Monthly Archives: January 2024

Ghost Ranch, Day 4: Return of Snow

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Striving, Travel

January 11, 2024, Ghost Ranch- My Cosmic Advisor, Elizabeth Peru, says this week is a time for being forthright and trusting in one’s own abilities. The time for being timid, if there ever was such a time, is over. Well, I have been “guilty as charged” in holding back my thoughts and feelings, after things that happened, 10 1/2 years ago. That was then, and I was in a far different place, physically and emotionally. Following the guidance of the angelic spirit, who in human form was my wife of 29 years, and of others in the ethereal realm, I have become more of a free spirit-and have been more inclined to follow my heart. It has led to some interesting places, and very interesting people- one in particular. Basically, it is a time for believing in myself.

That is what enabled me to drive through the snow last Sunday. I am rather glad that I don’t have to drive anywhere until this coming Saturday-up the road to Abiquiu and Sunday, back towards somewhere in Arizona. Sunny skies will probably mean bringing someone down to Tucson. Snowy skies will mandate a more direct, if slower, route back towards Prescott. 

Today, though, snow came and I did not have to go anywhere. It was another day of painting, as well as more practice with an adhesive gun, which is similar to a caulking gun, except that the stuff that comes out of it will keep two objects attached-rather than one object sealed. Paint is running low, so I will use what’s left tomorrow, and shift to preserving the wooden doors and frames. It is quite fortuitous that the construction and maintenance arts are being revisited,as a special friendship may well grow stronger, in the year ahead. Being competent in such things no longer seems impossible. My work this week looks pretty good, actually.

Here is a scene of today’s weather event.

Ghost Ranch’s core, as today’s snow subsided.

Ghost Ranch, Day 3: The Art of The Trim

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Family, impediments, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 10, 2024, Ghost Ranch- Several things are predictable, so far this week: The sunrises and sets have been spectacular; the mornings and evenings are a bit on the chilly side here, and the breakfast fare consists of scrambled eggs, large sausage links (or Beyond Patties, for vegans), oatmeal and/or granola, plenty of fruit. 

I lapsed into writing “2023”, for a few days, correcting that this evening. Other unexpected resets involved remembering things that my Eighth Grade Industrial Arts teacher, as well as my father and uncles, tried so hard to convey to my squirrely teenaged self. It’s amazing, just how much I have channeled all the practicalities that I thought were useless, back in the day. 

One thing I have always done fairly well, though, is painting buildings, both inside and outside. In the past, this has helped me make ends meet in Dexter, Maine, earn a rent rebate in South Deerfield, MA and made Penny happy, when I painted the outside, and most of the rooms of our Phoenix house, before her final months on this Earth. 

Today began a three-day painting of the area that our team of three is renovating. I have the painting honours, while my co-workers wrestle with the installation of new countertops and sinks. Team Lead showed me a few of his tips on getting it right the first time, and I conjured other pointers that my Dad showed us. Today’s focus was painting along the edges, top and bottom and around extraneous spots, such as strike plates and door frames.

Focusing on trims and edges gives detail its due. My life, as civically involved and as conscious of others as I have been, has nonetheless largely been on my own. At day’s end, I have mostly answered to myself, over the past thirteen years. I sense that may be changing, within the next year or so. Right now, that’s just a hunch, a feeling welling up from gut and heart-but the last time I felt this sort of energy shift was a month before I met Penny. It’s a good feeling, and proof that there is much life left to live.

Ghost Ranch, Day 2: Lessons from A Renovation Project

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Education, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Striving

January 9, 2024, Ghost Ranch- Little things are often huge.

 The biggest thing I did today was a tiny one-bordering an area that was 1/5″ wide, 15′ from ceiling to floor. This was prep for the caulking of a small gap. Otherwise, I was running an oscillating sander to smooth the walls we will paint. Speaking of the sander. It has two handles for a reason. Hold onto both, when operating a sander, much as you would with a chainsaw. Unplug the tool, before changing the sandpaper.

Not enough can be said, in renovating, as in living, for a place for everything and everything in its place. It’d be all too easy to leave rolls of masking tape, boxes of screws, hammers, screwdrivers and cardboard boxes lying in any old spot. I am a control freak, in that regard, tending to foresee a co-worker falling on the floor, if the area is not kept clear.

Turning a sink upside down is the best way to trace its outline on a paper template, for matching sink with countertop. Those who try to just push the sink into a cut-out countertop have been known to waste $150. My co-workers turned the sink upside down and traced its outline on the template. Tomorrow, they will match sink with countertop, in the only way that works.

When cleaning a paint brush, use a painter’s comb, running it through the brush, whilst rinsing it under warm running water. Then scrub the handle, brush girdle and the brush fibers with a wire scrubber. Clean all the paint, even that which was left from previous projects, off the brush. Scrub the stir stick with the wire scrubber, the same way. Include the sides of the brush handle and stir stick, in this cleaning. Pat the brush and stir stick dry, before using them again.

