What Remains?

January 1, 2019January 3, 2019 ~ JoHanna Massey

After you have exhausted what there is
In business, politics, conviviality, and so on
Have found that none of these finally satisfy,
Or permanently wear
What remains? Nature remains.
Walt Whitman- Song of Myself

Sedona Arizona -2019- JoHanna Massey

Early Morning- JoHanna Massey

Photo: JoHanna Massey

Photo: Sedona Arizona 2019

Photo: JoHanna Massey 2019

“She guards the Canyon, blesses the visitors and reassures those familiar, knows all that has happened and will knows what will come.”- Sedona Arizona January 2019

Deadman's Pass- Boynton Canyon Sedona Arizona 2019

Deadman’s Pass in Boynton Canyon, Sedona Arizona is quiet in the morning. A walk-a-bout more than a hike, a connecting path between Boynton Canyon and Long Canyon. Good to be out in the clean clear air while frost is on the thick stands of manzanita and the deer and birds show themselves.

Photo: JoHanna Massey January 2019

Hot Loop Trail- Village of Oak Creek Sedona Arizona Photo: JoHanna Massey

Photo: JoHanna Massey January 2019

Hot Loop Trail- Village of Oak Creek Sedona Arizona Photo: JoHanna Massey

Hot Loop Trail, located off Jacks Canyon Road in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona Arizona is a favorite. Sharing A Hike On Hot Loop While Old provides an appreciation, such gratitude on still having the strength, agility, and wits about me to make the thousand foot climb upward to views that are stand up straight shoulder squaring. No other hikers but us the entire trek, which is excellent, considering the heavy density of use on so many of Sedona’s trails. The peace, quiet, and bird song, as well as that physical workout deeply energize. An ace choice of hiking trails for the New Year of 2019.

Coffee pot Rock Sedona Arizona January 2019

Carroll Canyon, Old Post, and the Ridge Trails are very much ‘in town’, neighborhood trails. Quick access to outdoors whether on a lunch break from employment at a close by coffee shop, a break for a take away slice or tamale picnic in a day of errands, or out for establishing that exercise every morning routine. There is activity here. Noise from the sky from the tourist helicopter tours taking off and landing from nearby Sedona Airport, mountain bike enthusiasts enjoy these trails for their proximity to bike rentals, but then there will be a stretch of quiet time, red rock beauties, solitude, and flowers blooming in winter, or a red tailed hawk swooping deep through Carroll Canyon to surprise and delight and elude the camera lens.

Mescal Trail- Sedona Arizona 2019-1 JoHanna Massey

Mescal Trail Sedona Arizona 2019- JoHanna Massey

Mescal Trail Sedona Arizona January 2019- JoHanna Massey

The holidays over, the family and friends returned home or traveled on, decorations packed away and fond memories held onto. To Mescal Trail one of the most beautiful areas in Sedona, and one we enjoy in the winter. There was an observation made over the holidays that my website often made it seem as though we were the only ones out hiking in Sedona and that their recent traffic jammed up tight experiences between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona said otherwise. It was an accurate observation.

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The slideshow above is a sample of what ‘peopling’ a Sedona Arizona photo essay looks look like. A visual ‘loved to death’ scenario unfolding all around Mescal Trail and much of the area this week as thousands of tourists finish off 2018 in Sedona Arizona. Clearly we are not the only ones who have chosen to welcome the New Year with being out in nature.

My personal New Years Resolution is to spend as many days as possible outside in nature. These three beautiful hiking trails and a walk about recently have reinforced to me that I have made a most excellent choice, a totally enjoyable commitment for 2019.

Thank you for visiting. All my best to each and every one of you for this New Year of 2019.

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Who Chose Passion Over Security

May 12, 2018May 13, 2018 ~ JoHanna Massey ~ 1 Comment

Argentine Giant Cacti- Spring Blooms May 2017- Sedona Arizona- JoHanna Massey

Grandmothers

She had Grandmothers
Who tried to forget.
She had Grandmothers
Who longed to remember.
She had Grandmothers
Who shipped their infant in a shoebox
To a childless sister in Sanpete County
With a note:
“Sorry to trouble you, but he don’t want kids right now.”

She had Grandmothers
Who were desperate from betrayal and
Killed themselves by diving
Head-first into a rain barrel
After carefully placing their glasses
On a clean hankie.
She had Grandmothers
Who left the pots and pans
To ‘soak’ under the lilac bush.

She had Grandmothers
Who took early retirement,
Who chose passion over security,
To make time for an affair
With a childhood sweetheart.
She had Grandmothers
Who joyfully greeted the dawn.

She had Grandmothers
Who braced themselves for the day
With valium, coffee and TV news.
She had Grandmothers
Who were uprooted by their grown children
And moved to an old
Barrack on the edge
Of a windswept nowhere
Where she spent twenty years
Sipping Black Jack Daniels and
Reading condensed editions of books.

She had Grandmothers
Who loved other women openly
And with devotion and she had
Grandmothers who did not speak,
Even to their daughters,
Of their love of women.

She had Grandmothers
With ample pensions who moved
To a retirement village
Where a dark haired young woman reminded her
To take her pills
And where someone came twice a month
To clean the wall of mirrors
That made her room look bigger

She had Grandmothers
Who loved the smell of babies and bacon,
And of coffee, oranges at Christmas,
Wet horses in the rain, and men.
She had Grandmothers
Who trailed the scent
Of rosewater, whiskey, and coal oil.
She had Grandmothers
Who reeked of smoke and patchouli.

She had Grandmothers
Who were beaten, berated, and betrayed
By their daughters.
She had Grandmothers
Who were raped by their sons-in-law.
She had Grandmothers
Who seduced their sons and their nephews.

She had Grandmothers who read out loud
And who sat on the stoop and taught the children,
Even the boys,
How to thread strings of lilac.
She had Grandmothers
Whose grief and pain was bottomless.
She had Grandmothers
Whose laugh was contagious.

She had Grandmothers
Who left Sweden, who left Scotland, who left Wales.
She had Grandmothers who were born, lived
And died in one time zone.

She had Grandmothers
Whose brains and blood were splattered
In the snow and on car windshields
In the supermarket parking lot
On the day her husband
Was served the restraining order
And came and shot her in the head.

She had Grandmothers who packed imaginary bags
To take imaginary trips to visit people
Who had died 40 years ago.
She had Grandmothers who were vegetarian.
She had Grandmothers who were Unitarian.
She had Grandmothers
Who slowly drank warm water for their constitution
And she had Grandmothers
Who snorted cocaine.

She had Grandmothers who played cards
With the same group of women
Once a month for thirty years
Who called themselves the “humbugs”
Who didn’t know that they were a “moon lodge”
And never once called into the four directions.
She had Grandmothers
Who tried to forget.
She had Grandmothers
Who tried to remember.
She had Grandmothers who said
We would be better off not knowing.
She had Grandmothers
Who whispered lies.

Julien Puzey
Spring Eqinox 1998

On this day we honor our Mothers, I share this favorite poem by Julien Puzey. I chose the Argentine Giant Cacti during flowering for the accompanying photos as this delicate bloomed but tough, resilient, often prickly cacti reminds me of the Mothers , Daughters, Sisters, Grandmothers, Nieces, Cousins, and Aunts within my own family. For generations, a fair bunch of rascally women if ever there has been one. Proud of, Grateful to Each and Every One. Happy Mothers Day!

Argentine Giant Cacti- Spring Blooms May 2017- Sedona Arizona- JoHanna Massey

News/Music: Lady Madonna- Beatles

Your Sunrise and The Wind

March 28, 2018 ~ JoHanna Massey ~ 30 Comments

What is the good
Of your stars and trees
Your sunrise and the wind,
If they do not enter
Into our daily lives?
E. M. Forster

Belhaven North Carolina Sunset

In response to this Week’s WordPress Photo Challenge- Rise /Set

May joy fill Your hearts, may You travel Your days in Safety and Confidence, and may Peace rise with You in the Morning, and rest within You at dusk.

