Beautiful Sedona

Every time of the year, this spot is so beautiful. I'll be here just one full day, and I need to get out into the cold but gorgeous clear day in Sedona.
National weather today reports storms and ice in many areas that were fine as I drove through them last week. Amazing how that timing worked so well for me.
The photo above was taken from inside my car when I arrived in Sedona late yesterday afternoon. Snow was in the red rocks just on the one side of 89A. With the sun so bright today and no new precipitation, it may be that this was my best view this visit of white in the red.
Learned today that the Portuguese meaning of "Los Abrigados" is the shelters.........Hmmmm. This is definitely a place of shelter from all cares and woes.

Gallup, NM

More storms overnight. Schools were closed throughout this section of AZ/NM. The slippery hill up from the Schuyler home early this morning reminded me of our NC home on Niley Cook Road in the late 1970's, watching cars slide around. It was an easy decision to delay my leaving Albuquerque until the side roads there benefitted from the bright sun and above freezing temperatures. That all worked. I left a little later than planned but had a good drive with almost no snow on I-40 except about 20 miles east of Gallup. For all of you Earl's fans, all's well at Earl's. Enjoyed a Navajo taco and visiting, but bought no jewelry or other items
My biggest concern this evening is, Where am I going to watch the Super Bowl game on Sunday? By then I expect to be settled in at Louise's in Tsaile. I'm hoping the student union at the college will be open and the game will be on a tv there. If not, I may have to drive to Chinle to see it. I know I am blessed beyond measure that this is my biggest concern. Feel free to laugh at me. I'm laughing at me.

Fun with Pearl

The photo was taken today and shows clouds above the Sandia Mountains.
Still in Albuquerque on a beautiful southwest day, just windy. All around us the weather is not good. I've learned the Navajo word for mud because that's what's on a lot of the reservation now. It rains, snows, rains, freezes, then melts. Whattasystem. That is nature's way in the early spring.
Tomorrow is supposed to be better at least on the main highways going toward the rez, and I plan to leave Curt and Pearl and Pearl's mom. Talked to the dean at Dine College today and he respects my decision to travel the rest of this week, and move into Tsaile, AZ, across from the college on the weekend. This works for Louise, too, where I'll live. Rarely do we get the gift of time with no set plans or responsibilities like I have now for the rest of the week. I'm going to take advantage of this situation. Gallup tomorrow and Sedona for two nights, then, if the Great Spirit sees for improved driving, I'll go to Tsaile on Friday.
Today Pearl and I took off for several hours middle of the day. About noon we said the healing prayer for Josiah in Sneads Ferry and Mary Lou in Wilmington. We drove half way to Santa Fe, to Santa Ana Pueblo (they call it Tamaya) because Pearl wanted me to see a beautiful hidden away resort and spa. We walked around for a while, and it sure is beautiful!

Ya'ah'teeh! from Albuquerque

I'm here at the Schuylers', and of course it feels great. I'm in Curt's office. At one time, he was at the other desk in this room on a computer; I'm on mine; and Pearl was in the office/guest room on her computer doing the Baha'i newsletter. What a way for the three of us to visit! The modern American- (global!) way! But we've also had interaction of course. Curt showed me how to insert accents in msword for Baha'i words (and Navajo words) but my blog won't support that. Darn. I watched Pearl do a beautiful braid with her mom's long hair. I could do a braid like that, Browne girls, next summer on your heads. Pearl thought maybe I knew how to do a Navajo bun, but I don't.
We're going to a Mexican restaurant nearby, and it is wonderful that Pearl's mom wants to go. I've been told before that although they always ask her to go with them, it's more likely she'll go out with us when I'm here and ask.
So happy to be in Albuquerque, I know I'm not yet on the reservation, but like always, even when I come by plane, and moreso, to be here with Curt and Pearl, I feel I've arrived in my Navajo home when I get this far.

