Hugh Prather, 72, died on November 15 here in Tucson. He was the well known author of a self-help book that sold 5 million copies, “Notes to Myself: My
Struggle to Become a Person”, pictured here.

book cover

I confess I am one of those 5 million people that purchased Hugh’s book and enjoyed it immensely, for its timeless existential thoughts and advice about love, relationships, self-esteem. I also own two others of Prather’s books, one being “I Touch the Earth, the Earth Touches me” (1972), and the other “Notes on Love and Courage” (1977).

A quote from Prather’s 1970 “Notes to Myself”:

When someone disagrees with me, I do not have to immediately start revising what I just said. People don’t want me to always agree with them. They can sense this is phony. They can sense I am trying to control them: I am agreeing with them to make them like me. They feel; “I don’t want to exist to like you. I DON’T exist to like you.”

Another Prather quote: “My trouble is I analyze life instead of live it.” And
“Unless I accept my faults I will most certainly doubt my virtues.”

Read more about Prather and his wife Gayle in the Arizona Daily Star’s article after he died (click here). Prather was born in Dallas, Texas and moved here with his wife in 1990. He died at home, apparently of a heart attack.

Memorial services will be held today at 3 p.m. at St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist church, 4625 E. River Rd. (NW corner of Swan). Phone: (520) 299-9063.

Rest in peace Hugh.

UPDATE: I just located via the internet, one more of my favorite Prather quotes:
“When I get to where I can enjoy just lying on the rug picking up lint balls, I will no longer be too ambitious.’’

The circular public art installation pictured above can be found east of La Cholla Blvd., along the Rillito River path on the north side of the wash, south of River Road. Artists Chris Tanz, Susan Holman, and Paul T. Edwards created this “Sun Circle”, with the assistance of planetary scientist Will Grundy. Four of the taller sculptures mark the cardinal positions of N, S, E, and W.

The plaque in the middle of this sculpture states that thousands of years ago the Hohokam and Anasazi Indians “used these positions and a calendar to orient themselves in their ritual and agricultural year, to time their ceremonies and planting of crops.”

Photos courtesy of Chris Tanz.

I encourage you readers to drop by there on the upcoming Winter Solstice (December 21 at sunrise or sunset) to see how the rays of the sun line up with the sculpture’s stones. (Photo above courtesy of Chris Tanz.) Or you can wait for the Summer Solstice in June, or the Equinox (March or September).

Artist Chris Tanz was interviewed on KUAT Channel 6 on September 10, 2009 (click here) about her inspiration of this “Sun Circle” which came from the ruins of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico.

Two ways to see this astronomical calendar next to the Roller Coaster wash in the Rillito River Linear Park–by parking about 1/2 east of it in the River Park parking lot (west of La Canada Drive, south side), or in a parking lot with commercial buildings near the southeast corner of La Cholla Blvd. and River Road. You can catch a glimpse of this sculpture driving north on La Cholla over the bridge, heading to River Road. And of course if you exercise along this part of the Rillito, you’ll be sure to walk/jog/bike/skate right by it.

Mark your modern calendar now to visit this solar inspired calendar along the Rillito River.

I love the whimsical artwork (oils, acrylics and block prints) by artist Maja Nostrant, having seen her work at at least two art shows in the past, one being the UA Poetry Center recently on September 2nd. She draws everyday people and scenes in a simple unique style, having grown up in Mexico and Scandinavia (Iceland).

On Saturday, November 27, MAST (an eclectic store/gallery in the Lost Barrio) will have an opening reception for Maja’s art, 6 to 9 p.m. Photos courtesy of MAST and UA Poetry Center.

MAST is located at 299 S. Park Avenue, south of Broadway, (next to Tooley’s Cafe). Their phone number is 1-520-720-0299, email is info@ilovemast.com.

I recently wrote about the “Unique Finds to be found at the Lost Barrio” (click here), about the interesting collection of shops there.

Maja’s new art works are part of those unique finds. Enjoy her show.