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Oh, did I mention that I love Arcosanti? Ha! Another day trip with friends last Wednesday proved to be just what I needed to renew and gather inspiration. I have watched this Utopian Community change and grow over the past 30 plus years and it never gets old or dull. I feel so fortunate that it is only a one hour drive from my driveway to theirs. Whenever I need a boost or a getaway, that is where you can find me. Thanks to great friends who are always willing to drive me up there now that I am no longer able to drive (you know, the brain surgeries….. same old, same old story).

Click here to watch the slideshow.

We took a Sunday drive to northern Arizona and on the way we took the turnoff to Horse Thief Basin. After too many miles on the old, bumpy, dirt road we opted for the turn to Bumblebee that eventually comes out on the backside of Mayor and runs into highway 69. It is definitely the wild west along this old road and it would have been easier taken on horseback, though. This drive reconnected me to childhood memories, as I have lived in the wild west for over 45 years, with the exception of a few years in California and wherever the wind blew. The old days still exist in these tiny, old towns although currently it is a haven for off road recreational vehicles and bicyclists. I wanted to put on some cowgirl boots, pull out my gun and have a shot or two of whiskey. But, it was just a passing scene that played out in my head. My thoughts quickly shifted to putting a crisp, line dried tablecloth topped with an antique bottle holding a sweet, desert flower bouquet on the shabby, wooden table on the old, crumbling porch.

Recent rains have brought the desert to life. Wildflowers are beginning to spring forth from the carpet of green that covers the usually brown ground. It was GORGEOUS to say the least. After a short walk and shooting few photos we were on our way to snow country. Such contrast of scenery all in one day!

Oh, joyful earth!

I had an appointment with the doctor this morning and after that was taken care of, my friend and I cruised over to the Cosanti Foundation to take a relaxing stroll through the property. Surrounded by the beauty of the structures and sounds of the bells, we sat under the olive trees immersed in our thoughts. This place takes me completely away from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnects me with Arcosanti, where my heart always lies waiting for me to return. Whenever I have to make an appointment or run an errand I believe that going somewhere outside of the mundane task at hand always adds spice to the daily grind. It helps to time travel a little and create a beautiful memory along the way. Above, are only a few photos captured, but if you are interested in watching a slideshow with music that fit the vibe of the experience,  you can CLICK HERE.

Remember to take the scenic route the next time you have to go somewhere routine. Your heart will be happy and it will thank you for it!

"Look out of any window
any morning, any evening, any day
Maybe the sun is shining
birds are winging or
rain is falling from a heavy sky -"
******
~ lyrics from "Box of Rain"

This is the view from the balconies from my last stay in Sedona. Breathtaking.
What a pleasure to wake up to breakfast and this view.
Below the suite the view was just as spectacular, next to the creek, covered by trees,
with an occasional family of ducks swimming by. These are memories etched in my soul.

Just a short hike up the mountain to this hidden, sacred place. What a magical experience. I really have no words for how beautiful it is.

Yesterday was the annual Mermaid Parade in New York ~ Coney Island~. How appropriate that Rose’s memorial/celebration of her life and art was held on the same date, as well as the eve of the summer solstice. The ceremony was elaborate and moving. The entire event was saturated with the spirit of Rose. So BEAUTIFUL. The mermaid parade was spectacular. The GORGEOUS Sirenas were at the heart of the ceremony. It will be etched in the hearts and minds of all that attended and participated.

The painting exhibition room was put together by Susan Sutton. The paintings and other artwork are on loan from the many collectors of Rose’s work. It will be up until June 27th, so there is still time to bask in her art. I am definitely going to go back, once or twice more, before the installment is taken down and the art is returned.

The mermaid procession was unforgettable. My camera was slow and stubborn, so I did my best at capturing as much as I could. But, I don’t feel that I was able to get as much as I wish that I could have. I am more than certain that my photos pale in comparison to the photos taken by all of the professional photographer’s there!

The procession began around a big pond filled with ink, that sits in the center of a huge room with no roof (the Cathedral room). They circled that many times, to the rhythm of a stick and hauntingly, eerie music played by two musicians who also walked in the procession with the mermaids. They paraded into another huge room (the silver room) and continued in the same fashion, circling the silver room several times to the rhythm and the music. Mermaid after mermaid, the love for Rose carried on through the altar room and out to the Memorial Rose Garden where a Buddhist monk was waiting to greet the beautiful sirenas. The kneeling mermaids sat at the base of a special tree that will be planted in her honor ( I was told the tree was shipped here from Hong Kong). The Monk preformed a blessing and the crowd dispersed after one last procession back from whence they came.

I’m loving all of the “angel orbs” in some of these photos!

