Make a statement. Go to the show this week and See This Film. Let’s break box office records. Send and share the message today. Climate Change is Real.
https://www.climaterealityproject.org/initiative/inconvenient-sequel-truth-power
https://www.climaterealityproject.org/paris
Beyond Cuckoo took to the road last week to find sanity among the Redwood Forests of Northern California. We camped at Grizzly Creek, a small and mighty nook of a place, along the Van Duzen River in Humboldt County. It’s not surprising that we often look to nature to understand where we’ve been and our potential to become sturdy and strong like the Redwoods.
Redwoods have 66 or more chromosomes (six copies of each chromosome) which help the tree fight disease. When attacked the tree has a chance to protect itself. These trees can intercept dense coastal fog and absorb it through their leaves to stay hydrated during dry summers. Which brings us to the issue of climate change. I’m saddened that this term is over-used to the point that it has lost meaning. However, one trip in nature brings the point home.
We were fortunate to arrive at our destination on a day that included a campfire program about owls. Who knew that there was so much controversy surrounding habitats for the Northern Spotted Owl, the Barred Owl and a recently sighted hybrid, the Sparred Owl? I’ve included links for you to investigate and learn about these complicated issues.
Inspiration comes with getting outside. Grizzly Creek is a traveler’s and a local’s destination. The day use area is a popular picnic and swimming spot. Well-marked hiking trails allowed me to venture off for a “tree bath” and a few conversations with the nature spirits. At the nearby Owen R, Cheatham Grove where George Lucas filmed the Return of the Jedi, I swear I saw an Ewok or two peering out from under the forest ferns.
Finally, I encourage you to become familiar with the work of the Save The Redwood League. They have been paramount in protecting redwood forests since 1918 and helped to keep Grizzly Creek open during the dismal state budget years.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=421
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1217_021226_tvinterbreeding.html
https://www.savetheredwoods.org/
“It’s official, Carmel announced to the garden, “Jerry says the drought is over in California. So, look alive!”
Carmel’s garden didn’t ask, nor care, who this Jerry was, but if it did, Carmel was prepared to explain about how the current California Governor, Jerry Brown, knew these things. Instead she pulled the garden cart into the shade of her favorite pine and sat to meditate and continue the conversation.
It’s been a tough few years for both you and me, but once again, we’ve made it through,” she began with the obvious and added one more thought, “although, there were times I thought it would never get any better, yet it did, despite ourselves.”
She sat, drifting in and out of deep silence, interspersed with watery thoughts that sought the path of least resistance. She remembered reading that the human body is at least 60% water. She wondered if it was the same for her trees, flowers, herbs and grasses. She had cut their water in half the last three years, were they frightened as she had been? Trying to survive attack from without in a desert of human misdeeds and cruelties?
No matter. She had her strengths and innate courage, like her garden. Although she had to admit that when the rains came, they came fast and furious, challenging her hold on situational reality. Not too long ago, she had braved the storms to re-tie the stakes that held their world together. Nothing had toppled or blown away. Instead, the deluge had delivered a welcomed soaking of life and spirit.
* * *
A garden and gardener are lovers–carefully caretaking each other’s needs–fulfilling desires–that they only whisper about. Years of careful management builds a legacy that lasts for many generations. Secrets are hidden in seeds carefully stowed away until the timing is perfect to plant.
The garden and the gardener understand what sustains and what destroys. They work together to build resilience and continuity when challenged by life’s extremes. They forgive mistakes and live on, to trust once again, in the bond they’ve made.
Carmel hand waters her relationships–time consuming–consequently she has few. When weeds begin to overwhelm the landscape, she pulls at them with a strength that comes to her by will. Yet, what is a flower to one, is a weed to another, and she tries to understand the difference.
Only once did she fail a garden, when after cultivating their relationship for several years, she left it in someone else’s care. When she returned the land had been covered in asphalt and automobiles sat where the raised beds had been. She had sold it out and they never recovered. She moved on with trepidation and worry.
* * *
Today, between the drought and deluge, summertime brings the sweetness of a ripe tomato, red and juicy as the act of love. Carmel knows of the dangers outside the fence that protects her, but has decided to be aware, do what she can, and move forward. She will defend the boundaries with her life and welcome in those that care. The invitees are different, unusual, yet seek a peace that they know is true. Their peace, not necessarily hers, but welcomed just the same. A peace to be planted, tended and harvested–until the next deluge.
As those of you who follow me on social media already know, I spent the past Memorial Day weekend with friends and hubby in Las Vegas, Nevada. After we landed at the airport, we took a quick auto tour of “the strip” which was as expected–the beyond cuckoo world of an adult Disneyland nestled smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert. We spent the rest of our time taking in the unique beauty of the surrounding area.
Taking into Consideration that the U.S. Government owns 85% of the land in Nevada, much of which is used by the military, it isn’t unusual to see unexplained objects in the night sky. Then, of course, there is the infamous Area 51 where rumors of alien contact run rampant. Still, I was surprised to find this video today taken the same night, from the same neighborhood, where we stayed.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Red Rock Canyon NCA is a mere 15 miles west of Las Vegas and is easily seen from the strip. It is also an area visited by strange lights and objects in the night sky. There are numerous reports that aliens have been seen in the casinos, alongside Elvis sightings–remember Men in Black? I’ll have to admit that I am often tuned in to my surroundings–some may say psychic–at the very least, sensitive. That’s why I took this photo. Looks like an alien encampment to me–how about you?
River flipped through the restaurant menu guide at the Hampton Suites. She had intended to eat earlier at the bar, but her appetite had faded with the anxiety that lingered inside her. Why? She didn’t know, but now she was famished. She ordered from the first pizza delivery service listed, hung up and re-dialed. Rochelle answered her cell. “Hello?”
“Hi, this is River, I just got in.”
“Have you been to the site yet?”
“No, I told you, I just got in.”
A long silence followed—probably a few minutes, but to River, it felt like an hour. Rochelle used long pauses to control conversations. River used to jump in, but as soon as she’d start to speak, Rochelle would cut her off. She had learned to wait her boss out and the test had turned into a game between them. Who would go first? River had nowhere to go and she leaned back on the bed pillow.
“Are you there?” Rochelle’s voice finally came through.
“Yeah, I’m waiting for a pizza delivery. Is there something you need?”
“I’m sending Dusty to meet up with you in a few days. I want all the sampling done before she gets there . . . understood?”
“Sure, no problem. Anything else?”
“No that’s it. Have a good night.”
The abrupt ending of the call sent panic through her veins, she didn’t know why. Routine activities usually helped. A few hours later River had scarfed the delivered pizza, drank a few beers from the honor bar, watched a shopping channel on TV, took a long hot bath and got into bed. Just before she dozed off, she looked at the clock which said 2:00.
The dream was different. Not the usual race through the darkness she had come to expect.
The moonlit landscape flowed high and low through mountains and valleys. Animals—large and small cats, birds, lizards and snakes–huddled around an oasis of wetland. When she approached, they became motionless statues, when she backed off and they would resume drinking. A hand grabbed at her shoulder; River turned and gazed into the eyes of a red-haired woman.
“Are you a robber?” River asked.
“Oh no, I am on your side. I’m here to protect you. If anyone bothers you, you call me.”
River wanted to believe, but thought it best to move away. Two older women with hoes were digging trenches through which the waters of the oasis drained. The animal statues crumbled to sand. River ran her fingers through the particles and cried.
The phone call jarred River awake. “Good Morning Ms. Agosto, this is your wake-up call.”
My work in progress, a novel with the working title of “River” ,is an environmental/political thriller focused on water and wildlife issues of the American Desert Southwest. I welcome any and all comments or information to help me drive the story. (Including the infamous WALL, immigration issues, and current government administrations.) This is a tidbit of story. elaine@mediadesign-mds.com
I am honored to be included in the campaign to educate heart patients and their caregivers about Heart Valve repair and replacement surgery. My book, “Heartfelt” is featured this month on the Alliance for Aging Research’s website. http://www.livingwithvalvedisease.org/
Order Heartfelt, Caregiver’s Guide to Cardiomyopathy and Mitral Valve Surgery ORDER
Personal Power
To connect with and hold on to power is high on my list—not political power—Goddess no! Electrical power—pure, simple, plugs. You know the ones—little, big, one prong, two prong or three prong oddly shaped electric plugs that make a male/female connection sexy. So sexy that they light up and energize cell phones, computers, appliances, radios, TVs, and miscellaneous adult and childish toys of all kinds. Titillation that would make Thomas Edison take notice.
If you follow this blog you know that I’m preparing for a road trip—short at first to get my sea legs—to soon increase in time and distance. This will happen with my longtime friend, husband and ally, Blake—this is if I can keep him alive, but that’s another story. (Check out the home page for Balanced on the Edge of the Crowd and Heartfelt.) The long and short of it is, we’ve come a long way and so has technology. Check out the pictures below to see the change in vehicles. The 1966 Chevy converted camper (top) is what we traveled in for the first ten years together. The Thor Motor Coach (bottom) is newly purchased.
Then there’s the weather. (Or like D.Trump likes to say— “It’s just weather.”) I don’t know where you live, but we have increasingly turbulent weather. (Global warming? DT says Naw.) Today 
there is a flood alert and so far, power. Yet on some days, life and all our techie gadgets become powerless—for all useful purposes, dead. An unknown brutal attack comes out of nowhere that kills the power. Can you say alternative energy? (DT can’t.) Well I can. Which brings me to why I’m telling you all this. The answer is of course, on the internet, where you can find anything, that is, if you have the power.
Here’s a handy clickable list of what we’ve bought so far:
ZTE MOBILE HOTSPOT
https://www.consumercellular.com/Products/676/Details
GOAL ZERO Yeti 150 Solar Generator Power Pack
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1043818-REG/goal_zero_gz_22004_yeti_150_solar_generator.html
Apple 16GB iPod touch (6th Generation)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1170761-REG/apple_mkh62ll_a_16gb_ipod_touch_space.html
instaCHARGE Grab-and-Go 4-pack 4,000 mAh Portable Device Chargers with Charging Station and 5 Charging Cables
https://www.hsn.com/products/instacharge-4pk-portable-device-chargers-wcharge-dock/8196646
Bose® SoundLink® Color II Water-Resistant Bluetooth Speaker
https://www.hsn.com/products/bose-soundlink-color-ii-bluetooth-speaker/8250041
With the above, we can now get an internet connection, recharge and power almost anything at home or on the road, without a land connection. Pretty cool and so Beyond Cuckoo.
