ArizonaButterfly

The picture is from earlier this month when the moon was almost full. I’m trying to learn to take better pictures when it’s dark. I’m leaving for Tucson around 8 p.m. Which is considerably earlier than the original plan of 10:45 p.m., but still later than I wish it were going to be. I’ll be in Tucson until Wednesday afternoon. Lucy was not happy to see the suitcase come out this afternoon.

I have a headache. Some days I really feel like a failure. I like to tell myself that it’s just a “moment” and that things really have turned around, but I’m not always sure.

I was shocked and saddened to hear about the (VERY sudden) death of Tim Russert today. He was one of the few political journalists that I not only enjoyed listening to, but that I respected as well. My heart goes out to his family. His death seems a poignant reminder of how precious life is…

Why do you suppose it is that with all the progress medicine has made so many people still do not survive a sudden cardiac event? According to reports I heard, those around Tim Russert did exactly what they should have done: began CPR, called for help, and so on. It just doesn’t seem fair to me. (And yes, I know life isn’t fair.)

After my mom died, I wished I could dream of her, but I never had until the last few nights. The dreams have been identical, and so vivid and “real” that the first time I had it I awoke disorientated. I sitting in the backyard having coffee and she comes through the gate, joining me. After we chat for a while she gets up, holds out her hand, and tells me it’s time to come with her. I take her hand and walk with her, but someone (it’s been a different person each night) calls me back from her. Then I wake up.

And realize just how much I miss her all over again.

Crazy, huh?

I came home today to discover that the boys had eaten my beautiful daisies…as well as knocking over two chairs, the pots and spilling dirt everywhere. Since I also found a dead gopher, I suspect the gopher had something to do with all the mess. *sigh* I have some hanging planters that I just need to get up and planted. They should last longer because the dogs won’t be able to reach them.

Blatent manipulation and churlish behavior annoy me to no end. My nephew had surgery last Friday. My niece let me know, staying in contact with me. This morning I tried to call my SIL to see how things were going and she hung up on me. Twice. *sigh*

The days at work have been extremely long. I’m thankful there are only 18 days left in the school year.

One of my colleagues went in for gall bladder surgery yesterday morning. He was unable to go home yesterday because his blood pressure was up. This morning his white blood cell count was very high…he’s in surgery right now to have a drain put in to hopefully stabilize him so they can insert a stint tomorrow morning to repair the damage. Apparently the gall bladder was so full of infection that it had damaged a duct leading to liver.

A simple outpatient procedure has now become 3 surgeries (so far) with an unknown lenghth of hospital stay…

For the bargain price of $74.95 a person can go visit the new Grand Canyon Skywalk. Now what the article doesn’t tell you is that you can’t take pictures while out on the skywalk. Nor does it list some of the restrictions such as no cell phones (they’re afraid you’ll drop it and scratch the glass) and you’ll have to wear booties over your shoes (same reason). It does mention that you’re going to have to drive on unpaved roads no matter what way you choose to drive to it.

If I were going to go, I’d be doing so to take pictures from the skywalk.

My hunch is that instead of spending the money (however many millions of dollars it actually cost) on the skywalk, roads should have been paved and the area developed so it would be easier for people to get to Grand Canyon West. If it’s rained at all, those unpaved roads will not necessarily be safe to drive on, if they actually are dry. And, how about some hotels so people who do travel all that way have somewhere to stay? Supposedly there’s more development coming by the end of the year, but so far, ground has not been broken.

I feel for the Hualapai tribe. They’re fighting to save their way of life. They believe it’s worth more than the asking price to walk out on see the view. Of course, they have a lot riding on people agreeing with them and flocking to the skywalk.

Oh yeah, one more thing? The skywalk isn’t actually over the main gorge, it’s over a canyon to the side.

So I’m watching The Lost Tomb of Jesus on The Discovery Channel. All I can think about is all the hoohah that happened when The DaVinci Code was made into a movie. As much reaction as that particular piece of fiction got, I have to wonder what reaction some of the forensic evidence presented in this program will get.

Me, personally? I don’t know. I find it all very intriguing though. I can’t say that any of it will change my personal beliefs either.