pilgrimage north-east

flickering times. a month of brilliant sunrises, a month full of stress. some enjoyment, as per usual, though not enough. slingshot north and east to the Front Range, propelled by various portents of success and survival. across Indian Lands, regenerating the rolling vision quest. through the mountains, in the chill of an un-heated car, thanks to a leaky heater valve on the interior heater unit. Wolf Creek Pass. and the ritual stop at the Center of the Universe. leaving a whisker from Yokono there in the artesian fountain — Yokono who narrowly escaped euthanasia-by-injection last Saturday as the vet was too busy. poor beast. she has been suffering of late. took her in for a haircut which leaves her ego a bit bruised, but otherwise she gets quite perky after a cut, unencumbered by pinching mattes of her long hair everywhere on her body. this time, even under her chin. age leaves her no will to groom. and then in the last days her hips seemed to be giving her significant trouble. so it went. anyway. through Durango for a brief visit with Richard and Holly and the kids. Richard on his way north and west to Seattle. on business.