MEMPHIS

Heading to New Orleans now everyone. Thank you to the Pilgrim House Hostel for our bunk bed sleepover and to that nice waitress at the restaurant who wanted to drive us like less then two blocks away so we would not have to walk. We walked though. Also, Otherlands Coffee Bar in Memphis gave us the best breakfast take off ever. Yes, they had Komboucha and yes, we bought them.

On A Steel Horse I Ride.........

Just arrived in Memphis, which is looking like a place we'll really love..more on that later. We left Milwaukee (Rosebud and I) and pulled into Iowa yesterday to stay a night with my grandmother, who is 88 years old. She was cheeky, honest, bold, and vulnerable in a truly beautiful way. She shared many stories with us about her past and mine, much which I have never known and I was truly struck by the significance of it. Grandparents are.....us, our past, and so worth talking to. Here is what resulted from my 8 Question interview with Mary Weisnewski:


1. Describe America in One Word?
Grandma: Home

2. If you Could Change One Thing About America What Would It be?
Grandma: I would like to see the attitude of our government being more compassionate to other countries. It's not the people, it's the rulers of the countries that get us in all this trouble.

3. What's your favorite food?
Grandma: Not peas.

4. Who is a Hero in your life?
Grandma: My husband. To have gone through the things that he did and still be a compassionate person. He was so good with you grandchildren. So patient.

5. What is the biggest stress you have in your life?
Grandma: Finances. It's not what I'm having to live on, it's how to deal with it when I can hardly add or subtract.

6. If you could be any animal what would it be?
Grandma: A pussycat.

7. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
Grandma: Daring to do something and willing to take a chance.

8. What "words of wisdom" do you have to pass on?
Grandma: Go with the flow. Accept what you cannot change.

I am truly inspired by her independence and courage, the trip was a real blessing.
And we ate fried catfish with tartar sauce and drank chardonnay, it was awesome.

Here are some pictures of Rosebud and I's drive from Iowa to Memphis. Very blue they are. We cannot wait to see you all and hear from you...........more to come. Love to you all, the trip is proving to be just what it needs to.

8 ?'s! Rosebud's Parents...

This is Louis and Mariann Maris, here's what they have to say:

1. Describe America in One Word?
Mariann: Contradictory
Lou: Potential

2. If you Could Change One Thing About America What Would It be?
Mariann: Slavery (historically)
Lou: I guess I'd get rid of the 24 hour news cycle

3. What's your favorite food?
Mariann: Ice Cream
Lou: Bread

4. Who is a Hero in your life?
Mariann: My mother
Lou: Napolean- a great man in the right place at the right time.

5. What is the biggest stress you have in your life?
Mariann: Dealing with the aging process. I don't feel old, but I'm closer to 70 then 60.
Lou: The stock market.

6. If you could be any animal what would it be?
Mariann: Eagle
Lou: Sea Otter

7. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
Mariann: My ability to play the piano well.
Lou: I'm kind of a detail guy. Nose to the grind, I keep working away at something.

8. What "words of wisdom" do you have to pass on?
Mariann: Live in the present.
Lou: Plan for the future.

Those words of wisdom might have something to do with their successful marriage and family, it's all about balance right? What lovely, lovely people. Thank you so much for making me feel like family with you.

I promise to take care of Rosebud, kindred sister of mine!

Wisconsin!

We went to Greek Fest, we played darts at the Polish Falcon, we celebrated America.

Highway Drifter...

This is Fufu. He is my Charley. Stays in my lap the whole time!

Thursday, June 25th day one.

Today Michael Jackson died.
I also found out that it's Pollinators awareness week and am humbly thanking all the beetles, bumblebees and butterflies habiting this earth; I suggest you do the same.
Driving past a huge GM plant with an empty parking lot I wondered how many people might have lost their jobs there and visioned their families; I sent them good wishes; I suggest you do the same.

