Flip Flops and Time

Flip Flops and Time

In the beginning–only flip flops and time.

Crude sandals to protect and preserve.

Long days: sandy beaches, gravelly river banks or deserts—

grow tribes, families, towns, countries.

 

In the beginning—only flip flops and time.

Youthful love; splashed with the wet of creation.

Long years: children, migrations, settlements and peace—

grow governments, wealth, boundaries and scuffle.

 

In the beginning—only flip flops and time.

Costumes flourish to prance in peacock style.

Long centuries: contests, wars, hatred and division—

grow strong in delusion.

 

In the beginning—only flip flops and time.

Creation simmered, boiled and burst into energy.

Long lines: computer code, devises, quick moving thumbs—

grow divisions of people.

 

How did we lose Flip Flops and Time?

Flip Flops and Time

Project Unconditional

Project Unconditional

Wikipedia puts it like this:

Unconditional love is known as affection without any limitations, it can also be love without conditions. This term is sometimes associated with other terms such as true altruism, or complete love. Each area of expertise has a certain way of describing unconditional love, but most will agree that it is that type of love which has no bounds and is unchanging. It is a concept comparable to true love, a term which is more frequently used to describe love between lovers. By contrast, unconditional love is frequently used to describe love between family members, comrades in arms and between others in highly committed relationships. An example of this is a parent’s love for their child; no matter a test score, a life changing decision, an argument, or a strong belief, the amount of love that remains between this bond is seen as unchanging and unconditional.

As I read this definition, I realize I have never had this experience, except with my dogs. Even in marriage there are conditions. A pact is signed; promises made, and love ebbs and flows within time. A good marriage is less conditional and a bad marriage—YIKES! So, when photographer Jane Klonsky contacted my husband Blake and me to contribute to her Project Unconditional, we didn’t hesitate.

If you follow my blog, you are familiar with the Thulani Program—a division of German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California www.gsrnc.org  www.thulanidogs.org which places old and medically needy dogs in forever foster care homes. Jane’s Project Unconditional http://www.projectunconditional.info/#projectunconditional  is on a mission to capture the love between humans and their dogs—especially those challenged with age. Click though the photo gallery below to see the results of our contribution to this wonderful project.  (All photos are courtesy of Jane Sobel Klonsky.)

The courage, loyalty and yes unconditional love these dogs bring with them after often years of abuse is fascinating. Many of us struggle with life’s challenges and spend much time licking those wounds. Yet these dogs, often abused for years— underfed, left for dead or dropped into shelters to be euthanized—put it all aside as soon as human kindness shows them a way to live. And live they do. In a few days they begin a life they have often never known—a life with balls, treats, warmth and love. They soak up every ounce of joy then return it in full, plus more, with the unconditional love defined above.

Many indigenous people believe that animal guides are our connection to the natural world. Pets of all types, and particularly dogs, have become more popular as society’s stresses increase. They have become our teachers, companions and guides. They remind us that all is not lost—there is always hope.

 

Project Unconditional

Sew What?

Sew What?

Carole King’s blockbuster album, “Tapestry” accompanied me home from work today. I rocked to “I Feel the Earth Move” and soon after teared-up with “You’ve Got a Friend”. When Carol wrote these songs, she was in transition. Her marriage had broken up with Gerry Goffin and friends were hard to come by. In the more recently released memoir, “A Natural Woman” she describes her marriages. One husband became a drug addict, another was physically abusive, and she explores the reasons why she stayed with them as long as she did, and offers advice to women in similar situations.

I thought about Carole this afternoon. Our lives have few similarities. I have never been in the music business and I’m married to my best friend, yet I feel kindred with the singer songwriter. Carole hangs on to people and situations that are not good for her too long. She’s tolerant and forgiving and will give herself away to abusive types in hopes . . . In hopes of what? That they’ll change? See the light? Say they’re sorry? Be friend-like? Fix themselves? In spite of the pain she tries again, yet each time it ends badly for her. However, she trashes no one. She takes her life with her as she leaves.

I recently put away much of what I’ve tried to do in the past few years. I accomplished some things of value, but couldn’t pull off the big picture. Instead, I dusted off my sewing machine, created a garment—a kimono—free flowing, soft and warm. I began stitching a tapestry—an intentional design—structured with room for innovation and beauty.

I spied my husband/only true friend reclined outside with a glass of local wine. With tapestry in hand I sat nearby. How would I describe my personal transition? I began, “So.” He looked at me and then at the needlework, “Sew what?” he replied and we had a good laugh.

Sew What?

So What?

Sew What?

Carole King’s blockbuster album, “Tapestry” accompanied me home from work today. I rocked to “I feel the Earth Move” and soon after teared-up with “You’ve Got a Friend”. When Carol wrote these songs, she was in transition. Her marriage had broken up with Gerry Goffin and friends were hard to come by. In the more recently released memoir, “A Natural Woman” she describes her marriages. One husband became a drug addict, another was physically abusive, and she explores the reasons why she stayed with them as long as she did, and offers advice to women in similar situations.

