12/8/08 Javelina vs. Cat.

Quick blog today. I've been putting it off for months, but I absolutely must update the regular Sedona Green Web site ASAP. I've about a thousand items in the store that are not yet on the Web site. I'm sure I'm not the only one running behind this time of year. I remember an old episode of the TV show "Friday The 13th The Series," which had nothing in common with the movies except for title rights. On the particular episode I'm thinking of, a thief possessed a cursed time piece -- an antique open-faced watch that could stop time for everyone except himself for five or ten minutes. This gave him time to carry out his pick-pocketing and jewelry-store heists. No, I'm not looking to rob anyone, but it would be nice to press a button and make everyone stop in their tracks just long enough for me to get caught up on paperwork, emails, bills, Web updates, personal reading ... 'course that would take a year or two.


There's someone in the shop right now who ... I think is going to try to sell me something or tell me about his own art once he works up the nerve. He has that Sedona-artist look: sleepy eyes, untrimmed beard, worn bluejeans with red-rock stains. I look at portfolios on Mondays, but I prefer that artists make an appointment and send me an electronic portfolio ahead of time. He's looking at random crafts and artwork throughout the store ... possibly making mental comparisons between the merchandise and his own work ....


Sedona's javelina are out and roaming now that the weather is cooling. Well, javelina are always "roaming," searching for an easy meal, but as the weather cools, more of them come down from the hills and hang out in driveways and backyards. This past week, walking to a friend's house for "game night," I stepped right past a small pack of the pig-like rodents in the dark without noticing them. When I reached the porch, my friend pointed them out. They were munching away on something in the moon shadow of a large prickly pear cactus. Unfortunately, My friend's cat had slipped out the door when she opened it to greet me. Now the cat was missing, and my friend was concerned that the javelina would attack it and eat it. As my friend called into the darkness for her cat, the part of me that wants to be Bear Grylls, urged me to observe the javelina clan from a closer perspective. I approached the javelina very slowly, talking to them as I approached. Javelina have very bad eyesight, and I didn't want to startle them. I managed to narrow the space between us to as little as five feet before they paused their chewing and glared at me. Snort! Snort! OK, OK, I backed away and let them finish their meal of cactus fruit and cat. (Kidding about the cat.) The cat returned to the house about an hour later, unmolested.


Well, the sleepy artist just exited the store without approaching me. I think he lost his nerve when another customer entered and began talking. Another friend -- coincidentally, an artist -- told me this week, "We never receive anything without asking," but I'm not sure I believe that. "I try not to ask anyone for anything," I replied, and he shrugged his lean shoulders. Different philosophies. I suspect his philosophy is a better success model. But I'm stubborn.


December in Sedona is a best-kept secret. The weather can vary between 35 and 60, but the sun is often full-faced, and the cooler temperatures make perfect weather for hiking some of the challenging trails -- just watch out for patches of slippery frost in the shadows. Sedona retailers don't receive the hoards of shoppers that the big-town malls receive this time of year, so most of us have good sales going, and there's rarely a need for reservations at even the most popular restaurants.

OK, I really must let you go now. Much to do. Need to photograph lots of items in the store. And here are some random photos, I've taken this morning, including one of my backside just for kicks. (The camera accidentally went off, but it made a funny picture.) LOL. Blog more at you soon.

Next Sedona Green blog scheduled for 12/15/08.