the weird swami

Life is returning to normal, somewhat, in the sense that there are not a ton of extra people around.  They are at Camp Justice now.  There's still some cleanup to do.  And things to catch up on, self-care to reinstate.

I just drank some strong tea, which makes me think of the swami I met who brewed his tea with two bags and then squeezed them.  I don't know if he was trying to get every mg of caffeine or what, but it was afternoon.  I was surprised.

"You know that swami who brewed his tea with two tea bags?  What country was he from?"

"I think he was from Tibet," says Ming.

"I think so too.  Or maybe he was from Nepal."

We have a board meeting on Monday, and I'm trying not to stress about it, at least not yet.  It's way in April, a long time from now.  Oh wait.

one dip

Today we went to the hot springs. But there were a ton of people and we were only able to take one dip. But that was okay. It's beautiful out there in Tecopa. 

Then we went to the date farm which was also swarming with people. 

I'm still sick and sleep a lot. Fitful dreams about hiding things at the appropriate times. And some coughing. 

happy birthday, beautiful

So, it's Ming's birthday today.  He's a senior now, according to our local senior center.

Yesterday he attempted to hike Mt Charleston with our friend G.  G's wife J hung out with me in a cabin.  We rented a cabin.

Then the wind kicked up.  The power went out at the lodge.  J began to worry.  She started thinking of the worst.

I had faith.  I was like, "Worrying won't help."

"That's awfully logical, for a poet," J told me.

The wind blew in terrible gusts.  But then they made it back safe.  They'd left at 6 am and got back to the lodge at 3:15.  They hiked eight hours.

We got a refund for the night because there was no electricity.  We went back to town.  We ate dinner at a Greek place with G and J.  It was their birthday treat.

Today we ordered a dozen cupcakes for tonight.  We're picking them up at 5.

I am so tired.  Can you tell?  It's being sick.  All I want to do is sleep.  I think I'm going to lie down now.

teaser

Tune in tomorrow for news of two dear endangered hikers, power outages, high winds, and prayer. 

happy

Still sick.  But we're going on a small journey, this afternoon.  I just drank tea with sugary almond milk creamer.

Our friend M is having an Easter party.  He called me yesterday to invite us.  It's today after noon.

I slept yesterday like crazy.  It was fitful and unpleasant.

Our houseguest is gone.  We're working on clearing out the kitchen which is stacked with boxes of donated fruit and milkcrates with donations from the Worker.  We need to return stuff.

I think it will be a good day, better than yesterday.  Happy Easter.

sick

Well, the overwork took its toll and we are now sick.  Last night it freaked me out when turning my head resulted in dizziness.  We have coughs, headaches, body aches, and that disconcerting dizziness.

Also last night I got the chills.  And was hot and cold, back and forth, as I tried to sleep with fitful dreams about sandwiches and jackets for hundreds of people.

I need everyone to leave now.  There are stragglers.  Some are staying through the next event Shut Down Creech.  I don't know how Ming and I can do lunches when we're sick and will give germs to 150 people.  I called T yesterday and asked for a plan B.

Today I think we're going to the free UNLV art museum and to Mt Everest--the restaurant, not the mountain--with our nice houseguest C.  She is going home tomorrow morning.  She of the big sunglasses, colorful skirts, and excellent attitude.

I'm back

Sorry, readers, for my absence.  It's the last day of the Sacred Peace Walk, and we are home, not out with the walkers, not getting arrested at the Test Site.  Ming is sick--he caught a nasty cough and has a cold.  So we are skipping the last day.  Others brought breakfast and lunch foods out to the walkers.

I feel a little bit sad not to be out there with them.  I feel a bit defeated.  But we helped a lot.  We did an incredible job with the invaluable help of our friends C and KR.  Their help was amazing.

Also in the news, we got a donation of some instant oatmeal packets, the creamy kind!  I just had two peaches and cream ones.  It was a delicious nostalgic experience.  We had that kind when I was a kid.

My self-care slipped by the wayside a lot, these past few days, and I hope to get back into the swing of things soon.

Sacred Peace Walk 2016

It's time for Sacred Peace Walk. I am doing great. The walkers are as beautiful as ever. 

the miracle of morning

This morning it is getting light and I am enjoying some precious alonetime while Ming and C are at the Catholic Worker soupline serving food.

