pensing and pondering and snowshoe'ing.

********

******

my today began early, with the usual quiet time for prayers and contemplation. 

i needed to roll out quickly to feed animals and wash dishes, 

but i also had another plan in mind --

sewing meditation. 

 i knew i was headed into town for an annual eye exam. 

i have mentioned the fact that i acknowledge i am surrounded by good,

and i feel quite blessed and fortunate that 

my health is tended to and overseen by the best professionals. 

i'm not talking about status or degrees....

my kind sweet knowledgeable doctor of optometry is pure soul. 

not only does she explain everything to me over and over again 

'til i understand and comprehend it all, 

she sits and chats at length, about life and other stuff.

that's why i gifted a little lavender-stuffed bird to her.  

today i was told there is a cataract forming in my right eye. 

the way it was explained to me is that if one lives long enough, one develops cataracts. 

so, we go forward. 

new prescription, new eye exercises. 

but, you know me well by now....and when i am given information, 

i must usually process it. 

roll it over, not think too hard, and let the wind carry it away. 

so that's just what i did today when i took my cares up the hill

to let the wind blow it all away. 

once up there, becoming lost in the snow and the trees and the sunshine, 

i thought about bobby pipkin. 

bobby was mister jones's best friend when mister jones and i crossed paths. 

bobby was another one of those pure souls, born and raised in anchorage,

was second-generation pawn shop owner, rode motorcycles, wore leathers, 

and kept his waist-length hair in a rope-thick braid down his back.  

we quickly bonded. 

my diamond engagement ring came from bobby's pawn shop. 

i named my first rabbit after him. 

and he gave me that bus seat you see in coyote hill photos. 

then i became lost in mountain milo. 

that little creature is such an excellent companion. 

he doesn't allow much hugging or kissing, 

although by my kissing on him he has learned to show affection to me

by leaning forehead-in on me when i am waking every morning. 

i find great pleasure in watching him clean his snowshoes every so often

when we are out in the hinterland forest. 

and if i linger too long out in the snow, he lets me know by meowing at me. 

incessantly. 

*

everything comes and goes in life. 

this is so true. 

it's not about religion or beliefs or whatever. 

it's about believing in the greater good, and saying some prayers 

every now and then. 

i prefer to say mine in the forest chapel up on coyote hill. 

and today, i am grateful. 

******