I have spent the morning looking out the window.

It is raining out. The sheep and chickens have found little corners of shelter.

I have put the tortilini soup in the crock pot and freshly baked bread is warming again for a cozy lunch.

As I watch our land get a nice dose of water, my thoughts turn to fall - - - and all the potential projects waiting for me.

• Dishcloths to knit
• Rugs to stitch together
• A winter pantry to stock
• fruit trees to plant
• perhaps I should harvest the cattail leaves for basket weaving

I am looking forward to a winter of cocooning.

The Tarahumara Indians are known for their beautifully weaved baskets.   Some of the women of the tribe would lay out their baskets and other crafts in various tourist destinations, then pass the day weaving.

We decided to purchase a half-finished basket from one woman.  She was rather amused that we would be interested in an incomplete project - but sold it to us nonetheless.  She also allowed us to take her photo as she was weaving.   

Something about this unfinished basket is inspirational.  It allows you to daydream about what projects you may begin.   Our property is plumb full of cattails.  I see some weaving in our summer days ahead. 

I will frame the photo of her and place it with the basket somewhere in our new house.

Finally, it has arrived.  I have been waiting for a month to get my camera back.  Finally, I will have my creative assistant with me again.  Finally, I will be able to get some of those images from Mexico printed, framed, and hung on the wall.  There are two images in particular I am looking forward to.

1)  A Tarahumara Indian girl* dressed in her traditional clothing.  She was leaning against a fence post, gazing out into the forest.  I caught her from the side - in a moment of peace.  Her bright yellow rebozo draped over her shoulders.  The yellow then gives way to the orange of her dress.  The bright colors of her clothing were such a beautiful contrast to the greens and browns of the forest behind her. 

2)  A Tarahumara Indian woman sitting on a rock.   She too, is in her traditional dress.  In her hand, is the basket she is weaving, to her side - a toddler.   The Tarahumara are known for their beautifully weaved baskets.  I asked her if I could purchase the half completed project.  Though she thought the request quite strange, she agreed in the end and sold the basket to me. 

While this is not an ‘award winning photo’ I planned to display the basket on a shelf, with the framed photo of her weaving it in the background.  Somehow, the half finished basket is inspirational - - a creation in the works.

I recieved notice yesterday that my camera was at the post office waiting for me.  It is such a miracle to have it back!  I left it in a taxi in Mexico.  By the time I discovered it missing, it was one day and 800 miles later.  A camera can be replaced, but those beautiful images were lost forever.   My husband was optimistic that we could get it back.  He called the hotel where we had stayed.  MIRACLE!!  The taxi driver discovered the camera and took it to the hotel!  The hotel owner agreed to ship the camera to us.  What a blessing.  

 And so this morning I tore the box open, and plugged the camera into my computer. 

Nothing.

The memory card is empty.

It must have been x-rayed because it was shipped internationally.

All I have are the words from the second half of the trip - but no images to accompany them.  At least I have my camera back, so that I can continue my photo journey from today forward.  Maybe some day, I will visit the Tarahumara again, and I still have the half completed basket.

* If you ever visit the Tarahumara Indians near the Copper Canyon in Mexico, be sure to ask before you take a photo.  Some Tarahumara believe that having a picture taken will steal their soul.