Author: cometsgirl

Today I’m on my way back to Iceland. This will be the fifth time I enter the country that is often referred to as the land of fire and ice. The description comes from the fact that Iceland is home to both glaciers and volcanos.

Also, thermal energy is near the surface.

I’ve thought often how Iceland feels “alive”. Eruptions, freezes, steam beneath the surface. This place rumbles. It hisses. It shakes. It’s definitely alive.

I remember the first trip to Iceland, when one of the very first stops was to stand on a small bridge that spanned two tectonic plates.

Iceland sits on the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. It is the only place in the world where you can see those two tectonic plates and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge above ground (basically a fault line).

I approached the center of the bridge with some trepidation. I did not want any rumbles. Actually it was a bit exhilarating.

A return to flying Icelandair for this trip, has us meeting up in Raleigh-Durham mid-afternoon. This evening we’ll be on our way. Come along!

Well, a major and a small bump getting to RDU. My friend’s flight was delayed over an hour. That was okay as we have a six hour layover. But then… just as it was to race down the runway, the plane stopped. No announcement. Just a turn back toward the terminal. After 10 minutes or so, it turned back to the runway and took off.

My flight, on the other hand, was slightly delayed. We were to have maintenance come check a warning light. Instead, we headed to the runway and simply took off.

On my way to RDU

With this jangled start, I’m really looking forward to taking our Saga Class seats. Side by side.

Traveling mercies.

Recently I was in Texas for about 46 hours. This was definitely “lark” travel.

I traveled to attend a service to “celebrate a new ministry”. A dear priest friend was installed as the rector of my son and his family’s church.

What strikes me most about this trip were the profound conversations I had during the few hours I was there.

With…my son who picked me up at the airport and transported me to the church. Then sat next to me for the service…

With…my grandson who drove from his college about an hour away…

With… my best friend who also had travelled for the installation…

With… the newly installed rector…

With… my granddaughter who was getting her home ship-shape the next day for a birthday party…

With… my daughter-in-law who is experiencing similar nerve pain to my own…

And with… the son of my sweet cousin who called to share news about the end of her earthly life.

A time to listen in the midst of both joy and sorrow, of a new beginning and a gentle ending.

I’m sitting in a plane that is sitting on the tarmac re-fueling, so we can try again to get to Dallas. Weather in the greater Dallas area caused my flight to take the scenic route from Atlanta.

To try to avoid the massive storm, we flew south, out over the Gulf of Mexico near Mobile, then on to New Orleans.

We crisscrossed over Houston, Austin, and San Angelo.

Then we needed gas. So we looped back to San Antonio where I am writing this. We now await getting gas, getting paperwork. We’ll then try to fly to Dallas once again.

My friend who was flying from Houston, ended up sitting in Houston to wait out the storm. I flew right over her aircraft. She’s on her way now. I think.

So we sit and wait. And line up for the bathroom, and pose for a photo.

Announcement made just now: “Folks, we have our gas, and our paperwork. We very much need everyone to take a seat so we can get going!”

On our way!

Well, except for the long line awaiting take-off. We’re number three.

Traveling mercies.

Generally my trips last more than a couple of days. However, there is the lark category of travel. It’s a trip that comes together quickly and lasts just two to three days.

My travel today is a lark. A priest I met in 2016 is to be installed as rector of an Episcopal church in Texas.

When I first met Alan, he was just out of seminary and had been called to serve as a curate, or assistant to the priest. Specifically, Alan was to be the curate to my best friend who was then the long-time rector of a parish in the Houston area.

I liked him immediately. Over the next four or five years, I grew very fond of Alan and I looked forward to Sunday worship and delightful conversation whenever I was visiting my friend.

Eventually he was called to serve on the bishop’s staff in South Carolina. He now serves as rector of the parish in Texas where my son and his family are members. Who could imagine.

I will join my Texas family, my best friend, and the church congregation for The Celebration of New Ministry at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church. The Rev. Alan Bentrup will be installed as the church’s fourth rector.

