WHO SHOULD RESCUE THIS LADY?

Luke 10:30  A lady was going down from "Jerusalem to Jericho" when she fell into the hands of robbers.  They stripped her of  a reasonable lifestyle---psychologically beat her up and left her abandoned in a parking lot in Yuma, Az.

A Christian couple walked by---saw her distress---and walked on by.

A  Mormon guy walked by---expressed some curiosity---and went on his way.

My friend and I came by---curious what was in the shopping cart.

looked----did nothing

It held a mother dog and 6 puppies---born just last night.

She wanted to borrow a phone.  Someone lent her one.  A cab appeared.

She stuffed her few possessions and the dogs inside and disappeared---leaving the cart behind.

We all breathed a sigh of relief---she was gone---someone else's problem now.

That very day a tiny dog fell into a canal and was being swept along--in danger of drowning.  Both Brad and I rushed to the rescue.  He got there first and saved it.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  Oh sweet readers---I'm in shame and perplexity---I DIDN'T DO A DAMNED THING TO HELP THE LADY----saw her as a major pain in the ass---needy beyond reason-- angry--probably druggy---likely neurotic----with emotional and physical baggage that would strain my charitable impulses.  Yeah---she was a basket case for sure----AND SO WAS THE GUY IN JESUS' PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN.  Why was I so willing to rescue the dog and so reluctant to help the lady?

 (the dog was easier)

Fate put this lady on my "doorstep" and I  did nothing.  I should have to answer for that.  Who should rescue this Lady?  In urgent situations---like the dog---whoever can--- should act.  In basket cases, I maintain she is EVERYBODY'S  responsibility.  We need a social safety net that should reach out and care for her AT A REASONABLE COST to society----like we reach out to the winos on the street in severely cold weather.

Personal and private intervention --- welcome as it is---is not enough---is inconsistent.  Only institutional charity will work.

ADVENTURING IN PARADISE----Part 2 ---DAYS IN DEEP DESERT

WHAT IS SO ALLURING ABOUT THE DESERT?  We will go find out!

There it is---a vast desert---only 15 miles from Yuma, Az. (West on I-8--north on Ogilbe rd) .  Can you see the 50 or so rigs scattered about?  

On the horizon are the splendid Imperial dunes ---3 miles wide--50 miles long---often 70 feet high.

Many movies have been filmed here----among them--my all time favorite: Flight of the Phoenix.

Brad and I find a distant site waaay out there.

Settle in by sunset.

Glancing out my front window---I see this.

And step outside to appreciate it's full glory.

Each of us has some solitary work to do---but we walk the dogs together mornings and evenings.

I sit regally atop this hill and proclaim with Whitman:

"COME---TRAVEL WITH ME"

"TOGETHER THE INDUCEMENTS SHALL BE GREATER"

"FAILING TO FETCH ME AT FIRST, KEEP ENCOURAGED

MISSING ME ONE PLACE, SEARCH ANOTHER

I STOP SOMEWHERE----WAITING FOR YOU."

Ceri is my candidate for the sweetest dog in the world.

No dog is buried here.  It is a memorial to a beloved Golden Lab that got lost in the desert here.

(made us a bit cautious)

A friendly flyover almost every day.

A full moon

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  Oh sweet people---take my word for it:  There's a wide wonderful world out here that you can't afford to miss---and you can afford to experience.  Camping is free---the weather is perfect---  And  likely your soul would benefit from the serenity.  

ADVENTURING IN PARADISE-----Part 1

PARADISE: A PLACE THAT IS IDEALLY SUITED TO SOMEBODY.  (ONE DEFINITION)
I hope to persuade myself and you--- that the body we are in and the world we are on-- is ideally suited to us---that to be alive is a grand adventure--- into time--- and substance-- and mystery.

Now I really am in Paradise---out there---in the paradise casino's parking lot--Yuma, Arizona.

That's my rig---turned sideways to capture optimum sun on my solar panels.

We are allowed to park free here---indefinitely, it seems--in the hope we will come inside and gamble. 

( I have a funny poem on the subject which I'll share if I get enough request ) 

Sunsets are beautiful here. That's the historic Catholic church on Yuma Crossing hill.

  

And that's the famous Yuma crossing with its OCEAN TO OCEAN BRIDGE from the 30's---still in use---and that structure to the left is part of the infamous YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON.  

