Rebirth
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
If the garden of Eden really exits
it does so moment by moment,
fragmented and tough,
cropping up like a fan of buddleia
high up in the gutter of a deserted warehouse,
or in a heap
of frozen cabbages
becoming luminous in the reflected light of roadside snow.
- Helen Dumore, The Raw Garden
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have applied for an apprenticeship at a botanical garden.
Did you know my name translates to "bee"? I've always wanted to try beekeeping because I'm not afraid of them. Maybe I will get my chance to live a *whole* life in this lifetime. There are so many natural things I wish to explore and learn. Wish me luck!
Woven Belt
Monday, February 26, 2007
I wove this belt last fall. It was my first attempt at using the Taaniko method of loomless weaving as practiced by the Maori of New Zealand. I had fun selecting shells for the finished look.
The necklace I promised to show Cat Women sooooon also includes Taaniko weaving.
The necklace I promised to show Cat Women sooooon also includes Taaniko weaving.
staining sponges
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Just so you know I haven't been a total slacker lately:
I've been staining slices of sponge in tea tinged with black walnut extract for a funky necklace I'm making.
I've been staining slices of sponge in tea tinged with black walnut extract for a funky necklace I'm making.
desert bubble
If you look closely...that's me in the bubble.
At the museum the other day, I wanted to show other adults that IT IS OK TO PLAY. You will be happy to know that I did not keep the younger children waiting.
At the museum the other day, I wanted to show other adults that IT IS OK TO PLAY. You will be happy to know that I did not keep the younger children waiting.
snow fun
Monday, February 19, 2007
Hey Greg! Having fun in Europe...?
Love,
Mom
PS - Greg is 20 yrs old now, and got his love of snow in Washington State.
Love,
Mom
PS - Greg is 20 yrs old now, and got his love of snow in Washington State.
Fenced In
Acid Zen Wonder Paint
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Destiny
Monday, February 12, 2007
Peter of Dodosville, a new reader at Limb, asked me to both define and describe destiny. I enjoy a challenge! Thanks for asking, Peter.
I would define destiny as...
...future events that have a greater than average chance of taking place due to our karmic patterns.
Here's what the dictionary says:
1.something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune.
2.the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.
I'd say the #2 definition matches mine pretty closely.
Destiny is not something I can recall ever questioning. I still question how it works, but not whether it exists. I think this is because I've always been an excellent dreamer, and sometimes the future leaks thru the mesh barrier between subconscience and conscience. Most of my dreams are fantasy, but occasionally I get the real deal and I can usually tell the difference. Early in my life, when future events played out as shown previously in my dreams, I had all the proof I needed. Paradoxically (and life is full of 'em) I also believe strongly in free will and the power of our own minds. Obviously, I don't view my two belief systems to be in conflict at all. How can this be?
One thing my brain very much likes to do is to create picture stories to explain concepts. Over the years, I have developed a visualization regarding myself, the future, and destiny.
Imagine yourself in a huge swimming pool. You have started at the shallow end (birth) and have been swimming for what seems to be a long time, but there is still plenty of water ahead of you before you get to the other end (death). The water (life) supports you, and you notice there are many other things and beings in the water with you. But there are also things in the water that you can't see...things too small or too fast or too unimaginable. Everything in the pool with you is affected by your movements, and vice versa. Destiny is in the pool with you, too. The destiny bits are like flecks of dust. They are everywhere. As you swim, some of the destiny bits are forced away from your body by your sense of purpose. Others, simultaneously, are following currents caused by motion (yours or other living things) so that they end up directly in your path...seemingly unavoidable. The possible interactions are endless, but not necessarily random. The destiny bits can be avoided, if you see them...but not always. With practice, you begin to see the destiny flecks immediately in front of you. You can chose to avoid them, or not. With lots of practice you see destiny at greater and greater distances in front of you, especially when the bits are more like crackers! (Watch out for those!)
Which brings to mind the Titanic. Did the super-hype promotion of the Titanic being "unsinkable" start a karmic reaction bringing the fatal iceberg into line with the doomed Titanic at a particular moment in time? Here's a link about premonitions of disaster. Premonitions are glimpses of destiny. It is interesting to me that disasters, injuries, trauma & drama are more likely than other events to be "seen" ahead of time. I think premonitions are survival skills which many willfully push away mistakenly thinking that we have to chose between destiny and the power of free will. Far from it! Those who foresaw the destiny of the Titanic didn't get on the ship, or took extreme precautions once on board (which may or may not have saved them).
