Up The Canyon of Yuccas

 After watching the video below, I was inspired to head up the canyon. We haven't been this way since October 2025...so, 6.5 months later, it was time. I have been watching the Yuccas blooming at the bridge and wanted to see the large group of them that bloom in the riverbed up there. They are quite the pokey plant!

The St. Francis Dam Disaster: Visiting the Ruins of the 1928 Catastrophe

LINK 15:07 minutes

It was beautiful there, just like last Fall. New words, symbols and phrases were scattered along the old paved road. Some of the old ones sit - fading in the bright sun. There were a lot which spoke to the majority opinion about the current administration and Nazis in general. Anyway, it was a relief to see. But, I'm not sure about the TV in the enjoy life message though! hahaI got a smile out of the old road sign, still standing on the long-time, out of use road. 

A quite warm day...sun overhead, plants and rocks shining in the afternoon light. The river was very dry, making it hard to visualize how so much water could pour down the canyon when the damn broke.

Chalk Dudleya

On the way out of the canyon, we stop to see the vast grouping of yuccas in the riverbed. There is also an abundance of mustard as well. Thanks to Dana, I went on a journey of discovery about "Brassicas" - which evidently is part of the mustard family. Interesting. I'll think of this on our future walks & drives when we see the wild mustard.

When we arrived, there was a gentleman set up in the parking area, selling cold sodas and waters. We chatted for a few minutes and then grabbed a soda on the way out. Well, well, what do you think of that?!!

Where would you like to go that you have not been to in a long time? 

 

May you return to awesome places

May you continue to learn

May you grab the little moments

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Butterflies Are Free

 

A park across town. It looks so much larger in the photo.  In a mostly winter looking tree, there was a very large clump of brilliant green leaves.

Today fed us some real humans news, some goodness. The screen shot below is from a story about the National Guard in Minneapolis handing out doughnuts and warm coffee or hot chocolate. They were not wearing masks, but instead wore smiles and kind voices. They wore bright vests to announce they are not ice. If you need a feel good moment, follow the link below.

LINK for screenshot source

We circled the perimeter, as usual. When we got to this section surrounded by Eucalyptus trees, we started seeing small butterflies. They looked similar to Monarchs, but they moved so quickly, so we couldn't be really sure. Anyway, the longer we stood there, the more butterflies we noticed. Think about that...read it again...'the longer we stood there'...I think that was the lesson there today: slow down, stop, just be. We talked about the butterfly grove up north and J. popped out with the memory of this old movie (below). I had not thought of this movie for a million years. I, of course, had to find it and watch it later in the day. What a trip. I was in 8th grade when it came out and wanted to be that wild and free...I just didn't know that it came with so much baggage (lesson #2! haha)

At any rate, standing there seeing the flitting and flying of the orange and black and white butterflies was amazing. I saw it through the eyes of magical, he had on his science/nature viewpoint. heehee.

Butterflies Are Free

LINK 1:49:23

We've been noticing the VA Eucalyptus trees all over town since we began the Parks Project. Their dark, dark trunks, rough bark and red, hardened sap. Today the ground was covered with dainty pink Eucalyptus flowers. We've also been seeing the the red berry bushes of my childhood everywhere too. Isn't it wonderful what you can see when you look?!

After looping the park itself, we walked over the bridge, which spans the width of the nearby main road. We then walked up a couple of blocks and back, while on the main road. Too busy (even if the photos I took do not show that!). We won't do that there again.

This photo was fun to play with. I like all of the lines and angles.

On that side of the road we saw big views on this clear day, beautiful sage and spent yucca flower stems. Tree trunks and fence shadows and views that go on for miles. It was again so clear. I marveled at how much we could see.

Wherever we go, whatever we find simple enjoyments. I count that as a blessing these days.

What do you count as a blessing? 

 

May you enjoy your travels, no matter how small

May you find many bridges to cross

May you recognize, cradle and rock your blessings

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Talk About It

 

So much mud in the catch basin. 

Water running, moving from space to space.

Loud.

𐧾

Talk about Gaza

                                                                                              Take a deep breath, and then again

       Talk about Renee Good & the others

                                                                                                                       Share humor

                       Talk about Ukraine

                                                                                                Look to Nature

How Native Hoop Dancers Blend Heritage and Hip Hop | If Cities Could Dance

LINK 5:13 minutes

“When we dance, we’re never really truly alone. If you keep that in mind, that gives you the courage and confidence to take what you learn and take it further.” —Samsoche Sampson

Their truck was there, but they were nowhere to be seen...probably went to lunch in another worker's truck says J. - my thoughts go to a much darker place. Where were they? We will never know.