These are things one can learn from a master craftsman. These are things that I once knew, but needed to be reminded. These are things that are among those that I need to know, if the direction I sense my life is going, is what pans out. It was a good day.

Ghost Ranch, Day 1- De-icing,Masking Tape and Collages

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Education, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 8, 2024, Ghost Ranch, NM- I had the honour of getting up in the dark, this morning and getting my steps in, from Corral Unit 4 to the Dining Hall. It was an honour, because the sidewalks were swept free of powdery snow and were treated with icy melt. 

After a full, hot breakfast, it was time to cover the borders of an anticipated paint job with blue painter’s tape, which is masking tape that keeps sloppy painters from not staying within the lines. I will be doing some of the painting, in a day or so, and am not sloppy-still, there is always the chance someone will walk by and nudge my elbow, because of a quirky sense of humour.

After nearly eight hours of renovation prep, which included drilling holes in a wooden support beam and in the concrete to which it will be attached, I took a late nap, enjoyed Ziti Alfredo and salad, then sat in on a collage-making session. Since the collages were made with magazine photos, and the instructor is worried about copyright infringement (She did not keep a record of which magazines, or which photographers, are involved), I will not post them here. They include, for your imagination’s benefit, a man and his horse, looking up at the Grand Canyon, from the banks of the Colorado River; a sea turtle, floating amid phosphorescent algae; a rhesus macaque coming upon a manicured garden, with topiary arches; a woman in a white dress, walking through a portal, while a chipmunk looks on; and a woman doing yoga on a beach, at sunset, looking at white water rapids, coming down from the river above.

This is the sort of activity one may expect, after a day of service at this magical safe haven, an hour’s travel from Santa Fe or Taos.

Snow, and Steady

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Hiking and Nature, Historical, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 7, 2024, Ghost Ranch, NM- The knock came on my door, at 10 a.m. sharp, as the snow was still coming down, in Gallup. ”Housekeeping!”, so I opened the door, and the young lady assured me that, with the snow, she was taking everything casually and I needn’t rush out the door-checkout time notwithstanding. After finishing my prayers, I started up Sportage, cleaned all the snow off and loaded up, for the drive here. Poor kid was speaking to her supply cart, encouraging its spirit to keep going. Dineh people sense that everything, even a machine or wheeled tool, is animated by a spirit. It worked for her, as the cart did not get stuck in the snow.

Likewise, Sportage did not get stuck in the snow, which was fairly deep on the road out of Gallup, tapering off when I turned onto McKinley County Road 9, headed towards Crownpoint, the seat of the Eastern Navajo Agency. I drove steadily to Cuba, NM, and stopped for a breathtaking cup of hot green chili. This was real New Mexico chili, served up proudly, at Cuban Cafe, by Tia Sonya (not her real name)-who says “None of that foo-foo meat, beans and onions! You want chili here, you get the peppers in their own juice!” It is a fiery treat, especially on such a winter’s day. A BLT and hot coffee balanced out the fire. 

After gassing up, I left Cuba and encountered about fifteen miles of snow-packed road, on NM Route 96. Sportage took the challenge very easily, and by the time I came to the small village of Gallina, the road was covered with red mud and cinders, being dropped by a snowplow, with its blade up and the cinder bin open. I stayed behind the plow, which left the road once it was bare. Fortunately, the twists and turns near Abiquiu Lake were on the bare stretch of road. 

Now, I am at Ghost Ranch, which I briefly visited, two years ago. The team on which I will be working is made up of a wiry, well-seasoned gentleman, a few years my senior, who reminds me of my buddy Wes Hardin; a reticent, but pleasant, lady from Kansas; and a friendly couple from Kansas City, MO, who have served on the Winter Workforce a few times, already. It looks to be a light schedule, yet I am glad to be here and tap into the spiritual energy from the surrounding area. I am also glad there is WiFi, so as to let me share this week with all of you.

Running the Maze

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Community, Entertainment, impediments, Inner Struggles, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 6, 2024, Gallup- One of the classic experiments in Behavioural Psychology has rats running through a maze, in return for which any animal finding its way out will get a reward. 

It occurs to me that each of us can find ourselves running a maze, of sorts, in return for which we may receive a reward. I found myself working mazes, pretty much all day, and found the end, in each instance. 

Starting off, there were replies to a comment I posted on another social media outlet, regarding a local attempt at censorship. Most responders were opposed to the censorship ploy, but one, hailing back to bygone days, said that anyone going against conservative social norms deserves to be cut off. That really got the crowd going-piling on the hapless “good ol’boy”. I had to post that everyone was welcome on my page, so long as they did not advocate violence against those who hold a different point of view. I don’t go to drag shows, as they are not my cup of java. I also don’t go to rodeos, poker tournaments or gun shows. That doesn’t mean I think they should be banned, because I don’t. Parents can decide to not let their children view that format, and that’s their right. No one, though, should decide, for other informed adults, what they may see or not see-so long as the format does not include child pornography or horrific violence against defenseless people or animals. I found my way out of that maze.

