What's Going On?

I've been super busy this summer and haven't been blogging much.
I thought I'd write today and let you know what's going on in my life.

AnnieWalkers Camino Trip.

This year we have 3 trips planned. Group Leaders Joe Walsh and Annette St-Pierre are leading two groups, and hopefully, I will be leading a third, The Crone's Camino, which is a group for women only.

You can read more about the trip and the leaders at this link:

AnnieWalkers Camino

There is space in all three trips at this point. Two were full, but we have had cancellations for reasons from new grandbabies to the Ebola scare. It's still very early, however, so we are confident all three trips will fill up fast. This generally happens around Christmas.

Chickens

My chicken run has a roof on it!

I'm frantically working to get the chicken coop and run finished so I can get out of the rain and spend some time at Joe's place in the warm California desert.  The chicken wire still has to be put on, and concrete must be poured around the perimeter. And then the chickens will be much more safe from the raccoon family who live nearby.

I have 4 hens, two Barred Rocks, a Red Sex Link, and an Easter Egger. Three are laying regularly. The  smallest Barred Rock is a month behind her sister, and I've given her one week to produce or she's going to be sold. I love these chickens! They're such funny little things. Watching their antics has given me a lot of pleasure, plus the added benefit of my own organic eggs.

Kallie, the laying Barred Rock, and Sissy, the Red Sex Link, produce lovely brown eggs.

 


Bella, my Easter Egger, produces beautiful blue eggs which are occasionally two-toned.

Mushrooming

October and November are mushrooming months in Oregon. We attended the Mycological Society's Fall show this weekend. There were hundreds of mushrooms on display with cards indicating whether or not they were edible, poisonous, or just naming them.  It was an awesome show!

Tuesday, Joe and I headed toward the coast to our favorite Chanterelle mushrooming site.
We both came home with enough mushrooms to give to friends and to eat for a week. Here is part of my harvest.  In past years, I've gathered enough to can for the year, but this year, we just wanted enough for immediate use.

Those of you who have walked the Camino may have seen Chanterelles growing in the SPRING on the banks beside the trail to Pedrouzo.

At the mushroom show, I bought a block that will produce Shitake mushrooms and another that will produce Oyster mushrooms. I'm going to set them up today.

My Ankle

My ankle is healing well. I have been seeing my chiropractor once a week and that, combined with gentle stretching exercise, seems to be working. I hope to strengthen it by walking in the desert after Thanksgiving.

The Economy

My middle son and his wife are losing their house due to the economic stress. He was laid off a few months last year and got about 4 months behind on the mortgage. He is working now but Wells Fargo REFUSED to work out any type of catch-up payment plan even though they were only $6,000 behind. Even the arbitrator agreed that they were greedy slime.  Of course, they'd rather sell the house and collect $300,000 for it. At first this was very stressful, but the family has accepted it. They have put the house up for sale and are hoping to at least recoup some of their equity before they move to an apartment. Please put my family in your prayers that they might sell this house soon and have some money to get reestablished.

My Needle Felting

When we got a new roommate, I moved downstairs from two bedrooms to one bedroom, to make space. This left me with a very tiny studio space for my needle felting. Last week, I sorted and cleaned and organized. I'm ready for the holiday rush now.

 If you're interested in seeing what I do to make extra cash, you can see my shop at this link:

Annie's Felting Shop

I guess that's about all the news for today.

I hope you all have a wonderful Fall!

Until then,

Walking the Camino - and Life - Unplugged

Recently, I've been attempting to unplug more, 

as this ad suggests.

I think other folks are on the same page, 

because this morning there were several posts on Facebook 

addressing this issue. 

 Gabrielle Reece said, 

TURNING OFF has become a major challenge for us, with cellphones and laptops giving us constant access to the world -- current research says that 75% of us use an electronic device within an hour of sleeping. The same research says that our habits with those devices are negatively affecting our sleep, which can have significant health repercussions down the road.

How do YOU sleep these days???

Then there was the awesome video post by Prince Ea:

It's not easy. 

Electronics have become addictive. 

