Odd Things In the Forest

Some guys never get over being Tree Guys.

This was a practice session of yoga with walkie-talkies.

I'm not kidding.

Perhaps practicing Meadow Yoga with Helicopters.  Kai would have loved this.

Fascinated with where the Giants meet the Earth, I found that I took many photos of their beautiful feet.  Reminding me of elephant toes.

Each one individual.  Each so solid.  Grounded.

I suppose one could tell a lot about their unique personality.  Maybe.  

A tiny stream frolics over the boulder, as it makes its way down the mountain, through the Grove of Giants.

Last year the fire was right here.  Burnt her toes.

Have you ever heard of Julia Butterfly Hill?  She lived in a huge, old growth Redwood tree near the town where I was born in Northern California.  She was up, way up, on a platform built near the top of the tree.  She named the tree Luna.  Tonight I googled her, to find that soon after her negotiated truce to come down and to protect the tree, with the Pacific Lumber Co.,  that the tree was cut nearly through by chainsaw in 2001.  The Lumber Company, the foresters, the Humboldt State University biologists, and tree specialists all worked together to create a giant steel brace to save Luna.  The vandalizing logger has never been found, or charged.

I don't know why that story came up, except that I remember reading some of her writing.  She wrote of how she began to feel the tree's response to the weather, of how the Redwood seemed to relax into the storm rather than resist.  

Of course, if you have ever leaned into a tree you may have experience the deep comfort emanating from deep within its core.  Tree hugging is a direct route to Peace.

When Julia Butterfly Hill sat high in the Redwood,  forces were already well into play of economic doom for the area, for the whole country, really.  Corporate greed had come to Humboldt.  Her actions angered (infuriated) many.  I have heard it said that she didn't really stay up there all that time.   I don't know, I haven't even read her book in its entirety.  Of course, I love that she named the tree Luna. 

(Smile)

I admire Julia Butterfly Hill for taking a stand about something important.  The Old Growth Redwoods are important.  It took an act of crazy courage to bring the insanity of clear-cutting to a halt.  Humans need the wild things, including wild plants.  We need our ancient forests.  We need to stop destroying the amazing ecosystems which have flourished on the planet, in fact, made it a place where humans can survive.

I wonder how Luna the Tree is doing?  I wonder how the logger is doing?  I hope that some Peace has settled into all.

Let's dream of Balance for tonight.

xoxoLC

Sampler of the Trip to King's Canyon National Park

First business, included in seven or eight pages of "The List" is to harvest the tomatoes, since they are the cornerstone of my diet at this time of year.  These, and five incredible avocados (one at a time!) made each meal, regardless of menu or plan, delicious.  And, I successfully hid them from the bears (one bear to another).

In the car, on Hwy. 12, going East.  The next few photos are taken from the car.  Hehehehee.  I entertain myself easily  ;-)   Highway 12 goes through very barren looking landscape.  Dry.  Brown.  Endless.  Different seasons are astonishingly beautiful in this country.  At this time it appears that the main crop is the wind.

I love the abstract nature of car photography.

The windmills are phenomenal.  Silent.  White.

I fell asleep, woke up somewhere else.  

We were cruising along with a train which was decorated beyond belief.  Amazing.

Heading into the Sierras!  Evening.  Magnificent.

The next morning, sweet rays of sun illuminate the tiny ones who live in the tips of Ceder boughs.

Let's go to King's Canyon!  We head out, to find that the Canyon is burning.  Lightening started the fire, and the Forest Service is not interfering.  Over the years humans have come to a little better understanding of fire, Nature, regeneration.  This fire is closely monitored, as the the Park is so full of people, and it is burning near the Visitor Center.

Sitting on a rock at the edge of the King's River:  we have been here in mountain spring time, late June, and this river is wild.  WILD.  I have no words to describe it at it's spring-runoff time.  It roars and pounds and vibrates the world through which it throws itself.  I was thrilled to sit on a rock and let the cold water rush around me.

This trip was beautiful in every way.  We were with friends.  This being the first time in seven years that we have been to these spots.  

We began coming to The Park when SethO was just 9.  Well.  That was his first trip.  I didn't go, as I could not bear to let my little son go.  His first trip to Diabetes Camp was solo, as they do not allow parents!  That session was when he learned how to administer his very own shots of insulin.  The next year, I believe, we went down and picked him up from Bearskin Meadows.  We stayed overnight, and made plans for the next year to stay longer.  Gradually we worked up to staying a week in the wilderness. 

Our trip this weekend brought back many wonder filled memories of being in the mountains with our sons over a ten-year period.  We laughed.  I cried.  It is weird, but if I had the power to freeze-dry time, I'd do it.  Camping with our boys in the Sierra's was just incredible.

