Wishes for a Balanced World

It is Thanksgiving in Tucson, and outwardly we see so many blessings. Rains came early this morning, and the air is fresh with creosote's scent. The dust was wisked away and the Catalina is cloaked with beautiful clouds.

We give blessings for our magnificent natural environment, and promise that we will do our part to protect it. We pray for the people of Mumbai. In fact, we pray for all of us, for peace and for balance in this world.

Just wanted to extend some positive thoughts, and join with others out there who want to begin on the road ahead to a better future, for ourselves and those who follow us.

Surprise Balls from Tucson, for Holiday Nights

As you probably know from previous posts, I am a lover of holiday gifts like Surprise Balls. They are a Brooklyn childhood memory and a crafting passion. Instead of using paper, I cut strips from repurposed fabrics to do my winding, and I select little treasures from antique stores, toy shops or any vintage shopping haunt to make gifts within surprise balls interesting. I also borrow from nature (sea shells, tiny rocks) so that the gift giver can pass on something of meaning to the receiver.
For the Tohono Chul Park Holiday Nights Ornament display, I quilted the covering of my surprise ball using old Christmas fabric. I added a hand-sewn saguaro to the surprise ball ornament. This one is probably too filled with goodies. I'll make the ornaments a bit lighter next time around. I'll be making more, and putting up the tucson cowgirl webpage live, within one week. Hope others will want to enjoy my handmade surprise balls!

Monasteries, Fires...and a Tough Lesson for All to Ponder

I visited the Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David just recently, so the New York Times article reporting on the recent Southern California fires hit home to me. How terribly sad to learn that the Mount Calvary Monastery was not spared by the Montecito fires. The 60-year old retreat overlooking the Pacific was burned to the ground, and the Benedictine Anglican monks who serve in that beautiful place escaped with only their crosses. Gone are photos and flowing white robe habits -- as priceless as the antique furniture and paintings that also adorned the monastery. We're left to wonder about the fury of Mother Nature in these unsettling times. How can the devastating loss incurred by monks or residents of the area be explained?
Perhaps it's important to heed the words of one monk quoted in the article. He mused about how, in life, we can become attached to what we have or where we are. How all it takes is something like the fire, to remind us "that what we are called to is not our stuff."

That certainly is a tough lesson to ponder.
Holy Trinity is another Benedictine Monastery. My photos are a detail of the chapel on the St David, Arizona property.

Honoring Souls in a Most Colorful, Creative, Cultural Tucson Procession

OK, this is one of the reasons I love Tucson: Picture a wildly colorful parade of mourners, all in elaborate costumes and paint, walking with dogs, puppets, bikes, cymbals or floats. Then envision a giant pyrotechnic display and a bonfire made by burning a giant urn, which contains mementos from loved ones or poems or wishes from the public. Then envision thousands of people, some stilt walkers, some dancers, some of whom traveled here from Europe just to participate.
It's the All Souls Procession -- started in 1990 by an artist who wanted to tie in with the region's lovely Dia De Los Muertos traditions and at the same time remember her dad who had just died. Designed to honor and grieve loved ones who have passed on, the evening is a grand Tucson event which engages everyone in the community. Leigh and I went with our cameras, and next year I'll be there in face paint.

Some people love our weather (yes, it's gorgeous) but I am in love with the magic found in Tucson's wonderful regional traditions of nature, arts and culture. Life and death, with all their beauty and sorrow, certainly wove a lovely tapestry of music and pomp last night. Congrats to the Many Mouths One Stomach community group who organized the procession.

It's the Day After the Day After

I enjoyed today's NPR Talk of the Nation report -- From Africa and Europe came calls and emails thanking America for giving the world hope. I worry a bit over all the iconic adulation -- our wonderful President-elect is only one individual! It takes many individuals, millions working together, to put us back together again and on the best track. Note to President-elect Obama, I wish you humility, energy, intelligence, conscience and integrity as you make your decisions. Ask us for our help and tell us how we can help you achieve what you promised. Choose wisely in selecting the core team to help you.

Expectations are so high. We look out into one glorious sunset after another as weather cools here in Tucson, and you can't help but feel positive. Yet, we continue to struggle horribly with economic, environmental and international woe. And, yes, it's a mess out there.

But...look at that sunset and think about the future. The balance is coming soon.

(Great sunset photo by my friend and husband Leigh Spigelman)

No More Sound Bites. Instead, America Speaks in Sentences.

OK, it's time. Electioneering overkill thankfully is heading into the sunset as each of us steps forward and votes.

It has been a long road, with too many analysts, too many blog posts and too many YouTube videos. Too much wild flaming at both ends has made me impatient to get on with a great American process.

But here we are. As I cast my vote I'll think of conversations with my son. I'll also recall talks with a former Marine (now a local business owner who works with the land). And I'll vote.

Tomorrow, when the job is done, may we all remember that democracy is a process of many dimensions in which we all have an important part. It ain't just one guy waving a wand and making it all better. It's not about opinions. It's about people staying engaged and responsible, identifying their own role in helping the leader they chose bring his words into action. With the mess we're in , it's a bit like the "little engine that could." Not impossible, but it won't be easy.

The words of St. Francis are important reminders today -- of the walk that will come after all this talk: " We start by doing what's necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly we are doing the impossible...."

The world can shift away from madness and toward a more positive road. God bless America as we get on with it.