  Destination Reached, Journey Begins Greetings from Tucson! A place where you may bring your water bottles in movie theaters, where residents know their cardinal directions thanks to the amazing mountains located to the North, East & West, where produce is fresh and local, and where "swamp coolers" and "air conditioning" mean two very different things.
I am here. I am well. I survived a hailstorm in Shamrock, Tx. My load, consequently, is a little lighter, a little wetter than I expected, but washing machines and clothing lines dry out what I salvaged and saved. Here, the laundry drys in 20 minutes on hot days. It's taking a bit longer in the two days I've been here, but I'm patient and ecstatic about inhaling sun-dried jeans and underwear and t-shirts.
* * * I bought a bed today from Corrine at Sleep America. I hugged her before she made the sale. She hugged me back and, if she understood how long I've been without this padding, she'd probably have hugged me harder. I have a red bedspread and white sheets and sheer curtains where Saraswati, my Indian muse from my friend Aruna, looks over me and my endeavors in art, education and life.
My roommates are amazing and they humble me. They are smart, have amazing vocabularies and are helpful, cheerful and focused. They are Quaker. I feel like they will help me become an even better Kella. I'm excited. Tomorrow, I buy a bike. I'll swim at the city pool with my little sister. I'll pick up my bed. I'll set it up. I'll lie down and look at my white walls and listen to Howlin' Wolf and the barking dogs next door.
Then, I'll take a deep breath and take a nap. I think I've earned it. I miss you. 
