The 2018 Road, Days 2-3: Pre-conceived notions, Heart Pancakes and A Warrior Princess

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 29, 2018 in children, collaborating, Family, Personal Values, Social, Travel

May 27-28, 2018, Carson City- I got into Carson City, and a long-time friend’s house, around 10:15, on Sunday night. I’ve been here, each year since 2012, on either Memorial Day or Independence Day. The members of Family S have been like biological family to me, for far longer-since the early 1990’s.

So, a stop up here has been a precursor to my summer time excursions, whether I’m headed northwestward or am eastbound. I’ve known some family members since they were tweens and now am honoured by the presence of Princess B. She will remain off-screen here, per my own policy when it comes to children, but B. is a highly intelligent and imaginative young lady and nobody will lay a hand on her, by my lights- or those of her grandmother, let alone on her parents’ watch.

Monday was spent in study of a Baha’i text that deals with consultation. This is a practice that is sorely needed, not just in this country, but across the globe. How many times have I found friends, even from other parts of the world, not opening their minds and hearts to other points of view? The text I studied yesterday reminds us that no one person has all the answers, nor does any one group. We watched a PBS documentary on the many aspects of warfare, after the study session. Failure to view people outside one’s group, community or nation as human, or worthy of respect, has been the single greatest underlying cause of warfare, throughout history. This is true, regardless of the cause of record.

All day today, Tuesday, I have thought of the world being left to B and her contemporaries, and to my grandchildren, yet unconceived, unborn. She, her grandmother and I enjoyed a lovely Chinese buffet, shopped for things we needed at Target and Best Buy and came back for a “group project”, involving a streaming device and antennas. Then, we enjoyed pancakes, including two heart-shaped gems.

Those of you who have followed me , for the past several years, know that I have regularly come across heart-shaped items, both in natural and urban settings. Here is a view of one heart-shaped pancake, before it was claimed by its rightful owner, our indomitable warrior princess.

This visit was way too short, we all agreed, before B left with her father. Tomorrow, I may connect for a bit with another WP reader, not far from here, before heading across Nevada and Utah. Hopefully, I will also connect with extended family in Colorado and friends along the eastward route. The centerpiece of this trip, my youngest niece’s wedding, looms three short week from now.

The 2018 Road, Day 1: Prescott to Carson City

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 28, 2018 in children, Family, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Travel

May 27, 2018, Carson City-

One of my consistent stops, on this particular drive, is to check on the condition of Lake Mead, a major reservoir of the Colorado River system.

As you can see, the lake’s level is rather low. In a good year, the lake’s water level would be above the first shoreline ridge. It’s been quite a while since the last good year.

I began my journey around 9:20 this morning, then drove to West Side Lilo’s, in Seligman, a town about 1 1/2 hours northwest of Prescott. A Lilo’s breakfast is sufficient for the entire day, so I would need nothing but a bowl of salad, once I got to Carson City, 11 hours later.

I topped off with gas in Kingman, and after the brief welfare check of Lake Mead, zipped through Las Vegas, stopped at Amargosa Valley to pick up gifts at the Area 51 Alien Center, for a little girl up here, and stretched a bit. The rest of the journey, through territory I have detailed in years passed, was very smooth, with little traffic. Coffee at Beans & Brews, on the south edge of Tonopah, was my only reason to stop the rest of the way. B & B is also a staple of my northwest-bound jaunts.

Four hours later, I found my way to this apartment that will be home for the next two days or so. There are a growing number of places that afford me this kind of feeling, and to me, this is the true wealth, to have what feels like family, in each part of the country.

Ahead of me are a one-day intensive training session for a Baha’i course and quality time with the aforementioned child.

Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch…

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 26, 2018 in Community, Historical, Social, Travel

May 26, 2018, Prescott-

There’s a whole lot to see and do here in Home Base. Next weekend, for example, a fundraiser for a twelve-year-old boy who was struck by a car, whilst crossing the street to go to a library, will be held, June 3, 1-5 pm, at Prescott Valley’s Anytime Fitness, 6715 E. 2nd St., Suite A.

