November 7, 2021
I just watched the movie Nomadland, and had delayed In viewing it for a while.
I wanted to be able to watch and not cry.
I was successful in that, but Oh did it bring back the memories!
From 1976 to 1985 I was essentially a nomad, living in a small trailer, station wagon or a one room motel residence.
I only traveled about like a gypsy until my small son had to attend Kindergarten.
We did move about, but there was always employment and food stamps.
I was thinking about how the characters in the movie loved the desert, and why I gave it all up to live in a city again.
Most of the people there worked seasonal jobs and moved their camping around according to the job availability.
I did also but was only 35 to 40 years old instead of 60 to 70.
Like them I visited but could not stay in a house long.
There were some nice sights, like the cliffs of Red Rock Canyon, sunrise on a winter morning at Pearblossom, and the general feeling of space and raw nature.
I did not have any retirement plans, no health or car insurance, and no savings.
This hand to mouth existence lasted long enough to raise my boy until we were forced to move to San Diego for Middle School.
Surprisingly, he remembers that school with great affection, and considered it to be the highlight of his teen years.
In the movie the retirees who drove their RV’s around and camped together provided a social life.
My social life consisted of those in the sailplane business, and as long as it lasted my “airport “ living provided a place to camp or live and employment.
I did janitorial work, and “line boy” assistance to pilots.
Since I had lived the life similar to what was in the. movie, I understood that situation rather well.
After getting an education and working at a good paying job for all of 6 years, I can safely say that I prefer a retirement living in Senior Housing and not in a camper van.
knightsengirl 