The Irony of Life, Part 17: The Sulphur Creek Trail

After letting go of my desire to buy a house, I discovered that my indoor cats had fleas!  I called my vet (in Durango) and she recommended Frontline.  I ordered it online and then found some in the local Wal-Mart and bought that, too.

All week long, my attention was focused on fighting fleas.  Every day was researching online, vacuuming, and searching for my essential oils.  Because my precious cats were so unhappy, I couldn’t meditate at home.  Kali wanted to sit on my lap, and Bella cried for the first time since I adopted her.  The Durango vet’s recommended Frontline didn’t work!  And so, I developed the habit of walking the Sulphur Creek Trail every morning.  It gave me time by myself, a walking meditation, and the pleasure of a peaceful experience.

The entry to the trail on the east end of it is about three blocks from my house. Carol, my new Arkansas friend, walked it once with me after her workday and said it was 1.5 miles roundtrip using some app on her smartphone.

For me, walking the trail comforted me, not only for its beauty and peacefulness but also because it takes thirty minutes roundtrip, just as my morning walks in Durango did.  But I like walking the Sulphur Creek Trail so much better!

Unlike the uneven sidewalks in Durango, the trail is paved with asphalt. Unlike the River Trail in Durango, it’s smooth and not crowded with bikers.

Like The River Trail, The Sulphur Creek Trail is also shaded, but the shade continues most of the way.

From The Sulphur Creek Trail, you can see the hill in the distance. Heber Springs, Like Durango, is in a valley.

Both towns make compost from tree trimmings.

Compost heap in Heber Springs

When I go early (7:30 a.m.), I am the only one on the trail.  I chant the same mantras I have been doing since I went to Kripalu in 1990.

On my way home, I stop at the bridge across the creek and face each direction of the water flowing, coming and going, just as I used to do on Durango’s swinging bridge.  I have a little ritual that helps me let go.

And when I get home, my mind is clear; I’m ready to do battle again.

Here’s what’s working so far in the war with fleas:

• vacuuming
• combing the cats with a flea comb
• rubbing coconut oil between my hands until it’s liquid, and then running my fingers through the cat’s fur, especially around their neck and lower back
• applying diatomaceous earth to the carpet and raking/sweeping it in

Tools for carpet powder: applicator, broom, and carpet rake

homemade applicator

I went to several different stores looking for an applicator for diatomaceous earth.  Finally, a guy told me how his dad made an applicator for powders in his garden. He used a Mason jar with holes in the lid taped to a broom. Brilliant!

But instead of the broom, I used a tension rod for curtains.

After I raked the carpet, it was simple to tap the jar on the carpet.

The last step is to sweep it into the carpet.

I noticed a difference the very next day when I saw Kali lying on the carpet fearlessly.

On Monday, I found some cedarwood essential oil at Harp’s grocery (!) to make the spray for furniture, cat beds, curtains, and my bed.

But when the overhead light in the kitchen would not come on–new bulbs put in when the fixture was changed two weeks ago–I “crashed” emotionally from all the stress since selling my house in March.  I needed the light! It’s darker here than in my old attic apartment that had skylights.

I called my realtor here, and she couldn’t help me.  The man who brought me here was in Utah, on vacation with his wife.  Suddenly, I felt more alone than ever.

And then I heard someone knocking on the entry door from the carport.

It was the woman in the young couple who came over to introduce themselves when I first arrived.  I’ve been going through my belongings, finally, because I didn’t get time to do it before I left.

Recovery from surgery for multiple fractures in my right arm lasted until March 2020 when the new owners broke our contract and evicted me.  If I could have stayed, I might have gotten rid of things at home, even though the thrift stores were closed because of the COVID-19 virus Pandemic.  After filling up the dumpsters and recycle bins with my stuff, I still ended up paying $2,000 to move things I knew I’d be giving way.

My young neighbor returned the tote bag I used to collect things for her.  And, she gave me two tomatoes from her garden!

The gesture made me smile.  Bless her!  Feeling hopeful, I followed her to the carport so we’d be on level ground together.  I asked if her husband was taller then I am.

“Oh, yes.”

I explained my problem with the kitchen light.  She said she’d send him over when he got home from work.

They both came, bearing gifts. (One was a grilled T-bone steak!)  Having my kitchen light restored was great.  Realizing that I am not alone was even better.

On Thursday, following the advice of my Arkansas realtor’s vet, I replaced the herbal collars with Seresto collars.  They said it didn’t matter that both cats were dosed with Frontline on June 7. 

I mixed a teaspoon of food-grade D.E for Kali, my fat cat with her afternoon spoon of canned food and water, hoping for the best about also removing worms.  Why else would she eat so much?

And I made an anti-flea spray for myself of lavender essential oil and water.  I spray my ankles when I walk outside and when I come back in.

Now, I might just lie down with a book!  It’s been too long since I’ve had time to read.  And this delightful, breezy afternoon is perfect for that.

[To be continued…]

Till next time,

Please be kind to everyone you meet, for we all have our hidden sorrows. ~Tzaddi