“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~ Albert Schweitzer ~

109 degrees today, we are parked at my Friend Mark’s House and the air conditioner is working hard! So are the fans and it has now become the norm to wake up at 4am to enjoy the cool of the morning, maybe about only three hours. Leaving Friday am! for sure, and will stop one more night in Show Low to see my Friends Dean and Pam. Since he towed us here we have a lot of catching up to do. We are still here because of this particular photo of us, this black and white taken on a cold morning at “The Oasis”, Texas, this photo which has made the final cut as a theme for an upcoming Movie Ron Howard and his Daughter will produce soon. Final cut does not mean it has been chosen as at the present it is on his desk amongst 10 others out of 59,000 submitted. We will find out in a few weeks.

[Update]

Congratulations! Your photo “My Buddy Spirit and I” has been selected as one of ten (10) Project Imagin8ion Contest finalists in the Relationship Theme. Ron Howard will select one (1) photo from the ten (10) finalists in each movie theme category that inspires him most and will be woven into his next film. As a reminder, the Grand Prize winners will receive a trip to New York City to attend the film premiere later this year. Even if you are not selected as the Grand Prize winner, you will still be a First prize winner

I have already used the word “overwhelmed”, I need to find more. I just looked up some synonyms and now find out it’s definition is actually of a negative one! Surprised. I always thought “overwhelmed” was of a positive path. These moments are hard at the present time to express in deep contrast with the ones spend as I say it “behind a boulder”. Blessed, captivated, delighted, ecstatic, elated, exultant, gratified, joyful, animated, and yet none of these words have the power to enunciate what I now feel. “I am thankful” no doubt, it is the peak of this pyramid traversing this Life of ours.

It started all with my biopsy coming back in a negative form, then on breaking down my Dear Friend Dean driving close to 800 miles in two days to rescue us. Next was “Iron Horse BMW” of Tucson stepping up to the plate and “you” coming on to our rescue. Then on my photo making the final cut, still however needing Ron Howard’s final vote, it has been the icing on the cake. It all has been and reason why I am today just numb wondering within my naïve mind “what is going on?”.

Much good has come out of all this. The true positive aspect has been to learn the names of true Friends. Many. The ones which unselfishly came forward to help us, so quick I had to also “so quickly” let everyone know “Old Faithful” was covered as my next step will be one way or another to built up an “egg nest” as they call it for this situation to never ever happen again. It has been a wake up call. There were moments wondering if all this would come to an end, if we would have to leave this path we embraced almost now 5 years ago.

This morning we finally left behind the furnace of Tucson. Left very early, daytime is brutal, not as much on me but on Spirit. The third time they say is always a charm. We are again back in Show Low to head North, this time I know we will make it, it is a need to find that Boulder again and sleep under the Stars. 200 miles of thinking this morning, the thoughts will somehow correlate these coming days and the camera once again will get out of it’s box! It also has been resting.

"I have had a great deal of interest in my photography over the years, for which I am grateful. Their sales are of much importance funding this Journal. Yes, please feel free to purchase one or two… or a few. I have been adding some photos lately, there will be more as I sift through about 100,000 of them. Take a look. “Smugmug” stands for quality. Thank you”

Ara & Spirit

Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage