When I was around fifty my daughter was trying to find entertainment for my grandson’s 5th birthday party. She was trying to hire a clown. She called the ones In The phone book (you remember that right?) they charged $150 and they were all booked. I’m always looking for a way to make more money so she called me and said”Mom, I have the perfect side business for you” all I had to do was make a clown outfit and learn how to make balloon animals in 2 weeks!! a I don’t recall ever saying no to my daughter or my grandson for that matter but I did it. I went online and bought a vcr for balloons 101 and made a clown outfit out of 100% polyester (big mistake)

I have never had so much fun in all my life and I cannot tell you how much joy I have had over the following 20 years. 

I have had a lot of jobs and businesses over my life but this is the one I miss the most. 

Watching the smiles of the children and even the parents was so rewarding. If I could do it again I would but old age creeps up on you ànd my tired hands just can’t do it anymore but gosh I miss it. Thank you Leah Shanahan Reed for introducing me to the most enjoyable time of my life. Besides your birth of course. (😇)

 We spent one night at the empire rest stop on 101 North. Ana cried the whole time I was driving. I did pull over and try to comfort her and she was quiet for a while but she was not happy. She was fine when we weren’t moving but as soon as we started up again she was miserable. I did sleep well so that was good. She didn’t drink any water and that bothered me. When I woke she ate a lot which was good but still no water. I took off for Eureka but I felt strongly that she was not going to be a traveling cat so when I got to Eureka I gassed up and turned around to head home.

I think I failed to mention that when we first left Petaluma she was in her “no escape” harness so I felt pretty good about her safety. However about five seconds after I took off she was out of it and all over the car.  When we were on our way to Eureka we had a long talk. She said “take me home, and never put me in a car again”.😩

I didn’t want to give up on my road trips, after all I am 79 and I have no idea how much time I have left but I also know that Ana will be happier alone at home than with me in my car.

The gas!! $6.59 a gallon. Really bad planning on my part.

Oh well June I’m getting my oil changed and hopefully I will be able to take another road trip. I’m thinking south along the coast this time. Monterey and Santa Cruz.

I did get my annual National parking pass so that will come in handy.

Until next time.

On the road again…