To say it's been a turbulent 24 hours for US-Mexico relations is an understatement, with President Donald Trump ordering construction of a wall along the countries' shared border, and now suggesting it could be paid for by a 20% import tax on Mexico.
 
But wait. Wouldn't an import tax result in a cost increase on imported goods? And who exactly buys those goods imported into the United States? This is a classic case of circular thinking, and it's making me loco.
 
I know, you're sick of Trump. I am too. And so, evidently, is Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. He cancelled his meeting scheduled with Trump next week. Get ready for a trade war, folks. It will hit Arizona particularly hard, since Mexico is our No. 1 trading partner.
 
I'm going to a wedding in Mexico in April. It will be interesting to see how our new man is viewed by the locals across the border.
 
In the meantime, I'm writing furiously on my next novel, (working title Crescent Moon Crossing), which is set in Bisbee and Fort Huachuca, both near the border. The story includes human smuggling, Cartel drug runners, and the art of illegal border crossing in the plot, mixed in with murder. It's been a lot of fun to research, and—with Mr. Trump stirring the headlines—the topic couldn't be more timely.

On a happier note, 0ur family and dogs trekked to our Northern AZ cabin last weekend to play in the snow. Munds Park got a little over four feet of big, beautiful flakes over our long weekend. The hubs had fun trying out his new snow blower (actually, he informs me it's a snow thrower). We put a log of logs in the fireplace, and the dogs had a blast bounding through the drifts.

Our family spent a day in the Grand Canyon last week, and my husband Paul took some beautiful photos.

 We stopped first at the closest, and by far most popular, put-out spot, Mather Point, for a rather Griswold-like experience full of foreign tourists with selfie-sticks. But their commercialism and noise didn't dim the beauty of this natural wonder.

Then we walked part of the Rim trail into the village for lunch. Note: If you want a mid-day meal at El Tovar, don't wait too late. Lunch ends at 2:00 and the restaurant doesn't open again for dinner until 5:30.  

What do you think?  Would you join me?

In his book Shadow Dance, David Richo, a psychotherapist, shows how to use active mindfulness to work with our shadow side when it manifests in personal life, family interaction, religion, and the world around us.
 
 Richo formerly practiced as a Catholic priest, but I think the "feel" of the book is more mystical. His learning is truly ecumenical--he draws on his readings of the poets, Greek and other mythologies, Hinduism, Zen, and his experience of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the path into the dark parts of our human nature. He sees the shadow as containing great power and beauty, if we can only stop avoiding the teachings contained within it.
 
The book contains essays which lead you down the path of doing "shadow work," with each essay followed by a section of journal exercises and topics to think about. These "to do" sections help the reader to work with the ideas in the book, rather than just read about them. Not all the exercises will appeal to everyone, but there is such a wide range offered in each section that there is surely something for every reader.
 
I use this book for a class I teach in Shadow Work, and there are lots of tears in every class. Looking inward and facing personal demons is hard work. If you approach the exercises in the book with honesty, you will be exhausted every session. You will also be enlightened, awakened and liberated.
 
Does one's shadow work ever end? Should you ever stop questioning your own reasons for behavior—or the motivations and behavior of people around you?  Between severing my old coven ties last year, Reclaiming Witchcamp, Samhain, Krampus at Yule, and some deep personal examination of my political and moral beliefs, I lived in Shadow Land for most of 2016. After listening to so many people saying, "F-off and good riddance" to the old year, it appears I was not the only one struggling with the dark side of life, and my own possible contributions.
 
And, based on my New Year's tarot spread, it looks like Shadow will be coming to visit a few more times in 2017. Thankfully, I now feel I'm ready to embrace my darker shadow side, and her opportunities for growth.
 
Note: If you start this book and decide it's too much too soon, take a look at Richo's earlier works, such as How to Be an Adult in Relationships.