What a pleasure, glad this crossed my transom!
OMG!!! Something I have never ever considered but as soon as I started I was spell bound. The world is both so big and so small.
Truer words have not been spoken. The world is massive and tiny, indeed. Thank you ever so much for reading and commenting, my friend. I much appreciate your support. ♥️
fun read, Holly!
And I didn't think about the court case and how it might impact van life 🤔
I should do more anecdotal research. I’m not quite sure if people living in vans that are clearly quite more pricey than mine have the same experience. But I have already experienced quite a bit of unwelcome, let’s say. And I am careful of following signage and generally being low-key and situationally aware. I imagine a lot of people are up for more late night knocks, being told to move on, and general hostility—at least.
As for those living in cars and parks and streets out of necessity rather than choice, I am absolutely certain this ruling will make, for many, finding dignity and safety that much much more difficult.
Haha, so much for the levity, eh? 😉
Thank you, Skylar, for reading and commenting. I saw very much appreciate it!
oh yes definitely for the latter group 😞
Loved every inch of this, from the rainbow light to the behemoth RV guy helping you to the orange candle and “bidet.” It helps dampen some of my rage at the latest SCOTUS abomination, “let’s-make-being-houseless-a-crime.” 🤯🤬
Thank you, Julie! These times require a bit of levity wherever we can find it, eh?
This ruling and the city ordinances that will surely follow our baffling to me. I suppose fear must be the driver—the way we can justify the dehumanization of more or less criminalizing sleep.
I much appreciate you reading and commenting, my friend.
Bring it, Holly! All the beautifully awkward bits of reality that the bedazzled social media realm omits. #vanlife INDEED! I am smitten with how you managed to weave in the magnitude of the solar eclipse and our relative blink of existence. #tao INDEED! And I can never have enough reminders that there are angels everywhere, even at sanitation stations. Thank you for this!
Thank you, Elizabeth. I can’t tell you how much your Notes review made my day. It was a work of art itself!
I, on my travels, been very fortunate to meet a number of angels like this guy at the sanitation station and am a better person for it.
I’ve been trying to think of a name for my podcast. Maybe the Real Van Life would work! Hahaha!!
Yes, when traveling by boat or camper, conversation always comes around to poo at some point. I'm sure we would all like to pretend it doesn't happen but travelers know all too well it does. I remember the dumpster station story from your blog. We didn't use dumpster station much but every once in a while it was easier to poor pee in one. I think I was surprised the first time we used one that it was just a hole in the ground.
Great story. I'm all in for reading more about your poo adventures!
I thought about using a a photo from a page of the everybody poops book for this one. But I had plenty of imagery. Maybe for the next one? 🤣
All I can say is Dear God!
Hahaha! There have been days in Van Life that that is all I can say as well. 🤣
Thank you, thank you for reading and commenting, Abigail !
Such accurate details, described with delight and despair, and so familiar to all of us RV roadies, past and present. Ever think about doing these as podcasts for RV listeners on the road? And, oh yes, memories of Quartzite too. May be time to watch "Nomadland" again.
Have you thought about doing any podcasting with From Both Sides Now?
Yes, thought about it, dismissed it, at least for now. Thanks. Not enamored with my own voice.
Thank you, Gary! I knew this one would be familiar to you. 😁
Funny you should mention the podcast. Just over the last couple of weeks I have decided to make podcast versions of these posts. It seems, on the face of it, Substack has actually made a fairly easy way of doing so and being connected to Spotify and Apple and other platforms. But I’m running up against some technical difficulties / questions that will require some research I guess. Thanks for mentioning you think it might work!! 😊
Woweee! What a wonderful, beautiful braid. I learned lots, laughed, and cried. I am so happy to know you in this Substack virtual space while you are claiming new space with Ruby. You are doing the thing, Holly, and able to write about it as you go. Being immersed in the poo of life and being able to write immersive work with sparkly lighting on the poo as you are living it is so hard to do! You inspire.
Awwwww, Emily, thank you. Someone else said it on another thread, and I totally agree. You’re among the people I’ve met here who I would also love to share a cuppa someday outside this virtual space.
Being able to write during recent challenges has been so deeply important. As has meeting, fellow readers and thinkers and writers and sharing our thoughts and hearts—not to mention the gift of having my words be read and found resonant. ♥️
Awww- thank you- I hope you and Ruby head my way in Ohio. And hopefully WITD camp?! The joy of seeing you, and others here, and the joy of being seen and actually hearing about it in real time is really extraordinary. I think quiet lives like mine are celebrated in obits more than in real time. It is a new aspect of visibility I am understanding. In order to find your people you have to poke your head out. 💜
💕🐢
Holly, this post is a standout—timely, poignant, full of the lovingly precise observations I’ve come to expect from you. I love it.
Your toilet piece inspired me. Also, timing is funny. I told a very different version of this story on an old blog that had hardly any eyes on it and wanted to rewrite it for this space for sometime. I’m glad I waited till now, as it feels like the right time. :)
Zero waste writing in action, right here. Go, you!
Thank you!!!
Well done Holly! I was feeling g your bathroom angst right along with you. I’m glad it all worked out and am dismayed about the atrocious court ruling.