I want to give a shout-out also, to the unique and fine places that make my life here so blessed: Ms. Natural’s, 318 West Gurley Street, is Prescott’s newest organic restaurant, open every day except Wednesday. Claudia offers fine coffees, smoothies and both vegetarian and cold cut sandwiches. Right down the street is Shannon’s Deli, with a “hot dogs” sign on the door. Shannon’s has lots more than hot dogs- her soups and cheesecake are the signature fare. Right across from the Courthouse are Frozen Frannie’s, with delectable frozen yogurt, ice cream and a variety of baked items, as well as coffees. Next door is Lone Spur, one of several local establishments offering hearty, spill-over-the-plate breakfasts.

Go down Cortez, and you’ll find Chi’s, with what I regard as the best Chinese food in town. At Cortez and Willis is Raven Cafe, my favourite place to go for great music and more organic meals. They have a wide selection of imbiber’s delights, as well. Catty-corner, across Cortez and Willis, is Peregrine Books, Prescott’s largest bookstore, and another venture by the family who own the Raven. Next door to Peregrine is Two Mamas, one of eight Mom and Pop pizzerias in town. T.M. has several signature pizzas, my personal fave being the Pot Roast and Gorgonzola variety.

Now,go back up Cortez, cross the street, and you’ll find Dancing Skeleton, with its large selection of condiments and unique craft items. Further up are Bill’s Pizza, a good thin-crust pizzeria, and the favourite of many locals; Mob Burger, with excellent burgers and welcoming to couples and groups, but not those dining alone; Lifeways, a spiritual-themed bookstore, with a small espresso counter in the back.

The Courthouse lawn is a key gathering spot, especially on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the summer, with live music and dancing. Signs around the outside of the Courthouse detail weekend festivals, of which the largest summer event is Prescott’s Rodeo, one of the country’s oldest, held just before, and during. July 4.

On the west side of the Courthouse is Montezuma Street, also called Whiskey Row. There are plenty of bars there, for those so inclined. Hotel St. Michaels is one of two large Victorian hotels in town, and has a variety of shops on its ground floor, including a lovely bistro. South of Whiskey Row, there are more bars and restaurants, including Far From Folsom, a Johnny Cash-themed establishment, with many of the same musicians appearing, as in the Raven. Bill’s Grill, owned by the same family as Bill’s Pizza, is a popular place for a wide variety of comfort foods.

Going back to Goodwin Street, and heading west, one finds El Gato Azul, a tapas restaurant and also one of Prescott’s most popular gathering spots, of a weekday evening. Park Avenue Deli, inside a liquor store, offers surprisingly good comfort cuisine, though here, too, groups are preferred over single customers. Ditto for Rosa’s Pizzeria, an excellent place for Italian fare, and west of Ms. Natural’s, on Gurley. Rosa’s is always packed with visitors, so call ahead for your table.

Heading out of town, eastward, check out Zeke’s Eatin’ Place, akin to Lone Spur, for belly-bustin’ breakfasts and lunches, in Frontier Village, on the Prescott- Yavapai Indian Nation. Planet Fitness is also there, for an after-meal workout (monthly memberships, from $10.) Picture Show Cinema, up the hill, would round out a Frontier Village excursion.

Finally, in Prescott Valley, north and east of Home Base, find Rafter Eleven, a wine and condiments shop, owned by one of the area’s oldest families. It is at 2985 Centre Court, left on Glassford Hill Rd, then right on Centre Court. Gabby’s Grill, a bit north of Rafter, is my favourite dining spot in downtown Prescott Valley.

That’s it, in a Brazil nut-shell. Hope you can find your way here, some day or another.

Not Throwing In The Towel

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 25, 2018 in collaborating, Community, Family, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

May 25, 2018, Prescott-

An erstwhile friend has decreed today as Towel Day. I will stay on the fringes of these festivities, as that’s how she and her significant other seem to want things. Besides, my schedule, these next two days, is packed- as I will be, by Sunday morning.