“Let us then offer our prayers to God for all his people, for this congregation, and for Alan their Rector.”

Traveling mercies.

Just to tie up a loose end…

On my return flight, once again the impossible burger was offered as an option.

When asked which dinner option I would like to have, my reply was: “I’ll have the impossible burger; hold the burger, hold the salad.”

Before I takeoff…

See ya! to my brother and his wife.

Just as the road trip to Tucson was on backroads, so too, was the return drive to Phoenix.

Two road trips in three days called for a car wash. I love car washes! It’s instant art.

Yesterday we met my very special cousin and her daughter for lunch. I’m not sure how any of us managed to take a bite because we talked and laughed the whole time. What a great gift.

Last night, just as the sun was to set, we made a mad dash to chase it down. Made it!

Driving home from the sunset, my sister took us on a drive tour of foliage sculptures in her neighborhood. We ended this day with a smile.

This morning’s entry to Starbucks just up the road. Only in Phoenix.

A goodbye to my sweet sister.

And to my nephew’s wife…my niece.

Traveling mercies.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. We went to church – my brother and sister and I. At one time or another all of us have worshiped at St Philip’s Episcopal church. It was lovely to return.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the kingdom.

I bid your thanksgiving for the living culture of the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O’odham peoples, the traditional custodians of the land on which we worship.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

We left our casita early the morning of the birthday.

We all met at my brother’s home for the drive downtown to visit The Historic Pima County Courthouse.

We were there to see the memorial to the victims of the 2011 Tucson shooting which killed six and seriously wounded thirteen, including the then-U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords.

My nephew, who is employed by Pima County, was pivotal in creating several profound films about the event.

He joined us for our visit. His anecdotal stories about the memorial enhanced the experience.

My nephew’s long time friend and muralist, Joe Pagac, was at work on an enormous mural nearby. We stopped by for a short visit and a chance to see him at work. A real treat.

Unlike the previous day, this day was hot. 100 degrees! I definitely felt the heat blast.

In the early evening we all – plus a few more family members – gathered at Blanco restaurant for dinner. It was a feast of food and family!

Later we returned to my brother’s home for presents and cake.

A wonderful day of celebrating two wonderful persons!

Photo by Randy Metcalf

A couple of days ago, my sister and I took a road trip.

Taking the back roads from Phoenix to Tucson, we drove through a variety of terrain.

We traversed parts of the Gila River Indian Reservation. Dry dirt. Dry land.

Lovely colors of yellow and dusty pink along the road edges.

Green fields.

And then we met up with the Saguaros.

And more.

Further on down the road we stopped at the. Tom Mix memorial. A film star in the early 1900’s, he died in a car accident on this spot. The monument was erected to ensure he would not be forgotten.

A short drive down this road, and a quick left turn, we arrived at my brother and sister-in-law’s home.

My brother suggested we drive a short way to SculptureTucson, a non-profit for the promotion of sculpture in Tucson and Southern Arizona.

On exhibit were fourteen large scale sculptures by Rotraut, a German-French visual artist. It was 90 degrees, but we didn’t notice as we walked around these stunning sculptures.

Okay, we DID notice the heat. Still, it was great fun!

We ended the day feasting on Kris’ famous tacos. Yum!

I had a close call on my flight today. I flew in a very big airplane and I sat in the very front of the very big plane in a fancy seat that almost made into a bed. Yes, I am very fortunate.

I was offered my beverage of choice. “I’ll have sparkling water over ice, please.”

Delta has brought back hot meals served on linen table mats. When asked for my meal choices listed on the flight attendant’s phone, I read: sous vide chicken, vegetarian melange, the impossible burger. Burger! I thought. I’ll have that.

Too late I asked if this was a meatless burger. “Yes and it’s very tasty.” Oh boy. A short while later I was sure I could smell something different before it arrived.

With a flourish the mat was laid on the table and the tray placed on top. I looked up in time to see the mishmash of id’s hanging around the flight attendant’s neck swipe across the open-face of that impossible burger.

I slowly slid the bun top over that meatless burger.

The dessert was awesome.