Next up, there was a gathering to honour a Baha’i couple, who are leaving our area, in a few days. It was well attended, with great camaraderie and delicious food. There was one rub, for me. I talked with friends, past the time that came for me to head up to Farmers Market, and helping with breakdown. I found my way, belatedly, out of that maze and made my way through Saturday afternoon traffic, getting to the Market grounds by 12:50, only twenty minutes behind schedule. Bumping against the maze barriers wasn’t so bad.

The Market breakdown was no maze, though, and something I’ve wondered about for a while: ”How might our breakdown crew better connect with the set-up team?”  was answered, as a member of that team had stayed around, for that very purpose, and gave us hints as to how we might make their work easier. The suggestions were implemented, immediately.

Finally, there was the fairly quick packing and heading out to this old mining town, my rest stop on the way to Ghost Ranch. It turned out to be no maze. The skies were clear and the roads, bare. I am now at my standard resting place in town: The Dineh-owned Colonial/Ranchito Motel.

Sound and (Inner) Vision

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, Entertainment, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Striving

January 5, 2024- I walked into the Raven, to the middle and ending verses of Alanna Myles’ “Black Velvet”, itself the middle song in the second set of Fuzed’s initial outing. The band hasn’t been playing together long-and two of the artists playing tonight are listed on the band’s website as guests. It was magical, anyway.

The sound of a saxophone wailing, on a Friday night, is nothing unusual. Paul Ruffner, consummate saxophonist, is as accomplished on his instrument as any jazz musician in our area. He held his own, for 2 1/2 hours-no mean feat for anyone. Paul is blind, and as much a credit to the physically sightless as Ray Charles, Art Tatum or George Shearing were, on the piano or Stevie Wonder is, with his extraordinary voice. 

It is that inner vision that matters most-what those of us who are graced with 20/20 don’t recognize until we close our eyes in meditation, or experience in deep dreams. It is what Paul sees, 24/7. It is what he describes for the rest of us, with the wailing sound that comes from his horn-or the “Whoop! Whoop!” that comes from his diaphragm, at the end of a particularly rousing set. It is what he gives to the whole that is the promising new band, called Fuzed. It is what he gives to any one of several local bands on which he sits in-or when he performs solo at birthday parties- or when he shares his knowledge with up and coming young musicians.

We have only heard the beginning of Fuzed- and far from the last, from Paul Ruffner.

Here are two treats: Paul, doing “Cold Turkey” (no, not the John Lennon song, but the older jazz standard), followed by Stevie Wonder, doing “The Sunshine of My Life”-which Fuzed covered, this evening.

Falling Objects

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, impediments, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 4, 2024- Two sets of things fell on the ground of our quad, over the past 24 hours: Our first measurable snowfall (1/4 inch) and roofing nails-scattered here and there, but not near my carport or the open turning area. The snow is mostly gone now, and the nails are things I will pick up off the patio and paved driveway, tomorrow morning, unless the crew already has tended to them. It’s hard to get all the debris, though, so I will give the area a once-over.

That brings me to the matter of how we treat one another. I attended a meeting of a community group, this afternoon, and another, this evening. The first was marked by a stony reception, apparently because this is another case of someone being irritated by my frequent absences from Home Base 1. Too bad. I am, for the record, here 210 days of the year. The second was among people who are apprehensive of one another, but I sensed no hostility this time. There was much discussion of the coming elections, from the Presidency to the city elections, all of which take place this year. I will not go into my own views on politics-except to say that I do not believe in discriminating against any person or group, so long as the person(s) have not been convicted in a court of law. 

That said, there is an object that is falling here, and elsewhere, both in the nation and around the globe: Civil discourse. It has been hitting the ground and bouncing about, for nearly nine years, if not longer. This happens when there is no civics education, when there is misinformation bandied about, and when the main sources people access are either censored, or are tantamount to silos. I hear and read a disconcerting amount, every day, and heard a fair amount this evening-from both ends of the political spectrum. To me, the only limits that I place on what I hear or read are on that which breeds hatred, and causes division that only harms a community or hurts specific individuals. I know what it feels like to be excluded, though it has been many years since that last happened to me. Still, I do not want to encourage such a thing being implemented against someone else, for being different.

The only things that should be falling right now are the walls that we put up against one another.

