Off the Grid

In honor of the light of solstice and Mayan calendar of endings and beginnings, this is me coming clean about something I was thinking about today...even though it is probably oversharing. 
I have just today realized that I have not always helped the men in my life be the best they could be. I let them slide. Young girl/woman me, as a counter-culture anti-patriarchal hippie, did not demand/insist/encourage that my man bring in a decent wage to support us. I allowed exclusion from the "mainstream" of "working for the man" or any regular working they did not really like. Thus we suffered from lack of income, but with a back-to-the-land lifestyle - living off the grid but not feeling it was a sacrifice, actually preferring it and gaining valuable life skills and experience few people have these days. Close to nature, wood-heat, no electricity, cabins that were cold, often hauling water and more. Hand sewing. Foraging. Little or no transportation. Campfires with singing and food with friends. Tribal dancing and open natures, braids and ethnic fabrics or no clothes at all. But, the guy/s were given too much leeway - I was too "compassionate" when I should of encouraged a way to keep us with some money. I let the philosophy of the time and lifestyle allow me to expect little from them other than freedom from conformity. We were forging a different path. I am not knocking the lifestyle or memories in any way, I am only chastising myself for expecting so little from the man. I think it would of been better for them in the long run to work more to gain some financial integrity for our little clans. I don't mean just the work it took for daily survival. 
I was pregnant and barefoot but I cannot use that as an excuse for not doing it myself. 

It was a really hard life when I look back on the days. We thought we knew so much, aye. Walking in the dark along paths lit only by the moon, coming home to light the fire with gathered wood, cooking on wood stoves, fetching water from creeks, washing cloth diapers by hand. Romantic notions and youthful vigor helped shield me from the the harder realities. This was in the late 1970's and early 80's, before we had such universal access to computers, etc. Now, if I was in that situation, I could at least earn some money from a variety of online ventures. We always made things - our family/clan was especially gifted with talented leather workers and crafters. I sewed and made all the kids' clothes and my own too, beautiful hippie dresses from bits and pieces. We made mocassins and intricate beaded items. We were so ephemeral. We were stardust, we were golden, we were getting back to the garden.
One thing is certain, I have the skills to survive off the grid if needed. I do not take luxuries like water and electricity for granted.

 But, I did not help the men, my lovely, gentle, imaginative and creative men, accept their full responsibilities and the lessons that brings, by my agreeing to live without simple basics for so long. (They too, being mid-century dreamers, straddled the old and new, often belonging not quite to either time.) It is the double-edged sword of hindsight, but with no regrets. I would hope that young women will not be reluctant to have their men do the right and sometimes hard things needed to keep families afloat, and don't let responsibility or burden be passed on. I have been careful about raising my sons to be strong and reliable men and my daughters to have a care for their own worth. I think a woman's right attitude and encouragement can go a long way in making the world a better place and help people step up to the plate. 
There are more of us speaking about the wild bohemian days of the 70's now, more stories being told. I have only begun to tell mine.

Musings of a December Boomer

 Today is another solar circle completed for me and here are a few things I can expound on, indulgently.
1. I think witch hazel is the best thing ever for skin.

2. Use real cotton balls or pads to clean skin often with witch hazel. Fresh and toned, yay. 
3. I mix, in the palm of my hand, a sprinkle of bare minerals powder, some moisturizer, some witch hazel (both rose water kind and regular) and apply all over my face. This takes care of moisture and light coverage all at once. I started doing this because I thought I could make my own version of a "BB" cream but more tailored to my likes - such as no heavy perfumey smell. You can add an extra little squeeze of sunscreen or other products if desired. It is great because all is mixed together and thinned with witch hazel, per use, in your hand. Your skin will be happier and more moist. When it dries a bit skin feels good and the look lasts all day. No one wants to look cakey or like they are too done. Girls, fresh is best and quicker is too! I haven't applied mineral powder with a brush for over a year now - just this quick method.

4. Witch hazel is also good around hairline for refreshing the hair that gets a tad oilier around face between washings. Oh, I tell you, this stuff is good. Clear and sparkly like vodka, cheers. I like the slight natural smell of it (witch hazel, not vodka).
5. I have converted to using WEN on my hair. Altho I cannot afford it (I have been frugally portioning out my last bit). My longish hair is naturally on the curly side and living in the coastal Pacific Northwest with our 78 kinds of rain, WEN helps keep it from Antoinette bouffant. I drug my heels for years before I finally tried it, but now I know. You do not have to use as much as the company says, just work it in very well. My hair is more itself when I use it. I do not like overly fussed hair that seems to be the trend now - I like wild and free and pretty.

 manga art by Fuyumi Soryo 

6. I have stopped eating grains and feel much better. Also have stopped eating dairy and legumes AND added sugar or over processed foods.
7. Today I am having a cherry pie that my boys are making me for my Birthday. I usually have German Chocolate Cake but decided on cherry pie this year. It will have homemade crust (the boys make it perfectly)and sweetened canned cherries but I do not mind. I am not a fanatic about avoiding afore mentioned foods but just feel better when I do. Lots of veggies and some fruit, seeds, nuts and protein and I am good to go. Some of my main go-to foods these past months have been baked yams, zuchinni, sunflower & pumpkin seeds and lots of fresh apples. It is cool that eating many apples seems to naturally remove coffee stains from my teeth. Oh yeah, still drinking coffee (black), are you kidding..! I had begun to feel like it was too easy for me to be trapped on the sugary/carb merry-go-round and my blood sugar was feeling spikey. Dropping these things from my daily diet has really been easy and rewarding in the way I feel.
8. I have been planning a hefty blog post about some of these musings for awhile now and I see that it is getting very long! I will break it up and work on the musings over the course of the week.

