prayer flags

checking in

Still feel like shit.  But I know I have a lot to be thankful for.  "Any day above ground is a good day."

This morning we walked to the post office where I mailed mails and bought more heart stamps.  They're the cutest.

It lightly sprinkled on us.  The sun comes and goes.  Our prayer flags flutter in the wind.

woes

This morning I got blood drawn, and this afternoon I went to the dentist.  As Ming drove us home from the dentist, I said, "I feel like a dummy.  In a crash test."  That was the worst dentist I ever had.  I want to give him some feedback.  And the sad part is, I can do that soon because I'm going back tomorrow.  Basically, this has been a craptastic day, and I want some orange juice.

cracker review

We bought a huge bag of these delicious crackers at Costco when we were planning meals for ten people two weeks ago in Las Vegas.  The brand is Food Should Taste Good, which I think is a funny name, and they are gluten free.  They're also vegan, as far as I can tell from the ingredients list, though no claim for veganism is made. 

I like their high crunchiness and salty flavor.  Ming likes to eat them with Thai dry chili paste--I like them plain.

bean news

I soaked some lima beans last night and cooked them in Ming's crock pot today.  They're so good!  I like them with salt and a little pretend butter.

garden times

Tree kale is looking good.

The tulip leaves are here, but no flowers yet.

We took a walk past Luna's.  I like their skeletons.

Lavender and rosemary I picked.

delay of game

Today we're going to visit our community garden after being away for a long time.  I'm worried about it.  And I see my SSI lawyer at 1.  I'm worried about that too.

I wrote a long poem about my neighbor who died.  I submitted it to a journal last night, and we'll see what they say.  I don't usually write poems so long.

I've heard you should schedule all your difficult chores for February 29th.  I think I'll try that.

just morning

Eating pretend cheerios, waiting until time for the support call, listening to So Far. 

flowers from the collard tree

death etc

This morning we found out our neighbor died.  I used to go with her to free breakfast sometimes, and she was 35.  She was a good hugger.  I can't believe she's dead.

Grieving is hard work, so I'm giving myself another sick day.  But Ming is outside doing yardwork with the landlord and a living neighbor.

I was cleaning my desk.  I eliminated the huge pile on the left.  I threw a lot away.  I am inspired by my friend AL who lives a clutter-free life.  She's the one we visited in Arcata.

I can hear living neighbors talking downstairs outside.  It's a warm day.  I am avoiding everyone.  I have been avoiding everyone for a while now.

And that's the very heavy news for today.  Don't break your arms carrying my heavy news.  Just leave it by the door.

purple tennies

I am exhausted in a deep way.  I tell Ming it's existential exhaustion, but I don't know if that's the right word.  I need to hide for a long time.  But I have therapy in 20 minutes and need to put my shoes on.

homeward bound

Today we return south.  Arcata has been good to us. 

pics from Patrick's Point

Patrick's Point State Beach

Didn't ask why it's called Patrick's Point, but got some gorgeous mushrooms postcards.  Ming's out getting a new used tire and has the camera--I'll show you pics later.

Sisyphus

Listening to some new music involving Sufjan Stevens, my favorite. 

My favorite line so far: "when you feel like throwing all your books in the air."

today and yesterday

 Here is Glass Beach's sand.

Here's Ming in the forest this morning.

Here's Ming and some catkins at the marsh this morning. 

perfect

Yesterday we completed this part of our northward journey.  We're enjoying some rain and good times with my bestie.  Today we're going to the forest and maybe a store.  We're seeing my bestie's mom.

Last night we went to this vegetarian restaurant called Wildlflower.  I got a curry that was bland.  Ming got some delicious noodles in a peanuty sauce.  He let me have two bites.  I ate the veggies I like best out of my curry, leaving the carrots and bell pepper.

This hotel is not as good as our last one, but the location is perfect.

free hot chocolate

Last night I slept wretchedly, waking up every hour.  I dreamt Ming had a demon inside him that came out of his nose when he sneezed.  The demon kept trying to make us do stuff, and I started saying no.  The bed was comfortable, but I was not.  We're waiting for breakfast to start so we can get our free hot chocolate.

sealions at the beach today

Glass Beach

Today we are at Fort Bragg, just passing through.  We went to a state park looking for Glass Beach and couldn't find it.  These people decades ago dumped their trash off the cliff, so the story goes, and the waves make it pretty.  MacKerricher State Park was amazing.  We saw a raven up close.  We saw beautiful surf and rocks.  We saw coots, sea lions, people.  We saw little children playing in a creek that drains into the sea, which is stupid.

