Friday, February 3, 2012

A Boutte iful View

The paint had enough breeze blowing over it to dry despite how late in the day I applied it. The world needed some attention and the sun racing to the pacific wasn't going to stop me. The rains came overnight. First a light sprinkle, then an hour or so later a good soaking rain. What paint didn't roll off from the rain or wear away on the rough wet sandpaper roadway did seal some thread-bare areas. The day was hard on the world. The roads stayed wet all morning, the trucks pulling out from the various dumps and industry threw dirt to the shoulder lane we walked and rolled upon pocking the world with hundreds of mud clots. It got so bad it made it difficult to roll. I rolled it through a long deep puddle in the ditch and found a towel on the side of the road to wipe it down. It wasn't the end of the dirt or sand building on the world but the roads were beginning to dry , I had to do something even if it meant rubbing off fresh half-dry paint. Several days of wet has the glue loosening some of the patches. Because of the overcast skies the layers of canvas couldn't dry enough for me to glue them. In the end, however, the world did survive to roll another day.
I enjoy small sights daily as I walk. The clouds, the sun rising and setting, the birds, the willows springing small leaves and so many other moments. Today I walked by a creek where a pipeline ascended from the water. As I walked by the seven turtles sprang into the water from the sunning spot on the pipe. They reminded me of a squadren of planes rolling out of formation one by one. It is those little things that I enjoy when I walk.
One woman stopped and gave me a fresh orange and an apple. She was not diabetic. Another, who was diabetic, offered me some snacks which I accepted (never one to turn down a kindness). It was a grab bag of bite sized portions of candy bars and cookies,two pairs of individual serving potato chips and mixed nuts with M&Ms. What's wrong with this picture? I thanked her and left that elephant-in-the-room alone; she had just agreed to walk so she would not loose her legs to diabetes like her mother so I didn't want to push it. And I wanted a cookie.
A young man came up to me wearing a shirt saying: I can only be nice to one person a day, today's not your day, tomorrow's not looking good. He had face piercings, tattoos all over his arms and a low-boy Mowhawk. He asked what I was walking for. I started with the story of me walking along the highway surrounded by corn fields as far as the eye could see a few years ago in Missouri when a woman stopped to tell me Micheal Jackson was in an ambulance on his way to the hospital and they think his condition was serious. Then I told him of two years ago when I began a ten state walk from Washington D.C. on Earth Day and it was weeks before I heard in passing conversation about the the disaster in the gulf but that I was walking for diabetes awareness. Some subjects are better left alone... The man later gave me a ride back to my van 14 miles back down the road. His shirt was not a true representation of his character. He was a hard worker and a volunteer firefighter. "Don't judge a book by it's cover."
I had stopped at Wally-world as I often have during my travels. They allow overnight parking for travelers all over the country except here and the store manager sent a woman out who apologetically asked me to leave. She told me that she had refused to call someone to "haul" the World off while I was gone to fetch the van. I took it in stride and walked a little way up the road to Majoria's Supermarket where the owner of the shopping center allowed me to stay without a bit of hesitation. The broasted chicken tastes better than that other place. A family business that still survives even with a superstore in the neighborhood. It worked out for the better, my walking a little farther,because I had a beautiful view of the sunset from Majoria's Supermarket.
The chance of rain will be fifty-fifty again tomorrow. I'll be walking again unless it rains first thing in the morning.
Will the world survive another day of neglect? Will the World ever dry up? Will Nice (the dog) ever find his long lost love, the blonde in the white chevy pickup?
Tune in next time,as the world turns..
I'm having a ball.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I saw you pass just outside of Avondale yesterday morning. You made my Facebook page and in turn a friend posted your link. Thank you. I had gestation diabetes when I had my son and am at a higher risk to develop type II later in life. You page has been book marked. My kids and I will be following your travels.

Lala_Lucky said...

Sure wish I knew if your were still in the area. Breakfast would be on me. People are taking notice!

Anonymous said...

Lafouche parish want to know are you comming this way?

Anonymous said...

I just saw you walking on highway 90 near Des Allemands. We didn't know your story, so I looked you up on-line. What a wonderful adventure you must be having! I certainly hope you have been encountering some friendly folks on your journey. If you have time to pass by Thibodaux, you should. It's a cute little bayou community, as is the surrounding communities. If I see you, I'll stop and have a meal with you! Just wondering....do u take donations? How do you pay for your journey?

Rachel said...

I saw you walking along Hwy 90 in Avondale, LA. I live in Luling right next to Boutte, LA. I wanted to take a picture of you to show everyone at work but you were walking so fast that I had to take the picture using my side view mirror. GOOD LUCK with your walk, may God keep you and Nice safe on your journey. :)

Anonymous said...

Saw you in Hwy 90 today. I'm a nurse and proud that someone is standing up for what they are passionate about!! Love the blog and will definately follow it. My grandmother died with Diabetes so thanks!! BTW it worked, as soon as I saw the world I pulled out the iPhone and looked up the website (I'm not driving)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for letting us take a picture. It was energizing to see you today!! We didn't realize what this was all about until we took the pic and went to your website. We have one of four in the car that has diabetes. Thank you for awareness to "the world"!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow my daughter and I went to Metairie today saw you in Bouttee on the way going and des Allemends coming back. Did not know who you were till I googled when I got home. Wish you all the best. Wish I would have stopped. Good luck!

Kathleen and heather and david

Bobbi said...

It was so nice to meet you today and Nice. Good luck in your journey our prayers our with you :)
Bobbi from Des Allemands, LA

Anonymous said...

Saw you this morning in the Boutte area on HWY 90. Its a good thing what you are doing and keep up the good work and thanks for what you are doing i have a couple family members that have diabetes. Many prayers and yall stay safe.

Anonymous said...

Hi Eric...Gary said to let you know he saw the write up abt you in the paper this morning. He was so excited to see you and Nice on the front page of our westbank section. Good luck and stay in touch. Gary also said to give hugs and kisses to Nice. My email is joryboulet@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

We passed you in the Des Allmends area today on our way to New Orleans. As soon as we passed you, I googled you. WOW!! What an amazing thing you are doing! I will certainly be following you online through your travels. Good Luck and God Bless you on your journey.

Anonymous said...

I first heard about you from my friend about 1 to 2months ago she lives in Mobile Alabama. She had the pleasure of seeing you she said you were sooo cool to watch. Im currently living in Houston but from Alabama soo I hope i get to see you when u make it to the big city good luck to ya and god bless you!!!!