Checking in from the beautiful beginnings of winter on Cape Cod with a few updates for those of you who are still blogwalking with me.
Reintegration, if you will, has been pretty smooth. As many of you probably picked up from the writing I did here, I was ready to be still for a moment or two by the time I hit California. And beyond that, to be with family again, friends, to be involved in a community for more than a day or a week. To belong. And so decompressing at home, working some odd jobs, just breathing a little was important. When I first got there it was “Write! Write! Write!” this sense of urgency like I had to start making sense of what just happened right away now. But I found myself floundering, stymied, and after beating myself up about it for a few days I realized: this is exactly what I need. To just be. To paint my neighbor’s garage and help a friend build a stone path. To get coffee with a long lost buddy. To trounce and get trounced by my brother in ping pong. To just be.
The task, then and now, is to remember that the perspective I got from the walk doesn’t end. Everyone still has an amazing story to tell. The extraordinary is right here and now. While it’s not always easy to see with these eyes, especially when you don’t have the helpful metaphor of a specific and finite journey, I’ve been doing alright. I fade in and out of it, sure, but I think at least some semblance of it stuck. I know it did.
So, the last two months were precious gathering time, rest and preparation. And now I’m in Woods Hole where a few outstandingly kind folks have offered to help me craft an audio piece from the recordings I took. See? The goodness continues to flow. And more big news! I got a little grant to help make it happen. Check it out at transom.org (a great site that deserves perusing).The plan will be to make an hour-long piece destined ultimately for radio, featured first on Transom. Finally, you’ll be able to hear some of these voices, this incredible collage of beautiful, complicated, astonishing humanity. You’ll be able to listen as I listened, and I can’t wait for it.
We’re shooting to get this out by the end of February. After that, I’m hoping to launch a podcast (which is sort of like a radio show except it’s online, for those of you who if asked what a podcast is might answer “spaceship”) that will capture a fuller, more comprehensive vision of my year on the road. More people, more stories, more lessons and vignettes and questions.
And then there’s the writing.
Now that the process has begun, I’ll start updating you now and then with developments, bumps in the road, and little previews, too. And I’m still a fully functioning human being, so maybe I’ll post a few thoughts as they come to me, too.
Thanks for being there. Much love from the Cape!
Congrats on the grant! Glad to hear all is well.
-George from S.F.
Thanks George! Hope all’s going well with you, I’d love to hear more. Cheers
Rock on. Remember, “hurry” ruins everything. Thanks for the post. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Rock on, indeed, Matt. I transcribed the conversation we recorded a few weeks ago and brought back some fantastic memories, lessons, and that sizzling pan overflowing with bacon! All the best and be in touch.
Spaceship=podcast. Brilliant. Mazal tov on the grant, and i was happy to see this post in general.. As always, I am with you every word of the way, brother. Or: almost every
I am so glad you have much to tell and am awaiting to hear all about it
Hope all is well. Missing and loving you from afar….Your Mountain Momma <3
Much love to you, Becki! Thanks for the note, and send my best to the family. Must be cold up there in the mountains now.
It’s so great to hear from you again, and to hear that the adventure continues! The best of luck, from those of us still in Montgomery, Alabama!
Don and Melissa McCanless
Hey you two! I listened back on our conversation last week and it brought back some really wonderful memories, not to mention stories. Thanks so much for checking in, and for saying hey almost a year ago now. Best!
So glad to hear that you have succeeded in your travels and returned back home. We always want you to know that you have a welcoming home waiting for you in the Deep South.
Bless you for your experience and what you brought into our lives!
Pat and Ted! Great to hear from you, and hoping a reunion isn’t too far in the future. All the best!
Andrew, so happy to hear from you and that you have had a good time of rest and respite, a time to assimilate and regroup the experience in your mind and heart. We will eagerly await your first product and I know it will be GREAT!! All is well with us here. We have busy days just now as we try to get ready for Christmas as we are finally having the roof repaired and a dozer raking roots and smoothing out the timber cut area behind he pond.We still have to cut and decorate the huge (12 ft) tree and make ready for the great gathering of childen, grandchildren and dogs, hanging stockings, eating a feast…you get the idea.You will be here in spirit. marian
I just listened to and transcribed the conversation we recorded in the living room and it felt like I was right back in the Furman house and there was no other place I’d rather be. I’m so, so excited to get back someday. I just hope I don’t have to wait too long. Much love!
P.S. 12 foot tree?! Good lord! Of course, though. It’s perfect.
Hi Andrew-
I’d just pulled you in yesterday to say ‘hi’ and see how you’re doing, and this morn “Walking to Listen” appears! ‘Nice work if you can get it:)’ Everything sounds really good.
Thanks for the update.
Wave ‘n a hug.
Momarjorie
Love how that works! A big, big hug to you and all.
Great to hear from you! Working in the winery is a lot like your journey. I get to talk to people from all walks of life.
Great to hear from you, Janice, and sending you and Rand the very best! Thanks for writing in.
Turn on WMVY for some good tunes and local news on the radio or internet. If you want to go to the island for a few days we can arrange that anytime after the 1st. JB aka papabear
Papa Bear! Hope to see you two up here sometime soon. The cold today almost rivaled that first winter at Hartwood.