I've attempted to unplug

 - at one time I had 3 Facebook accounts. 

Why three? 

Well, there's so much politics on FB,
 I wanted to avoid arguments. 

 I had one account for my Christian right-wing friends, 

one account for my pagan left-wing friends, 

and one account for my felting and Camino friends. 

It got crazy, the amount of time I was spending online.

 So I cut out the two right-wing/left-wing accounts and kept the third.

 But still, I'd catch myself checking FB before sleeping,
or checking Facebook before I'd even get out of bed. 

I tried making a rule. 

 I'd check Facebook and email only twice a day; 

once in the morning and once before bed. 

It worked about 2 days. 

I continue to work on this issue.

The easiest way for me to begin unplugging

 has been to not carry my cell-phone around. 

I leave it in my bedroom unless I'm driving someplace. 

If it rings and I'm busy, I don't answer. 

If it's important, people will leave a message.

 If it's an immediate family member, 

like my mother or one of my sons, I do call back. 

But more often than not, it's just someone wanting to chat. 

And if I'm felting, which is my work, 

it can wait until I take a break or have the time. 

When I drive somewhere, I do take the phone,

 but never answer it. 

I take it in case I get stuck at the side of the road,

 or leave my keys in my car, as I did recently. 

Lately, instead of rolling over 

and checking my Facebook on my iPad when I wake up, 

I've begun grabbing a cup of coffee and reading,

 either Rumi or Esther Hicks or the Bible 

or something that might give me inspiration for the day. 

Some mornings, when I don't feel like reading,

 I'll take my coffee out into the back yard 

and just study nature for 15-20 minutes

 - just be thankful for waking up alive. 

Which brings me to the Camino and walking unplugged.

I have walked various Camino routes around a dozen times. 

It has only been the ones where I led a group 

that I felt I needed to carry a cell phone. 

People are just more comfortable 

when they know they can reach me. 

However, when I walk alone, the phone is OFF. 

Nor do I listen to a musical device. 

Instead, I enjoy the sounds of the Camino

and use my iPhone to record them.

(Do I sense a conflict here? I'll have to mull this over.)

If I had an iPod, I would have missed the cow bells…

I would have missed the frogs croaking in the ponds on the Camino Madrid.

I would have missed the cuckoo in the distance,

the wind rustling the leaves in the trees, 

and the rushing water in the river.

If I'd been wearing a iPod,

I would have missed being awakened by this men's chorus

in Puente la Reina…

Instead of being distracted by electronics,

I savor the smells, 

bread baking in an oven, 

freshly squeezed orange juice,

 the smell of the upturned soil.

I walk with my eyes wide open for color - 

the green of the forests and fields, 

purple and red bunches of grapes hanging on the vine, 

colored sheets hanging on a line,  

or the diverse colors and shapes

 of the wildflowers sprinkled along the route. 

I look into the eyes of the pilgrims I pass.

There's much diversity there to enjoy.

I close my eyes and really SEE, SMELL, and TASTE the caldo, 

the tortilla, 

the gazpacho, 

the grilled peppers,

feeling my tastebuds dance 

as the various flavors tickle each one. 

I want to be distracted by the CAMINO! 

By the sights, sounds, and smells 

of the wonderful exotic country I'm visiting. 

I can't tell you how many times 

I've passed a pilgrim wearing earbuds,

 totally engrossed in their own little world. 

While it's true, they ARE walking THEIR Camino, 

I can't help but feel a little sad for them. 

They missed the opportunity

 to share words, ideas, laughter,

with someone from another country,

 another culture. 

Why go to Spain at all?

Why not just walk in their own neighborhood 

listening to their iPod? 

Why spend their life savings to come to Spain 

to do what they could do at home?

I'd like to encourage you to unplug, 

at home 

and on the Camino.

Try spending a day,

in fact, try walking the Camino

 WITHOUT a phone, iPod, iPad.

Every other pilgrim will have one, if you need help.

Nearly every albergue and hotel is plugged in.

You can use provided computers

to email your folks to let them know you're ok.

