
The COVID summer will be etched forever into my heart as the summer I spent crisscrossing thousands of miles through the interior of America to spend time with my mother who battled cancer and succumbed on Thursday, July 30. Here are a few pictures on the road complete with bug splats and reflections. I never claimed to be a professional photographer. I just like searching for the light. I will be taking some time off from the blog. I’ll be working on novel three and going back to teach at school later this week. Thanks for understanding.









My sincere condolences for your loss, dear Cindy.
Thanks for the big skies in the photos. They put life into perspective.
Best wishes as always, Pete. x
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I am writing two books right now. Tale of the Cattail Forest is on draft five while Lizzy the Lizard is on draft one. Greatest Discovery is still in development and brainstorming stage
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Dear Cindy,
I’m sorry to hear of your loss and send you my sincere condolences.
I wish you all the best when you go back to teaching, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you that all will be well.
Take good care of yourself, and stay healthy. Good luck with your book, enjoy your blog pause, and hope to see you here again some time.
Best,
Pit
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Amazing shots of your journey Cindy, so sorry to hear about your Mum.
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There is a real sense of loneliness about these photographs, Cindy. I am so sorry about your mother.
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You know what Cindy ? You don’t have to be a pro to take great pics. And yours are wonderful.
I’ve taken a lot of shots in the car. Not all turn out of course, but these are beautiful.
Stay well. To you and yours in these changing times.
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My sincerest condolences. I’m glad you had the opportunity to have one last visit with your Mother. Enjoy some much needed time to yourself.
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You have my deepest condolences, Cindy. Take care of yourself – we’ll all be here whenever you choose to return.

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You have my sincerest condolences as well Cindy – I pray for you as well during this tough time. Your Mother must have been a great person.
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My condolences on your loss.
Best of luck with your writing and teaching.
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Beautiful!:;I was glad we spent the time together, sad that it was under that circumstance. I will miss you; till we see another again. Love to you and the family. Take care!
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Oh Cindy, I’m so sorry for your loss. All those pictures are really beautiful, but my favorite is absolutely the last one, with Ruby. I feel the kind of comfort she (hopefully) provides you during such a trying time. And I want to thank you also for continuing to teach. They’re saying thank the health care heroes left and right, and that’s 100% what we should be doing, but I think our educators deserve a similar shout-out as well.
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Wonderful photos. And much love to you.
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My condolences on your sad loss.
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Well, all beautiful shots, but how can anyone top Ruby?
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Sorry to hear of your loss, Cindy. I am glad that you are going to work on your novel. I have second thoughts about going back to teach school, especially in AZ at this time; but I understand why you must. Please stay safe.
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I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. It leaves a gap in life that can not be replaced. Fortunately I had caring and supportive parents so at least happy memories of childhood remain. I know you will carry your own special memories too. I’ve travelled many roads like that as we meandered around the States in 1980. Made many visits after that but 1980 we spent more time in rural America appreciating its beauty and afterward it was mostly in urban areas which are not as beautiful. Thanks for recalling those memories for me.
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My condolences on the loss of your beautiful upbeat Mom. Thank you for your courage, I hope you are not put needlessly at risk in your work teaching our children. The novel should prove helpful and will be great when finished. These photos are simply wonderful. You and yours take care and will see you when I see you but will often have you in my thoughts.
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I’m so sorry to hear of your mother, Cindy. All your driving has given us readers great pleasure in ‘being there’ to enjoy sunrises and monsoons and the big sky. Thank you for that! Take some time off, rest, and we’ll be here. Best to you, Cindy.
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Words can never convey such a loss.
Sending you hugs..
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It is hard to know what to say in the face of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your loved ones.
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Last screenshot… ADORABLE! 🙂
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i love them all, but ruby gets the trophy, with a lot of help from the sky above.. but this is the 13th, my favoritte day of the month..and no club post. awwwwwwwww
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Since my Mom passed away, , I have taken a break from the blog. The road trip pictures were me crossing the country.
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i am very sorry to hear about your mother. when nine passed away, it was devestating, and the sorrow grows deeper with tume.
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I am empty.
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Gorgeous images Cindy. Hope the novel is coming along well. School prep is going on here also. My son just finished the second week of his first year of college. My teacher wife and high school sophomore daughter are getting set for school next week.
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Lots of changes! Best wishes to your son. I assume he is on-line? Probably your wife and daughter are acclimating to an online environment ? We teachers are at school montoring students’ work. I miss class.
Yes, working daily on the novel. I admire those prolific writers who spit out their stories quickly.
Thanks for checking in!
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Actually no. He is on campus. And my wife and daughter are both going to school. My wife is special education so her teaching is very one-on-one. That becomes really tough online. But you still have to be safe. Who knows how it will all turn out. I’m so ready for a return to normalcy.
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Pretty sure that’s Green Mountain, not Pikes Peak. I could be off however.
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I was driving around the bend and the exit signs/ billboards repeated Pikes Peak. However, I could very well be wrong. It was for certain in the area. 😉
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I drove that road weekly for about 4 years, so that particular photo caught my eye, very familiar.
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Hi Patrick. I did it twice in a month. That was enough for me. crowded! I was sad to see the smog around Denver.
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Beautiful images, Cindy, and what a sad reason for the road trip. My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. Sending hugs.
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Thank you, Inese. Some days are harder than others. I appreciate your kind wishes. I hope to be back blogging soon.
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Take your time, Cindy. It is so very traumatic to lose a parent. X
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