Marker

It was two weeks ago when I looked at the black and brilliantly studded sky 17 degrees latitude south of my typical view and gulped in the cosmos.

Annual Wonder and Awe

A few weekends ago we saw Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, and the ISS, along with the Milky Way.  The Perseid meteor showers will be viewed tonight.  There will be no moon visible, which allows the sky to shine.

8000

8000

Heritage through perseverance:

emerging from rock,

wracked by wind,

surviving snow and searing heat.

We cling on as

air is thinner, arid, and our

lives are austere.

Support

Taking note and care of the bones and ligaments in the feet, because the knees won't be sufficient.  At this point I am grateful to have two sets.

So it goes

Funny, not so funny
shocking
disrupting
centering
sobering
  how news of long-term illness
  or anything with the C_
can bring awareness of
value back to the fore.
Give me strength so that I can
Give to those who need more than me.
I'm a wreck, I'm
not a wreck.  I'm

Grieving.

For those who have passed
and those with recent
diagnoses.

Spaces

Re-discovering the 15-20 minutes between phases of a single activity, and spending it by sitting in the sun, drinking, reading, writing, organizing.  It's like having the unpredictable time spaces when newborns were tended to.  I got weary of ennui, complaining, and watching nothing, so I am running a few threads into the future.  "In my spare time," is where explorations are being pursued.

Grounding

I took apples, philosophy, and technical news, and we rested in the silences between topics.  The visit was followed by departure the next week.  The obituary was a collective effort.  Wrenching at times, but I remain and need to speak on behalf of those who cannot.  Meanwhile a family member (who was unconditionally accepting) and a childhood friend also departed.  I have never felt more alive and vital.  A puddle of sorrow and enlivened beyond measure.

From the field

I still need to complete a correspondence as a tribute to a friend, whose dimension continues to expand as I converse with acquaintances.  A series of vivid dreams has stimulated my imagination and sharpened my senses to an acute level.  Meanwhile I continue a weekly vigil to another friend.   Although this activity is uncertain with regard to call and response, I take the time needed, knowing that this is very precious and rare time, and I honor my promises.

Real

Idealized and fantastical scenes have their place, but reality and what is needed always settles and takes over.  I do visit elsewhere occasionally, and will continue to do so.

New Year Meaning

When limited time included meaningful conversations, when such time was acknowledged with unsolicited "high-fives" and "thumb-ups".   And when hand-holds in greeting and departure are heartfelt.