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News/Music- Handel’s Messiah – Sir Colin Davis- London Symphony

“Curiouser and Curiouser”

December 26, 2017January 21, 2019 ~ JoHanna Massey ~ 28 Comments

“Curiouser and Curiouser.”
― Lewis Carroll,
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
& Through the Looking-Glass

Gray Fox- JoHanna Massey November 2017 Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Urocyon

Clark Telescope Dome Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona -JoHanna Massey

Your Enlightenment Video Taped!- Only In Sedona! Photo: JoHanna Massey

Road Runner- Photo: JoHanna Massey 2017

Pamlico River Tree- Pamlico River North Carolina Photo: JoHanna Massey

Farewell to 2017- JoHanna Massey

Full Moon- 2017- Photo: JoHanna Massey

Raptor – Used the editing tools with this photograph. Chose ‘Paint’- JoHanna Massey 2017

Raptor- JoHanna Massey 2017

Sedona Arizona October 26, 2017

Chasing Birds- November 2017

New Day- Arizona -2017- Photo: JoHanna Massey

Cairn Oak Creek Sedona AZ – Photo: JoHanna Massey

Scarab Beetle Summer 2017- Sonoran Desert

Raven Summer 2017-Photo: JOHanna Massey

Raven . Summers Out Of Reach- 2017

Raven Summer 2017- Photo: JoHanna Massey

Mural – Flagstaff-

Cathedral Rock Reflective Space- JoHanna Massey 2017

Argentine Giant Cacti- Spring Blooms May 2017- Sedona Arizona- JoHanna Massey

V Bar V Pectroglyphs- Beaver Creek Arizona – Photo: JoHanna Massey 2017

Gray Fox- JoHanna Massey November 2017 Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Urocyon

Sweet Terry enjoys the beautiful ancient trees. V Bar V -JoHanna Massey 2017

What fun to look back through the year’s photographs. So many ‘favorites’ and the opportunity to pause and recall many an excellent moment from this almost gone year. Have enjoyed sharing so many of those moments through photographs with you.

In response to Word Press Photo Challenge: 2017 Favorites

“You Can Observe A Lot By Watching”

December 22, 2017January 21, 2019 ~ JoHanna Massey ~ 20 Comments

“You Can Observe A Lot By Watching”
L.P.Berra

A quick curving ascent of pavement above the City of Flagstaff Arizona, just before dusk. A visit to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona on the day of the Geminoid Meteor Showers.

Here is how the Lowell Observatory describes itself:

Lowell Observatory, founded by Perceival Lowell in 1894, is a private, non-profit institution dedicated to the research and education in astronomy. Home of many important astronomical discoveries including the first evidence of the expansion of the universe and discovery of the planet Pluto., Lowell Observatory continues as an active major research observatory today. Sharing our founder’s conviction that scientist bear an obligation to convey their work in a way that all interested people can appreciate, the Observatory also offers educational programs to school children, and the general public.

Here is how I describe the visit to the Lowell Observatory:

A day to savor as a time so filled to the brim, overflowing with wonder and cool. Of humans embracing and chasing curiosity, talent, and the very universe. Being at the Lowell Observatory opened me to both remember and consider anew about just how much bigger the Story unfolding is than my own experience. A day full up with a strong infusion of inspiration

Rotunda Museum- Lowell Observatory Arizona USA-Photo: JoHanna Massey

First we attended lectures on The Solar System, and another Stars and Galaxies. The young women who presented were knowledgeable, well spoken, and passionate about their love of space and exploration. Learned so much, including that the, much photographed by me, moon was once a part of the earth and broke away; the three qualifications to be considered a planet are : It is in orbit around the Sun. It has sufficient mass to assume hydro-static equilibrium (a nearly round shape). It must also “clear the neighborhood” around its orbit which means it is gravitationally in charge in its vicinity in space.

