WORKING THE EARTH

2012-01-25T21:31:00.000-08:00

"The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time." Mary Oliver

Scary! Filmed today 1/20/2012 in Watsonville, CA South of Santa Cruz goi...

2012-01-24T18:47:00.000-08:00

My friend, Anthony Gill, posted this on his Facebook account. I just had to share it and wonder about it. Any ideas? I know that south of Santa Cruz is Camp Pendleton. Do these tanks look new? Used? And how many of them are there?? Makes me wonder why, where, how come, etc. Thanks Anthony, for always being at the forefront of stuff like this.

Strongest solar storm since 2005 hitting Earth

2012-01-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

Strongest solar storm since 2005 hitting Earth

My husband got information in his email this morning regarding this latest solar flare because he is a ham radio operator. I listened to him reporting it to me and then I wondered to myself "what are the effects on us as human beings from this flare?" Cause and effect, right? Maybe some of you might be able to see the aurora they speak of. Things like this make me wonder about things we cannot see. And those that we can!

MINDFUL

2012-01-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for--
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world--
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant--
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these--
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean's shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?

-----------Mary Oliver

Blackout to protest SOPA

2012-01-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

IN MEMORY

2012-01-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

JOHN ELVIN ANDERSON

MARCH 14, 1931-DECEMBER 24, 2011

Oil For Your Lamp Movie

2012-01-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

Oil For Your Lamp Movie: Mother Teresa said, "To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it." Most women are so busy filling the lamps of the people they love that they let their own lamps run low. Here is a little movie to remind all women to fill their lamp...

SILENCE

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of the Christmas card I sent out this year. It depicts one of my plants that represents silence to me. And, it was also my way of sending a "Christmas card" without saying "Silent Night, Holy Night". A bit esoteric, I admit, but when I think about what plants represent to me and what they do for me on a daily basis, it was apropos.

Some plants seem to require little care; give them water occasionally and they thrive. They multiply without you even noticing when or how it happened. There is little effort required except the weeding (if necessary) and dead-heading, but just think of all the joy they give to someone. And recently focusing on "awakening joy" in my life, what could be better than a plant to remind me?

Randy, over at Santa Fe Daily Photo has posted a couple of photos lately that have depicted what he sees around him that remind him of silence. He does a great job of giving us a taste of Santa Fe each day without the obligation to write a lot and expound upon what he is feeling. You just kind of "know" what he is feeling from the few words he writes and the wonderful photos he takes. Again, some synchronicity seems to be out there for me since I see the words "silent" and "silence" in many other places too. You can see for yourself here and here what I mean about his photos.

He has also posted some great quotes there too. "Silence is a source of great strength" (Lao Tzu)
and "Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift." (Albert Einstein) On my card I wrote what I have been learning in regards to silence in my meditation practice and that is: "It is within silence that we gain a deeper connection with our unique spirit." All in the same vein...all necessary when trying to awaken from this deep sleep we call life.

I suppose for some my card was too esoteric. But for me, it was what I was feeling. It was what I was seeing. It was what I am trying to put into practice each and every day now. An awakening of sorts. Yes, some might have thought "This is not a Christmas card!" or "what have you been smokin'?" but, isn't it all the same? Isn't the message we try to put out there at Christmas-time or the holidays one of getting in touch with our deeper selves? And what better way to do that than to get to a place in your life, your daily practice, where you can find silence within?

Thanks, Randy, for another great reminder to me and for also letting me realize that we are all one. It takes some of us longer to get to the point of realizing this but that is OK too. The point is the journey and not the destination, right?

COOKING 101

2012-01-15T07:31:00.000-08:00

MOMENTARILY I LAPSE

INTO A PLACE

OF LIQUID LONGING;

A POOL OF SALTY TEARS.

I TASTE THE POSSIBILITIES...

THE MIREPOIX OF YOU.

SAUTEED, ROASTED, BRAISED---

JUST SHORT OF BEING BURNED.

IN AN INSTANT

I REDEEM MY SOUL

(JUST IN TIME) TO FIND
MY HEAD

THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

AL DENTE.

SYNCHRONICITY

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

I don't claim to be that knowledgeable about certain things, despite what some people think about me. I pride myself in wanting to learn new and challenging things and if they fit, apply them to my own life. And once I know something to be true, I remember it and try and keep it in mind because the way I figure: if I am just now seeing (or learning) something, it must be very important and I should take heed.

Awhile back, Teresa Evangeline wrote a post entitled "Happiness comes in bursts" and she said the following: "Have you ever had a moment when everything feels right and good, a feeling washes over you or bursts in through an open door somewhere inside you and tells you everything has fallen into place? I call them bursts of happiness..."

This brings me to the book I am currently reading "Awakening Joy". If you have read a few posts prior to this one, you know of which book I am speaking. It's funny how there is a synchronicity to life and how things seem to come to the surface that are similar; sort of like buying a new red car and then suddenly seeing that same make, model and color appear on the roadway, as if for the first time. So it is with this topic that Teresa speaks about.

James Baraz refers to this very same topic in a section called: "Bringing the World Alive". He says that "When you slow down and pay careful attention to what is happening inside you and around you, a new world opens up. Everything comes alive. In fact, you may notice that surges of joy arise in you spontaneously, even when nothing special is happening, and even in the midst of difficult times."

I must be on the right track (or reading the right authors) to have two separate people say exactly the same things only in different ways. "A new world is opening up". "Everything comes alive". And those surges (bursts) of joy (happiness)? I am noticing them more and more, even in the midst of difficult times. I lost a long-time friend from high school in December of last year, just a bit shy of a month ago, and despite the loss, I am finding things in life to be joyful about. I am trying to keep it in mind. And to quote the book: "With mindfulness we can appreciate that every moment of life, whatever our experience, is precious. When we live in this way, a certain kind of vitality comes into our lives."

Into each life a little RAIN must fall

2012-01-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

Reading a new book is always such an eye-opener. New ideas, new thoughts appear as if they are sent "just for me". Even though I know that they are not meant "just for me", there is some form of an "ah ha" moment when you read something that hits your heart and you actually "hear" it. So it was for me while reading this book being studied by my Women's Group right now called "Awakening Joy". Here is what I "heard":

RAIN

Recognize what you are feeling and name it. Anger, fear, sadness, confusion?

Allow the feelings to be present, without pushing them away and without getting lost in them.

Investigate the feelings in your body and mind. Explore the landscape of the emotion with curiosity and interest. Where in your body do you feel it? How does it feel in your mind---heavy, tight, open, agitated?

Non-identification is the key to freeing yourself from the emotion's grip. Don't take it personally. What you are feeling is a human emotion that arises and passes away. It does not define who you are.

So...this little paragraph says it all doesn't it? This idea of "non-identification" seems to be the key. Don't take it personally!!...It does not define who you are. WOW! Instead of thinking "what is wrong with me...what did I do? here is a new way to look at this. I have been feeling anger, fear, sadness and confusion but now I can allow these feelings to just be present and not take it personally. There doesn't have to be something wrong with me! After awhile, I can see that they have a life of their own and that they end, as do all human emotions. They change after awhile.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. And Buddha had a method for dealing with this called "forgetfulness and inattention". The light bulb has just gone off in my head. This is how they do it. They just forget!!! NOW I GET IT!!!

All this time I have been searching and feeling all these emotions of anger, sadness, confusion and all I had to do was sit with some RAIN and FORGET ABOUT IT! My friend Candy and I have discussed these emotions just recently, as she is going through some loss in her life like I am and she worded it just right to me but I failed to see it at the time. She said to me "Teri, you just have to let it go". And there, in that short sentence, was exactly what I just now realized, only it took me 114 pages to see! Sometimes what we are searching for is right under our nose.

"MATTERS OF CONSEQUENCE"

2012-01-08T20:53:00.000-08:00

(As quoted from a great new book I am reading:) "AWAKENING JOY" by James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander

"Our child presents us with a drawing for our birthday, our partner prepares a delicious meal, we wake up in the morning to find the first snowfall of the season has transformed the world."

" Too often we can barely pause to notice, because we've got to get to our next appointment, check our email, finish a project. Such "matters of consequence" can distract us from recognizing the blessings that life is offering us over and over each day."

"There's magic all around us if we just take the time to notice. With mindful presence we activate the natural curiosity we all came into the world with as innocent children."

"Look closely at the mystery of a spider web. Or stop to think for a moment how amazing it is that you can read the word "blue" and see a color in your mind, or hear the word "pizza" and taste a slice.

"When we are mindful, even the most ordinary experiences become wondrous".

IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY

2012-01-04T20:39:00.000-08:00

I thought you might like to see a photo of my cousin's son, Kyle Buthman, surfing "in the tube". It makes you proud to be family!!!

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

2012-01-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, January 1, 2012, our church rededicated the peace pole in Auburn. This pole was installed by our church in the year 2000 and each year since then, there has been a re-dedication ceremony. In my mind, it never hurts to keep peace in the forefront and by making a conscious effort to think about peace (to re-dedicate you thoughts toward this) it has a better chance of becoming a reality.

I am the one kneeling on the ground with a funny expression on my face. Gee, a photo never represents what I feel I look like. On the inside I am young, I am thin, I am the perfect weight. And I guess that is all that really matters, right? ON THE INSIDE I am exactly what I want to be and so: it is! And that grey hair? Well...I've had that since I was 36 years old. Genetics are hard to escape.

Have a wonderful, healthy, happy new year, filled with everything that you manifest from INSIDE!!

GANESH

2011-12-30T23:47:00.000-08:00

My beautiful daughters really know me. They know what I like and what is special to me. On Christmas morning, I opened a package from both my daughters and inside was this Ganesh statue! I was instructed to close my eyes and just open. The moment I felt what was inside I got chills. I immediately knew it was Ganesh, waiting there inside hand-made rice paper tinted red, to remove all my obstacles. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I couldn't have asked for anything better or more appreciated.

HINDU PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE AND PEACE

Lead me from untruth to truth.

Lead me from darkness to light.

Lead me from death to immortality.

Om, peace peace peace.

(Peace be in all three realms: surroundings, body and mind)

THE ORDINARY ACTS WE PRACTICE EVERY DAY AT HOME ARE OF MORE IMPORTANCE TO THE SOUL THAN THEIR SIMPLICITY MIGHT SUGGEST.

Thomas More

If Life is a Game... These are the Rules Movie

2011-12-27T07:59:00.000-08:00

If Life is a Game... These are the Rules Movie: Have you ever thought..."I wish life came with an instruction manual"? That's why the 10 Rules for Being Human are so important. They answer the fundamental question...What is the purpose of life?

In light of losing a childhood friend this December, losing a beloved Fire Chief on Christmas Eve and a blogger friend losing her father on that very same day, this came to me in my email box this morning. I found it so appropriate since I have been pondering "what is the purpose of this life if we have to lose someone we care about"? Life isn't easy to understand, that's for sure. But, questions always do seem to get answered if we just listen. And those mirrors that reflect in others what needs fixing in me? Yes, they exist. I am working on mine. Perhaps these rules will help someone else out there. I guess the trick is to really "see" what needs fixing. And to really see that it needs fixing! And then, to start fixing!! And why wait until the New Year to begin...start today, this second, this NOW.

THE HOLIDAYS

2011-12-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

MY GIRLS

AND THEIR FAMILY

WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON.

I WILL BE TAKING SOME TIME OFF TO SPEND WITH MY FAMILY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, TO PROCESS THE LOSS OF A FRIEND, AND TO GENERALLY UNWIND AND RECHARGE.

"ADOPT THE PACE OF NATURE; HER SECRET IS PATIENCE. SOMETIMES YOU DON'T NEED THE THINGS YOU "NEED" TO ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS, QUIET TIMES, FRIENDS, FAMILY".

AMISH PROVERB

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT MARY

2011-12-17T23:56:00.001-08:00

Today is my 38th wedding anniversary. Thirty-eight years ago, most people said it wouldn't last. Too volatile they said, too much discussion and not enough outward expressions of affection. Well, it has worked for us despite all of the naysayers and I attribute it to just that: we discuss, we talk, yes we even argue but we make up and we tell each other everything. We are truthful and open in our relationships and that carries over into our relationships with others. Some people can't take the truth. They just can't.

But today, while spending a bit of time alone by myself I had time to reflect upon my relationship with Mary and how I met her so many years ago. And you know...when I think about an exact moment and when we first became friends, I cannot pinpoint it. It is if she just "appeared". And that's the way that I like to think of her leaving this dimension too. She just slipped away, quietly, without a lot of fanfare. Private. Proud. Graceful.

Mary was with me the night that I first met Bill. Well, actually, I knew of him in high school. He sat in one of my classes and when I would glance over in his direction he would turn ten shades of red and look away. I was not very out-going in those days. In fact, I always considered myself very shy. Maybe it was just a lack of confidence or self-esteem. Those two attributes have seemed to haunt me my entire life. But in my early twenties, Mary and I used to spend quite a lot of time together going dancing and just hanging out. Most of my other friends were attached in those days and Mary and I used to like to do the same kinds of things.

Mary was an incredible dancer with such rhythm. And she had the most beautiful dark curly hair and very white, pale skin. She always attracted young men that seemed to be worldly. We would be sitting at a table, having a drink, and someone dark and handsome would come over and ask her to dance. I sat alone at the table many nights while she was twirling around on the dance floor. She loved to laugh and have a good time. And so it was that we would spend weekend evenings together. She was with me when I first met my boyfriend Michael. And later, she was with me when I first met Bill.

I was thinking back to all the times that we spent in high school together. I spent many nights at Mary's home, tucked away under piles of quilts in her big brass bed. I always felt safe at her house; her parents right across the hall. It was always a home filled with love and support. I came from a broken home and so staying at Mary's was always a pleasant experience. There were never any arguments or loud voices at Mary's home. It was a safe haven. It always felt cozy and warm.

Mary's Mom was always inquisitive. She would always want to know what we were doing in school, who we were dating, what our future plans were. She was always curious and interested. And it felt good to be listened to and to know that she was genuinely interested and concerned. Mary was one of the first people I knew to go to Europe and travel. She came back and told us all about it. She served us cheese from a slicer "the way they served cheese in Europe". I remember her slicing off a thin piece and throwing it at me. The biggest laugh came from her and she said: "That's the way they do it in Europe." I believed her. I've never been to Europe myself yet so I cannot corroborate that story or deny it. I just took it for granted. Mary would never lie to me.