Great to hear from you Andrew. Life moves on from one scene to another … I feel like I have lived many during my time on earth. Each one to be appreciated and the moment to be full lived …. You are in a new moment connected by thread to all the parts that have led up to this.
Always grateful for your words, DJ. Many thanks and hope all’s well with you.
That’s awesome Andrew….wishing you great success. from your friends here at Jakey Leigh’s in Kanab Ut.
Alright! Great to hear from you! Send Jakey my very best, her coffee shop stands as one of the best in the whole US of A. Cheers!
Glad to hear from you and glad your doing well. The thought of what you accomplished is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing your story.
I’ll never forget how you completely made the night for Sam and me with that feast at Cest Bon. Sending much gratitude for being a part of the walk in such a beautiful way, love and hoping all’s well.
Great to hear from you, andrew ! Sounds as if you have gotten back into the “flow” of life (although, your life will never be the same),life sounds easier and relaxing to you ! Enjoy and take time to digest your new found knowledge and experiences ! Keep posting ! Tacky Jacks(Ft. Morgan,Al.) had another visitor about you age, Sailing all over and takes leisure time to lobster dive in the islands. He reminded us you and your travels ! Your parents must be so proud of you….we are too !
My Tacky Jacks fam! So great to hear from you guys. Much love and many thanks always, really hoping to get back down there someday in the not too distant future.
Good to hear from you Walking Man..I hope it all goes well..enjoy the Holidays
Doug, Jim Hollandsworth’s Dad you met in Grayson Ga at his Church..
Hey Doug! Good to hear back from you. Hope all’s been going well, and send my best to Jim. It’ll soon be one year now since our paths crossed!
I am glad things are progressing for you, and it is great to hear from you.
Send my best to the whole family, John. Great to hear from you, and dang I can’t wait to get back down there.
SO GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU. GLAD YOU ARE RESTING AND HOPE YOUR FEET ARE BACK IN SHAPE. BILOXI, MS IS STILL SURVIVING AND SO IS GILLIGANS LOUNGE. WE STILL WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME AND PLAY YOUR GUITAR. LOOKING FORWARD TO HOLIDAY FUN. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANK YOU LORD FOR KEEPING HIM SAFE.
I SERVED AT THE MISSION IN BILOXI ON THANKSGIVING DAY AND WE TALKED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE I HAD MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOU TO SPEND THE NIGHT THERE, WHICH DID NOT FIT INTO YOUR SCHEDULE. A VERY NICE PLACE. NEXT TIME.
ARLENE STEWART
Great to hear from you Arlene. Many thanks for all the continued support, and maybe I’ll get the chance to see you again someday. I’ll do my best not to spill Frosty all over your backseat next time
YOU REMEMBERED THE FROSTY. WHAT A MEMORY YOU HAVE. IF YOU KNEW ME, I AM A NEAT NICK AND I ALMOST CAME UNGLUED. BUT I DID GOOD AND YOU WERE SO WILLING TO CLEAN IT UP AND USE YOUR PRECIOUS WATER. IT WAS MOSTLY MY FAULT ANYWAY FOR BEING WORRIED ABOUT GETTING HIT. MEMORIES!!!
Glad to hear things are going well for you. Saw Kay and Otho last night and they are doing well also. Good news about the grant. Good luck with the writing! Everyone here doing well and says hello!
So great to hear from you guys! I miss you and New Mexico. You all coming to Baltimore anytime soon?
Hi Andrew,
Glad to hear your journey is continuing …without wearing out your shoes:).
Ben & I think of you often and still share your story with others. We look forward to hearing more as time passes.
Sending you love and blessings,
Marie & Ben
I can’t wait to see you guys again, and hopefully soon. So happy to still have you both with me. Much love.
HI Andrew, It is Lorraine here, we met in Marshfield on the beach and had some laughs together with my family and some friends.
Let me know if you head up North of the Cape
I’ll be in touch, it’d be awesome to get together sometime!
Be well, my friend. We’ll connect on our return from India.Nice talking with you Enjoy the Cape and happy Hols to you and the family.
Grant?! Beautiful provision. Love knowing you. Incredibly proud of you still. Ash.
So glad to hear from you and as my Dad says: I shall hold myself in appreciative readiness for what’s to come.
I love that! Thanks for the words, Nancy. Much love.
Andrew, so glad you are still posting! Thanks! Looking forward to all the new stuff. Yes, it does still go on and it is wonderful. You shall go on creating great things, I know. Thanks for all your inspiration! God speed.
Andrew, How happy and relieved to hear from you again. Yes, it seems the blessings are still flowing to you. I believe you have tapped into the Source and now will be able to share the stories of your blessings with so many others. It was a pleasure to have met you at McDonalds in Bethlehem, GA last Christmas as you were going to your mothers in Atl.. I think my heart adopted you as a son because I still feel the same way toward you now as I did when we first met. You will always be in my treasure of wonderful memories. Look forward to hearing more. May God continue to bless others through you…love, Jeannie and Tommy
Great to hear from you, as always. I still think back on that morning in McDonald’s with more than a little wonder. All my best!
andrew it me russell from hoganville ga i been thinking of you a lot just hoping you made it home im always thinking of you tex back soon god bless and take care.
Great to hear from you, Russell! Hope all’s well with you. Send my best to your brother.