The clouds seem to be the best company one could ask for, showing off for me as they billow and dance around; it makes me so jealous.....like "I know how you feel, staying in one position can be so constricting, can't it?" And they follow me along.
In Ohio the sky turned a deep grey, almost black and the clouds started to literally gallop. It looked like the fields were on fire with smoke, but indeed, it was the sky, coming towards the road and yes, I was driving into the craziest lightning storm ever. Blues, greys, and black as lightning lit up the fields around me.....I just kept on a drivin'. Before long, as everything does, it passed and the way the clouds opened up and welcomed back blue sky and sunshine was just a real moment.

Fucking Nature. It always wins.
Sorry the pictures don't do any justice, they wouldn't anyway, but I was also driving on the highway in a middle of a tornado type deal.




I arrived safely in Chicago to a welcome cozy home. I met up with a friend of mine who I haven't seen in years. We got tacos and walked around and then discussed such important topics as whether it would be cooler to see a dragon or a unicorn and what their different dimensions truly are. (Dragons are really fucking big, we decided). In this neighborhood in Chicago, wild bunnies are as common on the streets as chicken bones in Brooklyn!

Thank you to Erin, Romie, and Justin for making my first night so warm.......off to Wisconsin!

Je Mapelle Stori...now the story of Poppy Sunshine and the Road Trip Warriors

With the wind below her heels and her hair let down, she embarks onto the open highway. It's been a long time since she's seen many a friend and family, leaving Brooklyn (aka home) to eventually roll into Seattle (aka home) at a date only the road can determine. These pages are now to become the diaries of a journey she has been waiting her whole life for.....only now realizing this, she hopes to share this adventure with you. Picking up fellow Road Warriors along the way, they are on a mission. Spreading a gospel of peace, freedom, and good times............she is Miss Poppy Sunshine, defender of the working man and drinking. She fights for love.

Stay Tuned for the stories ahead......


The Big 8 Questions!!!!

This journey is all about making connections with those that I encounter. That being said, I have come up with a series of 8 questions to ask all whose presence I am graced with. It is only fitting then that Miss Poppy Sunshine herself.....(me) answer those same questions and introduce them to you underneath her (my) own feelings; so here goes:
1. Describe America in One Word?
PS: Young

2. If you Could Change One Thing About America What Would It be?
PS: It's ability to take care of its people

3. What's your favorite food?
PS: Apples

4. Who is a Hero in your life?
PS: The working man. Farmers, families, parents, nerds. People getting by.

5. What is the biggest stress you have in your life?
PS: That too many people don't understand what it's really about. And then I have to serve them Iced-Teas.

6. If you could be any animal what would it be?
PS: An Ocelot.

7. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
PS: That I have the ability to bring people together and I always wear my heart on my sleeve.

8. What "words of wisdom" do you have to pass on?
PS: Peace, Love, and rock n' roll baby.

8 Questions! New York goodbye from a lovely friend.

This is Melissa. 31 years old, currently a bartender in New York City, here's what she has to say:

1. Describe America in One Word?
M: Conflicted

2. If you Could Change One Thing About America What Would It be?
M: The Health Care System. It's ridiculous that we do not take care of each other, and that the structure is so focused on big business.

3. What's your favorite food?
M: Sushi. . .for breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And snack.

4. Who is a Hero in your life?
M: The Early Suffragists. I can't believe that our right to vote was granted so recently.

5. What is the biggest stress you have in your life?
M: Figuring out how to bridge my various interests to create one super duper career.

6. If you could be any animal what would it be?
M: A Zebra.

7. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
M: That I really try not to settle, even when it's the easier option. I make a conscious effort to pursue what makes me happy. There are too many miserable people in the world bringing others down. I don't believe that you are ever "too old" or "too busy" to do what you love.

8. What "words of wisdom" do you have to pass on?
M: Laugh a little too loud. I'd rather be sitting at the fun table then watching the fun table. Also, work hard. The rewards will be greater and the laughter will be sweeter.

First of all, if you knew Melissa you'd know that she is worth taking advice from and that the zebra is the perfect animal for her....(electric pony anyone??)

Love Love Love!

And with that......Poppy Sunshine bids adieu to New York and hello to the other places. Join me on this guide friends, we help each other get there the whole way through.