Mary was also the first person I knew to have a plan for when she graduated from high school. She was going to go to college, she was going to get her degree in library science, and she was going to work in a library. And she did exactly that. She worked for over 30 years at the College of Alameda in the library there. She was surrounded by intelligent people who were curious about learning, who were artistic and talented themselves. She took me to arts and crafts shows that some of the teachers held around the holidays. She took clay classes. I still have a whistle hanging on my wall that she made me and gifted to me over 30 years ago, hand-painted with cactus plants and strung with an orange ribbon to this day.

Mary had parents who were fun to be around too. Her father collected stamps and to this day I think that I collect stamps, little works of art, because of the interest he sparked in me when I would be over at her house and curious about his collection. He was always willing to sit down and tell me anything I wanted to know about his collection...where they came from, where he purchased them, what the stamp shows were like and how he learned about them and their value. You could tell that Mary came by her intelligence and curiosity naturally. You only needed to spend an evening with her family to see that family life was all-encompassing and important to them. And I always felt comfortable with her family.

I will miss Mary. Her mother and father made their transitions a few years ago so she will join them now. I'm sure there will be a family gathering when she arrives the like of none that we have seen before. She might even be serving cheese "just like they do in Europe". That would be fun to see, wouldn't it? Most of all, I will miss Mary's curiosity and lust for life. Her ability to remain calm in most situations (although when she got flustered or anxious, it was fun to watch her jump around). Maybe it was that dancing ability. Maybe it was her friendly smile and her willingness to help someone. Definitely she was a unique and wonderful person. And she made a mean batch of fudge too! I still have her Mom's fudge recipe, lovingly typed out on a 3 X 5 card and titled "Aunt Marion's Fudge". Maybe those years of filing in the card files, pre-computers, prompted her to type (yes, on a typewriter!) the recipe. She had an eye for details. She hand-sewed what seemed like millions of beads on to her sister's wedding dress. What a beautiful dress it was too!

So, Mary...if you're there reading this, please know that you meant the world to me. You were loved, appreciated, and thought of so much. I only wish that I would have been granted the opportunity to visit you while you were in the hospital. I tried, believe me, I tried. I hope you know all of these things that come from my heart to yours. You were a unique friend, without whom I might not have met Bill and married him 38 years ago had it not been for you going with me that one fateful work night. You always stood by me in those days. And for that, and so much more, I thank you.

DECEMBER FIFTEENTH

2011-12-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

"In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing." R. Ingersoll

I borrowed this quote from Melanie. She posted it on her blog Secret Notebooks--Wild Pages when her Mom died in 2009. I have never forgotten it, just as I will never forget my dear friend Mary, who passed away yesterday after a long illness. There is so much to say about Mary but it will have to wait for another time. Right now, I am thinking of her in deepest sadness.

(The photo is Mary on the left and me on the right).

RIVER TALES

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

I FEEL SO LUCKY THAT WITHIN A SHORT FIVE OR TEN MINUTE DRIVE FROM MY FRONT DOOR, I CAN BE AT THE RIVER AND ENJOYING WHAT IT HOLDS FOR ME. THIS FERN OUTCROPPING WITH MOSS AND ROOTS TRAILING OVER THE ROCKS IS JUST ONE LUSCIOUS EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE RIVER PROVIDES ENERGY FOR. I'M SURE IF I WERE TO INVESTIGATE THE MINUTE DETAILS, I WOULD BE ASTOUNDED AT WHAT I WOULD FIND. THE RIVER HAS SO MANY TALES TO TELL.

I THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FISHED THIS RIVER, WHO HAVE HIKED THIS RIVER, WHO HAVE JUST WALKED ALONGSIDE THIS RIVER. THIS STRETCH OF THE RIVER WAS SHADED BY THE MOUNTAINSIDE TO THE SOUTH. THE SUN IS JUST PEEKING OVER THE TREES IN THE BACKGROUND HERE. BARE TREES IN THE FOREGROUND LEAN TOWARD THE RIVER AS IF BY DOING SO THEY WILL BE GRANTED A TASTE OF THE SUN WHEN IT MAKES IT WAY OVER THE MOUNTAIN AND BEGINS TO SET IN THE AFTERNOON.

SAND BARS, BRUSH, EVERGREENS AND DECIDUOUS TREES ABOUND HERE. THE RIVER IS LOW RIGHT NOW. THERE HAS BEEN NO SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL THIS SEASON AS YET AND WITH IT BEING MID-DECEMBER AND NO SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL IN THE NEAR FORECAST, THE RIVER MIGHT BE LOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME. BUT, SPRINGTIME WILL REPLENISH AND RENEW. THE TREES WILL BLOSSOM FORTH, THE MOSS WILL GROW MORE LUSH, THE ANIMALS WILL BEGIN TO FORAGE AGAIN. RIGHT NOW: THE RIVER IS SLOWING DOWN AND WHAT LIVES ALONG THE RIVER IS DOING SO AS WELL. SUCH IS THE CYCLE OF THE RIVER. I ONLY WISH I COULD HEAR WITH EVERY RIPPLE WHERE IT HAS BEEN AND WHERE IT IS GOING. WHAT TALES THIS RIVER COULD TELL IF I ONLY COULD HEAR ITS VOICE.

A PERMANENT STATE OF TRANSITION IS MAN'S MOST NOBLE CONDITION.

Juan Ramon Jimenez

2011/12 Pipe House Chronicles - Episode 1

2011-12-13T17:37:00.000-08:00

Makes me proud to be a Buthman!! Great job Kyle!!

THE PERFECT EQUATION

2011-12-12T21:17:00.000-08:00

ONE HAPPY CHILD

PLUS

LOTS OF ENERGY

EQUALS

ONE PAPA AND ONE CHILD

ASLEEP

IN THE AFTERNOON

NOTICE THAT "THE BOPPY" IS BEING USED BY "THE POPPY"

INSTEAD OF THE BABY!!!

OH WELL. WHATEVER WORKS!

LOST...

2011-12-09T07:38:00.000-08:00

ONE TOOTH.

NO...TWO!!!

PLEASE RETURN WHEN FOUND.

REWARD GIVEN.

LOOK UNDER PILLOW.

MURALS

2011-12-06T08:55:00.000-08:00

This mural is by local artist Stan Padilla. You can read about what the mural is all about if you click on the image below. I love how when you walk around the town of Auburn you can be treated to art. I often wonder how many people take the time to really get up close to it and find out what it's all about. The other day, I did just that and tried to capture some close-ups to share on my blog. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did.
Our area has a rich history with the Maidu and Miwok Indians. I am happy that Stan has taken the time and the effort to honor these peoples. He has depicted some of what intrigues many people who live here and visit here.
Our area is rich with animal life and we are blessed to have the beautiful American River here as well as many others (Yuba, Sacramento, Cosumnes, Stanislaus, etc.)

Thanks, Stan, for all your hard work and dedication. I hope that many people enjoy this mural for many more years to come.

OUR ESSENTIAL NATURE

2011-12-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

Even Starbuck's tries to unite.

"What we are truly looking for can be found only by turning in the direction of that which is looking."

Robert Brumet Page 156 "Birthing a Greater Reality"

THE GUEST HOUSE

2011-11-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

THIS BEING HUMAN IS A GUEST HOUSE.

EVERY MORNING A NEW ARRIVAL.

A JOY, A DEPRESSION, A MEANNESS,

SOME MOMENTARY AWARENESS COMES

AS AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.

WELCOME AND ENTERTAIN THEM ALL!

EVEN IF THEY ARE A CROWD OF SORROWS,

WHO VIOLENTLY SWEEP YOUR HOUSE

EMPTY OF ITS FURNITURE,

STILL, TREAT EACH GUEST HONORABLY.

HE MAY BE CLEARING YOU OUT

FOR SOME NEW DELIGHT.

THE DARK THOUGHT, THE SHAME, THE MALICE.

MEET THEM AT THE DOOR LAUGHING AND INVITE THEM IN.

BE GRATEFUL FOR WHATEVER COMES

BECAUSE EACH HAS BEEN SENT

AS A GUIDE FROM BEYOND.

-------------------Rumi

"A Good Day" video - Brother David Steindl-Rast

2011-11-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

"A Good Day" video - Brother David Steindl-Rast

A wonderful message and video as a reminder to be Thankful and Grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

SOME THOUGHTS

2011-11-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

TODAY, I BORROWED THIS FROM RANDY. CHECK OUT HIS BLOG. HE DOES A WONDERFUL JOB OF SHOWCASING SANTA FE, THE ARTISTS, AND THE SCENERY AROUND SANTA FE AND HE USUALLY DOES IT WITH JUST ONE PHOTO! HIS BLOG IS AN INSPIRATION.

I LOVED THIS WHEN I READ IT OVER AT HIS BLOG AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS SOMEHOW VERY FITTING FOR THANKSGIVING TOO. IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE OR HOW MUCH BUT IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES. ENJOY THEM WHILE YOU HAVE THEM. FORGIVE THEM IF YOU DON'T, AND REMEMBER THE ONES THAT HAVE TRANSITIONED BEFORE US. THEY HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR US.

THIS WEEKS IS STARTING OUT TO BE A VERY BUSY ONE INDEED WITH A DAUGHTER THAT IS SICK, A BACK THAT DECIDED TO GO OUT, AND A MEAL THAT NEEDS TO BE COOKED. I KNOW THAT ALL THINGS HAPPEN THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SO I AM THANKFUL FOR THAT KNOWLEDGE.

I AM ALSO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE BLOG FRIENDS I HAVE MADE IN THE LAST YEAR. I FEEL SO HUMBLED BY THOSE OF YOU WHO CHOOSE TO COMMENT AND GET TO KNOW ME AND ALLOW ME TO GET TO KNOW YOU. I AM SENDING BIG HUGS TO ALL OF YOU AND THOUGHTS OF THANKS AND GIVING ALSO. THESE "THOUGHTS OF THANKS AND GIVING" ARE SURE TO SHOW UP IN THE FUTURE.

"Who's Got a Problem with the Ego?" ~ Live w/ Michael Beckwith at Agape ...

2011-11-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

IF YOU MAKE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS VIDEO, CHECK OUT ASH'S BODY VIBRATIONS. INCREDIBLE! EGO???? IS IT ANYTHING YOU NEED TO CHECK?

CLAY IN THE MASTER'S HAND

2011-11-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

You know how when you drive past a house and it just beckons you to come in? This house has always done that for me. Each time I have driven or walked past this house, it has always made me want to see what is on the inside. Last weekend, there was a sign on the tree at the driveway that said: "Pottery Sale". And so, my dream to see the inside finally came through. And the tree in the front was just the icing on the cake!

The kitchen was so warm and inviting. Food prepared and sitting out on the center island, along with many clay pieces that were for sale. This was the 2011 Pottery Sale and Open House for "Clay in the Master's Hands".

The wonderful stove had a few of the garlic keepers and hand-made pumpkins sitting on display. Fresh hot mulled cider steeped on the stove also.

A little corner of the kitchen had some of the regular items that every kitchen has including the two hand-thrown mugs, a couple of bowls, and a milk shake mixer. Well...maybe not the milk shake mixer. I have always wanted one but do not own one (yet)!

The dining room area has a banquette complete with toille cushions and matching window dressings...just enough to look good and add some color but not enough to spoil the view out the window.

A few of the home-owner's pumpkin collections were displayed on the hutch that was hand-made by her father.

Here you see cupboards that are new but made to look old, filled with every type of hand-thrown pottery. These pieces are all hand crafted and wheel thrown by Jim Esway. He was giving demonstrations and also had a sign-up sheet for pottery classes he will be starting in January. I just might have a new hobby in the New Year!

This is what you saw when you walked in the door. The living room furniture had been removed and tables were displayed with his wares. Beautiful colors, beautiful functionality, beautiful glazes. They all made you just want to pick them up and touch them.

Isn't it great when fate steps in and gives you something you had wished for? It seems like this is happening more and more for me lately. Things I have wished for (like selling our home and buying a new one) seem to be opening up without much effort. And this house that peered out at me from the meadow that it sits in? It opened it's doors to me too without much effort either. I just had to follow the sign. And the signs are everywhere. You just have to look for them!

OUR BUSY WEEK

2011-11-13T09:13:00.001-08:00

Our week started out as usual, with Baby Mae. And this week Bill was able to help me with her since his hand is doing much better. Walking a baby around in a pack most of the day can make your shoulders a little bit sore. So, the help during the week is always appreciated. Good job, Papa!!Is this where the phrase "don't play with your food" comes from? Or, is it like I always said to my Mom when I was growing up "you can't have any fun unless you get dirty". Whatever the case, there is never a dull moment during our busy week.

And folding laundry? Easy, peasy!! Just take the laundry out and put the baby in! That always solves the problem, at least for the moment. Life each day with a baby is just that: living for the moment.

Babies change from minute to minute. I watch this little one grow and change each week. New finger-nail scratches appear instantly under the eye. The mood can switch from happy and giggling one minute to unhappy and crying the next. No two days are ever the same. No minute is just like the last. What worked yesterday to appease her will not work tomorrow. I guess it is all a growing process. She is learning what works and what doesn't, what makes her feel good about herself and what gets results.

Isn't it great what you can learn just from being around a baby? Life's lessons in a nutshell. Life's lessons happen each minute, not just each day. And best of all? If I get angry or I'm in a bad mood one day, just like that she can change my attitude. I could never hold a grudge. I could never ignore her and never speak to her again. I could never wake up one day and not want to communicate with her. I could never let years go by...and by and by.

This baby teaches me to be present in the moment, to share her with anyone that wants to know about her, that it's OK to be unhappy for the moment but remember that just like that, I can un-do that unhappiness and move ahead. I can't hold a grudge against her for any reason. I have to communicate with her on a moment-to-moment basis because she is learning to adjust, just like I am. This is unconditional love. This is "out of the mouths of babes." This is living. And our busy week? Just like that, it is over and done with and I have a few photos to remember it by. And hopefully, I have retained some good memories and not held any grudges. Because life is too short. Don't you agree? What is your baby teaching you?

PERSPECTIVE AND MEMORIES

2011-11-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

Forty years ago, 1971 to be exact, I met a young man named Michael. Michael lived right around the corner basically from where I live now. Who would have guessed that 40 years later I would be living here with a totally different perspective and life. But, here I am.

I was only 21 and still not sure what I wanted from life "when I grew up". I look back now, with a different perspective and realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Michael was a "free spirit". He was the first person I had ever met that always had a positive outlook on everything. And I mean everything. I used to work all week and then drive 3 hours from the Bay Area to spend the weekend with him. He always had dinner ready for me but it was never a typical dinner. He always made dinner an experience and fun. One night we celebrated "Country Joe and the Fish" with a special dinner. Everything, including the carrots, had a fish theme. Yes...he had carved all the carrots into fish shapes. It was those kinds of fun experiences that I remember about Michael.

