Day after in the desert

Cold and windy day in the desert.

Road runners puff themselves up against the weather.

I am puffed and curled up listening to the wind.

What is is there better to do on the day after a holiday?

How much joy there is when one starts one of the rarest of treats,

a book you can't put down but don't want to end too soon either.

The book: "March" by Geraldine Brooks, the story of the father and husband of "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. Mr. March joins the Civil War as a Unitarian Universalised Chaplain.

Buddy's Turkey dinner

Poor Buddy,

Photo before he got into the turkey.

And after he cleaned up the turkey roasting pan. Not a good way to recycle the turkey grease.

Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING

Today I look out my window at the purple mountains

The green desert floor

The red of the Vermillion flycatcher

I smell the onions being prepared for the turkey dressing

The baking of the apple pies

The fresh roses from the neighbors garden

I remember those who are hungry

Those who are without shelter and warmth

Those who are at war, soldiers and citizens

Let there be peace on earth

Rationing Health Care

We go to the Dentist in Mexico and get drugs from Canada. What is wrong this picture?

So the Health Care Reform bill will ration care.

IMO we are rationing health care NOW.

*45.7 million people without health care = rationing

*pre-existing disease exemption by insurance companies = rationing

* insurance specifying which Dr.'s you can see = rationing

*inability to get Dr. appointments for weeks, even months = rationing

Monday - Visited Dentist in Mexico.

Unable to get a Dr.s appointment for weeks, we self prescribed and bought prescription medications in Mexico. Maybe not the smartest thing to do but desperation brings desperate action. We are an R.N. and M.D. and the internet gives assistance in drugs and dosages.

Quote of the Day

*** "Life is short -- Forgive quickly - Hug often - and dance as if no one is watching."

Thoughts on Hunger in the U.S.

Thanksgiving week. As we spend the week eating too much, lets review the state of hunger in the U.S.

*A USDA report released Monday said that 49 million Americans experience what the government calls "food insecurity". How many of us can say that we have felt unsure of when or how our next meal may come?

*In over 500,000 families, one or more children go without having enough to eat. And often what they do have to eat is not nutritious food. Government food programs that provide breakfast and lunch programs in schools don't provide many fruits and vegetables. 50 calories of fat and/sugar are far less expensive that 50 calories of fruit and veggies.

*Areas of urban poverty often have large "grocery deserts"; many square miles that have no grocery stores; only fast food and convenience stores that don't carry fresh foods.

*What is the relationship of obesity in the U.S. to poverty and hunger? Spend some time in the Malls or the ER's of Tucson. Better yet, stand outside the Food Bank. Make a guess or judgement. Who are the upper middle class? And who are the poor? IMO the poor are the most obese. We are too used to seeing the emaciated hunger of Africa. We don't see the obese as the poor and hungry of our own cities

We need a broader strategy to eliminate hunger.

I believe Obama may be able to develop a welfare program for the poor.

Through his tax cuts for the wealthy, Mr. Bush had a welfare program for wealthy

Face of Pain

A world of pain

creates self centeredness,

to do or not to do

Feel disconnected from body

that does not want to move,

plan or not plan,

go or stay

ice or heat

electrical stimulation

physical therapy

pills? What? How Much?

Walk or sit or rest

See a Doc! you say,

easy to say

not so easy to do

"Dr. is out this week",

no openings for several weeks

The Face of Pain

Live Theater in Tucson

When we moved here in 1988 from the Twin Cities of Minnesota, we did not expect the quality of the arts that we had experienced with The Gutherie Theater and the Minnesota Symphony.

We were soon pleased to discover the Tucson Symphony and the Arizona Theater Company.

Recently I have discovered small intimate theater in Tucson; specifically the Invisible Theater and the Rogue Theater.

The Rogue dares to take on the most complex of plays in performing the Pulitzer Prize winning play "A Delicate Balance" by Edward Albee. "The Goat" another daring play by Albee was the first play I saw performed by the actors of the Rogue.

I frequently hear friends say "I like happy plays and movies. I don't need any of this heavy stuff".

I like the heavy stuff. I like to leave a film or play and have to think about it, mull it over in my mind, dissect it and try to absorb and identify with the emotions presented.

