Myrtle hit the road in her Turtle

This is hard and also necessary.... I've reached the point of a major transition thanks to a difficult health issue that remains untreated, unresolved, and unrelenting. It's forced me to completely reevaluate my plans for the future. I'm not able to work, and need to take a break from school after this fall. I'll hit the road in my 84 Toyota Dolphin (more below) with my giant puppy Sophie and tall cat Tiny in search of a place to settle down and to see friends and places and people across the country as slowly as I can.

I need help with this transition. There are many things I need to make the Dolphin/Turtle into a comfortable home for a human with new limitations, a 70lb miniature buffalo (Sophie), and the cat. This includes things from the right mattress for the loft area to extra water containers. I've already bought a suitcase solar panel set up on a payment plan! But I need a canopy and shading material for when we set up camp, the right litter box, cooling pads for me and the dog, and all those odds and ends you don't think you need till you actually find yourself living in a fiberglass turtle. I want to put a back cargo box hitch on so I can carry extra propane and a lightweight bicycle, plus all the outdoor supplies so I don't have to carry things up and down every time. I made a list on Amazon of wishes as well as necessities. I need just about everything, because even my socks and underwear are worn out. Right now my priority is to take care of my animals and to make the rent so I can get through the summer and prepare for my new life.

My main goals:

I can't do much physically during the day, and I'm still working with my doctors to figure out exactly what kind of treatments will help. Almost every day I need to lie down for most of the day, and I have to plan very specifically where and when and how I can expend energy. It's also very painful to drive for any length of time beyond just down the block, so when I say I plan to move slowly, I mean it! The sloth is my spirit animal. The Dolphin/Turtle does not have power steering or cruise control! (and it goes 35 up steep slopes...). But it's the sweetest little portable home and I know there are a lot of people out there doing the same thing I'm doing, not just because it's a dream or a fad, but out of necessity.

I've got some ideas for how I can thank you all for your support. One is to find a way to produce cards of my artwork to mail out on the road, or at least small prints! I will DEFINITELY be sending postcards. When I worked as a long haul truck driver I loved sending out mail. Another thing is to develop more "rewards" on my Patreon site, which is still just at the beginning stages. Small original artwork tokens, and bigger works for major donations. Any amount right now, as you know, will be a help to me.

The least I can do is set up a travel journal- either on facebook or instagram or wordpress. I think instagram will be a better platform because you can see it even if you're not a member.

I will be taking off after fall term, at the end of 2022. This gives me the summer to get the Dolphin in shape and refine what I need. It's in the shop right now and the cost to repair it was more than double the estimate. But I wanted it to be in safe a shape as it could be for the long run- no surprises down the road. It will go to the mechanic next. I still owe the repairman $600 and I don't know how much the engine work will be, yet. I'll be able to use student loans through November/December, although they are still not enough to cover my rent for the rest of my lease period here in Portland. I'll have an idea of what life in a fiberglass turtle will be like this fall, when me and the critters begin our new life in it. I ask for $5,000 for now, although I need more, because I can do so much with it and just that amount would get me set up with the basics and partially through the summer. I also have artwork for sale in my square shop and will continue to add paintings as I finish them: https://myrtle-von-damitz-lll.square.site/

THANK YOU everyone!!!!!!! Myrtle