Obviously, we can't avoid all the stuff we create with our own actions in the pool of life, nor would we want to! Our loves and joys are tied to destiny as well. Our intent strongly affects destiny. And I've noticed that I'm always in a relaxed good mood *before* I get a run of good luck with the dice or cards.
We can tread lightly, pay attention, and keep an open mind. If you want to practice seeing destiny before it hits you in the face, I recommend meditation and dream yoga. There are probably thousands of other ways to strengthen abilities in this realm.
By the way, while you are swimming in that pool, aren't you connected molecule-to-molecule to every speck of karmic dust right from the "start"? Remember all the other stuff in the pool stirring things up? It's a mine field of karmic destiny (karmestiny).
I would define destiny as...
...future events that have a greater than average chance of taking place due to our karmic patterns.
Here's what the dictionary says:
1.something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune.
2.the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.
I'd say the #2 definition matches mine pretty closely.
Destiny is not something I can recall ever questioning. I still question how it works, but not whether it exists. I think this is because I've always been an excellent dreamer, and sometimes the future leaks thru the mesh barrier between subconscience and conscience. Most of my dreams are fantasy, but occasionally I get the real deal and I can usually tell the difference. Early in my life, when future events played out as shown previously in my dreams, I had all the proof I needed. Paradoxically (and life is full of 'em) I also believe strongly in free will and the power of our own minds. Obviously, I don't view my two belief systems to be in conflict at all. How can this be?
One thing my brain very much likes to do is to create picture stories to explain concepts. Over the years, I have developed a visualization regarding myself, the future, and destiny.
Imagine yourself in a huge swimming pool. You have started at the shallow end (birth) and have been swimming for what seems to be a long time, but there is still plenty of water ahead of you before you get to the other end (death). The water (life) supports you, and you notice there are many other things and beings in the water with you. But there are also things in the water that you can't see...things too small or too fast or too unimaginable. Everything in the pool with you is affected by your movements, and vice versa. Destiny is in the pool with you, too. The destiny bits are like flecks of dust. They are everywhere. As you swim, some of the destiny bits are forced away from your body by your sense of purpose. Others, simultaneously, are following currents caused by motion (yours or other living things) so that they end up directly in your path...seemingly unavoidable. The possible interactions are endless, but not necessarily random. The destiny bits can be avoided, if you see them...but not always. With practice, you begin to see the destiny flecks immediately in front of you. You can chose to avoid them, or not. With lots of practice you see destiny at greater and greater distances in front of you, especially when the bits are more like crackers! (Watch out for those!)
Which brings to mind the Titanic. Did the super-hype promotion of the Titanic being "unsinkable" start a karmic reaction bringing the fatal iceberg into line with the doomed Titanic at a particular moment in time? Here's a link about premonitions of disaster. Premonitions are glimpses of destiny. It is interesting to me that disasters, injuries, trauma & drama are more likely than other events to be "seen" ahead of time. I think premonitions are survival skills which many willfully push away mistakenly thinking that we have to chose between destiny and the power of free will. Far from it! Those who foresaw the destiny of the Titanic didn't get on the ship, or took extreme precautions once on board (which may or may not have saved them).
Obviously, we can't avoid all the stuff we create with our own actions in the pool of life, nor would we want to! Our loves and joys are tied to destiny as well. Our intent strongly affects destiny. And I've noticed that I'm always in a relaxed good mood *before* I get a run of good luck with the dice or cards.
We can tread lightly, pay attention, and keep an open mind. If you want to practice seeing destiny before it hits you in the face, I recommend meditation and dream yoga. There are probably thousands of other ways to strengthen abilities in this realm.
By the way, while you are swimming in that pool, aren't you connected molecule-to-molecule to every speck of karmic dust right from the "start"? Remember all the other stuff in the pool stirring things up? It's a mine field of karmic destiny (karmestiny).
What Purpose?
Sons and daughters
you needn't be strong to withstand
the coming hardships.
Instead,
remain vulnerable,
willing and helpful.
Truthfully observe
your every move,
thought, and
whisper.
and ask
What purpose does this serve?
