Greetings,

It is a tranquil morning. I watched the sun rise and started making her usual shadows on the Mogollon Rim for yet another day. No noise other than a few bird wings flapping and distant coyotes calling out. I like it here. I’m learning to embrace the loneliness that comes with the quiet. Leaving media behind is my most arduous chore lately. Learning to hit social media to post some art and then move away as I would a coiled-up rattler. The ulterior motives of everything are overwhelming to the soul. I fear the influence it undoubtedly has on me that I do not welcome. I enjoy uncluttered thought. And that’s handy since my thoughts are less detailed by the day, it seems.

I love that I have a wonderful upper deck that not only has a nice view of the mountains during the day, but also a sky full of stars at night. Cool breezes embrace me as I end the day by falling asleep in my deck swing.

The upper deck allows me to enjoy the nights without disturbing the animals that live here. I’m sure the bears, snakes, coyotes, and elk would love to cuddle, but I’m good just letting them do their nocturnal things around me. The bats seem curious, sometimes close up, until their radar tells them I’m a bit large to be munching on.

I usually wake up to a flurry of hummingbirds jockeying for a spot at the feeders. We were away for a week, so we will have to put some sweet water out for them today and get back into their good graces.

A second full week in Chandler was again full of shoots with some beautiful friends. As much as I enjoy the quiet here at Bonita, I cherish the times I have the music playing, and the laughter and creativity in the studio abound. I’m acutely aware that those moments will soon be relegated to memories. Maybe today. I hope not.

Creating art is what gives me the passion that age requires to be enjoyed. Having a fistful of friends who help me create by bringing their beautiful souls to be photographed means everything to me. The payment of a brief hug, not required, is always heart-warming.

I find it interesting that most of the people I know don’t see themselves as I do. Everyone I know is kind, light-hearted, loves life, and is far more intelligent and beautiful than they realize. I don’t see the chaos of their daily lives. I see them happy and full of hope and kindness. I see them as fantastic creatures that may never realize just how wonderful they are.

This is why I need to step back from the media and news. I don’t understand the hate and lack of compassion. Having compassion and a love for everyone, no matter how they sound or what color they came wrapped in, is how life was meant to be.

When I was visiting England once, I was asked what part of America my accent was from. I’m the immigrant with an accent, the color of skin I was born with. And I have family, had jobs, helped people I didn’t know, and love life. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to pretend that’s how it is on the planet to remain happy. Sometimes Oblivious can be good, I suppose. Sadly.

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“Be curious, not judgemental” - Walt Whittman

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