housesitting

We're housesitting.  Strangely, my swimsuit is in the van.  So I was going to skinnydip.  Then I realized the neighbor's windows overlook the pool!  Oops.

So we went to Walmart so I could buy a swimsuit but the only one in my size was ugly.  Oh well.  I'll wear a sportsbra and chonies.

Housesitting is good.  The dog is at the kennel, so it's easy.  We're just tending the plants.

Ming is voting.  I'm so tired it's like I never recovered from our last trip.  But I think we're going to visit the druids tonight.

$4000 sad

Well, we spent three hours in a small casino this morning, awaiting news of our car.  The mechanic told us our transmission is toast.  I'm sad. 

Oh well.  What's money but to spend.  Unfortunately we don't have any, to spare, but we have credit cards.

So I smell like a casino.  I will nap maybe and take a shower and wash my hair.  After I eat some noodles.

palo santo

runes

Yesterday our friend S gave us some runes--runes drawn in black sharpie on lima beans rather than carved in stones or wood.  I think they're cool.  She said kidney beans but they are white and flat.  I think they're lima beans.

So I was reading about runes online.  I read about runes before in books.  I feel slightly intimidated by them.

Yesterday we took our houseguests to Mt Charleston but at some point the car made a bad sound and started having trouble accelerating.  Oh no.  The check engine light came on.

Also we already knew we needed front brakes.  So our car is in the shop.

I bought a big bag of peeled garlic.  I want to increase my garlic consumption.  Ming bought super expensive cherries.  Not summer yet.

pinball museum last night

backyard tree collards

last radical mental health meeting

dolphins from the boat

our hero on the boat

island succulent

our delicata squash is blooming

Santa Cruz island dudleya

Santa Cruz island

My body got so sore from hiking on Santa Cruz island.  I went about three and a half miles.  Probably to you that is not so far.  But to me, it's far.

I was motivated by A's urgings--he wanted to spend the time with me.  I thought I'd just sit at a picnic table near the the beach and write letters, which is my way.  But that was not A's plan. 

So I hiked up, up.  I had to stop over and over again.  He stopped with me.  He showed me spotless ladybugs.  We looked at little butterflies and the ground bees buzzing in and out of their ground holes.

Saw coreopsis, which I love, and some little succulents I thought must be the dudleyas, but then a volunteer told us where to see the dudleyas, special ones, special to that island.  She compared them to hens & chicks, which I found offensive.

And the long walk by the cliffs.  And the steep descent.  And the boatrides with humpback whales, dolphins.  I'm so glad I did it.  But my body still hurts.

Our brief trip to California

Guest Blogger here.

We had a great trip over the past days to Santa Cruz Island off the coast of California. We ventured from Las Vegas, NV, to our friend's home in Altadena, CA, stayed as guests in his dome room, then traveled to Ventura, CA. There we boarded and traveled on an Island Packers Cruise boat which was very fun for me. I did not get seasick and enjoyed the brisk wind.

The island was wonderful. We visited and toured on the east side of the island. On the walking guided tour we saw Ravens, two Island scrub jays, numerous Island foxes (Urocyon littoralis santacruzae), ground bees, a peregrine falcon, Island fence lizards,

Plants we saw included the rare Dudleya nesiotica, giant kelp,

While on the boat we saw sea lions, whales, dolphins, ...

Staying in our friend's SuperAdobe earth dome was an experience. It was great and fun.

We talked of his two films he has created "Holy Week" and "Making Waves" both benefiting the causes of Nevada Desert Experience and the Golden Rule respectively.

I also talked with his spouse Khadija about her book The New Childcare: Progressive Childcare Philosophy and Practice for Caregivers and how it could help childcare specifically at Intentional Communities like the ones where I have lived, and taken care of the children.

We then traveled into Los Angeles. We went to the Vedanta Temple in Hollywood, where we were witness to an annaprashana ceremony, and to the ISKCon Temple in Los Angeles for their Lunch. We were going to visit and tour the Museum of Jurassic Technology but it got too late in the day.

We got caught in Los Angeles rush hour traffic anyway. A drove the Short Bus the whole distance from Las Vegas to California, and back and did a great job navigating the traffic flow.

