Tag Archives: dental health

The Road to Diamond, Day 263: Pressing On

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

August 18,2025- The traffic at the junction of I-17 and Hwy 101 was backed up 1.5 miles, in the lane for entry to 101 East. It is not unheard, for commuters to be kept at a standstill in that and similar lanes, between 8-10 a.m. One problem is that lane jumpers go on ahead, in the I-17 lane just to the left and safety concerns mandate they be let in to the exit ramp, at the last minute. Everyone thus has to stop and make room. Fortunately, there are enough adults in the “room” to not force anyone to wait on the active highway itself. There were no accidents, as I edged my way towards “the 101” and a dental check-up-another fifteen minutes along 101 East, then Hwy 51 and into Paradise Valley.

I arrived nine minutes late, at the dental office’s temporary location. They, too, are pressing on, with their former office building now being converted into a center for autistic children. That also being a worthy cause, the dental staff has picked up stakes. There will be a larger dental office, soon, in the complex to which they have relocated. My clean bill of health affirmed, it was a good start to “Medical Week”.

Going back up to Prescott, after another errand and a stop at Penny’s gravesite, I found none of the traffic that we faced going in town. The only pressing on was getting a blood draw at the VA, with next Monday’s check-up being the last appointment for “Medical Week”. Helping Hiking Buddy with a couple of errands and pitching in at the Soup Kitchen rounded out the day.

The message of the day, overall, is that not being waylaid by difficulties will bring at least a modicum of the results one desires. It was a fine, if tiring, twelve hours.

The Road to Diamond, Day 139: Continuity, and Shifting

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, impediments, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

April 16, 2025- Unsurprisingly, but happily, I got a clean bill of dental health again today. There are a couple of things I can and will do to improve the situation-yet, all in all, it’s one less cause for concern. Red meat, which I have loved over the years, also has to be cut back. It’s just my own conclusion, and truth be known, I am naturally more given to eating healthier, over the past four years.

Honouring friends across the political spectrum entails pointing out simple facts, rather than editorializing. So I have come across a few “inconvenient truths” that challenge both orthodoxies and have gently approached a few of the adherents to those positions. I won’t dwell on those here, except to say that things are seldom exactly as they seem, in a world where deception is far easier than it used to be.

With respect to the next few weeks, I have had a request to go back down to Desert Rose next weekend. There are, however, things going on here, for which I am locked in. So, after some back and forth online, I will be staying put and fulfilling promises to this community. It all reminds me of the old Donovan song, “There is a Mountain”.

Those are just some ruminations, on this topsy-turvy, but ultimately reassuring day.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&channel=entpr&q=first+there+is+a+mountain+donovan#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:f5d2e100,vid:XcMM5-zBCEc,st:0

Breathing Room

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

January 17, 2023- Fifteen people graced the Founders Room, in Prescott Public Library’s main building, this evening, as Prescott Peace Builders presented a documentary on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The film reviewed what each of us present have lived, with regard to Civil Rights era and Dr. King’s role in the attainment of Civil Rights for African- Americans. What those rights boil down to is space for a physically, economically and politically hobbled people to breathe, to live full lives.

No one has said that anyone is entitled to a perfect life; no one IS. There is, though, plenty of space for freedom from being the target of assumptions from those in power and those who enforce that power. I was raised to not cross the street, when approached by a person of colour, or a person dressed in tattered clothing, or any given individual who was not acting in an obviously menacing manner. I was taught that when anyone asked for directions, they were to be given clear directions, in the most polite language possible. Essentially, every human being who crossed my path was to be treated fairly.

Those teachings became part of my being- and made getting over the subliminal messages, from the wider community, a whole lot easier. I have made my share of mistakes and have had to root out many microaggressions, but the foundation I got from my parents has eased the recognition of the Oneness of Mankind. It also made incorporating the admonition about never ASS-uming anything, about another person or group, a whole lot easier.

The day as a whole was marvelous: Safe drive to Phoenix and back; excellent dental check-up; three great meals-breakfast at Wildflower Bakery, lunch at Local Jonny’s and a bowl of soup for dinner, at Mob Burger-each served by a congenial soul. Then, there was the above-mentioned gathering, the second of three such meetings, honouring Dr. King and his legacy.

There is much breathing room, for yours truly, so far this winter.

Watchful

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

September 13, 2022- “Consider what eyes of bounty gaze upon you and what glances of mercy are cast upon you.”- ‘Abdu’l-Baha

As I gaze at the page of the calendar on my wall, I see a very clear image, looking at me through the black background. I know it is a spirit guide, and there is a small beam of light above the image. Even in the midst of seemingly impenetrable darkness, there is a benevolent being who is helping keep me on the right track. I am told that much of what happens is my own doing, while those who mean me harm have to deal with this spirit, who is acting with the blessing of the Creator. In sum, looking at the spirit’s image is a source of comfort and reassurance.

The image, though, is a bonus affirmation. That it appears in the illustration for the September calendar page, showing a month which was Penny’s birth month, as well the birth month of Mom and two siblings, is a distinction not lost on me. I’ve felt the presence of spirit guides, as many of you know, for quite some time. I haven’t been let down, as long as I have paid attention to their messages.

Responsibilities are quite clear, especially for self-care and service to others. As long as I live up to those, good things happen-such as the good report I got today from my dentist and dental technician. Rewards also follow, such as the delicious quesadilla at Local Jonny’s (Cave Creek), half of which will be lunch tomorrow, at my sub assignment.

Watchfulness, like marriage, is 100/100. I do my full share and my guides do theirs.

A Mixed Bag

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, Personal Values, Social, Striving

January 10, 2022- The day started with a dream about a winsome young lady telling those present that she was not “up for grabs”. I woke thinking, “Good for her!” No one is ever “up for grabs”.

Today brought the first dental check-up of the year, and all is well on that front. I am tending the oral equipment that helps me eat, speak and exhale, with far more diligence than I might have fifteen or twenty years ago. That will continue until I no longer need to eat, speak and exhale.

A call from the dermatology group brings a few agenda items for the end of this month and into February. They are all smaller issues than the big kahuna that was removed from my left facial cheek, some eight months ago. Yes, I am more diligent about sunscreen than I once was, so there’s that at least.

Hiking Buddy and I walked several blocks in downtown Prescott, and she’s doing much better. Actual trail walks are not too far off. Of course the walk was from some shops to a dinner spot, but that’s okay. We’re always walking towards places that bring us satisfaction, after all.

It’s feeling around here the way April feels in New England, only without the rain. Rain, of course, will come along a day here and a day there. Life is ever a mixed bag.