Friday, January 28, 2011

There is a peculiar kind of magic...

...that occurs when I am driving at twilight in Arizona...

...the road stretches ahead of me like a ribbon strewn with the diamond and ruby blurs of cars coming and going...

...the mountains form a cradle on the horizons and surround me like an embrace. I am awed by a western sky filled with fire and drama...


...and the eastern sky of velvet amethyst shading into midnight blue framed in my rear-view mirror...

The lights of houses twinkle on the side of mountains like fallen stars...

And I feel timeless and ageless...I am suspended between where I have been and where I am going...suspended between yesterday and tomorrow...

Bob Seger growls lyrics that go straight into my heart...

The air blows my hair around my face from the open sunroof...

For those few long moments I find complete and perfect peace in my life.

My exit approaches and the rhythm and click of my turning signal breaks the magic spell...

...and I am cast back into the 6:22 pm of my actual life.

But I am content.

And I feel as if I have been richly blessed with the gift of that twilight drive.

post signature

at

41 comments:

  1. Wanda.....January 28, 2011 at 3:16 AM

    Lovely moments you paint with your words, Jenny...they made me feel the magic of your twilight drive.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    It's been a long time since I've had such a drive. It brings back memories of a time full of promise. Thanks for reminding me that that timeless and ageless feeling can be recaptured anytime, as long as we're willing to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RoeHJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    Only in Arizona will you find shots like this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. BrendaJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    What pretty thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  5. TerraJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:53 AM

    Much like heading West into the Rocky mountains pretty much any of time of day...I am in awe of there beauty

    ReplyDelete
  6. AmesJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    Just beautiful. Your words captured it perfectly. I love twilight time.~Ames

    ReplyDelete
  7. KMJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    These are the moments :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    What a wonderful way to travel home!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Silke PowersJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    You are making me so homesick for the Southwest! There is nothing like being on the road in that beautiful countryside and twilight or any other time. I do miss it!! Hugs, Silke

    ReplyDelete
  10. TheresaJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Oh Jenny, beautiful picture! I visited your lovely state several years ago and remember it as one of the most beautiful places ever! We visited the red rocks, drove up to the Grand Canyon and just had the best visit!

    Beautiful post! Have a blessed day, hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Julie Kwiatkowski SchulerJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    It makes me want to visit. I think I'd go just about anywhere to have a break from this snow.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJanuary 28, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    Very poetic :) I can almost picture the drive home with you, except I have never witnessed the Arizona twilight. Sounds like it's an amazing sight to see.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Auntie sezzzzzz...January 28, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Twilight is always magical!

    You captured it beautifully.

    We all need to notice it more. It doesn't grace us with its presence, for long. We need to n-o-t-i-c-e! And not let it get away. :-)

    Hugs and ♥'s...
    'Cause Valentine Day is coming!

    ReplyDelete
  14. JudieJanuary 28, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    I have the same picture on my blog as a memorial to my friend's husband. It really does give one a peaceful feeling.

    ReplyDelete
  15. DebJanuary 28, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    thanks for bringing us along Jenny..

    ReplyDelete
  16. The Quintessential MagpieJanuary 28, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    Beautiful!

    This reminds me of times in my youth when my best friend and I would go out driving, just to see the sunset. We used to time it to go over a particular hill where it was always spectacular. And you are so correct, all is right with the world at that moment. It's as if you can feel God smile. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Busy Bee SuzJanuary 28, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    So beautiful Jenny. What a daily gift...that view and YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Susan AndersonJanuary 28, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    I've taken that twilight drive in Arizona. We were on our way to Sedona, and you've described it perfectly.

    I never wanted it to end.

    =)

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    I have never had the pleasure of and Arizona twilight drive so thank you for describing one to me. It sounds so wonderful and peaceful. The picture is gorgeous. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  20. JeanieJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    "For those few long moments I find complete and perfect peace in my life."
    What a wonderful gift that drive gave you.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Rocky Mountain WomanJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    I feel that same way in the mornings driving to work. The mountains are usually mist covered and just spectacular. I have my coffee and am looking forward to the new day....

    Love it Jenny!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. HJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Beautiful words and a stunning sunset!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Life in RehabJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    The view was only eclipsed by the elegance of your prose.