The Dells Called

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Posted by on in animal and plant life, Assistance, Community, Hiking and Nature, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual

January 3, 2024- Spotting a fresh bear track, I gingerly peered into the small crevice, from six feet away. Sure enough, there was a juvenile black bear, its backside facing out. Bear was in hibernation, so my quiet steps quickly went up the trail, to the mesa top, in the heart of Granite Dells. The young couple who had joined me at Watson Lake Dam had gone on ahead, and the family of five who I had spoken with, ten minutes earlier, were also on their way back to the parking lot-so no one was likely to “poke the bear”, so to speak.

Lions and bears, but no tigers, are fairly expected in this unique area on Prescott’s northeast side. Usually, they are most active at night, or in early morning, so there is little chance of encountering them during my preferred winter hiking time, which is mid-day. I went here today, as my first hike of 2024. New Year’s Day just felt like a day to hang out in the apartment, so that’s what I did. Today, though, was the last nice day, before a stretch of winter precipitation-during which I will head to Ghost Ranch, after attending a farewell gathering for a couple of friends and helping out at Farmers Market. 

Here are some scenes from today’s hike.

Ever wonder what frozen algae looks like? This comes pretty close.

Still guarding the approach to Watson Lake Dam!

Heart rocks have been absent from my hikes for a while. Now, I am finding them again.

Two ducklings are making the best of the cold.

The sprawl of Granite Dells is one of its greatest allures.

This small dome requires a side hike, on the west side of the Dells.

One more heart rock, for the sake of love.

As I finish this post, snow has fallen in the neighbourhood, for the first time this winter.

Focuses Of An Eight Universal Year

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Posted by on in American Legion, Assistance, collaborating, Community, Family, impediments, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Slow Food, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 2, 2024- I gave thanks, yesterday, to all who bless my life by their presence, both seen and unseen, both close at hand and far away. An Eight Universal Year is a year of acting upon what one learns during its predecessor, which is a year of reflection. So, going forward, in 2024:

Ghost Ranch- Beginning Sunday, January 7, it will be time to build on what I learned from supervising a disaster response team in Watsonville, CA, last April, as well as from the camp supervisory experience at Bellemont Baha’i School, last June. This time, though, I will be one of those supervised and the emphasis will be on applying disaster response principles and camp supervision protocols, in a preparatory situation.

Phoenix Area-In early February, it will be time to visit with Baha’i friends in Phoenix and vicinity, and see how they are applying learnings from their recent visit to Brazil, in helping to grow more vibrant and co-operative communities.

Spring Break in southern Arizona- From March 11-15, it will be time to focus on what is happening in the border region, from Bisbee and Coronado National Monument, to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and the Tohono O’odham Nation. I want to visit with people who are impacted by what is going on there, and offer Baha’i principles to individual and group situations, as much as possible.

Prescott to Cape Breton, St. Pierre & Miquelon, and back, via the Northeast and Deep South- From April 29 (evening) to June 1-2, it will be time to re-connect with friends and family in the Midwest and Northeast, honour the Micmaq people, on the 50th Anniversary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Eskasoni, revisit friends in St. John’s and Grand Bank, NL, pay homage to the outpost of French and Breton culture in St. Pierre and Miquelon, and to the Blues culture/sacrifice of Emmitt Till, in Mississippi-also stopping to visit friends in Tennesse and Alabama.

Bellemont Baha’i School- From June 3-July 8, it will be time to focus on the summer camps that may be scheduled and on the needs of the campers and staff at our anchor property, west of Flagstaff.

Carson City and the Northwest- From July 12- August 1, it will be time to visit my extended family in Carson, and friends in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, pay homage to Four Winds International Institute and to the First Nations of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast of BC and the Yakima Nation.

The Philippines to East Africa- From September 7-21, it will be time to visit Baha’i friends and their families in Greater Manila, western Luzon, Iriga, and possibly Cagayan de Oro, on Mindanao. From September 22-November 1, it will be time to connect with Baha’i friends and their families in Kenya, northern Tanzania, Uganda, Mauritius, Reunion-and, hopefully, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This last is not to be construed as a philanthropic effort, but an effort at strengthening cross-planetary (North America-Africa), and pan-oceanic (Philippines-Africa) networks.

Home Base 1- My efforts here remain to assist friends and community groups to continue building our own vibrant community. In spite of the appearances indicated by the above goals, much time and attention are to be devoted to Prescott and vicinity. There is plenty of time to be spent with Red Cross, Slow Food, Post 6, the local Baha’i community and friends around Yavapai County-so long as we are flexible with one another and not insisting that the wishes and goals of one person, or of a few, are to be adopted by everyone. (Friends in SoCal, Navajo-Hopi and Northern New Mexico, I will see you this year, as well).

In all this, my reasoning is that people appreciate actual time spent in their presence-whether here at Home Base 1, across North America, or across the globe. ’Abdu’l-Baha and my spirit guides assure me, on this, and that’s no “woo-woo”.