Post Script~Post Trip: Afterthoughts & Gratitude & Living into the Future

What now...? Well I have come home with a treasure trove of experiences, images, pastels, etchings, photos and sketches for paintings. My community expanded and my creative juices were unleashed and I have 14 paintings planned for the next several months and a series of etchings....an art exhibition in the works....I am living into my artistic future!

I close this Blog with acknowledgement and thank you's to the many friends I have met along the way that opened their hearts and homes to me!   

Beginning with Saera who shared the car drive to Chicago with me; cooked & fed me, inspired me, and taught me about Couch Surfing and how to pack efficiently for the rest of the trip.

To...  
1. The Jerome community who welcomed me so graciously:

• Lisa Petty; my cheerful  land-lady, the coolest woman with a BIG heart, who I was fortunate to bump into by luck at the last minute in my search for a temporary home! AND got me signed up for that crazy parade for Katie Lee and of course cleaning up the park (...especially the lemonade) after ~ what a blast!
• Anne, her partner, who gave me great tips about Arizona nature and how to respect the wild life - the Trumpet vine and the Black widow as i got into digging around their garden
• Karen...the upstairs tenant, who took me under her wings in this wild town; 1st up to the 'Garage Sale', then for a tour of the town and then out to the Monday night Poker games; dancing at the Spirit Room, and shopping at the retro clothing store and contra-dancing with Larry!
• Mary and Sally, hilarious gals ~ crazy at Poker nights! who happened to have the cool Kaleidoscope Weekend bash going on. I made the coolest Kaleidoscopes that my husband and granddaughter both LOVE!!-
• the folks at the Mile High Grill who let me stay and do my internet work whilst stretching out my breakfast into lunch ..into coffee time
• the owner of the MoJo Cafe who kept the coffee coming while I sat on the bench outside for  my internet sessions with my family & friends on Skype with the most spectacular view of the valley below. 
• the gals in our Hiking group from the gym in Cottonwood! Thanks for humouring my Canadian political views, and providing the wonderful company and guidance for me that allowed me to be in the Red Rocks of the Sedona area.
• Denise the Yoga teacher in Cottonwood, who contributed to me with your great meditation class and yoga class.
• Richard the Jerome Library volunteer who made me feel so welcome ~ and yes, your library is more like a community center than a library!   
• Joanne and Buddy, who welcomed me expertly and not surprisingly take care of the tourist welcome center!
• and the other 2 Lisa's who I met at Poker night and breakfast club...and your partners Levi and Walter ...wonderful people who I hope to meet again. Walter it was you who had me sit down and really appreciate the music of Dirty Lingo and had me buy their CD. When that is on in my car..its Arizona for me.

2. Irene and Big John in New River for lighting my fire for etching again!
3. Jodi for joining me in the journey to New River and being such a  great host in Scottsdale
4. Betsy in Phoenix who reminded me of the context of Art, Community and Spirituality for the fantastic experiences I am having!
5. Jill and Guy & the Tanis Family for sharing your American Thanksgiving and treating me like one of the family.
6. The Whip Guy and wife Laura; who shared photographing and appreciation of the ghost town in New Mexico with me and kept friendly company with me just as I was getting a bit scared of the place.
7. The 3 guys, Blake, Travis, and Teddy; who pulled me out of the hole in the cobblestones on the Mississippi Riverbank!
8. And last but not least; Solie and Suzy ,,,your friendly Tennessee hospitality made the last of my trip so PERFECT on my home~stretch!
THANK YOU AND MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!!  I HOPE TO SEE Y'ALL AGAIN!!
LOVE, Katherine