The Roland Allen Post

My younger sister passed away early Thursday morning following a long illness. My heart is broken. I will miss her terribly.  I used to say that Harriet never met a stranger. She found something to talk about with everyone. Harriet LOVED people, and they loved her in return. She also loved celebrating Mardi Gras. And, she loved introducing me as her Big Brother.  My brother and I are happy that so many people are sending us photos and memories of our sister. We look forward to continuing to celebrating her. John 11: 25 Jesus said to her,   “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.  26 And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”  

  I love a good adventure.  The emphasis is on good .  I started in Ventura and drove up California Highway 33 this past Monday. Potrero John Creek Trail was the destination.  Potrero John Creek is in the Sespe Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest.  Highway 33/Maricopa Highway is a stunning drive that quickly rises from the Pacific Ocean to over 3000 feet elevation.  Soon after leaving Ventura, the road goes through Casitas Springs, which is the home of Johnny Cash.  Cellular phone service dropped out even before I had properly left Ojai, the last town before heading up the mountain.  The trail is rocky and remote. I was not prepared for either. I was the only person on the trail. In fact, there was no one around, and car traffic was extremely sparse. I made a game-time call to venture slightly down the trail, but not to go too deep, given that I had no way to reach help should anything go wrong.                                                                                       

  My friend John and I are encouraging each other to set goals for the week.   My list includes spending time daily doing sustained aerobic activity. For me, this means either bicycling, hiking, walking or jogging.  This is a photo from this evening's walk in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.   I have a fairly long list of goals for this week. However, I think most people who read this blog will better appreciate a pretty picture.

I discovered a nature trail in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park soon after moving to this part of Orange County. The benches under these California Sycamore Trees have become one of my favorite places to sit quietly at the end of the day. I like having a place where I can reflect on the day's events. Sitting usually leads to prayer. Prayer, in turn, leads to hope and intention.   

I am a fan of Joshua Becker and Becoming Minimalist . I want to pass along the post I read this morning.  7 Daily Habits to Change Your Life Forever

 I haven't posted in about six weeks! What have I been up to? I officially retired on June 30. That's the same day I sold my home and became (voluntarily) "houseless."  I don't say "homeless," because I've had places to live. Thus, I don't use that term lightly, and without honoring the struggle of people who are houseless without choice.  I have options.  I used the entire month of July to consider options as to where I wanted to live. In my mind, as a person who feels that God calls me, I thought of where I was "called" to live. I know it sounds weird to people who are not of that persuasion.  However, for me, a calling and purpose have long been part of my vocabulary.  The strongest pull was factoring physical proximity to my uncle and aunt in Los Angeles. That still left a range of places to live, including San Diego County, Orange County and the Palm Springs area. Near the end of July I decided to take a few days away - a retreat,