Adventure 124: Desert Shadows RV Resort/Post D

We get a measure of pain, too, not to mention a cup of Hope.

It's probably not fair to combine two of the elements in a Jimmy V full day, but I laughed until I cried today. It all started as it should. I won two games to take a 4-2 lead. We were playing a "road game" because we were waiting for Fric to get his oil changed. The service department at the local Toyota Dealer was excellent. The job was done well in under the time they estimated. So I was feeling pretty good after the morning session. I did some of my thinking during the 'form'. Master David Block has given me a lifetime of things to work on, so my mind has turned me into a mechanical stick man as far as Tai Chi goes. That's not good, but it's not practice that makes perfect, it's perfect practice that makes perfect. Believe me, perfection is hard to find. As for twirling and whirling, our dance card has suddenly become as full as a pretty debutante. We're having dinner with Happy and Forey Hardt tonight. We planned lunch with Roger and Margo Shute tomorrow. We planned Saturday at the Running of the Bulls in Cave Creek with Judy's cousin Russ and his wife Kathy. He's a rabid basketball fan who has ESPN, so the Zags are on tap Saturday as well, and Friday night we're going to see his grandson play. He's a four year starter for Centennial High in Peoria. In addition, we're leaving Sunday to make our way to Palm Springs to store the trailer, so we can fly to Seattle. Since we didn't have enough to do, we decided to take Tina Pitts advice and visit the Desert Museum and  the Chihuly blown glass exhibit (It was on the way to dinner with the Hardt's). She said it wasn't to be missed. Boy was she right. Not only were the glass sculptures incredible, but the desert museum is really an meticulously tended arboretum for desert flora. It's amazing what cacti can look like when they get water, care, and expertise. They are quite literally stunning. I thought the natural desert was impressive, but these plants have responded to the loving care as well loved children might: they reach for the stars and exclaim, "Why not me?" After our visit to the exhibit, we made our way to meet Happy and Forey. We were a little early, so we took out the crib board at a local Starbucks, and I started talking cheap smack, badgering the cager with threats (Empty as it turned out). She proceeded to pile up double digit hands every time and very nearly double skunked me. Forced humility is either funny or sad. Today, the humility brought out the belly laugh until suddenly the absurdity of human overconfidence brought out alligator tears. Now that's a full day (I'm down 5-4). Unfortunately, it's not the only absurdity, or the only mystery, or the only alligator tear. In these times (You know--life is what happens while you're making other plans), I have no understanding, I have no answers. I can't wail and gnash my teeth at the feet of the Almighty because I'm not able to to reach that high. In athletic terms, I'm not big enough for the game. I can tell you this, I feel a frustration that grabs the back of my neck, clenches my shoulders, and twists my psyche like a rag. The worst part is the helplessness. And as for that, as absurd as it seems, my only response is: Life is good, especially today.

 Wipe that smile off your face, goggle eyes (Alias: Wily Cager).

 One of my best art shots: The question is-Are beauty and pain part of the same sphere?

 There are certainly snakes in the garden.

 I'd wear sun glasses on a cloudy day, too, if I was a sneaky, anchor clanking, oyster eyed individual (Ya, you, Cager). Sounds like a sore loser to me!

 More art.

 Are these Saguaros not the most magnificent of the desert plants?

 We watched Chiluly and his team blow glass in Tacoma a few years back. It was incredible, and these pictures do not capture the subtle pairing his art made with God's desert.

 I want this guy's job. He rakes the sand into perfect circular scratches just so the tourists can trample the pattern. Then he rakes again. Now that's a  full Zen day.

 Did you know that glass spirals grow out of the desert floor?

 Life really is just  a bowl of stone soup.

 Tyger, Tyger burning bright….Did the God who made the lamb, make thee?

 Part of the museum exhibit included petroglyphs (I think this one is of a bragging Seahawk). 

 Gourds carved into ladles hang in a shade making ramada.

 Sleeping domes made from desert brush. This is why the Apache Indians, who were nomadic, simply got up and left a campsite. Materials were plentiful to make a new camp anywhere they traveled.

