Traveling Painter

I am a civilian retired from the USMC. I rented a room for 6 months in her ranch style Airbnb on the outskirts of Joshua Tree. The room included a private bath and was a good size. There was nothing particularly special about the place. The owner was difficult, creating drama. It felt like living in your parent's home, complete with chore charts and policing. Air conditioning and heat were closely monitored. AC was even remotely turned off despite our communicating with the owner. Getting my substantial security deposit was an ordeal. There were many threats made at the end of my lease that were unnecessary, purely for drama's sake. Furnishings were second-hand, some even found on roadsides. My bedroom curtains were dirty and stained. Large rugs in the kitchen and living areas were dirty, matted, and smelled of dog urine. An attempt at being eclectic fell short. The house is overdecorated with so many of the owner's oddly sized paintings hanging from the living area walls, in the narrow hallway, bedrooms, and even the bathrooms. What was intended to be grounds landscaping was actually overgrown weeds everywhere. A variety of rodents lived in a large bush and tall grasses next to the house in the front. We were not permitted to water dying plants or remove weeds. I was looking for a place to call home, but found myself in a troubled person's place.
Feb 2nd, 2024

Apr 17th, 2022