I am of the leaves, I am of the trees, I am of the road

I am sitting outside and the yard is now carpeted in orange from the falling leaves. This will be my last Friday night in Arkansas for a while. The stars are above me, and there is a warm wind blowing across the land. Record high temperatures. I see the headlights of the cars and trucks as they round the curve on old Hwy 71 and pass my parents' house in Winslow. I sit stretched out across two white wicker chairs in the dark, illuminated only by the porch light. I am listening again to Hermanos Gutiérrez and their hypnotic music. El Camino De Mi Alma has been the album of my visit.

I know I could take off my headphones and be enchanted by the bugs and the wind in the trees, but the music is equally enchanting and seems to contribute to my writing. Music, music, music... it holds such power and alchemy. I have found myself in the Winslow Dollar General several times over the visit and each time a song has come on that has had the power to shift my mood, my perspective, and my experience. Perfect and meaningful to me.

Modern English: I melt with you

Naked Eyes: Always something to remind me

Prince: 1999

Perfect selections, at the perfect time, in the strangest place. There are no accidents. It's like having my tarot read while surrounded by plastic and shopping for bread. 

Last Saturday, my Mother and I joined members of this community and beyond at the Riverside Rally for Democracy. It was another gorgeous sunny day and there at the Brentwood rest stop along the highway, we gathered for food, music, and camaraderie as we listened to speeches from some of the democratic candidates. It was good to see and chat with some lovely familiar faces.

I have watched more political news during these last 3 weeks than I have in ages and it has reached that special fever pitched intensity as it does right before an election. Repetitive and anxiety producing, the morning pundits drone on. How this election could be as close as it is, is genuinely terrifying. To quote the band X, "I must not think bad thoughts..."

But back to Arkansas, I spent another 24 hours in Fayetteville across parts of Wednesday and Thursday. I spent time in the old house again with a lovely and empathetic friend - ice cream was shared. I enjoyed another Fayetteville style serendipitous encounter/bonus visit with a dear friend as well. And then later that night met another old friend in a parking lot for expensive iced coffee drinks and a deep dive catch up. I drove by Lake Lucille and was glad about that - I love that wee lake. 

The next day I met a friend at Penguin Ed's (the old B&B BBQ) for a delicious lunch and afterwards we visited the East Mountain, Walker, and Confederate Cemeteries. I always go and visit Sally, a formerly enslaved woman who is buried there along with many others. I have visited Sally since I was a little girl. My friend and I shared some stories, got caught up, and took some photos. 

I headed back out towards Winslow a bit wistfully, knowing my trip was starting to wind down and that I won't see these familiar faces and places for another wee while. I keep my eyes on the road and make another trip to the Dollar General for ice cream for my parents. On the way back up the hill, the leaves danced across the highway in the wind. Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star in her low psychedelic drawl bellows, "Oh.... Sweet Mary of Silence" as I put my foot on the gas and drive.  

I am of the leaves, I am of the trees, I am of the road.

Thank you, Arkansas.