Michael and I eventually went our separate ways. I was working in the corporate world at the time and he was living up here, 3 hours away. And I was young. Things had a different perspective for me then. I wanted different things in my life. A year or two later I met Bill and we have been together almost 38 years now. We celebrate 38 years this coming December. And, little did I know then that I would be living here with Bill now. It's funny how things work out, isn't it?

What made me remember Michael and all these memories this morning was this flowered container that sits on my sink vanity. I lifted the lid and put my nose to the container and there he was...inside that jar. Michael had purchased this little container for me one day when we had stopped at the local Five and Dime store. I waited in the truck because it was going to just be a short trip in and back out. But, out he came with this flowered container and gifted it to me. I have had it ever since. Inside, there is a bottle of jasmine oil that he purchased from The Body Shop in Berkeley one weekend when he came down to visit me. The contents of the bottle have long since evaporated but left behind are the stains from the jasmine oil and the scent. Yes...40 years later the scent of jasmine still permeates that container. And, every time I lift the lid and sniff, it transports me right back to that time 40 years ago.

Years later after Bill and I had been married a year or two I found out that Michael had drown in Clear Lake trying to save a couple of people that were in a capsized boat with him. He met such a tragic end but he also gave of himself unselfishly, just like he always did. I'm happy to have had the time that I did with such a remarkable person. He gave me a different perspective on life at a time when I was just starting to form my opinions of life and work and the people who were important to me. For this I will always be grateful. And I will always have my memories to transport me back.

Funny how a scent can do that. It skips over years; it skips over things that have transpired (good and bad). It takes you immediately back in your mind to that time and place. And being here now allows you to look at that time and where you are and get a totally different perspective. Sometimes it is the same but sometimes it is not. Sometimes it allows you to realize that the choices you made were the right and proper ones, even though at the time you were making them it was painful and difficult.

Today, just a quick sniff has given me the opportunity to process and reflect. And I realize all the great moments that I have been afforded. It has allowed me to remember to enjoy the ride and not second guess my decisions. There is always a reason, there is always a choice. Look to your heart and know what is inside. Your heart will never steer you wrong. And if you forget: open up that container and take a giant whiff. I guarantee it will help you remember!

I Don't Know Shit ~ Lyric Video ~ by Here II Here

2011-11-07T07:40:00.000-08:00

WHO AM I? HERE II HERE ANSWERS THIS BETTER THAN I CAN. THIS IS MY MESSAGE FOR THE WEEK. ENJOY!

WEEKEND THOUGHTS

2011-11-04T06:58:00.000-07:00

The weekend always brings with it a chance for something new. Is it the old patterns I have lived with for so long, when I worked Monday-Friday and Friday night started the weekend? Or, is it that there is a bit of free time...some time to do just exactly what I want or just to sleep in a bit or read a book or?

Whatever the case, the weekend is almost upon me and doors open all the time on new opportunities to do or places to go. I think I shall take a bit of time to explore my options and hope that the weather decides to cooperate a bit too. If not, I just might take the opportunity to do exactly nothing. Or do something really slow. That counts too doesn't it? I don't always have to be doing something or going someplace to enjoy the weekend.

Living in the moment is quite hard. It takes a lot of practice and is something that I really need to work on. So, this weekend, I don't think that I will plan anything in advance and I will just see where things take me. I will practice living in the now of the next two days and trust my Divine Guidance to give me exactly what I need. I hope that everyone else will be enjoying their weekends too. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, enjoy those moments. They can change so quickly.

POST HALLOWEEN POST

2011-11-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Natalie didn't want to Trick or Treat last night so we walked around the neighborhood and took pictures of all the decorations that everyone put up. Here was one of The Grinch that she liked.

So, we returned to the house and she was given "the job" of passing out candy! We needed to tell her the rules though. Otherwise some of the older kids tried to take advantage of the situation. You know: when there's free candy involved, why not!

And of course, this was Mae's first Halloween so the little "B" just buzzed around watching all the activity and really was a good little girl.

The holidays are upon us now. It seems that from Halloween until Christmas they just roll from one to the other with not much time to breathe in between. I guess the trick is to roll with them and enjoy the ride!

Happy Day-after Halloween everyone!

INTEGRAL SPIRITUALITY

2011-10-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

I'VE BORROWED THIS QUOTE FROM A SERMON TODAY BY MARK SCHINDLER, MINISTER OF UNITY CHURCH IN AUBURN. IF YOU'D LIKE TO READ MORE ABOUT MARK, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE AT WWW.UNITYOFAUBURN.COM TODAY, HE SPOKE OF INTEGRAL SPIRITUALITY BY KEN WILBER.

"It's astonishing that I can deny I. That I can take parts of my self, my I-ness, and push them on the other side of the self-boundary, attempting to deny ownership of those aspects of my self that are perhaps too negative...to accept. Yet pushing them away does not actually get rid of them, but simply converts them into painful neurotic symptoms, shadows of a disowned self come back to haunt me...those things in the world that most disturb and upset me about others are actually my own shadow qualities, which are now perceived as out there." Ken Wilber---Integral Spirituality

I thought this sermon today at my "less-than-traditional-church" was so apropos for Halloween with the phrase "come back to haunt me". It reminds me that I need to figure out what it is about me that I might need to work on so that, as Ken Wilber says: "If we stay awake, we can use these experiences to reclaim lost parts of our self. If we are not awake, then we simply propagate suffering in our life and in our world." (page 90)

In the last month we have seen so much anger and frustration with Wall Street and people protesting against what they feel are injustices. The "one percent" are rising up and taking a stand for what they believe in. Ken Wilber says on page 94 that "when [we] are willing to accept our feelings of deficiency with compassion, we will eventually discover that what we truly seek is always within our self. Everything that we truly need, we already are." Involution. "The teachings of ancient wisdom tell us that who we really are exists in a realm beyond time and space." (page 95).

HEARTS WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT THEM

2011-10-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

I snapped this photo while up in Nevada City last weekend because I found the clothing that these two people were wearing to be quite unique. In Nevada City you are liable to see anything in terms of clothing. It is a great place to people watch.

But, as it turns out, I captured much more than I thought I was with my camera that day. There is that incredible glowing orb right there in that young woman's hands and then to her right, on the back of the young man's head is a heart. You can click on the image to see it larger.

It just goes to show you that you can't always judge a book by it's cover. People are so creative and full of life, spirit, and love. These two prove my point exactly! Here's hoping that you capture something special and unexpected too. There are no obstacles, only opportunities. Enjoy your weekend.

SHARING...

2011-10-27T20:53:00.001-07:00

...IMAGES FROM MY NEW FAVORITE STORE IN NEVADA CITY AND A THOUGHT.

JANAH CAMPBELL HAS THIS GREAT STORE LOCATED AT:

320 BROAD STREET---NEVADA CITY, CALIF.

IT IS CALLED "SPIRITHOUSE IMPORTS"

TRULY, ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT.

SHE TRAVELS ABROAD AND PURCHASES THE WORK THAT SHE DISPLAYS IN HER STORE.

(HERE'S SOMETHING I HEARD ON SUNDAY):

"To every man this is taught: Thou art one with this universal being, and, as such, every soul that exists is your soul, and every body that exists is your body...For I am the universe, This universe is my body" Swami Vivekananda

LIFE'S SECRETS

2011-10-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

LIFE ENDS WHEN YOU STOP DREAMING.

HOPE ENDS WHEN YOU STOP BELIEVING.

LOVE ENDS WHEN YOU STOP CARING.

AND FRIENDSHIP ENDS WHEN YOU STOP SHARING.

This was sent to me by my friend Nancy today and I thought that it was such a wonderful sentiment. And what better photo than that of my my granddaughter Mae who I hope will always remember to dream, to believe, to care, and to share. She makes me aware of all of these things every day. I am blessed to have her in my life, as well as the rest of my family and friends.

SATURDAY IN NEVADA CITY

2011-10-24T08:15:00.001-07:00

Saturday afternoon the weather was so glorious that it just couldn't be wasted sitting inside cleaning or even doing yard work. Saturday was an exploration day to Nevada City with my daughters and granddaughters. It was a glorious, warm day filled with the spirit of the season. Every window was decorated for Halloween and we had a great time checking them all out as we walked along the streets.You can see by the photo below that the colors are just beginning to start to change here in the Foothills. I have read many blogs where the color has already come and gone, being washed off the trees by wind and rain in many locations. Not so here. And it made for a wonderful day.

There isn't anything like being with people that you love. I have to admit that I was licking my wounds on Saturday so it felt nice to be bathed in the warm sunlight and the glow of love from my girls...all four of them! LOVE IS ALL THERE IS. And that's all each of us needs.

TODAY

2011-10-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

I WALK ORGANIC SHAPED PATHS

IRREGULAR UNDER FOOT

BORDERED BY GRASS

BY RIVER ROCK

BY CYCLONE FENCE.

ONOMATOPOEIC SOUNDS FORM IN MY HEAD.

THOUGHTS OF MAE

(WIND AND FLOWER)

COME TO ME

WHILE I STROLL WITH PURPOSE.

ONE IS HERE

THE OTHER IS NOT.

THE DEMOISELLE DEPOSITS

PUPA ON TWIG OR LEAF

TILL HIS WINGS ARE SPREAD.

EMERGES COMPLETE INSECT.

I PASS STRANGERS,

SOME WITH DOGS

SOME WITH PARTNERS.

SOME LOOK UP

SAY HELLO

OR GOOD MORNING (AFTERNOON)

SOME WALK QUIETLY PAST

WISHING NOT TO BE NOTICED.

I WALK QUIETLY

THINKING, CONTEMPLATING.

JUXTAPOSITION EXISTS.

THE MEMORIES,

THE ACHE OF LONELINESS

FELT.

BRIGHT LIGHT

ONLY SHINES

WHEN DARKNESS

IS ACCEPTED.

TODAY

I CHOOSE

A DIFFERENT

PATH.

Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | Falling German satellite greater threat than UARS

2011-10-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | Falling German satellite greater threat than UARS

Is anyone wondering where or when the ROSAT will land? I listen to news reports and check links about it but it seems that there really isn't much information regarding where or exactly when it will land. Is this by design or is it that they just don't know? I think with all the scientific instruments and data that are available we should know more about it than we do. All I can find out is that it will be around October 22 or 23 and that I have a 1 in 2,000 chance of being hit.

Contrex - Ma Contrexpérience - 97s

2011-10-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

If you're like me these days, exercise is not easy to come by when it is filled with other daily duties. But, maybe, just maybe I could be motivated by something like this!

Received this from a friend today. Thought I would share. Enjoy your Wednesday and get out there and burn some calories...however you have to do it!

HALLOWEEN???

2011-10-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of a skeleton for Halloween. It belongs to Bill! This is a photo of the X-ray they took of the implant in his finger. Do you see it there in the middle? I'm living with a Bionic Man. It is a pyrocarbon implant. Does it look a little scary? It does to me!

He is doing fine though. Attending PT twice a week now and gaining lots of motion in his hand. He still has to use the braces during the day and while sleeping though until he has full motion and the OK to use his hand by the doctor.

It makes life a little bit more hectic around here than normal. Watching baby Mae is not as easy for me as it could be if he was able to hold her more, feed her and change those diapers! (Is this part of your plan Mr. Bill?) But, seriously, he is doing really well and does many things one-handed. Before we know it he will be back to normal (as normal as a Bionic Man can be, that is) and I will have him hauling gravel in the yard and weed-eating.

I got my daughter Kimberly here to help me wheel barrow loads of gravel yesterday. I hope I didn't make her body too stiff for the rest of the week. But it was nice having her help. I told her that I was sorry for her that I am OCD because I can't just do "part" of the job. Once I start I have to finish. There is no "waiting until tomorrow to finish the rest" in my vocabulary. I am a determined person with a goal in mind always. And my goal yesterday was to create two new walk-ways with the gravel. Mission accomplished.

And then we went to Oktoberfest in town and celebrated with food, drink, music and a bon-fire. It was a nice way to end a day of hard work. Thanks for the help Girlie! I really appreciated it. And you know me: it takes a lot for me to ask for help. But, I am learning to and appreciating the help that I receive. I am open to unlimited goodness!

FRIDAY RESTROSPECTIVE

2011-10-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

"I BELIEVE THAT A SIMPLE AND UNASSUMING MANNER OF LIFE IS BEST FOR EVERYONE, BEST BOTH FOR THE BODY AND THE MIND."

Albert Einstein

THE POETRY OF DOORS

2011-10-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

"AS TO THE PURE MIND ALL THINGS ARE PURE, SO TO THE POETIC MIND ALL THINGS ARE POETICAL."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Doors are entrances, welcoming us in. They point the way to our hearts, to what's inside. Yet, they can also be barriers, keeping us at bay, not allowing us to see what really lurks beyond. To me doors are a metaphor for our lives. Don't just paint your door a wonderful color and not open it. Keep the door always swinging to and fro'; in and out. Open your heart and open your door. There is no telling what you might find if you leave it ajar and unlocked.

THE ANTIQUE GARDENER

2011-10-06T21:14:00.000-07:00

I LOVE THE VIGNETTES THAT I FOUND INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THIS STORE. IT, TOO, WAS IN SUTTER CREEK AND I WAS INSPIRED BY LOTS OF THINGS I FOUND HERE. DARN IF I DIDN'T LEAVE MY OLD WOOD COOK STOVE AT THE OLD HOUSE!! I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO JUST HAVE PLACED IT IN THE YARD SOMEPLACE AND LET IT RUST, REPLETE WITH MANY OF THE PLANTS AND IMPLEMENTS THAT "THE ANTIQUE GARDENER" HAS DISPLAYED. THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION.

BY THE WAY: THE ANTIQUE GARDENER HAS A BLOG THAT YOU CAN FOLLOW AT: TheAntiqueGardener.blogspot.com THEY ARE LOCATED AT 80 MAIN STREET, SUTTER CREEK, CA. 95685 209.267.5551

SUTTER CREEK TOUR

2011-10-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

Around the corner from the faces I found this General Store Museum. It wasn't open but I managed to take a few photos from the outside.

Most of these items are things that I wouldn't mind owning for my own collections. In fact, I have some of them already. Why is it that things from another era are so appealing visually? Is it that they remind us of something we used to know or is it that they remind us of something we no longer have? Things seemed somewhat simpler in those days although I'm sure when something new came on the market then (as now) people were clamoring to attain it.

Life is a funny thing: if we look back at the way things were, sometimes they seemed more simple but in reality, I would imagine things were much more complicated and labor-intensive. In this day and age we have all the things available to us to make our lives much more simple yet in some ways things seem much more complicated. I guess the key is to enjoy what you have in the moment and take the time to appreciate them. It's not always easy to do that.

