GRAND CANYON - CHECK

This spring break presented the opportunity to check off  "SEE THE GRAND CANYON" from my bucket list. Phoenix, Arizona is only a 2 1/2 hour flight from Seattle, same time zone, and most importantly sunny and warm!!

We stayed at the Grand Resort and spent most of the record breaking heat days - 100 degrees! - in the lazy river (covered in lots of sun protection since we are pale Seattlites)

two days we ventured forth for a fabulous driving adventure into the desert

Jerome - an old copper mining town

with a real cowboy named Montana Gail who helped us pan for gold

 Sedona, so I could spin in vortex energy

a groovy kaleidoscope focused on some pansies

how beautiful

and clever

the pink jeep tour was the highlight for my boys

the Red Rocks were magically stunning

the next day we found the meteor crater

and drove some more to the GRAND CANYON..oooooohhhh....ahhhhhh -CHECK!

As the itouches died and we were forced to talk, laugh, and have fun going fast with windows rolled down on our way back to Phoenix, I was overcome with gratitude for my boys, for my courage to grow with open heart, and for a life becoming more sublime with each passing day!

CELEBRATING THE BALD EAGLE

While the boys and I were looking for a new park in Kirkland, WA this afternoon, we made a wrong turn, ended up on a groovy street of pricey homes on Lake Washington, and were surprised when a bald eagle flew over us. I look up and see him/her land next to another eagle. What a treat! Tonight I looked up the metaphysical meaning of the bald eagle and was delighted to find the following quote...

"you (the bald eagle) remind all who witness your beauty and strength of the eternal struggle of the two-legged
to rise above the mundane
and feel the Soul take flight"

http://wolfs_moon.tripod.com/baldeagletotem.html

With gratitude in my heart, I celebrate the bald eagle.

GETTING BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

This wonderful creation that my dear and talented friend Kathy hand appliqued has hung right above my cutting table, in the studio section of my bedroom, for several years. "Uplifting" is a great positive word and I feel happy every time I look at it.

I have been reading Harry Potter with my youngest son, and have been noticing that a major theme is that in order to survive, you need to have good friends...good friends who leave you feeling uplifted.

It is with tremendous gratitude that I can share the fact that I am blessed with several dear and close friends who are, thankfully, helping me get through the very painful process of grieving the loss of my mom. She peacefully passed away yesterday after only a five week struggle with widespread cancer. Today, sychronistically, in the mail, came the most beautiful and touching hand appliqued wall hanging...again from Kathy.

Kathy is quite fond of collecting quotes and over the years she has often had "the" quote for many occassions. On the back of this quilt it says:

A Rose for Stephanie

"God gave us memories so we could have roses in the winter and mothers forever." - Raford Reddell

With a deep breath and a realization that feeling pain and sadness is OK, I know I am going to get by with a little (or lot) of help from my friends. THANK YOU!!