Try leaving the electronic security blankets at home.

After all, until about five years ago, 

thousands of pilgrims walked the route unplugged.

They made it to Santiago.

You will too.

And though the Cathedral is lovely,

and they say your sins will be forgiven if you reach it,

I believe the Camino is about the journey, 

not the destination.

Try immersing yourself in the experience.

Unplug.

You won't regret it.

New Balance WW1069BR

This year, I'm going to try another New Balance Shoe.
It is the New Balance WW1069BR Trail Walking Shoe.
This rugged shoe features a split suede and breathable mesh upper with GORE-TEX protection. The padded footbed lends lasting underfoot support; the combination of C-CAP® and ABZORB® midsole cushioning, along with a long-wear drag tip delivers underfoot support. Rollbar® technology minimizes rear foot movement for an optimal ride. The AT Tread outsole of the New Balance 1069 GTX® hiker combines both trail and running rubber lug designs for on- and off-road performance.

Type: Motion Control

Weight: 336 grams (11.9 oz)

This is an outdoor-ready walking shoe featuring a waterproof GORE-TEX® upper, underfoot cushioning and a supportive fit.

When your walk takes you off road, as most of the Camino Santiago is, shoe is ready. 

For wet Galician conditions, this shoe features a waterproof GORE-TEX® upper. 

For unforgiving ground, such as the stretch into Roncesvalles, the 1069 provides cushioning with C-CAP® and ABZORB® technology. 

And when things get rocky, such as the stretch coming down Alto Perdon, the ROLLBAR® technology helps keep feet stable using a system of TPU posts.

Features also include the following:

· 10 mm drop: due to variances created during the development and manufacturing processes, all references to 10 mm drop are approximate

· Debris-free construction eliminates waste, preserving raw materials and providing an environmentally preferred manufacturing solution· Rich eyerow hardwareT

* * *

I like the looks of this shoe.

It looks sturdy, and I love the WOL-01 Shoe Last it is built upon.

It has a deep toe box and wide front combined with a narrow heel.

This combination works very well for Camino Walking.

Prices I've seen range from $139 to $169.

But don't balk.

You get what you pay for and on the Camino, your shoes are your primary investment.

Take care of your feet, and your Camino will be successful.

Let me know how these work for you!

Buen Camino!

Annie

St. James Scallop

Last night, I was asked to attend the 

"Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago" Documentary 

which was showing in Portland, Oregon and to do a short Q&A afterwards.

I took Annette along and we watched the movie,

then passed out some cards

and answered a few questions.

I was surprised at the number of people in the audience 

who had already WALKED the Camino!

I'm going again tonight,

taking Joe.

People really didn't have too many questions,

but I was actually stumped by one question,

which I'm embarrassed to say

I did not know the answer to.

That is, "What is the symbolism of the Scallop Shell?"

I knew it was a symbol for St. James

but I didn't know why.

I knew you can pick up those scallops 

on many of the beaches.

I also know they're VERY good eating!

But there's much, much more to the story.

(I did know the scallop was a metaphor for the Camino,

but just had a brain-fart when the lady asked the question

and felt pretty stupid 5 minutes later.

You know… 

the moment when you slap your forehead and say,

"Oh, DUH!"

The grooves in the shell all represent the various roads to Santiago,

arriving at the Tomb of St. James. )

There are two versions of story about the origin of the shell. 

According to Spanish legends, 

St. James had spent time preaching the gospel in Spain, 

but returned to Judaea upon seeing a vision 

of the Virgin Mary on the bank of the Ebro River. 

Version 1:

 After James's death, 

his disciples shipped his body to the Iberian Peninsula

 to be buried in what is now Santiago. 

Off the coast of Spain, a heavy storm hit the ship, 

and the body was lost to the ocean. 

After some time, however, 

it washed ashore undamaged, 

covered in scallops.

Version 2: 

After James's death 

his body was mysteriously transported by a crewless ship

 back to the Iberian Peninsula to be buried in what is now Santiago. 

As the ship approached land, 

a wedding was taking place on shore. 