We are back safely in Las Vegas now.

Hey regular blogger, Thank you for letting me guest blog for you. I love you !

trip day

Last night for dinner I made fried potatoes with bell pepper, onion, and garlic.  And soysage.  It was good.  We had tea, but no lemon cake.  A read to me for just a few minutes.  Ming wanted to go home and sleep.

This morning Ming is hiking with a friend.  I need to pack and get ready for our trip.

Yesterday I got irritable with humanity.  It's a feeling.  I got quiet as I cooked.  A hugged me and teased me.

I had a dream with a bunch of interesting women.  We were in some kind of women's group together.

Yesterday I got some wonderful news.  I should have been so happy.  I should have been jumping up and down screaming with joy.  I wanted to celebrate, and I guess this trip will be our way.

at sea

Tomorrow we're going to LA.  Then Wednesday we are going to Santa Cruz island.  I am smile-minded about that!  The high in Ventura on Wednesday is 63.  I don't know if the island is usually warmer or cooler than the mainland.

When I was a young person I went to Anacapa island and it was one of the best things I've ever done.  Dolphins, island plantlife, boat rides.  To be at sea.

garden out back

sort

I study Spanish on duolingo.  I learn, but it's like a game.  I have big gaps in my knowledge. 

Last night we went to a party with A and another friend of the same initial.  There was drama.  I could tell you about it but not here.

Ming has a sleep study today and I'll go back to bed personally.  I wanna write some letters and sort out my head.

good luck

Last night I made quinoa and fresh spinach with garlic.  It was boring but good.  A read me a chapter of The Farthest Shore and I cried.  It's emotional.  I have lots of feelings.  Then he showed me the moon.

This morning I was up early to serve the hungry.  I did wipies.  I got some hugs.  Someone must've put XL gloves in the bread bucket because I never had a glove fit me so well, there.

Apropos to nothing, Fry's Electronics sells sleds in the summer.  Thought you might like to know.  I guess you can sled down a grassy hill in the summer.  But this is the desert.  Good luck finding a grassy hill.

together

This morning I woke up sneezing from a weird dream.  Today we have not much to do.  There's farmers market, if we want, and open mic at Happy Earth Market.  Oh, it's a friend's birthday.  I wished her a happy on facebook and with a card I sent a week ago.

Last night I made dinner for Ming and A--basmati rice and Tasty Bites.  A read me a chapter of The Farthest Shore.  It was wild if slightly confusing.  I love that book.

Curious about Druids.  I think they are into ancestor worship, and I'm wondering if you have to be white.  Like if the implication is that you're worshiping deceased Druids.

Yesterday I talked to J about this roundtable she did while back.  She said as Catholic Workers we have to have a good balance of prayer alone, prayer together, work alone, work together.  I told her it's a struggle for me because I want to do the things on my own.  Took me a while to learn the value of togetherness.

poetry competition

Well, all I've really done today is peace vigil and wrote a letter.  I suppose I also sent a few emails and txts and fed myself too.  It's ok.

Got a package--a book I really wanna read and a black shirt.  UPS rings our doorbell and leaves packages under a chair.  Our doorbell is a silly saxophone song.  Who chose that?

Maybe I'll nap.  Or maybe I'll drink some of yesterday's coffee and hit the books?

Last night I read A "At the Fishhouses" by Elizabeth Bishop.  He liked it.  Night before last was her "The Moose."  Maybe he liked that better.

adventures with A

Yesterday I picked A up from work at the Hilton.  He moves around, massaging people different hotels.  While I waited for him, I sang some holy songs and read Being-In-Dreaming, the book I most like right now, of all the books I'm reading.

Then we went to Saver's.  I thought about buying a food dehydrator that looked unused for $20.  We are not canners and need some way to save our surpluses, garden-wise.  But we don't really have $20 right now.

A bought books, clothes, a beautiful lamp.

Then Ming called--his class was over early.  So we picked him up and stopped by Smith's for dinner ingredients.  We ended up making salad, soy sausage, bagels, broccoli, avocado...  It was good!  I was the sausage master.  I paid with my foodstamps.