For example. The recent production at ATC -"George is Dead" staring Marlo Thomas in an Elaine May play left me wanting. It was silly, thin, and easily forgotten. In contrast Albee's "A Delicate Balance" was rich, full and exquisitely performed.

Friends Pam, Dee Dee, Marianna, Kathy,Susan and I had a great deal to talk about after the play. A memorable experience.

Pet to the Vet

Every year about this time, I wonder how important it is for Dogs to have that annual physical. The shots I understand.

Does a healthy 8 year old need the "physical"?

And every year I take Buddy in. Maybe that is

why he is healthy.

Google-ing gave me no firm opinion but did reassure me that out price of $73 for the exam and two shots was very reasonable. Some parts of the country, people in the hundreds of dollars.

Neighborhood trees

Two neighborhoods. Only .2 of a mile separate them.

US Homes has no forcing rule about keeping trees

topped off. Once trees are allowed to grow, they

are thin enough and tall enough to see through.

They take up carbon dioxide and provide green

and shade.

In the Legends, all trees are topped off.

Not only are they ugly but are thick and stout.

IMO

Trees

Trees have a symbiotic relationship with humans. And with my dog Buddy.

In order to live, we inhale Oxygen and exhale Carbon Dioxide.

In order to live, trees take in Carbon Dioxide and release Oxygen.

I have lived in Green Valley for 20 years and have never understood homeowner associations fights about trees. In fact, I wondered then, why they called it "Green Valley" when they were so "anti" tree. I don't buy the argument "I paid for the view and I don't want any g--d--- tree interfering with my view". Many times I have stood in the complainers patio, looking at the offending tree. There was not one time that moving a few feet to the right -or to the left that the view was obstructed. IMO

Movie Reviews

Saw four movies recently. Here they are in order of the best liked to the least liked.

#1- This is It- The Michael Jackson Movie was incredible. What a joy for his director/producer to put this footage together to share with the public. Yes, I know he made money but I was touched by the story of how he put together a performance. I wasn't an avid fan but thought that Jackson could put lyrics together that were very touching. I.e The Man in the Mirror that talked about personal responsibility for the woes of the world. He changed the art of dancing to music and his performance was truly art.

#2 Where the Wild Things Are . I loved this movie. I liked the portrayal of anger by the young boy; how he runs away in frustration to find a land with almost monsters who make him King.

Here among these marvelous and often scary creatures he finds that he is not the only one with emotions, some good, some bad. The larger than life puppets were remarkably real. This would make a good books to films since it begs to be discussed.

#3 - A Serious Man - the Cohen Brothers latest film and said by some to be their best. It is very Jewish. Had it not been made by the Cohens, I would have said that it went over the top in stereotyping Jews. Taking place in Minnespolis made it more interesting to me. Loosely based on the book of Job, when God tests Job. When Job is spit up by the whale, he finds that God remains a mystery. So it is with the main character who faces many trials and doesn't understand why God is punishing him. As a 'goy' it almost seemed like I was on the outside looking in at this culture.

#4 -The Men Who Stare at Goats - A comedy caper with Clooney. Supposedly based on a true story of military psychics, this movie has a lot of big names in addition George Clooney. Ewan MacGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. Taking place in Iraq, the psychics get in a lot of trouble that provides laughes. I thought it was silly but my husband laughed a lot. And that is important to me.

All Souls Procession

This year was the 20th year that Tucsonians have dressed up and marched to celebrate the

Day of the Dead.

All masks and costumes are a work of art.

The more grotesque the better.

This young girl really played her part and when asked said that she wanted to be an actress.

Dia de los Muertos

Many bring their pets or dress up as or carry masks of heads of animals.

On or near All Souls Day, Hispanics venerate/ show respect to those who have died.

Singles, couples and families dress up in skeleton costumes.

Would Christ be a Christian today?

IMO - No he wouldn't. He would be unhappy with: The retraction of Maine's Gay Marriage bill.

the murder and harassment of pro choice activists, lack of health care for ALL, society's lack of attention to the poor and homeless.

In fact, because of his teachings, the Right would call Jesus a Socialist and Communist.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike Christ."

Mohanda Gandhi.

More Roses

Roses, roses and more roses

Arrangements

Trios
Some very tiny

Yellows

And reds