I have this terrible, uneasy feeling.
It’s a beautiful, warm, breezy day here at our camp off Sidewinder Road, west of Yuma. Spike, Bridget, and I have been camp-bound for several days, not wanting to go anywhere in the cold wind. Now that we have a warm day, we should go into town, maybe do some laundry. I could get the empty propane tank filled at Pilot Knob convenience store. While there I could fill up the water jugs at the dispenser. We’ve got several empties. The trash is piling up. Lots of recycling to drop off. I could find some place interesting to photograph. Do something fun with the crew.
These thoughts repeat throughout the morning.
Every time they do, an uneasiness creeps over me. What’s the matter with me? What am I feeling so uneasy about?
I boil a big pot of water on the stove for my bath. I give myself my travel-trailer version of a spa treatment. I pour the boiling-hot water into the dishpan on my small table. Then I add just enough water from a jug to cool it to a bearable temperature. I’ve set up my facial scrub, body scrub, body brush, washcloth, soap, towel, deodorant, lotions, etc. Okay, when I’m done, the crew and I will go into town.
Freshly bathed and in clean clothes, I go outside and sit in the sun.
Why do I not feel like going anywhere? I go back inside and get my kindle. I read for a few minutes. Gee, I’ve read enough. I’m wasting this beautiful day. I think about closing up camp, loading up the crew, and heading out. I visualize us in the PTV, going along Interstate 8 into Yuma. A terrible dread comes over me. What is this? Why does the thought of going into town make me so uneasy? I work my way out of the dread by puttering around the campsite.
After lunch, I summon the crew.
“Okay, guys, let’s go to town.” Bridget squeals excitedly and prances out the door. She skitters and jumps by the PTV side door until I open it up. She hops in and claims her spot on the bench seat. Spike wanders off. Well, I’ll get him in a minute. Maybe he has to relieve himself.
I go back into the BLT to retrieve my purse and camera.
I push the uneasiness away and keep moving. Keys in hand, I make a mental check that I have everything, and then I lock up the BLT. Out by the PTV, I see Spike has come back and is lying by the stepladder. I’ll put my purse, the camera, and the keys on the driver’s seat. Then I’ll come back around, climb the ladder, and let down the solar panel, putting the supports in the PTV. Need to remember to unplug the power cord. That done, I’ll toss Spike in with Bridget, and we’ll be off!
I open the driver’s door.
That’s when I’m hit with a terrible foreboding. I stand, paralyzed, looking at the keys on the seat. Something is definitely not right. We should not go into town. I don’t know what it is, but one thing is sure. We should not go into town.
I pick up my purse, camera, and keys off the driver’s seat.
I go around to the side door. Spike has jumped in. “Sorry, guys. Not today.” I lift the crew out individually and set them on the ground. The last time this happened was when we were in Utah. The next day we were going to drive through Flaming Gorge. That day came and I couldn’t do it. We drove to Colorado instead. Strange. It’s all very strange.
I unlock the BLT and pour myself a glass of iced tea.
Relief flows over me. I take my drink and kindle outside and settle into the camp chair in the sun. I reach down and scratch Bridget under her chin. “We’ll go into town another day, honey. I promise.”
rvsue
You did well by listening to that still small voice! I can feel the dread from here!
If you can’t feel comfortable going to town today – don’t. No problem in listening to your hunches unless they start really interfering with your life. I think two “dreads” in a year is fine. Even if you had gone and nothing bad happened, you wouldn’t have enjoyed the trip.
Paul’s wearing a shirt today that says,
“I don’t want to
I don’t have to
You can’t make me
I’M RETIRED”
And you’re retired too.
premonitions are not to be ignored……….5 years since I had one ….saltwater fishing trip —-we did fresh water instead…….
I too could feel the dread and was feeling quite concerned for you, then relief when you decided to stay put……………..one has to listen and heed these feelings. They come to us for a reason. Hope the rest of the day was more comfortable and relaxed. Phew, now I can get on with my day!!
Never make light of those feelings, Sue, they’re placed there to help us, if we’re smart enough to listen. I’ve had those feelings throughout my life and I’ve always to “Him” who sends them our way. Trust your inner voice – always.
Really glad you and the crew stayed home today. There is always tomorrow or the next day.
Just remember…”I can’t means I won’t”.
Sue, I’ve felt that same feeling. I’m glad you listened. Right now we keep trying to leave Connecticut but things keep happening one right after another. Mechanical problems, Rob in the hospital, more mechanical problems. I keep wondering if someone is trying to stop us from going but maybe we just have a lemon. So hard to know what to do sometimes.
I have those feelings a lot! I respect them too, one can never be too cautious!
Cherry from Louisiana
Premonition…intuition……call it whatever you want…best thing is you went with your gut feeling. Today was NOT the day to go to town……….you may never know why…but that’s okay.
As for the crew….they understand totally. Tomorrow is another day…..there was nothing that absolutely HAD to be done today that can’t wait for tomorrow or the next…or the day after that!
Nothing like just relaxing at home with the crew by your side. Big sigh of relief! Smile.
