In the words of Dr. Seuss “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

After saying our good byes to Ron, we stopped at the “Stoneville Saloon” in Alzada, WY, as the sun was still dim and filled with a bit of gold. A while later it was up Spearfish Canyon. A nice hike down the falls and finally visited in Deadwood, SD, Kevin Costner’s Casino “Midnight Star”, filled with his Movie memorabilia’s. Definitely a part of the country to come back for.

I read a lot, from Spirituality to late night fast words, television is not of my vocabulary, I love Movies of many genres that can project some feelings and touch the heart, the same is for Music that can vibrate the inner chords sensitized by our own surroundings, but mainly I love “quotes”. I know I have written a couple, and another one that surfaced this morning, definitely not a profound one, however with much thought maybe could be “Never hold your cup of coffee with the same hand you hold your dog’s leash”. So yes, no waste of words for it’s reason of being, it was not a pretty picture.

These words below are more than a quote, they were send to me by my Friend we choose to call “La Pettite”, and I can honestly say Spirit has indeed been the greatest Teacher I have ever had. If one only took the time. It’s Author is unknown.

If a dog were your teacher these are some of the lessons you might learn…
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy
When it’s in your best interest practice obedience
Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory
Take naps and stretch before rising
Run romp and play daily
Thrive on attention and let people touch you
Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do
On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass
On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree
When you’re happy dance around and wag your entire body
No matter how often you’re scolded don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout
Run right back and make friends
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm
Stop when you have had enough
Be loyal
Never pretend to be something you’re not
If what you want lies buried dig until you find it
When someone is having a bad day
be silent …..
…sit close by.
…and nuzzle them gently.

Mostly as I reminisce in this new part of the country, new for us, as my thoughts linger to months past throughout our descent South which has a bit started, none of the memories will ever fit on one page, they have been all precious moments. I do sit back a bit content, none of it has been a blur, and yet some do stand out as never before. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” [George Carlin]. I could easily replace in this instance the word “Life” by “Summer”, but summer has been our Life.

It is a Holiday weekend, I feel as we are blending in nicely, and as I am people watching at times, I feel their outburst for these few days out of the office and cannot help pondering on the the fact that yes, even sorting out through the big picture of Spirit’s and mine’s Life, this Journey has suited us well. The forward motion of our travel has slowed down even more. What was maybe a few minutes stopping at an attraction that called me, now turns into sometimes an hour, sometimes more as it’s space grows  ten fold, trickling their own inner emotions as a glass being filled one drop at the time. And if I leave for any reason as maybe the other day searching for Ron, there is an unsatisfied feeling as if I have just tipped the glass over and lost all of it’s content, knowing it’s memory and experience just has not been acquired fully.

Omar Khayyam has been one of my favorite source of quotes, poems and thoughts. I can get and do get lost reading his words. I dive into the oblivious as my mind starts acquiring the images past and present, as also cannot help at times thinking of what else is yet to come. Suddenly Life, words, people, Friends, all become one Stage, all in one entity, all held together by these invisible feelings of my own Spirituality. There are no more chapters, there are no more curtain calls as that said curtain now remains up forever to never loose the sight of the play that takes place in front of me. It is indeed a beautiful space suddenly I feel so generously given, privileged to have front row seat.

The signs of what’s to come has always been
Has always written both benevolent and mean
What is our lot was given by the hand unseen
With futility we try, exert, weep or keen.

as translated

Destiny has gifted us a perfect course
To oppose or not follow makes our life worse
Instead of useless trial, pain and remorse
We better put our cart behind our horse
And follow inspirations from our source.

What would be the ultimate quote I seek for? Too many words maybe to just form one, as satisfied instead from the many I am fortunate enough to find. The entity of my surroundings have been these past years the “Life’s Quote”. Every situation fallen in, every person met or read their words, Mother Nature’s vast array with it’s own multitudes of facets of all shapes, forms, colors, Spirit, all has trickled in sometimes without a form, sometimes as only a shadow as finally their fonts have taken a definite shape within me. A multitude of gifts, lifelines, all unwrapped in their raw forms have appeared and stored often in past times without much comprehension, unlike today when even the bows are of the many colors making the heart beat just a little bit faster.

The cart was so often ahead of the horses, stagnant only trying so hard to be pushed as utterly resulting in an endless uphill battle and much wasted efforts. Patience has been of the essence. Life has become this circle I live in, a circle that has ripen so large and yet I am finding the path to it’s center from where such a clearer vision into it’s now endless boundaries are possible. Yes, I should to be content on the path of this Journey. A funny thing happened when we left Georgia, our rented house on 16 acres. I had been such a good tenant for the past year and a half as when I gave my month notice, the landlord came and talked to me. He said “Ara, I know you like to travel, why don’t you go for 6 months, rent free, we will save your place and when you come back, out of your system, you can then continue as you have”. Of course I thought about such a generous offer. But I knew 6 months was not going to provide my needs, as I thanked him profusely. And I was right, we have only just began if time and health allows me to continue.

One pan and less than thirty minutes… The bad is the bacon. Could leave it out but truly adds much taste. That is always bacon’s purpose! Lay 4 strips of bacon on the pan and cook it for a while till the juices come up (don’t want to call it “grease” now…). Turn the bacon over and add some thin chicken filets, a couple. Once brown on one side turn the chicken over and add a tablespoon of Balsamic Vinegar. A few minutes later when the chicken is done shut the fire down, add some chopped Cherry peppers, some avocado, crumbled Feta cheese and chopped cilantro. I think that was all, can be served with rice or pasta. My present favorite!

Be well… Always…

Ara & Spirit

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This entry was posted on Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at 4:01 pm and is filed under travel, spirituality, pit bull, sidecar, motorcycle, cooking, photography, riding, homeless. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.