February 17th, 2026
A Safari of Self and Spirit
“The woods were made for the hunters of dreams
The brooks for the fisher of song
To the hunters who hunt for the gunless game
The streams and the woods belong.”
Sam Walter Foss (American Librarian and Poet; June 19th, 1858 ~ February 26th, 1911)
“…not only desolate with grief but bereft of purpose.”
Mary Henrietta Kingsley (English Ethnographer, Scientific Writer, and Explorer; October 3rd, 1862 ~ June 3rd, 1900)
“In Africa, to go on safari—the Swahili word for journey—is to leave the comfort and safety of civilization to venture into the wilderness. Each time you listen to the woman within—your authentic self—you do the same.
“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition…What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover will be yourself.”
Alan Alda (American Actor and Comedian; January 28th, 1936 ~ )
My Bucket List
Before my story began…(Heather Houston 2-17-22)
“Reading this today I found myself dreaming of adventure. Riding my motorcycle down the length of PCH. Going on a walk-about. Creating my own vision quest through my indigenous roots. Being free of debt to wander and explore would be glorious!” (Heather Houston 2-17-22)
“I find myself bereft with purpose in my career. I feel an urge to find my place in this world. Particularly since the life I lived for 30 years was far from authentic. I am not in a hurry, but feel a deep wanderlust inside me. My husband has been very supportive and offered for us to get our instruments out of storage to begin exploring our musical interests. I am game as I have not really focused on my music in years. I have spent the last 8-years on a safari of my authentic self and spirit. I yearn for new adventures to explore this beautiful world we inhabit. I am in action of this presently as I soon will be visiting Oklahoma City for an indigenous conference. This will be the first time I am able to sit and commune with people from my culture…Cherokee/Choctaw. I am beyond thrilled! I am hoping I will have time to also visit the town my grandfather and great grandparents resided to simply touch the earth of my ancestors. This is the exploration I am on.” (Heather Houston 2-17-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 51-52 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
My Distilled Life 
“I am so grateful to hear that you would like to explore your roots. If you visit Oklahoma you could visit Clebit, Oklahoma. That is where your great grandparents lived. They have passed away but I am sure there are people there who remember them. You will find it a very exciting exploration.
I am so grateful that you were able to purchase a new car. I have been considering buying a new car but my Honda is a 2010 and only has 80,000 miles on it. It did not come with a back up camera and I really think I need that for greater safety. So, I contacted Honda and they referred me to a vendor who could install a back up camera in my current Honda. I am grateful today they called to schedule an install for this Friday. So now no extra car payments and my car will be a little safer.
I am thankful that Dr. Ganesh released me to work back up to walking. I started with 15 minutes and will add 5 minutes each month. Sharon Ivey who had low BP’s like me told me about finding out about a vagal nerve reset. I looked it up and have been trying it. I am not sure if it is working because I can’t tell if it is the reset or meds but I have had less bouts of low BP’s. So that is something to be grateful for.
I am grateful that you will be able to read my comments also.
I am grateful for being able to enjoy the Winter Olympics. The ice dancing has been spectacular and also the ski jumping. Some of the jumps I could almost feel it when they were landing from such a great height. Oh to be young and strong again. I am sorry proud of you and your beautiful writings. I love you muchly and miss you muchly.
Don’t let your supervisor get your goat. Often times a person has some other problem that causes them to lash out and you just become the object to express their frustrations. Trust in your self and don’t let others steel your confidence.
I have enjoyed watching the curling in the Wintet Olympics also.
Love
Mom (Sent 2-17-26)
Donna Houston (Herriott) (Mother; May 11th, 1941)
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