How sorry I feel for my friends and family who have been enduring one of the worst winters ever up north. I, on the contrary made one really good decision to escape and find a situation in a warm climate. It has been trying and rewarding at the same time.
When I first arrived, I had already dealt with car issues on the road and found myself in less-than-ideal living conditions. Mind you it was clean but just not to my liking. A little research brought me to meet a lovely lady and her two dogs—I moved in with her in late January. I think I can safely say we are enjoying each others company.
Each day starts with a desert walk. At first I gasped and floundered through a 2-mile hike, short of breath and sore of limb. Oh, I was in really rough shape. Now I head off with my walking buddies and before we know it we have covered 4.6 miles in less than an hour and a half. I can see the old body firming up.
Since early January we have had only one day of rain (much needed) and my wonderful gods brought it on the days that I was enjoying the film festival so I was inside anyway!
AND the rain soaked the earth so now everything is exploding in bloom and leaf.
Every year I’ve been here I promise myself I will photograph a specific magnificent magnolia tree in bloom. The problem is they burst into bloom then immediately start dropping the blossoms so the opportunity only presents itself for 1-2 days. Two days ago, I noticed it was in bloom. I nearly procrastinated again but made the effort yesterday and as well I did. Half of the blossoms had already fallen.
I am enjoying jazz, operas, movies, friends and GLORIOUS weather. Life is good.
