strawberries and lettuce

 one of the magical things

about being artist in residence 

here

 is how fine things are.

simple, thoughtful.

this place is thoughtful, even

it feels like it breathes easy.

 but more,

when i arrived,

discombobulated from 14+ 

 hours of traveling

i was greeted

 by susan's mindfulness

everywhere.

 in the refrigerator

were strawberries and lettuce.

berries sweeter than sweet

tiny, old fashioned ones,

and a head of lettuce.

susan told me the varieties,

 but i was so sleepy i forget their names.

she had picked, washed, and prepared them

for me. 

there were other good things to eat

including a very special honey yogurt.

 i met with the arts council here

and had a lovely dinner

good conversation,

and was gifted with a travel stipend

to my happy surprise.

tomorrow is the arts walk

and i'll set up a little table to greet my new neighbors.

 susan's husband richard cabe

who died from brain cancer over a year ago,

is a happy presence here

 susan's web presence

 richard and susan breathed life into this old building

a shop/studio that is pleasant to work in

 not pretty or perfect, 

but beautiful

in the everydayness of the place

which is why i love being here.

 i've only wandered off once so far

and found a pelican

who knew my only photo was so pathetic

this is a rock book

one of five i made a while back

that richard liked

this photo surfaced as i was thinking about him

and this legacy of terraphilia

and susan, my incredible host.

i'm liking the contrast of visiting the high desert,

but yesterday's 105 temperature

was, by susan's measure and mine,

a bit much.