Some mornings we are visited by balloonist.  This pilot is super skilled and just skims the water to show his control.

occasionally setting down among us.

Wayne Wirs' new home---a super slick--brand-new Nissan 3500 Cargo van -- fires my imagination.  He lives in great comfort, is instantly mobile, reasonably economical and likely decades durable.

Two of America's greatest bloggers in my opinion:   Wayne: http://waynewirs.com/  and Glenn http://www.tosimplify.net/---between them, more than 5 million readers.  Both with vital messages---delivered effortlessly as they go about their lives. 

That's my friend Brad getting the tour.  Glenn seems to be checking out ground clearance.

And you may remember our desert dialogue on creativity and connection.

Glenn and I spent a day in Algodones----he, getting work done at Dr. Rubio's clinic.

Then touring the town.  Glenn still doesn't know what is behind the notorious green door.  I did not tell him---just got this incriminating evidence for future mischief.

Took him to the WALL that separates the nations.  It is in danger of toppling down that bank.  So workers are building up its foundation again. (can you believe they still break rocks like this)

And these guys are shoring up the official boundary post.

Then we engaged this guy---an official "barker" for one of the hundreds of dentist, steering potential clients to his employers clinic.  He spoke fluent English---explained that he lived in Las Vegas for years illegally---got caught and deported.  If he returns prior to 5 years and is caught again, he forfeits any chance at citizenship.  He has a year and a half to go before he will risk returning.  Told us he gets a $100 a month plus commission for his work.  Said last month he made $500 total. 

We take a break in a park where I indulge in Mexican sweets from a bakery.  See the bag full at my feet?

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  Yeah this is paradise:  doing what you want to do, when you want to do it, with people you like.  (and in pleasant weather)   Glenn and I agree that a truly good life that you would enjoy--- is accessible--- at far less cost,--- and likely sooner than you have supposed.  

GOT FRIENDS---WILL CONNECT

ISOLATION IS A DEAD END----THE SELF IS FULFILLED IN COMMUNITY! (Chardin)

I'm alone--with another 100 campers in the Paradise Casino parking lot---Yuma. Az  When this friend rolls in from San Diego:  Brad Maybury---writer, thinker, adventurer.  I'm delighted.

Then --out of the blue--another friend rolls in. This one from Florida.  Most of my readers will recognize him at once: WayneWirs http://waynewirs.com/  author,blogger,  Mobile Mystic. It's the first time I've seen his new home--a Nissan van that he's engineered with all necessary comforts.  I'm twice blessed.

AND THEN----AND THEN---from the remotes of Los Angeles---this famous rig ---and its more famous builder/blogger Glenn Morrissette rolls in. http://www.tosimplify.net/ My cup runneth over.  Three of the brightest --most evolved minds I know. 

They all agreed to participate in a "Salon" ---a focused discussion---on the topic of CONNECTION AND CREATIVITY.  ( do our connections enhance or distract from our creative projects?  How many and what kind of friends best serve us?  Would seclusion and solitude be best?) Is electronic connection a fair substitute for personal connection?

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  This was a terrific happenstance and I'm glad I seized the opportunity to engage.  The question I raise is very relevant to everybody, but especially to us drifter/loners who are in the business of creative writing.  Here's my takeaway from that discussion.
1. Almost everybody wants to do things that require some creativity.
2. Ideas often come from mysterious sources---just pop into our heads and often we do our best work alone.  But in truth all of us are connected to the world and other minds in a thousand ways all the time---including memories and increasingly by electronics.  The question and challenge is how  to gain reasonable
control of our connections so that they enrich us and not distract or overwhelm us.
3. Some feel that our most important connection is with God and to get that channel open pretty much handles all problems.  "whispers" and "synchronicities" can effortlessly guide our lives.
4. We of a more secular mind rely on our "deepest intuition" for guidance and inspiration.
5. Brad told us of a study showing that DISCONNECTION was ultimately the source of DIS-EASE.  particularly our disconnection with our physical bodies---failing to respond to its signals.
6. Connections with others come in three forms:  RITUAL---(hello, how are you, ect.)
PASTIME--- (gossip, current events,)  and INTIMACY--- (what we feel, want, have done)
Good friends engage us at the level of intimacy ( authenticity) and that's most useful to our personal growth.
 7. Still not clear to me: whether I would be more creative drifting alone or in a pair--or perhaps connecting with my friends periodically.  My summer travels should answer this question.