We ended up leaving A's not till 11pm.  And I didn't get read to, but we have high hopes for tonight.

no one hears me sing this song

Listening to Weezer, the blue album, which came out the year I graduated from high school.  Last night I picked up A from work and told him how I worked at the software store and my friend T would play that album and sing "Workers are going home!" when his shift ended.

A knew all the words to some of the songs and we sang.  I was surprised.

This morning Ming is hiking with friends and I don't know if we have community lunch.

I found out S wants to go with us to Santa Cruz island, so I will buy more tickets.

last night

Tashii Brown

Yesterday we left Tucson at 5:40am and had a beautiful drive home.  Well, we didn't come straight home--we went to the Tashii Brown protest.  I met some people and saw a bunch of friends.  But it was a somber event, remembering victims of police violence.

Tashii Brown was choked to death, an unarmed Black man.

the saguaro are blooming

ocotillo in Kingman

called to travel

This morning we depart for Tucson by way of Phoenix.  I feel excited.

Tucson

This morning I served the hungry.  I gave bread till we ran out. 

Then I stood next to another volunteer while she did wipies.  A drunk guy was talking to her so I was just supporting her.

Tomorrow we're going to Tucson.  I'm excited.  We'll stay at the house of a FOAF.  I hope he's nice with dogs that are calm, if any.

Love to all.

island dreams

I really want to go to an island.  I think in two weeks we'll go to Santa Cruz island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of California.  It's only around $60 per person.  I thought going to Anacapa island 22 years ago was about that much.  I remember it was too expensive but I did it anyway.  And I'm so glad I did.

Mom's porch

fun at the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple

Plans

Guest Blogger here again ...

Could not blog last night as planned as I could not figure out the passwords for this computer.

Yesterday we went to the Vedanta Center in Montecito. It did not burn in the fires and mudslides. :)

Las Vegas Street Medics will be at the Tashii Brown memorial on May 13th, 2018. That decision was finalized yesterday, now just needing Street Medics to show up at the event. I plan on being there.

Today we might go to the beach, an elusive location, as we have planned this plan many times recently without successfully arrived at a beach.

Shall I go to the Guadalupe Catholic Worker and help out tomorrow, Tuesday, I wonder.

bougainvillea

Yesterday in Ventura I saw my old friend with bougainvillea.

OM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA

Guest Blogger here again ...


GANESH MAHA MANTRA to REMOVE ALL OBSTACLES || OM GAM GANPATAYE NAMAHA || Its a meditation mantra dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and we chant it before starting any new venture. We chant it when inner or outer obstacles are holding us back to get to our true self and fully realising our potential. ~ OM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA ~ OM - The Sound, the Vibration of the Universe, The Primordial Sound GAM - The Seed Sound, or bija sound of Lord Ganesha GANAPATAYE - Another name of Lord Ganesh, the one who overcomes of obstacles. NAMAHA - I offer you my salutations, I bow to you. Understand ~ Meditate ~ Chant ~ Sing Along this beautiful Mantra Copyright ⓒ 2017 Meditative Mind.

Doings while at the undisclosed location

Guest Blogger here ...

Blogging is interrupted by busy life. Yesterday we went to see stores and shops in a small seaside village. Thrift stores and natural food grocery stores were where we got post cards, chocolate, and macadamia nuts.

Meanwhile I reflect how the Las Vegas Street Medics performed at the Las Vegas May Day 2018 event. I am happy and proud of the teamwork and effort. Wait, that feeling I am having is more than "... happy and proud ...". It is very ...

Last night and this morning I have been addressing the envelopes for the Thank You cards of the Sacred Peace Walk 2018. We write cards to thank the walkers, donors, and supporters as well as businesses that donated supplies to the production of the Sacred Peace Walk.

Today we venture to Ventura.

blue room

We are safe at the undisclosed location.  Left town much later than anticipated, yesterday, and almost stopped to camp on our way here.  But made it last night. 

Listening to holy music and taking it easy in the blue room.

el hongo y el pepino

Happy May Day!  Ming's doing street medics stuff at the march today.  If all goes well, we're leaving town tomorrow morning early.

Last night I went to a dinner party.  We talked about immigration.  I supplied the words for mushroom and cucumber in Spanish.  My studying is paying off!