The young groom was on horseback, 

and on seeing the ship approaching,

 his horse got spooked, 

and horse and rider plunged into the sea. 

Through miraculous intervention, 

the horse and rider emerged from the water alive, 

covered in seashells.

I don't know where I've been for the past 8 years 

or why I never heard this story. 

Perhaps I've heard it and just didn't pay attention.

My friend Joe, who has a Jesuit eduction,
says these are fairly recent legends.
He says the scallop is a symbol of having walked the Camino Santiago,
just as the key is the symbol of having walked to Rome
or a bottle of water is a symbol of having been at Lourdes.
He says each pilgrimage has its own symbol.

But there you have it!

And now I know!

Camino Lessons in Minimalism

One lesson I learned from the Camino was just how few possessions it takes to make a person happy.

Walking for 6 weeks

with nothing but what you can carry on your back 

makes you aware of the difference between "wants" and "needs." 

 Wearing the same skirt every day for 6 weeks 

reminds you that appearances are deceiving

 - that instead of looking at what a person is wearing, 

we should be looking into their eyes and into their hearts.

I read on a minimalist website today that anything we get rid of, 

we can replace for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes 

from our current location. 

That is pretty eye-opening. 

Think about it. 

Look around the room and make a list of all the things you are keeping "just in case." 

 How much space do those things take up? 

How much energy to maintain them?

 If they were gone, would you really miss them? 

If you had to replace each item because you TRULY needed it, 

what would it cost you? 

 Almost always it's under $20. 

Almost always it would take less than 20 minutes.

 This theory likely works 99% of the time for 99% of all items and 99% of all people. 

The advantages have begun to outweigh the fear for me.

I live in a house that was built in the 1940s. 

I have a VERY small closet, by modern standards. 

I was having difficulty seeing my clothes 

and getting them in and out of the closet, 

they were jammed in so tightly. 

 So one day last week, in frustration, 

I did the deed.

I took out each and every item. 

First I asked, "Have I worn this in the past year?" 

 If not, it went away.

I asked, "Does this still fit me?" 

 Many items were too small, and I've been waiting "just in case" I lose weight. 

 I faced the fact that I've gone through menopause, t

hat genetically, women in my family tend to put on a few extra pounds after menopause, 

and I wasn't ever going to be 18 again. 

 Those items went away also.

I asked, "Do I NEED three pair of black jeans?" 

 Extra items went away.

I don't really like giving things to Goodwill. 

I feel they get items free, 

then charge way too much money for those items. 

Goodwill is supposed to be for poor people

 - but even I can hardly afford to shop there anymore. 

So I just put all my give-away items on clothes hangers 

and hung them out on the tree in my front yard. 

 They quickly disappeared, taken by people who needed them.

Children's rooms today can be absolutely overwhelming! 

 When I was a kid, I had a small collection of toys.

 One of my granddaughters can't even walk into her bedroom. 

It makes me sad to see. 

What must her MIND look like if her environment is so cluttered? 

How can she sleep well?

How can she even know what the hell is IN there?

About once each year, I go over and help her shovel it out,

but good habits take practice 

and I'm not there every day to enforce de-cluttering.

I'm planning on continuing the purge in my own house.

 I did it a few years back when I first was diagnosed with MCS 

and had to live in my car for a time. 

But over the years, I've accumulated more and more 'stuff."

Getting rid of these items cleared my mind, freed up space, 

and took a lot of weight off my shoulders. It's feeling better and better.

Have you walked the Camino? 

If so, you know what I'm talking about. 

You know how to live with only enough possessions to make up 10% of your body weight. 

Maybe it's time to ask yourself, 

"What are you holding on to just in case?"

Buen Camino!

Annie

"The Weight of Your Pack is the Sum of Your Fears!"

I just read this awesome quote on Melinda Harrigan's Facebook page 

and it really hit home

 because it is TRUE!

Think about it.

What do you put into your pack?

Things you "might need just in case!"

And often "just in case" never happens,
and you're left lugging around
many pounds more than needed.

