Unconditional Love

My son came home to rescue us, and fix our computer. Thanks Hon! (He has been absoulutely indispensible when it comes to our computer.) Looks like our dogs think so too. The bigger spotted one is Courage, a 5 year old Dalmation/Australian Heeler cross.
This sweet little guy is Apache, a 15 year old Sheltie/terrier/Beagle cross. He has gotten into alot of mischief over the years which has resulted in a few aches and pains in his older years. But look at him! He is just so darn cute!
I love you all.

My Heart

This weekend I arranged a retreat with a Toltec teacher from Vancouver. We spent Friday morning at my place. In my pasture where I placed the stones I envisioned a labyrinth.We started at the standing stone, and then everyone tuned in to themselves, and walked a labyrinth that was just for them. Ingenius! I didn't have to gather a thousands stones or plant a thousand plants that my horse would step all over anyway.
Then everyone had the option of going into the neighbouring forest to spend time with the trees.
Throughout our time here, we paused to sit and journal. Later we met at the stone altar in the middle and did some singing. The weather was gorgeous, and we all had a fabulous time. The remainder of the weekend was spent across the lake from me, at a fellow traveller's retreat center that he built, purposefully to share in this way.
I will be getting more photos of his place later.
The 3 days ended up feeling like weeks. It was very uncanny. Absolutely magical, fun and nurturing.

The Ballad of the Ceramic Horse

I have another blog, where I can show some of my ceramic artwork on line. Heather from the blog Steel String Poetry
bought the first item that I posted. I can't tell you how thrilled I was. However, a sad tale unfolded which you can read about on Gifthorse Ceramic Gallery
And I want to publicly thank you Heather. You've been great!

Heaven On Earth

As Promised, I returned today to do more swimming and basically worshipping the Earth. Leah and I swam up river and kept discovering incredible pool after pool with crazy beautiful rock formations.
What you can't see, though I tried to photogragh them, were the huge school of fish.The average one being 20 inches or so.
Again I was amazed to be the only 2 humans enjoying this, in a city of 100,000 and this spot is 5-10 minutes away.
Some one has to worship the earth and I am willing to do it!

With Forgiveness

Here's the most appropriate sentiment for today's date:
With Forgiveness
Click on this link and one can view a sweet little slide show.

Earth's Beautiful Gifts

I am so ecstatic. We found a new spot on the river that is perfect. Every year we explore new spots. This one has a narrow path on a ledge to scale down a steep grade and seems to weed out alot of people. Today, we were the only humans present. Heaven on Earth.

One perk of having a blog, is being able to take a metaphorical step back and look at my life.
I have realised how incredibly blessed and magical my life is. The water is so clear that the view from the cliff we can see the dark shapes of the large fish (see in between the leaves.

I enjoy swimming, hiking and gazing on this beauty at least once a week. Mostly adults visit this spot because the hike is too dicey for kids. The teenager-parties are discouraged because alot of us like to swim au naturel! (ha-ha)
Here's a great photo of my dear friend, Leah Morgan. She offers readings and healings (at a distance as well). You can check out my multi-talented friend on her website Ravenwood
The water was so lovely today. I am going to make time to go again tomorrow. My spirit tells me that this type of activity is high priority.

Camping Trip

OH My. .....I really love this river. I can't get enough of this green colour.
On the dunes, the sun was intense, but there was always a breeze. Notice the windswept trees.
On the way home, we had a picnic at Cathedral Grove
My friend, Cathy, is dwarved by this ancient Cedar tree. I was astounded at the amount of tourists that were there. Many Europeans. It was very cool.
The Shorepine Bog, is part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
The boardwalk shown here is actually a floating boardwalk, but because its summer it is firmly on the ground. I intend to come back for more visits, and in out wet, rainy winter would be a great contrast.

Exploring Vancouver Island

My daughter and I went camping. In the last days of preparations, a friend of mine asked if she could come with us. Also, at the last minute we decided to drive across the island to Long Beach. On the way, we stopped at this gorgeous river.
Once at Long Beach (3 hours of driving later) we couldn't unpack fast enough to get down to the beach. The beach is miles long and we could walk and explore for hours. The crashing waves sounds made it so soothing.
Here we are at the dunes. Just after this photo we came across a fairly fresh pile of bear scat.
It felt so wild and beautiful.
Next day, we continued to explore the Pacific Rim National Park. This is the Shorepine Bog Trail. One or two metre thick sphagnum moss, muskeg, and ancient stunted pines. Some of these pine trees are 300 years old.

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!

Hosting Japanese Students

We've been busy hosting Japanese students from the nearby Tamagawa school .

Its been a lovely experience. Lots of gesturing and face making to be able to communicate. The girls have hand held talking dictionaries that they consult from time to time which has made it less frustrating for them, I am sure.

We thought we were going to spend alot of time at the beaches with them but the weather turned a little cooler. So art work indoors became the focus of the day. Later we took turns riding the horses. Lots of giggles when we got them to trot.



The internet has been an excellent tool to communcate with. We used Google Earth to go to their part of the world and "see" where they live(literally!). We also have been using the internet to show each other our favourite Music Artists. They like "Kra" and "Bump of Chicken" I turned them on to Joanna Newsom and Modest Mouse.
So much fun. Oriagato girls!

Horses Come Home Today

The horses have been staying at the neighbours for the last couple of weeks. They have a large unused pasture that they have generously offered to my horses to eat. I just have to provide them with water and the owners of the pasture can ride them whenever they want in exchange.
When I turned them out into the field they seemed surprised to see the standing stones. They were very curious and made blowing noises and pranced about for a few minutes before settling down to eat. It was very entertaining.
The smaller chestnut is Blaze and the dark bay Pinto is Jewel. Blaze is a Morgan gelding and Jewel is a Canadian Sport Horse mare. Horses have been a huge part of my life over the years but recently that has shifted for me. I love and appreciate them as I do all life, but I no longer have the desire to ride them or spend all my spare time with them. Its so interesting to see this shift in myself.

I've Been Tagged Today

My good friend Candy tagged me. The game today is to list 5 things in various parts of my life.

Five Things in My Freezer

1. peas
2. spinach
3. pita bread
4. prawns
5. oil paint brushes wrapped in plastic

Five Things in My Car

1. mask and snorkel
2. towels
3. lots of CD's
4. box of tissues
5. gallons of water, (I was filling up 2 garbage cans in the back to transport over to the horses for their water, when I went into the house and forgot all about it for HOURS.)

Five Things in my Purse

1. Hairbrush
2. money
3. cell phone
4. bottle of water
5. coupons for curry

Five Things in my Closet

1. Apache, my 15 year old dog, I cut a doggy door in my closet's door
2. box of old letters
3. extra quilts
4. horse riding gear
5. wet suit

There you go!
And I tag Steel String Poetry