Sunrise at Dome Rock Road camp . . .
The crew and I have a visitor today.
I’m sitting at my table at the back of the Best Little Trailer when I hear the whirr of wings. A hummingbird flies over my head and buzzes the back window. My camera is within reach. I open up the screen behind me, take a few quick photos, and away he goes.
Earlier in the day, the crew and I walk the desert.
We amble along one of the many dusty lanes that weave through palo verde, brittlebush, ocotillo, and creosote.
When Bridget, Spike, and I left our campsite, the temperature was perfect as it has been every morning since we came here. By the time we make our return, the day is already warm.
We pause frequently to pace ourselves or to regroup. We need to keep together, allowing no stragglers for coyotes.
During one of these pauses, as I’m looking out over the desert, a gray bird with a brush of blue on its wings lands on a creosote bush near me.
“Well, hello, you precious thing,” I say, as the bird looks me over. “How nice of you to stop by.”
After a minute or so, the crew and I continue our walk.
At the next pause, the bird reappears, again alighting on a creosote bush near me.
“Aren’t you a friendly creature,” I say in a low tone, amazed to see him again. “Are you following me?”
Further down the lane, our campsite comes into view.
Bridget is already far ahead of us. She’s showing off that she knows the way home.
“C’mon, Spike. We’d better catch up with the Bridge.”
Shortly before the campsite, I stop and look for my avian pal. I wait.
Here he comes!
To my astonishment the bird lands on a branch of the palo verde, swaying forward and back until the branch steadies and he obtains balance.
While watching the bird, I recall a person from my past who loved me. He used to say . . .
“The robins sing about you.”
I’d like to fancy myself the great communicator with all things untamed and free, that the birds are my personal friends who look over me and guide me, and who seek my company. Ha! Not likely. It’s probably this blue shirt I’m wearing.
I leave the bird on the palo verde and hurry to open the door for my thirsty crew. Just the same, it’s a charming fantasy.
On a different note . . .
I haven’t felt much like blogging lately. It was all I could do to put this post together. I seem to have lost my equilibrium. I know what my mother meant when she’d say, “My nerves are a wreck.”
That’s how I feel.
I’m jittery. My arms tingle. Sometimes I hear a ringing in my ears.
I drive us into town for a distraction but it doesn’t help. I absentmindedly leave my purchase at the cash register at the hardware store. The clerk runs after the PTV and hands it to me through the window when I stop before pulling out onto the road.
I go home and try to relax all day.
I feel like I’m coming out of it. This is something I’ve experienced a few times before. I believe it is the result of being battered emotionally for many years. It’s one of the reasons I don’t like drop-in guests. The thought of people coming around unexpectedly makes me nervous.
Please don’t shower me with get well wishes and sympathy. It’s not a big deal. Gosh, it’s miniscule compared with the problems some of my readers have to cope with. I mention it only to explain this late post and in case I don’t keep up with posting and comments during the next few days the way I customarily do. Enough of that . . .
Now for an upbeat message!
KEEN sandals are on sale today (Wed., Nov. 13) at Amazon! If you’ve been thinking of getting yourself a pair of sandals, I recommend KEENs. I ordered the Venice style for myself. The sale is today only, so make sure you get your order in before you go to bed tonight.
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR ORDERING YOUR KEENS FROM AMAZON
THROUGH MY BLOG!
When you open up Amazon, do a search for “KEENS sandals” or click on the widget below. Choose the style sandal you want. If the price that comes up seems like it isn’t the sale price, click on your size and the color you prefer, and the price will drop!
Happy shopping, everyone!
