quiet days in the desert

quiet days, contemplating, cooking, embroidering, walks with the dogs, starting to jog again, staying warm, burning lots of wood.

there is some order starting to appear out of the chaos of my thoughts and I'm able to report that I'm feeling content with riding out whatever is going on and getting ready for my next step.

It has been COLD out here. The dogs water bowls have been freezing about an inch's worth of ice on them in the mornings. The little lemon tree is having a hard time. Lost a major branch and was affected by the frost, fig tree lost it's leaves, but there is still hope : )

There was running water in the house (hot from the solar water heater, and cold from the water tank), but the pipe froze and broke the valve so it's back to fetching water from outside. I got pretty used to being able to turn on the faucet...help is on the way though. Ed to replace the valve this weekend. My fingertips are getting toughened up and used to cooking tortillas on a hot griddle, getting burnt on the pot when heating water for the bath and working in the garden. I am still using my French face moisturizer, preserving some of the prettiness that seems to go so fast out here. I think I smell better than anyone in Casa Grande, at least more moisturized than anyone else!

Ed did a poetry reading at the Elk's Lodge last week. They had a literary evening and wine tasting. I'm amazed we went, but it was something different to do. Seemed like you have to smoke at least a pack of cigarettes a day to be a member of the Elks. It was pretty funny seeing everyone sitting at their tables and walking around with their cigarettes. There are still some glitter glam gals out there waving around their cigarettes while they hold the microphone. Anyhoo...I was invited to join. Fancy that, but I'm not ready to get emphesima yet.

Even though no exciting news from Paris for you, I'm doing this entry to have a record of what is going on post paris, post life dream, pre new life dream, pre next geographic location.

Warm and cozy thoughts, D