Forever Moving

 What is new in town? Is it new business. A road. A building. Moving to another location. I moved to many places throughout my life time. There wasn't much in the way of buildings, or people. Where ever Queensland Rail needed workers, my father had to move us in a hurry. We had to travel lite.

Growing up, I lived in tents, and caravans. Every few weeks, or months, depending on the size of the job, we moved to another area, where most of the people were railway employees. Some men camped in rail wagons set up for living. A train shunted into the siding, or loop line, to take them to the next destination.

With each change of location, I had to make different friends at new schools. I was graded by some of the students to find out if I was allowed to be a friend. Or to be discarded like a skunk. Moving was a great education on how to, or not, meet strangers.

Thinking back over the years, I've likened my life of moving to an animal, like a cat, dog, or a tiger. When strangers move into their territory, the locals sniff around to either accept you, or black list you. A recognizable member was sent to survey out the situation for the leader. The leader received a report. Your life was safe if you passed muster. Not accepted. You find much trouble is headed in your direction whether you are guilty, or not. You learn who you can trust, or can't.

I learnt to go with the flow like lava spilling from a volcano. I'd have a friend. Then I wouldn't. The days, my supposed friend had been dragged back to the fold, I acted like I didn't care. I learned to keep my mouth shut, and my opinions to myself, so not to have any rumors spread, or exaggerated. I have a built in radar on who to trust, or not.

What happened in the past I handled, or never brought to the light of day. Now, there is a name for every wrong. Everyone is more vocal. I found by handling change my way the bully didn't get a high for his/her trouble.

New places. New People. Life moves to a different beat. I fit into changes. A different way of life with strangers means I don't have to be perfect. I become adaptable to each situation. I watch for the bends. Be careful of the cliffs which cross my path. Maybe those changes were a way for me to experience different types of living to add fantasy to most areas of my writing.

For the past few years, my travelling has been curtailed to one area. I do have a few excursions. I am taking time to re-evaluate where, or what, I'd like to do, next.