Don't Be a Drag

11 February 2018

I was craving a weekend of shenanigans.  Low responsibility, high fun.  Mission accomplished.  We had be plans to attend the Eureka Springs Mardi Gras Parade, but an icy/rainy mix cancelled the event.  We could have called each other and stayed home with amazing dogs, done puzzles and Netflixed our hearts out, but instead, we bundled up, threw our bags in the car and headed over to Eureka.  Let me tell you what we would have missed if we had chilled at home:

  • Impromptu Belly Dance Lesson
  • Seeing all of the cardinals of winter enjoy the bird feeders.
  • Chilling and enjoying the stove while our friends stocked up on food - because "THE STORM IS COMING" (This last phrase became a bit of a theme)
  • Eating all the food at the Taqueria and Mexican Hot Chocolate with a bit of a boost.
  • Exploring springs and shops we had never seen and the joy of showing each other our favorite places in one of our favorite towns (which was deserted!)
  • Checking out Christ of the Ozarks and pondering metaphysical concepts about reincarnation, time and life. 
  • Pondering zip lining over the passion play after checking out the echo of the amphitheater.
  • Not falling in Magnetic Springs.
  • Watching a bald eagle eat on the shore of the Kings River.
  • Checking out the Open Air Meditation Center.
  • Calling a cab and the ridiculousness of trying to get a ride from the hollow to downtown. The cab was a 80s Cadillac Limo. #winning
  • Stumbling into a brilliant drag show that created images, memories and loads of moments that will make me smile for a long time. 
  • Making friends and enjoying the ones we have.  
  • Dancing with beautiful drag queens!
  • Evacuating the bar when Felicia (the main queen) announced the roads were getting so treacherous the cab companies were shutting down.  THE STORM HAD ARRIVED
  • Convincing the tourists that we should all get in the limo because it was too cold to stand outside in 20 degree weather.  
  • Eating an awesome home cooked, healthy meal in the middle of the morning (1AM ish).
  • Laying in bed with a fit of the giggles so epic that we had to resort to meditation to finally get to sleep.  ---the critical question remains, "Can cats climb stairs?"  
  • Your friend tucking you in so you can go back to sleep on a cold morning.
  • Waking up to see a cardinal outside the window.  
  • Dragging yourself out of bed because you smell onions and garlic and life pouring out of the kitchen below.  
  • Having an amazing breakfast and laughing about the night before.
  • Learning and trying the 5 Tibetan Rites.
So why a list?  It was so much goodness packed into a short time and I never once felt rushed, but rather immersed in actually having fun and being present.  All these moments happened because we were present.  Technology and responsibility took a backseat and we just enjoyed exploring and playing.  It was an exceptional weekend. 

On another note, I was exposed to a lot of ideas that are different from mine or at the very least, new.  Instead of standing my ground and defending my perspective, I enjoyed the heck out of engaging with new ideas and concepts and exploring them with people that think so much differently than me.  We could all use a good dose of exposing ourselves to things that challenge who we are and what we believe.  If we just stay in comfortable surroundings that reinforce our beliefs all the time, how do we know we are truly right?  It is completely refreshing to enjoy discussions that dive way below the surface.  How nice that teachers come in all shapes, sizes, forms and from unexpected directions.

It was great to be in an environment where acceptance was the baseline.  We are all different and this was hilariously highlighted by the amount of equipment I brought in case of some treacherous storm stranding on the highway, where my traveling companion was prepared for fun and had the supplies to ensure it happened.  Both are so incredibly important.  I loved seeing people support and encourage each other all weekend.  

Lastly, I know there aren't epic photos of drag queens the ensuing magic, but trust me, once you've seen Athena Sinclair perform, you will not need a photo to remember!

GET OUT THERE AND LIVE!

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