As I pulled up to the cabin, Robb emerged. He'd come equipped to stay a week, but his vehicle threw a ball-joint and he'd walked the 15 miles back. He was awaiting a friend who was bringing a rescue trailer.
He's been coming to Kofa since childhood and generously shared information about places to go. Unlike some, he enthusiastically agreed to a photo; I readily agreed to including the rifle. The 30-30 is over 100 years old, he said; the bluing looks new.
Suspenders are catching on.
Oak Canyon is on the map. It takes 4whl or AWD to get there. A little beyond it there's a spot that's gonna need some work with a pickaxe; and dangit, I forgot mine!
If there's anything that epitomizes the mundanity of the bureaucratic minds it's the assigning of place names. Thus we have Kofa from the: King Mine of Arizona. Nothing about the magnificence of the landscape, the strange and beautiful flora nor recognition of its significance as one of the few remaining holdouts for Desert Bighorn Sheep.
The silence is amazing! No cow shit so only a lone fly that soon leaves after, one surmises, the disappointment of not finding anything to eat. Occasional flyover and an ATV now and then let one know civilization is there if you need it.
Ubiquitous Haze
Red!
Or...
an ameliorant
There is within each of us an understanding that the ineffable is benign. The evidence can be seen in the universality of the experience had by the LSD-25 and psilocybin clinical-trial participants, in the descriptions of those who've had near-death experiences and the many other transcendental, serendipitous and synergistic occurrences noted throughout history and across myriad cultures.
As we've delved ever deeper into the reasons behind our emotions, continually asking why, the trust between us has strengthened...adding both to our own self-confidence and imbuing us with an ever greater willingness toward vulnerability leading, in turn, to an ever expanding authenticity.
A year went by before I noticed the pain in my wrist. At first I ignored it, but as time went on it got worse. It demanded notice whenever I opened jars and when doing other things that required a sideways or twisting motion of the hand. Eventually, the origin finally dawned on me...the transradial catheterization.
I write this to alert those considering the procedure. Though knowing of the potential for this post-operative annoyance likely wouldn't have dissuaded me, I suspect there are INNUMERABLE other problems that can arise from similar or more invasive procedures and it's served to validate my refusal to have bypass.
My primary-care-provider recently retired. At my annual physical a year after the infarction he said he thought I was doing the right thing by mediating the angina with medication. In our last meeting a couple of months ago his parting advice was, "Avoid surgery."
When I went into the Emergency Room (E.R.) in Tucson one of the doctors -- in his effort to convince me to agree to surgery -- in describing the possible debilitation from heart failure -- said, "You won't even be able to wipe your ass!" He described how they would push the cath up through the vein in the left leg...a dated technique.
I learned of transradial catheterization from the internet...not one of the physicians mentioned it...and I talked with several. It wasn't until the conversation about stenting (with the cardiologist) that he said it was the method he used.
There're worse things though and one that I heard about first-hand from a man's widow involved stem-cell transplant. When Double El was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), stem-cell transplanting was a popular remedy. The widow described how the procedure turned his digestive system, from his mouth to his anus, to hamburger.
Further read disclosed that his experience wasn't unique; 25% of patients who underwent the procedure died. Many, most, suffered, some for years, with a variety of -- even a host of -- post-operative ailments and/or disabilities.
I convinced her not to do it, but her brother thought it a good idea. I had to write a comprehensive argument to dissuade him of his opinion...such was the influence of the medical establishment's enthusiasm.
Now, more than a decade later, stem-cell transplants are out of fashion, at least for treatment of C.L.L. And, thanks to a much more benign chemotherapy, Double El is free & clear.
My cardiologist tells me all three of my arteries are blocked. But now, after more than two years of taking medication, I'm holding my own. Meds have, evidently, in some cases, at least, advanced to a level where their use is almost as efficacious as surgery, and, in my case, entails a lot less risk. I may not last as long as someone who enjoys a bypass, but I might.
We're, She of the Capri and I, vigorous readers and, when signal strength permits, enjoy sharing finds.
She recently discovered Julia Blackburn's Time Song which, based on many of the Amazon reviews, wasn't worth much. One reviewer even dissed the illustrations/art works.
And while Adam's review (see image below) equates more with She of the Capri, it was Olivia who caught my attention...partly, I suspect, because one of my karate instructor's daughter's has the same name.
This is a reminder to myself to read her most recent book: Everybody which includes the theories of Wilhelm Reich. (afternote 4/8/22: it was disappointing.) And to watch the video more closely for other books to read. Anyone who's a fan of Beckett is a friend.
Aicha Evans, CEO of ZOOX, is 3rd down in Forbes' 50 Over 50 list.
Enthusiasm for Bud Light (watching your figure are you?) and automatic weapons won't save you as the rest of the world heads for the horizon.