The Tree dedicated to Rose. Because the season in which the tree will bloom has not arrived, paper, tissue flowers were placed on it for the dedication ceremony.

The altar room was built by Phoenix artist, Joe Willie Smith. A well known local artist. The room included art by Rose, as well as burning incense, sage, flowers, candles….everything you would place on an altar. Of course, I brought Nag Champa incense to burn.

There was also a room to create your own piece of art in memory of Rose. The finished pieces were hung on the wire wall,  with messages of love and goodbyes from Rose’s artist friends and family.

~ BEAUTIFUL ~

Yesterday afternoon I went on a soul journey. And, as usual, I am telling the story from the end first. I’ll get to the soul journey, past life regression, cranial sacral therapy session in the next post!  This is about the Labyrinth that is in the middle of downtown Phoenix at the Trinity Cathedral (north west corner of Central Ave. and Roosevelt Rd.). Who knew? I sure didn’t and I have been there before. I really need to pay closer attention! So…. my massage therapist/soul coach put the top down in her convertible Mustang and we drove into the most BEAUTIFUL night to walk the labyrinth. It was actually still light out when we arrived, but the night fell long before we left. The moon was nearly full, which added a little more magic and drama to the evening. It hung eerily, over downtown Phoenix, with storm clouds building and the wind blowing.

I LOVE it when everything lines up into a fanciful, real life movie.

If you haven’t walked a labyrinth yet, get out there and do it! It is a wonderful, peaceful, gentle form of meditation. I gained some clarity on some of my “ponderings” and left feeling much lighter.

As if the labyrinth isn’t enough, the  Trinity Cathedral has some really cool sculptures in the garden that surround the courtyard and the architecture is FABULOUS.

I went to an open Artist;Studio tour in Sedona where I stopped in to see the art of Mary Fisher. Her studio and staff are wonderful. She said that she made these miniatures a long time ago, during a phase. Wow… some phase, huh?! I just wanted to shrink and live inside of these scenes for awhile.

Now she mostly works in fibers, I think. As well as working with and for children living with aids. She is an inspiring artist. She graciously allowed me to take these photos.

The more we lean on the Universe the stronger we become. The stronger we become, the bigger we dream, the higher we fly, the bluer the sky, and the happier we dance.

The Amitabha Stupa in the heart of Sedona.

This sits in the middle of the neighborhood where I was looking at houses. So many delightful places in Arizona. There is a magical surprise waiting around each bend. Life is definitely BEAUTIFUL. No matter how many times I visit someplace, there are always new things to experience, a new perspective gained, everything is new again and again. I NEVER get “bored”……ever.

Recently, I received the news from my neurosurgeon that I will need another brain surgery to remove two more cavernous malformations on my cerebellum, in approximately a year from now. The last time surgery was necessary, without much warning, due to bleeding in my brain. SO…. now that I am aware of what’s going on and there is still time to spare, I began a healing journey last week in Sedona. I took a Qi Gong class and sat in the center of a healing ceremony. A friend that I stayed with took me to visit a mystic for a private session. It was, by far, the best experience I have had…. very magical and beautiful. As we pulled into his driveway, we were greeted by a huge raven, so we were off to a good start! The session took place in a room that overlooked the gorgeous red rocks. We did a lot of energy work and meditation. He studied and read my hands, giving me some very interesting and positive information. The time we spent together goes beyond anything that I could describe in words. - After the session, I played the piano for his wife while he prepared a dinner for us. We ate mung with raisins and pistachio and something that resembled a pop tart, all accompanied with hot, bengal spice tea. He is from India and the evening felt like I had left the country and entered his native world, it was amazing. LOVE, LOVE, LOVED it!! I came home with renewed energy and a new practice.

This was truly the highlight of my journey in a week full of wonderment.

In the late evening I sat on the porch, where I was staying, and listened to the Native American ceremony taking place nearby. I could hear their chanting and drumming in the distance. I was told that the elders were blessing the land in that area.

I am aware that a lot of folks laugh off the healing properties of vortexes and the “woo woo” ideas and practices of earth medicine. I am not one who believes it is hocus- pocus. I feel the connection. ~”A part of everything and everything a part of me”~

There was an artist’s open studio tour over the weekend and I managed to make it to three out of twenty-something studios. It was fun. I also looked at some houses while I was there and found the area where I want to live in (FINALLY!). We have been looking for SO LONG. We need to be in a hippie place with lots of artists and trippy people. I was fortunate to be there when people had their houses and studios open, so  I was able to dig a little deeper into the nooks and crannies of the city. We have been waiting for the opportunity to relocate permanently to Sedona and it appears that it will be happening before too long. My hubby’s new job may require that we move there sooner than we thought was possible.

~ BEAUTY AND GOODNESS ~