Theme Thursday-Roof

"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof." -– Barbara Kingsolver

This was one of the first views I had when Mr. Jackson and I climbed the stairs into the upper reaches of the Duomo in Siena Italy. What inspires and amazes me about Italian architecture is the commitment to the past and the ability to add new to the old. What would our cities be like if we aspired to the same commitment?

Get your Kicks on Route 66

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING

HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY

LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE AND WHAT EVER COMES OUR WAY...

Born to be Wild-Steppenwolf

In case you are wondering about my sidebar entry- "thinking about.." here's the scoop. Mr. Jackson and I are planning our next trip out to New Mexico and the subject of Route 66 came up. We have driven it (in a car), to Gallup and back, but it seems that Mr. Jackson has a dream. A dream to ride Route 66 on his Harley. I agreed with him that this is a wonderful dream, but I said "Your Harley is in New Jersey."

He said, "No problem, we can rent one in Albuquerque for the day.

"We?" I gasped, knowing it wasn't the universal, the royal or the financial 'we' he was referring to.

"Yeah, it would be great!" he said and proceeded to talk about the route we would take and how I could take photos.

I just sat there with images playing through my mind. I did this once when I was twenty--I didn't like it. Leaning into the turns with the pavement coming up to meet me riding at 55 mph(hopefully), bugs hitting my helmet, sunglasses steamed up and not for a moment thinking about anything else other than getting off the motorcycle.

Here's the thing--I am a Vespa kind of a girl--you know, Roman Holiday and Audrey Hepburn in those wonderful gladiator sandals and beautiful skirt riding throughout Rome. Mr. Jackson knows this and figures he can get me to ride with him if I get some cool boots. It's not that I am uncertain of his ability to ride or don't want some really cool boots--he is like Rainman, "a very good driver", it is about my hesitancy to go really fast without a car surrounding me.

We are in discussion and exploring short trips here. I will report back.

Let's Dance

"It is utterly false and cruelly arbitrary to put all the play and learning into childhood, all the work into middle age, and all the regrets into old age. " Margaret Mead

A Raven's Call

Mr Jackson and I traveled to New Mexico last year for Indian Market and were very lucky to stay at Casa De Las Cuervas.



Located in the historic Guadalupe/Railyard District of Santa Fe, this amazing adobe was close to the Plaza so we could walk to and fro but not be in the midst of the madness that consumes Santa Fe during the market.



What made our stay extraordinary was not only the presence of Mercede Velarde's art and the collection of American Indian antiques but the presence of Mercedes and her partner, Mary Leonard checking in on us to make certain we were enjoying our visit. We spent many mornings and afternoons talking about Santa Fe, life, politics and the hope we had for the future.



Since then we have continued our garden talks via email keeping tabs on the happenings in Santa Fe.

Mr. Jackson and I hear the call of the raven and are working our way back, looking forward to experiencing the enchantment and wisdom we felt during our stay.

They Say it's your Birthday

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.- Victor Hugo

Happy birthday little sister! Enjoy the day and know that your laughter brings joy to all you touch.

Here's looking at you, kid.

The cone is off and therefore, a photo op. Max thanks you all for the kind words and healing thoughts. He is chasing but not catching squirrels,birds and cats--generally the same dog he was was two years ago. Very cool.

Checking In...

Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end.- Unknown

Wanted to stop by and let you all know that I will be back soon --until then, life's a beach --go for it!