The Art Gallery

I just committed to being on a tour for Christmas time. The tour is put on every year by the local Artisans Association. This year it will be the 3rd weekend in November.
I wasn't sure I was going to do it, considering the pricey fee to join but then my drumming teacher said he would go in on it with me to show his incredible hand crafted wood bowls.
I will be sure to take some photos of those for the blog. They are spectacular. We thought we would also have a drumming demonstration as he also makes and sells drums. Now I am looking forward to it!

More Poetry of Hafiz

I Have Learned So Much


I
Have
Learned
So much from God
That I can no longer
Call
Myself

A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim,
A Buddhist, a Jew.

The Truth has shared so much of Itself
With me

That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel,
Or even pure
Soul.

Love has
Befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And freed
Me

Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known.

~Hafiz

Sufjan Stevens

I am very excited that Sufjan Stevens is touring.

However. His stop in Vancouver, October 14th is already sold out!!!!

It seems no where else is it sold out. Is it only us Westcoast canadians who love Sufjan?

What about you folks back east? I mean, the name of his albums are Illinoise and Michigan!!

One of my favourite song of his, is "Chicago". Come on, you guys.
Anyway, if anyone can get me tickets to the sold out show in Vancouver, they will have my undying gratitude.

More konichiwa to Lisa and Sayuri

Here are your art projects. Did they make them back to Japan OK?

Konichiwa Sayuri and Lisa!

Thanks girls for coming to say hi on the blog. Here are some more photos of your visit.

We have a picture of each of you on the rope swing. Scotia was too shy to be in the photo so here is one of her feet.

Finger Prints of God

A dear friend emailed this photo to me, flying over Vancouver Island. The accompanying text was "The finger prints of God are everywhere" When I saw this, I immediately thought of the poetry of Hafiz

The Golden Compass

Forget every idea of right and wrong
Any classroom ever taught you



Because
An empty heart, a tormented mind,
Unkindness, jealousy and fear



Are always the testimony
You have been completely fooled!



Turn your back on those
Who would imprison your wondrous spirit
With deceit and lies.



Come, join the honest company
Of the King's beggars -
Those gamblers, scoundrels and divine clowns
And those astonishing fair courtesans
Who need Divine Love every night.



Come, join the courageous
Who have no choice
But to bet their entire world
That indeed,
Indeed, God is Real.



I will lead you into the Circle
Of the Beloved's cunning thieves,
Those playful royal rogues -
The ones you can trust for true guidance -
Who can aid you
In this Blessed Calamity of life.


Hafiz,
Look at the Perfect One
At the Circle's Center:



He Spins and Whirls like a Golden Compass,
Beyond all that is Rational,



To show this dear world



That Everything,
Everything in Existence
Does point to God.

~Hafiz

~*~

Swallow Fledglings

My dear friend Leah has been blessed with a swallows nest in her carport. Believe it or not, there are 4 fledglings in this nest. Wow, its getting crowded. Part of Shamanism is working with Animal Spirits. "We are many.....and will take a moment.........our wisdom will appear to you before we do."

According to the website, Working With Animal Spirits
Swallow's wisdom include: Is closely related to the Thunderbird, Power of communal living, understands the value of family and home, protection, agility and ability to maneuver

You Can Learn From Flowers

Here's some burgeoning plants in my garden. I love combining objects or rocks or my ceramic artwork into the garden.
But truly nothing compares to the bloom itself. I mean, look at them! They are amazing.
Tne aroma of these lilies just about knocks me out. When I am quiet and still enough, I can spend time just staring at them and I feel like I am learning something.
Not verbal. But learning just the same.

Choices

I've noticed that my life is shaped by my choices. All starts in the present moment. That is the point of power. It is is the very present moment that I can consciously choose.......what I say, what to do next, what to refrain from.............
With all sincerity I choose what is most loving for myself and thus others. I have been feeling like I "should" write in my blog/clean the house/make money, yet I have been choosing going to the river with my daughter and soaking up the beauty and swimming, swimming swimming. I've added this one for you, Candy!