tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post8152976414691882869..comments2024-03-25T14:06:37.254-07:00Comments on On the Road Abode: Trading a zip code for a toad: The Topic of Being HumanJodee Gravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247098923871155546noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-26517558955224396232016-12-21T06:57:59.557-08:002016-12-21T06:57:59.557-08:00I agree strongly that you get back what you put ou...I agree strongly that you get back what you put out there. Thanks for sharing the story Michael :-) You'll find lots of opportunities to be social on the road - we've found most people will engage if we reach out, and often if we're just sitting outside others will stop to chat.Jodee Gravelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247098923871155546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-29906039283105509952016-12-19T01:05:02.762-08:002016-12-19T01:05:02.762-08:00I'm not human...but I'm far from perfect! ...I'm not human...but I'm far from perfect! lol Jodee, I found you via Interstellar Orchard, and I'm glad I did. One of my greatest worries is that I will fail in socializing; most people think I'm friendly and nice--and I do, too!--but occasionally something goes awry in a flaming or even explosive fashion. Your writing shows a focus that I'd like to develop, to learn about the "human" side of people. <br /><br />There's a story I'd like to tell. A traveler was at a gas station (must have been back in the 1960s) when a car pulled in. The driver asked the attendant, in the course of conversation, what folks were like there. He was thinking of moving to the area, he said.<br />"Well," the attendant said, scratching his jaw. "What are folks like back where you're from?"<br />"Oh, they're terrible! Liars, thieves, and gossips! That's why I'd like to move!"<br />"My, my," the attendant commiserated. "They're just like that around here."<br />The driver grumbled something that might have been thanks, and sped off.<br />A minute or so later, another car pulled in, and the driver asked the same question, and got the same initial counter-question: "What are they like where you're from?"<br />"My neighbors are marvelous people," the driver responded with a smile. "Always helpful, friendly and courteous. I couldn't have better neighbors!"<br />"Well, they're just like that around here," the attendant replied.<br />The driver thanked him and waved as he drove away.<br />The traveler, observing these two very different responses, was puzzled. "Why did you give those people different answers? Were you trying to drive one of them away?" he asked.<br />"Oh, no! I've learned that people always find folks just like themselves, no matter where they are," was the answer.<br /><br />I've found that's generally true. I suspect that most of it is simply people responding to what you give them: If you smile when you see a stranger, they'll almost certainly smile back. If you look like you're suffering from gallstones, yeah, they will, too lol! Jodee, I'll bet most of the people you meet are marvelous!Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02524263885460549357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-464463281414163752014-07-28T16:32:39.263-07:002014-07-28T16:32:39.263-07:00Would you believe my dad lived in Quartzsite when ...Would you believe my dad lived in Quartzsite when he retired?? Wonder if he ever saw the van?! Yep, wish mine was too :-).Jodee Gravelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247098923871155546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-23303974048023302942014-07-28T14:17:52.463-07:002014-07-28T14:17:52.463-07:00Jodee, just wait until you go to Quartzsite! Ther...Jodee, just wait until you go to Quartzsite! There is one super hippie van there. I have photos of it, but someplace that I do not remember. Love your Dad story. My Dad and I had the best relationship and so much fun together. He would love to be traveling full time. Wish he were still here. Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372145654394782677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-2833802454605017622014-07-27T16:07:39.774-07:002014-07-27T16:07:39.774-07:00I do see that in many posts and forums - that love...I do see that in many posts and forums - that love of travel and wonderful places seems to be a great "equalizer". Jodee Gravelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247098923871155546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-36130294167266882014-07-27T13:42:14.903-07:002014-07-27T13:42:14.903-07:00Loved you story of you and your dad with the "...Loved you story of you and your dad with the "hippie" flowered camper:) We have met wonderful people of all ages and classes in this lifestyle. I have found almost all of them are more accepting then in my working days. We seem to all have one thing in common, whether we are in a truck camper or a Prevost bus, we are enjoying this beautiful country. John and Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10853924678665624403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-25217478665771588402014-07-27T07:15:53.473-07:002014-07-27T07:15:53.473-07:00Thanks for the inspiration Maura! Thanks for the inspiration Maura! Jodee Gravelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247098923871155546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-7333356562610871282014-07-27T07:11:10.109-07:002014-07-27T07:11:10.109-07:00Ah yes, the flexibility of being able to move away...Ah yes, the flexibility of being able to move away from unpleasant locations is high on our "why we're doing this" list!!Jodee Gravelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247098923871155546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-5646156916743198432014-07-27T07:04:23.492-07:002014-07-27T07:04:23.492-07:00I was very lucky to have such a great dad, and som...I was very lucky to have such a great dad, and sometimes wonder how he ever survived me :-). If we're prepared it will in part be thanks to you and others who generously share your reality. "We plan, the gods laugh....." I suspect we will be fodder for many a chuckle when we get out there :-).Jodee Gravelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247098923871155546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-67612988346280989872014-07-27T06:51:06.250-07:002014-07-27T06:51:06.250-07:00Great post Jodee, You have a great way with words ...Great post Jodee, You have a great way with words and your Dad story is a very good example of life's serendipity! Thanks for enjoying mine.<br /><br />Maura Maurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13409923557583721223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-68772294665376807872014-07-27T06:36:38.771-07:002014-07-27T06:36:38.771-07:00Humans will always be humans. They are everywhere...Humans will always be humans. They are everywhere. Some you want to spend time with and some not so much. You'll see them when you hit the road just like you do back "home" now. However, many of the barriers disappear. The good thing is your home will have wheels and it's easier to move on down that road.Wanderin'https://www.blogger.com/profile/18099094689836499939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035932613092671755.post-6235996578355479512014-07-26T21:01:34.158-07:002014-07-26T21:01:34.158-07:00Another one of your thoughtful and thought provoki...Another one of your thoughtful and thought provoking posts. Love your 'dad" stories. Girls who had dads who spent time with them were always high up on my envy list. You are going to be the most prepared and ready full timer to ever hit the road. We had no preparation and had never owned or driven an RV before. We we life long tenters and backpackers who had "attitude" about RVs and the people who drove them. Live and learn.Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.com