Nothing for the Journey?

Luke 9:3, "Take nothing for the journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics." ~ ESV  That is a verse that has weighed heave on my soul since I was just 15.  I grew up with a hoarder, and every time I tried to downsize...  I was made to put stuff back.  Then I set out with my husband to start our new life... and we left with a duffle bag each and two backpacks to go on the bus.  Then we moved to and from Chicago with truck load of items.  Then from Kansas to Flagstaff to Thoreau with smaller truck load.  Then we took a uhall to Keavy, KY from Thoreau with all the stuff we had gathered.  Then we stored much of our stuff when we moved from Keavy to Farmington, NM.  When we came to Phoenix, we make 3 trips in 1 car.   I feel the weight of the items we have gathered.  I miss the lightness of the early days.... of that first trip as we just started out.

I know the "Gypsy Road", the path of a nomad, a traveler for the Lord, is not for everyone... and there are times I just want to throw in the towel and say I am done...but He picks me up and says, "For such a time as this..." and I keep going.  Yes we will settle down somewhat one day... and are semi-settled even now.  But that does not mean we should become to attached to things...  For we are all just passing through, and this earth is not our homes... Heaven is our true home, for all who believe!

~ Morria

Battle of Camp Wildcat

 150 years ago today, there was a Battle here at Wildcat Mountain  and the Confederates were camped here at Camp Wildcat.   This ground on which which we are standing, and especially the tree covered mountain and wilderness road behind us are hallowed grounds.  Men fought and died here.  Men died in the military hospital at this very campsite.  Who died for the ideals they believed in.  And who gave us that strong back bone, that right now is all the keeps us afloat.

Today, reenactors are gathered to represent a portion of the battle and remember those who have gone before us, and died to make and keep this land free.  Yes, Robby and I spent most of Saturday and Sunday at the "Battle of Camp Wildcat" Civil War Reenactment.  It was so much a feeling of home to me.  LOL, yes, I use to reenact at Cowtown all the time as a teen, and prior to that would dress the part every museum and living history site I went to.


If I were to say anything to you, my readers, my fellow traveller, gypsy goth, and gypsy friends, and those who read around the world, see if there is any sort of historical reenactment in your area, whether you take part or just watch, tis an experience of a lifetime for all who go.  ^_^  And charish ever minute you have with those you love... as life is fleeting.

~ Morria

How to Build a Celtic Travel Shelter...

This is not a hard build if you live near or have friends near a forest with some sort of ceder trees... First find a tree with a Y shape just a bit above head height.  Find 5 of the sturdiest looking ceder or evergreen bows and place in a circle with the tops crisis-crossing through the Y and the bottom spread out (think like a tepee) at least large enough for you to lay down in.  Weave thinner greenery covered bows through the 5 up and down bows, leaving an entrance opening fasting east if possible.   Continue waving up and down and back and forth till very little light comes through accept at the entrance.  If done correctly, this should stand about 2 to 3 years.

I built my first Celtic Travel Shelter on my Grandma's 13 acres when I was 17 after an ice storm in Poteau, OK, it stood until another ice storm 3 years later and was a favorite hiding place for Grandma's cats when I wasn't around.   I have continued to build these as needed, and next time will bring my camera and share photos as the previous builds I never thought to photograph.  They are great for getting out of the rain...one of the reasons the cats adored it!

~ Morria

Fellow Gypsy Gal..

Today, there was a fellow gypsy gal, standing on the curb at the edge of Walmart. As is my custom, I went into the store and bought a bottle of icy cold water for her.  Sadly, today I was out of food bars in my purse, having just finished a trip moving east, and not having had a chance to replenish as of yet.  Then I ran back out to her, in my good clothing from my job interview.  My turquoise necklace pounded on my chest as did my sliver Celtic cross, but I had to get back to her, as the day is so hot and humid in this Kentucky late summer weather.  I handed her the bottle of cold water, and she smiled, "A cup of cold water in My name.  God bless you!"

How often do we over look blessings because we fear strangers?  It makes me think of the old Celtic Christian blessing/proverb.  "May there always be food in the eating place, may there always be drink in the drinking place.  May there always be music in the listening place.  May there always be a bed in the sleeping place.  For, oft, oft, oft, goes Christ about in stranger's garb."  Please my friends consider how you to might aid other gypsies, vagabonds, and travelers.  Blessings!

