Thursday, December 29, 2011


 Full Circle

the passing of yet another year reminds me of all that i've accomplished, all i've left undone and all i've yet to do.  

how does one find the balance between everyday chores and an overflowing bucket list that seems to grow longer then the years i likely have left? 

seeking wisdom on such matters is both comforting and disturbing, much like life itself.

but i continue to seek and marvel in the wonder of it all.

simplicity brings me comfort and i find myself seeking the simplicity of  Native Peoples stories, for finding harmony & truths within storytelling seems to be an art They have mastered.  


what better way to dance through life than on the wings of those who wrap their Spirits around all that "is"?  
___________________________________________________


The Great Circle
 
-Black Elk, Oglala Lakota, 1863 - 1950



"You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round.

In the old days when we were a strong and happy people, all our power came to us from the sacred hoop of the nation, and so long as the hoop was unbroken, the people flourished. The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave rain, and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. 

This knowledge came to us from the outer world with our religion. Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. 

Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves. Our teepees were round like the nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop, a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children."




  http://www.pbs.org/circleofstories/voices/voices_gallery.html
 

Saturday, October 8, 2011

COOKIE!!


"New" Cookie Jar (courtesy of Ebay - $6.99)

I do not care what Doctors say
A COOKIE a day keeps sickness at bay


Oatmeal
 Raisin
Chocolate Chip
With fresh brewed coffee
Just a sip....

If that don't cure ya ... nothing will!
And tastes a damn sight better than a vitamin pill!!!!




  

Wednesday, September 21, 2011


"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better"  
~Albert Einstein


 


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Berry Nice!

 Fresh picked wild blackberries sure beat store bought!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

August 7, 2011 - The Plant Recovery Room


When plants are feelin' blue and lookin' like they need a transplant, rest and/or relaxation they are transported to the Recovery Room (aka Goat Shed, named for it's former function). Lots of indirect light (thanks to a very unique skylight) gentle breezes (thanks to an entire wall of screen) and a resident little frog named Hermie (who moved in a few weeks ago) make the sickly foliage perk up in no time! 
No healthcare plant-surance is needed and no plant is left unattended.

The End (or perhaps...The Beginning!)

Friday, August 5, 2011

Mission San Xavier del Bac-Tucson, AZ-August 5, 2011


Lit a candle for all my friends & family in this remarkable desert mission today
Just seemed like the thing to do.....

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Republican Party? Democratic Party? Independent Party? Tea Party?

I propose 
We The People
"Pool" our resources
and form the
Just Chill Out Political Party

All in Favor????

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Monday, July 25, 2011

rain please


since i'm being a loser at posting a pic and comment everyday as intended i am officially changing the format of this blog to an everyday picture-a-day. no comments. just images of something i see in that day. could be awesome ... could be totally B O R I N G ... as every days go. ;-) the interpretations I leave up to YOU! 

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Keep Rollin'


Growth Means Change
and
Change Involves Risk
Stepping From The Known
To The Unknown
- Author Unknown


As "humans" we're given the privilege of movement
Shifting at our will
To greet
or
Reject
Change
As Shakespeare's Hamlet put it:

"To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?"
  
Acts of Courage are not for the faint of heart
Or
Those of little faith

 I have danced with faintness and faith many times
Stepped on their "feat" repeatedly
Taken the lead when I should have been following
Drug my "feat" when I should have been stepping
Resisted
Persisted
Done the Hokey Hokey (and turned myself around)
The Watusi
and Limbo
Taken the long road instead of the short cut
But hey...
That's just how the Beckster rolls

Wanna Dance????

:-)




Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Carry The Scars


A gash healed strong

Lightning perhaps
Or
Man-made wound

Significant in scale
No doubt a major trauma 
Regardless of the cause

Survival of the fittest
Rules the outcome
In Nature's World
And
The World of Man

The saying goes..
"What doesn't kill us makes us stronger"

And so it does...
And so it does....

Not so much a fan of this method
Of strengthening the physical and spiritual Self
But....

Life is like a box of chocolates....

yeah, you know the rest

 

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Dog Tales


Hi
My name is Willy
My Mom said I had to sit still for a picture
Not much for pictures

Was minding my own business 
On MY blanket
On MY deck
Watchin' for squirrels
Lizards
Birds
And such

She comes out here with that dad blasted camera
And sticks it in my face

Figured I'd just better sit up 
Strike a pose
And git it over with

Better than yesterday

Had to go to the goofy groomer
And all I got was this stupid bandana




Cheez!!

Gotta go
Nap time....


