More Amazing & Easy Philanthropy

soft, furry, snuggly, warm & loving
my dogs sniffed, wagged & befriended
bless the kind and caring 4 legged's

 "We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." M. Acklam

At 7 years old Mimi started volunteering at a local animal shelter, and at age 11 she createD the website Freekibble.com "Every dog deserves a decent dinner!". The passage below is right off their site:

Mimi Ausland, a 12 year old girl from Bend, Oregon, wanted to help feed the hungry animals at her local animal shelter. “There are 10’s of thousands of dogs and cats in animal shelters across the country, all needing to be fed a good meal.” Say hello to freekibble.com and freekibblekat.com!

Freekibble.com's primary mission is to provide good, healthy food to dogs and cats to those shelters who are working so hard to see that none of them go hungry - they need our help. In addition to providing free kibble to  the Humane Society of Central Oregon, we've added 13 new shelters to the program (from Oregon to Florida!) and plan to expand the program to many more! Thanks to everyone for supporting freekibble by playing the trivia game - every piece of kibble counts!

You can, also, find a link to the Freekibble.com site through their badge at the right side of my page. Proving again how much one caring person can make a difference. I have added a trip to her sites Freekibble and Freekatkibble to my day. Thank you, Mimi, for helping our dog and cat friends. Thank you for giving me an easy way to make a contribution.

"My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am" - Anonymous

May we share with our animal friends

Mimi's sites have raised over 137 tons of dog and cat kibble since April of 2008

When I first noticed on December 10 Yahoo's Spread Kindness site there were 3,210 acts posted on the site. This morning it's showing 139,298.

Social media at it's best.

Loss - Healing Wishes For Lisa & Julie

“The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her” - Anonymous

death comes always as a surprise to most
unprepared we are for permanent loss
sadness first comes to fill the empty space

The beloved mother of two of my co-workers, Lisa & Julie, died after a long bout of illness. I heart and prayers go out to them and their family. I admire them greatly for giving priority to spending time with her before she died. I know by listening to them she will be very deeply missed.

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” - Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

Mrs. McConnachie, your kind, thoughtful, humorous, considerate and wise  daughters are evidence of a job well done.

May you rest in peace and tenderly in their hearts

Opening Up To Compassion

one mind at a time waking
shaking loose bits of indifference
trying on moments of kindness

"Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries." 8th line of Charter for Compassion

"Compassion is the radicalism of our time." - Dalai Lama

Potential

“Each difficult moment has the potential to open my eyes and open my heart” - Myla Kabat-Zinn

who are we who will we become
touchstones hope love compassion
continue expanding the possibilities

“We are all gifted. That is our inheritance.” - Ethel Waters

May we enjoy the quantum quandaries of life

Listening Well

listening is an act of heart
hearing stories is a healing act
may you share your life

"It is the province of knowledge to speak And it is the privilege of wisdom to listen." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

If you listen to NPR(National Public Radio), you have probably heard of StoryCorps - "Our mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening." I love the whole idea, and love their byline - Help StoryCorps create a nation of listeners. I do wish I asked more questions of my family and gleaned more family history.
Most of us have played some version of the game telephone when we were young. A word or sentence is whispered round the circle and, usually, comes back mangled and a faint shadow or untelligible from the original words. As kids, it's comical.
Now as an adult the lack of communication can be astounding at times. It seems that it is hard for us to slow down and listen with focus. Just the simple act of answering phone, "This is Lynn" is met with response like, Hello, Susan, Hello, Ren, Hello, Randy, Hello, Lance. It is mystifying sometimes. Then I think of my own self-involvement, and the mind  (ok, and my mouth) chatter on while listening quietly would be the inappropriate and kind thing to do.

November, 27, 2009 is the National Day of Listening sponsored by StoryCorps. From their site:

Make a yearly tradition of listening to and preserving a loved one’s story. The stories you collect will become treasured keepsakes that grow more valuable with each passing generation.