Take a long look at the things
that disgust you.
What purpose does this serve?
Why do you flinch,
revolt, spew anger,
and strike out at the innocent.
You are a mere human
yes
but deeper and deeper
there is more.
What purpose does this serve?
And when you finally
know yourself
you will know others
because we are one.
Be kind.
2-u-2
you needn't be strong to withstand
the coming hardships.
Instead,
remain vulnerable,
willing and helpful.
Truthfully observe
your every move,
thought, and
whisper.
and ask
What purpose does this serve?
Take a long look at the things
that disgust you.
What purpose does this serve?
Why do you flinch,
revolt, spew anger,
and strike out at the innocent.
You are a mere human
yes
but deeper and deeper
there is more.
What purpose does this serve?
And when you finally
know yourself
you will know others
because we are one.
Be kind.
2-u-2
Karmestiny
Maybe karma and destiny work together like ying and yang.
Albino Squirrels
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Long ago, there was a semi-tame albino squirrel who frequented the campgrounds of Juniper Springs, Florida. We had peanuts for him, and with patience he would take the peanut from an outstretched hand. In those days, before I became a slave to the office, I had a great deal of patience, especially with animals. One day when I was feeding the white squirrel, he ran up my arm and sat on my shoulder. I was so pleased.
Not far from Juniper, I had another notable squirrel experience on a camping trip. My sister and I had had a rough night which ended with chunks of skin clawed out of my forearms because, apparently, I was on her side of the mattress (asleep). When daylight broke, I got far enough away from the campsite that I wouldn't have to listen to her voice, or my parents, or anyone else. I was angry and hurt as I sat down to pout. I noticed a squirrel in the huge Live Oak tree I sat beneath. No...wait...not one squirrel but several, many, dozens...all leaping and chasing and playing. The entire tree was alive with squirrels. Perhaps their activity was a prelude to mating, but I never saw any pause long enough to mate.
The whole vision was beautiful. The oak tree was massive with well-balanced limbs. The squirrels knew every inch of the tree. The entire tree was in motion at all times. If I stopped focusing on individual squirrels, I could see the whole tree come alive, like looking just to the side of a star in the skys to see it. I was spellbound. To this day, it is still one of the most beautiful natural sights I have ever witnessed, and I've seen quite a few!!
Albino Squirrel Preservation Society
Not far from Juniper, I had another notable squirrel experience on a camping trip. My sister and I had had a rough night which ended with chunks of skin clawed out of my forearms because, apparently, I was on her side of the mattress (asleep). When daylight broke, I got far enough away from the campsite that I wouldn't have to listen to her voice, or my parents, or anyone else. I was angry and hurt as I sat down to pout. I noticed a squirrel in the huge Live Oak tree I sat beneath. No...wait...not one squirrel but several, many, dozens...all leaping and chasing and playing. The entire tree was alive with squirrels. Perhaps their activity was a prelude to mating, but I never saw any pause long enough to mate.
The whole vision was beautiful. The oak tree was massive with well-balanced limbs. The squirrels knew every inch of the tree. The entire tree was in motion at all times. If I stopped focusing on individual squirrels, I could see the whole tree come alive, like looking just to the side of a star in the skys to see it. I was spellbound. To this day, it is still one of the most beautiful natural sights I have ever witnessed, and I've seen quite a few!!
Albino Squirrel Preservation Society
A Visit to Vinnie's
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Memory
My earliest childhood memory is from age two. My parents were renting a house on a large farm in New Jersey. My sister would walk with me down the dirt lane next to the crops. My memory is:
I found and identified a single stalk of asparagus growing near the ditch.
I didn't know what it was called, but I knew it was edible
from observation at family meals.
I picked the asparagus and took it to my mother.
She told me she could not be bothered cooking one stalk of asparagus
for the family meal
and she threw it in the trash.
I cried.
Now here's the thing. My Mom thought I was crying because I didn't get my way, and that is a reasonable assumption, especially when dealing with two year olds.
But I remember how I felt,
which was
that I had picked a living thing
for no good reason
and there it was
lying in the trash
to rot
and it was my fault.
I had killed it needlessly;
The stalk was waste.
Do most children feel this way about all living things, but forget?
Did lessons in my past lives cause me to empathize strongly with plants?