How about just tossing your fears to the wind and packing light?

Anything you discover you need on the trail, you can buy on the trail.

I promise!

Here's a sample packing list for someone who isn't too afraid:

Pack in your Backpack:

1. Sleeping bag. Yes, unless you're sleeping in private rooms, you will need a sleeping bag, especially if you're going in Spring or Autumn. In summer, you can get away with nothing but a sleep sack (silk is lightweight and tiny).
2. Travel Towel. You can buy expensive towels, but I love terrycloth and so I use an old threadbare terrycloth dish towel that really soaks up water. It's so think it easily dries in a couple of hours.
3. A half or quarter shampoo bar. Use this for hair and body.
4. A half or quarter bar of Fels Naptha or other cold-water-handwashing-clothes soap.
5. Toothbrush and travel toothpaste
6. One pair of leggings
7. One short sleeved teeshirt (preferably merino wool)
8. One long-sleeved merino wool or silk tee
9. One longjohn bottom, merino wool or silk
10. Two pairs of hiking socks - I like SmartWool
11. One pair flip-flops or Croc knockoffs
12. One ALTUS poncho or other featherweight rain gear
13. One wide brimmed hat, or if you prefer, a stick umbrella (buy a sturdy one there for under 10 euros) The umbrella is awesome for both rain and sun.
14. One merino wool beanie
15. Two pair of underpants
16. One extra bra 
17. Tiny Journal and pen
18. Two bandaids
19. Two alcohol wipes
20. Sharp knife - buy one in Spain
21. Lightweight windbreaker
22. Featherweight fleece shirt
23. A 1-gallon ziplock bag to carry passport/money to shower

Wear on Your Body

1. Macabi Skirt or Hiking Pants
2. Underpants
3. Bra
4. Short sleeved teeshirt
5. Socks
6. Shoes - whatever is comfortable. Do NOT buy new boots, your feet will be like hamburger. ONLY wear boots if you are used to wearing boots and if they are well-broken-in.  I wear New Balance Running shoes and have every year for many years. I take buy them 1.5 sizes too large, take out the inserts, and add Motion Control Inserts for extra cushion and support.
7. Moneybelt or money pouch. NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your passport and/or cash in your backpack. Carry it on your person at ALL times, even to the toilet or shower
8. Small changepurse for "today's" cash
9. One 8 ounce water bottle to be refilled at fountains along the route… easy peasy if you're walking the Camino Frances.
10. Women: A hankerchief in a ziplock bag to be used for urinating and to be washed each night with your clothing,.

* * * 

That's it.

Anything else you need, literally, can be purchased when you need it.

Everyone on the Camino will have first aid supplies.

Everyone on the Camino will have a phone.

Everyone on the Camino will have an iPad or electronic tablet

Think about disconnecting for 6 weeks and really enjoying the freedom.
You can call your folks at locatorios in the large cities
like Burgos, Leon, Pamplona.
Or borrow someone's tablet to send an email.

What do you think? 

Am I missing anything?

Can you do this?

Or are your fears adding pounds?

Buen Camino!

Annie

Which Way Will She Go?

I'm trying to decide now which route I will walk before picking up my group in Pamplona next spring.

I need to finish the last 3 stages of the Madrid Route.
I had to leave early last year to meet my group in Pamplona.
I'd love to walk the entire route again!

I need to finish the VDLP.
I could walk this year from Caceres to Salamanca or Zamora.

Patty and I are also talking about doing a winter Camino in 2016.
Wouldn't THAT be a kick?

Decisions, decisions…

I'm leaning toward the VDLP, mostly because I love the food in Southern Spain and I really REALLY want to get further up that route.

I'm hoping to leave soon after May 1.
I'd like to leave earlier but have family obligations - although I may weasel out of them.
I'd like to have 2-3 weeks to walk before May 15.

This year I'm going to make some changes to my pack.

I'm only carrying ONE Macabi skirt.
I'm considering leaving my jacket home - haven't worn it enough to carry it.
And.. ::gasp:: I need to find an alternative to New Balance Shoes.

