To Catch Up, Did You Know...

...that in the blink of an eye it is June 3rd!?!...that the flowers of Spring began blooming in Albuquerque at least six weeks ago...that two months can go by much faster than the ice leaves Lake Yellowstone...that there are many more beautiful ways to travel South to North than MapQuest will tell you...that a straight line on the map means NOTHING! (In particular Route 139 from Fruita, Co to Rangeley, Co, not only is NOT a straight shot, going over the pass, one is given--in my experience--very little road to work with)?

Did you know that what one hears/reads over the phone, via email, or even "in writing", is NOT necessarily what IS once one "get's there"...that a panic reducing necessity is distinguishing between not being able to breathe--"I CAN'T BREATHE!!!!!" (due to smoke and pollen sweeping into Albuquerque faster than two lungs can manage) and being able to breathe, "I CAN breathe, it is just very, very, very difficult"...that dogs really do consider taking walks a necessity, regardless of the weather, pollen, fire, or any other natural disaster?

And now I am awed...that everything works out in the end, regardless of how it may appear in the moment...that family is everyone carried in the heart, regardless of the details...that there is so much beauty to just "take in" on this Earth...that I am getting very clear where and how I spend my time...that the one joke I learned 30 years ago will finally come in handy in the Park!...that the best part of a Bon Voyage is the gathering of family and friends that happens before departure--makes one want to "voyage" more often...


With the passing of two beautiful,young people I knew, I am even more poignantly reminded that life is very precious. I am so thankful that you have crossed my path.

Many Blessings, Emily
Emily A. Easton(C)2008

Two Days in Wild Places

Great Spirit, Father Mother God,
All that Is, Ever Was and Ever Will Be in The Wholeness,
I give thanks this Day,

For black wolf wandering a trail of mice and fallen buffalo,
For loon arriving early before the storm,
And mountain goat revealing from high and craggy precipice,

For snow field and snow melt,
For sun glimmering through pine bough bent and wet and green,
And wild goose yearnings reverberating off lakes reflecting heaven’s gold,

For mountain peaks splendid in wraps of low-lying cloud,
For winter worn bison and fresh born calf,
And bald eagle claiming early morning sky,

For breaking ice floating on croak of frog,
For flute echoing the melody of mating ducks,
And beaver gnaw and raven song dancing with the rain,

For heady forest scent in cooling air,
For deep breath taken full and slow in time with beating heart,
And Silence. Aho!
©Emily A. Easton 2008