to the Sea as far as I could see—then melting into space

REBIRTH that is the purpose and result of Pilgrimage

To celebrate and motivate my trek through CHEMo- F promised we would see the Pacific Ocean and all* my California family and friends— at the same time M & T (dearest friends I have had the great good-fortune to love for over 33 years) planned an historic visit to Denver. We decided we would make a 2-car caravan back through the desert and then rendezvous back in Carmel once we visited Cordelia, Chris and god-daughter Gracie, Will, Allison, dear Sussan and Richard, in Beverly hills, and Joe and Stacy with their goats and darling chickens in Redlands.

Chemo may have been monumental- but the Victory Lap was EPIC

Eating Artichokes, olives, and cherries on the cliffs with my dearest Meredith.

we traveled 11 days, over 3,000 miles, the first leg down through Glenwood Canyon where the Colorado River was lapping the high way

Biggest I've ever seen the Colorado- or the Sacramento. Green River over it's banks- horses standing in the fields up to their knees in water- Every where GREEN

Fond farewells and over the golden central valley foothills, away from M&T, Big Sur and white sand with moon milk on the beaches—  we shot up 300 miles on I-5 to Ono California to see my ailing Uncle who I adore- Two 10-hour days followed that, nearly breaking the camel's back (I do mean sweet Aubrielle)

*We sorely missed seeing and being with our dear ones: Chrissy Offutt; Mimi; Ken Malkin; Julie Cuccia; Shawna McGowen; Greg LeClair and cousin Josie—It only means second round and very soon! Wish we would have planned another week!

It has definitely been a long week recovering- but with care and joy and reflection. Now the work of renewal truly begins. The macrobiotic shift away from fats, sugars, and all processed food. The movement toward sea-vegetables (seaweed), juicing, and finally back to Yoga- [Yes, we did eat RED Vines and Beef Jerky at one point on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas, in Susanville]-

Today-My body is both a pale frail atrophied version of its self, and a much more vibrant and transparent one—

This morning i felt the breeze in my sprouting hair- eyebrows darkening, - I would like more energy- the heat of summer keeping me slow, and then I remember the days flat in bed and slow is just alright with me!

It feels nice to be back home and to have been away- to see the familiar rooms and walls in new light with travel dust on them. I recommend a road trip for anyone in need of pilgrimage — a journey of significance

I saw an advertisement to day of a young woman in running clothes- the print over her head said- before I buy the plane ticket to Germany, I'm going to run there 100 times and back!

It seemed so puritanical and beside the point—What ever might be in Munich or Berlin or Hamburg that has the power to change your whole world view has nothing to do with running- 900,000 miles. And if you did run 900,000 miles you wouldn't have any time for travel!

Get out and go!

Through countless births in the cycle of existence

I have run, not finding

although seeking the builder of this house;

and again and again I faced the suffering of new birth.

Oh housebuilder! Now you are seen.

You shall not build a house again for me.

All your beams are broken,

the ridgepole is shattered.

The mind has become freed from conditioning:

the end of craving has been reached.

Buddha—The Dhammapada,

HOW I WISH