Enjoy your evening.
INTUITION !! It’s a fabulous thing!! It’s called ”listening to your inner self” …… and has served me well. I’ve been told it’s something you develop over a period of time based on things you’ve experienced, learned, or been told/exposed to, over a long period of time. You are so VERY wise to listen to it. I personally think our ‘God’ installed intuition as a safeguard for those who know how to ‘listen’. CONGRATULATIONS on being so ‘tuned in’ to yourself, your world, and your surroundings!! Don’t question it too much, but the reason for it may reveal itself over the next couple of days!
Keep an eye out for potential problems or situations and act on them asap!! HUGS & CONGRATULATIONS!! B.
Good job listening to that inner voice. When in doubt…don’t. There’s always tomorrow. You and the crew are safe.
Always listen to that little voice. I have been much happier since I started listening to mine.
Pat in Ajo for now….lol
Our Canadian friends are there too!
My sister who has itchy feet and always to go somewhere once asked me ‘why don’t you go out?’ I tell her I’m perfectly content staying home. However every since a child I hated the thought of leaving home but once on the road I was fine and this carried on into adulthood. I love trips but the very thought of leaving home always has me in jitters but once out I’m fine. I thought about this a lot and decided it must have to do with some deep seated thing from when I was separated from my parents at less than five years old to have back surgery at who knows where. My parents were illiterate so I never knew where I was sent. When I returned years later, I couldn’t communicate w/my parents cuz English was my first language and Navajo second when it should have been the other way around. Yes, pay attention to ‘gut’ feeling and if it’s strong, I wouldn’t do whatever you had planned to do. I just know w/leaving home that feeling is different for me and it’s okay. Be safe.
Rita, It’s great that you have figured out the reason for your reluctance to leave home. When we know where our anxieties come from, we are much better able to deal with them. I’m the same way about certain events, they bring up anxieties that have nothing to do with the current happenings but harks back to a childhood thing. Once I figure that out, I’m better able to deal with the now.
Always listen to the small voice in your head or gut. I tell myself it is my guardian angel doing his job. Trouble happens when we refuse to listen to our guardian angel. Be well.
Bee
I agree with everyone’s comments, it was good that you stayed put. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day to venture out.
Ginger, Las Vegas
Perhaps there were föhn winds about. In southern Germany it is said these winds can cause a disturbed and altered mood.
Chris H (Denver)
The beautiful little town of Wikieup Arizona. Trust your spirit guide Sue.
Sue, it’s smart to go with your gut feeling.
Although, I’ve learned that if the feeling persists for more than a few days, there may be other things going on.
You may never know why you felt that way about going into town but at least you know that you kept yourself safe and that’s what is important.
The only thing I have to add is you need the propane for this coming weekend and Monday. It is going to get cold; highs in the lower 50s with lows near freezing. I don’t think you can outrun it by moving so prepare to hibernate for a few days.
So noted, Ed.
Good for you, Sue! I tell my husband that our senses are so much more keen when we are in a remote, quiet area. We’ve decided neither of us do well with noise pollution. We did without tv for five months last year…best thing that happened. P.S. We’re parked in Wickenburg, AZ. and just got home from visiting Al and Kelly in their cozy adobe.
When I was a child, I loved to wander around the woods. I was fortunate enough to have an elder (guide/mentor) teach me some woodland lore. She explained that is was easy to see man-made trails. It was more challenging (but not too difficult) to discern game trails. Hardest of all was spotting “ghost trails.” No, nothing supernatural – but old, or ancient trails that you could not see looking straight at them. You could only spot them out out of the corner of your eye. They were definitely there, but very hard to spot.
I think that is what intuition is. You can’t quite explain your feelings, but there something is there. Be it physical, emotional, weather based, or something entirely different; it grabs our consciousnesses and alerts us to a primal knowledge that we need to “see” something out of the corner of our brain.
Wow,Sue, i had th’ same feeling this morning, n’ i could’d tell th’ tow truck driver about it.,, he told me that on th’ way to get us n’ th’ truck, there was a big car/ picup crash on 95 – mulberry street n’ it happin’d just as he got to that spot.
Sue and Crew:
I’m happy tyo see you pay attention to your woman’s intuition. Good for you!
Sue, listening to that inner warning has saved my life at least once that I know of. When I feel it, I don’t even try to understand or argue with it anymore…. I just obey it.
SO GLAD you listened!!!
Good for you Sue. I am a believer in “hunches”. You should write suspense stories, you had me on the edge of my chair wondering. All it needed was a few chords of the organ music they used to use in mystery radio shows.
You need to come on up to Quartzsite for the RTR. Third day tomorrow.
I did not listen to the small voice that said in Jan. 2008, “Take the back road to town.” My logic said, “I am in a hurry and I need to get to town and back so I will take the freeway.” I did, and a few minutes later was hit by the mack truck at about 65 mph. I survived and well…but I have hip and back pain I did not have before too. This is the longest I have not seen the chiropractor and it is now 3 months. You are wise to heed, Sue. You likely will never know the whys…but we have to listen to the small voice, over our logic.
