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IWSG – Mandatory Staycation

View out my kitchen window (photo by Tui Snider)
View out my kitchen window (photo by Tui Snider)

The Best Laid Plans for a 6 Week Summer Road Trip

If things had gone as planned, I’d be writing this post while sitting in a motel room on the Big Summer Road Trip of 2015 that my hubby, Larry, and I have been looking forward to all year. We intended to leisurely snake our way along back roads from our little burg in Texas all the way up to Washington State in time to attend a big family party. If things had gone as planned, my biggest complaints right now would be feeling bloated from eating road food and struggling with poor WiFi at our motel.

Fate, it seems, had other plans!

Shortly after our writing research/ghost hunting trip over to Mineral Wells, Texas, (where I may or may not have heard “giggling ghosts”) Larry and I found out he has a dangerous blood clot in his leg. One of the caveats from the doctor is that Larry cannot travel to any remote places until the blood clot dissolves. Until then, he needs to be within a short drive of a hospital in case the clot moves to his lungs or, even worse, causes a heart attack. The good news is that he doesn’t need hospitalization. The bad news is that his leg hurts so much he can barely stand. While I can’t think of anyone who actually enjoys being bedridden, it’s especially tough on Larry because he is a go, go, go kind of guy. Basically, he’s a mad scientist who loves to make and do. If Larry could recuperate by quietly tinkering in his lab right now, that would be one thing. Instead, he’s been in bed for two weeks – which in Larry-years is at least a decade.

As for me, in those idle moments when I normally daydream about writing projects, I now find myself playing out horrific “what if” scenarios in my head. These scenarios get really bad in the middle of the night, sometimes even turning into nightmares. In one of the most over-the-top scenarios, I thought about how awful it would have been if Larry had dropped dead of a heart attack while we were ghost hunting at the Crazy Water Hotel. Since Larry does not even believe in ghosts, I can only imagine how pissed off he’d be, especially if his demise became fodder for an urban legend and the facts got all garbled. In my demented daydream, I imagined that he would be so annoyed that he would find a way to haunt the place. That scenario, at least, spun off into the ridiculous, but most of them have been more realistic. Needless to say, I’ve had a hard time sleeping lately!

Prior to the clot, my days were a whirlwind of road trip preparation, but now… while I know I need to switch gears and focus on other things, I feel adrift. I’m usually the queen of to-do lists, but right now… I’m still making the lists, I can’t seem to regain my focus. Frankly, I’m frazzled! Hopefully, I’ll quit spinning off into ridiculous “worst case scenarios,” start sleeping through the night, and to get back into the swing of things again before the next IWSG check-in. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions for getting back on track, I’m all ears!

What is IWSG, anyway?

150-InsecureWritersSupportGroupIWSG stands for “Insecure Writers Support Group.” It’s a monthly check-in for writers of all stripes. Its creator, Alex J. Cavanaugh, describes ISWG like this:
“Purpose of IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!” – Alex J. Cavanaugh

To read other people’s IWSG posts, Insecure Writers Support Group.

Want to read more?

To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best selling travel guide: Unexpected Texas.
For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best selling travel guide to haunted places: Paranormal Texas.
For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out: The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber. Happy travels!

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my author newsletter using the form below:

Tui Snider having fun on a Texas road trip!
Tui Snider having fun on a Texas road trip!

Published inBlog on Writing & Life

13 Comments

  1. Tui, I hope your husband makes a full recovery soon. I can’t imagine how scary it is for you, and it’s probably hard for him being an active person and being in pain and not being able to do anything. So I hope the healing process goes well and quickly. Take care!

    • Tui Snider Tui Snider

      Yeah, Denise! I sometimes think the mental part of all this is harder on my hubby than the physical. He is so used to running around doing things. Our last visit to the doctor was encouraging, though. We’ve decided to make the most of our staycation. At least he gets to recupe at home and isn’t stuck in a hospital room. Thank you for your kind words! :D

  2. Sorry to hear about your husband’s health problems. I hope he recovers swiftly. I can understand how your thought processes become all diverted over a crisis like this in your real life.

    • Tui Snider Tui Snider

      Hi Nissa! Thank you. He is ever-so-slowly starting to feel better, so that is encouraging. I don’t mind being patient. Heck – when he first started courting me, I told him that I was “done with men” – lol! It took many months of persistence on his part before I finally admitted that I considered him a boyfriend. So… I don’t mind waiting for him to heal. He’s worth it. :)

  3. I love road trips, but our ‘new’ tent has been in a box for three years. At the end of July, we’re planning a 6-week research trip to Canada (hopefully, no ghosts), but we are both facing limited stamina and the need to take frequent car breaks to walk off the effects of sitting for far too long. The reality is that each day is truly a gift to cherish. I hope that the pain eases for your bear-scientist and that the night terrors flicker away.

    Beth IWSG #276

    • Tui Snider Tui Snider

      How exciting about your research road trip to Canada! Have fun and keep me posted. You are so right about each day being a gift to cherish. This health scare has really brought that home to me. :D

  4. Wow, that’s really rough, Tui. I’m sorry to hear it, and I hope everything turns out okay. Does he like to read? That’s what I’d do. It would be the only way to pass the time…reading, writing, and watching movies.

    I don’t blame you for freaking out. It’s completely natural, and as writers, we’re prone to jump to the worst-case scenario.

    Hugs. This too shall pass.

    • Tui Snider Tui Snider

      Oh, yeah! Larry loves to read. He’s been reading a bunch of science books and watching some lots of sci-fi and adventure movies.

      When I first sat down to write my IWSG post, I was nearly too embarrassed to admit the crazy daydream part, but then I thought, “Hey, we’re all writers here… they’ll probably understand!”

      Thanks for the hugs! :D

  5. Your poor hubby. I hope that clot is fading fast (although probably not fast enough for his liking.) I guess you can take the time to cuddle with him, remind yourself that he’s still here and those what ifs are just fears. But if they are really upsetting then talk to him about it. Tell him about the one that got silly with him becoming a ghost. I’m sure getting it off your chest and finding something to laugh about with him over it will help you.

    • Tui Snider Tui Snider

      You were absolutely right, Patty! I finally shared my goofy daydream/nightmare with Larry and he thought it was hilarious! I think I was still feeling guilty for having created such a ridiculous scenario, so having him laugh was a relief!

  6. Hi Tui! We’ve chatted through #k8chat before. Just stopping by as an IWSG co-host to say hello! Beautiful pic… On no! So sorry about what’s happening to your hubby. Blood clots can be scary. I hope it dissolves soon. Larry, the mad-scientist (hee…) sounds like a lot of fun. I’m sure having to stay quiet is driving him bonkers. I’m sorry, but I did chuckle at the visual of Larry being taken down by a ghost he doesn’t believe in. And for you, it’s perfectly natural for your mind to take on a negative sheen, coating all possibles for him. It’s obvious you’re extremely supportive. Thinking of you both. Quick recovery to Larry.

    • Tui Snider Tui Snider

      Thank you so much, Sheri! My husband is such a sweet man. It’s been really hard seeing him in so much pain.

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