 I love the mesquite water holder.

At this site we were challenged to grind some mesquite beans  into flour. Two ladies were trying to do so. I said, "A loaf of bread? They replied, "Maybe a cupcake."

 Gorgeous white glass quails prancing through the mesquite.

 I don't know what Chihuly was thinking here. I'm thinking: tranquil beauty.

 Take yourself back in time. Life has always been hard as well as beautiful. Quite the paradox, Dewie. 

 Just nod your spiked head: You know it's true.

 This metal Saguaro is formed from axe heads welded together. The axe heads are those used to harvest the flowers from the top of living Saguaros.

 Just another excellent Mexican Restaurant. This one is in Mesa, Arizona.

 Happy and Forey Hardt.

Papas, Carne, Maiz Con Chiles  (Meat, corn, and mashed potatoes--Absurdly good).

Adventure 123: Desert Shadows RV Resort/Post C

Not a bad selfie.

The late Jim Valvano gave a now famous speech at the ESPYS just before he died of cancer. During that speech he said that a person should do three things every day. First, a person should laugh, the kind of laugh that makes the belly rumble, the eyes water, and the jowls ache. Second, a person should think, the kind of thoughts that give witness to wonder, that express kindness to others, and that embody dreams. Finally, a person should cry, the kind of tears drawn by tenderness, whetted by mystery, and born of sorrow. Jimmy said, "Laugh, think, and cry. Now that's a full day." I lived a full day today, just not in Jimmy V's order. First, I cried when my brother, Tom, called with the news that our sister, Sandra had passed. Sandra has lived the past couple of years battling the harsh reality of thrice weekly dialysis brought on by diabetes. It finally took it's toll as she rode the transit to her treatment. I don't know the details, but I imagine some heart failure or stroke event. I cried not only for the loss of a sister, but no one deserves to die on the bus. My hope is that she is in a place where pain of any kind does not exist. She deserves that. Second, I thought long and hard about the form (Tai Chi) as I watched David Block teach another class. I've been blessed this past few days to be in the presence of a master who has challenged my reality. If that doesn't make a person think, I don't know what will. I also thought about God's plan, about how little control I have, and about just what my role should be. I wish it could be as easy as "You just tell me what to think, and I'll start thinking it immediately." Not so (At least for me). Finally, I laughed. We had dinner with my niece, Tina (Mom to be), and her husband Will. We told a few stories, shared a fine meal, and I found myself smiling (Belly rumbling style) at the thought that here these kids are on the other side of life's circle. They're creating a new life (The baby's due May 9). It just goes to show that life is good, especially today.

 
 Like Tucson, Phoenix is a bicycle friendly place that has planned for riders. Excellent.

 This canal trail runs for nearly twenty miles north/south through Phoenix. We rode ten miles and Hansel and Greteled it back for a total of twenty.

 It's hard to imagine this arroyo full of water.

 The Bunny checking the map.

 She said we should follow this arrow.

 What are the chances of passing a street named after my late sister.

 Master Block's Dojo.

 It's a multi use building that serves as a place for study of several types of martial art.

 Before we began practicing Tai Chi, Master Block was teaching weapons. In this picture, he is taking his students through a set of broad sword.

In this set, the students are working with the cane.

Will and Tina took us to their favorite gourmet pizza cafe. We ate the whole thing!

 These soon to be parents look happy, and really, what better joy is there than our children (Let me laugh, think, and cry)?

Adventure 122: Desert Shadows RV Resort/Post B

Sadly, not a Tengo Internet tower.

I was a bit remiss not to brag about my own gratuitous righteousness, but since I won it's much easier to be gracious. I gave the wily cager a double or nothing offer for a winner take all match in the Tucson open. We didn't really get to play a normal tournament since we were hanging out at the Kral's, so I offered her a one game playoff (She took the offer-she's a wily one). The cribbage gods smiled on me, and I won the game, giving me a one match lead in the overall tournament. The wily cager was on her best behavior; no untoward moves were made, and she smiled that pretty smile of hers as she swallowed yet another defeat (I wish I was as gracious in defeat as she is). But life goes on.  We've played two games in the Phoenix open. The cager started out strong with a win in the morning session, but fell behind by one game as I turned her into a smelly skunk this afternoon. I lead 2-1. I spent about four hours counting commute time attending a Tai Chi class taught by David Block at Phoenix Community College. He was gracious enough to invite me. The class has just begun (For some), and the first hour of the class centered on an early (And essential) posture in the form. In the second hour, the returning students worked on postures that occur later in the form. Finally, David spent some time working with me on Pushing Hands. This man is a master, and not only are his skills advanced, he is also a gifted teacher. During the class, he made sure to address (And correct) each student. He called each by name, and walked through the class of about twenty, making sure to touch each one (Including me). I can only hope to reach a level such as David has reached, but remember, it's not a contest. The study of Tai Chi is subtle. Impatience is not rewarded, but daily practice with the correct focus, correct spirit, and proper guidance is. I'll just keep making strides as I am able. After I returned to the trailer, we tried to link up to TengoInternet, but after a long customer support call, we determined that we're in a place in this RV park that has no access to a strong signal. It must be partly because poor little Frac, though he is a silvery beauty, is so tiny among all these behemoths surrounding him. No worries, that is why we turned Judy's phone into a hot spot in the first place. On a fun note, we've made a dinner date with our niece, Tina (Valentine) Pitts. She's building a young life inside her ( Girl:)) this very moment. It's so exciting and to think I used to babysit her when she was just  a crawler. The circle of life is a source of constant amazement. We also made a dinner date (What else?) with Happy and Forey Hardt, old friends from Ritzville, Washington. They've been RVers now for about seven years. They land in Phoenix for a good part of every winter. We're making our way down the dance card. Hopefully, the other people we know in the area will be available. Tomorrow, we're going to take our first ride. We scoped out a trail that parallels one of the canals in Phoenix. It runs roughly north/south, and naturally the weather will be nice (Even if the locals are whining that it's cold: Psshaah!). On a ridiculous note. We made KimChee Soup tonight. It was really good. Both Judy and I agreed, but we kept saying, "Something seems to be missing; this tastes different than usual." Neither of us could figure it out until we did the dishes. Judy was putting the soup away in the refrigerator, and as she was making room, she discovered what had been missing. WE FORGOT TO PUT THE KIMCHEE INTO THE KIMCHEE SOUP. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The good news is that we have quite a bit left, so when we add the KimChee tomorrow, it will taste like a wholly different meal. This is just more evidence that senility travels within groups, but no worries, even if we can't remember it, life is good, especially today.

 This giant Dutch Star borders us on one side.

 This big Montana covers us across the street.

 This big fella is right behind us.

 Yet another Montana sits right next to us.

 Even an open door couldn't help the signal.

 David Block making his way through the class.

 Can you see the gentleness in his spirit, and yet he inspires passion as you can see in the lady in the purple (Pam).

 One of the long streets in this RV park, which covers about five acres.

 We could catch a glimpse of the sunset through the big behemoths.

 I stood on Fric's bumper to give the illusion that the sunset was open. In reality, if I'd remained on the ground, all we would have seen is the pink glow of RVs.

Broth: check; Vegetables: check; Tofu: check; Tuna: check; Mushrooms: check; KimChee….aaarg.

Adventure 121: Desert Shadows RV Resort, Phoenix, AZ/Post A

Long Term RV Park: Not Really Us.

Today, mostly a travel day, proved uneventful aside from the difficulties hooking up to the Tengo Internet. We arrived safely, navigated our way through the unfamiliar (As yet) system of freeways and side roads of Phoenix until we backed into site 270. After lunch, I made contact with a Tai Chi master who agreed to meet me. We met in a park not quite eight miles away from the RV park. He then spent nearly three hours with me (I was so excited, I forgot to get a picture). First, he watched my form. He then started "teaching". At one point he said that when the Chinese masters don't want to teach someone, they tell them "very good". He said that a few times, but mostly he kept moving from one point to the next (In truth, he gave me a lifetime's worth of work just today). He doesn't know me, though, so I remained focused and attentive until finally darkness encroached. He has a beginner's class tomorrow at the a college in town. He said he could sneak me in if I showed up. He said we could push hands before and after class for a little bit. I plan to take as much time as he is willing to give. One problem with these masters is that they most often require students to prove themselves worthy. We'll see if I can offer any proof in the time I have here. My lesson took most of the afternoon, and both Judy and I were famished. We discovered an IN-N-OUT burger not too far away. We called that dinner, and now we're just chilling in Frac. Today went by so fast, I didn't take but a few pictures (And those are less than exciting). Hopefully, we'll be back in full tourist mode tomorrow, but in now life is good, especially today. 

 Home Sweet Home, Phoenix Style.

You wouldn't believe how tiny Frac looks in this place. Nonetheless, it's our comfortable little abode.

Adventure 120: Valley of the Sun RV Park/Post I

Checkout time at the Kralzona Hotel

We checked out of the Hotel Kralazonia after we helped Ginny and David clean up a little after the Seahawks drubbed the Broncos. David, a diehard Steeler fan turned Bronco fan because the Seahawks moaned and whined like pouty little teen girls after the Steelers drubbed them in their previous Super Bowl appearance. He hid his chagrin well, and even started cheering for the Seahawks when it became clear the day was hopeless for the Broncos. I think that was right after the center hiked the ball over Payton Manning's head. Though I'm not a real football fan, I am a sports fan in general, and I definitely root for the home team (Meaning I always root for the west coast over the east coast, etc.). However, I couldn't have imagined that the Seahawks would club, drub, and chub (A meaningless rhyme just for fun) the Broncos the way they did. I imagine there are some sorry sacks walking the back streets of Vegas right about now. I think Doritos won again for most endearing advertisements. I especially liked the time machine one. However, the puppy commercial Budweiser ran wins for most heartwarming. The cancer commercial Chevrolet ran wins for most heart jerking. The Yogurt commercial with the Grizzly bear wins for best background imagery (I'm in absolute awe in terms of how Madison Avenue can manipulate my psyche. Just imagine the power of the image of every food in the store trashed, crushed, and discarded as sub standard except for a glowingly healthy stand of yogurt. Stunningly good. On another level, it seems sad that in the face of Global warming, that the evening was dominated by automobile ads, including one that made it clear that America was still king of the car (Let those Asians put your phone together, etc. etc.) And isn't it a little disconcerting in terms of righteousness that Pete Carroll can be riding on top of the world when just a short five years back he snuck off the Trojan campus (Ala John Calipari) just ahead of the sanctions leveled by the NCAA for recruiting misdeeds. Of course, I'm on the verge of slanderous accusations now, especially since I live in a country where a man is innocent until proven guilty, but it does beg the question of why poor kids got drafted and rich kids went to college during Vietnam, WWII, WWI, The Spanish-American WAR, the Civil War, etc. Whoa, cowboy, get off that horse! We had a wonderful time visiting the Krals. Judy was able to renew and revive an old friendship (Who says we can't pass this way again?). I was able to explore David's world a little bit, and he mine. It was good because we're both seekers. Tomorrow, we're heading for Phoenix, still heading west. We'll take the back road for three reasons. First, we like it. Second, we're in no hurry. Third, we can, which means of course that life is good, especially today.

 I know the picture is dim, but so are the spirits of these Bronco fans. I snapped this shot right after they barked at us, "Hey, Seattle. Pipe down over there!"

 After their bark, Judy and Ginny responded as only confident women can (You husbands know what I mean).