"The opposite of talking is not listening. The opposite of talking is waiting". - Fran Lebowitz

May you stop to listen, and may you be heard

What About Kindness

"What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind."  - Cleveland Amory

kindness smiles upon me
divine fire manifests compassion
calling forth love and grace

"To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity." - 4th line of the Charter For Compassion

I was pleased to note the names of designer Kenneth Cole and Sir Richard Branson (Founder of Virgin Group) among the over 19,000 supporters that have confirmed the Charter For Compassion.

Even the smallest acts of kindness enrich the world. It matters greatly to recipient of each small act of kindness and compassion.

Yesterday during the Lakshmi puja, one of the things Sri Amarananda Bhairavan asked to commit to was performing at least one small act of compassion towards one animal within the next year.

It seems like such a small request. Yet, such a beautiful acknowledgement of the importance of compassion and we each have the ability and the time to contribute on some level.

May we contribute to kindness

Golden Rule Resolution & Charter For Compassion

ideas circling around connecting
circle of groups, minds and hearts
who knows what the child will become

"It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain." 4th line of the Charter for Compassion (beginning of 2nd paragraph)

The Golden Rule Resolution and quotes below are entirely from the site of, one of the partners of the Charter For Compassion, Golden Rule Radical:

"If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find, in each person’s life, suffering and sorrow enough to disarm all our hostility." – Henry Wadsworth

The Golden Rule Resolution


The Text:

It is essential that we find a way to live together in peace; in mutual respect of one another; to live and believe as we freely choose.

Creating a tolerant, pluralistic society is a critical step for harmonious human growth.

In order to preserve the world and its resources, we must find a way to create a sustainable, prosperous economy, even as we protect the environment and the ecology of the world we live in.

There is such a way; a pluralistic solution with a universal starting point exists. It is often called the Golden Rule or the Ethic of Reciprocity.

The principle of treating each other and the world with mutual respect and dignity is the foundation of all moral codes, religious or secular.

Applying this universal principle can provide an enabling mechanism for the dialogue and development essential to resolving the challenges we face globally, nationally, and locally.

Therefore, we call on the religious, political, and economic leaders of the world to draft and adopt resolutions for the implementation of the principle embodied in the Golden Rule; such resolutions to inform and guide the formation of political, social, economic and environmental policies within their spheres of influence.

"When it comes right down to it … You may call God love, you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion". - Meister Eckhart

May we be thoughtful

over 18,000 people have affirmed the Charter For Compassion

Happy Belated Birthday, Kathleen

Happy Belated Birthday, Kathleen

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

Kathleen, thank you for the worlds you have opened up to me, and shared with me. I may this be a year of many blessings, increasingly radiant health, happiness, and prosperity. May this be a joyful year for you body, mind and soul. May you be bathed in peace and serenity and know you are loved.

faerie folk and twinkling friends dance
surrounding you in celebratory praise
grateful that you came to earth to play

"Every person is a new door to a different world." - from movie "Six Degrees of Seperation"

Shifting World

shattered one illusion of permanence
shifting allegiances shielded perspectives
thoughts truths muddied by past stories

"Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change." - Ramsey Clark

My workplace is and will be in a state of flux for awhile. One of my co-workers said she was having trouble seeing God right now. She wasn't sure where he was. "and God can see over the fence, and I can't". I thought this was a wonderful way of telling us how uncomfortable the feeling of uncertainty can be.

Contrary to what I imagined, it appears that I will be shifting from my reduced part-time hours back to full-time at least for the short term. Definite a mixed blessing. Truly it is a gift from my supervisor, and I will be very grateful for additional income. I am already missing the luxury of three days.

"Nothing in the world is permanent, and we're foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we're still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. If change is of the essence of existence one would have thought it only sensible to make it the premise of our philosophy." - W. Somerset Maugham

Back to: May we enjoy each moment

Sweeping Change

"It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's that place in between that we fear . . . . It's like being between trapezes. It's Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to." - Marilyn Ferguson

from the east like a great storm they came
washing away old structures leaving bridges
surveying the terrain they paused to think

It has been a bit tumultuous the last few days. I had my normal days off. When I returned to work on Saturday, I noticed some of our conferences were rearranged. I had an unsettled feelings about this.

As I entered my work area, I was greeted by a co-worker who said something like. "We're all o.k., everything is fine, no one died, this is our new dress code (pointing to the jeans she was wearing), now take a deep breathe." She, then, preceded to tell me our company had been sold. The acquisition was completed and we were already working for the new out of state company. I've already been to New Employee Orientation today. Stunningly quick.

As is normal with any decent acquisition, the people sent were warm, friendly, open, and excited to tell us about our new company. The new company looks good on paper, and probably is a decent company. However, their headquarters are in small town(around 6,000-7,000) in the mid-west on property they own. It is difficult to see how it would be a good business decision remain in Seattle, WA area when salaries and the cost of doing business is so much higher. We'll shall see. It is emotionally fatiguing environment with heightened levels of anticipation, anxiety, and strangers all swirling around.

So far, the language of business seems the same except for a small card we received on voicemail. We haven't asked them yet, but do you think "parking" and "unparking" a call has to do with hold . . .

"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." - Alan Cohen

I heard a radio contest the other day for six word short stories so here's mine:
Jack brought the Ozarks to Seattle.

May we be flexible

Good Company

 “Some people weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and some weave gold thread. Both contribute to make the whole picture beautiful and unique.” - Anonymous

It was a great warm, windy day with a breakfast that included biscuits in gravy, and visiting with my friend, Jan. We were trying a new(for us) restaurant in Edmonds. Pancakes galore, even the large, beautiful German ones that are oven baked and luscious to look at. Jan noted that the restaurant had an air calmness that, perhaps, came from a well-established restaurant. Indeed, though filled with customers, there was a quiet, graceful flow. We were pleased by the service we received we from a young, friendly, open-hearted woman. Her presence and interactions changed the meal from ordinary good eats to a pleasant, memorable experience.

We had a jaunt down to the water to watch whitecaps, a cargo ship, birds, the visibility of the Olympic mountains, and a talented, nearly invisible wind surfer.

Add a stop at Third Place Books, a living room catch-up visit over tea, and you a perfect social outing.

saturated with goodness of balmy breezes
warmed and fed by innocent open kindness
engaged by watching ships on their journeys

“Life is like a blanket too short. You pull it up and your toes rebel, you yank it down and shivers meander about your shoulder; but cheerful folks manage to draw their knees up and pass a very comfortable night.” - Marion Howard

May you enjoy the good company of friends and "strangers"

Holly Near, Emma's Revolution, Hedgebrook - Inspiring

“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” - Peace Pilgrim

I had a wonderful time going to see Holly Near and Emma's Revolution doing a benefit concert for Hedgebrook in Langley, WA. The journey had an auspicious start when a kind woman working at the toll booth for the Mukilteo ferry noticed my cane on the seat beside me. She gently inquired if it was mine, "yes". Then told me that I would save me $4 dollars on a roundtrip fare. It so considerate, and I couldn't help but feel uplifted by the fact she wanted to help. And, for that moment, it turned what I tend to view as a weakness into a financial boon.

The fun and good luck continued when my car was guided into a space I've never parked I before. The car was pointed so I could directly look out my front windshield to this the view on the side of the boat. Once under way, I easily sat on the hood of the car to enjoy the view.

With good directions and Langley being a small town, I arrived at the concert venue early - Langley Middle School. I can't remember the last time I was on a middle school campus. I overheard others remarking on the same thing. I was grateful to get a seat in the 7th row though all the seats in a school auditorium are excellent compared to larger concert halls.

Much too my surprise, the seats in this school auditorium were roomier and more comfortable than the last movie theater I was in. They were just plain old fold up curved, laminated plywood set on metal. Come to think of kind of like the old theater seats my friend, Jan has in her living room only blond in color. A good reminder that new isn't always better. And the padded chairs weren't as comfortable a well crafted wood.

It was a good turn out. It was another surprise to find ALL the money from the sales of the tickets went to Hedgebrook, an extra benefit for my entertainment.

As always, Holly was funny, inspiring, and brought us to both tears and laughter. It was a fun to see her performing with some I have never seen before two women (Pat Humphries & Sandy O) called Emma's Revolution. All three harmonized well. It's nice to see artists collaborate and share the stage.