SUTTER CREEK FACES

2011-10-04T20:27:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I drove B to meet some of his ham radio friends. Most of them know each other by their call signs and I suppose, by the way that their voices sound. So, it was an opportunity to meet some of them face-to-face last Saturday at a small town called West Point where they held their annual Lumber Jack Days. You might remember I went there last year with my daughter April who was pregnant with Mae at the time and a friend from work named Rene. I never thought that I would go back again because, frankly, once seemed quite enough for me. But B wanted to meet his radio friends, especially an 83 year old man and his wife who drove all the way from Washington state for the day.

Not wanting to stay for the parade and all the crowds, I opted to drive back to Sutter Creek and do some looking around. And also a bit of shopping. I found some really great stuff to photograph there and I will try and post most of it a bit at a time this week. Watching the baby each day doesn't leave me much free time in the evening but I don't want to miss an opportunity to enjoy my creative time each day either. Like my son-in-law said today: "It can only get better the older she gets." How true!!

These heads were just sitting on the corner in a flower bed. There wasn't a sign saying who had made them or when but I found them interesting. So many great things to see and photograph around every corner. I suppose that is probably true for any town you actually get out and walk around. Most of us don't take the time to do that. We just drive, shop, and go home. I hope you enjoy seeing Sutter Creek through my eyes (and lens) in the next couple of days. Enjoy!

THAT LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAVE BEEN...

2011-09-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

Hectic, to say the least. B had his hand surgery, has recovered nicely, and yesterday we went to the Occupational Therapist who hand-built a splint for him to wear during the day and also another one for when he sleeps at night. I think his had looks like Frankenstein with all these contraptions, strings, and bolts holding his fingers up in tiny little slings.

While he was having hand surgery (actually directly after) we had a toilet failure in our "new" house. Apparently, the bolts were not tight and the wax ring failed, leading to water damage to the flooring. I don't know how long this had been going on. It never showed up on the home inspection. This is just a tiny bit of the mess I encountered while B was recovering from his hand surgery. I had to take the old toilet out, buy a new toilet, rip all flooring out (which ended up being two layers and required lots of elbow grease to remove, let me tell you!), and then install a new flooring material, cut new baseboards, paint them and then install them, and then set the new toilet ALL BY MYSELF! I hated the old flooring anyway and was just waiting to do the entire bathroom remodel next year but sometimes things don't wait until you're ready. So, out with the old and...
in with the new. Here's the new floor before the baseboards were installed almost a week later. I had to wait until everything was totally dry before completing the job.

And, here is the finished project. New low-flow toilet, new baseboards, new flooring, all wall paint touched up and ready to go. I wish that I could have done the entire remodel at this time but time and money never coincide, at least in this household. I needed B to help me with all that and he will be "out of commission" for 6-12 weeks. He helps the best he can but doing things with just one hand is not as easy as one might think. And next Monday we start watching our new baby granddaughter when our daughter returns to work from her maternity leave.

How I wish that things weren't as complicated for young couples as they seem to be. It seems that a household needs two incomes in this day and age to really "make it". I know that B and I gave up a lot when we were raising our twins so that I could stay at home. We didn't have the latest automobiles, we didn't have the nicest furniture, we didn't have the latest clothes. But, we were able to manage for me not to go back to work. It was a struggle but I think that it was worth it. We didn't feel the peer pressure that most young couples feel these days to "have it all". We were happy with less. We hardly ever went out to dinner. I grew a lot of my own vegetables. I worked part-time to be able to afford vacations (which were not lavish but they were vacations) once the twins got old enough and were in school.

I guess it's all a matter of choices. Heck...we didn't even own a travel trailer until our late 50's! We have never been to Hawaii or Tahiti but we have been to Canada and the east coast. I'm not sure if it all matters in the end where you have been or what you have done. In the end, it seems like it comes down to the time you spent enjoying the ones you love. It comes down to the fact that you can't take it with you when you leave this place. So, I'm wondering how important it all is in the first place? How many places do you have to see in a lifetime to make a difference? How many new cars, new houses, new clothes or shoes do you need to be happy?

"BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, REJOICE IN THE WAY THINGS ARE. WHEN YOU REALIZE THERE IS NOTHING LACKING, THE WHOLE WORLD BELONGS TO YOU."

Lao Tse

flickspire - If I Had My Child To Raise Again Movie

2011-09-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

flickspire - If I Had My Child To Raise Again Movie

BENEFIT QUILT SHOW

2011-09-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my former hometown quilting group held its annual outdoor quilt show. The show is usually held in the month of September and has always been held outdoors, as far as I remember. The proceeds from the show have always gone to the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department.The 1937 Studebaker fire truck was restored by my husband when he was a volunteer in the fire department. He retired after 15 years of service. And that word "service" is really accurate: there is no monetary benefit. It is strictly volunteer. They give tirelessly of their time and energy. And after he devoted 15 years to the department, he joined the board of directors to have a say in what decisions were made for the volunteers.
Here was one of my favorites for its sense of humor and artistic ability. In fact, I voted for it for "Viewers Choice". I'm not sure which quilt won but this was my choice for originality.
Here how some of the quilts were displayed on the gazebo in the park. This gazebo was a boy scout (or eagle scout) project for a young man years ago. It is made like a fortress with giant telephone poles for uprights.
A close-up of some the the blocks and the stitching. I notice more and more machine quilting and less hand quilting. I suppose that has to do with the amount of time it takes to put a quilt together in the first place and then wanting to be able to enjoy it without having to take all that much more time to do hand quilting. I prefer the look of hand quilting still though. Something about it just really makes a quilt "sing".
Take time to enjoy your day today. Take time to smell the flowers. And if you have some time left over after all your hard work, go do something creative. It's not every day that you get to fulfill the need to contribute to what you need inside. Most days are filled with pleasing everyone else.

"No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself."

James Russell Lowell

THE HAND

2011-09-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

THIS IS B'S HAND BEFORE HIS SURGERY YESTERDAY. IF YOU CLICK ON THE IMAGE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE A LARGE GROWTH ON HIS MIDDLE FINGER. WHEN HE WAS IN HIS TWENTIES, HE WAS HIT ON A MOTORCYCLE BY AN AUTOMOBILE AND ALL THE TENDONS ON HIS LEFT HAND WERE SEVERED. SINCE THAT TIME, ARTHRITIS HAS FORMED INSIDE THE JOINT, MAKING IT VERY PAINFUL AND ALSO STARTING TO DISTORT HIS HAND.

THIS IS THE IMAGE OF HIS FINGER AFTER AN IMPLANT WAS INSERTED IN THE MIDDLE FINGER. WE WERE AT THE HOSPITAL ALL DAY YESTERDAY. HE WAS IN PAIN LAST NIGHT BUT EACH DAY SEEMS TO BE GETTING A LITTLE BIT BETTER. HE HAS A CAST FROM THE TIP OF HIS FINGERS ALL THE WAY UP PAST HIS ELBOW. AT LEAST 5 WEEKS OF RECOVERY ARE EXPECTED AND ALSO PHYSICAL THERAPY. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HIM BEING PAIN-FREE AFTER THIS IS ALL OVER. IT IS INCREDIBLE WHAT MODERN MEDICINE CAN DO FOR PEOPLE. SUCH ADVANCEMENTS IN MEDICINE GIVE ME HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

MY NEW DOWNTOWN

2011-09-19T23:18:00.000-07:00

JUST SOME IMAGES FROM DOWNTOWN AUBURN, CALIFORNIA, WHERE I HAVE BEEN HAVING A GREAT TIME ON COOL SUMMER EVENINGS WITH FRIENDS. IT'S GREAT TO FINALLY HAVE A DESTINATION IF YOU WANT ONE. BUT AT LEAST I HAVE A CHOICE. THAT IS WHAT I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT.

Page 4 - Five Flick Friday

2011-09-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

Page 4 - Five Flick Friday

This is a video clip that my cousin's son, Kyle Buthman, posted on his Facebook account. I am in awe of this young man who seems to have the world by the tail right now. He had been making movies and getting some publicity from them. And, he has been traveling too. Not sure if the bill is being picked up by his promoters or not but whatever the case, he is really enjoying his young life. I wish that I could turn back the clock!! Keep it up Kyle!!!

GRAVEL GRAVEL EVERYWHERE

2011-09-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

IN ONE DIRECTION

AND THE REVERSE OF THAT DIRECTION

AND FROM FAR AWAY...

THERE IS GRAVEL EVERYWHERE.

THERE ARE SO MANY MORE PLANS FOR FLOWERS AND GRASSES

ROSES AND BUSHES

BUT UNTIL THEN...THE VEGETABLE GARDEN WILL HAVE TO DO.

I WISH ALL THE DIRT WAS THIS DARK.

WE LIVE IN AN AREA OF RED, RED CLAY.

NOT THE BEST FOR GROWING THINGS

EXCEPT GOPHERS!

BUT THE VEGETABLE GARDEN SEEMS TO BE PRODUCING WITHOUT MUCH HELP FROM ME THIS YEAR. JUST WATER AND LET THE SUNSHINE DO THE REST!

IT IS A GOOD THING TO HAVE A VISUAL RECORD OF WHAT THINGS LOOK LIKE AT THE BEGINNING SO THAT IN A YEAR OR TWO YOU CAN REALLY SEE PROGRESS.

THANKS AND GIVING

2011-09-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

No...it's not time for the turkey to appear yet but rather this post is about the two words that make up the holiday we celebrate in November: Thanks and Giving.

There is a pile of rocks in my backyard today. It is not this pile of rocks you see here but you get the idea. Today, around 9 AM my daughter and her husband surprised us with the delivery of a pile of gravel. We were told to be at home at this time of the day; at least one of us. I had to take the two dogs to the groomer so B stayed at home for "the delivery". It was a surprise what was being delivered so we had no idea what to expect, although we had an idea that it just might be gravel. You see...I had been complaining.

I know...hard for those of you who know me to see me complaining (ha-ha!) but with the new house came a lot of unexpected effort. The first day we arrived at this place I walked out into the back yard and muttered: "What did I get myself into"? Having lived in our previous home for over 37 years gave me lots of time to play in the yard; lots of time to change things and rearrange things that didn't work. And it was fun. I picked out fruit trees (the peaches we picked last year for the first time ever were fantastic!), ground covers, vegetables, etc. I moved rocks, planted grass, planted memorial trees and bushes for beloved animals that had passed. I planted a weeping cherry when our Standard Poodle, Misty, died suddenly on Easter Sunday right in our living room. Those things are hard to leave. I could walk around and look at every plant and associate it with someone or something.

Not here. There was no connection to this place or this land. None whatsoever. But, after hauling five truck loads of plants from our former home to the backyard of this new place, I finally felt that I had a connection with this place. I planted each and every one of the old plants in their new environment. And now when I walk around and water I literally think of each plant that I brought with me. And I do this each and every day. Every plant that I water has a thought that goes along with it in my mind. Each plant reminds me of someone or something.

There is the lilac tree that my Grandmother gave me. There is the baby's breath that Arlene gave me seeds for when her daughter had a baby shower. Iris' have been cut back and planted in a new bed dedicated to just Iris. Most of these were given to me by my Grandmother but some of them were given to me by my friend Gay who now lives in Santa Cruz and has actually Fed Ex'd me Iris plants when she is dividing. Obviously the Iris thrive on the coast where they are bathed in moisture most days. Here, they really struggle and need constant watering in order to look good in the Spring. I can see my Peonies planted all in a row; gifts from my husband and daughters on different birthdays. The Bergenia with it's pink blossoms is doing really well in it's new location close to the fountain in the back. They originally were given to my by my Grandmother as well. The Meyer lemon given to my by my friend Lynne, the rose bush from my sister, the wisteria from my daughter, the azalea given to my by my cousin, and on and on.

My Grandmother had quite the green thumb. I guess it skips a generation because my Mother does not have this capability and barely knows one plant from another. Not her fault though. I assign no judgment there. Some people just "have" it. I think that I was born with it. I have always been interested in plants.

When I was in high school we lived on the top of a hillside where the backyard was just a very steep sloping section of land that was always filled with grasses and weeds. For punishment we would get assigned to pulling the weeds on the hillside. The joke was actually on them because I never felt it was punishment. I loved pulling weeds and still do to this day.

So, arriving at this new place and seeing the backyard in such a mess (and filled with weeds no less) sent me on a mission. I got out my asparagus tool, sat down on my behind, and began to dig weeds. And dig, and dig...! Finally, there were no remaining weeds but there was something else that was more worrisome to me and that was RED DIRT! It is everywhere now, thanks to my diligence in digging weeds. And have you ever seen two white dogs after they have been chasing each other out in RED DIRT? Not a pretty sight. They look more like pink dogs most of the time.

So, this gift of gravel...this very kind gesture from my daughter and her husband...is something so special to me that I can barely express the depth of the thanks that I feel. They are such giving young people who out of the kindness of their hearts (and being as perceptive to their surroundings and other's) decided to order a dump truck load of gravel to be delivered to our house this morning at 9 AM. What a treat! What a joy to behold.

B and I spent most of the day shoveling load after load of gravel into a wheel barrow and moving it from the "hill" of gravel to it's final resting place. And we haven't even finished. Maybe tomorrow I will be able to photograph the new gravel walks, looking all pristine and clean next to all my favorite plants. Now, when I walk through my yard, hand-watering my plants as I always do, I will think of my daughter and her husband. And their kindness and generosity. And I will give thanks. For them and for the gift that they bestowed upon me.

SIMPLICITY AND BEAUTY

2011-09-12T21:55:00.000-07:00

"SIMPLICITY IS THE ULTIMATE SOPHISTICATION"

Leonardo da Vinci

"IF YOU TRULY LOVE NATURE, YOU WILL FIND BEAUTY EVERYWHERE."

Vincent van Gogh

This gorgeous felted scarf/shawl is hand-made by an acquaintance of mine. Joan and I first met each other years ago when we were taking quilting classes. We took many classes together in those days. Time passed, I went on to college and got my degree in art and wasn't quilting much. Joan went on and took other exciting classes, felting being one of them. She has her beautiful pieces of wearable art for sale at the Gallery located at High Hand Nursery. What an inspiration she is to continue learning and growing. And finding beauty in everything. And everywhere.

RELAXATION

2011-09-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Some relaxing images from a recent garden tour in Colfax, California. Wheelchairs were optional!

Enjoy your weekends, everyone. And be fire-safe. Fire warnings are in effect.

