Farewell, and Hail

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on February 23, 2024 in Assistance, collaborating, Community, distraction issues, Hiking and Nature, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

February 22,2024- From the dour expressions on a few faces, both in San Diego and back in Prescott, it seems like winter is getting on several people’s nerves. I felt great, though, even as leaving San Diego is never easy. A sweet and affirming conversation with a fellow hosteler got the day off to a good start, and my checkout was methodical-something I’ve only mastered, in the past three years. Once again, nothing was left behind. From Ocean Beach, I headed over to an old favourite: Harbor Breakfast. Friend Maria was not working today, but the fare was still top of the line. I handled a bit of business, as calls came in during this late breakfast. It’s all good.

Before the King Fire, before Yarnell Hill, there was Inaja. The 1956 wildfire in Cleveland National Forest, just south of Julian, CA, resulted in the deaths of 11 firefighters. I made a brief stop at the Memorial Park, as it was time for morning prayers.

View towards the Laguna Mountains, from Inja Memorial Park.

The stop reminded me of the fragility, and of the endurance, of the forest.

The rest of my drive back to Home Base I was smooth, and though I arrived in the middle of the devotional which prompted the straight homeward route, all ended up well. The focus was on peace, and tranquility starts within. So, winter or summer, cold or hot, it is ever worthwhile to focus one’s energies on keeping a positive outlook, even while dealing with the changes and chances that come our way.

All in all, this weekday break was a reminder of the value of refreshing one’s energy.

A Library Jenga, Nine Lanterns and OB’s Farmers’ Market

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on February 21, 2024 in animal and plant life, collaborating, Community, Entertainment, Hiking and Nature, Historical, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

February 21, 2024, San Diego- The stack of books is about 5 feet, 2 inches tall. It is arranged like Jenga blocks, though it won’t fall down if one pulls a book from the middle. This is Big Rainbow House’s library.

With a more sunny day in the offing, I headed up to visit a long-time friend in Orange County. In the past, we have frequented one or another beach front restaurant. Today, the focus was on Laguna Niguel, a community about five miles inland from Dana Point. I got to drive the length of Golden Lantern Road. There are nine “lantern” roads, emanating from Dana Point Harbor, that I recall: Violet, Crystal, Blue, Green, Ruby, Amber, Silver, Copper and Golden. The street names were a marketing tool for the newly subdivided community of Dana Point, in the 1920s. Each starts with a coloured lantern atop the western terminus of the street.

Before that little drive, I spotted a pair of harbour seals, lounging on the stern of a small yacht, in Dana Point’s central marina. The female was barking, clamouring for attention-or so it seemed. The male was seemingly dead to the world.

After a brief stroll around the marina, and an equally short walk at Dana Point’s hilltop overlook, I headed towards Laguna Niguel. A large family of Baha’is once lived in this pleasant. green canyon-laced community. So I felt drawn to have a look at the area. Being a bit early for our lunch appointment, I walked around the community’s regional park. Its centerpiece is Aliso Creek, a shallow rill that is nonetheless running in robust fashion-a bantam rooster of streams, if you will.

Aliso Creek, Laguna Niguel Regional Park (above and below)

Just after I took these shots, I spotted a pair of Mallards, attempting to cross the road. I also spotted a vehicle coming towards them. Gesturing to the driver and pointing to the male duck, either spooked the quacker or he felt the vibrations of the car. The pair dashed back to the side of the road and the car kept on going. The ducks then made their way to Aliso Creek.

The surviving mallards (in center left, Aliso Creek)

Lunch, at Avila’s La Ranchita, one of about five family-owned chains, in southwest Orange County, is a true delight-with every dish prepared on site, from fresh ingredients-no cans or bottles. There is no skimping on the meats and vegetables in the various tacos, quesadillas, tamales, enchildadas or tostadas. Equally important, the chips are baked daily and the salsa is freshly made. Even the iced tea is brewed on site. I am always alert to the difference between fresh and processed. This place is for real-and worth a drive eastward from the beach.

