The High Chaparral!

There is something unexpected and even unexplainable in our recent location to the high desert chaparral. First, the desert has always previously been a torture to me, growing up in it from childhood well into my twenties, that involved some crossovers between unmitigated heat and a total lack of culture, at least in the sense of a deplorable lack of fine art, (cowboy bronzes don't count), classical music (gee-tars at the how-down don't count) and haute cuisine. (Right again, enchiladas in verde sauce, don't count!)





Nevertheless, here we are, and in a few days I do believe I will find some of that elusive PEACE I keep hunting. The house is large, too, large, but light filled and airy. It's a tad 'neuvo riche' in it's expansive layout, and certainly a contractor, not an architect, designed and built it... it lacks the simplicity and detailing of a genuine beauty. Nevertheless, in it's slightly garish charm, and rather too well hidden bones, still lurk the possibility of order from chaos. What's more, after nearly being homeless I cannot seriously complain at all. We have a home! More than we could have hoped for and located in the most beautiful of natural preserves.



The chaparral comes within feet of the house; it's mesquite, ocotillo, sahuaro very green indeed this year. Cotton tails, jack rabbits, mule deer, hawks, a falcon have been seen - and the coyotes heard. Perhaps a mountain cat roams near? Quail, roadrunners, all of nature is here and whether gentle or deadly it's awful beauty fascinates and calms and excites all at once. Peace. Some peace at last.

Two More Angels

These two little fur balls are always up to something cute. My angelic acrobat, Athenais, immediately set upon my easel, (recently put to use in the living room), as the latest goal for her gymnastic aspirations. Her excitement was palpable as she assessed her options for conquering this Everest of canvas and wood; she circled the easel several times, sat upon her haunches and motioned with her forelegs her desire to climb and then, without further hesitation, clambered up the armoire and over to the top of my painting. You can see her enthusiasm. She spent about ten minutes upon her conquered pinnacle awaiting our amazement and praise.

Monsieur Bouvier, on the other hand, is overjoyed when he finds Mark and I alone together in the living room. He snakes between our legs, back and forth, for some serious petting and scratching, and after a few minutes of personal grooming, plops himself upon the carpet and spreads eagle for us. Exposing his belly is quite a compliment to his feeling safe, welcome and loved, and of course it's hilarious, too!

L'ange

I received a comment today on an older post regarding the Bethesda Fountain and its Angel of the Waters. Here are a few more photographs of that beautiful place taken our last winter in New York City. Click on this post's title to see the original post.