Tag Archives: Tucson

The Road to Diamond, Day 201: Disappearances

4
Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, distraction issues, Hiking and Nature, impediments, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 17,2025- Hiking Buddy and I sought a small First Nations ruin, about halfway along a trail between White Spar Road and Copper Basin, on Prescott’s west side. We kept on the trail, until a service road appeared. I recalled reading that the road would pass by a spur trail to the ruins, so we walked a bit up the road. Feeling that we may have gone too far, and missed the spur, we turned back and were going to get back on the main trail. Funny thing, the trail markers, which were there ten minutes before, were now nowhere to be seen.

I had this happen to me once before, several years ago, on a trail near Tucson. As I was alone at that time, I took the time to carefully go back and forth, finding the trail had seemed to have moved a bit to the east, from where I had been walking it, a few minutes before. Today was a bit hotter and more humid, and I will not put another person at risk of heat-related illness, so we walked the service road back to the main road, and on to Sportage. The trails can, and do, seem to disappear-as “woo-woo” as that sounds.

I have had things disappear, only to resurface as long as a week later, and in a place where I had not been. I have had recent conversations with others who have mentioned the same turn of events. Maybe this is a feature of absent-mindedness on our part, or maybe there are forces that we don’t comprehend, putting us to the test-in terms of patience, awareness of surroundings or even essential faith. I’ve had beings appear out of nowhere, resembling humans or animals, fulfilling a purpose-either good or ill, then disappearing almost in front of my eyes.

There was a time, in the present iteration of Creation, when there was nothing tangible, when there were no visible entities. Energy can still manifest in unseen ways. Today may have been one of those manifestations.

Ghost Ranch, Day 4: Return of Snow

4
Posted by on 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.

May, and I’m Not Away

4
Posted by on in collaborating, Education, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

May 1, 2018, Prescott-

There are 3 1/2 weeks left in our academic year.  I have two days off left- Tomorrow, for a Baha’i Holy Day- the Twelfth Day of Ridvan (more at that time) and a dental appointment, in two weeks’ time.  Otherwise, weekdays will find us finishing what we started, for our four remaining students.

I won’t leave the state of Arizona until Memorial Day weekend and another “Where’s Waldo?”month.  There is so much yet to do and to thoroughly enjoy, in the meantime, that I am hard put to make preliminary arrangements for June.  You know, though, that I’ll get ‘er done, in plenty of time.

I’ll be back in Tempe, on Saturday, for a daylong Baha’i conference.   Sunday will be spent reconnecting with a few long-lost friends, and honouring a very special young lady, on the cusp of her high school graduation.  Mother’s Day weekend means Prescott Valley’s 40th anniversary.  I may also head to Tucson, to see an ailing friend, if he’s up for a visit.  The third weekend will be mostly Baha’i business, planning and prepping for the summer months.

One of my friends here has posted about making a Vision Board.  I might try my hand at that, either next week or the following.  It’d be good to do this in the presence of our peer tutors in the classroom, as it might inspire them to do the same.

May is sweet, hot (at least after this coming Saturday) and a time of culmination.  I intend to truly savour the blessed days.

Islands Converge

6
Posted by on in Personal Values, Social, Striving, Travel, Uncategorized

December 6, 2015, Marana-  There are two parts of this northern suburb of Tucson.  The “new” area is close to I-10.  The “old” section consists of older ranch-style homes and a few brick dwellings, with large lots, that are spaced apart.  The neighbours barely know one another.

A friend of mine moved into the area, about two years ago.  Yesterday, I joined her gathering of the neighbours and some of her co-workers.  About twenty-five people showed up, so a start was made at bringing the “islands” closer together.  The consensus was that a neighbourhood where people are anonymous to one another is a neighbourhood at risk.

Time was, when we knew everyone within a four-block radius of the house.  That was in the Boston area of the 1950’s and ’60’s.  When we lived in Phoenix, we knew those on either side of the house, and a few people across the street. Here in my current residence, I have a nodding acquaintance with all but one of the neighbours.  The man immediately above me is the sole first-name basis, friendly sort.

It is of course, a two-way street, and one that is rather bustling. My friend in Marana simply regards the matter as one that ought to be resolved for the overall safety and well-being of all the area residents.  We are a species that depend on interaction with others, lest we lose heart, from isolation and negative self-talk.

The afternoon, and evening, were filled with affirmations for most who attended, and heartfelt discussion afterwards brought a consensus that more such events should be planned.  Here are a few scenes of the day, including a few spirited young dancers

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The first several guests

.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The repast

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The hostess

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

2012

2
Posted by on in Personal goals

This is where I can get very real about 2012, and the period immediately following- up to 2020.

I will try my level best to be on WordPress every day.  Since I missed January 1, there will be two posts today.  That’s okay, since the government and the finance industry are calling this “New Year’s Day”, as well.

Here are the first goals that come to mind, for me as an individual this year:

1.  Restructure my financial portfolio, such as it is.  The first step has already been taken- the nest egg is in good hands.  Next, I’m switching from whole life insurance to a mix of  money ops, one of which is, of course, to make sure my survivors can bury me with dignity when the time comes.  Another is seed money, so that I might actually grow enough capital to pay back the people who are supposedly so egregiously wronged by the short sale of my home.  It may not happen quickly enough to satisfy the government of Arizona, but I believe fair is fair.  Besides, I wasn’t brought up to expect handouts without reciprocation. The rest will go to taking care of things like taking the course I need in order to continue teaching and counseling, and getting my passport- for those times when I might like to visit my fellow humans across an artificial border.

2.  Continue to update my family tree, at least on my father’s side.  I want to get in touch with more cousins during the next three months, and join Ancestry.com, to get further along the history train’s earlier tracks.  My uncle got as far as the 1600’s.

3.  Establish Prescott chapters of ChildHelp USA and Stand for Children.  The first organization cares for abused and neglected children.  The second, works on educational issues.

4.  My faith is very central to my being.  I’ve been told, bye the bye, that my assistance is desired on a higher level.  I will keep my time open, in case that actually turns out to be true.

5.  Those who know me, know that travel, the outdoors and human heritage are all very important to me.  These interests will continue to be honoured in 2012.  I’m hoping a cousin of mine will be in Arizona, later this month, and I will join him in Tucson, if so.  Otherwise, I’ll just boogie on down to Arizona’s First City at the end of the month.  Other places await, as the year unfolds.