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Melfa's Musings
A.M Melfa |
Sedona Serendipity
By A.M. Melfa
|
Sedona.biz
The first few days in any new environment are
critical in forming, what is most likely to be, a lasting impression
of a place. After all, this initial impression constitutes the first
bricks in what, in my case, is the foundation of a new addition to
the edifice of my life.
In this regard, Sedona, I must say, you really
have a way of rolling out the red carpet.
My fiancée and I rolled in to town after an
eleven hour drive from "Hell A" (a.k.a. L.A.). We had just left
behind the physically and mentally, challenging experience of a
family reunion. We don't do such things in my family, and now I know
why. Although the family was extremely friendly, accommodating and
entertaining, it appears that I am simply not cut out for day long
bus tours and excursions to theme parks. I'm the sort of person who
would rather sip lemonade on the shaded porch and chew the fat for
hours on end.
So, when we arrived in Sedona, we were just a
wee bit frazzled.
Our first stop was at New Frontiers for some
organic foodstuffs, keeping in mind we just arrived from L.A. where
every thing, food included, seems to be made of plastic.
The good food, chill atmosphere and friendly
service went a long way to putting us at ease. We hung about for
awhile searching local papers and scanning the bulletin board for
apartment listings.
This search lead us over to J.B. Jochum &
Associates Property Management on 89A next to the Harkins Theatres.
With the Speedy Gonzalez like assistance of the lovely Stephanie, we
were immediately directed to a property in the VOC. My fiancée
and I had been calling this area "Victim of Chance" until we were
politely corrected on that score.
The owner, June Jochum, met us at the vacation
rental. Her positive energy and good humor provided a much needed
boost to our travel worn souls.
Although the rental was only for a month, June
found us an
apartment that was bigger than we needed, but well within our price
range and happy to accommodate my fiancée's
mentally challenged cat.
It was obvious that
Sedona's magic had begun to percolate on our behalf.
The next day we moved into the vacation
rental in the VOC. This involved a few confusing moments
attempting to locate the "Y," which, of course, everywhere else in
America signifies the YMCA. A brief perusal of my rudimentary map
cleared up the mystery of the "Y."
Now, from past experience I'd
like to point out that in most other places these intersections are
usually referred to as "T" junctions. However, it was becoming
increasingly clear to me that Sedona is not "other places," but a
physical and metaphysical space where creative thinking appears to
issue from the very landscape.
Once summarily tossing my few personal
belongings into the comfortable apartment, my fiancée and I ventured
out in search of an internet cafe so that I could alert my esteemed
editor here at Sedona.biz, Carl, to my successful arrival.
Thinking this might be a long search we strolled
for approximately 1.5 minutes and were confronted by the I-Scream
Ice Cream and Internet Cafe. We looked at each other quizzically,
could it really be this easy? Should we be scared?
After my brief on line session I went up to the
counter to render payment and struck up a conversation with the
weekend proprietress, Joi (another joy named Joi, who'd have
known?).
Joi turned out to be an energetic powerhouse,
which apparently is quite common to the area. Joi is on a
mission from God, my friends. Like the Blue's Brother's mission,
Joi's is also of a musical variety.
Sedona serendipity once more rearing
its giddy head for, you see, I am an experienced lead singer
and was wondering how I might hook into the local music scene.
At this point I felt the need to conduct an
anal probe to see if a rabbit's foot had mysteriously lodged up
my gluteus maximus, but all clear as suspected! Hum...
could it be that Sedona just likes me?
Even the job interviews I have had to date
have been wonderful. Usually these are occasions preceded by
nervous vomiting and, once underway, fraught with uncomfortable
silences.I was much amazed by such
caring folks as Yvan Rochon at
Herbal Vitality, as well as manager Zoë and owner Geoffrey of
Geoffrey Roth Galleries. Caring is a concept I've
had little to no experience with in my work career.
Just what is going on with all these good vibes?
A day later, having not yet set up house, I
ventured out into the VOC in search of breakfast. I
stumbled, nearly blind from lack of caffeine, into the Desert
Flour Cafe.
From behind the counter I was met by the
dual angelic countenances of Ms. Sarah Meller and Ms. Nicole
Branch. They assured me their coffee would most certainly revive
me. As coffee is a substance I require much of, I was somewhat skeptical.
Luckily for Sarah, Nicole, and everyone in
the general vicinity, the nicely brewed cup adverted one of
those "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" episodes which, from
past experience, is sometimes messy.
Once placated with caffeine, Desert Flour
owner, Gary Wald, did not have to apply too much of the
proverbial "twisting of the arm" to entice me to sample one
of his culinary goodies.
Sitting outside, enjoying the lovely
Sedona morning and noshing a delectable apple tart, I was fortunate
enough to run into a birthday celebration. Turning eleven that day, young master
Augustus McCray, a golden retriever sporting his new summer shaved
look, had made the trip up from Phoenix with an entourage of his
"people" in tow. Apparently Gus likes to "Do Sedona" each year
on his birthday to beat the July heat in Phoenix (May I
stop briefly to point out the intelligent choice of pet names,
here. Gus being named for the tough, yet kind hearted hero of
Larry McMurtry's western classic "Lonesome Dove."
).
With such an auspicious beginning I feel
that my intuitive move to Sedona is well justified. Thank you,
Sedona, for bestowing all the "good ju ju" on me and mine.
I end with grateful thanks and a heartfelt
hello to Sedona. Gosh, but you sure do know how to make a body
feel welcome!
A.M. Melfa recently moved to Sedona, AZ
from Northern California.
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