Bet you've been chomping at the bit (or at least on a big piece of chocolate) to learn how I have spent the past two weeks.
On Halloween I went to Bellflower to help with Carin and Tom's neighbor's h
aunted house. I was a voodoo woman in a room full of body parts, crows, bones and other creepy things. It was fun warning the visitors that danger was ahead and listening to the laugh. Then they would turn and get scared by a monster. "I told you so!" I would tease.

I slept in the next day because I knew I had lots to do before heading out to my weekend in the desert. My drummer Ric had tickets to see Vampire Weekend in Pioneertown and invited me to join him. The concert was Thursday night and it was very good. The band was great live and left me feeling upbeat and ready for more-- which is just right.
We stayed at a hotel that night and met my friend Ben (owner of Gallery at the End of the World) for brunch. He took us to see his new place in Yucca and his dog Oakey was thrilled to see me. She was sooo funny, as she wagged her tail so hard she shook all over. Such a happy pup!
Ben's house is fantastic. It's on a quiet street and has lovely landscaping. There's plenty of room inside to entertain, but it's not so big that he will spend all his free time cleaning.
We left Ben's and headed to Joshua Tree National Park to find our camping space. We didn't have reservations, but it was early enough that we were confident we could find a nice spot and we did. Our camping area only had 15 spots and we selected #13, it was at the end of a row and had big boulders separating it from our neighbors on the other side. The desert was our backyard and it was set a bit back from the road.
Saturday we went to the farmers market in "downtown" Joshua tree and bought stuff for our picnic slated for later in the day. We found fresh hummus, halva and bread to add to our supply of cheese and fruit. We also bought jam to take home. Then we went to the Integratron in Landers.
The Integratron is the same shape as an observatory. It is made out of wood coated with concrete and has two floors and is supposedly set over the joining of three underground rivers. It was built by a scientist who believed that people could walk through it and they would cease aging. It didn't work for that, but it has the most spectacular acoustics you will ever experience and the two sisters who own it now offer sound baths.
I'll admit I was a bit skeptical of the curative properties of a sound bath, but I was game for an adventure. I took off my shoes and climbed the ladder to the second floor. Most of the people were laying pillows and fluffy blankets. The wood floor would be good for my back, so I chose a yoga mat and two blankets- one rolled and put under my knees for support and the other to put over me so I wouldn't get cold.
I did a few yoga moves to relax before the session started. The woman talked about the Integratron and chakras and then began playing a series of crystal bowls. The music was beautiful. It seemed to wash over me and around me and come from many different directions, it also lingered, echoing softly. I switched off closing my eyes and then opening them to look at the blue sky above through the round window in the ceiling.
A little more than 20 minutes and the concert was over. Soft music played on a stereo as we "came back to the world." I discovered that I was so relaxed that I had to take my time just to sit up. I stretched slowly and gently got to my feet. Some people got up quickly and were on to the rest of their day, but I just couldn't move that fast. I don't know about the chakras and all that stuff, but I was definitely deeply relaxed and my ankle, which had been bugging me for days, had stopped hurting. Hmmmm...
After everyone left, Ric brought his drum up to the room and we played and danced, taking advantage of the marvelous acoustics and gorgeous wooden floor. From there we went to the Big Rock for our picnic. It was pleasant sitting in the famous boulder's shade and looking out at the lan
dscape, so we stayed there for quite a while.

On the way back through the town, we spotted a massage place that was offering a $20 special on foot massages with some shoulder, neck and back included. Ric encouraged me to partake and I did. The masseuse spent a full hour working on me-- not just my tootsies, but my entire body! I thought it would end up being expensive, but no, it was only $20! It was really a special as promised. I paid the fee and tipped my masseuse. I got in the truck and leaned against the door-- I was Jello for sure now!
We had another nice fire and gazed at the dark forms of cactus, trees and rocks. I had seen a chipmunk and a rabbit in the morning and now there were little kangaroo rats creeping out to warm themselves thanks to us. But don't get weird, as they were very afraid of us and kept a safe distance.
Sunday we made some videos of me dancing (in full costume and swords) as Ric drummed. We tried out a few different spots nearby and had a good time. Then we broke camp and hit the road, stopping in Mecca for dates- yummy!
The rest of my week has been busy- I interviewed songstress Contessa Black and KISS' Paul Stanley, as well as two artists and a museum curator. I also got to visit JPL and see the new Mars Science Land Rover set to travel to Mars next year.
Tonight I am going to the Pasadena Playhouse to see "Baby It's You" (read my story on the play at http://www.sgvn.com/ ). The rest of my weekend looks to be on the quiet side, which suits me fine, as I'm a little tired....
In rotation this week: Contessa Black, Tim Curry, Bjork, Orange Sky, Beat Union and assorted rock and "chill" music.
Photos we got 'em: One cute kitty from Stuffonmycat.com, my friend's dog Tinkerbelle getting ready for the holidays and a nice pic of Joshua Tree that I found on the Internet to show you my scenery last weekend.
Thought o' the week: Be thankful. There's something calming and centering about being outdoors in nature. As I looked across the quiet twilight of desert and up and
the coming twinkling of stars, I was filled with a mix of awe and gratitude. How fortunate I am to live so close to such a beautiful place and be able to visit, how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends, how truly blessed I am to have food, shelter and all the basic necessities of life without struggle or fear.

And I had another thought as well~ how tiny and insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things. Yet I can do so much to help others and the world around me.
It doesn't have to be deep and profound, it only has to be from the heart. Take a moment and be thankful for something today.
Keep on rockin'
Mickie
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