The Hit List - Road Warriors

My husband and I love to take road trips. In fact, we consider ourselves road warriors. Back in the day, we took enough long ass tours to figure out what our roles were (he drives, I navigate), and whether or not we’d drive each other nuts (pun intended). We discovered that we can ramble around quite well so we were game to hit the road again for the next leg of The Tarot Coloring Book tour – Toronto and Detroit!

But, due to nerves or perhaps assuming that we’re superhuman, I only got two hours sleep and my husband got none. Needless to say, this lack of sleep combined with no-longer-being-30-years-old made this a rough ride.

After eleven hours of almost non-stop driving, save for those rest stops and gas-ups, we arrived in Toronto with two hours to get ready for a dinner with friends! YIKES!

I knew I was not going to be at my most glam but hey, not much I could do about that. Sleeping beforehand would not be an option because I would not get back up. So on we went to join two of my favorite people, Tanya Geisler and Anastasia Valentine!

I seriously love these ladies! This was the first time we met face-to-face and I’m so glad we were able to make this happen. Spending time with them re-energized my sorry, tired ass. We chatted about everything under the sun over fantastic Brazilian food at Baro. There is nothing better than breaking bread (or in this case, ceviche) with dynamic women. It’s fuel for the soul! The time went by too, too fast. Which means: I need to make this happen again. Maybe a lot.

Behold the ceviche with lotus root chips:

We went back to the hotel, full of good food and laughter, and crashed. HARD.

The next morning, it was time to head to The Hermit’s Lamp for a book signing followed by a Celtic Cross class the next day. The Hermit’s Lamp is a fantastic metaphysical shop owned by my good friend, Andrew McGregor. Andrew is one of the finest human beings I know so I was excited to check out his shop. Also, he challenged me to change his mind about the Celtic Cross! It appeared that he was not a fan. Gauntlet thrown – challenge accepted!

We had a nice little turnout for the book signing! I happily put my Jane Hancock on copies of The Tarot Coloring Book and chatted with friends and fans.

Friends James Wells and Tara Greene stopped by too – which made the day special for me.

After the event, it was time to head to Bangkok Garden with Andrew and his partner Hanlon. We met up with two of my favorite people in the world, Ryan Edward, the brilliant artist behind the Maybe Lenormand, and Georgianna Boehnke of The Tarot Room. It was so much fun – and the food was fantastic! We hung out long after the restaurant closed until my eyes were practically turning around in the back of my skull. Yep, we were still exhausted from that damn road trip. UGH.

Here I am with my Toronto Tarot Posse (gosh how I love these people!):

The next day, it was time to teach the Celtic Cross! We had a full house of tarot enthusiasts from all levels. There is nothing I enjoy more than meeting new people and teaching. At the Hermit’s Lamp, the peeps were awesome and I loved sharing some of my Celtic Cross methods. I can’t say for sure that I changed Andrew’s mind. One day! Ha ha!

After class, Andrew made reservations for us at Hey Lucy – a nice little pizza joint. His daughter Claire came along but I didn’t get pictures of her or Andrew. Claire is the BEST hugger and a talented artist. Looks like I will have to go back to Toronto just to get a picture of her and her sister Irene – plus another one of those hugs.

We were joined by Ryan Edward plus my lovely friend Lori Lytle of Inner Goddess Tarot and her husband. The conversations were rich and lively. I didn’t want the night to end. But alas, I needed to – you guessed it – sleep. We were hitting the road tomorrow early for Detroit and The Boston Tea Room!

Here’s my husband and Lori looking like some sort of Fleetwood Mac thing:

Ryan Edward and I were going for more of a 60’s beatnik vibe here:

We slept like the dead then headed south for The Boston Tea Room! This time, it wasn’t so bad since a) we had sleep and b) it was only about 4 hours away!

After dropping off our gear at the hotel, it was time to mosey down to Ferndale and see what was up. It didn’t take long before I ran into my favorite troublemaker – V from Red Light Readings! We shared some laughs and caught up over some sliders and chips. I also tried to convince her to do an arranged marriage with my son but she wasn’t having it. Oh well.