I was stuck by some of her comments like - 53,000 soldiers are AWOL.  Even if it's only close to that number it's more than I would have ever imagined. And support was requested in whatever way we can for those who are struggling to stop "coal mining" by way of the government sanctioned bombing of Appalachia.

Part of her charm is to inspire and involve the audience in singing along. Which we did with vigor.

beautiful voices saturated with festive memories
audience empowered with hope, love and perspective
social activists soulful beings giving all to inspire

The executive director stated her goal was to get everyone attending the concert to sign up for their mailing list so we could all find out what happens at Hedgebrook, and including author events in the Seattle area. So if you have an interest here's the address to request being added to their mailing list: mailinglist@hedgebrook.org.

Now another plug for a new found worthy cause, the local place that nurtures women writers. See the Hedgebrook Writers Bookshelf at Powell Books.  When you visit Powell’s Books via the link on the Hedgebrook website 7.5% of any purchase you make goes to benefit Hedgebrook.  So, support writers and Hedgebrook at the same time by clicking on the Powell’s icon.


It turns out one of the women on the writers panel, Stephanie Kallos, that I saw at Third Place books is a Hedgebrook alumnae. I think I liked to read her first book, Broken for You.

“Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away.”  - Robert Fulghum

May peace be with you, peace, salaam, shalom

Edge of Winter - Happy Birthday Hillary

"I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Happy Birthday, Hillary. Thank you for be willing to step forward, speak up for our global community, and take up so many difficult challenges. Many blessings on your journey this year.

I heard that we are expecting our first significant snow in the Cascade Mountains today. October 31, Samhain, will be the beginning of Celtic winter. So timing is practically perfect. As I write, the news is showing pictures of snow on the passes, around 2 inches. As our nature, some like myself will worry about traversing sidewalks and street in wintry weather. I, also, know some are ecstatic with prospects of snow boarding, skiing, tubing almost in here.

I am excited to see that my friend Jan has started the Taylor Family Blog, call The Spirit of Maxine.

"We have something in common" - Jan (Taylor) Carrillo-Jones

glistening apple cider afternoon
sun peaks through icy grey sky
winter kisses the mountaintops

May we enjoy it all

Happy Birthday, Picasso

"With the most primitive means the artist creates something which the most ingenious and efficient technology will never be able to create." - Kasimir Malevich

Today is Pablo Picasso's birthday. Did you know his full name was Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso?

I was surprised when looking at the calendar. Tomorrow is Hillary Clinton's birthday, and the day after, October 27, is my mother's birthday. Just interesting. At first glance, I can see my mother and Picasso being compared as they were both artists. And now, I wonder about their similarities with Hillary.

genius finds magical geometric
colors shapes flow into being
the creative mind made visible

"All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness." - Eckhat Tolle

Quietly

"We live in a pluralistic world, and only the most hard-headed refuse to accept the fact that truth - whether spiritual, cultural, political, or otherwise - is given to different people in different ways." Kent Nerburn

strands of compassion, strings of caring
many colors, many voices, many paths
weaving a culture of kindness

It's been a quite, slow, rainy indoor day. Plenty of time to study my voters pamphlets, and complete my mail in ballot. I feel pleased to have it ready to go. Now, I am contemplating trying cooking a newly conceived dish with carrots, cranberries, and maybe pecans or walnuts. Sounds good.

"Food to a large extent is what holds a society together and eating is closely linked to deep spiritual experiences." - Peter Farb and George Armelagos

Celebrate National Reading Group Month - For Book Club

 'Tis the good reader that makes the good book; in every book he finds passages which seem to be confidences or sides hidden from all else and unmistakably meant for his ear; the profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader; the profound thought or passion sleeps as in a mine, until it is discovered by an equal mind and heart. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I had every intention of staying home all day. I had a wonderful adventure Monday, new bridge, new restaurant, new coffee house and even a new easy access park. Then flipping by the news on T.V. I heard them talking about an award winning book, The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Bitter. During a brief interview, the author mentioned he would be on a panel of authors tonight at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park. So I looked up the information on the store's website:

Celebrate National Reading Group Month

Hear 5 experienced authors give their perspectives on author/book club meetings.  Come with questions – and enjoy refreshments, book club tips and lists, and literary stuff!  Authors will sign their books, too.

