Sonia Martin - 12/28/1932 - 5/25/2018

I said goodbye to my oldest friend this week.

I met Sonia Martin when I was 11 years old and a 7th grader at Kepner Junior High School in Denver. Sonia, (or Mrs. Martin as I called her for much of my life) discovered I had an interest in language and she invited me to join her semantics class and the school's spelling team. "Semantics" was the name of the English class that prepared us for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

"Words of the Champions" was our bible as we pored over thousands of words, their derivation, etymology, pronunciation, and usage. But we didn't just study - we had fun too! One of my favorite memories is when Sonia took us to the zoo to spell the animals. Think about it -- besides rhinoceros, you have oryx, kudu, meerkat, lemur, etc.

Speaking of animals, Sonia was always more of an animal-person than a people-person. Her large property north of Denver was home to horses, dogs, a donkey, a goat, a pig, not to mention owls, hawks, coyotes, prairie dogs (not welcome), and dozens of other species of critters that fly, run, or slither.

Here is a picture of Sonia with her purebred Arabian stallion Lindy. Lindy was quite docile, though, and Sonia taught me to ride using English saddle and bridle.

We always had a very special relationship and remained friends long after I graduated from high school. In fact, I did my student teaching at the high school I had attended as a student and where Sonia now taught. She taught me how to play bridge and I felt so special sitting in the teacher's lounge with my former English and French teachers.

We enjoyed many a lunch and glass of red wine together!

Sonia never had children of her own, and as the years went by I became almost a surrogate daughter for her. She proudly followed my studies and my travels and later became the biggest fan of my writing and photography - skills which I discovered and enjoyed while writing this blog. She was also my harshest critic, and would let me know instantly if I made a spelling or grammatical error on these pages.

Sonia passed away in May, 2018 at an assisted living facility not far from her long time home in Broomfield. That home, which I visited often beginning in 1963, was razed last week. We then decided that she would be happy if her ashes were buried on the land she loved so much. So, on her birthday, I bid her adieu in her final resting place.

Bulldozer tracks where her house once stood

Flowers mark the final resting spot for her ashes

Au Revoir 2019

2019 has not been the best year ever. The first nine months of the year were consumed with the care of my mother who passed away at the end of August. She was the central figure in our large extended family and she will be missed.

At the end of September I was fortunate enough to realize a dream of witnessing and photographing the aurora borealis. I joined a photography workshop in Iceland which coincided with a peak magnetic storm. 

Unforgettable!

Au revoir 2018

My universe has shifted. I am no longer an itinerant house sitter -- traveling light, living in others' homes, making do with others' furniture, artwork or choices in decor. For the first time in 10 years I am in my own place. Granted, it's a rental - so not really my own - but I have now realized an impulse that I first wrote about back in 2016 and entered a new phase in my life. This has come about with a sudden move back to Denver, where I grew up.

In fact, my words in 2016 were prescient as I wrote about having a place with a view of the mountains or city lights or both. A place where I would have beautiful modern furniture, my own art on the walls, a well-equipped kitchen, and space enough for entertaining. I would live near parks, shops, and restaurants that would provide everything I want without needing to drive my car.

And voilà! Here is the view from my new apartment in downtown Denver:

I'm happy to be back in Denver. I am now close to my mom, brother, sister, and numerous extended family members. I have also reconnected with a core group of Colorado close friends.

Life is good.

Au revoir 2017

Last year at this time I was worried about the impact of the incoming presidency. Unfortunately our worst fears have been surpassed. I always imagined that America's system of three branches of government would provide the checks and balances to outweigh the ignorance or ineptitude of the chief executive. I was wrong. And we have seen America's reputation in the world sorely tarnished. Never have we seen racism, sexism, and xenophobia unleashed by a public figure interested only in himself and his personal fortune. Who knows what horrors lie ahead as the tweeter-in-chief enrages our enemies. It is embarrassing and frightening to be an American right now.

But enough of politics. We are all fed up with 24 hour news coverage that staggers from one outrage to the next.

My brother, Joe Aragon

On a more personal note, my year had its ups and downs. My younger brother Joe died in March. Far too soon for a man of such talent and charisma. He is dearly missed.

On a far happier note, my son Eric finished his PhD in Chinese Medicine, receiving his degree from Hong Kong Baptist University - the only westerner in his class. Needless to say, I am extraordinarily proud that both of my sons have earned the title "Dr. Brand."