Amarillo, TX

Yesterday was my longest day of driving. As I left the motel, there was light sleet and not a pretty forecast, but I left thinking I'd stop in the middle of Oklahoma if I had to. Roads were not iced at all, just the windshield. Within a half hour, precipitation stopped, and it was just cloudy for the next few hours. Then the sun came out by noon, and the rest of the day was really beautiful. Cold and windy outside, but warm and toasty and comfortable inside my "Mazda home." Most interesting site was those huge and many wind energy generators west of Oklahoma City. I remember those from the drive out last May, but had forgotten how many of them there are! As far as you can see, both sides of I-40, and all turning in the wind yesterday. They are not in straight lines, but facing differently, to catch the wind no matter from where it blows, I guess. Hmmmm. sounds like it could be a parable to some life experience...........
Today the southwest sun is bright in the clear blue sky, almost no wind, and above normal temperature for right here.
Today is the day I drive into New Mexico and see those big red rock formations that remind me of the area near Gallup. I'll get to Albuquerque, visit and stay with wonderful friends, Curt and Pearl and Pearl's mom. Life is good.

Alma, AR

Leisurely drive and numerous stops on Riverside Drive in Memphis along the Mississippi right after breakfast before starting the rather short day of driving. In a warmer time of the year, this would be a really great place for a couple days' stop, take in the Civil Rights Museum and music activities on Beale Street. Maybe this could be part of the return drive to NC in May.
Good day of driving today. Sun all day. But it's cold. I talk on the phone with friends from the Navajo Reservation and hear about more snow and cold rain. There's real winter weather ahead for me up in Tsaile, I think.

Memphis tonight

Well, I'm definitely further west, toward my destination, but I have two amusing stories about today's travel.
For all of you who know me well, this won't come as a surprise. Two experiences today show that my expectations and positive visualizing are not always supported by reality.
First, in planning not to drive more than 350 or 400 miles maximum each day, I figured I'd have time out of the car, seeing some new sight, a museum or tourist attraction, or at least a walk in a mall. So far none of that is happening. Today's biggest stop was for over a half hour when I pulled off on an exit with only one gas station (but a nice clean new one.) I parked next to the building on a quiet section of the pavement, lowered the car window (just a little chilly), opened my cooler, and leisurely ate left over salad from last night and cheese brought from home. Went into the station and bought a peanut butter brownie for dessert.
Until I'm into it again each time, I forget that when I'm on a long distance drive like this, esp alone, pretty much the only activity there's energy for is to drive and rest and drive and rest. And I do have a long stretch this evening and overnight for rest.
Second, and this is even funnier to me......I planned tonight's stop in Memphis, and looking at the map, it looked like the motel would be just a couple blocks from the Mississippi River. Wow! Here's the reality: the window in my room looks out onto a truck parking lot in an industrial section right near the airport. I was thinking of a view of the Mississippi like in a travel brochure advertising old paddle wheel boats or something like the walk along the Wilmington, NC, water area. I guess that's what I was visualizing because the reality really surprised me. When I checked in, I saw none and asked if there is a restaurant nearby. I was told that a few restaurants deliver and was given brochures. (I thought that's what you're told in a motel that's in a high crime area.) Anyway, the room is fine, and I enjoyed the chinese food I ordered. Wireless internet connection works great. I'm listening to wonderful old jazz.....love your music, Daddy. And I think I'll read for a while in the comfortable chair with my feet up on the attached ottoman, the same spot as my sweet computer station.
It was cloudy all day, damp but no rain. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and very cold.

Phone calls to say, "We're at Earl's"

Remember Earl's Restaurant in Gallup, NM, where you can eat and shop from local vendors at the same time? It's an old favorite of ours (and countless other folks, too) that the Schuylers introduced me to in 1989. Well, now there's sort of a standing joke that both my sister, Pat Becker, and friend, Pearl Schuyler, call me every time they go to Earl's. One or the other gets there at least once a month. Pat and Dick called from there a few days ago when they were traveling from Sante Fe to Scottsdale, and Pearl called on her way to Gallup (and of course, Earl's!) today. I expect to be there in six days.

So far, so good

It was great to visit Gabrielle Griggs last night and say hi to her husband, Mark, and hug that cute little Pauly who just keeps getting cuter. (Those two guys stayed at home, so Gabs and I could have a ladies night out at the nearby Mexican Restaurant we all like.) We started the talk about their vist to Sneads Ferry soon after I get back. It was good to hear about all the busy Ruhi Institute processes being directed from LGBI.
As I drove away from Hemingway, SC, I listened to gospel songs on 90.9FM, Radio Baha'i...."Put your hands together, and praise Him!" Great way to start the day. The station was clear for me for well over an hour. My favorite spot on the air was when I heard Gabrielle do a short presentation on the dangers of materialism. She contrasted a material person with a spiritual person. She said the material person is stressed and troubled by little things, but the spiritual person is calm under all conditions. Thanks, Gabs. The next time I'm feeling stressed, and I'm asked why, I'll say, "It's just my material self taking over."
Today's drive was close to 400 miles. I'm on the west side of Atlanta. The drive was a combination of a lot of little small towns in South Carolina (I mean like have you been to Yahannah?)and cities, right through the centers of Columbia and Atlanta, quiet country roads through charming residential communities and large interstates with steady traffic, overcast skies, rain, and periods of bright sun. Diversity is the word for the driving experiences of today.
Wireless connection to the internet from my motel room is really cool.

Outo'here

A part of each of the last several days I've been uptight about getting done most of the items on my "do before leaving for AZ" list. The good news is that most of those things got done, and I'll be on the road just a few minutes after I post this message. I'm happy that I'm only three hours later than my goal of noon. I remember now that in May, I left about seven hours later than I wanted, and now I also remember, that's probably why that drive seemed especially stressful for me. I had much further to go on the first day, and I felt like I never really caught up to a good schedule. Today I'll drive just three and a half hours to Louis Gregory Baha'i Institute. So today is good, and it's bright and sunny, a beautiful day to drive. I'm feeling very thankful.
A Baha'i prayer will guide my journey..........O God, my God! I have set out from my home, holding fast unto the cord of Thy love, and I have committed myself wholly to Thy care and protection..........

Last day in North Carolina until mid-May

PHOTO: Baha'i Feast at Schultz home.............
Good to finally see the sun after many rainy days. By yesterday, I was feeling rather cloudy and stressed from so many gray days, and I was concerned with the last minute chores before being away for four months.
Then I went to Baha'i Feast in Wilmington, NC. After the laughs and the serious concerned sharing and mostly the prayers together, I felt as though the sun was shining again!
With friends in Wilmington, I shared more about the young man in Sneads Ferry who is so sick with treatments for leukemia. Sixteen years old, he and his parents have been at the Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville since the total surprise diagnosis a little over two weeks ago. The parents are posting almost daily entries on a carepage website, allowing for all the relatives and friends to know what's going on. Others can add a message if they want. This process makes us all connected and all focused together in prayers for this youth and his family and of course the doctors. With Josiah and his family in mind, a familiar healing prayer from Baha'u'llah was said at Feast yesterday...
"Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

Most important treasures in NC

These wonderful folks, my children and their spouses, and all their children are my most important treasures in North Carolina.

familiar scene I leave behind as I drive west

still setting settings!

I've just changed so that anyone can comment on this blog without getting a google account.
I'd like to add that you can email me if you do not want your comment to appear on this blog. I'd like that visable on every post I make, but I cannot figure out how to do that. Here's my email address, and maybe sometime I'll figure out how it can be in view all the time on my blog. mike1844@audreymike.com

Start with a prayer of gratitude

As I begin this new endeavor of a blog, I want to start with a Baha'i prayer of gratitude for all the marvelous gifts in our lives....
All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honor, of sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe and power........

Creating a blog

1-16-08 ok. At Rick's for lunch today, Patty said, "Mom, you should create a blog."
Hmmm. Seems like a good idea, especially as I start out on Jan 21 for another adventure: driving to the southwest (another 2000 mile drive alone!), to work again for a few months at Dine College, Tsaile, AZ. Feeling blessed with the unique experiences that are mine, I'll be lucky again to live within the four sacred mountains of the Navajo Nation.
So, welcome to my blog. Please check it often. Add comments that you want to share with me and the world. My posts are for you and available to everyone who logs on.