The road out of Mentryville - "Kitty Rock" - One body, two ears and lots of imagination.

   Talk about a young man now blind in one eye

                                                                                           Hug those you love

             Talk about the still missing files 

                                                                                                      Stay connected to old friends

Talk about illegal moves, on every level

                                                                                             Make important phone calls

A brilliant city tree outside the local Goodwill, my nod to the fact that I usually don't take many city photos.

   Talk about the many thefts: privacy, sanity, security for starters...

                                                                                                                Love the clouds

Talk about the endless lies spewed

                                                                                                       Care for your body

Talk about the hard stuff

                                                                                                                           Give to others                                                                                              

Out, out, out into Nature, breathing, pausing, taking mental notes and sharing special finds or things to consider. Paths of the remains of deep flowing water, leaving lumpy, bumpy mud behind. Leaving chalky white rocks, salty-like residue and reddish clay. Now, larger areas of restoration exist, tiny fenced new growth and little flags flying in the breeze marking each new plant.

A place we've been before, seen before...breathed in before...a place that remains good. We never tire of it. Even when noting the recent weather related changes, it is like coming home. Home happens when one returns to place again and again. Home feels good. Today the path and nearby moist creek leading to the old rock home had the sweetest scent you ever could smell. A bench placed trailside, perfect for viewing the snag of a tree.

Two Community Medicine Bags were planted. Current count: 105

Talk about all that needs to be said, but do more than just talk too

                                                                   Take actions that help sustain you and others as well

What can you talk about and do? 

 

May you step on each side of the path

May you look in all directions

May you go and also return

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

What Will Future Peoples Say Of This Time?

Janelle Monáe - Turntables [Emotion Picture]

LINK 3:05 minutes

Today on ECM Resistence Live, she mentioned the above song and the book "The Persuaders: At The Front Lines of the Fights for Hearts, Minds and Democracy" by: Anand Giridharadas, copyright 2022

I have not read it. I'm not sure that I will (may be too much).  Bottom line, I can always share and I do. I will do other actions that I can.

Indivisible will be having an Rapid Response Call, tonight 8:00 PM EST

I just wanted to lay this out here...first step.

In the words of ECM, Be a Beacon of Truth

What kicks you in the gut? What do you do with those feelings?

May you find your courage

May you keep your good heart

May you share your love

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

 

Early Days

 

I love color swatches. I love paint samples. I love palette play. Up until now, I've only looked, but never tried it. I decided to start small, using my set of 12 Inktense colored pencils, in the order I keep them in the tin. I colored light-medium-dark as best I could and then added one more block with water added (on the far right). I added their company designated names to complete the record. I've really enjoyed this kind of play in videos I've seen...on Deb's dreaming bee blog. I once saw a video where the shades of mixing was related to coffee. How much milk was added, making it very light - to - 'black' pure color. I wish I had saved that to view it again. Anyway, perhaps I will play with this some more.

The 'man things' - things that belonged to my birth-father, my dad or J. (and my mom too!) - how I study them when cleaning and consider the stories they must hold. The man's valet is on it's 4th "owner", with plans to pass it down once again when that time comes. The knife was 'lost' for a long time, well over a year...and spontaneously turned up again this week. Now, where had it run off to and what was it doing?

In looking at Grace's mug of utensils last night, I notice one that looks similar to one I have. I got curious. It turns out that it is a "fruit, cranberry or tomatoes" serving spoon, made by Leonard, silverplate, pattern: "Acorn". This one belonged to someone in my mom's family. I have no idea who, as it was not familiar to me when I laid eyes on it. But, I thought it was pretty and unique, so I hung onto it. I have to say, as someone who lives around a lot of acorns...these don't entirely represent them to me. My research shows one can be had for about $5.00-$25.00 online shopping.

I am reading a new book. Finally. I'm enjoying it and will post more soon. I'm so happy to have gotten hooked into a book again.

#11 Catching Rain Or Not

I tried to catch some rain water from our last storm. However the patio is deeply covered and I did not want the mug to get blown off, so I tucked it on the the table out there. The wind was not as fierce as the first storm, keeping it in a pretty dry spot...so my cup does not runneth over! This had me considering the old thoughts of how much is enough? To one stranded in the desert, this may seem an abundance.

It's been between the 50°-60°'s, mostly gray cloud covered skies. Today, some blue has busted through. Yay!

What sparks your curiosity? 

 

May you find enough to do

May you appreciate 'enough' when you bump into it

May you have enough of what you need

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026