Nancy Pearl - Moderator
Jamie Ford – Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Diane Hammond – Hannah’s Dream
Stephanie Kallos – Sing Them Home
Jim Lynch – Border Songs
Garth Stein – The Art of Racing in the Rain

Working on the intermittent premise that spontaneity is good for me, I decided to go. Why I even missed the fact it was National Reading Group Month so I should definitely go to celebrate. After all, I do belong to a fabulous group.

It turns out the event was sponsored by the WNBA, Women's National Book Association, first established in 1917.  We have a chapter here in the Seattle area now that's two years old.

There was a surprisingly large turn out. So I was left with seating far from the stage or a great table near the stage with no view. I chose the great table. I was able to hear the authors, but I didn't see them til after the event. I want to share comments made by the authors that I enjoyed. However, I won't be able to connect the comments made to a specific author, and some of the quotes will be paraphrased due to my difficulty in reading my notes and lack of speed at "dictation".

Question to the authors. "What makes a good book club book?"

Answers:

"What's important is the dynamic of the group rather than the books. The book should not only entertain, but engage the reader."

"Some book clubs are breezy and some meticulous. It is good to have a book that is a light read, yet the reader can, also, go deep."

Comments on writing:

"Novels should not be answers to questions, but should create them."

"There has to be room for readers to exercise their art."

"Reading and writing are all about a dialogue."

Author shared a quote from a cafe in Bend, Oregon:

"Don't judge a book by it's movie."

Question to authors: Recommendation of book for book club:

"One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest - read the book and see the movie. Talk about how the book was translated into the movie."

"We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver, heart wrenching"

"Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, brilliant"

"Anything by John Steinbeck, the novel The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter which is told in the first person by characters ranging in age from 19 to into their 70's"

"Poetry"

I was, of course, glad I went.

Of the books they mentioned, I have read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, saw and the play and the movie. We are going to read Olive Kitteridge. I am thinking about reading The Feast of Love.

I decided to look up the WNBA. Here's their reading recommendations from their site:

National Reading Group Month Announces the 2009 Great Group Reads

NEW YORK — September 24, 2009 — The National Reading Group Month Selection Committee has chosen nine books, eight novels and one memoir, as this year’s Great Group Reads. The books are:

Appassionata by Eva Hoffman (Other Press)
The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (Other Press)
The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James (Avon A)
The House on Fortune Street by Margot Livesey (Harper Perennial)
Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal by Julie Metz (Voice)
While I’m Falling by Laura Moriarty (Hyperion)
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (Picador)
Cost by Roxana Robinson (Picador)
Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie (Picador)

"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body." - Margaret Fuller

bookish room cozy yet full
reading writing exchange of minds
language is a lovely tool

May your home nourish your soul

Solitude, Serenity, and Beauty

 "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." - John Muir

"After all, I don't see why I am always asking for private, individual, selfish miracles when every year there are miracles like white dogwood."  - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"Solitude is a condition of peace that stands in direct opposition to loneliness. Loneliness is sitting in an empty room and being aware of the space around you. It is a condition of separateness. Solitude is becomng one with the space around you. It is a condition of union." Kent Nerburn, Simple Truths

circling mysteries of metal and stones

soft places to walk, strong places to rest
my beautiful new park with no name

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." - John Muir

I was curious about the metal "structure", shown below, at the south end of the pond-like depression in the middle of the park. No clue what it is.

 

circling mysteries of metal and stones

soft places to walk, strong places to rest
my beautiful new park with no name

 May you notice a miracle

Savoring Life

"Because I have traveled, I can see other universes in the eyes of strangers. I know what parts of me I cannot deny and what parts of me are simply choices that I make."  - Kent Nerburn in Simple Truths: Clear & Gentle Guidance on the Big Issues in Life

I awoke with an inner voice calling out for an adventure. My usual Mondays include enjoying every last minute in bed prior to work. Today, maybe the prompting was stronger or maybe having a blog where I could post new photos was just enough motivation to encourage me to move outside my pattern. And a very satisfying choice it was. Or still perhaps, it was a calling . . .