Shortly after, we met up with Heatherleigh Navarre, the owner of The Boston Tea Room and a dear, trusted friend. Heatherleigh took us on a whirlwind tour of Detroit. Anyone who knows me well knows that this is something I LOVE. I adore seeing cities, learning about their history, architecture, and more. I must say that Heatherleigh did not disappoint. She gave me all the information I needed. I think I fell in love with Detroit a little bit more.

After our grand tour, it was time to teach! We had a sold out class of tarot lovers of all levels. Once again, we were all on that Celtic Cross stuff. Damn, I love to teach. Did I already say that? If not, let me repeat: I LOVE TO TEACH TAROT. I considered the class a success since I only had to yell at V once. Ha!

After class, it was time for grub! Heatherleigh took us to a marvelous place that served little plates – my favorite kind of meal. I wish I would have taken pics but we were too busy laughing and eating! We finished up and bid our adieus – and then Heatherleigh gave me this sweet bottle of wine she picked up when she was in Italy. She knows that the Sun is my favorite tarot card – and that wine is one of my favorite things in the world. I was so touched! I am putting it aside for a special occasion.

A good night’s sleep and it was back on the road for the 6+ hour slog home. Once again, this wasn’t too bad since we slept. Lesson learned! In fact, we learned that lesson so well that I decided my intention to be road warriors again in October was a no-go. I booked a plane.

Despite the long haul, I have to say that I was delighted with my adventure. Good food, excellent students, great tarot friends…it’s all worth it.

Other stuff:

Are world events getting you down? Join me and Shaheen Miro for Tarot For Troubled Times, a special two-part workshop. Let’s heal ourselves…and the world with tarot!

The rise and fall – and rise again – of beauty subscription boxes.

So interesting: revealing the face of Tudor Dublin.

Loving this from Benebell Wen: Benevolence and Your Book of 1,111 Acts.

Amy Zerner and Monte Farber share tips on how to entertain – according to your astrological sign.

What makes a crime a hate crime.

My favorite post of the week comes from Jenna Matlin: Death is Death is Death.

10 questions for mid-year reflection.

Gala Darling asks: how do you “allow” the magic in your life?

Wise stuff from Yes and Yes: We pay for our choices with the lives we lead.

The Senate’s health care bill isn’t pro-life.

Tarot reader Jessi Huntenberg shares her story: Strength and Struggle: One Year as a Tarot Reader.

Cool AF: Here’s Where the Fashion Crowd Goes for Crystal Baths and Tarot Cards.

Ooooh Tatiana Tarot is featured here: 5 Women Of Color Who Are Changing How We Think About “Good Moms.” Gotta get her on my blog soon!

Hexes vs. Prayers: Christians and Witches Are Waging Spiritual War Over Trump.

Explaining white privilege – the best of Everyday Feminism.

Maria Shriver on Why Alzheimer’s Is a Women’s Issue.

A dancing gorilla? Hey why not?

Brilliance from Siobhan Rene: Face Up Tarot: How to breakthrough, even when you think you can’t.

I am in LOVE with these Buddha lamps.

The Marseilles Tarot is hot right now. I picked up the Marseille Cat Tarot when I was in Toronto.

I also think I “need” this Octopus lantern.

How cute is this purse?

Chris Guillebeau has a new book coming out in September! Side Hustle – From idea to income in 27 days.

Adding this to my wish list: The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People’s Lives Better, Too)

Also adding this one: Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything.

The Tarot Coloring Book tour continues! Join me at one of these mighty fine events:

July 14 2017 6:30-8:30PM : New Renaissance Books in Portland. Beginner’s Tarot Workshop. If you’re tarot-curious, this two-hour workshop will give you the basics. Cost $20. Call 503-224-4929 for details.

August 4 – 6th 2017: The Omega Tarot Conference: Masters of the Tarot – Five Approaches to Reading the Cards. I’ll be co-teaching at this event with tarot legends Mary Greer, Rachel Pollack, Sasha Graham and Barbara Moore!

September 16 2017 10:45AM – 12:45PM: The Nutman in Hubertus, Wisconsin. Intuitive Tarot Reading. Join me for a two hour exploration in reading tarot – without a book. The Tarot Coloring Book will be available for purchase. Details coming soon.