Adventure 119: Valley of the Sun/Kralazona Hotel/Post H

Men's Worship Symposium 

Looking back, today could fall into one of two categories (Or maybe both): "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", or "God works in wondrous ways". Since we've been enjoying the hospitality of David and Ginny Kral, and since it just so happened that the All In: No Regret's Men's Conference was simulcast at their church, I tagged along. I guess  I'm just a Roman who happened to witness the wonder of God's preachers at work. It's interesting, both in terms of my personal history as a recovering Catholic and in terms of my journey in the spirit. Nonetheless, there I was sitting next to David in the front row. The conference lasted all day, we listened to six speakers, and much of the message can be summarized in a challenge for men to step up to "Righteous Man" status. Oh, my goodness! First up was a guy named Darrin Patrick, who spoke on Galatians 5:16-6:2. His message: Don't obey for acceptance; obey from acceptance. His metaphor was growth as fruit. Fruit grows painfully, interdependently, internally, and gradually. Each of us should celebrate as we grow. And most of all: righteousness can't be legislated. I liked the message. I've long thought that morality can't be legislated, and I agree that right should be done for right's sake. So I was part of the choir the first hour. Then an African American pastor named Rod Hairston spoke about how dangerous it is for women in our society (Judges 16). His theme was that he was there to "cover" the women in his life. He cared for his wife; protected her, provided for her,  and acted in ways that made him worthy of her love (I liked that part). Where we diverged was his excess patriarchal stance, especially in terms of making sure his daughters boyfriends were screened. His position is that it is his duty to guide his daughter in to a right relationship. My personal stance is that I'm not in charge of my daughter's romantic life. However, the passage from Judges was one I wasn't familiar with, and it was disturbing on the face of things. I was excluded from the choir in that hour. Next came a British guy named Stuart Briscoe, whose question centered on a common thought: Who is God? He was a professorial type who built a logical argument of how God reveals himself (Too many Bible passages to note). Basically God reveals himself in the wonders of the creation, his promise through covenant, and the sacrifice of Christ. For me, this is a part of my personal struggle. I don't doubt who God is, but I do struggle with surrendering my control (A pride issue no doubt). Bill Perkins came next to talk about temptation, and since I've given in to all kinds of temptation, my ears perked up (What's that sizzling smell?). He talked from my favorite book, James: the wages of sin are death. I liked his notion that we can identify our thoughts, take them captive, and alter our behavior. He also wanted me to involve others. There, my pride got in the way (Again). I like to solve my own problems, and truth be known, I'm a master at rationalizing my problems away (Ben Franklin, I call it). So I wasn't really part of the choir here, either, mostly because I don't share myself with others quite so well.  Then the pastor who was hosting the conference spoke on being a "Legacy Father". He spoke loud and clear to me. I liked two parts of his message in terms of how to be a better father: 1) Get off their back and get on their team. 2) Ask, "What kind of picture are you painting with your life? Though the challenge is stiff and the regrets many, the good news is that I get a new chance tomorrow (If there is one). The final speaker was another African American pastor named Rick Rigsby. He asked us, "What is your priority?" Good question. His metaphor was a closet full of stuff from our materialistic world: go, go, go; do, do, do; buy, buy, buy. What is in my closet? The climax of his story sketched the death of his gorgeous wife from cancer; the gift of a new love (Who adopted his children). He made me cry and then he made me laugh with a quip about his friends lamenting, "Here I am married to fat Mabel, and you're blessed with two fabulous women. What gives?" Many of my friends have asked me a similar question. Though it was stylistic, it was a speech staged to Hollywood perfection. It jerked my heart out and lay it there before me, trembling, exposed, attentive. I listened when he said, "Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the heart of stupidity" (There's that pride thing again, wondrously woven into to the heart of things). Needless to say, I opened the door and looked directly into my closet. The wondrous part, I guess, is that I was there at all; however, struggling is good,  thinking is encouraged, and life is good, especially today. 

As an aside, Judy and Ginny spent the day together, some of which was spent at the  cactus nursery (Pictures to follow). Since they have thoroughly enjoyed their time together this week, life was good for them as well.

At 6 A.M. David had coffee ready for me. Whoo! Hoo!

 Art shot of the day: They awning covering the common area at the church.

 Some of the church men milling about before the conference began.

 Judy's photo of  a cactus as the nursery. Stunning color.

 You know they bought a few plants to bring home (Smile).

 It would be fun to be here when the natural desert was in bloom as these are.

 Even the brown flowers have majesty.

 These look like those popsicles kids eat in the summer.

Wouldn't it be lovely to see a whole Saguaro forest blooming, each crowned with white blossoms.