January | 2020 | A Sagittarian Seeker

January 2, 2020-

In the course of introducing Yunhee to three of Prescott’s lakes, on the last day before her husband, my son, returns to civilian life, we came upon the phenomenon of thin ice, covering the less exposed parts of Granite Basin and Watson Lakes. In the latter location, few of the area’s signature birds were around, having made the wise choice to visit southern Mexico for a few months. Instead, the eyes were drawn to an ice dam, which served to slow the flow of water into the Watson Woods Riparian Area, also known as “The Swamp”.

It got me to thinking about the emotional and psychological ice dams, which slow and sometimes stop our interactions. I have learned that these are purely defense mechanisms- chill vibes, acting like one is busy, and sheer emotional absence. When one is offended by something, trying to figure out life or is just plain overwhelmed, offering an icy reception to those around self is a sometimes rationalized pattern of behaviour. How well it serves the purpose has to be balanced with what happens next, or down the road. Consider that an overabundance of ice can move, glacier-like, towards the shores of a nearby community. Likewise, so can a glacial pattern of behaviour serve to overwhelm one’s social circle and create a different sort of isolation than that which a person is trying to arrange.

I am fortunate in my Tribe, both birth family and wider circle. A few go through bouts of isolation, and they let me know when I’m welcome again. Most, like anyone else, are following their life plans. I am doing the same, and have spent the past few days ruminating, and getting messages, as to how this year will best play out. More on that, in the next post, but essentially I see that those closest to me here, who are like younger siblings, do not need to have me hovering close by-and that they seem to prefer my following my own life plan. To alter that, on their behalf, short of an emergency, would mean they would, in turn, be altering their life plan for my benefit.

There is more than one kind of ice dam.

January 1, 2020-

My daughter-in-law and I wandered up the easier of two trails leading to the saddle overlooking the rocky summit of Thumb Butte, one of Prescott’s signature landmarks. It was about the fifteenth time, I’ve been up there, and Yunhee’s first. As we spotted four intrepid rock climbers and a dog, in the area shown above, I thought of all I’ve faced and overcome, in the past ten years, and how much there is still ahead. I have not wanted to walk in the area of the the summit, not because of fear, but for concern it may be damaging to the ecosystem, as no regular trail goes beyond the saddle. Evidently, the area is safe enough, even at this time of year-with its ice and snow. So, I could very well be up there, in the near future.

The path ahead, in this new decade, could diverge in any one of a number of ways, and as with anyone, the choice is mine as to which I take. Those closest to me here have lives and dreams of their own, some of which might involve me, and others in which I need not be included. That comes with the territory of a late-sixty-something, and I am just glad to have them in my life.

The converse, of course, is also true. I feel the pull of the road, to my greater tribe, and I feel a bond with one soul, above all, here in Prescott. My little family is a key factor, too. They will live in the Dallas area. There will be much that will become clearer, as the winter proceeds, fades and passes. That I am happy with whatever road, on which my spirit guides take me, has been evident from the last decade.

These next five months will be fairly serene, or so I think now. My focus will be on generating as much work as possible, whilst working around a few volunteer commitments and personal appointments. Travel-wise, Valley of Fire State Park, east of Las Vegas, beckons in mid-January; I will take in a concert in Indio, CA, in late February and various outings around Arizona, some on the spur of the moment, will happen during Winter and Spring.

The Golden Path led up Thumb Butte, today, and could lead just about anywhere, over the year, and decade, ahead. May your paths be fruitful, also.