Isolation

I've pondered for awhile what I can say about this city where I am staying. While crossing almost across the whole North American continent, I am oddly struck by the isolation of this city of religious mono-culture planted next to the Great Salt Lake by the Latter Day Saints. I'm again, as other times spent here, surrounded by a feeling of being on the outside, looking in, but I am satisfied that I am outside the Saints' culture. I will leave when my work here is finished.

In the meantime, I am celebrating that Tim has opened a new door for himself and his family. If Sonja's plan works out she and her boys will follow Tim and Valerie to Albuquerque in not too much over a year.

Sonja is now functionally settled into her place. Elijah still gets off the bus here after school, has a snack, and gets his homework started before Sonja gets him after work.

I caught Nandy napping next to the mainstream of activity. She is showing her age but still is wiggly happy for pets and walks.

This morning Sonja will come over to help her dad paint one of the two bedrooms now vacated. I find my work here is sort of going from one thing to another, but progress is showing.

I am missing my PA home, a little sad not to see the spring growth and listening to Keoni and Aidan making their music. Yet, I am glad that I came to help this endeavor. It is certain that Val is not healed enough to carry out all these tasks ahead. Tim will have to go to Montana for a month before taking up duties in Albuquerque he learned day before yesterday; leaves April 13th. That will complicate prepping, but we'll muddle through. The house will go on the market when he returns.

In the evening after supper it is nice sitting for a little while in front of the house and seeing a sunset, or taking Nandy for a walk. Val has taken a couple short walks with me now.