Mourning Helen in the desert
We have been in a constant state of mourning since Helen’s loss in Santa Fe. For the new readers, that’s our precious Aloe Vera plant who had been travelling with us since Helena, Montana. But recently there has appeared a light of hope. Two lights in fact. Living organisms to share the air in the car! We found them (or they found us) in the desert.
Technically, we were in the Saguaro National Park. But don’t dwell on that tiny detail.
The sun was setting, the horizon line was high, saguaro were featured in bas relief (I have no idea what that means, but my brain spit it out)*. Leah and I were prancing around off trail trying to find some inspiration for her new video. For those of you who have the new CD, “Back to the Bridge“, it will be a video for track 10, “My World”. You can listen to the track here.
We’ve become used to desert prickles. Badger is a pro at using his tiny little front teeth to pull thorns out of his paw. We have become accustomed to uttering “ouch” and jumping sideways. Everything in the desert has thorns. Well, suddenly Leah let out an “ouch” that was several decibels above conversational levels. She had been attacked. But this time, instead of launching into evasive maneouvers, we trapped the attacker. And now he’s a prisoner in our motel cup. His name is Captain.
Meanwhile, I was sitting on the ground. Bad idea in the desert. I am still picking thorns out of my thigh. And while sitting there I noticed a little orphan amidst the dust. Little orphan Grim. He didn’t look well at the time, and he sure as hell doesn’t look well now. But I rescued him anyway, and now he’s joined Captain in the cup.
Captain in on the left. Grim is looking grim on the right.
So please extend a warm mental welcome to Captain and Grim – our two new companions for the rest of our Great American Roadtrip. Stay posted, we’re moving on with the sunrise tomorrow.
Ok, I admit, it won’t be anywhere near sunrise time… but we’re moving on!
*My memory jogged: bas-relief is when stuff stands out from the background. Kinda fits, kinda don’t.
