I've been struggling lately, working on a huge desert writing project. At times it's been overwhelming.
We get started on our major gardening project early. The sun has just seeped through the cypress blind across the street, the birds are chattering in our neighbor's apple tree, a yellow butterfly lingers on a pink bloom. I'm standing on a ladder, pulling weeds from a planter tower in our wall.
Our neighbor's VW thinks we can't see it. Like if it stays real still it'll go undetected. It's a shy car.
This butterfly paused long enough for this picture. Actually it was quite accommodating. Like a real photo shoot. Like I was an agent and the butterfly had grand plans.
Sorry, but it's not easy out here. Hopefully I'll find my way back soon.
For the last 8 hours I've been sitting in a chair, working non-stop on a book re-write while Irene has been cleaning out the garage. On a stretch break I bring the mail in and leaf through a community activity catalogue. My knees have locked up and my back is stiff. Irene comes in for some water, sweating, her hair hanging down around her red face.
This past Saturday we had a garage sale to get rid of boxes of junk accumulated in our garage, bundles of DVDs, pillows, train sets, camping gear. The stuff that didn't sell is still sitting on our patio and today I found these two photos. The top one of my son, Aaron and the bottom of our friend, Katie, taken when they were both living in Santa Cruz, CA in the '80s. To see them today, check out their blogs: Aaron at www.almas-soulfood.blogspot.com and Katie at www.ktzpage.blogspot.com 
I spent the afternoon sprawled on my front deck with Annie Bones. Best way to forget your troubles.
I stalk our neighborhood for unoccupied, fenced property which almost always has a No Trespassing sign prominently displayed. Then I release Annie Bones so she can run free. I feel a little like an urban guerrilla.
The scent of neighborhood honeysuckle is so strong tonight, we've had to close our front door.
In the 5th grade I went steady with Jesus for one week. He gave me a huge metal ring attached to a sink chain that I wore around my neck. I suffered incredible neck pain but I didn't connect the pain with the ring. A week later I broke up with Jesus and just like that my health returned.
Sometimes all it takes to come out from behind a huge cloud is the proper allignment of stars, a royal flush, and a little change in perspective.
I am doggedly trying to add a little levity to the rewriting of this book but the book is having its way with me.
To some this might be an indication that Easter is around the corner. To me it means, Be careful not to put all of your eggs into one basket.
Sorry for the blog delay. But I'm on the home-stretch of this so-called book of mine. Back soon.
We 'bumped' into our friends again in Arizona. They claim to be in the witness protection program but I'm wondering if that's all a scam. Maybe they are really stalkers and who knows what their real names are?! (See you guys in Seattle in July!)
A pick-up by the side of the road with the tailgate open. An old man with a beat-up Coleman stove, a burrito and three 8 tracks for sale. Not exactly the flea market, but then, this is not exactly Santa Cruz.
Today, driving from Casa Grande, AZ to Ehrenberg, AZ, Irene at the wheel:
