A New Poem

Potholes

Tripping over my very large feet,

I stumbled and dragged you

over slippery buttons

I never meant to push.

My  path ,  you see,

is full of question marks.

For me, they are not potholes,

more like trampolines

that  spring toward evolution.

I live to see the metaphor.

It is a door that opens wide;

a side I may have sadly missed

but  cherish once revealed.

It’s true I step in mud a lot.

My clothes are never fully clean;

my glasses smudged, my sight unclear.

And yet, I saw the glow you carry,

the warm and friendly fire,

the hand outstretched.

Beyond the kindly smile,

however, 

I failed to see the posted sign,

“I don’t believe in metaphor.”

And there, so clear to see,

our roads diverged.

Trust And Belief

Becoming A Woman in Zanskar

       Yesterday, I stumbled across a photo of Phuktal, a Buddhist monastery carved into the side of a mountain in Zanskar, a remote region in the Himalayas.  I wanted to know more about it and found myself searching through YouTube.

        Be forewarned, the video attached is 1.5 hours long.  It is a documentary about a culture radically different from our own.  Specifically, it is the story of two young girls who come of age.  One must marry a man chosen by her parents.  The other is the first woman, on her own, to leave the village and travel to Dharmsala (residence of the Dalai Lama) to become a Buddhist nun.

The Turn Is Its Own Reward

     For me, skiing, snow, the mountains are a type of home.   They offer me constant opportunities to be present, to focus on feeling rather than thinking and to seek the harmony of moving with gravity.

     Skier levels are defined from 1 -10, with no one ever achieving Level 10.  There is always something more to learn.  Even Lindsay Vaughn must be somewhere between Level 9 and 10!

   At my peak, I was told I was a Level 6.  These days I prefer to avoid thinking about my level.  But I never stop trying to improve as a skier no matter what life or PD (Parkinson's Disease) throws my way because skiing is a labor of love.  It can be grace, beauty, JOY, love especially if I my body remembers how to do a skilled carving turn....even if it's on the simplest of runs.  It is as though I am falling into the arms of gravity.....dancing, not forcing anything.

There have been moments when I thought I had forgotten the skills I worked so hard to learn.  But I have never wanted to give up.  The sheer beauty, inherently possible, in each turn is more than
enough to motivate me.



 

Casual Destruction of Art!

Published on May 21, 2016

An artwork on display at the Shanghai Museum of Glass was the casualty of a mother’s lack of control over her kids. “Angel Is Waiting” depicts a pair of wings made of glass, which were damaged by two visiting boys.

Surveillance camera footage shows the mother snapping pictures of her boys who have crossed the rope barriers protecting the piece. The duo is seen jumping and bouncing and touching the sculpture in plain sight, until a part of it was yanked out.

The piece had been intact since 2014 when it first debuted at the museum. After the incident, the artist changed the name of the work to “Broken” and left it in its spoiled state on display, along with the clip of the accident.

The Real World Is Not the Only World That Exists......

The Meaning of Dog

Ace and the Desert Dog from Stefan Hunt on Vimeo.

An Argument for Making Lifestyle Changes

Strong Women, Wild Horses, Parts 1 - 3

Downed Cows and Points of Conscience

The organization, PETA (People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has, on a recurring basis, published a story about the treatment of a "downed" cow by Walton Stockyards in Independence, Kentucky suggesting that the event happened recently. I will not provide a link to that story and be forewarned that if you track it down and you have any mercy in your soul, you will be horrified by the psychotic treatment that cow was subjected to.

 PETA's objective in repeatedly sharing that story (with conflicting pictures of various dairy cows and in one picture, a Hereford (beef cow) is to convince its audience of the evils of meat eating. They claim it is a typical example of how animals are treated at a slaughterhouse. Peta does not state the date of the event but other activist blogs maintain it happened on Sept. 28, 1983. However, the Walton Stockyard was closed down on August 22, 1979.

 Did the event ever actually happen? I believe it did. As another activist group, the Animal Liberation Front, states: "After PETA brought much-needed attention to this issue, the Kenton County Police Department (Independence, Kentucky) adopted a policy requiring that euthanasia be performed on all downed animals immediately, whether they are on the farm, in transit, or at the slaughterhouse." This is a fact that PETA does not appear to share.

 So, why am I writing about this? I first saw the story yesterday and was so horrified by the treatment of the cow, I felt overwhelmed.  Simultaneously, I kept feeling that something was wrong with the story.  It just didn't feel right.

As a 4 year member of 4-H, I spent quite a bit of time with a heifer (unbred female cow) and 2 steers. I sold those 2 steers for slaughter and I understood what would happen to them. Did it bother me? Of course it did and I have probably wanted to become a vegetarian since then. But I never witnessed or otherwise experienced animal cruelty from ranchers, etc.   IMO, it would take someone psychotic (or possibly a corporation with no conscience)to treat any living being the way that the "downed" cow was treated.

 So, what about PETA? I applaud a lot of the work that they do to bring attention to and eliminate animal cruelty.  But, they seem willing to do or say anything to  achieve their ends.   Misrepresenting the truth seems to be a perfectly acceptable tactic.  It seems a great pity to me that a group that cares so deeply about a cause and has achieved notable successes shows such a lack of ethics in their approach to human beings.

Severn Suzuki - 1992 Speech Earth Summit (Re-Posted)

Jane Goodall and Robert Bateman

Help for Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue

Lilly & Lucy: A Foreign (Rescue) Affair

 by H.B. Dog


Recently, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue received a special request. It had nothing to do with Goldens – but everything to do with rescue and love. Two women, both in service to our country, need our help. We could not say ‘no.’ And so now - we ask for yours. Not for funds, but to share their story and help two amazing dogs on their journey home.

Here is their story: Combined, Erika and Gwen have served nearly 23 years as Foreign Service Officers conducting audits of U.S. international aid to ensure the best use of taxpayer dollars. Their work takes them to distant - and often dangerous places, including Russia, Haiti, Afghanistan, and as Gwen relays: “two stressful years in Iraq where I made site visits in army helicopters, tanks or other armored vehicles.” They have been serving together in Pakistan since 2013. Erika and Gwen are deployed for months or years at a time in frequently hostile environments. Their presence, though vital, is not always welcome. It can be stressful and isolating. They rely on each other for friendship, and, for the most part, avoid forming ties as they never know where their jobs will take them next.

That is until they met Lilly and Lucy. Lucy-and-Lilly_web “I know I rescued Lilly, but she also rescued me,” says Erika. ”I was going through a very difficult time here, both personally and professionally. As an auditor, you are not always welcomed by fellow colleagues due to the nature of the work. Personally, being separated from close friends and family in the States, and the stress of the changing security situation takes a toll. Lilly was someone for me to care for and be welcomed by when I got home at night. She gave me something to focus on. And her gentle, sweet nature never ceases to amaze me considering her life circumstances.” When Erika met Lilly, she was emaciated and limping. “Even though it was clear she was living a very rough life, she approached us with her head down and tail wagging, looking for affection and (hopefully) food,” Erika relays. “She allowed us to pet her, wagging her tail the entire time. And when she looked up at me with these intense, sad brown eyes, I just had to do something.” Erika took Lilly in and got her immediate medical care. That’s when she learned that she was missing a back paw. Erika fed, cared for, and nurtured Lilly back to health. A missing paw was not stopping this beautiful girl at all! Lilly_5_Web For Gwen and Lucy, it was also love at first sight. “Lucy was 8-months-old and still living near her mother who had a new litter of puppies,” Gwen tells us. ”Lucy was the only pup from her previous litter that stayed with the mother and played with the new puppies. She was skin and bones and approached people crawling on her belly, a habit that she has mostly lost but still resorts to when meeting new people and dogs.” Lucy_Rescued_web The dogs are now best friends and completely bonded. “Lilly runs like the wind to greet me despite the slight disability,” says Erika. “And she loves Lucy, her best dog friend.” About Lucy, Gwen says: “I was amazed at how adaptable and intelligent she was. Lucy turned out to be the most non-aggressive dog I have ever met. Every person and every dog is her friend and a potential playmate!” Lilly_2_Web The two spend most of their time together at Gwen’s house as she has a yard - eating, playing and sleeping together. They love being outside when the weather is warm, exploring the yard for insects and lizards and chasing crows. “In Pakistan, I work long hours, and occasionally, due to security issues, I might not be allowed to leave my house for days at a time,” says Gwen. “Having Lucy to come home to and care for has helped my morale incredibly while living in a stressful environment.”

 Lucy_web Erika and Gwen recently learned that they will be re-assigned. After stops in other locales, they will land in small apartments in Germany. As heartbreaking as it is, they know that their long work hours and lack of yard access would be a poor life for Lilly and Lucy. There is no good alternative for them in Pakistan, and they will not return these sweet pups to the streets. Their hope is to bring them safely back to the States where they can find a loving home – hopefully, together. 

Homeward Bound has agreed to help. Erika and Gwen will cover the cost of their transport, and they will be accompanied by a friend to SFO in June. Lilly is now 4; Lucy 3. They are both spayed, fully vaccinated, and will be assessed from a medical and behavior perspective, as all our dogs are. Our hope, as with all bonded dogs, is to place them together. But the most important thing is to ensure that they have a loving home – providing peace of mind to two women who have risked a lot in service to our country – including their hearts.

 Please share their story. If you know someone who might be interested in adopting them, complete an application on our website.  Lilly and Lucy are counting on us. Thank you.

Here is the link to Homeward Bound's website:
http://www.homewardboundgoldens.org

Purpose

21 Reasons You Should Make Art

Copied from: TheFutureBuzz.com:

21 Reasons You Should Make Art

 OCTOBER 1, 2008
 AUTHOR ADAM SINGER IN INSPIRATION, OPINIONS, RANDOMNESS


 I have a theory. I believe that the ability to make art, whether music, drawing, painting, sculpting – it doesn’t matter what kind – is an inherently human trait. Anyone who makes the statement “I am not creative” is wrong. Translated, it really means “I never tried”. I’ve been told I am lucky to have the ability to make music. It’s really not luck at all, I am no more skilled in writing it than you can be. The difference is, I have put forth arduous hours, days, weeks, months and years of my life into it.

 We are hard-wired for creativity. It is just a matter of honing it to a specific craft. And, it is perhaps one of the most rewarding feelings you can have — giving life to something original from within yourself to share with the world purely for intrinsic value. 

Not convinced you should be an artist yet? Here’s 21 more reasons to consider it:

 1) Creativity breeds success Whether you’re in marketing, are an entrepreneur, or any part of the business world, it is vital to culture internal creativity. I know it has been an important part of any of my successes.

 2) Do you watch TV? Make art instead What if, instead of being passively entertained, you could actively engage your mind in something that instead of leaving you empty inside, left you fulfilled and glowing. Try it.

 3) Art is a lifelong challenge and infinite intellectual puzzle The deeper I progress in my art, the less I feel like I know. And that’s amazing because it provides a sense that so much is yet to be discovered. This inspires internal motivation for not only my art, but all areas of my life.

 4) You’ll meet interesting people and make real connections Art is a great enabler of opening us up to each other and a guaranteed way to connect with like-minded people.

 5) Digital technologies enable you to easily share your results with the world Whether you’re into music, photography or visual art, it’s now as easy as clicking a mouse to share your results with thousands, even millions of people. Even if your art isn’t digital art, you can easily take a picture, make a video, or make a recording and share it online. The tools are completely democratized. 

6) There is no greater feeling of freedom Getting lost in the moment while creating art is liberating beyond anything else I have experienced.

 7) There is no wrong answer You can make anything you want, and if it is pleasing to you, it is successful, there is never a wrong answer. You don’t even have to share it with the world, in fact I probably share only about 1% of what I make with the world. It is always more enjoyable to make art for intrinsic reasons than extrinsic.

 8) Yes, you can I stated this in the introduction, but I’ll say it again: to be a human being is to be a creature of creativity. Art and creative, expressive freedom is something that each and every person is capable of. To not at least create some art is to not fully embrace your internal capabilities. 

9) Cooking is art, writing is art, comedy is art, photography is art, gardening is art… Art is really whatever you make of it, the definition is so wide open. What I’m getting at is don’t be constrained in your thinking of what art is. Find what creative outlet vibes with your personality and what comes naturally and you’ll know it’s right for you.