Was I simply reacting to an already-established guilt-blame pattern?
Did I feel stupid for assuming an edible thing must be eaten if picked?
Why did this memory stick?
I felt traumatized.
I felt ashamed that I felt traumatized over such a "little thing".
Now look at our environment.
I found and identified a single stalk of asparagus growing near the ditch.
I didn't know what it was called, but I knew it was edible
from observation at family meals.
I picked the asparagus and took it to my mother.
She told me she could not be bothered cooking one stalk of asparagus
for the family meal
and she threw it in the trash.
I cried.
Now here's the thing. My Mom thought I was crying because I didn't get my way, and that is a reasonable assumption, especially when dealing with two year olds.
But I remember how I felt,
which was
that I had picked a living thing
for no good reason
and there it was
lying in the trash
to rot
and it was my fault.
I had killed it needlessly;
The stalk was waste.
Do most children feel this way about all living things, but forget?
Did lessons in my past lives cause me to empathize strongly with plants?
Was I simply reacting to an already-established guilt-blame pattern?
Did I feel stupid for assuming an edible thing must be eaten if picked?
Why did this memory stick?
I felt traumatized.
I felt ashamed that I felt traumatized over such a "little thing".
Now look at our environment.
Spirituality
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Some days,
I think of spirituality as one of the 4 brain waves,
Anything but Beta.
Other days,
it's the relief I feel when all my socks match up
after the laundromat.
I think of spirituality as one of the 4 brain waves,
Anything but Beta.
Other days,
it's the relief I feel when all my socks match up
after the laundromat.
Blame
Friday, February 02, 2007
While at the zoo, I crossed paths with parents pushing their toddler in a stroller. Suddenly, the toddler let out a mighty scream, as toddlers are prone to do sometimes. It became immediately obvious that the father had accidentally pushed the stroller into the curb while the child's feet were hanging below the footrest thereby bending/brusing the little feet somewhat.
Up to this point, no blame has exchanged....um....feet.
The father was embarrassed. The mother spoke first to the child (irritated voice)..."We TOLD you not to hang your feet over the edge. Now you see what happens."
I am happy to see that the (assumed) Mom is examining and rubbing the child's ankles. However, she is still ranting "Do you see?......Will you keep your feet up?.....Are you listening?"
I am dismayed that neither parent has set a proper example for the child by asking, "Are you alright? I'm sorry you got hurt. Let's put your feet back up here so that doesn't happen again. OK?"
What might a child learn throughout the years with blame-oriented parents?
* I wasn't paying attention. I got hurt. It was my fault. They told me over and over again not to do that, but I forgot. Maybe I'm stupid. They don't like me when I make mistakes. I'll try harder.....and harder...........and harder..........................
......but it is never good enough. Is it.
How is the kid going to enjoy the zoo if he is always thinking and watching his feet? The Dad has had many years to practice mindfulness. Maybe he should have been watching where he was pushing. Why didn't the Mom take her irritation out on the Dad? Why was she irritated at all? Why didn't Dad gently stop the Mom from her rant? And what was that giraffe looking at, anyway? ...the nerve of some animals...
Up to this point, no blame has exchanged....um....feet.
The father was embarrassed. The mother spoke first to the child (irritated voice)..."We TOLD you not to hang your feet over the edge. Now you see what happens."
I am happy to see that the (assumed) Mom is examining and rubbing the child's ankles. However, she is still ranting "Do you see?......Will you keep your feet up?.....Are you listening?"
I am dismayed that neither parent has set a proper example for the child by asking, "Are you alright? I'm sorry you got hurt. Let's put your feet back up here so that doesn't happen again. OK?"
What might a child learn throughout the years with blame-oriented parents?
* I wasn't paying attention. I got hurt. It was my fault. They told me over and over again not to do that, but I forgot. Maybe I'm stupid. They don't like me when I make mistakes. I'll try harder.....and harder...........and harder..........................
......but it is never good enough. Is it.
How is the kid going to enjoy the zoo if he is always thinking and watching his feet? The Dad has had many years to practice mindfulness. Maybe he should have been watching where he was pushing. Why didn't the Mom take her irritation out on the Dad? Why was she irritated at all? Why didn't Dad gently stop the Mom from her rant? And what was that giraffe looking at, anyway? ...the nerve of some animals...
