Love and light to you sister.
Funny, in all the time I have known you I never thought you were a woman.
I want to throw my best wishes at you as well. Enjoy the gypsy life. Having walked the road you are on (and caravaned, hitchhiked and stumbled it as well) I can only say there are a great many joys and wonders to be found thereon.
Nice that you have the courage to go against the grain. Parents, society and normal folk might think they mean well, but they tend to be rather clueless. People in Plato's Cave always try to dissuade anyone from trying to go outside into the scary bright light. But as much fun as caves can be... there is nothing like fresh air and sunlight.
Be well Cailieg. I hope your dreads turn out awesome. I've had mine since the 80's... though I trim them when they get too long. No fun sitting on your hair and I can't be bothered to always wear them up in some tam or turban or whatever. Heheheh.
Namasté
HF
"Curiouser and curiouser..." ~ Alice
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." ~ Buddha