 10) You will learn things about yourself you didn’t know During hours spent alone engaged in your creative task, your thoughts and mindset will be shifted into a state of complete freedom from stress, anxiety and negativity. Having a flow experience is something beyond words. image credit: sagebrush photography

 11) You will challenge yourself to consistently grow One of the most rewarding things about making art is the fact that it is never complete, and once you get really into it, you will start on a quest of deep personal development.

 12) Making art is the ultimate brain boost Once engaged in a form of art, your mind will constantly be churning with new thoughts, ideas and imagery in a positive way. People talk about mental supplements, vitamins, etc. none of that has any effect. Engaging your brain in creativity and actively creating your own art is the ultimate mental boost that will carry over into your everyday life. 

13) You might not ever make a dime, and be completely fine with it I certainly have spent more money on music gear and hours making music than I have received in monetary returns. And, that doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I would be fine with if I had never even made a cent off any of my art. That’s just not the point.

 14) It will change your way of thinking about the world In a good kind of way. You will start to see beauty and patterns in things you did not before.

 15) You’ll work infinitely better with your creative team members If you work with graphic designers, advertising people, or marketers you’ll understand what motivates these creative types. The best graphic designers are independent artists in their personal time. The best advertising people produce content for fun when not making creative for clients.

16 ) Art is the most intimate form of self expression And a way to connect with others on a deeper level than anything else.

 17) Find passion again If you have lost that incredible passion you once had for life, finding a form of art to work on is a surefire way to re-spark it.

 18) Change people’s lives, make others think An amazing, unexpected byproduct of making art is that you can bring happiness to thousands of people you’ll never meet (this is something amazing about sharing art through digital technologies). And, once in awhile you’ll get an email from someone letting you know how much your art means to them. It’s an indescribable feeling. 

19) Finding meaning You can find incredible meaning in life by pursuing creative expression. It can be just what you need to conquer internal negativity and conflicts and experience personal growth. 

20) Spending time alone can be beautiful Many in society have a fear of being alone. But, I can guarantee you artists are not among those who fear solitude. In fact, they embrace it and find that time to be some of their favorite moments alive while working on their craft.

 21) An outlet for excessive emotion Feeling frustrated, depressed, anxious, angry? Art is the ultimate personal healer during stressful times.

 Art is something amazing all passionate individuals can make a part of their lives. No matter what type of art you make, it is one of the most fulfilling things you can do as a conscious and creative person. I not only find it a driving force in my life, but have witnessed what happens to someone when they get involved as well. The transformation of those people into more positive, well-rounded human beings is true, honest and incredible to witness first-hand.

 As an artist, I have taken much time to help others who came to me looking for guidance in helping them find their path. If you’re an artist, this is something you have probably experienced too. This can be even more fulfilling than creating your own art.

 A form of art is within you as well, I am sure of it. - See more at: http://thefuturebuzz.com/2008/10/01/21-reasons-you-should-make-art/#sthash.dpVO4s2l.dpuf

Pacific Horticulture Society | Revealing the “Essence of the Tree”: Aesthetic Pruning of Japanese Maples

     On the way home to California from an Oregon art workshop, I was lucky enough to be able to stop at the Portland Japanese Garden!  I am a fanatical gardener, among other things, so this stop was a very large treat!!  It is the most stunning Japanese garden I've seen yet!

     One of the very impressive aspects of the garden, is the aesthetic pruning of trees, particularly Japanese maples.  We have something approaching a type of mini Japanese garden with a couple of Japanese maples, a large camellia and various other associated plants that are meant to create an environment of tranquility, harmony, even a sanctuary from the outside world.
 
      For me, the garden is a type of canvas we are actually living within....so I work diligently to maintain it, learn how to enhance its beauty, etc.  It is a living, breathing creation...a work of art and love always in progress.

     Just as with art, I was advised to observe the subject matter very closely...to daily spend time observing our Japanese maples and to learn by doing.    The article linked below provides additional information on learning aesthetic pruning!
   

Pacific Horticulture Society | Revealing the “Essence of the Tree”: Aesthetic Pruning of Japanese Maples

The Will to Persevere