This morning in my kitchen I was reminded once again why I love having CEDARHILL and a mother who raised me to not only be comfortable in sharing a home....but to embrace the new, and interesting people who COME TO YOUR DOORSTEP . Carol (dark hair) was taking her Sr. daughter on a trip through the Southwest for Spring Break and i was on the stop over before they continued on to Tucson. I love people who love my town and they found Globe curious and interesting and charming....and appreciate big Ooold houses. Perfect company for CedarHill.

Then I got a call, kinda last minute, from Ilana who asked if I might have a room available which I didn't....really. Except Kara's room was empty and she's always said I could use it if need be...so I offered and they accepted and boy was that a pleasant meeting of like minds and spirits.
Tsvi is a newly minted Rabbi (after 30+ years in applied mathematics) and Illiana is a harpsicordist **who teaches at Stanford. We covered the ground from the origin of my family history as Gross and Marowitz who were most likely Jewish, although I didn't grow up with any inkling of that heritage. Now I want to check into it. I also tend to agree with the Jewish belief that Jesus was just a really connected guy...Maybe I AM Jewish. We talked religion, death, aging, college admissions, music, ...and the joys of road trips.
It was great. Tsvi and I even talked about the possibility of doing an inter-faith retreat HERE next Spring...complete with hiking, rafting and subjects of a higher power. I find myself energized by these occassions of shared connections with strangers-turned-friends who find their way to my doorstep.
Thank you mother for establishing this "house by the side of the road" .Its a good legacy you've left in my hands.
**Elaine Thornburg is her performing name and you can catch her music on Amazon.com by plugging in her name. WORTH the listen! She "has received critical acclaim for her performances throughout the United States as a soloist and chamber musician..." And she was right here in my kitchen!
Oh- and they graciously invited me to their house in San Fran which I warned them I would certainly do. I think they are sincere and serious about the invitation. And so....it goes..the ability to live a rich life on pennies a day and friends in hi/low and far away places.