With his arduous studies behind him, Eric married the beautiful Shuchen Yeh in Taiwan. Their wedding included some fascinating traditional rituals such as serving tea to the parents before the wedding. Eric and Shuchen now split their time between Taipei and Boulder.

I spent a lot of time taking photographs in 2017, but probably my favorite photo expedition was in August when my friend Margo joined me to photograph the total solar eclipse visible just south of Portland. 

Besides the total eclipse, 2017 also included other firsts for me. In September I visited Vancouver B.C. with friend Cindy Gration. 

What a great city to explore on foot and via bicycle!

Finally, in November, I traveled to Cuba with a small group to discover the rhythms of Cuban music with lessons in drumming, song, and dance. 

 When I wasn't making music, I spent hours walking through Havana, camera in hand.

And after a week in Havana, we traveled to the Viñales valley and visited a tobacco farm with cultivation methods hundreds of years old. Fascinated, we watched as our host demonstrated the art of rolling cigars. Dipping the end in honey resulted in a sweet smoke!

Au revoir 2016

2016 brought some extraordinary political, environmental, and social challenges, and many are deeply worried about the year to come. What will a Trump presidency bring for the United States and the rest of the world? I shudder to find out. 

However, for me personally, 2016 was a good year.  I am blessed with a retirement free from many worries and have settled into life in Portland. I live in a great neighborhood, just a few blocks from son Philippe and his wife Rachel.  

2016 included some memorable trips. I went to New York  City in April with my longtime friend, Cindy. We spent my birthday week indulging in Broadway theater, museums, restaurants, and long sightseeing walks through the city. I ❤️NYC !  

 I returned to Colorado three times, celebrating my Mom’s 85th birthday in October.

My Mom at 80

In September, I went to Paris for 3 weeks. I was lucky to exchange apartments with a couple who spent those same weeks at my place in Portland. With a  free apartment in a familiar neighborhood, plus fine weather, I had a wonderful time reconnecting with Paris friends.

Eric and Shuchen

Additional highlights of 2016 were visits by my son Eric and Shuchen from Taiwan. Eric has almost finished his PhD in Chinese Medicine, and Eric and Shuchen are newly married! They will celebrate their union with friends and family in the spring of 2017.

Finally, the latest highlight of 2016 came on November 26th when I became a grandmother for the first time. 

My year was blessed with good health, love and friendship. I wish you the same during the holidays and in the year to come. Bonne Année!

The joys of traveling alone

I recently returned from a solitary three week visit to Paris. Some friends are mystified by my propensity for traveling alone and au pif* (*au pif = following my nose, my feelings, rather than having fixed plans.)

Aren't you frightened? Will you be safe? Won't you be lonely?

But each day of my visit confirmed the benefits of my decision as I wandered the city that I know so well. Most people think I am French and Paris feels like home. I reconnected with old friends and meandered through the streets, camera in hand, always ready to capture the sights or accidental glimpses into the lives of others.

When you're alone you're not distracted by conversation with your traveling partner.
       You can be free to engage with people that you encounter in your travels.
       You can be fully present with your surroundings, fully alive, fully attentive, fully in the moment.

There is no better place to do this than Paris with tremendous variety in neighborhoods and outstanding opportunities for people watching, window shopping, and eavesdropping. I took advantage of the city's cultural offerings: museums, galleries, and dance performances. And the food! There is endless variety in markets, charcuteries, and restaurants. You never have to cook if you don't want to.

But there are moments when it would be nice to have a traveling companion to share a gorgeous sunset, to walk along the Seine hand-in-hand, or to enjoy a romantic dinner. Let's face it, dining alone is not fun.

Maybe someday I'll meet someone new who will understand and appreciate my energy and my independence while offering the closeness and affection that I desire.

It's easy for me to meet new people. I'm not shy and have joined some organizations to support my hobbies. However, I've yet to meet any interesting unattached men in my current circle of contacts. So I have decided to sign up on an online dating site. There seem to be quite a few people who are looking for companionship, and it's possible to screen for interests and other factors.

I'll let you know if I meet anyone!

Photographing the stars

I'm learning more and more about photography. Last night seven members of my photo club drove to Lost Lake at the foot of Mt. Hood to try and capture the Milky Way.

We arrived in time for sunset, took a few photos, and then waited around for it to get completely dark.

We chatted, nibbled some snacks, and checked our camera settings; comparing notes regarding ISO, aperture, and exposure settings.

Finally! The time we'd been waiting for - as the Milky Way gradually appeared, accompanied by some satellites, airplanes, and a few meteors.

What fun! I can hardly wait to do it again.