Nov 19- 23; Last Days of Jerome

Photos: Peggy the egg seller, 3 Arcosanti photos, Don Mclean,Karen & I crackin' open the bubbly,Buddy~Joanne~Sally & I after brunch, Sally hitchin' a ride, Karen~Larry~Levi~Joanne+the 2 Lisas, Mary Relaxing, Lisa P with Walter+Lisa.....

Nov 19-Thursday

• up in Jerome to the Mojo Cafe for the last time (this year!) treat myself to a cafe mocha - (no whip cream) & connect on the internet updating my blog and preparing myself for the Printmaking session tomorrow; researching sites online for Intaglio techniques & reviewing my photos. I hear from Jodi that she visited John & Irene with her husband she saw the deer transparency that has been prepped by John already & it looks great! Can't wait!
• I visit with Sandy down in Cottonwood to get some cuttings from her long eared cactus; have a glass of wine after the house tour and meet her husband Jim. They moved here from California...and share their beautiful house near the bottom edge of the Mingus Mountain with a one-eyed cat. She just finished moving in all her winters sensitive plants into a new greenhouse that they just built. They ask me to come back with my pastels so they can buy one before I leave. (Yeah!)
• Get ready for my trip to JIL Link Studios

Nov 20 ~ Friday: a final day of 3 Great Travel Destinations

1. New River

• on my way down I stop at Sunset Outlook Point again. This time accompanied by about 20 jeeps that also pulled off here just before they went off-roading & and a group of Antique cars. Official Sign posted at outlook: "Do not let your cattle out to graze"
• This part of Arizona has funky road names everywhere: Bloody Basin ~ Bumble Bee ~Crown King~ Horse Thief Basin ~ Badger Springs Road..etc!
• I turn off into New River and come across the Road Runner Saloon...take photos and get a coffee; the lady fills up my coffee mug for free!
• JIL Ink Studios: John and Irene are ready for me ...We create the Fallen Deer plate first which I love! John insists on helping me with this one as this plate is a special size, and i'm still a relative newbie...it turns into a powerful rich print. A good thing !! For the other plates I went through some growing 'pains' ~ great learnings: 220DPI (dots per inch) vs 320 DPI(correct); washing plates is different than 'washing laundry'; and rolling the excess water off the plate is different than rolling paint . Thankfully Irene helped me make more plates and run some of the first-offs on the images so I could pull some deer prints. The Road, Tire and Chair images will be able to run through a printing in Toronto! John was right when he said; ideally you want to create plates one day and print on another. One thing at a time... the best lesson of all. I have a lot to play with at home now and I will be back to visit these two generous and inspiring artists next year!!

2. Arcosanti; (just 1/2 hr away from Cottonwood)..what a an inspiring surprise! down this dirt road in the desert off the main hwy- down to earth solid feel; reminds me of Anne and Martin's place in Germany...yes, more modern and huge of course; but the same spirit with artistic, cozy nooks and crannies. I only saw the building with the gallery and cafe building because I missed the last tour...next year! You can even stay there as a B&B guest.

http://www.arcosanti.org/expArcosanti/main.html

3. Prescott: Don McLean Concert!! Yes the wonderful singer-songwriter of American Pie, Crying, and MY FAVOURITE: Starry Night

http://www.don-mclean.com/concerts.aspm

• He brought me to tears many times...I didn't come prepared with tissues and I didn't have Rae by my side :-( The sound sucked at the venue...but he was very gracious and gave us what we came to get; a trip down memory lane and connected to his music,... and Starry Starry Night in his encore set !
• I bought 2 CD's and stood in line to get them autographed.
• stopped at Starbucks and then drove home listening to Don's tunes along the curvy 89A across Mingus Mountain to Jerome.

Nov 21-Saturday; Takin' Care of Business...

• Cactus Guy Visit; stopped by to say good-bye to Francis and to pick up the cactus seeds he promised me and bought some Prickly Pear Jelly. He didn`t want me to take his photo so I drew him while I waited at the hairdresser
• Hair appointment...yes it did take all afternoon as Karen warned me; but the ladies were great and good story tellers( a good way to get to know a town!) They also looked at my portfolio and gave me their input.
• Shopping for Brunch at Fry`s & get a call back from Mary and Sally that they just got back from Tuscon and can make it for the brunch! Say a final good-by to Ed, Enilliani's Dad.
• Trying to Log-on at Safeway...having internet issues and give up
• Get ready for Brunch & Trip
• Sandy and I both didn't have time to meet today to show Jim my art

Nov 22-Sunday; Final Breakfast Club (for me....this year) Karen & Larry & I host this morning's Breakfast Club;

• Karen has it upstairs inside( too cold to have it on the patio as planned)
• I cook a potatoe and yam home fries & 2 kinds of frittatas: red swiss chard & cheddar; and Mushrooms & Swiss cheese... each with red onions and garlic too! and a plate of cucumbers, green onions and tomatoes.
• Larry cooks the sausages and bacon
• Karen sets it up with yoghurt and fruits, granola, coffee and OJ & champagne.
• Everybody rolled in at 9-9:30am --I could hear them upstairs as I was finishing the last of the frittatas
• AND... oh such great people they are; Karen & Larry, Lisa and Walter, Lisa and Levi, Lisa P. (Anne is travelling home from LA), Mary and Sally, and Joanne and Buddy ...I get present to their greatness again and how very much they have given me and how much I will miss these folks!! I am so blessed and grateful. Sally leaves early hitching a ride with Buddy on his bike...what a daredevil...no helmet etc! Some people have to work around here! Walter and Lisa leave on their trip to Colorado for Thanksgiving... they just became grandparents to a new baby girl!
• PM: I bring all my 'stuff' to the living room carpet; wrap the break-ables
• return the unused Citrus squeezer machine (we put those Scottsdale oranges out in a bowl instead...and thank god Karen had OJ on hand); and the groceries we didn't use yesterday( saved 46$)

Nov 23-Monday: Packing Day:  
Photos; Sandy + my Devil's Bridge Pastel,  Richard our Jerome Library volunteer, The hardcore Poker Night gang, Lisa & Anne(home again) hosts of Poker Night,
      

• Laundry...laundry
• Packing Day...so many great things to pack!! in my rushing I break the big Cactus Jelly jar :-( ....more of a mess to clean up!
• and just as I was getting a bit teary about having to leave this place...I get a call from Sandy..do I still have time to come by with my art work? Sure...
• drive down to Cottonwood to Sandy's and she and Jim decide on the Devil's Bridge pastel; i have a slight pang of sadness handing it over to them but I am very happy to have found such a perfect home for this work: Sandy is an avid hiker appreciates this scene...and she even offered to hike it with me one more time! I believe Jim even hiked that spot when they 1st moved here. I spray it with fixer ...take some parting photos and leave with my 1st cheque for my art at this stage of my life.
• Jerome Library; oh good Richard is working today: I take some photos of him and then print out my maps for the next couple of days.
• Clarkdale-for Poker Night: and its a big crowd tonight; Levi and Shane are our male contingent and Karen racks in the chips tonight- she was the big winner

• I leave early to load the car..brrr..it takes forever; i have to go through everything again because I could not find my passport!!! ARGGHH!!

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Nov14-18; Printmaking Lights My Fire!

(Finally updating my Blog under blankets in a cold hotel room in Santa Fe-Nov25..on my way home)
Note: the photos are out of order- I haven't figured out the new edit mode yet :-)

Nov-14 Saturday;

• I wake up early to take in the rich aroma of the land around here post rain!! Earthy and hay smelling…crisp air and still some sprinkles falling here and there as I leave town
  
  
• after filling up the gas tank I drive down the I-17 –gorgeous scenery listening to Shania Twain ..and loving it!! Driving up and down the gorgeous desert valleys with more and more giant cactii dotting the landscape..I try to call Eric and Sharon on the phone but the reception is bad
  
  
• Sunset Point Scenic outlook- I stop here and we connect- I can hear Sharon, Eric and Alexia as clear as a bell while taking in the breathtaking HUGE vista of bare desert hills… so great to talk to them. Again I just can’t get enough of Alexia’s sweet voice saying “Oma”! and hearing about the wonderful birthday baking party she had last weekend at their new house.
• Sign seen at this outlook/rest stop: "Please do not let your cattle out to graze"
  
  
• The Scottsdale Highway loop---is the best highway I ever drove on- the retaining walls have very funky HUGE desert themed relief sculptures and tiles of cactii, lizards, etc, and –NO WHERE TO STOP- and snap some shots- darn!- and I keep focussed on the road …don’t want to get into an accident!
  
  
• COTTON FIELDS! as I drive off the main highway I see all these polka dotted plants in the rows…hey- they are rows and rows of cotton popped out of its pods ~ ready to be harvested. I pull off down the road beside the field and climb over the dividing ditch up to my 1^st ever up close & personal moment with cotton plants!

Scottsdale Galleries; Very well-to do area like in Yorkville,Toronto…snazzy cars & snazzy people watching.

· the first Gallery, which will remain nameless; I was very inspired by the artist they were showing and asked for more information on the her. The woman behind the desk was very keen to help me and gave me some earlier show pamphlets; however, as soon as the she found out I was an artist and that I didn’t want to buy a piece and wanted to know more about the artist’s background how she got to this point ; she retreated and declared emphatically, “well, I wouldn’t suggest you go and try to copy what she’s done—she would be very upset and has worked hard to get to this point…and I have a very busy morning and need to get back to work!”

· Art One Gallery; the owner talked to me at length about his mandate; they mix art students’ works together with regular artists – all treated equally. I saw amazing clothing designs from grade 11 & 12 students; the owner is very socially conscious in supporting local students; they need a clean school attendance record and a certain grade level before they can exhibit and he works in partnership with not only the students but also the school and their parents

• Naked Horse Gallery; the owner was great to talk to and said …come back and show us your work next year! I was inspired by two Native artists; one who did abstract landscapes with native figures placed in the paintings and the other did very close up portraits of native faces...every line & pore of life experience evident. It brought me back to a native woman I saw at the Spirit Room with her husband—I took her photo but would love to take some more photos or do a sketch of her…
  
  
• I stop at a café in Scottsdale for internet and lunch
  
  

PM: Phoenix Art Center I found it very easily - thanks to Matilda again! 2 hours to soak up what this gallery has to offer – I head straight to the Modern Wing…climb up the stairs faced by....

• Lush Spring, 1975, a gigantic painting by Helen Frankenthaler ..and breathe in the beauty!! I am IN HEAVEN! ...and an awe-inspiring sculpture installation called..
  
  

• Mass, 1997, by Cornelia Parker from London. She suspended pieces of burnt wood pieces and charcoal from the ceiling creating a square with the shapes getting smaller and thinning out to the outer edges of the square. Guess where she got this material from? From a church in Mexico that had been hit by lightening and burnt down. A delicate…raw…powerful and spiritual space is so present in that corner of the gallery that is hard to describe; I felt that before I even read the background details.
  
  
• I was so excited and in my element I had to call Betty Ann Jordan…she was out leading an art tour.. of course! And so I spoke to John ~ it was great to share my experience an appreciative listener.
  
  

EVE: Dinner with Betsy at her favourite Italian restaurant: L’amour for a yummy seafood tomatoe stew ( had a wee bit of pasta on the side). Oh my gosh it was like I just saw her last week ( last fall at the Transforming Yesterday’s Strategies Course in Sedona) …she walked in from work( owns /runs a graphic design business) …same blue flowered blouse …but above all: the same big radiant eyes and smile that impressed me last fall. We caught up on what we and others in the course were up to and when she heard about my amazing experiences on my travels out here she
put a powerful context in place for what I have been experiencing on my 'Pilgrimmage'. 

( I met her last fall in the Wisdom Vacation Course "Transforming Yesterday's Strategies" here in Sedona).  

• She pointed out to me that everything I shared with her about my trip so far was perfectly timed because the Phoenix Wisdom 5th Weekend is this coming weekend and the theme is all about the trinity of:  

ART   ~   COMMUNITY  ~ SPIRITUALITY 

creativity & self-expression - spirit - expanding in community ...one connected to the other

AND THAT IS WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW ON MY JOURNEY DOWN HERE....A PRECIOUS...PRECIOUS GIFT.

• Radisson Hotel ; I crash happily in the modern comfort of my room after I replenish my cooler with ice
  
  

Nov-15 Sunday: Back to feeling the soul of Printmakin` in my bones

· Left the Raddison Hotel early to drive up to the JILink Printshop in New River.. GOOD thing because there was construction and detours on the I-17 going north ~ I am early for once!! So I have time to stop on the hill at the end of the dirt road that Irene and Big John live on and have an up close and personal time with all the different cactii - especially the big cactii!! I love them they are so new to me with their big arms reaching out. From afar when I saw the holes in them I thought they would be fragile in their deterioration...but they are like trees! They have grey bark like trees. I of course take a ton of photos and some of the locals out walking their dogs or driving their ATV's observed another tourist being fascinated by nature!

Intaglio Workshop; see http://www.alternativephotography.com/process_photo_intaglio.htmlfor a great description of this process.

• Big John and Irene partnered in the teaching of this workshop for Jodi and I ....and I can't say enough about how awesome these 2 people are
  
  
• They greeted us with coffee, juice and muffins; helped us with picking out our images so they would work successfully with the medium; explained in perfect detail and showed us their own works how this printmaking technology works...and all the while being so great with us and each other; Fun - Lighthearted with the LOVE of Creating so present.
  
  
• Jodi and I had a blast playing with the printmaking process. John and Irene and their own strengths complimented their teaching as they played off of each other; he just jumping in approximating the exposure times.; Irene being more of a perfectionist and careful. AND John provided reading materials for us so we could just be present to the experience...Lunch time while our plates cured in the Arizona sun was served and it was such a treat to be spoiled like we were with the one on one teaching!
  
  
• I WAS IN HEAVEN!!! I truly found my calling...yes I am going to get back into printmaking when I get back to Toronto. You know that song, "Light My Fire...Light My Fire! "...well the flames were fanned baby!! ( etching was my favourite print medium at Queen's) The sumptous paper - inking the plates- pulling the big press wheels, the creaking of the pressure…and (hold your breath!) lifting the embossed paper off the plate...to see the results of all the preparations...excitement PLUS!! Tears came readily several times from just the recognition of the love of this process and the creative caring spirit present in this studio.
  
  

It was very exciting to be sharing this experience with Jodi who has done some printmaking but not in this type. She too took to it like fish to water. We both left with 2 gorgeous image plates and many prints to take home.

I vowed to come back and we organized a studio time slot for me to return this coming Friday.

PM: We drive down to Jodi and her husbands home in Scottsdale - a gorgeous home with hibiscus plants and palm trees. John, a doctor, just arrived by plane that day from a busy 12 day work shift and he still came out with Jodi to treat me to a great relaxing dinner at a local sports bar where we saw the Toronto Raptors lose a very tight game to Phoenix 100 to 101!! I drank a cool beer called Blue Moon with orange wedges added ~ Yummy!! and I don't normally drink beer!! (ps...i packed a case for home)

Jodi and I sit in their cozy living room with a nice cup of tea reviewing the fantastic day we had...fully satiated!

Nov-16 Monday: Simple Pleasures…so sweet!

· AM: After a relaxing sleep I wake to the smell of coffee and walk about with my PJ's on. My hosts are not quite up but already a hot pot of coffee and teapot with a tea towel keeping it warm are waiting for us to enjoy. I look out their windows and note that every one has a beautiful view of the garden; 3 palm TALL palm trees, hibiscus, cacti, unknown orange berry bushes, and backyard spa ( a salt water jacuzzi) made of rock structure. Their grassy patch on one side is astro turf...very cool; it makes sense because it costs too much water to keep grass; they just use a vacuum to care for it :-)

· After a delicious breakfast which included freshly squeezed orange juice from fruit that Jodi picked in the neighborhood, Jodi and I head out ...and find …

· A LOADED orange tree right on the boulevard! Jodi came prepared with a step stool. I unfortunately left the plastic bags behind. We were like 2 kids in a candy store!! ~ taking turns twisting and picking off the delicious juicy oranges, handing them to one another…filling the paper bag to the brim & then just piled them up on the car seat! We ended up with 4 plastic grocery bags of fruit to share between us! The brunch crowd on Sunday sure will appreciate these!!

• After a quick pit-stop to wash our dusty fingers ( the desert does that) we drove off to Cosanti ; (http://www.arcosanti.org/expCosanti/main.html) where Paolo Soleri, a renowned architect and student of Frank Lloyd Wright, developed a very interesting creative site of organically designed buildings and landscape incorporating a business/foundry & studio workshop where they create exquisite sculptured bronze bells. Jodi who is a also a musician pointed out the best bell shapes and rang lots of bells to pick the clearest tunes. “Ring my Be….e…ell ~ Ring my Bell...my Bell …ring my Bell” !!! We asked for a discount for all the bells I picked; but you need to buy 10 of one kind for that ~ boring!
  
  
• Taliesan West; Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and currently ongoing Architecture School was my next stop…got to it within minutes from Jodi’s home , and very easily with the map that she drew for me before I left them. What special people they were!! I count my blessings at how I came to meet them and the time we had. I made it just in time for the 90 minute tour—fascinating! Angular low buildings built into the side of the hill ( never build on top of a hill! -FLW), amazing built in furniture- rock walls made of the beautiful boulders, red wooden angular beams and canvas ceilings. The place used to be without windows – only canvas panels that could be raised and lowered. I loved the art-deco style sculptures that dotted the landscape. People come to this architecture school from all over the world. Their residence? ~ they build their own on the surrounding property.
  
  
• Poker Night…yes I managed to make it; I had called Lisa to please pick up my pot of lentil soup from my fridge for me( these nights are always pot-luck…so I take it literally J) I kept in touch on my whereabouts; and they were so kind as to wait for me. I lost …again~ Shane scored bigtime!...but had a blast learning more about Poker from Lisa`s hand reviews...and great evening!
  
  

Nov-17; Hike of all Hikes!

• AM: After an invigorating Weighted Workout class - our hiking group took off for the Lost Canyon Hike (off the beaten path, but listed in Lindy`s hiking book)- just down the road from the hike that goes up to Devil's bridge.
  
  
• Oh ~ my ~ Lord!! ~ it was challenging...very adventurous and breathtakingly beautiful!  We calculated that we climbed over 500 feet in altitude on our 3 hour walk and much of it was close to the edge of the high buttes.
  
  
• We saw the silouette in the distance of a huge boulder balanced on one point!!
  
  
• around the next corner of the butte, tucked way down in the shadows of the rock face: a simple one door cliff dwelling. It was a moment of awe and beauty…and made me pause on the presence of people here so long ago. The surprise connection to an ancient time.
  
  
• Lunch: a cold (even with jackets on!) pit-stop on the cliff ledge high up over the dwelling. Then walked up and around to the sunny parts of this butte outcrop (mesa?) so we could view the Devil's bridge on the other side of the valley. I so loved the Devil’s Bridge and seeing it in the shady distance was just not good enough so Sandy offered to walk it with me tomorrow. Well, on our ride home, after the return hike around the two mesa’s and the steep down hill climb at the end, my ankles told me that they had.. had …enough climbing for this week!
  
  

Nov 18-Wednesday

• I call Sandy to confirm that I cannot do the Devil's Bridge hike today and she too said that she was too sore to do a hike so soon. She asked if I could bring my drawing of it to our yoga class - sure thing!
  
  
• Nothing like an incentive to actually finish the darn thing! So I whipped out my conté pastels and filled in the spots that were left empty last week as I raced down the hill to beat the dark to my car on that hike...
  
  
• I got so mesmerized by that…. I was late for the yoga class and instead did my cardio workout on the bike..reading a Vogue magazine article about Frida Kahlo's goddaughter memoir's..
  
  
• I showed the ladies my pastels and sketches in the parking lot and I'm really glad I did...my first time having others see them; they so appreciated seeing them ( i had 2 offers tonight to buy my work- yeah!) They acknowledged what I have all done while I've been here and how much I inspire them. ...and it was so great to hear because I love everything I have done and all the great people I have met....and I'm a bit sad that my time is almost over and I seem to have not done all I expected to do....I have a massive amount of ‘juice’ for future works..I will be busy at my home studio
  
  
• Denise, the yoga teacher who was taught by Narayani, a British yoga teacher, joined me for lunch at the Mile High Inn, and we have a great time sharing yoga stories and things that inspire us.... another amazing person in my life that I have gotten to know; she &her husband, who has healed from major illnesses and transplants is this cool long grey-haired cowboy ..with a moustache- yes, Rae…and a cool black cowboy hat--are very busy with those two gorgeous horses I met the other day.
  
  
• I stay behind to finish some more work on the internet....have a coffee and Jet’s famous bread pudding (– its all Melissa’s fault!) and go pick up my 2 dozen eggs from Peggy at the store next to the Mile High Inn.
  
  
• I stay up late watching the Ridley Scott movie called “a good year”. Russel Crowe plays a fast paced investor in London who inherits a beautiful chateau/winery in France and is forced through crazy ‘circumstance’ to slow… down… and enjoy the simple pleasures in front of him….like maybe a sweet romance with Marion Cotillard who plays a local café owner. All this wine tasting and drinking..I am inspired to go grab a wine bottle I have been saving for guests ~ but… no bottle opener!! I pour myself instead some left over Sangria from the Kaleidoscope party, held weeks ago and fell ill in the middle of the night...can Sangria go bad?...it was in the fridge ? I toss out the rest and stay in bed the next morning till 11 editing photos and sleeping.
  
  

Nov8 -Nov 13 Time is FUN & Flyin` by!!

Nov 8th- Sunday;

Safeway Parking lot; gorgeous sunny morning; and I am missing my sisters! So I drive down early to Safeway to Skype call with my sisters to catch them at their Sunday morning coffee. Ena was just about to have a family breakfast with pancakes that Hannah made by the bonfire in the backyard...how cozy. I get family updates and on how serious H1N1 virus is in Ontario. And then Christine who just came back from the gym is busy with writing report cards these days...oh it was so great to connect with them again!

Mile High Grill for breakfast to finish blogging and notice Joanne and Buddy outside of the tourist office so I walk down to chat with them...it is so great to see these folks. Finally checked out Buddy's Biker shop so I bought a biker patch for Karen upstairs from Buddy's BIker shop: "Drive like you stole it!" as a gift to help overcome her fear of bike riding after a slight spill. Some cool other stuff in there and I need to find out if Bruce, My brother in law still rides his bike!

Jerome Public Library; a quiet afternoon with only Richard, the volunteer librarian and a father and his oh-so-cute 2 and 1/2 year old daughter were there. She was playing in the children’s corner on the kiddie computer calling out to her Dad every now and then in the sweetest voice. I sure miss our dear Alexia! RIchard tells me that there’s a great band at....

Paul and Jerry’s Saloon that I should see before they close down...i drive down and find a much quieter laid back bar with a few locals listening to this cool rock/indie band of 4 musicians called Dirty Lingo. I meet one person I know; Walter, who’s wife, Lisa, is still at work down the street. The bartender makes me what she swears if the BEST Margarita in town. It certainly is the cheapest yet at 4$! While I enjoy my drink I sketch the lead singer in the back of my Simple Abundance book and take photographs. and buy their CD. The keyboard player starts playing an electronic cello and I just can’t help myself …. I get up to dance !! and then go home.

Nov-9 Monday; Catch-up and Connect Day

· I go to call friends on Skype and find I have to buy more phone minutes…look for my wallet….not in my purse….retrace my steps…oh dear..left it at Paul & Jerrys!!! LUCKILY they were open ..chairs on the tables …LUCKILY my red wallet was still sitting where I left it …camouflaged in the shadows of the red leather seat. Even the cleaners missed it. WHEW…Christine is right; I do have an angel looking over my shoulder! I run about town doing errands and don’t remember what else…go to the gym

· poker night.- lost again; but so many laughs..Penny won tonight...she needs to be a stand-up comedian...my cheeks hurt after awhile

Nov-10 Tuesday;

• Hiking again…only this time looonnger, on hilly terrain and in high heat! It was test for our endurance today because usually we have a ½ hour lunch pit-stop; this time we barrelled through and had a very nice lunch at the end instead so we could relax and socialize in Sedona. Lunch never tasted so good sitting down in that restaurant amongst famished friends.
• Jill invited me to spend Thanksgiving with her in Albuquerque!!..how thrilling!!..and I am really honoured that I will be able to join Jill and her friends and family for taking part in that tradition.

Nov-11 Wednesday,

· workout at the gym for the step class, which was challenging for keeping focussed on the instructions so I didn’t fall over my own two feet!! And then a really great yoga class after; Denise knows her stuff and was very in tune with her students…also gave great alignment instructions to keep the integrity in the poses. Ahh….felt right at home.

· Larry’s antique store ~ “just to quickly pop by”, I said to myself. 2 hours later; taking pictures of many of the cool corners and stuff outside…saddles, cowboy boots; teacups ~ YES… I bought another one after Larry showed me some special ones in a locked glass case- it’s a black & gold Bavarian cup and saucer and includes a plate. I also found a little something to take to the Thanksgiving table in Albuquerque. NOTE PAPA—I SAW LOTS OF ANVILS AND FORGES!!

· Orion Bakery Cafe in Old Cottonwood for a sandwich and blogging Crash, who works at the gym suggested I pop by some time and promised me a great sandwich...he made good on his promise: I had a delicious turkey / veggie sandwich with chipotle mayo - pow!

Jerona Café, after hours --but they have a plug on the outside patio so I can join the Mother Night Seminar session; they had audio issues and I will have to listen to the download later some time.

Nov-12 Thursday; prep day

AM; I cook for the next week all morning - lentil soup, chilli, hummus and waldorf salad with beets, celery, apple and ginger...and a new trail mix( my 1st jar lasted me 1 month)....all good things to have on hand for travelling and eating on the run!

I buy eggs from Peggy...she saved them since yesterday. Some tourist, that worked for a local egg producer saw her sign and was vying for them as he appreciates ‘home-raised’ eggs.

Jerome Public Library; for some online research for my plans for the next few weeks; JIL Ink Studio in New River ; finalize plans with Jodi; Phoenix –I really should go there before the printmaking stint and make a weekend of it; and my drive home via Santa Fe and Albuquerque….and how to drive home from there. I email Betsy in Phoenix who I met last year in Sedona to see if she is around.

Eve; I end the day working on the images for the printmaking workshop...and finish another pastel.

Nov-13 Friday; RAIN STORM – cozy day…not unlucky at all J

· ...wake up to the drips on the porch overhang...I race up to cover up the chairs I had left out for Jet with plastic and move them close into the house under the overhang. The chairs in my apartment were from the Mile High Grill ( I didn’t even notice!) and needed up in the restaurant to replace some damaged chairs.

· I spend the morning taking photos of the changing sky and hill shots..some beautiful dramatic contrasts and then spend the afternoon working on pastels and photos and drinking afternoon tea from my 'new' old cup.

· Meditation class that night taught by Denise, the yoga teacher at Everybody’s Workout Gym that I attend.…very inspiring and peaceful- focussed on base chakra…‘Woman’ ; her husband is a cool dude with long greying hair and cowboy hat; they introduce me to their horses before I drive home. They moved here from Brooklyn New York and bought this cool ranch alongside the Verde River. After we have a pot-luck dinner with everyone…a cool house with wood beams everywhere and an entrance area built around a huge fig tree ~ wish I took a photo of that!

· drive by the Spirit room---folk couple playing...it`s not the busy tonight. I have a cup of tea and call Rae while I am waiting for the next set…only there is no next set….finding this out after waiting patiently for them to finish having their break with their friends at a side table.

· I log on to email on sidewalk beside Connor Hotel and see Betsy's response that she would be happy to meet me for dinner in Phoenix …cool!

> decide to drive down to Phoenix after all > book a room on Hotwire.com at the downtown Radisson

> write down all the addresses for the art galleries in Scottsdale and the Phoenix Art Gallery so Matilda can guide me there

> email Betsy and Jodi finalizing our visits this weekend and.... head down the hill FREEZING --- BRRrrr!!

> boil some porridge & eggs for my road food while I pack and hit the hay!

> do some quick sketches of the meditation experience and fall asleep with the pastel smudges on the sheets...oh-oh...