I Went for Rocks and Found a Philosopher
Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009
by Dianne Lehmann
Artisan Jewelry from SyZyGy
I met a woman today. At the swap meet. She smelled of hard liquor and was all frizzy gray hair and sun burnt nut-brown skin and rosy cheeks. She wore no glasses and her eyes held a perpetual squint and were nearly invisible for her kinky gray lashes. They were a pale faded gray and even when she looked at me, I felt she was looking through me; that her eyes were always on the far distance, the rocks and the mountains, the cactus and the coyote. We talked for some time about this, that and nothing.
She has walked this earth for seventy years, or so she claims, and that seems a difficult life for one so old. But despite the sunny wrinkles and gray hair, you'd never know she was that age. She was quick with a smile and easy to talk to. Her movements were sure and strong and she was possessed of a quiet strength of purpose and true wit.
Her new husband (I found myself wondering just how many she had worn out) has five acres in Oklahoma . He took her there just recently and she said she couldn't get over the green; that she felt as if she'd eaten too much candy and couldn't possibly hold any more. She confessed to me that when she first came to Arizona , she couldn't get over how beige everything is. But then she said that after about a year, when she slowed down and started really looking, she saw how beautiful it is; the quiet sand, the warm rocks, the hawks soaring high above her head. She told me of how the desert's peace had instilled itself in her and shown her where she was meant to be.
I found myself in that old woman; a mirror for my feelings and musings. When I am old and gray and wrinkled, when my years number seventy or more, I hope to be like her. Far seeing, land loving, living life in appreciation for what I have, had, and looking forward to each new day.
If you would like to know more about the flora and fauna of the desert, check out www.desertusa.com If you would like to know more about cholla in particular, go to http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/may/papr/chollas.html
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More commentsInteresting article Dianne, I'd like to meet this old gal.Hi David.Thank you for reading and commenting. She was really interesting and I find myself hoping she will be there next time I go.Thanks again,Dianne
I really enjoyed your article. I bookmarked it so I could reread it. I paint and I could just picture this woman and from your conversation, I could sense that perhaps she had a lot of pain deep within her soul. Thank you, Linda DHi Linda.First, before I forget, let me say thanks for joining my fan club. I am honored.And yes, I think you are right. But I think that the pain is old and that she has moved past it. She seemed so centered to me, despite her use of alcohol.Thanks for reading!Dianne
Hi Dianne, wonderful aricle. I could really feel the aura this lady gave off through your words. Thank you...Hi Ken.She did have a very powerful presence.Thanks for reading it and taking the time to comment.Dianne
great article.Hi Omari.Thanks so much. Also for taking the time to comment.With Appreciation,Dianne
Beautiful! Thanks for taking us with you, Dianne. Bravo for your open arms. You "rock"! (sorry. just couldn't resist!)Hi Camille.Thanks, Camille, you ... ah ... tree? Just doesn't have the same punch. :) And you are excused, it is, after all, about the only way I will ever rock.Thanks so much for reading. And I am glad that I could make it so real. The article pretty much wrote itself, though.Hugs,Dianne
What a beautiful article Dianne, it is so warming, and very interesting, I enjoyed reading it very much. Did you swap addresses or phone numbers to maybe talk in the future, or you just left it at that......Hi Kathy.You know, I did none of that. I can be stupid that way. And besides, there are some moments that are not meant to be repeated. Some are to be savored as unique and special events; remembered and treasured. This might be one of those.Thanks for reading and commenting. And hey, isn't that trip coming up soon?!Hugs,Dianne
Hi Dianne. Are you sure that wasn't me in disguise. Seriously, you waxed poetically. Let me know when your book comes out.Mike FakHi Mike.Thanks for taking the time to read my article and comment on it! And ... ahem ... what book? Might be a while.As for the waxing, well, it was how she made me feel.Thanks again,Dianne
Dianne, this is such a beautiful story. I felt so relaxed and comfy. Your writing does this to me quite often. It's like I want to go get a cup of coffee and cuddle with a blanket before I click on you :-)Thank you for sharing your gift. Love and hugs, TeresaHi Teresa.It makes me happy that I can do this for you. Thank you, my friend.Love and Hugs to you too,Dianne
Oh Dianne this evokes feelings/emotions. Your writing does that as others have said. It made me wonder about somethings and I found the answers in your comments to others. You rock as a writer!
Hugs,
AvisHi Avis.Thanks so much. It's a constant source of amazement for me. I feel lucky to be so inspired by life.As always, your friend,Dianne
The article is certainly good, but I don't quite get what is about. Try adding a topic sentace at the start.Otherwise, well done.Hi Connor.Feelings ... whoa oh oh ... feelings. Teresa Ortiz put me in a musical mood today.In the tradition of that hugely popular TV show (only to be found in syndication now), it was about nothing. Really, it was just about how a chance encounter made me feel and what it caused me to think about.I went to the swap meet to buy some cabbing rough (rocks of specific types [agates, jaspers and the like] that I could cut and polish into cabochons to be later made into jewelry) and while I was there I met the most interesting woman. Ta Daa. :)Seriously now, you've read the article, if you had written it, how would you have titled it? I would honestly like to know.Thanks for taking the time to read it and leave a comment. Much appreciated.Dianne
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