"Sorryness . . ." or is it "Sorriness" ?

       When I told a colleague that I was spending Christmas vacation in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California, he predicted 'You're going to get sorry.'  He was not suggesting 'sorry' in the sense of 'regret' or 'remorse'; rather, he was jesting that the experience would render me 'worthless'.

     Over the last week and a half or so, there were times when I was convinced that Will was correct.  The contrasts ---between
what we experienced on the West Coast and the routines of home; and even between LA and Palm Springs --have been striking.  Our son's apartment is on the 12th floor of a building in downtown LA. From there we had a panorama of 'skyscrapers', traffic, holiday lights and even the 'Hollywood' sign on the distant hill.  Palm Springs itself was , well, 'different' and with more  allure to decadent 'sorriness' in the form of warm temperatures (70's and 80's compared to the chilling 20's, 30's and 40's back home), an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, delicious food served in a most comfortable ambiance {Not a paid advertisement: in Palm Springs, go to Billy Reed's restaurant.  We became 'regulars', recognized and warmly greeted by the staff.}, and grapefruit trees just outside the door - - - from which a few were 'liberated' for our enjoyment.  And, naps became a regular part of the daily rhythm in both locales.

                        (A study in contrast: Los Angeles at night and a 'typical' view in Palm Springs)

   (Invitations to 'sorryness' in the form of Billy Reed's trademark cinnamon roll and the strawberry cake)

      Immunity against total decadence came in several forms:

i) Walking.  The apartment is conveniently located near several good restaurants.  Beats searching for a parking spot and I am certain that we logged a few miles.

ii) Hiking . . . many miles on some  rugged (for me, at least) mountain trails around Palm Springs.  Both the Indian Canyons area and the wilderness of Mount San Jacinto provided exertion as well as awe-inspiring vistas.  Retrospectively, I wish  we had gone to the latter location earlier in our visit and  spent the day 'soaking it  in' with time for reading, writing, reflection as well as exploration.

     No Rattlers seen;  Reflection of tram car on mountain
   side;  'on the trail'     

iii)  Christmas Eve Eucharist service.  Being reminded that there is 

a transcendent 'More'.   

iv)  Being with people I love, 'missing' others who are important in my life, and remembering those now dead who enriched my life along the way.

I hope that your Christmas was enjoyable, restorative  and not too 'sorry'.

Satchel