I have so much in my head and heart tonight, at the close of a full weekend, that I won’t even try to process it all here. It would be better to go to bed and let my dreams work things out. But because I rarely remember my dreams—and increasingly, the details of my daily life—I have to write things down, at least as a note.

BIG BREATH….

Thursday, I went to a small concert by my go-to music-man of the past couple of years, Jose Gonzalez.  To make the story short, a dear friend of mine found out I wanted to go, got us on the guest list (because she knew the drummer) and drove some distance to attend along with me. After a magical show, I got to meet this humble introvert whose music was the soundtrack to the writing of a good number of these Sansoxygen entries, but I had nothing to say except: “thank you for the music.” That was more significant than he knew, but there was nothing else to say.

On Friday, Justine and I drove up to our recent but beloved friends, the Logies’ home. True to the family it protects, the house has a magnificent character of it’s own. Here is a little video someone made there once upon a time. But the house shouldn’t get too much credit. It is the family that fascinates us so.  Justine was in heaven, as she was introduced to the fairy world by the kids who live there. Here she is trying to find them:

And here she is with Susan and a pair of Emerald Glasses, discovering the Wizard of Oz, pop-up style:

On Saturday, Susan and I went to a One-Day Woman Writer’s Retreat on the beautiful campus  of Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. My mind is still spinning from the variety of  information it received. I met a couple of fascinating writers that I hope to keep in touch with.  Interesting ideas are everywhere and most of the time, they are tucked inside people.  Its always a privilege to get a peek in.

Speaking of peek-ins, on our way home, Susan brought me by the 6th Annual Skid Row Artist Festival, just a few city blocks away.  We weren’t there long enough to enjoy most of the days creative neighborhood interaction, but I mention in here because I knew I felt at home there in a way that I don’t often feel. Strange how hospitals and homeless neighborhoods can make me feel that way. They are so over-real/unreal, I guess. It’s an intoxicating combination.

Today, we saw Vernon on our way home, and as I was still brimming with creative love and new experiences from the weekend. I had been expecting a let-down when I saw Vernon, so much so that I wasn’t sure how to feel when I saw he was having a very present day.  He was even sitting outside with Joe and one of the staff under a patio umbrella when we drove up.  I found my heart unable to rejoice in the improvement because I know how temporary these things can be. It’s so strange to find space for grief and rejoicing at the same time, but it seems that is the task at hand.

Maybe I’ll work it out in my dreams tonight. If I do, I hope I remember.

Maki, too, had an a most excellent weekend adventure. He went boulder climbing and camping with his friends. I let him take my old digital Pentax, which apparently never left his neck. I expect I’ll be allowed to share some of those here soon. He came home happy. Justine now understands fairies. Vernon was chatty. I’m overwhelmed. I’d say it was a good weekend.