School ended yesterday, and for me, it was as successful as 2015-16, and a far cry from last year. I did not limp to the finish line this time. The kids, and my co-workers, will reconvene in a week’s time, for Extended School Year. I will sit that one out, having a major family event in mid-June. The wedding of my youngest niece will bring us all together, and will be one for the books.

As always, I have taken the steps to certify that both my car and I are ready for this year’s long road trip. Vehicle has taken its lumps, but I have repaired most of what’s gone wrong and will tend to the cosmetics over the next day or so. Ditto for yours truly, and while my cosmetics are showing their age, my health care providers aren’t putting me anywhere near the scrap heap. I’m content with what I see in the mirror.

After two, and maybe three, important events here in town, today and tomorrow, I will head northwards, to Carson City, for an annual reconnect with one or more members of my extended spiritual family. From there, the route looks like Utah, Colorado, Kansas, central Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ontario, Montreal, Plattsburgh, NY, Vermont,Massachusetts, Connecticut, West Point, eastern Pennsylvania (especially Philadelphia), Baltimore, Delmarva, Hampton Roads, across Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, southern Missouri, Oklahoma, Amarillo and Albuquerque’s Old Town, before getting back to Home Base-somewhere around July 4.

In spite of all this seems to entail, I have built in a goodly number of daily rest stops, visits with friends and family and good clean fun. My main mode, rain or shine, will be camping along the way and relying more on picnicking, than the heavy restaurant visits of past adventures. There will be a few of those last, though, when I can at least treat those who have been so caring to me, over so many years- and special places in my heart, like Artful Dodger, Cupcakes & Cravings, et al. Porthole Pub, in Lynn, MA., is slated to close soon, making way for some sorely needed luxury condos. (Wonder how we’ve gotten along without them, all these years!) I ought to prevail on a few family members to pay a last visit to Porthole.

Whether here or there, my Faith is essential to keeping me going, on a daily basis. So, one of the events this evening is faith-based, several of the people with whom I will visit, in the coming weeks, are my fellows in faith and the Baha’i House of Worship, in Wilmette, IL falls into the middle of my outbound itinerary, as is only proper.

One way or another, I will maintain a daily presence here- letting all my peeps in on what’s going down, as in the past. After all, there are plenty of coffee houses and such, along the way- and Good Sam Parks are reliable with WiFi, to boot. Instagram, a gift of the above-mentioned erstwhile correspondent, remains on my network. One keeps the baby, while waving farewell to the bath water.

And So On

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on April 1, 2018 in distraction issues, Family, impediments, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

April 1, 2018, Prescott-

Happy Easter, and Passover, one and all. I have spent much of today, fighting with my WP feed, trying to go back to those posts I missed, last flipping weekend and onward. I have hit upon keeping one window open for my Reader- and one for this side of my site.

This laptop will need to go in for repair soon. To do that, I will finally re-open my account with Geek Squad, the Best Buy Technical Support arm. This will do one of two things: Either my 7-year-old laptop will continue to support my photo posts, or it will need to be replaced. Either way, it’ll be a week before I post any photos on these pieces, as Windows File Explorer is constantly in buffering mode, which tells me my old friend is very sick.

I haven’t done much today, but then again, yesterday found me in Phoenix, walking with three other people around a neighbourhood called Sunnyslope, which is an important place in the annals of Penny’s and my last ten years together. I am glad to have helped install 13 smoke detectors, in 7 of the 25 houses we visited. 6 went in one house, alone. The most important were those placed in the bedrooms of youths.

Visiting a friend in Superior, and finding her working alone, on a Saturday afternoon, was bothersome. I stayed long enough to enjoy a nice lunch and to help her just a bit, with tidying up and offering moral support. This person is going through something similar to what I endured, with a spouse suffering debilitation. I hope her co-workers will get a grip and start pitching in more.

Today, though, I am thinking of someone, very far away, whom I have never met face to face. Something about her, though, has drawn me in. Like anything else of this nature, we’ll see.

