August 5, 2024, Flagstaff- The ample supply of food, that I brought to the Soup Kitchen this evening, was distributed by the kitchen staff and the diners themselves, in short order. It always turns out that way. When there is a gathering on Saturday or Sunday, with lots of food left over, there is ever a place for it, on Monday evening. The unhoused can always divide it into portions for the week, and most of them have coolers, keeping the food safe from contamination. Some have access to hotplates that they can plug into their vehicles, or random locations that give grace to people who want to warm up their meals.

Much was made, in some circles, of the summer swoon that the global financial markets experienced, Thursday through today. I have learned to let the traders do their thing, and that the nest egg will recover, usually in short order. It’s best to do what I have to do, day to day, being frugal when necessary (which is much of the time) and being gracious to the people in my heart, whenever possible.

Today started with a short hike, truncated by the presence of mosquitos and by our respective schedules. The heat was not a factor, as early morning sprinkles and cloud cover kept things mild. Fain Park is fairly muddy in spots, but has some interesting connections between neighbourhoods, a pleasant fishing pond and a display of mining equipment from the 1900s-30s. One can get a good workout there, with a proper time allotment.

The Light of the Divine beckoned me all day, and after the hike, I headed to a coffee group, enjoying the company of the group of seniors who gather each Monday, to kibbitz and weigh in on affairs, local and global, large and small. From there, I checked in with the crew at Wildflower, for a late breakfast. All is well in that “Happy Place”, to which all are welcome. Back at Home Base, I got as good a set of directions as can be expected, to two places where I will make stops tomorrow: Gravesites of two long-time friends, whose funerals found me elsewhere, and so still deserve honour and gratitude for all the friendship and advice they gave, over four decades.

This evening, after my soup kitchen duties were done, a drive to Bellemont let me drop off a couple of items for the good of the order, and ascertain that all is well on the property. No animals being encountered, I was a half hour, there and out.

Thus do I find myself at Relax Inn, in the midst of Old Route 66, reveling in the fading light, writing a message to my most beloved on Earth and showing grace to the Internet that keeps going on and off. (Such is the way, in days of monsoon activity.) The light of the four sacred peaks beckons, for the next few days, so I will rest well tonight.