    ReplyDelete
  24. jennJanuary 28, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    i love how a great drive can sort of absent you from reality a bit. there are a couple of farmer-to-market roads not far out of the city limits which i love to cruise in the spring and fall at sunset for that very reason. so relaxing. and then you come home and ... ugh.

    i totally forgot to reply to your email about my o post from last week. so sorry. :[ thank you for the compliments and the love, m'dear. you're a gem!

    ReplyDelete
  25. jennJanuary 28, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    OH! i forgot!! the most important thing! THANKS FOR DONATING!!! that's way more than i wanted you to give, but i am SO GRATEFUL!!! love you!

    ReplyDelete
  26. JoJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    it's always the simple, the natural, the ramdom bits of nature that seem to bring so much inner peace & joy to the heart ... if only for a moment ... ah, but that moment is something to savour for a long long time.

    ReplyDelete
  27. JocelynJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    Stunning.....I want to take that drive with you!!!!

    Wishing you a great day sweet friend!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. AmesJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    I have a sister in Az and one in NM. I always wondered why they would choose to live where there was nothing but dirt and rocks until I went to AZ. OMG. It is so beautiful in the desert. I never realized the beauty. My favorite place so far is Sedona.~Ames

    ReplyDelete
  29. TinaJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    I hear you. I've not driven through Arizona since I was 18, but I so appreciate a sunset, and open roof, and the long road ahead. Nicely done my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  30. ain't for city galsJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    And this is one of the main reasons we live in the beautiful state of Arizona...I drove home today on Carefree highway...it is just gorgeous right now!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Nancy JaneJanuary 28, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    Breathtaking words. Breathtaking picture.

    ReplyDelete
  32. noexcusesJanuary 28, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    I thought you were dreaming. Your words were very soothing and the picture is breathtaking. Thank you for the nice treat!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Red Couch RecipesJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Jenny, my parents used to receive the mag Arizona Highways. I grew up loving AZ because it was so different than my state of Wisconsin. A drive in AZ sounds nice. Joni

    ReplyDelete
  34. JanieceJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Growing up in "the valley of the sun"...I could actually smell the desert as I was reading your post.
    There are very few things more beautiful than an Arizona sunset...

    ReplyDelete
  35. People Who Know Me Would Say:January 29, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    Of course I loved the picture you deftly painted, BUT, when I began reading that first sentence, I envisioned the end of it reading something like this,"...and I choose not to run the other vehicles off the road."

    Just sharing some of the fun places my mind goes.....

    ReplyDelete
  36. WilloughbyJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Absolutely lovely! I've never been to Arizona, but your words certainly make me want to visit!

    ReplyDelete
  37. "Cottage By The Sea"January 29, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Gorgeous photo and beautiful, descriptive writing. I feel like I was along on the ride. Enjoy your Arizona weather. I hear it's beautiful there right now.

    ReplyDelete
  38. RellaJanuary 30, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    So eloquently stated...there is such beauty in the sky and mountains here in AZ. Every sunset is spectacular and unique and really looks like a painting that could not possibly be true, right? But it is.

    Gorgeous post.

    xox Rella

    ReplyDelete
  39. BonnieJanuary 30, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Sounds so beautiful. I felt like I was right there with you. Arizona certainly has it's own special beauty.

    ReplyDelete
  40. PondsideJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Well, that was as refreshing as a nap - or seeing the sunset for myself.

    ReplyDelete
  41. AmyJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    Beautiful. It is snowing here and I have AZ envy. And that was magical. When I grow up I want to be a wordsmith like you.

    ReplyDelete

Hi! Thanks for leaving a comment! My handy dandy e-mail assistant always notifies me when you do and I read every single one.

I try to respond to comments with a return e-mail BUT I just noticed that I've been answering a lot of them to blogs that haven't linked their e-mail address to their Google account! I haven't been ignoring your comments, but now I know you aren't getting my reply e-mails! I'm sorry!

I know a lot of other bloggers who respond to comments via e-mail so if you haven't left off your e-mail on purpose, you might want to add it on! If you don't know how you can let me know in your comment and I'll see if I can help you!

Thanks so much for reading my 'Tangents'! Your comments always feel like a hug!

Jenny Matlock