Within a few minutes of where I live, I took a turn down a street I hadn't been on before, seeing parts of a neighborhood new to me. Within a course of 2 to 3 hours, I did this a dozen more times. I had a very expansive feeling looking up one street climbing a hill that there must be millions streets out there I've never seen. At the time, I was just enjoying the openness of the feeling. Now, recounting it, I'm thinking I can never run out of new things to see and experience. And, familiar is so deeply satisfying. Um, good.

adventure to a known place
the ticket is an open heart
corner turned bridge appears
supporting many journeys
while holding the inbetween
visible guardian of space

I was able to enjoy a delicious meal at the Full Moon Thai in Richmond Beach with friendly and gracious restaurant staff. The experience was enriched by the peaceful, spacious, and beautifully decorated two story dining area. My surprise at the end was the after "dinner" candies at the register. Did know that they make Tootsie Rolls in lime and vanilla flavors now? I didn't.

Atypically, I decided to go across the street after dinner to have a cup of Chai at the Richmond Beach Coffee Company. Also, greeted by a friendly staff, I was even more pleased that they bring your drink to your table. This is not the usual service for our Coffee/Espresso places here. Their decorate was a mix of old furniture with sitting inside and out. It was the perfect place to sit, write, read, oh, and enjoy some tasty Chai.

I am slowly reading Kent Nerburn's book Simple Truths which I definitely recommend. Library of Congress has it catalogued first in a category I don't remember seeing before: Conduct of Life. Just interesting. Actually, I am re-reading it. As I finished it the first time in a day. Now, I am going back and savoring it as there are so many beautiful sentences and ideas to enjoy. . . some of which you see here.

"I know the blessings of my own table and the warmth of my own bed. I know how much of life is pure chance, and how great a gift I have been given to be who I am." - Kent Nerburn in Simple Truths

Many you savor moments new and familiar

Hedgebrook, Holly Near and Prayers For Peace

 

 

“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.

Diwali Festival of Lights - Thank You Mother Lakshmi

 "Fortunate is the one who has learned to Admire, but not to envy. Good wishes for a joyous Diwali with a plenty of peace and prosperity." - Sakshi

It is time for me to celebrate more wonderful holy days, Diwali/Deepawali. It is celebrated in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. There is wonderful detailed information and at Karunamayi's website. And, here's a description from the website Diwali Festival:

Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or 'Festival of lights'. Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival of Diwali is never complete without exchange of gifts. People present diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.

The Depawali or Diwali festival also marks the beginning of the new year according to the Hindu calendar, as the Ashwin month ends and the Kartik month begins on this day. According to Hindu reckoning, the date of Diwali falls on 15th day of the dark fortnight in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik or the month of October/November in English calendar. This Diwali day falls on the amavasya or the no moon day.

This year some start this celebration on today, October 16 and some will start on October 17.

This celebration has personal significance to me as one of my beloved spiritual teachers, Sri Sadguru Sant Keshavadasi, gave me my spiritual name Lakshmi/Laxmi some 20 years ago. Amongst other things Lakshmi is known to be the aspect of the goddess that embodies prosperity, wealth, generosity and harmonious relationships. As I tend to be a "little" outspoken, spiritual friends at the time teased me about being given the name to balance me out, i.e. calling a tall person Shorty, as opposed to being an expression of who I am.

Now, after a significant period of time has passed I would both reasons are true. It is still a spiritual name I will be growing into for the rest of my life. And it is,also, one that expresses the many forms of prosperity I have experienced in this life in terms of friends, family, beloved spiritual teachers and the wonders that surround me in the world. I am truly blessed with abundance in many forms. Om Sreem Om. Thank you for your blessings for your profound blessings Guruji. Thank you for your magnificience Mother Lakshmi.

compassionate mother omnipresent
heart filled with grace and light
my soul is consumed with your love

 "In a gentle way, you can shake the world." - Mohandas Gandhi

May you have peace, prosperity and joy