Soul Searching With Milo

These "spirit walkers" collect the letters from the living and offer them to the spirts via buring them in a large urn(behind_.

A busy weekend full of fascinating subjects to film and capture on camera ended with a huge Tucson event known as the All Souls Procession.  It is a day I celebrate every year to remember my loved ones that have left this world.  And while it's a happy occasion, it's also a reflective one as well.

This year there were so many dedications made to people and their pets.  While reading everyone's blogs one day, I had an emotional reaction to one in particular.  Blogging is truly wonderful, but sometimes, we all go through things that are difficult.  Not only do I become connected to each of you better through your lives and experiences; but I also fall in love with all your furry friends.

There are so many of you that include your cats, dogs, horses, pigs, goats, birds, etc that make me smile everytime I see them. Such was the case with Milo.  When Laura from ForestWalkArt's Forest Dreams posted that Milo was dying, I burst into tears.  Thankfully, I was alone in a dark room with no one around to see me express emotion:)  I'm not one to express those deeper emotions publicly.

Milo was a kitty full of spirit and energy.  She stared into the eyes of snakes and other dangerous creatures.  And everytime she made an appearance on Laura's blog, I would smile as I do when you all feature your pets.  I've even fallen for a big ol' pup known as Baron.  Of course there's Hank, Pie and oh so many more.

So when Milo was dying, I felt a big punch to my ever expanding gut.  After Milo passed, Laura sent me a feather and mouse toy that Milo played with while alive. At the parade, wrapped in a special paper, the items were then placed into an urn.

And while we searched for those urns, there were many strange surprises that walked between us, around us, next to us......

People wrote poems and letters to their loved ones that were later burned and offered to the sky spirits.  On this evening 50,000 people showed up together to acknowledge and celebrate life and death as one.

I love when people express themselves artistically as it makes them more interesting to capture on film. In fact this month we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving weekend at a Cirque De Soleil  presentation.  One of my favorite kinds of shows.

The lady below stole my heart with her rendition of the Phoenix.  You should have seen her dance to drums. It was an incredible presentation of feather, dance, and art!

Throughout the parade, people sang, danced, and played lots of instruments.

Here several of the ladies from one of our local high schools posed for a shot.  They did a fantastic job making "el baile folklórico" come alive.

Oh and there were all kinds of crazies about.  With this kind of event, you are most certain to find them hiding everywhere:) Well not hiding:)

Take for example this Circle K.  We always knew this place would kill us eventually.  But seeing all the zombies and skeletons made me burst out laughing.  Once on a birding trek, I bought a sandwich here and got Salmonella poisoning really bad.  "Thankfully" it happened at home and not on the trails.

But back to Milo.  Like the Phoenix suggests, we are born.  We die.  And we rise from the ashes again anew.

And while Milo is remembered and not forgotten, a new member has since been added to Laura's household by the name of Emo:)  Very cute.  When I lost both my cats 7 years ago, it took me time to recover from the loss.  But I found it too difficult.  So both Pat and I rescued FIVE cats soon after! And it's awesome.  We still remember our other two.  How can you forget?  That's the price of getting older. So Laura, I hope Emo is keeping you busy and bringing everyone lots of happiness.

And as for you Milo, I hope you enjoy the spirit items sent by those who love you very much:)

It's Time to Begin

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

My mind wanders today.  The colors of this life don't seem to fade but only intensify as I get older. And yet I remember those who haven't made it to 40.  The soldiers who died so young, my friends who passed away from AIDS, cancer, and many other diseases.  And somehow, I've managed to live this "charmed" life. 

But I feel like maybe a little man makeup is needed these days.  Birds get to molt into prettier feathers.  Not so much for humankind:)

But life is to be embraced whenever possible.  Everyday is a new day. Perhaps the last one? I hope not, but it's another day to tackle.  Expect the unexpected....even in the most mundane of routines.

My birthday arrives before Halloween and Day of the Dead each year.  The latter being a very important day for me to remember those who have passed in my life.  Those who meant so much to me.  My mentors. And I love that my birthday coincides with these days.  My "birthday cake"?  Pumpkin pie.

I imagine myself like this man below.  Perhaps a birder.  Perhaps someone who will sit back and watch the world pass him by........

Sometimes an occasional burst of teenage energy will surface, but every year it seems to slow down some:) But the spark of curiosity is stronger than ever.

These pics were taken at the Tucson Meet Yourself event several weeks ago.  I am reminded why I chose Tucson as my place to live each day of my life. Turning 40 isn't as bad at all.  Turning 30, well that was a different story:) I know I know.....several of my older readers will respond, "That's nothing, wait until you turn 80!"  I sure hope I get there:)

And yet I am reminded that getting older is a celebration.  Something that I've earned.  Instead of putting the flame out, it only continues to burn stronger and brighter.

And inside I feel like the 40's have a greater reveal ahead.....one that makes me excited.  A light at the end of the tunnel on student loans and debt.  The beginning of random trips to the Caribbean with my other half in the middle of the year.  Whenever we choose.  Anywhere around this world.  Together.  The 40's are the beginning of a new life.

Granted, I still have to watch what I eat.  Monitor my cholesterol and blood pressure better.

 I planned young because I knew I'd be ready for a change. Because we all change over a lifetime.....many times.  The Aborigines know this.

Life is out there.  Well it's all around us at any given time.  I can choose to embrace it or rush through the moments quickly like most people do.  I don't want to rush anymore.  I want to see things better.  More clearly.

That inner child still lives within.  Now this is a bear I can trust!!!  Smokey and Woodsy would be an epic combo!!!  But I found Smokey and that's all that matters!

And while I can't be these Puerto Ricans jumping up and over others like I used to....I can still appreciate that energy on the outside.  They are called the Flying Tortillas.

And I'm really not sure I could do these things in my 20's;)

I love this shot below.  Why?  It reminds me of Peter Pan chasing his shadow.

I feel like my best years are ahead of me.

After all, when one hurdle is jumped, isn't there another one around the corner?  With a glass of fine red wine, I sit back and think about all the things that are just waiting to be discovered today and tomorrow.  Life is short and we have to live it. As you read this tonight(or today), I am up on top of Mt. Lemmon at the UA observatory.  Pat surprised me with some night stargazing because my heart belongs in the heavens.  And seeing the planet Saturn or Mars makes my mind soar.  What else is out there?  What more is there?  All I have to do is step out my door and watch because there is so much to see and experience. So tonight I take my first step into the decade known as "the 40's".  Please pass that pumpkin pie.

More tomorrow....