#71822 Williston ND

We are experiencing a heat wave. Yesterday I wrote a message saying the heat wave sucks, though I can’t even remember typing that as I was upset about the walmart manager kicking us off property. So, I amended that I don’t actually think it sucks all that much cause I do prefer hot to freezing, but I guess any extreme temperature brings some cons to consider.

Matilda doesn’t like the heat very much. It was worse when I didn’t have   either top side dog house clip (interior cover over the engine ) and it kept blowing open while I was driving. I’d had issues with those clips since last fall in utah and haven’t been able to find the right springs to fit. After losing two of the four spring clips, I’d haphazardly hinged both clips on only one spring each, when those sprang off a couple weeks, I hadn’t had any patience to try and screw around with it and took the spring clips into a few stores to try and find some. As I haven’t succeeded, and since I’ve been under the doghouse every day bypassing the glow plug controller, it seemed ok, but with the heat and plains wind, I relented and attached one clip to the side I frequent for the glow plug module.

I think the speed sensor and injection pump, or mainly the computer or something are going. It’s really making me wonder how we’re gonna go on or what’s coming.

So North Dakota, aye. We stopped in Rugby to see the approximate center of North America. The actual center has been calculated to be in a North Dakotan town called Center. We think there should be a center in the center of center, where the exact center of the center has a model of a center…. or something.

Then we stayed a couple nights in the towniest town of towner. Their city park closest to Highway 2 has a free will donation campsite, playset, and splashpad.

There were some really nice people that invited us to Fudd fest, a free little music hodown with bouncy castle and dinner. Mary Ann and Curtis were amongst the few that spoke to me while we were there. Galixy had a great time making friends and jumping around. Atreyu tried to befriend some of the boys maybe just a little older than him who didn’t really seem down for a new friend and played semi rude games of evasion. Atreyu was already having a pretty hard day, starting with an upset tummy in the morning and then any activity he attempted ended in his having a small accident and getting hurt, so we didn’t make it all the way to dinner. I really enjoyed the music and everyone seemed friendly but distant.

A couple weeks back, Vicky and Ted, whom we’d met in NY, helped us out with our drought. I feel super blessed to know them!

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I had to break yesterday to take the kids into the lake. The water was pretty warm, so I sat in it, too. Afterwards we went to the truck stop to shower off and then parked at Walmart where I met Chris from Billings and Gordo from Wyoming, both here for work on separate jobs. It was a real pleasure speaking with both and either. They’re open and kind individuals.

Right at bedtime the thunderstorm clouds started to roll in. I was tempted to make a video of the darkness spreading, but my phone was reading the bedtime story, so the kids and I watched the wind blow in the clouds and the lightning…. It was so beautiful and powerful. I DO like nighttime storms, though, I don’t like hail. I thought it was gonna break Matilda or my bug’s windshield, or my solar panel! It didn’t last long, though and the kids slept through the racket.

There’s been so much I’ve been thinking about writing and every time I sit down it seems something completely different word vomits out. On that hand, Chris made a fair point, “keep writing, cause it’s a good read. But if you don’t tonight or tomorrow, you don’t have to! cause that’s what we’re here for!” The freedom.

And I do want to and love to write.

The kids and I listened to the Alchemist, which they both loved! I’ll be listening a third time soon.

Williston is not far from the Montana border. The kids are excited that we’ll most likely be sleeping in Montana tonight. That’s fine, though, I’m still not feeling so stoked about whatever. Possibly not knowing….

On that note, not knowing is going around my life. I don’t know what I want for sure. Have I ever? Matilda is not having a good time with the heat, I mentioned before. The speed sensor and the light knock that could mean fuel distribution is lacking…. What am I doing?? And the trailer is falling apart at the seams. Lucky we stayed dry for the most part last night….

I also don’t feel like I’ve adequately expounded on Sully. At such a young age, to be so caring and open…. They cooked us dinner the first night and every time I tried to lure them over to give them some reciprocations, they hesitated attempting to not receive. We painted on Matilda together. Sully also made some beautiful clouds on the trailer. We had some lovely walks and climbs and I’m really happy I got to take pictures that included Sully. It was nice talking about similar situations we’ve faced, the people we both know, and hearing their perspective. Like the rainbow we’d crossed paths at about 5 years ago, one of my neighbors with her reputation and snazz decided to try and give me a hard time while gathered. She’s a hard ass who’s been through life. While I was having a hard time surrounding this momma, Sully had the experience of being uplifted and supported by her in those same weeks. Back then, I just glazed over those disruptions trying to show that I wasn’t playing the game. Hindsightingly I feel as if my neighbor might’ve wanted to bond in the bitchiness I keep stored for people I trust to know the difference between facetious- me, sarcasm, and anger. five years ago, I had no energy to bond through dark sides. It’s just good to see the other perspective. Especially because Sully deserves all that support… and love…. and more, and I’ll be forever grateful for this Momma Bob who gave it to them, when I could only see my weakness.

OK! So it’s the morning of the 19th. My dreams were crazy. The wind’s still blowing and the kids’ still sleeping. I jinxed it and now they’re up in my business, but not in a friendly way either, in a “how much can I get mom to do for me” kinda way, whilst my to do list is already growing through dishes, laundromat, driving, getting fuel, feeding everyone, getting new wart remover cream… I think I want help……. I’m feeling stretched thin. Could surely use an adultier adult so I can de-adult.

Better get back to the life thing instead of the pleasure of writing. I had to choose between watching a true crime thing on youtube while doing dishes, or writing and saving the dishes for later. Now I wonder if I woulda felt better if I’d done the dishes, but considering, I think it wouldn’t have made a difference. I wouldn’t have finished the dishes before the kids woke either and they don’t really offer help with such….

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I hope y’all are having blessed summer heat and share some smiles! stay grateful!!