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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.

Oh, have I mentioned how much I LOVE Arcosanti?! We spent a quiet Christmas in the sky suite. Very few people were there during the holiday, so it was PEACEFUL and magical. Christmas eve, we fell asleep to the sound of owls hooting, one hung out on the antenna on top of our apartment and I was fortunate enough to catch a photo of him (or her) before it took flight. During the night I stepped outside to check out the stars and found several owls calling back and forth to each other. Nature is a magnificent thing ~ full of surprises. Every moment spent there is pretty much a highlight. This is definitely a place that needs to be experienced, stories and photos don’t do it justice.

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!! We booked our room at Arcosanti for Christmas. The sky suite is our “home away from home”. Looks like we are guaranteed a peaceful, joyful holiday in the high desert.

” No phone, no lights no motor cars,
Not a single luxury,
Like Robinson Crusoe,
As primitive as can be.”

Actually, there are lights and the luxuries are really simplicities. They are closed on Christmas, so I believe that it will be more low key than usual.

In the meantime, the flu has kept me from attending the Lingo Family Thanksgiving this evening, once again. This is such a disappointment. Tomorrow is the Big Love For Citrus Festival, in Tempe, and I am hoping to be well enough to get out of this house and enjoy the festivities.

Nonetheless, it is always a family party full of beautiful people and a huge circle of LOVE for Citrus!

These are photos of the chicken coop and run at the camp at Arco. The coop is straw bail and stucco. I LOVE the way the bottles in the walls let in colored light. Kudos to the Arconauts who had a hand in building this.

The chicken run goes all the way around the outside of the orchard. It is just beautiful. ~ Lucky chickens!~

Because I spend more time in the city than not, these simple things thrill me. Arcosanti has a fabulous agricultural system. They have a wonderful, natural, organic balance~ so harmonious ~

This last visit I discovered that they now have a white peacock.

They are often mistaken as “albino peacocks” or thought to change color over time. However, neither is the case. There really are white peacocks. This is what they look like in “full bloom”…

Gorgeous, huh?

” I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more.
No, I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more.
Well, I wake in the morning,
Fold my hands and pray for rain.
I got a head full of ideas
That are drivin’ me insane.”

Actually, this is one farm that I’d LOVE to dig my hands into. And, it smells delicious when the trees are in bloom!

So, I’m back in the city daydreaming about chickens and farming.

My fiftieth year on the planet began with a six day celebration. We kicked it off at Arcosanti, of course, with a few friends and family. Friday afternoon when we arrived, we had around 60 mph winds. It rained all around us and was GORGEOUS.

We were told a story about some chick that dropped out of society and moved into a cave behind Arco, where she managed to live for about six months. So, four of us ventured out to find “the cave”. We did find it! It is a trip to imagine living in it. I was a little afraid of meeting a snake or two through the tall grass leading up to it, so we only hiked to the base of the mountain. I’m dieing to go inside, but I will save that for another day!

Down at the camp we were greeted by peacocks in all their glory. The painted doors and hippie art makes my heart so happy. I LOVE being in the camp with all of the nature and art.

Every visit brings a new perspective.

I took this picture of one of the residents saying goodnight to the sun on top of the south vault and leaning into the wind. This says it all.

There will be plenty more photos to post and things to blog about, since there was so much adventure in SIX GLORIOUS DAZE! Thank you to all of those who participated and helped this to be a GREAT beginning to another year! I LOVE YOU ALL!

A dear friend treated me to an early birthday adventure. We are having GORGEOUS weather, so the day could not have been more perfect. We started the day at my favorite day spa getting our feet all fancy with pedicures. Then onto a great lunch, outdoors, where the trees are all in bloom, the breeze was light and the sun was shining down, creating beautiful effects through the foliage. We ended the day with a little shopping at Fantasia ~ a magikal bazaar ~. Incense, crystals, music….all of the essentials! The best part of the day was spending time with my friend. We always have such a great time  when we venture out together.

This weekend will be filled with much more magic, I’m sure. Today a long time friend of mine is coming to Phoenix, from Dallas to stay for about a week. We are going to have an intimate celebration at Arcosanti Friday-Sunday. My paradise. I’m sure there will be lots of good times, which means, great photos and stories to tell ( my friends are pretty much as crazy as I am).

Wishing everyone a BEAUTIFUL weekend.