I am in awe!
Carmen Amaya
According to wikipedia:
Carmen Amaya (2 November 1913 – 19 November 1963) was a flamenco dancer and singer, of gypsy origin, born in the Somorrostro slum of Barcelona, Spain, Vila Olímpica nowadays.
She has been called “the greatest Spanish gypsy dancer of her generation”.[1] and “the most extrardinary personality of all time in flamenco dance”.[2]
Carmen Amaya
(photographer unknown)
Thank you Mr. Rogers!
When I was a child, I felt like Fred Rogers was looking out for me. It is amazing how his show helped me to feel “normal” and not like I was “weird” for enjoying reading, drawing, and daydreaming. Just a little shred of evidence that I was just fine was all I needed to get through—despite much of the conditioning from public school, some of my bullying siblings, and other programming on television.
Mr Roger’s testimony is so clear and eloquent and heartfelt. Wow, what a sincere person, so refreshing.
I’m glad Mr. Rogers had his tv show. Reading helped me to feel good, too, especially when I’d bring a good book with me up the pine tree where I could perch and see the whole neighborhood (which mainly consisted of more trees, there weren’t many kids)—and that learning in school was so (sometimes almost painfully) easy.
And in case you missed it . . .
I have been living part-time in Phoenix and part-time in Camp Verde while I look for a good gig in Phoenix. Currently I work at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
I really like my place in Phoenix, and I am enjoying the urban energy, too. I’ve been feeling the need for a faster pace and cultural/social stimulation for quite a while now. When I leave there I miss it.
Today my brain just shut down. I could barely think at all. Still can barely think. I got through today on sheer willpower.
I went to Dara Thai for lunch and there was a group of about 10 senior citizens sitting at a table saying things like, “This place isn’t American . . . She kept asking me what kind of meat I want with my noodles, the description doesn’t say anything about meat . . . Why would I want to annoy myself by watching the DNC? . . . Sometimes I think the Lord gets confused, people pray for the sun to shine while some people pray for rain – just too many people praying at the same time . . . Can we have these all on separate checks?”
Afterwards, my brain was still foggy, so I went to Rendezvous for a coffee—one dollar for a really good americano! Sat in the window and thought about all of my Flagstaff friends and how I haven’t seen any of them in a long while now. I watched an older white couple with set jaws and furrowed brows walking along Aspen. They both wore baggy khaki shorts and high socks. I thought, “What the fuck am I doing here?”
I am glad I had the chance to talk with Naomi – and grateful for the space she has to share. Still, I’m so ready to be with my man and to settle in to my new place. Driving 60 miles one way up a windy mountain freeway to work is getting crazy.
The foggy brain days are scary ones on the road.
The sunsets here are absolutely stunning. Amazing skies. Always a thrill.
Every evening I marvel about where I am. I marvel about my partner and his/our family. This place is so different from where I have spent most of my life.
I also get a thrill when I get mileage like this.
. . . and I feel great! I was so ready.
I feel liberated!
Today’s pics are self-portraits from my cell phone. (It would be a whole lot easier if I could see what I was pointing the lens at)!
There are quite a few pics. It must be the Mars in Scorpio vibe (intense, obsessive) and/or perhaps the shifts of the notes from Sagittarius/Gemini to Scorpio/Taurus. (I’ve got four planets in Scorpio, I’ve been feeling something happening this week. It feels good!)
Maybe it’s the blue moon. Maybe I am just excited! Nothing like a good haircut or good art to get my kundalini rising.
Yes, there actually is a face under all of that hair!
I actually did it! And it’s really curly!
Deep! Getting used to pushing my bangs off my face.
Cannot tell you how good my head feels!
60s vibe.
Did I really just cut off all of my hair? Hell yes!
Sorry if this seems excessive, but I have had the same hair cut going on for about 20 years. Not saying it didn’t serve me well. I was just ready for something new.
And when I walked into Salvador Calvano’s studio today – holy smokes! First, I met his dog (I forget her name) – she is a darling golden retriever who was chilling out on a red leather couch. How could I not love a sweet doggie? Then – wow – an amazing space – and there is a stage with band equipment! He is ready to jam! And his partner Patty cuts hair, too, and plays ukulele. They are both musicians and artists . . . I haven’t felt so at home in a place in a LONG time.
My hair hasn’t been brushed or blow-dried either (except for my bangs). Salvador worked with my curls and cut into my hair while it was dry. We talked about music and New York and musicians and Flagstaff and food and hair. And all the while my head was feeling lighter and more tingly and happy as the hair fell into a huge pile on the floor.
I almost kept my hair to spin into wool, but decided it would just be on the back burner while i get to other ideas already on the back burner. And then I would start feeling guilty, which is just an ugly cycle. So – I let it go!!!
I hugged Salvador – I’ve never hugged my hair stylist before!
I highly recommend getting a cut at Salvador’s place – it’s worth it.
Salvador gets a haircut!
Camp Verde sunset.
(c) Holly Troy 2012
My time in Northern Arizona is coming to an end very soon. I already have a place in Phoenix, but have been easing my way down there as I get a job in the city. I am excited about some possibilities! Also, I am setting up my studio for not only art, but reiki and yoga and workshops (stay tuned).
I’ve been in the Verde Valley for almost two weeks now – often I come home as the sun is just beginning to set. It is beautiful here! I am astounded every evening.
Tonight, I decided to check out a trail at the bottom of the road in Old Town Cottonwood for photos. I wasn’t quite sure how to get there, but I thought I remembered. No GPS – let’s just go!
The journey was so beautiful I wasn’t even worried if I found it.
This road seemed to be going in the right direction – downhill! They don’t have skies like this back east (I pulled over to take this pic):
By the time I did find the old part of town, I realized I was out for a joy ride. And then it dawned on me that I hadn’t gone for a joy ride since my car accident in 2009! Since then, driving was a tense and painful experience for me.
It felt so good to be out!
They don’t call it the Verde River for nothing! (I know – I’m in the middle of a desert!!!) A canal at the beginning of the path.
I walked down the path a little way and the grass was several feet taller than my head. I felt like I could have been in the Amazon.
I met this cool cat while I was out. He reminds me of my kitty Tiger, but much more calm. Buddha Kitty with a sweet mew.
I took so many pictures, but I won’t post them all.
Absolutely marveling at the beauty all around me.
© Holly Troy August 22, 2012
It’s raining like mad here in the Verde Valley. The clouds roll in and hide the mountains and buttes.
And the mountains that are very close, getting fuzzy.
The same sky at sunset last night!
Maxfield Parrish skies!
Verde Valley with red mountains.
One of the reasons I left Manhattan.
When nothing seems to be changing, all you need to do is look up.