TODAY

2011-09-04T21:24:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke to the most beautiful sky. There was a feeling that something had changed; something imperceptible yet I sensed that something was different. The sky was filled with clouds that moved slowly across the sky and there was a cool breeze in the air. Overnight, things had changed and I was a witness to that change.

I have been meditating now for almost a year. I have to admit that some days I don't do it at all because I let something get in the way of it. If I am to be successful at the transformation that I am desiring, I need to practice it every day. According to Deepak Chopra, "the spiritual path delivers everything; it can resolve all conflicts....Spiritual unfoldment is delicate. It can't be reached when your mind is too agitated or your attention overwhelmed by stress or other outside pressures. "

I've also been attending a woman's book group weekly. We support each other and encourage each other on our journey through life. We usually pick a book that has a message in it and something that we feel we could all benefit from. The book we are reading currently is "The Shadow Effect". On page 76 of said book I found something that resonated with me. It is this: "As you get closer to your true self, you begin to sense that you are part of everything. Boundaries soften and disappear. There's a blissful feeling of merging."

Since the shadow is a "thing of denial, resistance, hidden fears, and repressed hopes" these things will gradually start to disappear if you are achieving what you desire on your spiritual path with meditation. Instead of denial, resistance, hidden fears, and repressed hopes, one should be experiencing these instead:

Life becomes easier, losing its struggle.

You feel and act more spontaneous.

The world no longer brings negative reflections.

Your desires are fulfilled more easily.

You find happiness in the simplicity of existence. Being here is enough.

You gain in self-awareness, knowing who you really are.

You feel included in the wholeness of life. (Page 78)

Just recently I have realized that it important for me to move past my expectations of other people in my past. In the past, I have tried to make things right, apologize, send gifts to compensate for my lack of apparent understanding, and just plain wondered "why". Perhaps there is no real answer to my question and if there was, it has fallen on deaf ears and now has become a moot point. This is fine. I am happy with who I am and I see that my spiritual work and path is leading me on a much different journey. Sometimes we move beyond others. I know who I really am and I feel myself becoming part of the whole. I feel no reason to assign blame any longer and only send light and love. That is all that I can do. That is all that I need to do.

I am happy that I have taught my daughters well and that we have an open dialogue. We can speak the truth to each other and I can apologize for any past mistakes I might have made in raising them. They understand and forgive me and we move on. I have taught my daughters how to be polite and considerate of others. I have taught them to be honest and forthright. I have shown them love and compassion and would never say or do anything (knowingly) to embarrass them. And I know that this will only transfer through them to my two granddaughters. I am aware of my shadow but knowing it helps me see what is right about me also. And the great thing is that they don't have to assign blame either. They are loving, wonderful daughters who display these qualities to everyone. They do "the right thing". And it pleases me greatly.

"Life----meaning your life and mine---transcends any win-or-lose orientation. Wholeness goes beyond simplistic cause-and-effect explanations. In the web of relationship, you function in a much larger context. Once you see yourself as part of the whole, a new understanding arises. There is no need to label yourself or anyone else as part of the good-versus-evil, right-versus-wrong drama. You can exchange judgment for the real experience of compassion, love and forgiveness. That is the healing that comes with being whole." (page53)

THE TRUE SELF

2011-09-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

It's no wonder that when I walk into a beautiful nursery or landscaped yard that I feel at peace. All of my life I have been curious and transformed by plants and nature. I always wanted to take a horticulture class when I was in high school but in those days classes like that didn't exist for me. I was prompted to take college prep courses and also all the classes that would lead to a job (ie: typing, shorthand, etc.). None of those classes meant anything to me. And it didn't matter how long I studied Algebra, it was never going to fulfill my true self.

Last week my granddaughter asked me if we could go to the place with the fish. I realized that she meant High Hand Nursery. Natalie loves this place as well as the rest of us. It evokes a feeling of calm when you arrive. You feel as though you have been transported to another place when you go inside the gates and begin wandering around. Natalie loves the Koi pond and enjoys feeding them when she is there. They actually let you touch their heads when you reach down to give them food.

Baby Mae wasn't as impressed with High Hand as Natalie was but then again, she needs her rest in order to grow. Don't you just love those leggings she has on? This is one case in which it doesn't matter if the legs are a bit chubby to look good in leggings. Anything on a baby always looks just perfect in my opinion.

Maples galore!

"The most visible joy can only reveal itself to us when we've transformed it, within."

Rainier Maria Rilke

I feel at peace in this garden. I imagine that is why it is so successful. In addition to the garden there is an area that houses an art gallery with many works of art in many media. I feel content when I leave this nursery because it feeds my soul. It gives me inspiration for my own garden. And out of the mouths of babes came this comment from Natalie: "This place makes me feel relaxed". Indeed! I hope that she realizes her true calling in life and pursues it.

According to Paul Ferrini in his book "Embracing Our True Self" "Your gift is what you do well without great effort. It comes naturally to you. You enjoy cultivating and giving your gift and others appreciate receiving it." (Page 43) He also says this: "If you want to find your purpose, be clear on what your purpose isn't and refrain from pursuing that direction". (P.44)

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE

2011-08-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

I think that there is a human inside there somewhere!

Rudy can sleep anywhere, any time. Just look at how he has managed to take a nap with B in this contorted position! Rudy is our adopted guy. We got him on Christmas Eve, hence the name Rudy (besides my grandfather's nick-name was Rudy also so it seemed apropos.)

Rudy is one of those dogs that just fit right in the moment we saw him. We drove all the way to San Mateo to adopt him. We found him on-line. He originally was in a "kill shelter" until he was picked up by "Dogs Needs Homes Too" and Laura. She cleans them up, gives them shots, and brings them from southern California to northern California for adoption functions. It still amazes me that out of all the white fluffy dogs that were sitting in cages barking and crying LOUDLY that we managed to pick Rudy. We just knew he was "the one" the moment we looked at him. We did walk one other little fluffy white one but somehow he just wasn't "it". And I'm not sure how you know it with just a "test run" around the store. But we did.

Now, he is a permanent fixture in our home and our lives. He, along with our other dog Bodhi, go everywhere we go. And I really mean everywhere. We hardly ever leave them at home alone because we love having them with us. They enhance our lives. When we get our shoes on to go for a walk, the dogs start squeaking and jumping in the air because they know we are going for a walk. When the clock says that it's time for their dinner, they start pacing the floor waiting for their treats. Is it just Pavlov's dog or do they really know? I think they really know. And, do you know that when dogs come on TV, either in a show or on a commercial, that they run up to the TV and start crying because they want to play? Incredible, smart dogs.

Dogs really enhance your life. They offer so much in return for so little. Just give them love, attention, exercise and food and they are your's forever. I'm glad about that. And they offer countless opportunities for photo ops! There really is a person inside. I'm convinced of that.

FAMILY

2011-08-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

OK...I started out trying to find something today. That lead me to opening box after box, looking inside every room, every closet, even the garage. I was able to find a few things that I wasn't looking for however.

I found Halloween decorations in the garage and labeled them so that when October rolls around I will be able to just head to the garage and look for the box clearly marked "Halloween". There! That was easy. It only took me hours and hours. And what was I searching for in the first place? Oh yeah...a couple of rocks. Special rocks however. Some crystals, both quartz and amethyst. A malachite too. But, after all the looking I still have not put my fingers on them. They are being really elusive. For some reason, I am not meant to find them right now. They will appear when the time is right though. I know this to be true of other things that "go missing".

But, the search did uncover this photo. That is my sister on the left, me on the right, and we're sandwiching my two boy cousins in the middle. I still remember when that was taken. We were sitting in my Aunt's living room. We were there for a visit. The date was March 20, 1958. I was 8 years old. (Well, not exactly...I would turn 8 in April).

Check out those hair-dos! Do you think our bangs could have been any shorter? And my cousin's hair: flat top! Remember flat tops? And Brylcreem to spike it up?

"Brylcreem..a little dab'll do ya. Brylcreem... you'll look so debonair. Brylcreem...the gals will all pursue ya...they'll love to get their fingers in your hair".

Boy...talk about a flash-back. Am I the only one that remembers jingles from TV commercials? They were so catchy in the 50's.

Anyway...it brings back memories that I have of my cousins. My father had just died a few months before this (the end of 1957). Kids are so resilient, aren't they! We look like we were fine. Were we? I'm not sure. Today, when I look back to that time, I think if it was to happen to a child in this day and age, the child would be seeing a therapist. Not so for us. We just put one foot in front of the other and acted like everything was the same. And in many ways, it still was.

We still had family to spend time with. We still had each other. And we had childhood. Thank god for childhood. Things happen so quickly, you barely have time to notice. You're at school. You're at home playing outside. You're thinking about boys (oh those childhood crushes...they were so real, weren't they!)

I sent a copy of this to my cousin tonight. He is 59 now. Has two boys of his own now. I think he is a long way away from becoming a grandfather. His father is no longer living either. But, fortunately for him, he had him most of his life. I didn't know at the time that I really missed my father. It was not until I became a mother that I realized how much a father really means to a child.

Thank god I had some cousins to share my childhood with. I learned to ride a "two-wheeler" at this cousin's house. I played up in the attic with the train set at this cousin's house. We had Thanksgiving dinner here, we played 33's on the record player, we made memories. Thank god I don't have those bangs though! Or those giant teeth!

THROUGH A CHILD'S EYE

2011-08-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

"A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood. If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantment's of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial from the sources of our strength."

----Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder

Feeling Good, Nina Simone

2011-08-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

I saw this posted on my friend Sunny's Facebook account. I love this song so...thanks Sunny! I'm passing it on. AND I'M FEELING GOOD TOO!

"This was done for a motion graphics class in the SVA MFA Design program. The assignment was to create a music video using just type and typographic elements." (Sunny via Facebook)

MAGPIE TALES

2011-08-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

I find myself gummed up,

sticky with the remnants

of what I thought was

something.

I try to uncross my arms,

criss-crossed with the

litter of you--

nothing.

Superfluous, empty,

hollow to the core.

I'm wizened, weak,

left trying to cover up

what remains

with white paint.

I used primer, two coats,

still a distant shadow

remains.

Something?

TRANQUILITY

2011-08-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

"WHEN WE ARE UNABLE TO FIND TRANQUILITY WITHIN OURSELVES, IT IS USELESS TO SEEK IT ELSEWHERE."

Francios de La Rochefoucauld

I used to think that I needed peace and quiet (mostly quiet) to be able to find tranquility. I used to live in a place where you never heard traffic whizzing by late at night or saw headlights flashing on the walls and ceiling as they went by. I used to think that peace came from somewhere outside of me and that if I was quiet enough and still enough that I would find it within me. How wrong I was!

Since moving to our new house, I have learned that a person can block outside distractions. I don't think that there are many moments in my day where I don't hear the noise of a car, a dog barking, children laughing, or other outside sounds. Those sounds used to bother me more than they do now. What I have learned recently (and since our move) is that there are just different levels of noise. In our former home we heard nothing but birds, crickets, frogs and an occasional dog barking or car. But they were still sounds, right? How does one categorize sound?

In our new home we have another sound that has since become something that I look forward to: the sound of the train. The train is not in my backyard but more like a few miles away. In our former home we could occasionally hear the distant sound of a train if the wind was blowing in our direction or the evening was extremely still. Here, at our new home, I have the luxury of hearing the sound of the train in the distance. In the evening when I sit out on the porch, it is comforting to hear the train whistle blowing. You can hear the sound of the wheels as they move up or down the tracks. There is a distinct humming that the wheels produce as they roll along the tracks. The sound of the train is comforting to me now. It is a sound in which I have found tranquility.

Did I ever think this would happen? No, absolutely not. Yet, the sound of the train now affords me a vision. When I hear the train whistle in the evening or early morning, it reminds me of the possibilities in life. I think of all the new places that the train can visit. I think of all the new people that the train can visit. These trains have become a metaphor for my new life here in a new house and in a new town. I don't have to follow the same tracks that I always have and expect the same results.

I have left some people behind that chose not to travel on this path with me. I feel like I have moved at a faster pace than them but that is neither right or wrong. We have just chosen to take a different train. I am trying to look at each new day as an adventure and as a chance to make a new and different choice. I used to hear the whistle blowing so very far away. Now, it is closer.

I am finding tranquility in places I never expected to find it and that is both eye-opening and astonishing to me at the same time. I feel blessed to be able to experience new and wonderful things along the way. Life is a journey and I am happy that I am along for the ride. And I'm happy that I have learned to slow down a bit and enjoy that ride.

PICKLES ALA PISHNY

2011-08-13T08:13:00.001-07:00

Photo is from Julie Pishny's blog "Prairie Thistle"

Blogs are such great inspiration. You can type in anything you want and find it; food, jewelry, photography, art, poetry...you name it.

I found Julie Pishny once by searching ETSY, where she makes jewelry and has an account there. I have even purchased some jewelry from her and will probably continue to do so because I love what she makes.

This month, Julie posted a pickle recipe that I just had to try. So, last week, after picking fresh cucumbers from my garden for the first time (first time this season AND first time this year in the new house) I had the required amount (3 pounds) to make the recipe.

This recipe was so easy! And it was SO good. The hardest part was slicing the cucumbers ever-so-thin because I can't find my mandolin since the move (!) but...if you want a great bread and butter pickle recipe with little effort that keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, give this one a try. You won't be sorry that you did. The hardest part will be the 2 hours you have to wait for the "cukes" to sit in an icy-cold brine of canning salt, water and ice cubes. But, while you're waiting for the clock, you can go out and water the garden and maybe pick more cucumbers.

Give this recipe a try. I think that you will be glad that you did. And Julie: thanks for posting it. Now...where's my mandolin???

LIFE IN THE "FAST" LANE

2011-08-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

"THE RICHNESS I ACHIEVE COMES FROM NATURE, THE SOURCE OF MY INSPIRATION."

----Claude Monet

Yesterday, I went for a walk around the pond. It's incredible what you can see if you take the time to look around; the dragonflies circling the water and landing on a cattail; a butterfly gently resting on a blade of grass. In addition to the small things that I noticed, I also noticed the ducks and the geese.

The ducks and the geese are a constant pleasure to many young (and old) people who walk in the park. They do make a mess on the sidewalks occasionally when flocking toward people who come with bags of scraps to feed them. I suppose there should be a sign for them which reads: "keep on the grass" but they don't know the difference.

Last week a meeting was held to determine what to "do" about the ducks and the geese. I hear that it was decided in a vote 3-5 to relocate them all except the Canadian Geese (which should theoretically be back in Canada at this time of the year).

I didn't attend the meeting but I wish that I had. I didn't know anything about it until it was over and decided. I would like to know where they plan to relocate them and what exactly was the problem in the first place? Too many? Too messy? Too much time spent cleaning up after them (pond water and sidewalks)? With all the budget cuts that pervade our society now, who or what will be next?

