A bit of past and present Urbanism. Montana

Monday, August 18th, 2014

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
~ Albert Einstein ~

So timely, profound and well said.

MEDIA [original]

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“Could this book surpass the reality of "Ghost Rider"? Could it be the modern updated" Travels with Charley " and" Blue Highways "? Yes on all counts. A must read. Even more than once.”
~ Gail ~
 

Thank You!

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It is a Tuesday morning and all I can think about has been the suicide of Robin Williams and the ramifications of such thoughts. I had met him in San Francisco many years ago, a blushing shy man unlike what I thought he would be considering his fame as an actor and comedian. He was and still is by far my favorite comedian and actor the same. So quick on the words I would not laugh so I could catch his next line. But that is not all. Monday morning on Facebook I had simply posted "Thank You for your Friendship". It was originally an error designed to be posted somewhere else and some Friends thought there was something wrong. I could have deleted it but instead I edited it and added "like a hug out of nowhere isn’t nice to sometimes plainly ‘Thank Friends?’". That evening I read the news about Robin Williams. At the same time, the same day, I was reading a comment from a reader of our book which, with no harm, expressed he had found its contents a bit too personal. To which I replied "what is too personal?". There are many variances of course and I am not insinuating intimate . It could go from breaking a nail [these days!] all the way to being filled with happiness from holding your newborn or news of a new job or?… maybe you just do need a hug. I found all those aspects related to each other.

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The "personal" aspect of Life interests me. It does because such Life, everyone’s, did not come with a handbook. Throughout the many years passing by we make mistakes, judgments of our own actions which backfire at us, errors. I personally try very hard to not make the same mistake twice, yet, if we do not share our personal path, of course to the varied degrees we feel comfortable with, how are we ever going to learn about this path we are on? I am not insinuating teaching, far from it, only sharing. Showing a bit the inside of those shoes we wear. Let others feel them a bit, as kindness does prevail and other’s words and actions will smooth out the wrinkles. It has for us. I do not understand the fear of opening up to others when such fear of the fear is present. I have concluded I do not need to understand, only enjoy the close friends that truly do and themselves share.

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How lonely one must be throughout those final seconds to commit suicide? Of course alcohol and drug problems even if so rehabilitated does not help the matter. Depression is also called a medical condition, but isn’t everything else called as such these days? What we witnessed in those news has been the other side of the coin. The personal side shaded by darkness of the mind. Robin stood as a pillar in our eyes and yet I wonder how much he shared from that unseen darker facade. A silly thought maybe, but I am certain that if he kept a public Journal as we do his ending would have not happened. I have never thought about suicide myself even throughout those much darker days when the Love of my Life went away. Yes, the Doctors put me on Xanax and Prozac telling me I should stay on them for at least ten years. I did for the first three months and as my whole world, versus only my pain, went numb, I decided it was not for me and stopped the medication and then on grabbed the bull by its horns and wrote for myself bouncing back my personal thoughts on these pages for the past almost eight years. This has been my therapy. It works.

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I keep thinking there is nothing sad about being sad if this makes any sense. It is Life, its design, how it is constructed beyond our own ability to change its structure. We can only accept it and help each other as so many have helped us, as these pages I read in e-mails and comments have helped others throughout good days and bad days all combined. There is nothing to be ashamed about being personal. We are after all the same and it is only the different degrees of awareness that separates us, those degrees themselves having so much to do with our ethics, upbringing and eventually our freedom of speech. That is the big one. Speaking out… Saying it the way we think it is and if wrong we can be corrected with no harm as again errors are only human. I am happy as much as I can be these days as deep inside I have no doubt we have both been on the right path sharing. That is really all we have done with much gratitude.

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These words from "Jack" [Robin Williams] now seem more poignant than ever:

"Please, don’t worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting. And if you’re ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky when the stars are strung across the velvety night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day… make a wish and think of me. Make your life spectacular. I know I did."

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It is amidst those thoughts that we have moved on yesterday towards Virginia City, Nevada City, Alder, Sheridan, Twin Bridges, Dillon and other little towns paving our way West like Garnet where just a hundred years ago 1000 people called it their home. Now barely a Ghost Town. I am leaving the unpaved roads for a while and witness a bit more of this country’s past history with all black and white photos. It is quiet during the week, it is everything that has lead to today’s times while witnessing what was then, knowing too well what is now. Today however the weather is dictating our whereabouts as surprisingly hail came down upon us. It is the summer cycle of wet and dry. We are used to it. The wet cools us off!

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Virginia City is the best known little historic town. I prefer Nevada City while a bit more quaint and with a great bakery called "Star" with truly its homemade goods. I think we will go back this morning. No harm in one more sticky bun and the ladies that run it are the most pleasant ever. Two Sisters as we had a chance to sit down and chat for a while, all about what goes on in a bakery! A bit further, piles and piles of rocks line the roads all the way to Alder from the past gold dredgers. One is actually buried near by. They did not know what to do with it once all said and done! There is still much gold in those mounds as the word is they have only harvested about 65% of it. Alder itself is quiet, so is Sheridan, Twin Bridges and on after a left towards Dillon where one more time I remembered the white Taco Bus! Nothing to do with the past gold rush, they have the best ever Mexican food.

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Which way to cross further West? We are looking [we!] at maps…  

Stay well,
              Ara and Spirit

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8 Responses to “A bit of past and present Urbanism. Montana”

  1. Suzanne Says:

    These photos are some of my new favorites of yours. Beautiful!

  2. Ruthie Says:

    Thank you, Ara. Your photos are brilliant and your message soothes my soul that I am not alone. Feelings of love and warmth to you and Spirit.

  3. Ara & Spirit Says:

    Thank You Suzanne.

    Thank You Ruthie. You are not alone…

    Ara and Spirit

  4. texascindy Says:

    The pictures and words are truly felt here. RIP Robin. And, Ara? please never stop sharing. Let those that find your words too personal go their own way. I know you will continue to go yours. Safe travels as always, dear friend.

  5. Ara & Spirit Says:

    Thank You Cindy. I always appreciate your words your Friendship from all of you. My path is made up… no boulders can stop us now. Stay well. Ara and Spirit

  6. Kristin Says:

    Robin’s passing made me very sad also. He seemed so jovial, and that he would do what he did makes it just so shocking and unbelievable. I guess that’s a good reminder that just because someone or something appears a certain way on the outside, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what’s going on on the inside. We all have our demons in some way, shape or form. Sigh. Our lives keep marching on, I suppose. Do the best we can. Be kind to others because you just never know what’s going on with them – if they are suffering silently.

  7. Jim plumb Says:

    Ara and spirit , loved the black and whites , very nice , was thinking of you guys the other night while camping at a bike event at 10000 feet as I took pictures of the evening clouds , your pictures have made me look at things a bit differently , thanks
    Jim

  8. Mar Says:

    Your words and photos make me smile and also bring tears to my eyes. I cherish your blog and feel so grateful that you bare your soul to readers. Hope that someday you’ll motorcycle your way to the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan). Thank you for being you. Give Spirit an extra pat.

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