I watched a short video about the Sumerians. It challenges conventional wisdom about our origins as a species. I have one question, though: If there are some beings that are responsible for our intelligence, and they “civilized” us, then left, why aren’t they back? Perhaps, they know better. I think I will stick with my God, and the God of us all.

My Memorial Day to Independence Day travel schedule is mapped out- Nevada, Colorado, eastward through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ontario, Montreal, New England, Pennsylvania, down the Delmarva, Hampton Roads, across Virginia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, before an I-40 zip, back to Home Base and Prescott’s fireworks. Most of this route is to see friends and family-some of whom I have not seen in a very long time. Good Sam Parks and hostels will be well-researched and penciled in, beforehand. There will be a birthday party or two, a family wedding and a Xanga/Facebook gathering. If this sounds like a lot, it’s because it is.

In the meantime, we have a month of standardized testing at our high school, which means unusual schedules. Then, there is Graduation Month. In both April and May, I will also be occupied with Baha’i activities, to boot. I would not miss any of this, or rush through it, for all the world.

The Ocean

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on February 17, 2018 in Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

February 16, 2017, Carlsbad, CA-

I have traveled, from one healing place

to another,

and then to another, yet.

Prescott has been my refuge,

for six years,

and six months.

Blythe is a wide spot

in the Colorado Desert,

of California’s underscored East.

I stayed there,

because it has the river.

A desert was once an ocean.

Dig deep enough,

past the scorpions’ nests,

and the caliche,

and there will be shell fossils.

La Jolla,

bustling,

overcrowded,

expensive as a place to live,

but sublimely peaceful,

if you look past the mobs.

It reminds me of a time,

long ago,

when I was in the Bronx.

on a Sunday morning,

in April.

No one else was about,

just me,

and Yankee Stadium,

and the animals of Bronx Zoo,

and the murals,

painted by those of good heart.

Today,

it was all the parents and kids,

beautiful people of tomorrow,

and a small colony of sea lions.

There are few murals in La Jolla,

but there is a Museum of Contemporary Art

I left La Jolla,

and negotiated the hordes of people

trying, desperately, to get past

one another,

only to meet again,

at the next light.

We did this dance,

on I-5

and again

on the PCH,

from Encinitas,

to Carlsbad.

Here, I bought

yet another box

of Girl Scout cookies,

because mother and child

were alone,

ignored by those

passing in and out of Von’s.

I bought a box,

because this girl

is our future,

and the future needs

the water of encouragement.

I was followed

by a grandmother,

who bought four boxes,

which Mom proclaimed

the biggest sale of the day.

Encouragement

draws more encouragement.

I settled in,

at my Econolodge,

one of my refuges,

near the ocean.

One, Two, Three, Four- The Plans

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 22, 2018 in collaborating, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

January 22, 2018, Prescott-

Every so often, I come out with details of my plans for this or that. One year (day, month) at a time, I have been advised. That makes sense for anyone my age, on up. So my plans for this year, 2018, ought to be a foundation for what comes next.

This year, I will work, diligently, both at my day job- which will see an uptick in the number of students we have, come August, and at my financial effort, which is, admittedly, still in its fledgling state ( I can hear the Boo Birds, now- “There he goes again!”), but is being pursued, carefully, with a lot of expert support. This will bring me to San Diego, the fourth weekend in March, for a mentoring conference. Prior to that, I will have had nearly 60 hours of training and mentoring calls. I have detailed other travel plans, in a previous post, and those still stand for next month, and for May-June. An uptick in income would also allow me to join other mentoring events.

That covers the number one. “Two” takes in 2019. Next year marks the Bicentenary of the Birth of al-Bab, the immediate predecessor of Baha’u’llah, and His Herald. This event, marked in late October, will be the overarching event of the year, for me and for millions of others. My summer travels will bring me back to the Pacific Northwest, and southeast Alaska. My work and financial ventures will continue apace. Then, too, who knows what the Universe will add on to all that?

“Three” brings us to 2020. As I turn 70, in November of that year, its March will see my final physical Fast, under Baha’i law. The Fast will have spiritual import for me, the rest of my life, but abstaining from food and beverages will not apply, once I reach the age of seventy. I hope to be at, or past, my financial goals by New Year’s Day of that year. Travel wise, I am looking at a Trans-Canada (BC to Newfoundland) road trip, in June and July.

“Four” means 2021. This year will mark the Centenary of the Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’u’llah’s eldest son and His Successor, as Head of the Baha’i Faith. My longtime readers may remember that, in 2012, we commemorated the centennial of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit to North America. 2021 will, thus,also be a special year for us Baha’is.

For me, personally, it will bring the end of my full-time employment as an educator. I have ambitious, but still tentative, plans for international travel. Besides those, I will be more active on the volunteer front, in whatever community (ies) I may find myself, once “retired”.

So there are the substances of numbers one through four, as they pertain to my humble life. Many of these could very well come to pass, though the Universe does throw a curve at each of us, every so often!

Ice Cream

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 11, 2018 in collaborating, distraction issues, impediments, Inner Struggles, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Striving, Travel

January 11, 2018, Prescott-

I ended my work day by being reminded that today was the 11th, after a fatigue-based brain fart. That gave rise to the inevitable concern from Lead Teacher, about the onset of dementia. Umm, no. I was tired, exhausted. I know tomorrow is January 12th.

Now, on to the reference in this post’s title. On the podcast, this morning, one of my mentors was accenting an aversion to success, using ice cream as an analogy. If one were to go up to a counter, see a flavour of ice cream that appealed, and was asked what would be your preference, and then dithered, thinking about whether one deserved ice cream at all, even while knowing that thousands of other people enjoy ice cream, each day, what would that feel like?

I have long dithered about enjoying life. I have long felt that I did not deserve success, even having a hard time accepting, initially, that Penny found me attractive. I have come to the conclusion that it was my autism talking.

The fact is, she DID find me attractive. I was not the dregs with which she had to make do. So, we had our ups and downs, for 29 years, but they were years of love. I have been amazed at finding myself in places like Neah Bay, downtown Portland, San Francisco’s Russian Hill and Fisherman’s Wharf, Paris, Versailles, Utah Beach, the Dom Sector of Frankfurt, Iolani Palace, Bruges and Sitka’s Mt. Verstovia. I really DID walk the length of Prescott Circle Trail and Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, albeit in sections. I am amazed, also, by the beautiful lady who now calls me friend.

So, all those bowls of ice cream later, I am looking at a huge sundae, and preparing to nibble a spoonful at a time. I have spoken of giant steps being on my horizon. I still need to convince myself that I am not the family’s hood ornament, or an appendage to the two-woman team in the classroom where I work. It’s these very giant steps that will do this, for me. The mentor cautioned us to not falter. I won’t, having come all this way.

Markers

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 2, 2018 in children, collaborating, Family, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Poetry, Striving, Travel

January 1, 2018, Birmingham, AL-

On this day that symbolizes new beginnings

in the Western world,

I recall these.about the year just past:

A little girl and her family,

guided me to funnel cake

and fireworks,

interrupted, only mildly,

by a man-child and his drone.

As an uncle of mine,

winged his flight

to heaven,

his only granddaughter

redoubled her efforts,

and earned a college degree.

I made a friend,

three years ago,

whilst moving on,

from a ridiculous series

of actions on my part.

That friend is still very much,

in my life, in my heart,

and one of the strongest

young ladies,

I have ever met,

has done us all proud.

My friend, her mother,

is the impetus,

and the guarantor,

of that amazing trajectory,

which will not come crashing down.

Happy 18th, to one of the first children,

of the Third Millennium, of Anno Domini.

I left Spring Hill, earlier today,

having made an older lady feel valued,

a tortured dog feel safe in my presence,

a loyal relative feel honoured.

Two more days remain,

of my journey back to Home Base.

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A Sagittarian Seeker

Sharing a life of inner and outer journeys

Category Archives: Travel

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