“A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed...It feels an impulsion...this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons.” - Richard Bach
looming up and over swaying treetops
bands of white giants slowly marching north
silently watching the cloudy midnight sky
I affirm almost daily how lucky I am to live in the Pacific Northwest. Wednesday, I enjoyed the culmination of artistic passion and community spirit in the manifestation of an urban Art Space and Community Garden in what would have otherwise been a vacant parking lot.
Since I'm thinking about still thinking Book Club and authors, it seems like the perfect opening to share today's discovery. I came across a local non-profit in my "neighborhood" I didn't know existed, Hedgebrook. I see that they have such notable names as Alice Walker and Gloria Steinem on their Creative Board. Here's a description from their site Hedgebrook.org:
The 48-acre retreat features forest walking paths, ponds and meadows, views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, and quiet areas for writing, reading and meditating.
Hedgebrook is a nonprofit organization that supports women writers who come from all over the world to our Whidbey Island retreat to write, rejuvenate and be in community with each other. We provide space and time for them to create significant works and develop innovative programs to bring their work to new and diverse audiences, including the Hedgebrook Writers Series, produced in collaboration with Seattle-based independent publisher Whit Press. Thousands of literary works have been created at Hedgebrook impacting readers and writers all over the world. As alumna Gloria Steinem says; “Hedgebrook isn’t a retreat…it’s an advance.”
I came across Hedgebrook as one of my favorite singers, Holly Near, is doing a benefit concert in Langley, WA for them this month on October 28 as well as a few other events in our area in Seattle, Lopez Island, and Vancover, BC. (Details for the events and samples of her music are on her site - I, also, have some samples of her music on my music player at the bottom of this page). I first saw Holly perform in the 70's. She has been an inspiration and an excellent example of using her artist abilities to promote a more beautiful and peaceful world. Here's an apt description of this amazing woman from her site, HollyNear.com:
A peace activist and advocate for human and civil rights, Holly has linked the multitude of issues that are our lives, refusing the idea of separate "causes." When asked how she keeps her energy for this work, she smiles: "I am selfish. I reach for the world I want to live in. And I believe in leaving our best efforts as a gift to our children."
"A big part of singing is listening. Singing in harmony is good training for living in the world." - Holly Near
Thinking of peace activist leads to thinking of our peacekeepers. At Book Club, Kathleen was accompanied by her son Jonathan who has just returned home from a serving all of as an Army Ranger in Africa, Afghanistan, and Germany. I think about how amazing this young man has seen and done things I probably won't have the opportunity or necessity to do. Amongst these are riding a camel (which actually appeared as part in part of a PBS show aired on TV), and helping people in Africa get their first pair of glasses.
I give thanks that he came home safely, and say a soft, deep prayer for all the people still serving out there away from their homes. And, it is sad and poignant to, also, offer a pray for all those who did not return safely, and their friends and families who will forever carry them in their hearts.
This prayer is from the site Those Who Gave All:
Prayers for Our Fallen Troops
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and loved ones of those that gave their lives to fight for our country.
May God give you peace in your heart and strength to carry on.
They proudly served their country.
Now, they proudly serve with angel's wings.
CT Dawson, January 2002
I read this prayer that was found in the pocket of fallen soldier, Benaya Rein, on the site OneFamilyFund.org:
May it be Your will Dear G-d, our L-rd and L-rd of our fathers, that you nullify war and blood-letting from the world and that a large and wonderful peace should continue in the world; that nation should no longer lift up sword against nation, nor should they any longer learn war, but that all residents of the Earth should recognize and know the truth for its truthfulness – that we did not come to this world for argument or fighting – G-d forbid – and not for hatred or deceit, spite or blood-letting G-d forbid, but that we have come to the world in order to recognize and know You and Your blessings.
looming up and over swaying treetops
bands of white giants slowly marching north
silently watching the cloudy midnight sky
I affirm almost daily how lucky I am to live in the Pacific Northwest. Wednesday, I enjoyed the culmination of artistic passion and community spirit in the manifestation of an urban Art Space and Community Garden in what would have otherwise been a vacant parking lot.
Since I'm thinking about still thinking Book Club and authors, it seems like the perfect opening to share today's discovery. I came across a local non-profit in my "neighborhood" I didn't know existed, Hedgebrook. I see that they have such notable names as Alice Walker and Gloria Steinem on their Creative Board. Here's a description from their site Hedgebrook.org:
The 48-acre retreat features forest walking paths, ponds and meadows, views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, and quiet areas for writing, reading and meditating.
Hedgebrook is a nonprofit organization that supports women writers who come from all over the world to our Whidbey Island retreat to write, rejuvenate and be in community with each other. We provide space and time for them to create significant works and develop innovative programs to bring their work to new and diverse audiences, including the Hedgebrook Writers Series, produced in collaboration with Seattle-based independent publisher Whit Press. Thousands of literary works have been created at Hedgebrook impacting readers and writers all over the world. As alumna Gloria Steinem says; “Hedgebrook isn’t a retreat…it’s an advance.”
I came across Hedgebrook as one of my favorite singers, Holly Near, is doing a benefit concert in Langley, WA for them this month on October 28 as well as a few other events in our area in Seattle, Lopez Island, and Vancover, BC. (Details for the events and samples of her music are on her site - I, also, have some samples of her music on my music player at the bottom of this page). I first saw Holly perform in the 70's. She has been an inspiration and an excellent example of using her artist abilities to promote a more beautiful and peaceful world. Here's an apt description of this amazing woman from her site, HollyNear.com:
A peace activist and advocate for human and civil rights, Holly has linked the multitude of issues that are our lives, refusing the idea of separate "causes." When asked how she keeps her energy for this work, she smiles: "I am selfish. I reach for the world I want to live in. And I believe in leaving our best efforts as a gift to our children."
"A big part of singing is listening. Singing in harmony is good training for living in the world." - Holly Near
Thinking of peace activist leads to thinking of our peacekeepers. At Book Club, Kathleen was accompanied by her son Jonathan who has just returned home from a serving all of as an Army Ranger in Africa, Afghanistan, and Germany. I think about how amazing this young man has seen and done things I probably won't have the opportunity or necessity to do. Amongst these are riding a camel (which actually appeared as part in part of a PBS show aired on TV), and helping people in Africa get their first pair of glasses.
I give thanks that he came home safely, and say a soft, deep prayer for all the people still serving out there away from their homes. And, it is sad and poignant to, also, offer a pray for all those who did not return safely, and their friends and families who will forever carry them in their hearts.
This prayer is from the site Those Who Gave All:
Prayers for Our Fallen Troops
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and loved ones of those that gave their lives to fight for our country.
May God give you peace in your heart and strength to carry on.
They proudly served their country.
Now, they proudly serve with angel's wings.
CT Dawson, January 2002
I read this prayer that was found in the pocket of fallen soldier, Benaya Rein, on the site OneFamilyFund.org:
May it be Your will Dear G-d, our L-rd and L-rd of our fathers, that you nullify war and blood-letting from the world and that a large and wonderful peace should continue in the world; that nation should no longer lift up sword against nation, nor should they any longer learn war, but that all residents of the Earth should recognize and know the truth for its truthfulness – that we did not come to this world for argument or fighting – G-d forbid – and not for hatred or deceit, spite or blood-letting G-d forbid, but that we have come to the world in order to recognize and know You and Your blessings.
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