Sunday, June 26, 2011

Pretty Prickly Pear


A burst of color
In our front yard
Celebrating Arizona Summer
One brilliant yellow bloom at a time

 



Friday, June 17, 2011

Paths Untraveled


I should be working
Internet Assessor the job title is
Convenient work from home gig
It's been a year since it saved my financial Ass
Hate it
Makes me think
And research
And put my "logical" hat on
Wrings my brain inside-out
To top it off
Every "task" has to be completed SUPER Quick
and SUPER correctly
Ughhhhhh!
Too many rules
I hate rules
BUT my gratitude cup runneth over
For the paycheck

Enough of that

On the Eve of my Birthday
I wish not to work

(but I will after this blog ... 2 more hours to go)

Especially after spending a week on the road
On 2 Harley wheels
With my Best Friend
Loyal low maintenance companion
The best half of all of me
And the middle of my 3 younger brothers
Along with my SISTER (this is where in-law is supposed to go but it doesn't apply here)

  Doing what I do best
Exploring
Moving
Drinking in the magical potion of
Sunlight
Landscape
Rushing, overflowing snow-melt filled rivers
Snow capped mountain ranges
Over grown and gently flowing grasslands
Forested canyons
Fresh air with a fragrance so sweet it makes you shiver

Every precious element of Nature In The Raw

Now
On the Eve of my Birthday
I sit inside
Looking outside
At all I want to experience
Before the door closes
Before my Bucket List is put in a drawer

 Last week I rode with my brother
One bucket list item that went from "want to" to "DID IT"

Now on to the next
And the next
And the next

I love Birthdays

 I shall have my Birthday Cake 
And eat it too!
365 days a year
 
For everyday is a 
Birth Day!

(P.S.  Happy Birth Day to Grand Son Ryan Today!  6 is a marvelous age! )
 







Sunday, June 5, 2011

SMOKEY GLASS, CHAOS AND STEW....

This is a piece of my art that I just finished a couple of days ago, less some hardware that is still in storage...
There is a reason that I can show it and it doesn't just involve a camera...
I cannot be creative or concentrate on my creativity's when my life is full of chaos and stew
It always amazes me what can happen when we just "let" things be...
Instead of trying to "make" things happen...
It occurs to me that while it is good to have goals and want joys...
There is a path being laid waiting for our own foot prints
It is about the timing, not about a forced entry...
About viewing what is around you and "letting" some things in while allowing other things to leave as they should...
Both are sometimes hard, maybe even more often than not...
The key really is to pay attention to the things around you
And to except the changes, life changes whether we want it to or not
Better if it is not against our will, sometimes rubbing on our souls like sandpaper
Instead, we look ahead, maybe not inviting every time but, preparing for it's inevitable arrival
Being still is essential, it allows us to view the greatness that is coming
Allows us to Separate it from the things we don't need
Even through smokey glass and chaos and stew...

from my point of view


5 A.M.
From my desk
In my little corner of the world

A 2-week adventure begins today
Miles will be traveled
2-wheels
Packed saddlebags
Wind
Sun
Rain
And everything in-between

I do believe I once was a gypsy
With a Harley of course
:-)

P.S.  Prayers to Don & Cindy
May your recoveries be as swift as the winds that guide our ride.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Time in a bottle


I've fallen behind in my blog
:-(
Time is the culprit
Or lack of it I should say

Or is it?

Who'd think way up here in Old Mining Town Mountain Land
One would have the same lack-of-time issues
One had in the busy city?

You only leave behind the things 
You don't pack and take along
I guess

Life demands different snippets of time
In different portions

But in the mean time...
Time still slips away
Never to be 
Regained
Retained

Can't download it
Can't freeze it
Can't Can it
Stuff it in a bottle
And put it on a shelf for later

When it's done
It's done

But we can take
Time Outs

And I'm callin' one

TIME OUT!  
Let's Ride
;-)))))








Monday, May 30, 2011

Mothers & Daughters


Unshakable
Unbreakable
Bonds between Mothers & Daughters

There will be battles
Scars and bruises
Arguments
Stubborn stretches of time without speaking
But when the smoke clears
And fences are mended
Hurt feelings tended
There is no stronger union

Ever

Distance does not matter
Time has no hold
Once a Mother 
Always a Mother
Once a Daughter
Always a Child

Years will pass
And so will we
But the timeless 
Indestructible
Union
Of Woman
To Woman
Mother
To Daughter

Shall not die

Ever....







Monday, May 23, 2011

Saucy Saguaro


Tis the season 
For the Queen of the Desert
To blossom

For some reason I love the contrast between
Lethal needle sharp spines
And the gentleness of harmless blooms

Like Arizona itself
A sharp contrast
Between desert
And snow capped mountains
And one of the reasons
I am attached to her
Like a child  to her Mother

The ruby red fruit that follows
Is entirely edible
And a gourmet treat to those who know the secret of its flavors

For centuries.
The Arizona O'odham tribe
Has picked 
And turned
Saguaro fruit
Into delectable delights

The wisdom of the Native Peoples of Arizona
(of all Native Peoples)
Amaze and astound me

Rock On O' Queen Saguaro and those who reap the bounty of Her Fruit!!
I bow down and salute you!

 

Friday, May 20, 2011

Just Thinkin'


I am no Aristotle
Have no framed diploma on my wall
And yet
I do think deeply
Of things that touch us all

The joys
And the sorrows

The triumphs
And the loss
 Some days I am the servant
Some days I am the boss
Of my own imagination
Of my own scattered fragmented thoughts

I wonder if...
The world would end if I'd just play all day
Ate until my tummy ached
And in the sun would lay

Perhaps the world would stall a bit
Slow down a tad and watch
A I grew fat and happy
And say out loud
"Well Gosh"!

I want to do that also
Appreciate my days
Not trudge through life grudgingly
But spread joy along the way

I'd teach them how to lounge upon lily pads
Afloat upon cool ponds
Give lessons on sun bathing
And cat napping
Then how to find their voices
And sing into the night
Til dawn

Ah yes I am a humble critter
Not much to look at
Or one to brag

But I my thoughts are quite exquisite
Some days they are all I have

To bring me through the dark times
When the sunshine seems all spent
And life seems more about where I'm not going
Than where I've already went

So back into my thoughts I slip
Gathering positive momentum
For mind creates the matter
And it matters
That we have some

Mind-Full-Ness that is

Just thinkin..........












OH THE RAPTURE...

Well as I am seldom one to stay quiet, to with hold my mind
I wish I could find some sort of control on not speaking out on this whole RAPTURE thing
It is best I believe to beg silence on topics such as money, politics and certainly the topic of religion
Alas on the eve of this very RAPTURE I feel the need to express my thoughts to a certain point
What a gimmick this has become
I am disgusted by it's politics
It's inbred fear and spreading ignorance
Shame on you
Where are your heads man?!
Or better yet your hearts
Your souls
Your support for mankind, the human race as a whole?
These are not found in books
Nor are they forgiven in the last moments of sinners
There are NO gods that will lift you from the depths of hell
And pronounce you "Saints" or "sheep"
Inside...that is where you look
That is where your fogiven freedom will be found
And tomorrow when you wake...
Expect to find that your nieghbors will still be the same people that were there before...
Clearer eyes will see clearer souls
Look all around you 
Not just up with a selfish view
I would hate to see you all clammering your way up
Climbing over one another...trying to find your way to some heaven
As the chosen ones
It's here...or hadn't you heard?

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fanta-See Racin


Productive but LONG Day

I'm brain dead tonite
No clever thoughts
No words of wisdom

Just looking through silly pics that have caught my eye
This one makes me smile :-)

The Harley is a carbon copy of Maggie
(that would be my bike in case you've missed that info in the past)

And who doesn't like fire engines????!


Just kinda seemed to fit 
So I put it on
And now I'm sharin'
(BIG yawn....)

Night night
I think I'll try racin' that ole fire truck in my dreams
Just cuz you can do stuff like that

In your dreams....

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Note to Self


Just so I don't forget my name today

And I don't forget my weapon of choice if anyone gets in my way today

:-)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

POO WITH A VIEW...

Frankly 
I am still trying to understand this
An out house
No door
Sitting at the base of Diamond Point
Next to the Colorado River
At the bottom of the Grandest Canyon EVER!

By the way...
There is no viewing window either

Certainly worth a photo though...

Wander Lust


I Want To Be Out THERE!

I know I'm overdosing on the doggie bloggie the last few days but....

If the collar fits.....

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Sun Dogs


One spot of sunshine peeks between the blinds
And WHO catches the rays?

Princess Moo that's who!

Mr. Willy is just playin' Cool
He ain't no Fool!

Livin' A Dog's Life ain't so bad

Thursday, May 12, 2011

NO COMPLAINTS...

There are those who sometimes rant and rave about the work that they do
Unhappy with clients or some ridiculous political issue within the working dynamics of a particular company
Long days and not enough pay
Maybe after 15 or 20 years of doing the same thing I would feel the same
But right now, I look ahead at this view
Feeling awed and humbled by it's beauty, it's greatness and it's resistance to time
Today it is my job to share this with those who are curious enough to come here
To my Arizona
I get payed to share this, to stand here and look out across this canyon
To hear the awe of those who have come to see it
It is a wondrous place worth a view
Worth standing quietly on it's edge
A reminder of the part we all play here
On this earth
A flash in the pan in comparison
A rant? none
Only that I am appreciative of being here
With these people
That they PAY me to do this
To introduce that which I love
To connect to the things I am proud of


No complaints here...

Moo


This is Bailey AKA Moo

She's been with us many-a-year
Welsh Corgie
Queen of all she surveys

I shall be in charge of feeding her for a few days
While her momma is traveling
("momma" meaning my oldest daughter)
Moo & I have been through many a move together 
Jenn's retail management career has kept her movin' - movin' - movin' through the years

From 2 apartments in Phoenix
To Prescott Valley (from apartment to house there)
Back to Phoenix
To Vegas
To Austin TX
To Prescott (apartment to house there too)
To Tucson
Did I forget anything???

When Mooo is displeased
Her look could kill a Sumo Wrestler at 100 yards
When she's happy she actually has a smile...I SWEAR!

She thinks people (especially little children) are all cattle
Or sheep
Or some such critter
Goes into herding mode
Gotta keep everyone together ya know!?

Ah yes....
Me and Moo and Willy shall spend a little quality doggie time together

Whom ever said ....
"going to the dogs" 
And meant it as a bad thing
Wasn't a dog person
And should be severely punished

(bad Sumo Wrestler look going to this person now.....)

Will & I are on my way Moo
We're bringing treats!!


Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Archivin'


Willie & Minnie

My Maternal Grandparents

My Grandaughter requested info about her Great-Grandparents
A Monday night rummage through picture books brought back a flood of long-forgotten memories and photos

The picture of me as a toddler posted last week was in the yard of this couple
A "few" years later
5 kids later
Twin BOYS when Grandma was in her...
Was it her 40's Uncle Bob???
YIKES!  
 
Grandpa was from Germany
Fought in the German Army in WWI
Came to America right after
 
A relative of his Mother 
Who was a farmer in Nebraska
Paid his boat passage
Grandpa worked off the debt
 
And he worked
And he worked
And he worked
Started from scratch
And left a legacy of multiple farms
And thousands of acres of Nebraska farm land

But still lived the life of a simple man
Went to church on Sunday
Played cards with the "guys" downtown during the week

Grandma kept the home fires burning
Kids to raise
Meals to cook
Never ending laundry

Family
Friends
Community
Church

Such were the things their lives were made of
They did not seek fame or fortune
Or a 5,000 sq. ft. mansion
No BMW's in their driveway
A new Ford (or was it a Chevy) every now and then would do

Lawrence Welk entertained them
(Grandma also loved the Beverly Hillbillies!)
Meat and potatoes sustained them
 
All they desired was Freedom
Of occupation
Of religion
Of speech
Of mind
A solid foundation for the generations to come
A priceless gift for their Children
For Me
And my Children
And my Grandchildren

What a blessing!
Thanks Grandpa & Grandma
 
 






Sunday, May 8, 2011

TRIBUTE TO A "GRAND" MOTHER...

Not everyone has a fabulous Mother...

Those who do are lucky
To have that wonderful female guiding them each day
Setting scruples and standards for living
Teaching the rules of cooking
And how to be thrifty
Maybe encouraging Independence and adventure
While teaching the ways of tradition and mindfulness
If I give credit to any Mother
She would belong to my Father

My Grandfather often said he married her for her legs and her pie
Maybe...
But he loved her
She loved him
She loved her children 
And she loved us
Or most anyone who came into her home and treated her with kindness

As the first grandchild and granddaughter
She pulled me up under her wing
I always thought she was old and feared the day she would leave me
No more long talks
No more walks
No more running to the back door to see which bird was singing for her today
Green beans and pinwheel cookies
Moon wagon rides and cherry picking
Flower gardens and the smell of bacon in the morning
The cleaning, the bed making and homemade pies in time for dinner

All would subside
And has
Except for the things I carry on
All the things that she taught me
All the words of wisdom still lingering inside
Her dishwater hand against my cheek as she brushed the hair from my eyes
My Grandmother...my teacher
I miss you...
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...

Attitude!!


Browsing the web for "biker" pics this morning
Part of the mindless Mother's Day I've designed for myself

Came across this photo and had to take it!

It's titled Grandma Bikers
Even if they've never ridden a "bike"
They have the attitude to "get 'er done"

And on this day dedicated to Mom's
I believe this picture says it all

All Mom's have a "make my day" attitude
Whether it's defending her child
Or punishing her child

Mom's rule with an iron fist
And
A gentle touch

Just depends on what's needed at the time

Rock On Grandma Bikers!
God Love Ya! 

Saturday, May 7, 2011

and you think YOU'VE had a bad day!



1st of all...NO this is not our truck
Even though it's pretty much identical

Had British Columbia plates

  Not sure how this happens
In broad daylight
On dry roads

REALLY not sure why it didn't roll into the canyon below


A note on the window said there were no occupants in the vehicle
The time it had been left there
And I guess it's gone now
(pic taken last Wed.)

Lucky folks for sure

There's never a lack of "surprises" driving down The Mountain
Not the type of road ya' want to be texting on!  ;-)