The Goldfinch Has Landed....

It seems that Spring is quickly giving way to Summer here: bright baking sunlight, open windows, short sleeves, driving with the car windows rolled down...
Since it is high desert, it means that the nights are still quite cool. I feel kind of schizophrenic putting on my space heater and humidifier before bed, but Sedona has taught me again and again that nature is vast enough to contain contradictions.

The other day I was marveling at the morning sun when I heard a familiar birdsong behind me. A beautiful little Goldfinch had landed on a tree near me. Oooh, aaah! I was so busy cooing that I almost didn't notice him flying away. Such magical movement! I had to laugh at myself. I grew up in Iowa, where these are the official state bird. I think common enough for me that I didn't take much notice of them. But when I lived in New York and New Jersey, their contrast to their environment really stopped me in my tracks. Here in Sedona, they seem like little angels.

I was wondering about their migration pattern and why I hadn't seen them in a while. Then I did a little research on line and learned that they changed their plumage with the seasons. So, this little birdie was wearing his Summer frock. I guess no one told him the fashion rule about waiting for Easter.

Like him, I am already to call it "Summer." See you outside!

Spring: A New Beginning

After a couple of close brushes with winter weather, even on the first official day of Spring, the season is finally here. In all its glory. Cherry blossoms, apple blossoms, bees, grasshoppers, butterflies, hummingbirds, finches,bluejays, hawks, desert quail, lizards, rabbits and the every present ravens. All are out enjoying the bright warmth.

Finally, I am back out on the trail, connecting deeply with the Earth. Breathing with the fresh breeze. Enjoying the fatigue in my legs as I climb. I feel alive!

As I hike around Chimney Rock and the Thunder Rock summit, I see some of my favorite hiking places from a new vantage point. I breathe and I am feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, watching troops of butterflies dance around me. It is really magical as I meditate on the joy of being alive.

I ponder about the fate of our brothers and sisters in Japan, experiencing yet another earthquake. Spring is a time for new beginning, but I know that it must be difficult for them to imagine beginning again. I give thanks for my blessings, my health, my family, my friends, and above all, my purpose. I pray that the energy or money that we can send to Japan, can truly make a difference.

Considering the Earth

 
 
 
 

It is still winter, but winter looks very different in the desert. On this day I decided to take a walk in the more open desert rather than be shielded by the great red rocks. The beauty is inspiring. As I walk around I think about all of the things befalling the Earth, all of the damage we have done as a species, as well as the natural radiation and changes imposed from the sun and other celestial bodies.

The Earth is constantly changing, shifting. But it remains beautiful and nurturing, a home for many creatures. Even if our actions bring on another ice age, even if we cease to a part of this web of life, this life will continue. As I look at this desert landscape I consider the Earth with a sense of hope. That which we now value, the trees and lakes and hillsides that command top dollar, could be gone in an instant. But this beauty will remain.

I not only see this beauty, I feel this beauty. I meditate on this beauty and my Dahn Jon is alive. The vibrations of these beautiful thin trees, tall grass and dry ground resonate within me. And I am blessed.

Winter Reflections: Scents and Sounds

Winter has come and begun its mission in earnest. I develop a new relationship with my senses. It is easy to associate winter with the sensations of the skin, the feel of the cold. There is also something to stimulate the sight. The world is bled of color as everything is covered in white. The skies appear elastic and uninterrupted. But Winter in desert country, Arizona, adds stimulus for other senses.

Scents and sounds are not something I have become accustomed to in Winter. I grew up in the full-blanket snows of our nation's heartland. Winter brings hush, quieted tones. Light crunching under footsteps. And I don't remember much about smells, except maybe that I couldn't smell because my sinuses were blocked. The same could be said for my adult winters in New England.

But Arizona has surprised me. No, not that it has gotten unusually cold. It's that late December and January is the time that citrus starts to ripen in the Phoenix area. I could smell the pungent aroma of citrus blossoms everywhere. It was unusually invigorating. Up here in Sedona, people are burning pine and juniper in their fireplaces. There is this aroma that can only be described as "yummy' because it goes beyond the nose and deep into the abdomen.

And I mentioned sound. Somewhere around here, bees still buzz. Before the snow I could hear them busily humming in droves around rosemary flowers. And despite the cold pallor over the land, I hear a continual chorus of chirps and whistles. Little green and grey birds at play, as if it were Spring. And the voices of the ravens seem to carry further in this weather--they always have something to say.