It makes me wonder about people and what they value. And I hope that wherever the ducks and geese find a new home (here's hoping that they really do get relocated and not destroyed!) they will be happy. I will miss the sounds and the sights of what they contributed to the ecosystem of the pond. Will I begin to notice smaller things starting to deteriorate too? I hope not.

P.S.---I just found this article on Channel 13 News.

BABY'S BREATH

2011-08-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

On June 5th my friend Arlene had a shower for her daughter Christie. As part of the table setting, she had beautiful bags filled with tiny seeds of Baby's Breath (Gypsophila). Enclosed in the beautiful bag was a small piece of paper on which was printed these words:

A BABY IS BLOOMING

PLANT THESE SEEDS

AND WATCH THEM BLOOM

JUST LIKE THE "BABY"

WHO WILL BE ARRIVING SOON.

SO I DID. THAT VERY SAME DAY.

The baby arrived on July 18th and this is a photo of the plant that very same day. I thought that it was incredible that the same day as the baby was born and took his first breath, the plant pushed out a few flowers on the end of the stems and took their first breath too.

Here is a photo of the plant in full bloom now. It continues to grow and bloom and every day when I go out to water, I look at this plant and think of that adorable baby. I never fail to think of the baby each and every day. Plants do that, don't they! They remind us of the person who has given them to us. Every plant in my garden has a meaning and a special "source".

Welcome to this world Blake Robert Lamb Chancellor born July 18, 2011

SWEET BABY!

LONE CROW

2011-08-04T06:41:00.001-07:00

Today, I sit here at my computer feeling a bit out-of-sorts; a little blurry sometimes. Beth over at "Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Taken" wrote a post a couple of days ago (look at her archives) regarding when it's not all pretty. She expressed how she felt about a family matter and that she could put up images and "pretend" that things are going well for her right now but that wouldn't be the reality of what was really going on with her at the present time. We all have this fear of not posting our real feelings because we feel that no one wants to read "the bad stuff" and that they will go away.

I feel that exact way right now. Things are a little bumpy right now for me. I have been having some health issues related to my diabetes. Hopefully, its just a minor bump in the road and it will straighten itself out with my help but when it comes to your health or your family, you are really drawn in and hunker down for safety. At least I do. I tend to withdraw and focus. I guess it is that ruminating that helps me get over the hurdle and re-group.

Today, I woke up to a cool breeze and the trees swaying a bit outside my window. It was a pleasant surprise but still I feel a bit out of focus; a bit like the photo of the crow above---perched high above, watching from afar. Dreams during the night seemed to point the way to a resolution but sadly, they are only in my dreams. At least the resolution in my dream was in my favor and that is all I really have anyway, right? After all, it is all my perception that colors my behavior and thoughts.

Reading the book "The Shadow Effect" has me thinking in terms of what I can do to let go of things that I cannot change. According to the book (page 44) "the process begins by acknowledging your feelings, however unwanted, and bringing them to the surface." "So, consider any negative reaction as though it were like an allergy or the flu, something that changes your situation for the moment only. An allergy is yours, but it isn't you. The flu brings misery, but that doesn't mean you are doomed to be a miserable person."

There are statements that are offered that work toward detachment. A few that I like are these:

"I can get through this. It won't last forever."

"I've felt this way before. I can deal with it."

"I'm not alone. I can call someone to help me through this bad patch."

In this case (mine specifically), "calling" means writing on our blogs. Beth says it so eloquently in her post today where she expresses her feelings about the blog world and how everyone reaches out to her. "When it's not all pretty" doesn't have to be forever. It won't last forever but it feels like it will when you're smack dab in the middle of it. Remembering that I've felt this way before and that I can deal with it helps me to hold on to the fact that I know what to do about this and if something new comes up, I have avenues of escape; of help. Phone calls, a doctor visit, classes available, book groups to discuss things with, blogging. It all helps. It is all available to me.

If it is true that I am part of the collective unconscious and "see that [I] you are participating in a shared self, you can also see that every impulse of anger, fear, resentment, and aggression leads directly from you to the collective unconscious and back again." Breaking these cycles seems imperative and at the very least important enough to recognize and work on.

Thanks, Beth, for being brave enough to share your feelings. We are all in this together: this world, this blog world, this consciousness, this life. I truly believe that we are all One. I'm wondering if the word entropy can be employed here to help define what we do and how we react. That will be on my research list next.

"Every emotion is valid in some way or another. But when you add the ingredient of self-judgement, any emotion can be damaging. Love has destroyed lives when it was misplaced, warped, or rejected." (page 47)

OCEAN IMAGES

2011-08-02T07:28:00.000-07:00

IMAGES FROM BANDON, OREGON

GOLF AND LABYRINTH

2011-07-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

At lunch we met a nice young man and his two young sons and surprisingly, his parents live only about 30 miles from us in Grass Valley. Had we not engaged him in conversation, we would not have known where to go at Bandon Dunes Golf course to get the best view. We could not see the ocean that day but it is over the hill at the top of this photo.

Bandon Dunes began in 1999 and was designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd. The course is perched on a bluff high about the Pacific Ocean and is completely natural and routed through an indigenous environment. No carts...4 courses...the game of golf in its truest form.

The young man we met drew us a map and told us to try and see the labyrinth. We drove around and around and finally got out and asked someone for help in finding it. It was very well hidden in the forest and if we had not asked for directions, we never would have found it. These cottages are on the edge of the forest and a path leads to the labyrinth.

We followed the sign that pointed the way

past a lily pond

and came upon these rocks in the middle of the forest.

There, in the middle of a clearing, we found the labyrinth and walked it. The sign said this about the labyrinth:

THE LABYRINTH IS A METAPHOR FOR OUR JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE. ITS PATH LEADS TOWARD AN INNER LIGHT, TO THE CENTER OF OUR SELF AND THE CENTER OF THE SACRED; ONE AND THE SAME. ITS DIRECTION, AT TIMES, IS CONFUSING, TAKING US AROUND, AND THEN BACK AGAIN. YET, IT IS THROUGH THIS CIRCULAR JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY AND GROWTH THAT WE RECONNECT TO WHERE WE ONCE BEGAN.

This labyrinth is in memory of Howard McKee, whose own journey through the labyrinth contributed to the vision and experience that is Bandon Dunes. This is a replica of the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral, France Dated 1194-1220

Here you see Uncle Joel, Auntie April, Mae and cousin Natalie.

Natalie and her Mommy with Kahlua bundled up in her coat.

We headed back to camp and had one more day left on our trip. Tomorrow: the lighthouse.

TRIP CONTINUED AND THE HIKE FROM HELL

2011-07-29T15:19:00.001-07:00

It started out innocently enough. There were words like: isn't that beautiful; look at that flower; it is only 1.25 miles to the ocean; it's not too late to walk, is it?

Then, the sand began appearing below our feet. Sand was everywhere. We saw plants trying to hold the sand back from encroaching toward the campground. Hills of sand. Sand dunes to be exact. Then I started hearing words like: this is like walking in the desert; this is really hard to walk in; walk along the edges---it is a little easier; I don't think this sand will ever end; but we're too far and almost to the ocean to turn around NOW.
Then, the ocean. Do you see that dune over to the left? Before we crossed over it and started walking south on the beach toward another trail (please!) I heard B in his most distressed voice say: I don't think this is a very good idea. I kept thinking: let's walk toward people not away from them because darkness was fast approaching...
and the wind must have been blowing 40 MPH, I swear. I have never seen the sand being picked up by the wind and literally sand blasting objects before. Your face tingled because of it as well as your legs and the rest of your body. It was a good thing we were heading away from the direction the wind was coming. At least it was at our backs.

We finally found another trail that we spotted because we saw a kite flying "in this wind?" But, yes, someone just over the dune was flying a kite at the parking area. We ended up climbing back over the dune and heading back to the campground. It took us probably another 1.25 miles before we landed back in our campground...before the sun went down and on a paved, level path. And we had the baby with us too! Fortunately in a front pack and covered by a blanket. Always be prepared when heading off on an unknown trail that looks innocent.

At least we will have things to talk about forever regarding this hike. We will laugh when we think of this 6 foot (plus) person in his red sweatshirt, standing at the top of the dune looking out toward the violent ocean and empty beach saying: I don't think this was a very good idea. Too late now B. We're not walking back through that again. Ever!

And so it was! We took our vehicles every time we wanted to go to the ocean from that point on. We learned our lesson.

I Believe She's Amazing Flash Mob - Toronto Eaton Centre

2011-07-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

A flash mob dance video was organized by Kim MacGregor. Kim created this as a tribute to her friend Erika Heller who died of color cancer last year at the age of 31. Each and every telephone conversation they ever had, Erika would end by telling Kim "you're an amazing woman". Kim wanted to do something special to honor her friend and this is the result. It was filmed at Toronto Easton Center after only one 6-hour rehearsal. Kim's goal is to reach 1,000,000 viewers. This was forwarded to me by a wonderful woman in my woman's group book club. We have been talking about raising group consciousness. Well here you go! I hope you view it and enjoy it. It brought a tear to my eye and put a lump in my throat. Perhaps it will do the same for you.

DAY TWO----PART TWO

2011-07-27T23:26:00.000-07:00

We visited family outside of Klamath Falls, Oregon who live in a resort area known as Running Y. Their home is absolutely beautiful and sits on the 6th hole of the golf course. This is the sign that you see as you walk up to their courtyard. Their dog, Robbie (as in Robert Burns) is the appointed watch dog. I wonder if that is (Black) Watch Dog?

Here is the front courtyard. If you click on the picture and enlarge it you will see our dog, Rudy looking at you from the gate. He played with Robbie on the patio until we went for a walk. After the walk he was so hot that he jumped into the water dish to cool off. I never laughed so hard!

Here is Joel, his golf partner, and his Dad (in blue on the left) at the 6th hole right behind the house. Janet and Bob have the most wonderful, peaceful home and sitting on the back deck was like being in heaven. It was quiet, birds were visiting, the sun was shining and the temperature was in the 70's. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Apparently, it was par for the course (just a little joke there) as Janet says the temperature doesn't get much higher than that during the summer months.

This is Joel's Dad Robert (we call him Buzz) holding Mae. It was the first time he had seen his granddaughter and I think that it was love at first sight. You can see Buzz's painting in the background.

Here is a close-up of his painting for you to see. It is a water color painting of a frog in water. Click to enlarge the photo to really appreciate it.

"TO SEND LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS OF MEN'S HEARTS------SUCH IS THE DUTY OF THE ARTIST"

Robert A. Schumann

LAKE OF THE WOODS---DAY TWO

2011-07-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

"SEE HOW NATURE-----TREES, FLOWERS, GRASS-----GROWS IN SILENCE; SEE THE STARS, THE MOON AND THE SUN, HOW THEY MOVE IN SILENCE. WE NEED SILENCE TO BE ABLE TO TOUCH SOULS."

MOTHER TERESA

APPRECIATION FOR ALL THINGS

2011-07-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

SUTTER BUTTES FROM CAR WINDOW

FIRST VIEW OF MT. SHASTA AS WE DRIVE NORTH

THE BEAUTY UNFOLDS BEFORE US

THE NORTH SIDE OF MT. SHASTA FROM HIGHWAY 97

HEADING TOWARD KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON

OUR FINAL DESTINATION ON THE FIRST DAY----LAKE OF THE WOODS WITH MT. MC LAUGHLIN IN THE BACKGROUND---ELEVATION 9435 FT.

JOEL AND MAE WAITING FOR THE BOAT TO ARRIVE

"IT IS NOT SO MUCH FOR ITS BEAUTY THAT THE FOREST MAKES A CLAIM UPON MEN'S HEARTS, AS FOR THAT SUBTLE SOMETHING, THAT QUALITY OF AIR, THAT EMANATION FROM OLD TREES, THAT SO WONDERFULLY CHANGES AND RENEWS A WEARY SPIRIT."

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

POSTING

2011-07-26T00:18:00.000-07:00

It's really late...a bit after midnight...but I wanted to check in before falling off to sleep. We have been gone for almost a week without internet. I thought I would go crazy but it was not too bad. I did take my camera with me though and will have some photos to post tomorrow that hopefully turned out alright. From what I could tell by just looking through the small space on the camera while previewing, most of them turned out pretty good. You just never know until you download them and see them on the "big screen".

So, until tomorrow...sleep tight and have sweet dreams. The weather is perfect for sleeping right now. I would say "don't let the bed bugs bite" but that's a reality that no one really wants to hear right now. The question is: how do you not let the bed bugs bite? You'd think working with bugs at the Ag Department, I would know this. I'm deferring this question to my go-to girl, Rene. Rene? Any answers?? And how the heck are you anyway??

What is Love Bomb?

2011-07-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is why I blog. Yesterday I posted questions about blogging and hoped that I might hear some reasons why YOU blog. Today, Karen at Maggiessecretgarden.blogspot.com posted this which goes EXACTLY with why I blog and the inspiration I find at different places. Check it out and maybe send a Love Bomb to someone you care about. "Imagine all the people...."

BLOGGING

2011-07-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about blogging today. And, I'm wondering how some of you are feeling about blogging also. I have questions such as why do you blog; what are you trying to say with your blog; are you interested in who is reading your blog. These are things that I have been thinking about and so I thought that I would ask you, the people that read my blog, to respond if you want to.

Above, is a copy of a report that Google Analytics makes available to me. (Click to enlarge) I have had it "in the background" for a couple of years now. I find it interesting to see where people come from that are looking at my blog. I know there are lots of other people who do this also. I have seen small maps or flags that appear in the sidebars of many other blogs, showing where visitors are coming from.

I find it interesting to see, frankly, where people are coming from. It is really insignificant to me why. I blog because I am interested in other people and their interests. I love seeing an article on art, on poetry, on a wonderful dog that is loved or adopted. I love seeing other people's photos and perspectives; where they live, how they live, what they are doing with their families and time. To me it is like looking through a wonderful magazine only I don't have to buy it at the news stand. It is right there, available to me on my computer. And through the process of having "followers" and also "following" other blogs, I have made some connections that I consider "friends". It's a strange world that we live in but I am finding that we are all so much more alike that I previously thought or knew.

In the above photo I don't know if you can see it or not, but under the word SERVICE PROVIDER it says: PG&E. For those of you not living in the California area and not familiar, PG&E stands for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. It is our local utility provider. I find it odd that someone from PG&E looks at my blog. It makes me wonder what I have written here that is so interesting to someone who should be hard at work providing service to those who have energy needs or questions. Where my daughter works there are strict rules regarding "surfing the web" and "personal emails" on company time. I am not in the work force now (retired) so I am not sure what the "rules" are for other companies. Do any of your work places frown on "surfing the web" on company time? And if so, are you allowed to use company computers for personal business at your lunch hours? I guess I should be flattered that this person (or persons) finds my blog interesting enough to keep checking back year-after-year. Thank you for your patronage. It boosts my morale AND my numbers!

