California

Five Things - April 14, 2025

Welcome to my blog titled ‘Five Things’ where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. I’ll also share a quote I find meaningful as a point of focus for the week. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things, starting with the quote of the week…

  1. “I’m not going to allow my inability to do everything undermine my ability to do something.” - Senator Cory Booker

  2. Coachella, wow! I planned to go to this festival while we were here in the desert because it’s literally happening right down the street, and because it’s so iconic, and it did not disappoint! Yes, it was hot. Yes, it was expensive. Yes, it was super crowded, but the opportunity to experience it with my bestie, and two of my kids and their girlfriends, was truly worth it. Lady Gaga put on an amazing show, and Green Day was fab as usual. I also got to listen to so much great music that I otherwise wouldn’t have discovered on my own. All in all, it was a fantastic, memorable weekend. I am totally exhausted, and I’ll need a few days to recover, but it was worth it.

  3. I’m taking another glass art class today. It’s only a one-off workshop, but I’m really excited. Old Town Artisan Studios is truly a little gem of an organization. The space is incredibly peaceful and their mission to bring art to an underserved population admirable. Doing an art that’s different from the type that’s become my career feels meditative and satisfying. It was something I promised myself I would do when I set my intentions for the New Year, and I’m proud that I’ve followed through.

  4. I can’t believe this semester is almost over! We’re starting our final round of workshops for the school year tonight, and I’m really excited. We’ve been focused on the horror and western these last few weeks, so our stories will be written in one of these genres, or at least contain an element of one of the genres. Oddly enough, I’ve written another horror story even though I really wanted to try my hand at a space western. So many stories, so little time! Eventually maybe I’ll get to it…

  5. Just a few more weeks here in the desert before we hit the road again. I will miss the beautiful sunshine in the middle of winter, the stark mountains against the bright blue sky, the adorable hummingbird population, the extra space in our outdoor living area, my lovely art studio, and the kind people we’ve met here. At the same time, I’m ready to continue our travel adventure. Onward!

Five Things - August 21, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

  1. We made it to California! It’s official - we’ve now driven all the way across the country!

  2. Of course, as soon as we arrived, we had to turn around and head to Arizona. Palm Springs fell directly in the path of Hilary, and while we probably could have weathered the storm, our house has wheels, so we decided to move it. The weather here in Arizona is cloudy and a little damper than usual, but much more pleasant than SoCal at the moment.

  3. Zion National Park did not disappoint. We loved Utah and definitely plan to return. The people were so friendly, the landscapes breathtaking, and Ray would say that the golf was outstanding. I even rode along in the cart on the back nine once to take in the views!

  4. Chocolate covered honeycomb is my new favorite candy. I try not to devour the entire container in one sitting, but it’s a challenge. I tell myself hot yoga will counter the effects of the tasty treat on my waistline, but I may be fooling myself. Time will tell.

  5. Okay, so my writing is feeling a little flat right now. I keep reminding myself that summer is my least productive writing time, but it still doesn’t sit well with me. I’m used to feeling excited and inspired when it’s time to write most days, but lately, I find myself staring at the computer screen making faces. It’s probably time I follow my own advice and lower my expectations for a couple more weeks until it’s officially fall, but it’s definitely easier to give advice like that than it is to take it!

Our itinerary, subject to change…

August 18-27: Palm Springs, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

October 1 - 9: San Francisco, CA

October 9 - 30: Portland, OR

October 30 - November 12: Seattle, WA

November 12 - 19: Travel to Orange, CA

January 3, 2024: Orangeland Park, CA

January 3 - 14: Oceanside, CA

January 19 - February 2: Las Vegas, NV

February 2 - 9: Flagstaff, AZ

February 9 - 23: Phoenix, AZ

February 23 - March 8: Tuscon, AZ

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien