April 18

April 18

I surely have fallen down in posting my wanderings. I have to get better at this.

As I approach the date of my departure from Arizona and my beloved desert, the warm mornings take me deeper and deeper into the canyons. My camera ever at my beckon call, my eyes searching for ‘the picture’ I’ve captured some delightful wild flowers, gnarly bark, and broad vistas. This year is very dry and cool by Arizona standards. I love it! But the plants, amazingly resilient in this harsh environment, have taken their time coming to life. I read that they will refuse to appear if the weather is not to their liking and if they do decide to bloom, it is at their discretion. I believe it! This year the wild flowers are almost a month behind and, to date, far fewer than last year. But those that are blooming are displaying vibrant colour, more so than other years. I expect this is to attract the bees and to have a better chance at propagating. How clever of them.

Yesterday, my friend and I wandered up a canyon, stepped off the designated path and found ourselves in nature’s garden of desert wallflowers and verbena nestled against red rock and agave. Our shutters were busy. The day before that, we climbed high elevations and captured vistas.

My dear old dog does not wander with me anymore but she enjoys her bed by the back door where she keeps watch over the back yard. The sunrises and sunsets have painted the sky, these we enjoy together. Well, I do as she finds the perfect place to pee.

As I measure my car trunk against the closets of stuff that need to travel with me north, I count the days until I leave. I will be home in time to exercise my vote – I implore you to do the same, each ballot speaks to our freedom, please honour it.