I have people I follow regularly who are listed on my sidebar and some of them are not Google (Blogspot) people. Some of them are Word Press users. I often wonder what the difference is. Is it an easier format? Does Word Press offer something that Google does not? I have noticed that there are some blogs on Word Press that are marked "private". You can see an example if you go to: http://twobecomethree.wordpress.com/ There, it says this: "http://twobecomethree.wordpress.com/ is marked private by its owner. If you were invited to view this site, please log in below." Now, for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would want to have a blog and then mark it "private". That doesn't make any sense to me. Is the point to just journal? If so, why not just write it in a paper journal and keep it by your bed? To me, the whole point in keeping a blog is for feedback. If I wanted just those who were "invited" to see it, why not just call them on the phone and tell them what I felt about stuff rather than having them read it? And, how would I let them know that I had a blog in the first place if it was marked "private"? That whole concept is beyond me. I could just email them the photos I took of my family, of my new house, of the beautiful flowers I saw or the poetry I wrote. Am I the only one that this is lost on?

Anyway, over at thealteredpage.blogspot.com Seth Apter has a post today called: With One Palette" and he also has a survey in his sidebar regarding blogging. One is called "Your Blog Your Way" and the other is a survey about what you do when you go to someones blog regarding commenting or lurking in the background. You can take the survey if you are so inclined.

And some of my other favorites (and reasons I keep going back again and again) are: maggiessecretgarden.blogspot.com where you can find a beautiful picture and recipe for Cherry-lentil salad. And in the same vein a post about Cherry Pie over at 66squarefeet.blogspot.com It's not what you are imagining, I guarantee. Well, maybe. And speaking of feet: go over to M's blog at secretnotebookswildpages.blogspot.com and see a great diagram of some feet and read about Jai Gurudev. I think that you'll be glad that you did! She always has a fresh perspective and always beautiful photography. Brian, over at Way Station One will always impress you (as he does me and many, many followers) with his poetry. Today I see a poem titled: Butterflies with broken wings. It has garnered many, many comments. That wouldn't happen if it was marked "private".

Isn't it incredible how the synchronicity of the blog world happens? We are all connected and I am glad that I have the ability to read all your blogs and that they are not marked "private". I would never have been able to broaden my horizons had that been so. I have always said that it is important to keep learning and growing. The older I get, the more important this becomes. Never stop learning. Never stop searching. Never stop ______________(fill in the blank, including BLOGGING!) I may not have found you yet but I am searching!!

JUST PRACTICING

2011-07-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

THE ROAD HOME

MOON OVER THE PINES

SUCCULENTS IN SHOES

The other day I just became fed up with my camera. It was the third one that I had replacing the first two. It was just sucking up batteries left and right and so I went down to my local Best Buy store and purchased this brand new camera. So far, I am having a good time with it but I have to admit that I am just getting around to playing with it, downloading software so that I can upload the photos to my computer, and reading the manual.

I think that I am going to have a great time with it. I just shot these three photos the other night standing on the front porch and so far, they are turning out pretty good. I have lots more settings to play with and learn but that is half the fun, right? Just give me a little free time (please!) and I will be snapping photos left and right.

In case you are wondering what I purchased, I bought a Canon Rebel T3 digital camera that came complete with a great zoom lens (I have not tried it out yet), camera bag, extra battery, and lens filter. I later found out that Melanie uses the exact same camera. I hope that my photos will one day be as wonderful as hers are. She has really been an inspiration to me. Go check out her blog and see some of the great shots she accomplishes. And funny thing is that I didn't even know what kind of camera she has. I just found out later in the evening after I had already made the purchase. Can't wait really get a chance to try it out.

Hop In The Truck

2011-07-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

Check out this music video that my cousin Gary and his son Kyle helped put together for Keith. I like his sound. This is the first time I have heard him sing but I noticed that he will be playing at a concert in my area come September. I will be there if possible!

MORNING SURPRISE

2011-07-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I went outside to go for my walk and on the way glanced over in an area in my yard that I have not paid the most attention to. It is an area that is filled with different cacti plants and to me...they were just "there". But yesterday! Surprise, surprise!

One of the cactus plants was in full bloom. What a wonderful surprise. I love that about this new place...there is always something new to enjoy. Different seasons bring different plants. These plants seem to enjoy being left alone, just as if they were growing in the desert. I haven't watered them once since we moved here and true to form, they have bloomed lush, pink flowers. There is beauty in everything. We just have to be awake at the right time to find it and see it...really SEE it!

AFTERNOON ABOVE THE HEAT

2011-07-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

These wonderful homes are perched on the shoreline of a small lake close to the town of Dutch Flat, California. We took an afternoon the other day and went up in elevation, above the heat. The homes are built on a private lake and there are no more than ten homes there I would say. But each has that special "something" that you look for in a summer home: screened-in porches, views of the lake, cozy woodsy feeling, and quiet.

And look at the color of this maple tree in the side yard of the house I photographed! Isn't it spectacular? It almost makes you think that it is Autumn because of the copper color.

Then, farther down the road, I saw this home-made fence at the beginning to a private road. I just had to get out and take a picture of it. It is so typical of California Gold Rush era stuff...rustic and filled with items that make you take a second glance. Old shoes, old hats, rusted metal things...and a door to nowhere. Or is it Now here?

The door! At first I just thought: how great...it says "I am the door". But then, when I read farther down I noticed that the scriptures had been referenced. Did the owner carve this in here or did it just come this way? It looks very old with all the peeling paint but that could be from living outside all year long being attacked by the elements. I just thought it was cool when I saw "I am the door". Of course you are. I am the photographer.

EXPLANATION

2011-07-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

This might seem like the oddest post you've ever seen, but in reality it is a very sweet and sensitive post.

It started years ago. This was a "prize" in a cereal box that B opened. Then one day, it ended up in my bedroom or my purse or on top of my pillow. It made me think of B every time I saw it "pop up" in unexpected places. Then it became something that we both did to and for each other. I would hide Thing 2 in places, hoping that B would find it and it would make him think of me.

In the frenzy of the move, Thing 2 got shuffled aside; lost if you will. The other day I was organizing things (once again) but this time doing a deeper clean. I actually opened things up and put things where like things were: paper clips with all other paper clips, scotch tapes all in one location, ribbons in one basket, etc. Every once in awhile I get the urge to really organize. Well, that day I came across Thing 2 stuffed in a box with lots of other small things. It immediately made me think of B and so I took Thing 2 and put him on top of B's wallet, unbeknownst to him.

Yesterday, when I woke up, I happened to glance over toward the bathroom wall and there on this little angel shelf, next to a print that is hanging on the wall, was Thing 2. I can't tell you how such a simple, insignificant little gesture made me feel! Such a simple gesture makes all the difference in the world. I liken it to finding a love note in your lunch box or a quick note dashed off by a friend and mailed to you "just because". It takes just a second to do something that the other person will recognize as a caring gesture but that second can really change your perspective...today and forever.

Take the time to recognize someone that you care about. It doesn't have to be a big gesture or something expensive. It can be just a silly toy from a cereal box that could revolutionize your way of thinking and the ripple effect that it generates could be spectacular. Imagine if everyone in the world just did one simple act of kindness; one little gesture to let that special someone know that they are cared for!

Wake up to the possibilities. And to Thing 2!

FOURTH OF JULY 2011

2011-07-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

RED

WHITE

AND BLUE (BIRD).

BABIES

AND PAPA TOO!

For as long as I can remember, we have been going over to the Auburn Dam Overlook Site to watch the fireworks display on the Fourth of July. Oh sure...there have been a few years when we just didn't want to make the trip over but this year, living so close, it was easy. And it wasn't very crowded either which made it feel nice and mellow.

There were lots of families with their kids; some had come prepared with BBQ'd food, some with glow sticks wound around kids heads, necks and arms. Some played loud music with a beat (ahem!) and some just came with their chairs and sat and watched the show. The fireworks, as usual, weren't the only show going. People-watching can be an awesome event and one that I never seem to get tired of. Ah...the sounds and scents of summer!

I was thinking last night as I watched groups of young girls dressed up "to impress", prancing, preening and flicking their hair with one hand while walking and talking to their friends, about my summers long ago.

Summer was always a time for just "being". We would skate board in the neighborhood (geez I wish I still had that skateboard...it would probably be worth a fortune being one of "the originals!), swim and soak up the sun during the day, and generally think about boys and how tan we were almost every day. Shoes were optional and even if you did choose to wear shoes they were either flip-flops or sandals. Those were carefree days; nothing seemed to matter. The sky didn't get dark until really late, there were smells that seemed to be only associated with summer (suntan lotion, chlorine, sand) and reading was a pass-time that was a luxury. I would sleep in really late and not have a care in the world. All I had to do was get my chores done for the day and I was free to do whatever I wanted with the rest of the entire day.

Summertime holds the same feeling for me today but in a really different way now that I am older. I still like to sleep in but I also feel like the chores I need to get done can wait until I am ready to do them. Retirement has that distinct benefit. Reading still is a luxury however. Somehow I feel guilty about sitting on the chaise or the front porch and just reading. Is that due to years of conditioning regarding schedules at work? Now, there are no obligations that "have" to be accomplished every day yet I find myself imposing restrictions upon myself. There is yard work to be done. But at this age, yard work is a pleasure, not a chore. At what age do you allow yourself to fall back into that child's mentality of not having a care in the world? Ah...to be a child again.

And those bluebirds? They are enjoying the benefits of summer right now too. They are so noisy and ready to leave the nest it seems. Don't be too anxious I say! Before you know it your childhood will be over and you will have to be on your own, fending for yourself. Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until it is gone. Luckily, some of us get a second chance called retirement. Kick off your shoes and go barefoot! You'll be glad that you did!

FREEDOM

2011-07-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

GOLDTHREAD

2011-07-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

CHECK OUT THIS NEW BLOG THAT MELANIE OVER AT SECRET NOTEBOOKS-WILD PAGES HAS DESIGNED FOR GOLDTHREAD. GOLDTHREAD IS A MEDICINAL HERB FARM, APOTHECARY, DISTILLERY, AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS. GO OVER THERE AND CHECK IT OUT. THEY OFFER MANY THINGS, INCLUDING TOURS AND LECTURES. IF I LIVED CLOSER I'D BE THERE IN A HEART-BEAT. CAN YOU IMAGINE ACRES OF WELL-MAINTAINED AND LOVED PLANTS JUST WAITING TO BE HARVESTED FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELFARE? WHAT A DREAM JOB THAT WOULD BE, WORKING ON AN HERBAL FARM LIKE THAT! WHAT INCREDIBLE DHARMA.

THE ART OF FORGIVENESS, LOVINGKINDNESS, AND PEACE

2011-06-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

THERE ARE THOSE WHO DISCOVER THEY CAN LEAVE BEHIND DESTRUCTIVE REACTIONS AND BECOME PATIENT AS THE EARTH, UNMOVED BY FIRES OF ANGER OR FEAR, UNSHAKEN AS A PILLAR, UNPERTURBED AS A CLEAR AND QUIET POOL.

WE CAN DIRECT OUR ACTIONS BUT NOT THEIR FRUITS.

"THE SECRET OF HUMAN FREEDOM IS TO ACT WELL, WITHOUT ATTACHMENT TO THE RESULTS."

Bhagavad Gita

SO, TOO, WE ARE TAUGHT BY THE TAO: THERE IS A TIME FOR BEING AHEAD, A TIME FOR BEING BEHIND; A TIME FOR BEING IN MOTION, A TIME FOR BEING AT REST; A TIME FOR BEING VIGOROUS, A TIME FOR BEING EXHAUSTED; A TIME FOR BEING SAFE, A TIME FOR BEING IN DANGER. THE MASTER SEES THINGS AS THEY ARE, WITHOUT TRYING TO CONTROL THEM. SHE LETS THEM GO THEIR OWN WAY, AND RESIDES AT THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLE.

WHEN LOVE MOVES THROUGH US IT INSPIRES ALL WE DO.

"THE OUTER WORK WILL NEVER BE PUNY IF THE INNER WORK IS GREAT."

Meister Eckhart

WE KNOW THAT LIFE CHANGES UNEXPECTEDLY. THOUGH OUTER EVENTS MAY BE DIFFICULT, THE KEY TO OUR HAPPINESS IS HOW OUR MIND RESPONDS TO THEM.

"MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE THE MIND TO BE A MIRROR, MORE OR LESS ACCURATELY REFLECTING THE WORLD OUTSIDE OF THEM, NOT REALIZING ON THE CONTRARY THAT THE MIND IS ITSELF THE PRINCIPAL ELEMENT OF CREATION."

Rabindranath Tagore

WITH EQUANIMITY WE CAN SEE CLEARLY.

"WE CAN MAKE OUR MINDS SO LIKE STILL WATER THAT BEINGS GATHER AROUND US, THAT THEY MAY SEE THEIR OWN IMAGES, AND SO LIVE A MOMENT WITH A CLEARER PERHAPS EVEN A FIERCER LIFE BECAUSE OF OUR QUIET."

William Butler Yeats

All of the following words are from a book by Jack Kornfield with the above title. "This simple book was written in the summer of 2001, shortly before the tragic events of terrorism and war swept another wave of violence over the world."

From page 80:

OUR TIME IS TOO PRECIOUS NOT TO LOVE.

~KNOWING LIFE IS SHORT,

HOW CAN WE QUARREL?

Buddha

CAN WE FOLLOW THE WORDS OF BUDDHA, YOU AND I?

HANGING BY A THREAD

2011-06-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

"THE ART OF LIVING...IS NEITHER CARELESS DRIFTING ON THE ONE HAND NOR FEARFUL CLINGING TO THE PAST ON THE OTHER. IT CONSISTS IN BEING SENSITIVE TO EACH MOMENT, IN REGARDING IT AS UTTERLY NEW AND UNIQUE, IN HAVING THE MIND OPEN AND WHOLLY RECEPTIVE."

Alan Watts

OPPORTUNITY

2011-06-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

RELEASE OTHERS TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IS MEANINGFUL TO THEM AND FREE YOURSELF TO CREATE WHAT IS MEANINGFUL TO YOU.

Don't these words, forwarded to me yesterday by my daughter April from a friend's Facebook page, say it all? I have recently just started to understand the true impact of these words. "Meaningful to them"----"Release"-----"Free yourself"-----"Meaningful to you". These words ring so true to me at this time in my life. So powerful.

