Tag Archives: Relax Inn

The Light That Beckons

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

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.

The Purple Owl and other Serendipities

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Posted by on 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.

Ocean Beach, at 8 p.m.

Luck

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

May 13, 2022, Blythe- This morning, I joined a Baha’i study circle which is concerned with the thirteenth book, in a series published by Ruhi Insititute, a social-centric academy in Colombia. Since 1985, R.I. has published study books, in text and workbook form, focusing on topics from “The Life of the Spirit” to “Marriage and the Family”. This particular session, in which I am now involved, is studying the Baha’i approach to Social Action. As it happens, we began with Section 13 of this Book 13 ( Unit 1), on Friday the Thirteenth.

I will have more to say about the Baha’i approach to Social Action later. Suffice it to say, we take all points of view into account, distilling the most useful of ideas into programs that benefit everyone.

Cosmic advisor Elizabeth Peru notes that today is the only Friday the 13th of this calendar year. Some will breathe a sigh of relief, as a common superstition in medieval Europe, that 13 is an unlucky number, has carried over into contemporary life. There is still no 13th floor, in many public buildings. Friday the Thirteenth is often the stuff of anxiety, and even has its own horror movie series.

My day was quite one of good fortune. Besides the rich and informative study circle, a package I was expecting arrived right at Noon; packing for a brief trip to southern California took less time than expected; the smooth drive itself showed good gas mileage and I settled into a remodeled Relax Inn, my go-to stop in this desert town, on the Arizona border. My needs are fairly simple, and truth be known, Friday the 13th has never been unlucky, in my experience.

It’s a tough world, I know, and my work will continue, to ease as much pain as possible, for those who suffer. Removing superstitions from our lives is one way to help.