I did get caught in the Winter blast on the East Coast, and it was really beautiful. I know that people living out West can get whiny about being exposed to that weather. But it really helped me to slow down, take a deep breath, enjoy good company. I think it really helped me approach the New Year with a new perspective. "Beauty is where you find it" is such an apt quote for this situation. If my life of plans and activity feels so derailed by Mother Nature, then there is room for more flexibly in my life. I am pleased to enjoy the flow of these Winter winds. I take a deep breath and walk upon the Earth with love.

Reflecting on Thanksgiving

Back in the land of red rocks after time away in L.A. Thanksgiving is always a special time for me, I can definitely appreciate a day devoted to gratitude. Even if its origins are less than noble. I gave thanks for being able to see another such day, I gave thanks for my family, my friends, near and far. I am grateful for the beauty of nature in this place. The hills, the canyons, the trees, the beach, the birds, the flowers, the dogs. The blissfully clear sky.

Fun and reflection in the California sun. I gave thanks for a year full of blessings. This Thanksgiving period was novel in that I got to prep my belly for the day of feasting by visiting the fabled food trucks of L.A. Beyond the beauty of dumplings, we discovered a truck with sartorial savories. William B's truck is a very cute idea. Too bad they don't have clothes for men yet.

But shopping is not the reason for this journey. It was a good time to be with family, to reflect on our shared experiences. Especially, the down-home flavors and inherited challenges that have made us the strong people we are today. Surprisingly, I learned the value of dancing around this holiday. We danced for gratitude and we danced to work off our food. From now on, I will do my best to keep this new tradition in years to come. Maybe it should be a part of every holiday for me.

This life is a gift and I hope you all enjoyed time with family, friends or even your favorite football team. I hope you spent some time outside, despite the weather conditions. May we all grow together in love and gratitude. Ashe!

Beauty and Service

After all these months of hiking in Sedona I have finally hit the Soldier's Pass Trail. Maybe it was the influence of my last post. Maybe a weekend day in the fall is the only time that it is really accessible for me (limited hours for entry). Either way, Sunday was a good day to go. For the most part, I was on my own and when I ran into people later, I made some good connections. This place is famous for a pass that connects to other trails, a series of seven small natural pools, a set of caves and an arch. I didn't expect that the trail had so many offshoots, so I did not see everything. I enjoyed the cool air, the magnificent views and the plant life.

Unlike my trek to the burnt out forest, many of the plants on the Soldiers Pass Trail are pretty common to this area. It was the abundance that surprised me. Especially, the Century plants, a species of Agave that blooms once in 100 years. There were so many here that I lost count. Because it is deep autumn, they were all in various stages of death or decay. I took many photos and shared a few here. When they are in their prime, they are a beautiful shade of golden yellow with red piping. Early in the summer, they were surrounded by bees and birds and sometimes dripping with nectar. But I had not visited this trail in the Summer, so I had not seen this many Century plants in one place. I could only imagine what they looked like in the Summer.

Because I was on the Soldier's Pass Trail, and these trees stood up like guards at attention, I started thinking of them as Sentry plants. I couldn't resist the word play, and they inspired many creative thoughts.It was a beautiful climb. And then, there were some other surprise plant life. I have a photo here with an Arizona Cypress. I am told they only grow in this valley. This one looks pretty old and it was growing right out of the rock. I see that a lot with the plants here. I guess they have to take advantage of what little shade, soil or moisture wherever it is provided. I long to be that creative. I have said it before and will probably say it many times, that the beauty here inspires me. Beyond the aesthetic appeal. It's the inspiration of possibility.

And I walk on in gratitude to this beauty. I open my hands, my arms, my heart and I receive this beauty. This is my temple; the perfect place for meditation and contemplation. In this space, you don't have to believe in God or spirits or energy. You will feel something essential that renders discussions on belief moot.

On that note, this was a day when many people in this community transcended the boundaries of their own beliefs and worked together to help many local charities. It was called Mitzvah Day. Mitzvah is a good deed, also a commandment because it is the action that forms the basis of healthy society. I was touched by the hundreds of people generously donating their time. I was happy with the opportunity to meet some of my "neighbors." I was impressed by the way the people were reflecting the beauty of their surroundings. People of various ages and abilities. I chose to work at the "Peace Garden" and learned a lot about gardening in a short time. I took a photo of the medicine wheel some of us weeded, seeded and watered. I am grateful for yet another inspirational lesson in creativity.