From Sears Kay Ruin out by Seven Springs, to Hieroglyphic Spring in the Superstitions, to the marvelous place we call home, it was totally wonderful to reconnect with my sister Teona, her very delightful daughter (and my neice!) Kaysee, my brother Jim (all the way from San Diego) and last but not least, the cousin I had not seen in nearly 30 years, Shaun Holly. Time has such a way of tricking us into believing that it doesn't matter so much if we put off keeping in touch, neglect those little random acts of kindness, postpone sending that card, forget to make that call. And suddenly you realize that the months have past, the years flown and so much of what could have been, should have been, would have been isn't and each of us are the poorer because of it's absence. Looking at these photos and many others like them, I am also struck by the fact that with those we love, even despite the lapse of too much time, we can (and do) always reconnect somehow and in the connecting, find ourselves once again enriched beyond anyone's calculation, and part, deeply relishing the very precious time spent together.

November 16, 2010

I love this photo of one of the roses in the bouquet Gary sent me in memorium of Bill's death, now 30 years ago. It symbolizes, first the shadows that engulfed my life, then the faint edges of newness, unfolding into the brilliant and sometimes transparent beauty of a life I could not have designed, complete with fragrance and colors both unexpected and unequivocally essential to the now I know and the tomorrow I await.

Archibald McTavish

And so it is that Archie has bounced into our life with all his rambunctiousness and we are in the throws of full-blown puppydom. I call him my white knight...but what I really mean is my white night(mare) the mare being silent! He is adorable but infuriating, mostly house trained but not always, and of late, absolutely rebellious. When I sweetly call him to come, he just takes off for the far end of the yard. I can't tell you how many times I have been reduced to this pathetic woman racing through the house, around furniture over and over again until he either gets tired or Gary assists me in mad pursuit. Out in the yard it is totally ridiculous, so I have attached a 10 foot piece of nylon cord. Now at least, if I get within 9 feet of him, I have a chance to catch him.Yes, I know, there are more rational ways to deal with this situation..I've tried the treat thing...come to me and get a treat, but he's on to it now. Any ideas?

Well, I decided, rather than wait for Madigan to be born, wait another week to go to Nashville, then spend a week there, THEN go pick my wee scottie puppy, that it would be far better to get the little thing NOW, have a week to bond with him, and do some training. I went to Buckeye this afternoon and now have this totally adorable Wheaton puppy in all his unspeakable cuteness alseep in his kennel for a short nap. Whew! He was crying incessantly until Jane went in and barked once. He completely got quiet and there has been not a peep since. I think she will be an excellent Nanny. Now the problem looms...what di we name him? Archie MacDonald? Boggle? Boggletavish? Tavish? Malcolm Tavish? Mungo (means "my wolf" in Gaelic)? You see, it's a problem. Any suggestions?

Stepping off the edge

Today, I decided to step out of a very real comfort zone and go to a Toastmasters meeting. A good friend just joined last week. I will join next week. It's a most terrifying experience to be critiqued, to speak, often without making eye contact because people seem to be thinking about other things than what you are trying to say. But, I know that to submit myself to this kind of growing and expanding will only be of tremendous benefit. I can take the pain for it will yield lasting and very beneficial results. ( kind of like deep tissue massage) Can't wait till next week.

the work of Gedion

September afternoon...reflections

September afternoon
It's still hot here in Scottsdale....104 I think today...maybe hotter. and it's mid September. There is a breeze and a few high clouds. No rain. Everything is dry and parched. Most of the flowers have gone somewhere else. Even my garden dried up, despite lots of irrigating. Just too much heat for too many days. BUT life is good. I now await the coming of our first grandchild, sometime in January. Can't believe it really. But I have seen the ultrasound photos and know it's true. Eryn even felt the first little flutterings the other day. Gary is in Nashville helping them paint their condo. He'll be back in a couple days.

Meanwhile, I am reflecting on the very great probability that I am to write a book. I have to face reality however and I do understand that a book proposal must be created before anything else. Now for someone as spontaneous and without order as myself, that could prove a real trial. However, my friend Adele is deep into the process and nearly finished with her own book, so I KNOW it is possible. However, she is an engineer by trade and ultimately organized. That was definitely a huge bonus in her journey. But, I also KNOW it is time to begin. I feel the flutterings inside me of anticipation and hope that I will somehow be able to say what needs to be said in a way that will touch those whose hearts cry out and for whom there are no defined answers.