I decided to take a quick trip to Arizona to check on my desert sanctuary. It remains a magical place for me, even in the infernal heat which reached 114F one afternoon this week. The best time to take a walk is around 6:00 AM, before the sun realizes you’re out. I hope to catch some nocturnal creatures that are late for bed, but so far only the birds are foolish enough to be hanging around. No matter; they are unfamiliar to me. Maybe I can learn something from them.

This summer has been one of multiple losses. In addition to losing a friend of 30 years, I was also battered by the ending of a relationship, which though only a few months in duration, caused emotional whiplash because of the manner in which it ended. Rather than cry like a baby for hours and drink half a bottle of vermouth (both of which I’m sorry to say I did), I have gathered my self respect and thought about what really matters in my life. A combination of getting involved and running away to exotic lands.

I have continued to cook for 150 homeless and low income folks once a month. I attended a rally for the suffering people of Gaza and hope to resume involvement in anti-ICE activities.

I have reached out to friends I was estranged from and am trying to integrate my public and personal life so as to demonstrate honesty and kindness in both. But grieving the loss of my friend has reminded me of the fragility of life. I am in a sweet spot with decent enough health and no grandchildren. What am I waiting for? Time to revisit that Bucket List. Some places I’ve wanted to see for 40 years are Vietnam and Cambodia. As a teenager I was profoundly affected by the Vietnam war. It was then that I became a pacifist. In my 20’s I had a job working with SE Asian refugee youth and befriended a few young people who taught me about their culture. A few years later I worked with Vietnam veterans. All of these experiences moved me deeply.

I’ve had a bunch of excuses—it’s too far, I don’t want to go alone, too expensive etc. But I am most brave when I feel like I have less to lose. So it is with this spirit that I am grabbing the proverbial bull by the horns and riding it. Bareback…Vietnam and Cambodia or bust!