I came back to Ocean Beach, in time for the Wednesday Farmers’ Market. It is slightly larger than ours back in Prescott-but this is San Diego, after all, and the vegetables, fruits, cheeses, juices and various hot foods are all amazing, in variety and quality. I got a few items, and called it a night. One must be prudent, even when on holiday.

Rising Tides

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on February 20, 2024 in collaborating, Family, Hiking and Nature, impediments, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

February 20, 2024, San Diego- The small group of European youths spoke of their concern for their countries, should certain political and military forces hold sway. I stayed out of the conversation, and an older man in the group urged them to not jump to conclusions. Nonetheless, a rising tide of personal ambition and disdain for the changes that society is undergoing is having a disconcerting effect on a good many, in the generations of young adults. There is a renewed commitment to freedom of choice and group cohesion, across the range of political opinion, among a good many in the two emerging generations of young adults. From what I’ve seen, the Alpha Generation, those born since 2010, is showing the same collaborative spirit.

There was another sort of rising tide, at Ocean Beach and at Mission Bay, throughout the day. The oceanic tide kept coming in, from early this morning, until about 4 p.m., with roiling waves propelled by the storm that dumped about an inch of rain on OB. Here are a few scenes of both morning and afternoon.

My energy tide was raised by a message, from someone I love dearly, as I woke up. It was capped by the news that my little family has successfully relocated to an apartment they like better, this evening. In between, I managed a two-mile walk, to Mission Bay and back to Rainbow House, cooked up some lobster ravioli and hosted a Zoom call, one of two meetings that punctuate this visit.

The rain has stopped and the oceanic tide, at least, has ebbed. It will be interesting to see how these other tides rise and fall.

The Purple Owl and other Serendipities

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on February 20, 2024 in Community, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

February 19, 2024, San Diego- Today being a national holiday, there were hordes on the road, especially once I got to the Colorado Desert. The sand dunes at Glamis, Anza_Borrego’s approaches-and on up the mountain, at Julian, the streets and parking lots were full. Don’t get me wrong-I think it’s a great thing, that so many people are out and about.

Not much was working last night, and this morning, at Relax Inn, which had been a reliably comfortable place for lodging, in past years. I told the desk clerk that there is a sizable issue with the electrical connection, which could cause more problems than just the light fixtures and refrigerator not working. Time will tell whether the owners tend to the matter.

No matter- I was on the road by 8:30 and headed down through Brawley, stopping for a brief walk along the city’s main street. Not much was open, partly because several businesses are closed on Mondays, and partly because of Presidents’ Day. I was focused, though, on getting up to Julian, which was Penny’s last place of residence, before we married, and has remained a personal favourite. No parking space was available, until I spotted Purple Owl, on the town’s near south side. It turns out to be a comfortable and welcoming vegetarian cafe. I am protein saturated, so going with a savory veggie-filled Puebla crepe was a good thing.

That made the trip down the mountain to San Diego, and Ocean Beach, that much more enjoyable. It’s overcast here, with a promise of rain tomorrow. Nonetheless, OB is its usual funky self. I did resolve the lingering issue of where to put Sportage. An enterprising individual has opened a lot, which is guarded 24/7. It’s reasonable, so there my trusty steed will sit, until I need it on Wednesday and Thursday. I will be somewhat ensconced in Samesun Ocean Beach (the Rainbow House).

The ocean was fairly calm this evening. I present you, as I mentioned to my dearest: A view which could be a black horse at midnight. A closer look reveals the ocean, at ebb tide.

Day for Honour, and La Posada

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 15, 2024 in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Historical, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 15, 2024- I woke up a bit later than usual, which was okay, despite the looming Monday morning coffee klatch, the march from Prescott College and the presentation of speeches in honour of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, on what would have been his 95th birthday. I missed them all, arriving in Prescott, from Winslow, at 12 Noon.

That’s okay. My priority was getting back safely, and given the fair amount of homeward bound traffic, that’s what I did. There was also the promise I made to a special friend, that I would visit La Posada Hotel, for about 10-15 minutes and take selected photos of the last hotel built by Fred Harvey and Mary Colter, his primary architect. She did not request this, mind you, but anything I can share with her about Arizona, the Southwest, and my meanderings in general, has a fair importance.

