Desert Magnolia

A dear family friend, who just recently returned to our state after years away in California, has graciously invited me to stay with her a couple of nights a week in Santa Fe while I finish up school. What does this mean? Less commuting. Which equates to less cumulative fatigue over the course of a week. Which also equates to a more focused, effective me..as a student and general member of society. Last week was our first week trying this new arrangement out, and it seems to be pretty comfortable - for both of us. Her home is lovely, and her neighbors are welcoming and supportive as well. This counts as an unexpected blessing. I am grateful, and I am thankful, and I look forward to doing my very best to finish this program strong and ready for boards, and for life beyond. It really does take a village to support big goals, doesn't it? Stevie

Sometimes Fall sneaks up on you, and then one morning there you are surrounded by golden leaves and you notice a chill in the air. Sometimes Fall skirts the edges of Summer, teasing with its cooler nights and crisper mornings. This is a skirting year. Our days, due to some unexpected high pressure systems, have been unseasonably warm, still in the 90's when they should be dropping into the low 80's by now. Even so, Fall is close. The leaves in the Sandias have begun to turn glorious shades of yellow and gold and red. The morning air really is cooler and cleaner and has a bit of an edge. I noticed last week, when greeting the early morning in Santa Fe on my friend's patio, that it was much cooler in the City Different. Much. I needed a sweatshirt...and the colors, evident on the nearby Sangre De Cristos, are stunning. So, it'll be really cool, for real, pretty soon, we're told. For today, though, it's sunscreen and a hat for the walk/jog. It's goin...

Every day, the trek to Santa Fe. Every day the schlep back home, hopefully with more experience and knowledge in the old cranium. After one full week behind us, I have to say, damn. Saturday was just a recovery day. I hit a wall around 3 p.m. and had to nap. Seriously. I know I will get used to the commute, or at least I tell myself I will. That it will become part of my day, and be no biggie. That I am fortunate to have avoided said commute for as long as I have, since my much younger daughter in the Big Apple commutes 1:10 every morning and evening, by train. So I need to just chill, right? Right. I have to believe the medicine is bigger and better than the politics and egos and nonsense that predicated our campus being 'consolidated' into the Santa Fe campus. I have to believe that the greater lesson here will eclipse the stupidity of trying to meld two completely and totally different philosphies/entities into one very narrow, rigid mold. I have to believe this.....