Brisk Beach Walk & Tarot Readings All Around

Sunday morning Finnegan had to go in to work, since summers he’s extremely busy blowing glass for the tourist season. Mike got up and had some leftovers with me and then washed all the dishes that were piled up from Finn’s mom, “Gladys,” making all that food the 2 days before!

I must confess, I am far too nervous to clean other people’s dishes or houses for them as a guest. I’m one of those people who don’t want others to load my dishwasher (because I have a certain way of doing it) and so forth, so I’m reluctant to put myself out there. Luckily, Mike’s efforts were greeted with relieved delight! No one had time to do dishes before we got there the night before, so it was very much welcomed.

I hadn’t been to a beach in… I think 6 years or something? And I hadn’t been to Devil’s Beach in 8 years at least. It’s weird, because from the time I was 12 until I was 30, I used to go there at least 3 times a year. Cat’s aunt had a house there we often stayed at, and later I used to rent a place with my pagan Circle quite regularly. A lot has changed, but the essentials are the same. Still–! I HAD to go for a long walk on the beach– it had been too long since my feet touched sand. Mike was all for it and we hit the Road’s End area. It was windy and cool, so I was glad I brought a light jacket. We elected to face the wind to start and turn around with the wind at our back. I talked about the abduction things that had happened to me along the Oregon Coast, sometimes having to shout over the wind!

All the same, the roar of the waves and the fresh air was very invigorating and I felt like I was washed clean somehow. Sounds melodramatic I know… but it’s the truth.

When we got back, we finally met Finnegan’s mom, Gladys. She moved slowly but her mind was keen and we had great conversations. Then Jeanette and Greta joined us and I offered to do Tarot readings for them. I’m rusty– so I asked them to not tell me anything. I was going to try to get a “blind” reading going just by the cards. Jeanette actually cried when I did hers, as it was about a difficult situation at her work. A new job offering or position is supposed to open up for her soon. Greta’s was more obscure, dealing with her family. Gladys really wanted me to do one for her as well, so I did of course, but the outcomes pointed to death not being far away. Her advice card said she needed to have some candid conversations with her children before it was too late. I wanted to cry– it’s not easy giving such a reading. But Gladys said she needed to hear it– she wanted to be prepared. By that time, Finn was home from work and I gave him one as well, but it was all good news for him, thankfully.

One thing about giving tarot readings to near-strangers is it just opens up conversations into deep and personal areas. Topics come up that are close to the heart and people love to disclose and connect with their tarot reader. I try to keep that social space sacred and people who barely know me suddenly feel safe talking about difficult topics. Like Gladys said her husband, who died a few years ago, was a narcissist– at least that’s what her children told her. She and I compared notes, given what I went through with Gerick, and it was very validating for us both. I felt for Gladys, who didn’t really have anyone to talk to these days, given her heart issues, the pandemic, and everything. She was hungry for real conversation, so I engaged. Mike was actively speaking as well to Finn and his sister.

We finally went out to dinner and we elected a popular restaurant with a 40 minute wait. But we were all so busy talking we barely noticed how long we were standing around! It was good food and good company, and when we all parted ways a couple of hours later, there were lots of hugs and smiles! Night two at Finn’s was just as lovely and peaceful as the first.