February 18th, 2026

Safari Life
“The heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill.”
William Sharp (known as: Fiona Macleod) (Scottish Writer, of Poetry and Literary Biography; September 12th, 1855 ~ December 12th, 1905)
“You could expect many things of God at night when the campfires burned before the tents….You were alone when you sat and talked with the others—and they were alone. …WHat you say has no ready ear but your own, and what you think is nothing except to yourself. The world is there and you are here—and these are the only poles, the only realities. You talk, but who listens? You listen, but who talks?”
Beryl Markham(English-Born Kenyan Aviator, Adventurer, Racehorse Trainer and Author; October 26th, 1902 ~ August 3rd, 1986)
“A safari of the self and Spirit is at times lonely. But we know we are never alone. It is a comfort to realize that this sense of isolation is necessary if we are to encounter Mystery, and mystery is very much a part of safari. Each day in the wilderness brings with it the struggle to survive and a heightened awareness of how wonderful it is just to see the sun set and rise again in the morning. Each day on safari is lived to the fullest because it is all that is guaranteed.”
“Today, expect many things as you sit around the campfire of your heart. Someone is listening. Someone is talking to you, encouraging you to take the next step as you embrace the Mystery of the wilderness within.”
“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wonderous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”
My Bucket List


“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-18-26)

“My life has really transformed the last three years. I am the happiest I have ever been, the most confident and living into my authentic self.” (Heather Houston 2-18-22)
“The Mystery of the wilderness within…such a deep concept. The safari dry season I have been navigating within has brough forth the rains again. My mother shared so authentically yesterday it brought tears to my eyes. She contributed profoundly to my life in her sharing. To learn the name of the town my great grandmother lived was a timely and heartfelt sharing. I plan to visit my ancestors homelands and reconnect to my cultural community. I dream of walk the ground of my ancestors and mingling with my people…5-weeks and counting.” (Heather Houston 2-18-26)
–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.
Dear Heather,
Did your Mini cooper have a manual transmission or was it your Honda?
I have been trying to tie up ends for my CPA for taxes. I am so grateful that I am just about ready to get them in the mail. I am grateful to be in the warm house today. The wind is blowing and it blows off the mountain covered with snow. So the air outside feels like the inside of a refrigerator.
I am thankful that I can join the CALSTRS site but still get my tax documents mailed to me. I am thankful to now be able to devote more of my time to cutting my current quilt project now.
I am thankful I got your reply from yesterday’s Simple Abundance.
I am thankful that by tomorrow evening I will have my car back with a new back up camera. I am thankful that Carrie and I were able to help each other get our tax documents gathered and organized. And I am truly thankful to have a new CPA to finish up my taxes.
It is such a relief!
So today is the first day this month that I do not have to concern myself with the I.R.S. I am thankful that now I can plan my day a new way.
I miss you muchly. Love
Mom
Donna Houston (Herriott) (Mother; May 11th, 1941)
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The mini cooper was a manual transmission. However, when reading the blog entry some of my comments are from 2022 as I had started Simple Abundance several. Times before and never got through it. My intention is to get through the whole book this year (4 years later) the writings from this year have a date of 2026. I no longer have the mini Cooper as last year it died and now I have a new Hyundai Venue I am leasing.
Glad your taxes are nearly done too.
Sounds exciting that you are cutting into a new quilt!
The back up camera will really help. I have one on my car and love it!
We are in a cold front…no snow, but really cold. We have had a fire in the hearth everyday to heat the house. I love fires as it feels so cozy.
I love you Mom!
Heather Houston (Self; March 30th, 1968)
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