Blessings and be safe dear lady, Elizabeth
Even if you never know why, it’s best to listen to that “small still voice”. Obey it. When I go against it, that’s when I wish I’d listened. You’re retired, what’s another day one way or the other. PamP – temporarily dog sitting in West Palm Beach, FL
Whenever I get feelings that strong I listen to them too.
I felt so relieved when you wrote that you didn’t go into town! (Excellent writing, by the way.) It’s not just that staying home may have kept you safe, although I’ve seen too much to ignore premonitions. It’s also that ignoring your gut feelings can literally make you ill. So happy that you listened to your gut!
It’s an itch you can’t scratch but it’s still an itch. I trust my intermission ever since Nam, it most certainly kept me alive then and whatever brain cell clicks on when I get that itch, it has generally kept me in good stead. For whatever reason, there are just some things that ain’t supposed to be understood. I always figured if I was meant to understand it, they would’ve drawn a picture….lol
No more landlocked living for me. (yes, I’m the same guy who said that a year or so ago, just been remiss in commenting on your blog). On my way to new Mexico in a week or two.
Ok everyone, anyone else notice that Sue has not replied to anyone….hope everything is okay. If someone out there can check and put up a comment, this lady would greatly appreciate it. Thanks
I’m fine, Michelle!
Whew, thanks…
I had noticed it too. But was just hoping maybe you had decided to go into town today and was busy. We do worry about you out there.
After that episode, I would have thought that something a little bit stronger than ice tea might have been in order!
Sue,
One other historical author that I have read everything that he has written is John Jakes. Couldn’t remember his name yesterday but enjoyed all of his Series. They are best if read in the order that he wrote them.
Hello!
I haven’t responded to any of the comments for a reason. I didn’t want this post to be all about me (pretty surprising, eh?). What response could I give anyway?
I do want you to know that I was more curious than usual as to what readers’ responses would be. It’s interesting to hear from those who experience premonitions and act upon them. I also appreciate all the validation. So I’m not crazy after all! 🙂 It’s nice of you to show concern for my welfare.
There’s very heavy cloud cover this morning and my batteries don’t need to be sharing their juice with this laptop for a while. I want you to know the crew and I are fine. Thanks for writing!
Premonitions are good. I live in a subdivision with leash laws. Every morning I go out the front door to get the paper and I take my hound/lab mix named Suzie and my Yorkie named Ozwald out with me without leashs. It is their treat for the day. This morning, for no reason, I made them stay inside. I had only gone about 5 feet and there were two large black dogs running loose. If my two had gone out with me there is no telling what might have happened. So follow you instincts.
The inner voice knows best, good decision!
Sue, I pray for you and the crew every night. I truly believe that the Lord gives us those “feelings” or what ever you want to call them. Some times we just have to listen. You did the right thing. Love you
Sometimes I get that feeling when there is a climate change. Your writing was so good I could feel your uneasiness. I have been on the farm for all of my married life (44 years) and you become very aware of the weather around you every day and you can truly feel rain hours before it comes. My husband says “trust your gut” when it tells you not to do something or that something “is in the wind”. Embrace the uneasiness and wait and see what message it was trying to send to you.
RE:
rvsueandcrew says:
January 9, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Hi DesertHawk!
“I haven’t read any L’Amour. I guess I assumed from the number of his titles that his writing is formulaic, which probably is unfair. Just because an author is prolific doesn’t mean he/she is a bad writer. Several have recommended him, so I’ll give him a try.”
L’Amour, I’m sure has some “formulaic” in his work, but the settings are in real places in which he has traveled. His “formulaic” will be tough men, fast guns but will always have a fist fight. Good escape books & stepping back in time. His book —part memoir, part reflection—, “Education of a Wandering Man” is about himself & has real life adventure stories, some in the Southwest. http://www.louislamour.com/nonfiction/education.htm
http://www.louislamour.com/aboutlouis/biography.htm
Hillerman, McGarrity, Thurlo & Jance will also have “formulaic” elements, but not over burden with it. IMHO.
Donna Leon, the American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice and featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti, I have found good as well. First discovered her work in auto-book form. Very entertaining, good escapes to Italy.
Henning Mankell, a Swedish crime writer, and dramatist, best known for a series of mystery novels starring his most famous creation, Inspector Kurt Wallander, likewise is a good read. Discovered him by viewing his work on PBS “Mystery”….also has novel set in Africa.
Bernard Cornwell, a British author of historical novels, best known for his novels about Napoleonic Wars rifleman Richard Sharpe, I discovered from PBS adaption. But also very “formulaic”, but settings are from much research by going to them & much historic research. Story is fiction, but the history is true or he will tell what he moved or added to make the tell better at the end.
“Stieg” Larsson (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) was a Swedish journalist and writer, best known for writing the “Millennium series” of crime novels, which were published posthumously. A little “raw” in places, but a good read. Similar to Mankell in a way, both settings (mainly) in Sweden, but one gets to see a different culture & mores (somewhat like ours, but different at the same time).