Easy Going

A stranger's photo of the drive down I-15, through the sweltering and foreboding Mojave desert.

Thank you all for your prayers of intercession--they worked!

We had NO troubles with the trip other than the stress of worrying about it. No traffic either direction. Everyone who left, returned, despite my apprehensions. My animals were well cared for. I'm sure my personal drama over it sounds absolutely absurd to anyone who goes anywhere easily but I rarely leave home for a reason. Now you know, if one hadn't already gathered, I'm not an easy going person when it comes to going. I don't take vacations, honeymoons, or pleasure trips. If I go anywhere it must be extraordinarily on purpose, meaning that doing so accomplishes something I think is highly worthwhile. It's never just for getting away--from what?! Everything I've always wanted right here?!! No thanks. So...well, thank you for the good vibes and peaches sent my way, they really helped.

I will concede that the broadened experience of travel always provides the traveler with new points of view. And this jaunt was no exception. I gleaned valuable insight about life and what matters to me about it. Not bad, considering nekkid lady tushies were raised in the air and cosmetic surgeon handiwork was out on display everywhere one looked along with hugely huge Americans rolling in to eat gynormous portions of thematically presented foodstuffs again and again. There were far far more buildings and people than ever before and the surrounding view was littered with multiple heavy construction cranes making still more places for still more crowds. The strip will be arriving at your door before we know it.

Halfland Notes:

When we drove through the ancient former ocean floor of the Mojave, I noticed that the mountains looked as though sand had been poured over them. That gave me the idea that set mountain landscapes must have a geological origin in mind when built so that foothills don't just jut out from the ground without a natural logic.

With nothing else to do, I spent some time feeding little sparrows by the pool and got a good tutorial on the mannerisms and movements of small birds in preparation for animating the Birds in Hats sequences.

I noticed how tortoise sit on rocks in the sun, sometimes on top of each other's backs and will have to see whether that little touch can embellish the Timefrog and Torhare action.

Plus some little notions for additional cottage props.