Category Archives: Thoughts About This and That

Let’s Hear It For Teachers

Grandmothers and Grandfather.  Ancestors and Allies.  The Star Nation,  The Stone Nation.  The Standing Ones.  Those with fins and those with feathers.  The four-legged.  Mother Earth.  The waters – still, swift and big.  The light.  The dark.  Fathers.  Mothers.  Sons.  And daughters.  Other peoples children.  Lovers.  Broken hearts.  Marriage.  Divorce.  Families of origin.  Chosen ones.  Community.  Spirit Guides.  Totems.  Those whose opinions differ from our own.  The clerk in the grocery store.  The homeless.  Hunger.  Strangers.  The Mystery.  The Divine.   Teachers in skin.   Teachers who have transitioned.   Birth.  Life.  Death.  Our bodies.  Good health.  Illness.  Our minds.  Road trips.  Silence.  Listening.  Music.  Poetry.  Art.  Literature.  Laughter.   Nature.  Ceremony.   Forgiveness.  Self- love.   Abundance.  Lack.  Gratitude.  Curiosity.  The unknown.

The possibilities are endless…

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

I call it FOO

FOO ~ Family of Origin.  The past 7 years or so a flock of about 40 Evening Grosbeak have been coming to my yard in the waning of the winter days.  Eagerly I awaited their arrival this year.  They didn’t return like usual until nearly half-way through spring.  Their entrance was  marked by their sharp loud calls and low whistling trill, waking me early one Saturday morning.  I was thrilled to see them back at the feeders, bickering with one another for position and the promise of sunflower seeds.  And I knew there was more, and new, work to do.

Grosbeak medicine teaches about family of origin matters, about healing the family heart.  What is it I need to learn this year?  What FOO issues will rise to the surface to be looked at, potentially healed or rejected?  What is in my heart to be cleared and allowed to be truth (with a capital T) in this new year of Grosbeak medicine?  I’ve got three sisters.  We don’t bicker but we don’t actually talk much either.  What holds me back from engaging with them?  Am I showing up?  What is it that leads me to retreat into the margins?  Am I willing to show myself for who I truly am?  Can I take a stand for myself within the dynamics of my family, shifting into a higher truth?  Can I share the seeds at the feeder so we are all nourished?  How can I heal the family heart by healing myself?

So many questions.  And now the Black-headed Grosbeak have arrived too, singing the most melodious song.  There are reminding me there is beauty in the FOO and my heart holds them.

I love you Dad.  I love you Mary.  I love you Patrice.  I love you Sandy.

Mother’s Day

I hope today has been joy filled and nourishing for you all.  I enjoyed a quiet day, reflecting and resting.  I took the opportunity to sew with buffalo leather, a beautiful possible bag, while sitting in the warm afternoon sunshine.  I don’t find Mother’s Day to be special in any particular way, not as a daughter nor as a mother.

As a daughter, my needs were met in a good way by the very best possible mother for me.  My mother, Toni, was funny.  She sang with the voice of an angel.  She taught me about self-love and tenacity.  She crossed a few months ago yet continues to be present in my life – everyday.  I still have a quite a road ahead, grief is a life long process.  So is the healing.  Gratefully, I am recovering myself through the progression of my grief.  Her loving Spirit is soul doctoring me.

My effort at mothering resulted in a happy, healthy, productive part of humanity, a good citizen doing good in the world.  I am deeply appreciative of the fine man my son is.  It is very gratifying to know he is self-respecting and spirited.   Richard taught me unconditional love, brought joy into my life and gives me reason after to reason to be well-pleased.

I don’t have any real laments either, about being the daughter or about being the mother.  It is true though, I would like it if I could have a do over in both cases.  If I could, my mother would still be on this side.   If I could I would relish my boy growing up once again.  This is would cherish.  Since  these fancy thoughts aren’t possible, I will be grateful instead – knowing my mother loved me and that she knew I loved her.  The same can be said for my son, I know he loves me, he knows I love him.  And I am blessed with knowing how to mother myself in a very good way.  This makes everyday special.

Many blessings and Happy Mother’s Day.

 

 

Talk to Each Other People

Hooray! Hooray! for the 8th of May!

Indoor Outdoor Intercourse Day!

If you went to Eastern Washington State College, now Eastern Washington University, you know what I’m talking about!

in-ter-course  [in-ter-kawrs, -kohrs] 

noun

1. dealings or communication between individuals, groups, countries, etc.
2. interchange of thoughts, feelings, etc.

Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English intercurse  < Medieval Latin intercursus  communication, trading, Latin:  a running between.

Sunshine in Seattle

I’ve lived in Washington state since I was 11 years old.  In all my years here, with the variety of landscapes within the state (Washington boasts more ecosystems than most states in the union), I find little to be more beautiful than Seattle on a sunny day.  Mind you, I prefer the wild landscapes without roads, buildings or people, however something magical happens when the sun comes out.  For one thing, the Mountain, as Mt. Rainier is referred to, Tahoma as the original People say, is visible – this sight is something rarely taken for granted by any Seattle-ite.  What I find so magical though is the fact that people seem a little friendlier, happier with each step, eager to be outside.