Next visited, the Putman Collection where the Science Library, artifacts, and collections are offered. Just a glimpse of a few of the displayed treasures:

Putman Collection Center Signage- Christmas 2017

Slipher Spectrograph Information.- Lowell Observatory- Putman Collection

Slipher Spectroscope -Putnam Collection- Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona

Putman Collection – Lowell Observatory- Flagstaff AZ- JoHanna Massey

Lowell’s First Telescope- Birthday Gift from Mother at age 15

Induction Cell- Putman Collection – Lowell Observatory- Flagstaff AZ- JoHanna Massey

Putman Collection – Lowell Observatory- Flagstaff AZ- JoHanna Massey

Putman Collection – Lowell Observatory- Flagstaff AZ- JoHanna Massey

Including the centerpiece in the lobby – Percival Lowell’s 1911 Stevens-Duryea automobile. “Big Red” was Lowell’s state-of-the-art “horseless carriage” which still appears in local parades:

Percival Lowell’s 1911 Stevens-Duryea automobile

Percival Lowell’s 1911 Stevens-Duryea automobile

Then to the telescopes to see what is currently in the sky!

McAllister Observatory Dome-Lowell Observatory- Flagstaff Arizona- JoHanna Massey

McAllister Observatory Dome-Lowell Observatory- Flagstaff Arizona- JoHanna Massey

The McAllister Telescope, a reflecting telescope with a Cassegrain optical system featuring a 16- inch primary mirror. The largest telescope I have personally ever seen. The dials and mechanics mesmerize and dare me to figure out how they work together to show the very stars. Once again a Guide to knowledgeably/ enthusiastically explain, and assists in using the telescope. Adrenaline push and a happy dance; then yet another look into timelessness with gratitude and high spirits step out into the cold fresh high altitude pine scented Flagstaff air. A short walk to The Clark Telescope Dome:

Clark Telescope Dome Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona -JoHanna Massey

The Clark Telescope Dome was built in 1896 by local bicycle repairmen Godfrey and Stanley Sykes. There is much local Ponderosa Pine in the construction and has the look and feel of love, artistic attention as well as sustainability of Italian Cathedrals. The Clark Telescope surprised me with it’s size, dwarfing, the just minutes ago largest ever I”d seen, McAllister Telescope. The Clark Telescope built in 1896 was the instrument used when the first evidence of the universe expanding was discovered. To have the opportunity to not only photograph this beautiful piece of equipment, but to watch it in motion as the dome is opened. Consider the Sykes brothers as chains, wheels, and gears smoothly swing the scope into the place and yet another set of instruments to be adjusted and set. Then the Guide offers a look, and there I am gone clear through space to see clear to turquoise blue Uranus. That’s right ! No words to use to describe to you the positive sea-change shift that such a look into space gives. Using the telescope that was used to discover the expansion the universe. Can you give me an Amen!

The night continued with a careful drive down Oak Creek Canyon with raccoons,deer, and skunk on the move and the Geminid Meteor Shower in dazzling full swing overhead. The energizing fullness and wonder of this visit to the Lowell Observatory remains.

I wish to take this time to thank you for your support, kind words, and interest in the success of JoHannaMassey.com in 2017. I enjoy visiting with you here, and on your websites whose quality challenge me to do better, teach and inform me daily, surprise me and make me laugh and provide a very real sense of a global community through WordPress. Such a diversity and exchange of ideas and people to appreciate and consider. May each and everyone of you experience and share Joy and Peace during this Holiday Season. Again, thank you. – JoHanna

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In The Best Way We Know How

November 22, 2017 ~ JoHanna Massey ~ 11 Comments

“We return to you, O earth,
The things which you have given us
Willingly and most graciously;
With our hearts,
Hands and minds,
In the best way we know how.”
― Taj Mahal