Author: cometsgirl

Today is my best friend’s birthday. It’s the reason for my visit. She came to visit me in July to celebrate my birthday. Two friends traversing miles for the milestones.

We began the day at 2nd Cup, a coffee house she had wanted to check out. One thing about this place – all proceeds go toward programs that have to do with stopping human trafficking, and programs to help those caught up in this web.

It was all delicious, and such a fine start to this day. After breakfast I dropped Beth off at work.

I’m loving driving around downtown Houston where she works. I’m really taken by the reflections of buildings on buildings.

When I lived in Houston, I worked in The Texas Medical Center. My route to work took me past flower shops lined up along Fannin Street. Every Monday I stopped at one or another of the many shops to purchase flowers for my office. It was a gift to myself that pleased my co-workers as well.

I returned to one of those shops today.

As I dropped Beth off at work, she reminded me that sunflowers were her favorite flowers. Got it!

There’s a party tomorrow. As I mentioned, everyone is to bring a dessert. My plan was to bring Freddy’s custard. I decided a better plan would be to head north today to Connie’s Frozen Custard. It’s the pinnacle of frozen custard, and this is a special birthday after all.

I thought we might need to do a taste test tonight. But not after the dinner we enjoyed. I had 3 appetizers. Enough said?

A lovely day bookended by times of shared sustenance, and most excellent birthday related journeys for me.

Birthday blessings.

I had a conversation yesterday about transition and/or destination. That struck me as I wonder if I’m in transition with respect to my health situation, or whether or not I have arrived at my destination. Oh my gosh say it isn’t so! And certainly I believe this just cannot be my destination. Still, at times….I’m discouraged.

Yet as I write this I have taken my seat in my chair in the sky. Yep, I’m on trip #405.

This morning Evan dropped me off at the airport and waved goodbye as I wended my own way to curbside bag checking. All by myself! That was an unexpected transition.

Later, as I was pushed toward the plane train I found myself engaged in conversation with my pusher and a 2nd pusher who was walking alongside, not pushing. Anyway, we talked about transitions. Destinations.

I wrote down her words. “We’re always in transition”. Followed by “better to be in transition than in decomposition.” Well, yes.

Next up was the elevator ride up to the gates, where I joined another wheelchair rider. Packed in we were literally face to face. So we introduced ourselves. I guess I gave the impression of high energy. Imagine, accomplishing this while seated in a wheelchair.

As we were removed from the elevator, she exclaimed “I hear the fire in you!”.

Lastly, as I mentioned in a previous blog, a friend suggested I turn my wheelchair into a walker after the pusher parks me and leaves me sitting.

You better believe I transitioned that wheelchair into a walker and took off. As I passed a guy he spun around and cried out “you’ve got it backwards!” I replied “I’m free!”

I do realize I have a difficult road ahead in my period of transition. As I sit here, I’ve got Brandi Carlile singing in my ears, “there’s a road left behind me that I’d rather not speak of, and a hard one ahead of me too”. Very hard.

For now, I’ve transitioned from Eastern Daylight Time to Central Daylight Time. I’m here for a best friend’s birthday party. All the guests are to bring dessert. I’ll be bringing a giant tub of Freddy’s frozen custard. Delicious joy ahead with sweetness of friends and desserts.

Traveling mercies.

Today I was asked by my brother “where is your last blog about the Taos trip?” As I generally wrap up my travel with an end blog, he wondered where it was. Well, it had been written, just never posted. I’m glad for the reminder to complete this travel blog, especially in light of the significance of this particular travel experience.

Eight days sounded like a very long time when I arrived in New Mexico. It seemed a luxury of time. I had never stayed this long in Taos.

This “substitute” trip was way beyond what one thinks of as a substitute. It was a fabulous trip unto itself.

Still, I was not ready to leave when we reached the eighth day. But then, I’m never really ready to end my travels.

It does help, though, to have another trip scheduled.

What is it about travel for me? I live in a place of the country that is in itself a destination. Yet I yearn to take my seat in the sky to fly to another place. Part of it is certainly the gift of flight, as for so many years I could not travel by air. And, too, it is me – it’s what I do. I take flight, and I soar!