For the most part, regardless of the weather, the temperature is mild on the west side of the state.  Having lived for many years east of the Cascades, I know cold pretty intimately.  And frankly, I don’t dislike all the rain (ok, some days enough is enough) but the more rain that falls the greener the trees, the more abundant the mosses, and the hardier the ferns.  After all the rain, the sun makes diamonds on the many waterways and Puget Sound,  the multitude of greens become even more brilliant.

On days like today – blue sky, billowy white clouds, bird song, the warmth of the sun – rather than working in the studio, I will work outside.  Today I am sewing rattles of elk and buffalo hide.  A few from yesterday’s work are ready for a bit of paint possibly or maybe just a driftwood or cedar wood handle is enough – I’ll let the rattles speak to me, telling me what they would prefer to be as a completed medicine tool.

It’s been a rattle making week here on Echo Lake – a custom crafted rattle was vision forward for a healer friend of mine, there’s the crafting work that is coming through me for Fusions ART Gallery and the making ready for the Fall City Days street fair.   There was a gorgeous day of sacred rattle crafting by a few beautiful people committed to going out on the hill to vision quest, Hanbleciyapi, as it is properly called.  It is an honor to hold space and bring the teaching forward.  I find it good medicine to be involved with such venerable ways. Even if the sun doesn’t shine.  I make myself available to teach rattle making workshops and all my workshops any day of the week.  I invite you to come create with me.

Blessings from sunny Echo Lake where today the lawnmower noise is tolerable.                                                  ~   Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

 

Please visit Fusions ART Gallery and Fall City Days

 

 

Teachings in the Stream

Says Phil Lane, Jr., Four Worlds International Institute founder http://www.fwii.net/ in an interview for Architects of Peace; he was speaking of what his Grandfather had told him, “Look Grandson at the beautiful teachings the Creator has put in the little stream. Feel the water and see how gently and lovingly it touches your hands. It travels through deserts and mountains and many places, but it never turns its back on anyone or anything. Even though it gives life to all living things, it is very humble for it always seeks the lowest spot. But it has great faith, power, and patience, for even if a mountain stands in its path, it keeps moving forward until finally that mountain is washed into the sea. These are the spiritual gifts the Creator has given each of us. If we are to be happy within ourselves and with one another, we too must develop these sacred gifts.” “Grandson the longest road you will ever walk is the sacred journey from your head to your heart.”

I find these words inspiring. May they be some sort of peace of mind and heart for you too.

May Day

So Every Day

So every day                                                                                                                            I was surrounded by the beautiful crying forth of the ideas of God,

one of which was you.

Mary Oliver

 

This morning the lake looked like an antique window pane.  Violet-green Swallow touch the surface causing gentle concentric circles to interrupt, albeit briefly, the stillness of the glass.  Their voices sound like happiness on the wing.  I imagine if the swallows had ribbons they would weave the most beautiful May Day basket around a May Pole – the multi-colored streamers would wave in the breeze.

And joy would cry forth.

The Gift of Purpose

Brent Burbridge said in his essay the Natural Buddha for ascent magazine, Fall 2002 , “In all things, I try to work from within for my own satisfaction, and the satisfaction of the Divine who has placed me here in this place at this time among these people.  To live according to this spirit is a gift both to God and one’s self.”

Burbridge was writing about his personal journey after his discovery of Thomas Merton.  His words struck a chord with me as I have been contemplating my own journey within along with my work as a gift from the Divine.   I believe my purpose in this lifetime is to know myself.  I have been given the gift of sacred work. Through this work I can know myself.

Every plant, animal and mineral has an energetic power and wisdom to impart.  As I work with these creatures and sentient beings I keep my heart and mind open to listen to their voice.  I seek them out as I ponder and process, I tap into them while I work and reflect to understand not only their knowledge but to understand mine.   How do I want  to know myself?  What is my wisdom?  What is the imprint I am making in the world of the living and on the earth?

I am in part my ancestral lineage and  I am a reflection of the Divine – stardust and clay.   I am the growth rings of the Douglas fir.  I am the little fish that leaps from the waters for the May fly.   I am the gray squirrel who dares to come into the house, knowing where the stash of peanuts is.  I can discover my own hidden bounties as I endeavor to know the  Divine within.  I believe we all have this capacity.  Do we dare?  Will we leap?

“Our idea of God tells us more about ourselves than it does of Him.” Thomas Merton

Join me, know yourself as Divine.  There is a plethora of medicine to support you here at Soul Proprietor, the sacred container is set, there is beautiful work to be done.  I have been asked to be here at this time, in this place, among these people – there is beautiful work to be done.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin