I placed the metal sculpture of a roadrunner on the counter as if he was precious cargo.

In my heart, this is not only because of my love of animals but the memory that comes with having had the recent opportunity to see a real live roadrunner in person. A first for me!

The man ringing up my order for this unique bird said, “These birds can be really mean and will eat just about anything.”

He went on to tell me that they will eat tarantulas and scorpions. 

I thought it awfully brave of the roadrunner to eat two creatures that many fear. But I also mulled over what he said in terms of them being mean, as I don’t care for an animal being described in this way.

Being mean because he is doing what is necessary to survive? Having done shadow work around animals I fear, I would have been curious to know what the man’s description of the roadrunner meant for him.

But thinking about the statement of being mean, I thought about times in my life when I’ve been mean. No pun intended, but many of those times, I didn’t “mean” to be. It was coming from a place within me that I didn’t like about myself.

So alas, I felt called to defend the roadrunner and write a post about him.

The day I saw the real live roadrunner was when we were waiting to board the train that would take us on a four-hour ride through Verde Valley in Arizona. Which by the way, was an awe-inspiring experience!

Near the entrance where our tickets for the train were being collected were three bird handlers showing three beautiful birds and educating those interested about the bird wildlife of the area.

Hard not to be in awe so close up to these gorgeous creatures!

So that roadrunner? Was he part of the show? Nope! But he sure did steal the show as everyone was vying to get a photo of him as he strutted along the pebbles behind the woman with the owl. He sure did capture my attention too as I was quite excited to see one!

Shopping in the eclectic town of Jermone, AZ, it was at a nature-inspired store that I spotted this roadrunner metal sculpture and just knew I had to bring him home with me. 

Now every time I see him in my garden I’ll be reminded of this special memory. Not only that, it will be a lovely reminder during times I may feel down and out, that I too am a survivor, and when I think I can’t move through a difficult experience, I can. He will also remind me of the importance of being seen and heard and that it matters.

The man in the store sharing the roadrunner as being mean is a reminder to look deeper into myself when I have these same thoughts about something in my own life. Where is that really coming from? So often, it is a shadow aspect of oneself and one that is trying to protect us.

Doing a bit of research about roadrunners I learned that a unique feature is their feet. Not only do their two toes point forward, but they point backward also. Which way is he heading?!

This brought up for me how life can feel like we are taking one step forward, and then two back. But life isn’t a straight line, but rather back and forth, give and take, learning lessons, and moving forward again. It’s all good and part of what makes up life!

I love the Warner Brothers cartoon image of roadrunner also and how he is depicted as a trickster. How one minute he is there, and the next minute, he is gone like a flash of lightning. I can’t help but associate this with how short life really is. We are here…and before we know it…we are gone. So make your statement, be you, and appreciate all aspects of life and who you are!

Meep! Meep!

XO

Barb

When I saw him pull up in the golf cart, he reminded me of a skinny and smaller version of Billy Gibbons, from the band, ZZ-Top.

He then led us around the bend in the road down to the lower level of the campground.

Once parked he told us about himself. Born and raised in Los Angeles and in his teens, he and his brother went to work on a farm in Mishicot, WI. This is about one hour from my hometown. There he thought the girls of Wisconsin wouldn’t take to a character like him from L.A., but he was quite wrong as the girls flocked to him. Or perhaps that was a wild story he was telling?! Haha! 

But I was reminded again of what a small world it really is.

Do you have this happen when you travel? Do you see people who remind you of people you know back home? I have that happen often. Or they remind me of someone famous, as Jim, the campground owner did for me with his similarities to the lead singer of ZZ-Top.

A few days later the rain came and we woke early in the morning to voices outside our RV. Within minutes we understood that the small irrigation stream behind us, fed by the Verde Valley River, was flooding. We had to move.

Once again, led by, Jim, who I’d fondly nicknamed, ZZ, and in his golf cart, we were escorted to the upper level of the campground. And we were notified last evening that we will be staying at this site until we pull up stakes at the end of the month.

But after John backed into our spot, ZZ said he had something for me. For me?! He first gave me a fire agate stone, which I’ll need to clean up. He then gave me the petrified wood that had turned to stone explaining that they sell for hundreds of dollars in the stores in the area. I was so touched by his gift that I gave him a big hug.

A few days later he came by with another petrified piece of wood turned to stone and gifted that to me too.

Researching the symbolism of Fire Agate has several different meanings. The one overall meaning I found is that it is like a phoenix rising above the ashes and is said to help you grow from personal turmoil.

It’s also a gemstone that helps push you to become the best you can be, using past experiences as the catalyst of fire to guide you to blaze through struggles that lie ahead and result in you becoming a much better person.

It is also an emotional protector and is a great companion for empaths. This really resonated for me!

Such an unexpected surprise from a sweet man and his love of rocks, who shared these gifts with me that I shall treasure always.

P.S. While having lunch earlier in the week at a restaurant in Cottonwood I was saying to John how some people reminded me of people I know back home. Just as we were getting ready to leave a couple walked into the restaurant and I was trying to figure out where I knew them from. Or were they just resembling someone? But then I realized they were actually our neighbors a few blocks down the road from us in Elkhart Lake! I don’t know them well, but they are a retired couple that often rides their bikes past our house. As soon as they sat down I walked over and talked to them. They were just as surprised to realize who we were too! Fun moments when these things happen, isn’t it?

XO

Barb