Traveling mercies.

When I gaze around me in this place, I realize more often than not, there is a roundness about me.

The adobe structures.

My cappuccinos.

My meals.

Fruit and flowers.

God’s creatures.

And clouds.

Round. Roundness.

I’m especially aware of these round sights because right now I’ve too much “sharp, sharpness” within me. The sharpness of pain.

I’ve been prayed over by my best friend. I’ve been prayed for by many. I was sent off with tokens to create a healing altar in my space here.

I’ve been told my healing will be slow. And so it is. In the meantime, I’ll be on the lookout for round as I move about in my sharpness.

When one thinks of the word nourish, it’s generally about being sustained by food.

Another meaning is “supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth”.

That is what I’ve come here to find. And I have found just that kind of nourishment in so many ways.

The casa.

Worship.

Wide open spaces.

Art.

Neighboring llamas, Phyllis, Jacob, and Esau.

Healing touches.

And, of course, cappuccinos and lattes.

I am well nourished.

It’s not surprising that we often find ourselves with an opportunity to check something out.

On Sunday, as we were driving off from the casa, a young man ran up to us to ask if we knew where the overflow parking was for the Ashram.

Not only did we not know where the overflow parking was, we were unaware there was a Hindu temple one street over.

Yesterday we took a detour home by driving down the street one block away. There it was. The Ashram.

Removing our shoes, we entered.

Within the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram is a statue of Hanuman-anji, a lovable monkey god who devoted his entire being to the service of his divine master, Lord Rama.

Takhts – sacred seats – were available for meditation and prayer.

Outside, peacocks roam.

Signs detailing all the rules and restrictions belied the sense of silent welcome I felt when we entered.

Once again we found it’s a good thing to say “oh sure, let’s”.

As we drove north toward Taos a few days ago, I was so struck by this tree that I pled for a u-turn so I could save this image.

The stark gracefulness of this tree is stunning to me. It stands out in its uncovered–ness.

It is without adornment, yet is quite beautiful. It feels balanced and graceful. And strong. And long-lifed.

Perhaps l see some of me in this tree. Both as I am and as I wish to be.

“I feel a great regard for trees; they represent age and beauty and the miracles of life and growth.” Louise Dickinson Rich

Having planned ahead of time to go to a service of Taize and healing late in the afternoon, Sabbath keeping took on a new rhythm.

Taking leave of the bed in slow fashion, lounging in the backyard was the place to be.

Breakfast served in front of the fire, I mean sunflowers.

Then on to Coffee Apothecary for the real start to the day.

Home for some backyard rest-taking,

and intentional walking along the path behind the casa.

Then midday prayers seated next to a garden of Yarrow.

Immediately after prayers there was a declaration of “I’m hungry now!” It’s clear all this resting and prayer can create an appetite.

Something good and healthy. Well, good.

Late afternoon we found exquisite worship at St. James Episcopal Church – a Taize service of healing. Beautiful prayers. Beautiful music.

From the Epistle of St. James: Are any among you suffering? They should pray. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up.

The dismissal. Send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed. Alleluia!

A lovely Sabbath day of worship and rest comes to a close.

Up early. Early meaning 6:30. I’m on healing time, after all, so 6:30 seems early.

Knowing that the Taos Farmers Market was to open at 8am, we hustled down the road to Coffee Apothecary to enjoy their special brews and latte art. It was lovely to begin the day with Lydia and Pablo, now “old” friends.

 

Then off to the market. It was all – and more – than we expected.

 

 

The bonus was running into a group of students from Colorado College. We were charmed by each another. Some of the students were freshmen, and here I was a graduate from 55 years ago.

The remainder of the day was rest and lolling, inside and out, with meals prepared with the abundance of the market.

A walk across the road to say goodnight to the llamas.

Day is done. The Lord almighty grant us – and you – a peaceful night and a perfect end.

How to end a gloriously slow day in Taos.

Fine dining on the patio at La Cueva.

A drive just down the road to visit the llamas.

Home to experience another milestone. Taking a shower without a chair!

Evening prayers without a fire. It is summer after all.

As the shadows lengthen, bedtime. Healing rest. Ah…shhh…