Today we need to deliver ingredients to a far edge of town to the person who's cooking Sunday dinner.

Yesterday we did a big shop, spending $363 at Costco, after spending more than $80 at Smith's.  So many decisions, sometimes about things I don't like.  For example, deciding which lunch meat to purchase.  It requires imagination to guess what the meat eaters will like.

Last night my mind was racing at first and then I settled down and slept well.

Also someone needs to photocopy the map, the beautiful map they drew--R drew it and JR embellished it.  R has court so they'll do it after court.

I am enjoying the miracle of morning.

car selfie in yellow

sunflower babies

lots

Gmorning. Today our friend arrives from the southwest. She will come by bus. I'm wearing yellow. 

Last night I wrote a poem in the middle of the night that I really like. It's called "apple."

I had a dream I got arrested, but not by cops. It was some other kind of arrest. Maybe by aliens. My friend J was freaking out and crying. I tried to comfort her. 

Now Ming is at his doctor trying to get a paper prescription and we'll probably miss the vigil. 

Lots to do!  

love you, reader

We are getting ready for the Sacred Peace Walk.  People start arriving tomorrow.  Are we ready?

No.  But today we got an influx of food from the Worker.  There is breakfast food, lunch food, snack food, and dinner food.

I think I'm going to reject the sugar-free pancake syrup and the baking soda.  The rest is pretty good.

My to do list is immense but the stuff is mostly crossed off.

Now I'm eating dates and taking a moment.

I hope you have lots of dates and lots of moments.

extruded

Last night while he was half-asleep, Ming used the word "extrude" and I was impressed.  He was talking about Trader Joe's sesame stix.  They are extruded.

I am wanting to run, not walk, away from my responsibilities, hide out, isolate, and do nothing but goof off.  But there's lots to do.  Sacred Peace Walkers begin arriving in two days!

So...I want to get vegan donuts as a pre-responsibility treat and should get my show on the road.  Gmorning, fine readers, and God bless you.

crumple

snack bag

We saw a sign today saying TEMPORARY ROAD.  The paint was peeling off.  I know if I don't have a picture, it might as well not have happened.  The light turned green and we had to go.

People appreciated my poetry at a party last night.  I was too shy to read it, so a drunk person read it.

I sat in the car at a farmers market so Ming could walk around and be social while I hid.  "I prevented you from getting mobbed," he says.

I'm afraid the sunflower greens are past optimal harvest time and possibly getting bitter.  Oh wait--they're good.  Ming made me a snack bag, which is a thing.

bowls

empty bowl

sunflower greens

library time

sleep talk

LM: I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. 

M:  Doubt has many benefits. 

yay

This morning I've cut my inbox emails by half.  I've practiced Spanish though the library website and on my phone.  I have a nice mindsnack app.

Yesterday I found violet string at the Michael's, which is perfect for binding my new zine!

Ming's wrestling with health insurance, and it's no fun.

Did I tell you about the incense?  Should I tell you about the women's spiritual empowerment thing I went to?

The only thing I have to do today is hospitality day lunch, and I don't even have to do that, if I don't want to.  Yay!

wins

We got all sortsa things done today. I talked to a nice journalist. I got therapied. Ming wrestled with technology and won. We copied my new zine. Ming gardened. I wrote in the gardening journal and made rice. Lots of wins. 

new zine

flowers wilted, prayer life

I checked to see how much water was in the vase, and I thought there were a few inches of water.  Then the flowers wilted, and I saw I had been deceived--what I'd thought was the waterline was a line in the design of the vase.  Bummer!

I've got a draft together of my new zine, a book of prayers.

the mother of the earth

flowers

desert dishtubs

Yesterday we roamed around looking for a kitchen supply store.  We didn't find the one behind the ironworks, but we did find another.  They gave us a discount, took cash, and didn't provide us with a receipt.  It seemed fishy.  There were four people working there and no customers.  I think maybe it's a front?

At any rate, we now have three plastic bins for washing dishes in the desert.

fast food

I'm at an El Pollo Loco waiting for Ming as he tries to buy a new phone and get the contacts off his old broken one. Salsa is burning my mouth and a country song is playing--something about blood being thicker than water. I thought I needed a token to use the bathroom but the worker told me to push. 

hello new picnic table

byebye picnic table

deconstruction

seed