Tomorrow we'll continue north.  But Ming found out where Glass Beach actually is, so we'll try visiting there on our way out.

home is weird

It's weird to be home again.  I forgot how to light the burner on the stove.  We were gone three weeks. 

I need a lot of fresh air.  I have the front door open.  I'm wearing shorts thought it's not hot.  I feel out of sorts.

vigil

sombrero

shirt and seedlings

Las Vegas Catholic Worker this morning

lately

1.  gardens and museums at Springs Preserve
2.  contemplative prayer at Stillpoint
3.  serving the hungry with Catholic Worker
4.  a short walk near Redrock
5.  burritos, juice, pesto pasta

magical Ming near Redrock

plants at Springs Preserve

sculptures at Springs Preserve

from the Las Vegas community garden

Gnome on the phone.

Here's Ming sitting on a cob bench we helped construct in 2012 after my first Sacred Peace Walk.

The permaculture part of the garden.

free

Yesterday we went to this Satsang and saw a Homa fire.  It was fantastic.  We were a little outside the inner circle so didn't participate hands on, which is fine because it gives me something to look forward to.  Then we chanted the gayatri mantra 108 times, which was amazing.  It took about half an hour.  Temporarily, life was chanting.  I like that mantra, so it was really fun.  We left early, contributing apple juice, and we liked it.

Then we went out to dinner, Indian food, and that was expensive.  Oh well.  Shoulda checked the menu before we sat down, maybe, though the papadums were free.

Just a little while ago our friends left.  We got hugs, and one friend kissed me on the cheek.  So we have this place almost to ourselves again.

I want to grocery shop and go out into the desert.

arts

Yesterday we walked to the nearest library and there was an art exhibit of beautiful photos.  They were from a long time ago.  All the people in the photos were Black.  I think they all were barefooted too.  They were some of the best photos I've ever seen.  I signed the guestbook. 

Today is our board meeting.  Last night we made dinner for seven people, something I'd never done before.  It turned out okay.  Gardenburgers, pesto pasta salad, potato salad, blueberries.  Lettuce, lotsa condiments.  Nothing special to drink.

Night before last we went to an art opening of some art by Filipino people.  It was good, but the gallery was small.  I liked the sculpture made of old wooden doors.  I was intrigued by the tree branches with white stuff wrapped on them.  I was intrigued by the sculpture in the window, the figure of a man with his pants undone and some swirling light for a head.

I did not fit in.  Other women were in dresses and high heels.  I was in jeans and tennies.  I felt out of place, and we didn't stay long.  But we looked at the whole exhibit.  

us at the Las Vegas Zine Library

three stressors

i
Yesterday we walked to the drugstore for candy.  We were holding hands like usual.  Ming has been wearing his hair down lately, and people mistake him for a girl. 

There were two older guys outside the drugstore, and one of them said, "You're in love, huh?"

Ming didn't answer, so I said yes as we kept walking.

"How long has it been?" he asked, and I didn't say anything.  Inside we bought the candy and I was hoping the guys would be gone by the time we got outside.

ii
I was serving on the soup line.  I was pouring hot tea into styrofoam cups and asked someone who said good morning, "How are you doing?"

"Bad," he said as I poured his tea.  "Of course I'm bad.  I wouldn't be in this line if I wasn't doing bad.  That's the only answer you could get."

"Some people say other things," I muttered as he walked away.

iii
Our friend was leaving town.  He knocked on the door of the house we're staying at.  "I'm taking off," he said.  "I'll catch you on the rebound." 

He hugged us goodbye.

dinner

--I feel like all we do lately is eat.  What do you think about that?
--I'll get back to you after dinner.

art time at the Barrick

quote of the day

Promise yourself to give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

Ming with blossoms

mantis

 

Some plants at the wetlands.

Llama crossing sign at the container park.

 

Part of the mantis sculpture.

Sweet colorful benches at the goddess temple.