I thought about Carole this afternoon. Our lives have few similarities. I have never been in the music business and I’m married to my best friend, yet I feel kindred with the singer songwriter. Carole hangs on to people and situations that are not good for her too long. She’s tolerant and forgiving and will give herself away to abusive types in hopes . . . In hopes of what? That they’ll change? See the light? Say their sorry? Be friend-like? Fix themselves? In spite of the pain she tries again, yet each time it ends badly for her. However, she trashes no one. She takes her life with her as she leaves.

I recently put away much of what I’ve tried to do in the past few years. I accomplished some things of value, but couldn’t pull off the big picture. Instead, I dusted off my sewing machine, created a garment—a kimono—free flowing, soft and warm. I began stitching a tapestry—an intentional design—structured with room for innovation and beauty.

I spied my husband/only true friend reclined outside with a glass of local wine. With tapestry in hand I sat nearby. How would I describe my personal transition? I began, “So.” He looked at me and then at the needlework, “Sew what?” he replied and we had a good laugh.

So What?

Home

Home

Muscle testing or Kinesiology is often used by psychologists and medical professionals to receive answers hidden within our bodies. It is not yet time for spring gardening, yet as caretaker of the small piece of the world I call home; I have begun using the technique to ask questions about how to proceed. A few flowers have made an early showing which makes me feel that the nature spirits are slowly stretching and yawning—contemplating an early spring.

Today I sat longer than usual in meditation. Afterwards, my dogs Tatum and Woody were thrilled that it was time for a few ball tosses. Outside, as we romped, I wondered where the fairies napped, spent their evenings, and regained their strength.  I tried a simple Kinesiology exercise by making a circle with my left hand fingers and threading two right hand fingers through the center. As I walked across the lawn, I asked questions and pushed the inserted fingers against the circle wall. If the circle opened easily I interpreted a negative response, if opening felt difficult the answer was yes.

I used this technique to find the local fairy condos. I assumed they lived in the redwood tree—so much shelter and strength there—but no. I tried the climbing arbor—lots of shade in the summer for rest—but no. I was about to give up when the Fuchsia by the back door fluttered.  I asked, “Is this where you live?” I could not pull my fingers apart without a great deal of effort. Tatum’s head cocked to the right and Woody inquisitively lifted his head from his favorite napping place next to the plant.

Of course, this is completely logical. The Fuchsia bush is protected near the house. Winds and torrential rains miss the delicate flowers—shielded above by a roof extension and on two sides by the patio walls. The sun is diffused and a slight breeze wafts gently.

I gingerly tiptoed closer and took a snapshot. No need to disturb the slumber–let them sleep; we’ll have plenty of work to do soon enough.

Home

Transformation

Transformation

No hurries—no worries.

I can sit to meditate on the sun—

or the rain.

Rain that cleanses

And smells like spring—

or summer.

I walk miles alone.

Crowded only by thoughts.

Or I can hide with multitudes

It is all the same—

this feeling of now.

I swim in the ocean

Or a lake or a stream—

Wade through creeks

trickling with that sound

that brings soft sleep.

I catch a hook in my mouth

And jump with the bass

Flopping to be free

Once again.

I can do all these things in my own time.

Transformation

Balance Regeneration Options

Blake fell back and the wall became red with spaghetti and sauce. It took a few seconds for Elaine to realize that her husband’s implanted defibrillator had gone off—not once—twice.

Elaine fell back and the wall became permeated with frustration and fear. It took her a few days to realize that her beyond cuckoo meter had gone off—not once—twice.

Blake and Elaine slept off the awakening–time to re-evaluate, reschedule and restore. They considered their balance regeneration options.

The pivotal point began with the physical and mental shocks followed by an exam. The baby boomer generation, in an attempt to make it right, questioned, experimented with, changed and discarded much of which was considered the norm. We went back to the land, lived communally, had children delivered by midwives, gardened organically, ate healthy foods, meditated and at the same time, had our lives changed dramatically by media and technology. And with the effort to combine these often incongruous elements of modern day existence, we became, in many ways bi-polar—initially becoming manic with our enthusiasm, creativity and overindulgence, to later become depressed with the results.

This past week I took down a first edition of Carla Emery’s Old Fashioned Recipe Book that I had purchased from the author in its original mimeographed form in 1974. This book had been my bible when I milked goats, tended chickens and lived a happy, healthy, existence. I had a job that paid half the bills, meditated and enjoyed a peaceful home life with my equal wage earner husband, Blake. With happy times in mind, I opened the book again, found a classic recipe and made sourdough bread in my Cuisinart computerized bread machine. It took half the effort and came out great. I may be on to something. Stay tuned as Beyond Cuckoo continues . . .the garden’s cover crop will soon be tilled under, organically fertilized and planted.

 

 

Balance Regeneration Options