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One Year!

Today marks several significant things associated with my business Grand Canyon Project™. On this day, in 1916, Edith married my great-grandfather Bert Lauzon. He called her his "Honey Girl" and they had an immense amount of love and respect for one another. Bert and Edith had three children and lived at the Grand Canyon. Bert would write her love letters telling her of his dreams for them to buy some property and build a ranch called "Honeyland Ranch" but they would never see that day come. 

On their 8th wedding anniversary, Edith would die of complications after surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. She would leave behind her three young children and her loving husband. 

On September 21st, 2016 my mom and I launched the official Grand Opening of Grand Canyon Project™ and the unveiling of her book Stories the Canyon Keeps, my album 100 Years Away, our children's book Hike & Seek: Bass Trail and our apparel line, ArrowWear™. We had a celebratory event that not only marked the launch but remembered Edith's passing and honored my great-grandparents' wedding anniversary and their devoted and loving marriage and life together. 

One year has passed since the launch and it has been a wonderful beginning. We have traveled all across the state, performed for audiences, expanded our reach globally through our website and social media presence and built relationships with numerous retailers who are now carrying our product line. 

I couldn't be more proud of my long line of history as I owe so much of my ongoing work and determination to my diligent, steadfast and strong-willed ancestors. They had vision and passion and never backed down from risk, obstacles or challenges. 

I admire what my family has gone through and I look at the lives they led and make the effort to place my best foot forward every single day. Today, I look at the care and absolute love and heart my great-grandparents' world held. They were good individuals...they were people others loved and respected for the kind of character instilled in each. Today, I am filled with gratitude, for my heart feels their love. 

Happy Anniversary! May GCP celebrate today by saying thank you to all of the supportive people who see in our business who we are, what we are about and have joined this journey! 

Cheers!  

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Good morning sun. Good morning memory. 

The sun will not be denied today as it makes its bold and radiant presence known. Every tree branch, flower and plant reaches up to feel the warmth and calm of its rays. It is sturdy and regal in the sky this morning. The world below, loud, busy already at seven am but it holds steadfast to its position, its duty. 

This day, it make sure I am aware of by waking my eyes and spirit. This same sun was present 101 years ago and rose to greet the young couple on the morning of their wedding. 

How did the rays meet their slumber? Through bedroom windows, sheer curtains, a crack in a door? Was a breeze bending the light as it Madre its way through tree branches and leaves? Did it signal birds' chirping, light melodies dancing into the house? 

Was Edith smiling, nervous, looking at her dress, doing her hair? Was her family gathered to add more smiles, embraces, a bouquet of flowers? 

Did Bert feel nervous, excited? I'm sure he was handsomely dressed, proper for the occasion, eagerly awaiting the event. 

They respected each other in their world, in their mutual understanding and implementation of work ethic. They knew what love and life took to make it and to make it work well. 

Their love was the kind you really do daydream of finding in this concrete jungle. Love letters between them expressed the sweet contentment they shared of the simple conversation between one another. The lines held precious moments they had penned, sacred feelings, observations, goals and dreams. They showed the depth of devotion and attention paid to each other's interests, heart, well-being and future. 

My song "Love Letters" was written for them, about them and because of them. I wanted to pay tribute to the special connection they had with each other that brought them together on the Rim of the Grand Canyon, a place that holds magic and seemed to offer it up when these two souls were introduced. 

Bert spoke in such dear terms when referring to Edith. Edith found her loving Bert charming, tender and ever-present even when many miles separated the two. 

I will always cherish knowing the hope that filled their eyes and spirits remained so in their love letters. To read their words was to feel their heartbeats. I feel I know that same hope, the endearing faith in a solidarity of a kind.

I put forth my senses through my art, my written word, what my heart sees, capturing the world around me, inhaling the beauty of nature, animals, people, life and love. I get that from them....and I am ever-so thankful! 

I gaze back into the past, the blending of imagination and fact. It's a bittersweet knowledge I have gathered, as to think just three children and eight short years later, Edith would take her last breath on their anniversary. Too you, too much love gone. 

I come back to the warmth of the sun, still resting on my shoulder...to the sounds of nature, people, my surroundings. My smile remains. The day is here and so are my great-grandparents. 

Time to introduce our furriest friend here at Grand Canyon Project™! This is Scruffy, my baby boy I adopted from Animal Control eleven years ago last month. I have always been an animal advocate, promoting rescue and adoption efforts. When the time came I wanted to search for a pooch, I knew I had to visit the shelters.

Scruffy always has a smile on his face and a bone in his mouth. One day, his antics in the backyard gave me an idea! He will run around for the longest time trying to find just the right spot to hide his bone, storming up and over hills and down and around the fishpond, hopping over rocks and leaping over flowers. What better storyline for our first childrens' book in our series?

His love for his "kingdom" aka the backyard, is beyond compare but his favorite chair is always ready for his fluffy self to curl up in for a long nap. He loves nature, life, and will sit in the passenger seat of my car, fully alert, checking out his surroundings. Oh...how I could I forget!? He also loves car rides especially when he knows he is on his way to get his other favorite treat from the local coffee shop: Puppuccino. A coffee without the coffee, add loads of whipped cream and bones!

I adore this little guy as he is a wonderfully fun inspiration for everyday life as well as for our children's book series, Hike & Seek™! Visit his very own page here on our site as well as our store to learn more and share with your kiddies!


Dog Lover,
-Meagan

I love writing...it's long been a passion of mine and through the introduction of my blog, I'll have an opportunity to share even more treasures with you.  This journey across the beautiful landscape that is my home and was my ancestors' home has already spanned more than a century of time and I look to continue that long tradition through my travels, bringing you stories, images and adventures! 

I want to highlight the significance of history, deep and solid roots and all that manifests in between the glorious sunrises and sunsets of this Arizona desert! I shout a friendly and booming welcome, like the one my great-great-grandfather, William Wallace Bass, would have done when he was greeting new tourists  before they would all head down on their own fantastic expeditions through the Grand Canyon!


Musically, your tour guide....
-Meagan