January: A sunny week in Playa Chacala, Mexico • February: A sad farewell to sweet Zoë • March: A relaxing respite in Arizona • April: Jazz in New Orleans; Blues & Photography in Mississippi; Blues & Ducks in Memphis; Country Music in Nashville • May: A drive into Eastern Oregon • June: A visit to Red Lodge • July: Hiking, camping & fishing at Mount Hood • August: An equestrian retreat in McCall and a quick trip to see the little Goodmans in Arizona • September: McCall to Telluride for Blues & Brews and a visit to the Sawpit Food Club • October: A getaway to the Coast •November: Drive to California • December: Cooking extravaganza and a trip back to Arizona for the holidays!

While I was on vacation and corresponding with this person, I felt an incredibly strong connection with him and wondered if we’d really become friends “in real life” – or if this was just a quick phase of emails that would eventually find their end.

One night I was gazing out at the vast desert sky and decided to ask the Universe, “Will he be a significant part of my life?” I decided that seeing a shooting star would be a “yes.”

Within an hour, I’d seen nearly 10 shooting stars. I firmly believed this was the Universe letting me know that he would indeed become a friend and a significant part of my life — and now 7 months later, I can confirm that yes, indeed, he is a friend and a significant part of my life.

Turned out that we were in the midst of a meteor shower, Lyrids, but I had no idea when I asked the Universe — so I still believe it was a response to my question.

This fall there was a family event beckoning me back to Arizona and it happened to be near the time of another meteor shower, Leonids. Since I knew there was little chance of the skies being clear in Portland, I decided to take advantage of the new moon and the desert sky and extended my visit in Arizona to watch the sky when the earth passed through the shower.

I woke Mom up at about 1:30 in the morning and we sat outside by the fire and gazed up at the sky “ooohing” and “ahhing” at the falling stars.

I was a bit too tired and cold to bother trying to take my own pictures, but we did see some beautiful stars and here’s a picture someone else captured in case you didn’t get to see it yourself.