~ Morria

What Do They Know?

As I am sitting here, working at the homeless shelter in Chicago, my thoughts wonder to all the homeless, the Roma, and the gypsy/bohemian/nomad/travelers of the world, especially those in dire situations...

~ Morria

What Do They Know?

I sit here in this room,

nothing but this bag to call my own

Why am I here?

What has happened?

They say I am a streetrat, 

an outcast, a vagabond.

What do they know?

I sit here praying,

Family's still on the move,

Why are we hated?

What have we done?

They say I am a streetrat, 

an outcast, a vagabond.

What do they know?

I sit here in this slum,

nothing but rot to call a home.

Why don't they care?

How could things change?

What do they know?

We have a history,

We have names.

We are humans.

We are everyone. 

MMN - 2009 

"Bardic Circle"

Today our friends the Grover's hosted a "Bardic Circle".  This weeks theme was Native Drum Circle, Aaron was there for it of course, as were many of our other gypsy, goth, subculture, traveler, and nomadic friends.  As we began to share music, songs, and stories, my heart began to cry.  What are we doing here?  Our hearts for helping other people, maybe living in Dine Bikeyah, but not in the city here.  It hurt to much, but now I realize I cannot put the open road and ministering to fellow outcasts out of my mind or heart.  Tis in there just too deep.

What now?  I dont know what this means for the future... I dont know what roads this means we will go down.  But I do know that it means Chicago is not the end point, but just a stop on the trail...

We are here in Chicago for until at least next August or September, and after that I have even less clue where we shall journey.  God, You have to be in this, because I have no clue what You are up to here...

~ Morria

Trouble came and went...

I learned an important lesson in taking in fellow travelers, gypsies, and nomads this week.  An old friend, Rekker, whom I had not seen in some time... came through Didean this week... He thought he would come to my house and take over the safe haven... I had offered him shelter as an old friend.  But in less than a day he was causing trouble... first he hit on me, only to find out Robby and I are a couple.  Then he tried to take over running the safe house.  Then he had the nerve to start telling all of us how we were going to run Didean from then on... Thankfully Jo and the kids were out of town visiting friends for the week, or she would have tangled with him BIG time.


As it was, I had very cross words with him.  He had been told he could sleep on the floor in the living room with the mats and sleeping bags until something better could be found.  Instead, he ordered Robby out of his room, put in an air conditioner (which no one should have as the wiring in that room needs fixing, and will be worked on in 2 weeks), and invited a girl we dont know over.  That and he tried to get meds at the hospital, only to not want to wait the 5 hrs needed to get them (we later found out he abuses them).  Good riddance.  I am all for helping fellow gypies, travelers, and nomads, but they have to respect the house and the few rules we keep.  Rekker did not.  Farewell, I trust you find what you are looking for and some peace in your soul to go with it....

~ Morria

New House and Grounds Keeper!

I signed the papers today!   The 2 story Victorian house officially becomes my "Didean", the refuge, safe haven, and shelter for travelers and subculture folks.  It is really 2 stories plus a fixable attic and a half finished basement...so LOTS of room to explore and make my own.  Who knows what adventures lay before me in this awesome place?  First off, getting it furnished and repainted.  That will be an adventure in and off its self!  SOOOOOO Excited!

 Well, who should be waiting for me on the steps of Didean when I get there, than my first traveler!  Robby has come to stay for the next little bit, as a grounds keeper for Didean, and someone to keep an eye on it when I am not there.  Awesome!   Also, whew... He is such an over sized, bald, teddy bear... I could never fall for him.  After all he is 13 years my elder, and just NOT my type.  LOL!  Good to have grounds keep I can trust, though.


~ Morria

Revelation...

What a revelation... Spoke with Matt today, I knew he was Christian Punk, but I just didn't realize subculture was what you would call that.  He helped me figure out some really good stuff both about me, and who I am.   Hippie, Gypsy, Traveler, Bohemian, those are the names for what I am, with a touch of course of Goth...  Gypsy Goth... that is what I am... that fits... if I use any kinda title, I guess.  Just good catching up with Matt!

Guess Gandalf will be saying of me next, "Not All Who Wander Are Lost."

~ Morria