Meet Winifred Atwell, My Newest Hero

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AUSTRALIA ALBUM.

Starting with Sydney, which is where we ended up last, and going back to the beginning. It was all so fabulous. The rainforests, the mountains, lakes, islands, all the beautiful towns and beautiful people, and to behold the magnificent Coral Sea -- these experiences in such a beautiful country are forever branded in my heart, and we truly had the time of our lives. Thanks Pam, for making this possible, and for all the beautiful photographs you took and sent via special air mail parcel post all the way from Victoria. Good on ya, mate. I will see you again next time, in Tuscany, 2010.

Sunday Shiny Morning Ride and Dog Walk.

Did a fun thing right after getting back home from vacation. H and I bought a used recumbent bike and because I can walk TJ while riding it, which is supremely cool because he walks slightly higher than I ride, and when it comes to dogs, tall dog is big dog is best. It is interesting because being slightly lower than eye level with him is rather novel. He loves it and goes along just fine, tripping down the street him and me, and today we went to the park in the early morning coolness and quiet, just after sunrise. The turning radius on the bike is terrific, and there is no way it could ever tip; it's got traction, balance, and climbs up and over most any kind of terrain exceptionally well. Besides the physiological positive impact of exercising while having fun, as in, good for my knees-slash-great for the dog, it's more of a challenge than a regular bike and doesn't freak out the dog like a regular bike. I think because it's almost like he is walking me.

The park was gorgeous. I speak of modest but well-placed Ben Rogers Park, just up the hill. whoever Ben is, they named a really nice little glade after him over here. In the early morning, the dew sparkles on the blades of grass, birds sing, and the hills just hover above you, like big earthen angels, always there, watchfully obedient, patient and gentle. The only real constant in an otherwise turbulent world, they themselves can become turbulent at any time. They do comprise the Calaveras Fault, after all.

I am processing pieces of poetry to write about this place. I've lived here over forty years, my home. I watch as the sun kisses the hills, bathing them in golden, glowing light against the soft blue sky, listening to the birds sing sweetly in the trees. I said out loud to no one in particular, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of this dog, and these beautiful hills, to give thanks to almighty God for creating this world; thanks for giving me life, eyes, and breath, thanking You, for all this beauty." I believe in dogs and hills and God, I believe in life before death, and that quality, not quantity, is what life is all about. Amen.