O.K.  This was definitely a "high" light.  Lord.  Yes, "I remember" climbing all the way to the top and praying that Skyler would not jump or fall off of the damn thing.  Argh.

This time, I did not make it to the top.  I made it to the first landing, and my spirit and body said, "No."  The whole mountain top began a slow swirl, and I had to sit down immediately.  In fact, even as I write this I can feel it:  it means:  stop.  you are going to faint.  Every time that I have over-ridden this message I have fainted.  So, I have gotten smarter!

I do not know what this is, other than an alpine shrub.  It is what I focused upon when I reached the solid ground.  The afternoon light causing the spiky seed pods to glow, the slate-gray green leaves, the amazing scent of pines, sun-baked needles, sandy soil, warm granite all contributed to my grounding once again, on Dear, Sweet Mother Earth.

We are re-inspired to go camping.  Our tent is dusted-off, the stove works, the lantern even works.  The pick-up makes life in the woods very easy.  Packing for two adults is remarkably easier than packing up kids and gear.  I think we can do it!  BUT, I really want a bed!  and a bathroom!  (ok.  enough of the confessional stuff).  I did worry over-much about the bears, to the point of hearing them growl in the night, though I have no proof that it was a bear.  The air mattress deflated to the point that when Wayne got up to make the coffee, I was left on the hard hard ground, but did I care?  No.  Coffee.

Last night in my own bed, warm and cozy,  I slept like the proverbial log.  And I think I will go make myself a cup of coffee, just for the mid-day-luxury of it.

It is goooooooooood to be home!

xoxoLC

Morning

This morning I discover yet another variation to Glorify Morning.  As I kneel to focus the camera, bzzzzzzzzzz!  Bumble buzzes in and goes to work, completely ignoring me.  His hunched little black body really reminds me of Emerson.

 
We are getting there, my camera and I.  I cannot get enough of the blue-on-blue of a sunny summer morning.  Right now this is my dessert.

A trio of lovelies.  This is how God shows me perfection, as I could never dream this up by myself.

There is a tangle in my heart.  It is a good thing, of course.  Tendrils.  Opening blossoms.  Open-faced and cheerful.  Petals.  Color.  Seeds maturing.  Seeds for next year.  Seeds for the birds, right now.

A tangle.  

I love you.

xoxo

LC

First Ever Annual Arts Sonoma Festival '10!

So, we all woke up really early after hardly sleeping and schlepped  our work to the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.  Skipping breakfast did not dampen Hanya's spirits, but did drive our vegetarian to the Lay's Potato Chips because, seriously, there was no food in sight.  Mine was measured, weighed, and hidden!

Hanya is a Landscape Artist.  Her connection to the land infuses her work with color, motion, atmosphere and depth.  In her work the landscape shimmers with emotion and passion.

Laura Paine Carr's corner, not quite how it settled, but getting there.  I was able to use both sides of my space and still create a welcoming little corner.

Set-up in the Atrium:  artists have a way with space!  They bustle and concentrate,  work hard, fret, fuss, and cheer one another on to the finished booth.  Of course quite a lot of visiting gets to happen as well.

This event was the first of its kind in Sonoma County.  Counties on all sides of us have had art festivals for decades.  Of course, Sonoma has focused on wine; "Wine Country!"  Meanwhile there are artists, writers and musicians everywhere.  Seriously.  Everywhere.  It is quite amazing, really.

I might add:  our corner of the world is beyond amazing.  We are so blessed.

Pamela Heck is a very eclectic artist.  Her gourds invite the viewer into the realm of the fantastic, peopled with mermaids, fairies, and dreams.  This gourd is of deeper hue than I was able to capture.  Her gourds also bring the sacred to life.

Pamela's paintings are deepening into her own style of Realism.  This is one of a series which depicts her sons.

Believe it or not, but this is a gourd.  She is not only captivating, but regal, mysterious.  Gives one pause.

Ruth Cardin's beaded jewelry leaves one breathless.   Her pieces are meant for Royalty, that's what I have to say about that.  Can you imagine?

Want to know something wonderful?  She is making me one!  

Here she is, Beautiful Woman, wearing the very first beaded necklace that she ever created!

You MUST enlarge this photo and enjoy the work, design, aesthetic, and all the faces!

I do not personally know this artist, but I want to!  Her name is Laurel Begley, and I am going Christmas shopping at her place.  

Can you imagine a cup of tea with a cookie, holding this small cup and saucer in your hands?  Perfection.  Even better, imagine two of them, and sharing tea with a friend, or Little Person!

Two girls came to Hanya's booth and were intrigued with her palette.  She taught them how to hold it, balancing it on the fore arm stabilizing with the thumb.  It isn't easy!

Outside the door from my booth stands this sculpture, Osprey and young with a salmon.  By afternoon the sun splashed golden all over it, the cast bronze came alive.

Artists are learning to market their work.  Of course, many are already into this aspect of their art.  I will correct that statement:  I am learning to market my work.  This event was a good one,  showcasing artists in our area.  As events go, it was rather impromtu, but so much good stuff came together, impressing those who did attend.  In our area, at this time of year, one can go from town to town, and take in festivals, farmer's markets, concerts.  Arts Sonoma Festival will be one to watch grow, and even better, one in which to participate.

Fun.  And I sold a painting!  It is going to a loving, spiritual, generous home.  In Love. 

Thank you, Gail.

xoxoLC

Mumbling

Just unfurling today, such a pretty face.  

These Glories are my miracle for today.

Feeling a little discombobulated:  thinking(stop that) that I should branch out and photograph something more ...  more something.  I mean, this must be getting old hat, or boring, or less exciting, than, than what?  If this apple tree could talk, would she say that it's boring standing in the orchard, day after day, week after week after year after year?  "Damn worms, you're back this year?  Didn't get your belly full last August?"

A Sunflower a Day keeps the insanity at bay.

If all goes well.

Which it does.

xoxoLC

Beginning celebrations

All promises swell within the pomegranate.  Mmmmmm.  All those red, juicy seeds are busy becoming.  School started for my grandkidlets this morning.  In conversation with daughter Sarah, I realised that starting school mid-August seems unfair to Mama's and children.  Of course, most of what I have known, or thought that I knew, or even got used to over time, seems to not apply today.  Annie couldn't hardly wait for First Grade to get going.  Kai, on the other hand, is accusing his mother of child abuse and abandonment, and threatening to have her put on house-arrest should she go through with this First Grade Thing.  Last night his Mom, (my Elisabeth) said that to Kai, "First Grade is like the F-word!"

I for one, have always loved the beginning of classes.  I love the supplies!  Sharp pencils, new crayons, new crisp notebooks, new books, oh the list can go on and on.  I do love new.

This morning I found new blue.  Up until now all the Glories have been the deep purple of Grandpa Ott.  Today, newly unfolded and the size of a saucer, was this beauty.  Up high above my head is a blue striped one, but to photograph it I am going to have to move the ladder, and I don't feel up to that right now.  Maybe later.

Yes.  I have to show you another Butternut Squash.  Oh.  Yum.  Isn't it beautiful?  Truth be known:  I am loving this cool summer.  It is so easy to take walks, to work in the garden, to go to "work."  It is pleasant to not be roasting, or sweating, or gasping from a wall of heat outside the door.  Now.  We are experiencing a mild summer.  Parts of the country are experiencing hardship from drought and dire temperatures.  The monsoons in Pakistan have released 10 times the 'normal' rainfall.  Millions and millions of people are suffering.

Today one of my assignments is to start a new notebook, it goes with my new plan (which is really the ongoing Plan of the Universe as regards LC).  Daily I am to record miracles that I notice.

My grandchildren, marching, skipping, smiling, crying, dragging off to school are each and every one; a miracle.  My sister is a miracle.  My assignment is a miracle (as is me doing it!).  My daughters and sons are miracles.  Of course, my husband is a miracle, too.  Oh, Emerson and Luna are miracles.

I took a long walk this morning.  By myself.  I am a talkative kind of person, and walking can be a solace, peaceful and beautiful as I make my way through the vineyards and the river banks.  Today I needed to have a long talk with myself, and I did.  I needed to speak out-loud with God, with the Goddess.  I needed to claim my spiritual life, my own epiphanies, my own Miracle.  Wow.  Perhaps I should patent this method!  Guaranteed Miracles.   Over two miles melted under my Keens, and I covered several large subjects, out loud.  At one point (yes, I was in animated conversation with myself) I realized that I was passing right through a group of workers who were taking a break from the vineyard.  I realized that they were all staring at me, some with shall we say, an amazed look (do you think they saw the miracles?).  Well.  I just kept going.  Those who know me too well, know that it is a major miracle that I did not scream and jump sky-high, being startled by the fact that there are other people on the face of the Earth besides me.

I pretended that I was talking on a cell phone which was hidden in my pocket and which had a wireless connection to whatever.  I mean, whoever.  I was talking to God.  Who cares if I had a phone or not?

So.  That was my miracle today.  All is well.

I love you.
xoxoLC