I"ve loved them all these years, but apparently, they're now being manufactured in Vietnam, and the last two years, the quality took a huge dive. After just a few weeks walking, my shoes wore out. NOT acceptable after paying so much cash for them!

Anyway, those are my thoughts.
The choice where to walk is always difficult for me.
So many routes, so little time...

A VERY cool HAT!

Today I got a surprise in the mail!

One of my Anniewalkers, Barbara,
 sent me this AWESOME hat directly from China!

I had seen several Korean pilgrims wearing these 

and happened to say out loud, 

"That would be a great hat to wear on the Camino in the hot sun!"

Barbara took note, 

and I'll be darned if one didn't show up in today's mail.

I"m STOKED!
I LOVE IT!

Won't I be the height of fashion!

And… no sunburn!
The attached scarf completely shields the back of your neck
and the sides of your face,
places that got quite sunburned on my last walk!

This hat is definitely going on my next Camino!

(I probably won't wear the face mask, 

but it is very cool and you can see just fine through the screen.)

Thanks, Barbara!

Joe's 2014 Group

I didn't walk with Joe's group so really didn't get to know them.

But here they are, happy to have made it to Santiago!

And I believe they had a great Camino.

I did get a photo of Lee getting her Compostela.

Can you tell she was excited?

When we get settled in, I'll ask Joe to write a short post about his trip.

Annie's 2014 Group

I just wanted to say a few words about the group I escorted this Spring.

Four of them have known each other since childhood,

growing up on the Isle of Mauritious,

which I (embarrassingly) had never heard of!

This made for quick bonding, 

and those four generously

and lovingly pulled the others in,

making the walk a beautiful example

of community, and how it should work.

The first one to contact me was Paul.

Full of personality, I soon came to love his sense of humor,

and his quick wit!

Paul kept me in line.

He let me know when I made mistakes.

And I appreciated that!

His wife, Patricia,

a gentle beauty,

was spiritual, kind, and soft-spoken.

Jack showed a sensitive quiet strength.

He was even-keeled and when I needed a rock,

or advice,

Jack was there.

Oh, we loved Chantal!

She kept us laughing,

and kept us fed

with her great cooking skills.

She lost her glasses crossing the Pyrenees 

and had to wear sunglasses the rest of the trek.

 If I could describe Jan with one word,

I think it would be steadfast.

She was strong and good-hearted,

and kept us well entertained with poetry and prose.

Gary kept us fed 

at the finest restaurants along The Way.

He was another fairly quiet, but strong team member

who was always helpful.

And Barbara!

How we LOVE Barbara!

She was our navigator,

always finding the best directions

to the next hotel.

She also kept us in stitches 

with her AWESOME personality.

We had one other walker, who has requested his name and photos not be posted. 

He was a quiet, but friendly pilgrim,

who never met a stranger,

a speaker of many languages,

and an intellectual who always had a story to tell.

He was another well-loved member of our group.

What a wonderful experience this year's walk was!

Thank you all so very much!

And wherever life takes you,

may you walk a Buen Camino!

Love,

Annie

Santiago!

We made it!

I have spent the last hour trying to upload the last post of this trip. 

I think the photo heavy post is too much for San Marin Pinario's Internet. 

And so it will have to wait until I am in Madrid next week. 

Until then, know all pilgrims made it safe and sound. 

They kindly treated me to a fantastic seafood dinner upon arrival. 

This was a wonderful and unique group who bonded closely on the Camino

I will miss them. 

Pedrouzo

The walk to Pedrouzo is beautiful and easy.  Here are some photos. 

Pension Maribel

We love pension Maribel!  She has just remodeled the whole place and it is super nice. 

The rooms are clean, bright, cheerful, and affordable. There is a sweet yard and patio out back. 

I will post photos when I return to portland. They are in my dropbox and I cannot figure out how to get them onto my iphone. 

For dinner, Padrilla Boy can't be beat!  The food is home cooked and mouth watering!  To me it is more affordable and much better than Galaisco. 

Beef Churrasco