A comparison of autonomous technology
While I do like to buy local, the selection in Quartzsite is limited, so I went to Blythe. I got everything on my list except beer. In lieu thereof, I chose a Kung Fu Girl (2019, the best!) riesling.
Unfamiliar with the Blythe environs, I pulled a blindfold from my BDSM collection, brought up the Garmin map and threw darts. We came up the west side of the Big Maria Mountains Wilderness. Splendid!
There're what appear to be volcanic "bombs" lying about. I'm not sure what was happening between these two, but it looked traumatic.
I needed some exercise so took advantage of the opportunity. This time I pocketed my nitro, and, of course, didn't need it.
Broken Member
En Garde!
Pratchett was a friend of Neil Gaiman.
I first heard of Pratchett and his decision in a conversation between Gaiman and Tim Ferriss (note double consonants).
Assisted suicide will be of increasing interest in coming years, not least of which cuz it's the most efficacious way to save Social Security. I just can't understand why the politicians haven't clambered onto the bandwagon.
The road goes past a game water entrenchment and ends about 500' (152 m) from the Kofa boundary. I managed to walk 200' further, but despite having taken my meds the angina flared and had me wondering if I'd make it back to the car. I'm still not in the habit of pocketing the nitroglycerin before ambling about...and after nearly two years, still not used to being this constrained.
Emerging from the bush, I was hailed by this venerable majesteria with a noble und basso "HalloOOO!"
I almost laughed aloud at the nose-snorts and barely-suppressed titters as this one gleefully beckoned me, "Come closer."
And these two friends, nestled in close to each other, looked as cozy as two can be.
The saguaros! Lending their stately verticality to the owls and others that rely on them.
The last few Blogger updates have come with minor irritants: the first sentence is always indented by one character. I have to go back and "backspace" to make it line up. Jeezzus!
The other annoyance is the disappearing title. Along about the 3rd or 10th character either all or a portion vanishes. I've taken to typing randomly to get it out of its system. This morning, before backspacing over the lot, I noticed Pigpower was in the first position. So it shall be. (I can only assume if I kept at it the complete writings of Shakespeare, or maybe Aldous Huxley or Peewee Herman would appear.)
The title I had in mind was: Closer; Pigpower is much more dynamic.
These two "sets" of hills are adjacent each other. There're few roads, but there're no restrictions on cross-country travel. So far I've followed tracks others have made...drawing ever closer to the western boundary of Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge got its name from the acronym for the King of Arizona gold mine.
It got warm enough to shed clothes, but gets cold the minute the sun goes down. The evenings are so pretty I've wanted to enjoy...so decided to have a fire.
It's been at least a week since my last amble so I knew I'd not be able to go far; gathering wood was perfect.
Preliminary foray led to taking an Iso to alleviate the angina. It worked but after less than an hour I was exhausted and fell asleep.
Awakened by the angina I took a full dose. I've been going 12 hours between but now, after the exertion, it's down to eight. And now, three hours later, it's still nagging. She said I'd know by "when the medication stops working." There's the familiar sound in my ears that signals lack of oxygen. Tomorrow's supposed to be even warmer.
We'll see.
I do so enjoy stating the obvious: Architecture, at least since patriarchy, has been the touchstone of influence and power. Herewith, some of MAD's projects; the U.S. being the recipient of a few.
My power of recollection being what it is, I have to wonder if the change is as dramatic as it seems. Where I recall two vehicles in 2017, there were now 20 or more.
My energy being what it is, I had to wait until I'd recovered from the move in order to move again. I took advantage of the cavalcade to hand out Western Watersheds' newletters, a somewhat similar experience to Amanda Palmer standing on her box giving away flowers.
Each encounter, in the wilds, is personal. The general paranoia being what it is, I feel as much like an ambassador of goodwill as a purveyor of information about livestock depredation.
Wishing You Were Here
Being far from a large city as we are, one surmises there must be a mine or powerplant nearby. There was a time not too long ago when no one thought about air quality. Besides, it was out in the desert where no one goes.
But at a distance of less than a couple of miles, it's concerning. (Donchya just love that...it's concerning? For a while we had meme, now: concerning. But, you know, meme's not a word yuh kin be watchin' tv with a Bud in yer hand and use in a sentence real easy. It takes, yuh know, a certain amount of je ne sais quoi. But concerning, ennybody ken use that.)
b. February 17, 1929 (age 92/93 years)
Who Is Alejandro Jodorowsky?
Interview with Iain Sinclair
17.July.2014 (age 85)
40:31 - Leonora Carrington and Arthur Magazine
48:43 - Mudras and Tantra
1:05:00 - Comic book making is an art.
Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby created The Fantastic Four
1:15:25 - Audience member asks: What can we do?
1:18:33 - If you have one person who understands you...is good.
Awakening Our Consciousness
(subtitles)
His books on Amazon