Backing up, just a bit, my room last night, at Delta Motel, had a military veteran motif. That was gratifying, as I did my time in the Army, 1969-72. The soldier’s camouflage uniform, boots and canteen were on display. It was as if his spirit watches over those who take the room. At any rate, I enjoyed a restful sleep.

Sipp Shoppe, my favourite eatery in Winslow, is about two blocks from La Posada, which has its own establishment, the Turquoise Room. The latter is a place where reservations are required, and I would go, for a special occasion-say, if my above-mentioned friend visits, and wants to see the Winslow area. So, this morning, one of Sipp’s smooth breakfast burritos and a large coffee sufficed.

Along those lines, and because I have had a curiosity about La Posada, here are several of the features of this classic hotel, still in the process of restoration.

In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, some enterprising immigrants from west Asia brought dromedary camels with them, to the Southwest. This copper model greets everyone who enters La Posada’s grounds.

La Posada occupies the site of Winslow’s Union Station, and still serves as an Amtrak station. Here is the northwest entrance.

Allan Affeldt and Tina Mion, a Winslow couple, bought the hotel in 1997, and restored it to its former splendour. Ms. Mion is an accomplished portrait artist, who also paints with a sense of humour. Here are three of her public offerings, on permanent display at La Posada.

Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter are among several recent American political figures who have been captured by Tina Mion, on canvas.

Her post-9/11 portraying of the Bush II Administration figures as the principals in “The Wizard of Oz” raised a few eyebrows, but as you can see, it passed muster, in the end.

A gathering of La Posada’s more famous guests, over the years, is featured at the foot of the main staircase. Harry Truman, Liberace and Simon & Garfunkel stand out,even from a distance.

The structure that houses Tina’s many works is marvel, in itself. There is varied use of light-and un-light.

Ample use is also made of the spacious patios.

So went my first visit to this splendid structure. I should like to return at some point, during the warmer months, when the gardens are in full bloom. For today, I headed back to Home Base 1, and later went to serve dinner at Solid Rock, as per a regular Monday evening-but with the twist that it is a national Day of Service.

Up, Down and All-around

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 14, 2024 in Assistance, collaborating, Community, distraction issues, impediments, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 14, 2024, Winslow- I went into the Welcome Center, to set up for an online meeting, and found that my favoured spot was occupied-first come, first served. It would have been awkward, anyway, as the table is in the area of a looping introductory video-and many new guests were set to arrive today. So, the Acting Director of Ghost Ranch gratuitously let me use a section of her office, for the meeting, which, since it drew only one other person, was a brief one.

I next went to the gift shop (“Trading Post”) and purchased note cards, on which I may write my mother. Then, I packed up and loaded the car. In that process, I saw that I was missing a certain item, looking high and low for it-to no avail. The Aha! moment told me to go back towards Gallup, the way I came.

Before that, though, I called someone who had asked for a ride to AZ, to check on the status of the roads in that area. When it was stated that the road required four-wheel drive, and that, on balance, the person was uncertain about making the trip, I bid farewell, which wasn’t entirely the response that was desired. Oh, well. I promised my loved ones to practice safety first.

I said goodbye to the Ghost Ranch staff, thanking them for all that they gave us this week. It’s truly been both a wake-up call, for what I still need to do, spiritually and socially AND a reward for having made a continuous effort at self-improvement.

The drive back towards Cuba, NM was much more delightful than last Sunday’s drive to GR, as the roads were bare today. When I got to Cuba, I stopped for lunch at Chaco Grill. The owner, who is a friend, had found the item I was missing, and had secured it, intuiting that I would be by to check. So, all was well again!

Getting to Gallup, before sunset, I decided to continue on to Holbrook, then to Winslow. So now I am at some other friends’ establishment-Delta Motel. Tonight, I was given the Veterans’ Room , themed in honour of one of the family’s members who had served in the Army. His uniform and other equipment are here in the room.

Winslow is a fun town, and also good for at least a night’s rest.

Ghost Ranch, Day 6: Stone Carving and An Exhibit’s Opening

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 13, 2024 in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Education, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 13, 2024, Ghost Ranch- Soapstone is a delight to shape. I attended a stone carving workshop, this afternoon. The piece was roughly heart-shaped, and brightly mottled, so I filed away the rough edges and sanded the surface, six times-four dry and two wet. Wet sanding helps to establish a sheen on the piece. The instructor will apply a finish to the piece and it will be ready for me to take back to Arizona. I will use a crafting awl, or other fine pointed hand tool, to put a hole in a central spot, through which a small chain can be threaded. Then, voila, a hand-fashioned gift can be sent to a certain someone!

After the workshop, I attended the Grand Opening of a photo exhibit: ”Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse”. It is not ghoulish, like the traditional images based on The Book of Revelation. This exhibit, of the work of Chemehuevi photographer Cara Romero, features four First Nations women on horseback. Two are clad in traditional garb and two are dressed in ranch wear. There is also a short video, explaining “behind the scenes” aspects of the project. For shared photographs, see: https://www.facebook.com/CaraRomeroPhotography/

It has been a most satisfying week, in an amazing and spiritually-uplifting place. Surely, it’d be more comfortable outside, in the milder seasons. Winter, though, has a way of both bringing us to focus inward, fine tune what is still a weakness and bring clarity of vision. I have helped renovate a common room, secure the safety of pedestrians and bury a small bird that froze to death.

Tomorrow, I will have the morning here, then, depending on weather conditions, it’ll be time to head either south and west, or just plain west. I know I will be back to Ghost Ranch, at some point in the not-too-distant future, either solo or with a special friend. This year has gotten off to an auspicious start, in a few respects.

Ghost Ranch, Day 5: Search for Connections

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 12, 2024 in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 12, 2024, Ghost Ranch- Have you ever pondered our connections to Nature? Have you ever pondered just how well you understand self? These questions were raised at the pre-breakfast coffee table, as five of us decided that lack of connectivity to the Internet was hardly worthy of sapping our spirits-or our thought processes.

My connection to Nature has led me to the forest, the desert, the tall-grass prairie-and the ocean-almost since I learned to walk. Understanding myself has been a lengthier, and sometimes thornier, process. The key, I have noticed, is applying unconditional love to self-thus opening the door to understanding why I had certain emotional baggage,and making it easier to rid myself of it. I also recognized that I couldn’t, in good faith, claim to have unconditional love for others, unless I had it for myself first.

The Baha’i traditions teach us that we are all connected to those around us, progressively through family, community, nation, species and life form, then to all forms of energy. We are connected to visible and invisible, Earthbound and universal. The search for evidence of these connections is what has fueled most, if not all, voyages, experiments and social movements, since the discovery of fire, and perhaps earlier. There is, in a place of unconditional love, only unity, only understanding. Neither of these mean acceptance of injustice, marginalization and unconditional self-denial. The Creator did not intend for one person,or group, to lord it over all others. Indeed, Baha’u’llah writes, in The Hidden Words: ” O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is justice…..”. Justice springs forth from truly unconditional love.

Later in the day, a co-worker asked about my late wife, and how I had adjusted to her passing, as he had more recently experienced the same type of loss. He asked about my recently beginning a friendship with another woman, implying that he found hope from my experience. As I have mentioned earlier, my spirit guides, of whom Penny is definitely one, have let me know that they approve of this new friendship, having arranged the spiritual energy that led to our meeting.

I learned, a while back, that when one tries to force a connection or relationship, that is when the tie is impaired, or severed. I have done such a thing, and have had it done to me. Letting each person be who their best self is, even helping her/him realize that best self, constitutes the best manifestation of unconditional love. This is perhaps the greatest realization coming from my time here at Ghost Ranch.

Ghost Ranch, Day 4: Return of Snow

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 11, 2024 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 1- De-icing,Masking Tape and Collages

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 8, 2024 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.