So long, well-loved furniture

Our friend Judy has lived with a terror in the form of a destructive dog for two years.

She's finally found a new home for the crazy canine, but she's been left with a house full of furniture that's been gnawed on or ripped open.

This weekend, we were able to come to the rescue by offering her some furniture. (And, no! We never offered to take that devil dog off her hands.)

Judy's buddy, Rick, loaded up the furniture in his truck to take home to Judy this morning. Truly a Perfect Moment. He was a little bemused, but were were thrilled. And Judy called to thank us, choked up some because this is just one more step in creating a calm and peaceful place to live.

The timing was perfect for us.

The chair, ottoman and coffee table we gave Judy this weekend were all from our early days together. They are worn. And we squeezed every bit of use out of them in the 14 years we've had them. But, we have no kids and no pets, so they must look like brand spanking new to the newly dog-free Judy.

It's such a simple thing that people do for each other all the time.  But it helped make our weekend perfect.  Thanks, Rick!   You're welcome, Judy!

Robin & Sue, Phoenix

Alster in her happy place

Alster in her happy place, originally uploaded by RobinJP.

OK. Really. Does this photo need any description? Isn't this Perfect Moment enough?

Well, alright. Alexandra, aka Alster, is at Lolo's Chicken and Waffles in Phoenix. Most people there feel like this.

I remember exactly what I said to make her grin like this. "Last time we were here, you had the Stupid Fries," I reminded her. She had actually turned Stupid Fries -- lots of goopy, tasty stuff piled high on French fries -- into what we called Stupider Fries by adding sausage.

PM2: This was a Perfect Moment, as we remembered an earlier Perfect Moment.

Oh, and me? I always study the menu and ALWAYS order Betty Boop.  A juicy chicken breast nestled next to a waffle.

Robin (and Alster), Phoenix

Yafit: We don't mind if you stick around a little longer

One year ago this weekend, my friend Yafit Butwin and her three children - Malissa (16), Daniel (14) and Matthew (7) - were killed. 

The brutality of their murder was devastating to those of us who knew them and shocking to the rest of our community. They were mourned by hundreds, if not thousands, and eventually their bodies were taken to Israel where Yafit was born and lived until she moved to the United States at 20 years old.

But to a small band of women who meet weekly in Chandler, Arizona, to meditate and touch base about our lives, Yafit hung around. Her spirit stays with us. She is one of us. Yafit came to meditate when time allowed. She brought excitement, energy and the type of turmoil that can only embody an active, loving mother trying to build her own career. 

I knew Yafit for only about 18 months and I never saw her outside of our weekly gatherings, but she is still a powerful force in my life.  I sometimes feel her in the room while we sit quietly.  At other times, I feel a rush of sadness and loss over her death - not just for me but for all of us.  But more often than not, I am comforted by the fact that I knew Yafit, that she gave me a glimpse into her crazy, chaotic life so filled with love and promise.  

I am better for having known her.  

Robin, Phoenix 


Here's a news report about Yafit's death. Look at it or not. It's really nothing to do with her now.