Found: A New Use for Flagstaff CVB’s City Map (and other surprises)

My son Chris is on his way back to Indiana today. Before he left, we had a whirlwind mini-road trip around the state. We visited cousins in Phoenix on one of the hottest days (115) of August, then practically froze atop Mt. Elden (?) when we took the Snow Bowl’s (Flagstaff) chair lift for a leisurely ride.

We froze because it is still monsoon season, and as rotten luck would have it, a cloudburst exploded upon all who were riding the lift. To make matters worse, thunder and shoots of lightning crackled around us. Downright scary it was. The sun shone as we ascended, but clouds overtook blue sky by the time we were near the top. Once at the top, we chose not to dally, but to join the growing queue of people wanted to get down the slope as quickly as possible. We were two thirds down the mountain when the sky opened. I had stashed a map of Flagstaff in my camera bag, and it was the only thing I had to cover my head as the cold rain bounced down upon us. Chris was wearing his IU cap, which helped a little. Just as the paper map was falling apart, the lift stopped. Period. No up, no down. There we were, taking the brunt of the rainfall and not particularly caring about the view–all gray and washed out.

We were spared a lightning strike, which made the day very lucky indeed for us two Irish-surnamed lift riders. After we disembarked from the lift, our clothes dried in about five minutes–such is the arid climate despite the rain. This was a day we would not forget–and we will foryears laugh about it— now that we’re safe.

We rode the Verde Canyon RR with Brian and had a leisurely excursion. We went to Red Rock Crossing in Sedona but I am STILL working on getting my photos out of my phone to post them here. We, along with 75% of the nation’s flies, had a cookout featuring bison burgers at Dead Horse State Park. Lots of fun and more stories to talk about when we are old.

The mountain skyline appeared smoky this morning. Was told that a haboob came through last night. A haboob is a dust storm. Glad I had the windows shut.

Two and a half weeks until my Amtrak trip to Chicago, and my Indiana booksigning. Looking forward to that.

A Poem about Dental Care

I am cleaning out my offfice, and ran across a poem I had written for my short form poetry class [I am currently finishing a memoir class]. Thought you  poets out there might like this. BTW, Jean, Linda and I, charter members of the Dead Horse Poetry Society, have been doing other than writing lately. Yesterday eve, after watching the quirky movie “Moonrise Territory” (or something like that). we hung out at the Wildflower
Bread Company terrace watching the sun do its magic on Sedona’s red rocks. We talked about paranormal stuff and dreams…..

Anyway, here’s my poem:

Dental Care

Distaste.

She hates all drills and shots inside her gums;

She likes nitrous for root canals, cavities, crowns, cleaning.

Nitrous oxide

Novocaine

Nirvana–

Her white teeth gleam.

Return in six months.

The Poetry Society’s Cafe (Photo credit: Steve Bowbrick)

Dunes Poetry Book is Published!

English: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Mt. Baldy, Michigan City – a sand dune constantly in motion Polski: Park narodowy Indiana Dunes – Mt. Baldy – stale przemieszczająca się piaszczysta wydma (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Finally, finally the Talking Landscapes: Indiana Dunes Poems project is complete! If one ever attempts to publish, know that it is an extended process that takes time. The proofing took over a week by four separate individuals. I am looking forward to returning to Chesterton and Michigan City in September to market the book. Hope my  readers will show up at the book signings. Learn more over at Indiana Dunes Poems.

Meanwhile here in Cottonwood, the temperatures sizzle. I see that Chicago is supposed to hit 101 degrees today, and that comes with humidity, no doubt. Nasty.

I just submitted an article for the Beacher and will write more about it later. Got to go take a swim and stay cool for now.

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Heat and Bummer News

Our extreme heat continues. Cousins from Phoenix, where it is really sizzlin’, will be visiting me tomorrow as they return south from much cooler Flagstaff.

Each of us who live at Pine Shadows received a certified letter telling us that our lot rent is going up. None of those I talked with expected the huge leap of $37 a month more. In fact, it’s outrageous. Our landlord needs to explain his reasons.[We had an increase of about $24 last year]. Trash pickup costs for him only went up 47 cents. I am considering a move by next year at this time…..

Last Saturday Brian and I cooled off at Clarkdale’s town park for a concert of big band tunes. How they got all those musicians into the bandstand is beyond me. We enjoyed good music and a cool breeze. It doesn’t get much better than that….

We need rain. The monsoons are due. Everything is parched. Let’s hope we get some rain soon.

Extreme heat here in Cottonwood: A visit to Prescott last week

To survive days when the temperature is to rise to 101, a person has to get up with the birds and get their errands done, optimally before 10 a.m. That’s what I did so far today. I may take a dip in the pool, but for sure I will be dressing cooly in a loose cotton dress.
I have ironing to do, but the thought of the heat coming from the iron is yucky. It’s a good day to stay inside and read a book if you are retired.

 

Last week I had a dentist appt in Dewey. Dr. Arnall is so good, and his prices so reasonable, that it makes sense to drive over the mountain for care. I had novocaine in 3 different areas of my mouth, so I found it hard to talk. But, after the appointment, I went over to Prescott’s indoor mall–the equivalent of Southlake in Merrillville. Lots of businesses are closed, but the anchors are doing okay–Dillards, Penneys and Sears. I only ventured into Lenscrafters for a new pair of specs. I hope they work better than the ones I got earlier this year (a minor fiasco). The Goodwill across the street from the mall was big and full of bargains, but by the time I walked just one section, I was worn out and ready to come home. The trip to and from Prescott, Prescott Valley and Dewey is about one hour. It’s the shopping spot of choice for most people here in the Verde Valley.

Cottonwood’s medical center

I’ve had two visits to Marcus J. Lawrence Medical Center in the past month–neither for anything i had, but for friends. The first visit was to sit with a friend whose husband was having knee surgery. He is out, and back home doing well now.

Today I visited another friend who was admitted yesterday. She had a nasty fall and fractured a vertebrae. She will be out of the hospital by Saturday, she thinks.

The hospital–notice that they are no longer called hospitals–was very impressive to me. Lovely fountains and a courtyard off the surgery center, and large rooms for patients. The most interesting thing is how the hospital got its name.

Marcus J Lawrence had been a snake oil salesman at one time. He was one of many owners of the V Bar V cattle ranch (of which part is home to fantastic Sinaguan petroglyphs. Marcus liked to gamble and carouse over in Prescott, where the red light district was easy to find on Whisky Row. The Lawrence family, longtime Verde Valley residents, were well-regarded and from what I understand, a family member endowed Cottonwood with the funds to build the hospital. I may have some of that history garbled, but for sure Marcus sold a balm said to cure all sorts of ailments. Maybe Marcus turned his wild life around near the end of his life and chose to bequeath his funds to this project.

Indiana Dunes Poems website

Head over to www.indianadunespoems.wordpress.com for the latest on my forthcoming book.

That is the reason I have been absent here, but I will be back soon with more adventures.

Busyness

I’ve been derelict about posting this past week. In that time, I have attended a concert in Clarkdale Park (bluegrass fusion with clarinet, trumpet,); a concert at the Rec Center featuring Sy Brandon’s composition commissioned for the AZ Centennial; made a trip to Dewey (dentist) and Prescott Valley (shopping); attended a special OLLI Inside Creativity class featuring a retired actor (Gail Edwards); observed a state gathering of contra dancers twirling and dosey doeing in Clarkdale, attended Brian’s yearly DD parent conference, and finally found a parsley plant to accompany my mint so that I can make Tabouli–which I did make yesterday. Also, I discovered a new Greek cafe in town that serves all the traditional Mediterranean fare, including gyros!

Whew!

This Mother’s Day weekend I’ll be hosting Brian, who celebrates his 43d birthday Monday. Happy Birthday all your Taurean bulls.

A Poem

We are coming to the close of National Poetry Month. I have been especially active in the poetry department. I have an illustrator for my soon-to-be-published book: Talking Landscapes: The Indiana Dunes.

Today in our short-form poetry class we studied and practiced Haiburi and Senyru [poetry forms]. The class went fast, as we worked as a group to create some poems using these forms.

I give you a poem that I composed a few days ago in response to a person who was to meet me for coffee did not show up, and I did not have my cell phone with me. When I got home, I phoned, and she said she had the time wrong. I was not forgiving.

I don’t do twenty minutes late well.

I begin behaving badly.

I think about the stupid two-dollar coffee I just bought.

Caffeine to fuel even more fury.

I don’t like waiting all alone in a place

laced with friendly smiles,

yet no invitation to pull up a chair.

Fair would be to show up on time.

My mind would have no reason

to rage against erased time ticking off a wretched clock.

I don’t do late well,

but I’ll smile back at friendly faces

sitting snugly in chairs, paired.

Then I will slowly walk out the door.

c2012

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Another Poetry Reading

DEAD FISH ON THE SHORE NEAR PORT COVINGTON - NARA - 546782 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mannheim Gallery in Old Town Cottonwood hosted a poetry reading by five local writers yesterday. It was a cozy affair surrounded by paintings by locals and the atmosphere perfect for poets.

I had to run off before the afternoon ended, but I did manage to write some verse, inspired by the talented locals whose names are familiar to wordists, but new to this newcomer. In salute to National Poetry Month and my forthcoming book, to be published in late summer, I offer you this dark image of the Indiana Dunes:

Alewives pile up,

sickened by violent paramours,

ships passing in the night

invade foreign waters,

and sow parasitic seed,

while fish eyes stare into blinded space

with newly dead dreams.

[Copyright 2012 Paula McHugh}