This past weekend was such a busy, busy weekend. There was a huge BBQ at my sister's on Saturday, filled with family, friends, and fire department personnel, some that I have never met. We got to meet and talk with the couple who purchased our home, since they live right next door to my sister and were invited to be part of the party. There is just something so warm and inviting about the two of them. Kindred spirits to be sure.

We were asked to walk around "our" house and explain the names of plants to them and then also to take a tour of the house. They say that you can't go back but for me, it was all of the above quotes. It was a time to realize that I had to release my old house, free myself and realize what is meaningful to them and what is meaningful to me. It was a good opportunity to put these words into practice. I know that I have made two new friends in them in the process and appreciate so very much how much they love our house and the spirit that it was built by and lived.

The above photos are of two necklaces. The first one, the most important one, was hand-made by my friend Arlene for my birthday in April. It came complete with a list of gemstones and their meanings. A lot of thought went into making that necklace for me. There are stones that represent "what is meaningful to me" as well as a cluster of hearts for the obvious reasons.

I have posted about Arlene before on my blog. Saturday night she celebrated her 60th birthday (her birthday was on June 26th) at P.F. Chang's with about 12 other people, mostly family but a few of her friends were invited too. B and I felt very honored to be included in that group on Saturday night and we wouldn't have missed it for the world. Her daughter, Christie, put the entire evening together with the help of her dad, as a surprise. And Arlene was surprised to be sure. She did very well blowing out candles and opening up presents in a crowded restaurant. I'm not sure I could have done that without feeling like I was the center of attention.

The second photograph is a picture of the necklace that I purchased for Arlene for her birthday. I didn't make it but I bought it at a store, newly opened in Auburn, that focuses on purchasing items that have soul. The name of the store is aptly called "Karma". I felt good about purchasing this piece for her because of that. It was "meaningful to me" and hopefully "meaningful to her".

Summertime brings with it lots of opportunities to spend time doing things with people. In the winter we tend to cluster inside and draw inward. Summer seems to be just the opposite allowing each of us the opportunity to "spread our wings". I love that phrase. It speaks to the part of the above quote to me; the part that says: "free yourself to create". Yes indeed. And fly to the stars and beyond!!!

GET RAD 2 unofficial trailer

2011-06-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

This is my cousin's new surfing video that will be released this summer sometime. He lives in Santa Cruz, California and is becoming quite the avid surfer/producer. Congratulations Kyle!

BABY LOVE

2011-06-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

THERE ARE NO WORDS NEEDED.

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED.

DADDY'S TIE

2011-06-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

THIS PIECE, LOCATED ON MY SIDEBAR, WAS A COLLAGE I MADE YEARS AGO FOR A FATHER'S DAY SHOW IN SACRAMENTO. IT WAS PURCHASED AT THE GALLERY SO I DON'T HAVE IT IN MY POSSESSION ANY LONGER BUT I CAN DESCRIBE IT FOR YOU AND WHAT I INTENDED TO SHOW IN THIS PIECE.

MY FATHER COMMITTED SUICIDE WHEN I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD. TODAY, BEING FATHER'S DAY, MAKES ME THINK OF ALL THE YEARS THAT I HAVE LIVED WITHOUT HIM IN MY LIFE; ALL THE THINGS THAT I HAVE MISSED ABOUT NOT HAVING A FATHER.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO FOCUS ON THAT BECAUSE I FEEL THAT IT WAS HIS LOSS, NOT MINE. HE HAS MISSED MORE THAN I HAVE AND ALL THE THINGS THAT I HAVE ENJOYED ALL MY LIFE, INCLUDING MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

THIS PIECE, IF YOU CLICK ON IT, SHOWS A PHOTO OF MY FATHER AND IN FRONT OF HIM YOU WILL NOTICE A NOOSE. IT IS OBVIOUS WHAT THAT IS ABOUT. THERE ARE ALSO IMAGES OF CEMETERIES, BONES, AND THE ENTIRE PIECE IS MOUNTED ON A PIECE OF PAPER THAT I CUT TO RESEMBLE A TAKE-OUT BOX. THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS ALL THE "LEFTOVERS" IN MY LIFE ASSOCIATED WITH HIS CHOICE TO NO LONGER BE A PART OF IT. THINGS THAT I HAD TO SORT OUT AND DEAL WITH MY ENTIRE LIFE. SOME OF THEM I AM STILL DEALING WITH BUT SOME OF THEM HAVE GONE BY THE WAYSIDE, WORKED OUT AND DISCARDED. AFTER ALL, THEY WERE JUST "LEFTOVERS". LEFTOVERS EVENTUALLY GO BAD AND YOU HAVE TO THROW THEM AWAY.

I SEWED MANY STRIPS OF FABRIC TOGETHER WHICH TO ME REPRESENT THE OBVIOUS PART OF THE TITLE: DADDY'S TIE. BUT IF YOU LOOK FURTHER, SPECIFICALLY AT THE NOOSE, THAT IS THE REAL DEFINITION OF THE TITLE.

IN THE VERY CENTER OF THE COLLAGE IS AN AREA OF BLUE. THIS IS FROM THE BLUE PRINTS OF OUR HOUSE...THE HOUSE THAT MY DAD BUILT FOR US AND WHERE HE TOOK HIS LIFE. IT WAS NECESSARY TO PUT IT IN THE CENTER. IN SO MANY WAYS HE WAS THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES. THEN, IN AN INSTANT, IT WAS OVER. BUT REMAINED AT THE CENTER OF OUR THOUGHTS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

TODAY I THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR FATHERS AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT. FATHERS ARE SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF A CHILD'S LIFE. ALL THOSE SECURE FEELINGS THAT A FATHER PROVIDES, THAT SAFETY, THOSE STRONG ARMS AND ADVICE, ARE NECESSARY TO THE HEALTHY ATTITUDE THAT A CHILD TAKES INTO THE FUTURE IN MY OPINION. IF A FATHER DOESN'T EXIST, THEN A ROLE MODEL NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, I HAD A WONDERFUL GRANDFATHER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. HE WAS MY ROCK.

I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE A HAPPY FATHER'S DAY AND EXPRESS TO YOUR FATHERS HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM. LIFE IS SO SHORT AND WE NEED TO BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT AND APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE IN THIS MOMENT. HAVE NO REGRETS FOR WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE SAID AND DIDN'T AND WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE AND DIDN'T.

AMERICAN RIVER CONFLUENCE FESTIVAL

2011-06-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

THE FESTIVAL INCLUDED MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH WHAT THE RIVER MEANS TO SO MANY, INCLUDING THE FISH THAT SWIM IN THE RIVER,

THE BIRDS OF THE SKY, AND THE ANIMALS OF THE CANYONS.

"BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF OUR AMERICAN RIVER RESOURCES"

THIS WAS THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN RIVER CONFLUENCE FESTIVAL. THE FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY P.A.R.C.----PROTECT AMERICAN RIVER CANYONS. IT IS ALWAYS A FUN DAY AND IT IS ALWAYS A WAY TO CONNECT WITH WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY HERE.

CROSS(ED)-------WIRES--DIFFERENT PATHS

2011-06-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM "THE FORCE OF KINDNESS" BY SHARON SALZBERG

(READ AND DISCUSSED THIS AT MY BOOK CLUB YESTERDAY)

"The Buddha often spoke with a tremendous pragmatism, which is reflective of the force of his compassion. His teaching isn't lofty, abstract, or removed from people; it is very present, very available. To describe the qualities of an ethical life, the Buddha often emphasized the characteristics of a good friend. He spoke about a good friend---a true friend---as being someone who is a helper, who will protect us when we are taken unawares, when we are surprised by life in some way. This person will be a refuge to us when we're afraid. He spoke about a good friend as someone who is constant in our times of happiness and in our times of adversity or sorrow, someone who will not forsake us when we're in trouble. A true friend is someone who will tell us their secrets and will not betray our secrets to others, while also being completely honest with us and warning us if he or she thinks we are heading toward danger."

"The Buddha talked about this kind of friend as being someone who is sympathetic, declaring that this is not a person who will rejoice over our misfortune. A true friend actually takes delight when things are going well for us and when we're happy, rather than being envious or jealous. She or he will try to stop someone when that person is speaking ill of us and will praise those who speak well of us. A good friend exemplifies qualities like generosity and morality and balance. When we have such a friend, we have a gift beyond measure. And not only can we appreciate the true friends we have, we can determine to be a good friend to others---and not just to a precious few we owe a favor to, or only to those whom we lover personally and uniquely.We can determine to approach life as a whole in that way."

"In this light, the Buddha exhorted his students to make their lives count, both for themselves and for the protection of all beings. No matter how one is living---whether alone or in partnership, whether raising children or not, whether mostly in solitude or in a large public forum---it is important to have our lives be an expression of all that we know and all that we care about, In fact, this unity of wisdom and compassion empowers our commitment to an awakened life, one where we can see things clearly and respond skillfully."

AS I READ THIS, IT MADE ME REFLECT ON IF I HAVE BEEN (AND AM) A GOOD FRIEND. HAVE I BEEN THERE IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY OR SORROW? NOT BETRAYED SECRETS TO OTHERS? HAVE I BEEN COMPLETELY HONEST? HAVE I BEEN SYMPATHETIC AND NOT JEALOUS OR ENVIOUS? HAVE I BEEN GENEROUS AND MORAL?

READING THIS REALLY MADE ME TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT MYSELF (AND OTHERS) AND THINK DEEPLY ABOUT THE BUDDHA'S EXHORTING HIS STUDENTS TO MAKE THEIR LIVES COUNT. NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES BUT TOWARD LIVING BEINGS.

TODAY, I AM THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE MYSELF, TO SEE MYSELF (INCLUDING MY FLAWS) AND TO BECOME AWARE. SHARON GOES ON TO SAY:

"The commitment to not harming allows us to be worthy of trust from others---they know they have nothing to fear from us. They know we'll be straight-forward and forthright---they won't have to look for veiled messages and disguised insults. " Amen!

EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE A BOOK COMES ALONG THAT HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD FOR ME. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BOOKS. IT IS NOT A LONG BOOK (97 PAGES COMPLETE WITH A CD OF MEDITATIONS) BUT IT IS A BOOK THAT IS FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH THINGS THAT MAKE YOU SIT UP AND TAKE NOTICE. THE MESSAGES BEG TO BE UNDERLINED BUT THAT WOULD MEAN UNDERLINING THE ENTIRE BOOK BECAUSE IT IS FILLED WITH STUFF TO MULL AROUND.

THE FORCE OF KINDNESS. THE TITLE SAYS IT ALL, DOESN'T IT! IF I HAD NOT LEARNED ENOUGH LIFE LESSONS IN THE PAST, THIS BOOK HAS BEEN THE IMPETUS TO MOVE ME FORWARD JUST A BIT MORE. SURE, I WILL NEVER BE PERFECT. BUT I AM SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT SHE SPEAKS ABOUT. I AM HONEST, SYMPATHETIC, HELPFUL, GENEROUS AND MORAL AND MUCH MORE. I VOW TO CONSTANTLY CHECK IN WITH MYSELF TO SEE THAT I CONTINUE TO GROW AND LEARN. MY COMMITMENT TO AN AWAKENED LIFE.

YESTERDAY'S WALK

2011-06-14T08:05:00.000-07:00

GARDEN SHED

LION HIDING

ROSES ALONG THE WAY

THE NEARBY CREEK

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

WALKS ARE INCREDIBLE THINGS. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I WALKED WITH MY EYES CLOSED? NOW, WITH EYES OPEN, I FIND BEAUTY AROUND EVERY BEND. THE MIRACLES OF LIFE ARE THERE, WAITING TO BE NOTICED. HOW MANY MORE THINGS HAVE I NOT NOTICED BECAUSE I WAS NOT TRULY "LOOKING"?

"TO FIND THE UNIVERSAL ELEMENTS ENOUGH; TO FIND THE AIR AND THE WATER EXHILARATING; TO BE REFRESHED BY A MORNING WALK OR AN EVENING SAUNTER; TO BE THRILLED BY THE STARS AT NIGHT; TO BE ELATED OVER A BIRD'S NEST OR A WILDFLOWER IN SPRING----THESE ARE SOME OF THE REWARDS OF THE SIMPLE LIFE." John Burroughs

SUMMERTIME...

2011-06-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY!!

THE FAMILY MET FOR CRUISE NIGHT IN AUBURN

THE CROWD

WHAT'S CALIFORNIA WITHOUT A COUPLE OF WOODIES?

EVERY CHILD KNOWS MATER, RIGHT?

PROOF THAT WE NEVER REALLY GROW UP

STATUES MADE MY DOCTOR FOX. YOU CAN SEE THESE LOCATED IN MANY PLACES IN AUBURN.

AND A FEW OF THE CARS ALONG THE WAY.

1940

MOTHER, DAUGHTER AND SISTER

2011-06-09T00:31:00.001-07:00

From left to right: mother, daughter, sister.

This is my dear friend Arlene on the far left. I worked with Arlene when I was in my twenties. We went through a lot together, her and I. And now, we have reached common ground again: she is going to be a new grandmother in less than a month. We will share our grandchildren with each other this year.

I am reading a book in my book club now titled: The Force of Kindness" by Sharon Salzberg. This book is filled with many gems but some of them really speak to me in terms of my life, the lives that have gone before me, and what this new life (the life of my new grandchild) means to me.

Sharon writes: "When we see how quickly life just disappears, how even the longest life span is over in a flash, we realize how important it is for us to create the conditions that help us most quickly, most directly, and most strongly move toward true happiness."

She is right. I look back over my life and it feels as though it was just yesterday that I was newly married, that I was building a new house, that I was having twins. Yet, it is over sixty years since I was born. And I still have so much more life inside of me and so much more I want to experience and learn. We are just never sure what our lives have in store for us.

Sharon goes on to say that "...The bravest things we can do, and the beginning of an awakened life---a life suffused with kindness---is to question our assumptions about what we are capable of, what brings us happiness, and what life can be about."

Besides the categories of mother, daughter, and sister (of which I belong to all three) I sometimes forget that there is also ME. "When we forget the complexity of a life, we also forget to look at what is whole in a person---what is intact and vital and generative."

"With the force of kindness, we can look at someone else and see those things as well as his or her pain. This helps us look at ourselves and see those same things within, alongside seeing our own pain."

A new baby puts things into perspective. It certainly awakens one to the possibilities and reminders of what lives we have had and what remains. It's nice to be in the company of all these categories. I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and I am also ME. It is nice to be able to share it with everyone of you.