9. I love parsley. Flat leafed or curly - and always have some growing. It overwinters here on the temperate coast very well.
I also love radishes. Any kind.

photo found here...

10. I am a huge huge fan of South Korean movies and television shows. I could go on about this but will save it for another day.
11. I love Asian pop culture. I lived in Japan for three years as a young teen and have never been the same since! I have a hard time finding people my age who even know what I am talking about sometimes..

Itsuko Azuma "Pulstella"

12. As a girl who was born in 1956, I finally realized as a mid-century person, I easily straddle old/new, past/future and that goes for styles, knowledge, experience, technology, culture and other parts of life. My generation saw the turns from traditional America to modern America like none other. It is all integrated into my persona and I feel like an adventurous discoverer/participant of the old world and the new world, and I can see the connections and interstices. As has been said by others before me - what a long strange trip its been! I am giddy with excitement for the next 56 years of my life and let me tell you, I never, ever, ever, hardly, get bored!

Thoughts on a Cold Rainy Day

from photo by Axel Von Graefe

In the moment of time when the small drop forms, but does not fail, I have known the heart of the sun,
In the dark and the light of a dry place,
In a flicker of fire brisked by a dusty wind.
I have heard, in a drip of leaves,
A slight song,
After the midnight cries.

THEODORE ROTHKE
from Journey to the Interior

Earth,isn't this what you want: an invisible
re-arising in us? Is it not your dream 
to be one day invisible? Earth! Invisible!
What is your urgent command, if not transformation?
Rilke

And So the Year Turns



Jean Jaques Henner
Madam Laura Leroux

This all hallows eve finds me a in a better place than last year. I tend to mark my year

by Halloween to Halloween.

Last year there was a *most magnificent* blood Red moon hanging over the ocean and this year finds the Salty speum of Neptune filling the air.

Never~the~less, content am I.

Haven has held, roaming is curtailed and my hat hangs gladly for the winter Moons.

Many have but cold for their blanket and windows of Starlight. My Wish

is for All to be comfortable and safe as the night draws dark and thick.

Lanterns of Light in the Hearts of many send forth their love.

**especially to the east coast after the Storm**

Love

 To All (^_^) really!

Gold Dust Woman

in. the groove

Talking To Angels

Franklin Booth

reading poetry about

life

and death

and knowing I had

come close to exceptional humans

... so like angels

fierce

and sharp eyed –

Yet

soft and sweet at the

second glance,

living and

loving

and Shining so I could see ...

even in the dusk.

Roethke & Fokanov

A LIGHT BREATHER

The spirit moves,
Yet stays:
Stirs as the blossom stirs,
Still wet from its bud-sheath,
Slowly unfolding,
Turning in the light with its tendrils;
Plays as a minnow plays,
Tethered to a limp weed, swinging,
Tail around, nosing in and out of the current,
Its shadows loose, a watery finger;
Moves, like a snail,
Still inward,
Taking and embracing its surroundings,
Never wishing itself away,
Unafraid of what it is, a music in a hood,
A small thing,
Singing.  

          by  Theodore Roethke

Vladimir Fokanov

The Secret Heart of Sound



breathing in
breathing out

Sunshine and Lollipops, Rainbows Everywhere

unfathomable gifts

Wowzie wow!
 The boys and I are going to rent a big house with a big yard and tall trees, great views and full laundry and 2.5 bathrooms and garage/parking and 3 bedrooms with a Great price and wonderful landlords! All in a quiet neighborhood with easy access to everything. We are soo ecstatic and keep pinching ourselves. I guess I will not be looking for the escaping RV-ing gypsy princess route after all. (But will still want to get one for many reasons.)
My Sagittarius horoscope said there was incredible happenings this month but I didn't think it was me that it would actually happen too. And the boys. They are the best ever and deserve and good place where we can hopefully settle for a good while. They never complain and are stoic, graceful, talented, accepting and über-cool. Love love love.
There will be room for my girls and grandkids to hang out/visit with their dogs and rabbit. And room to have friends over for dinner, etc. AND room for my books and art!! Oh my am I so grateful. The papers have been signed and we will be going to get boxes later and start the process. It has to happen in a 2 week time period so there is not much time to spare. I have moved all my life many times because I am an Army Brat with miles under my belt.
Does anyone else get lots of blog traffic from weird sites that are advertising-like names for products, etc.? I seem to be getting traffic from Russia in conjunction with these high stats and hope that it is honestly people visiting my blog and not hoodwinking of any kind. I know not to click on these sites just in case. Clues or info anyone?
The sun is shining and life seems to be proceeding well. I wish great luck and good fortune to all and my family too. lovu (^_^)

Campfire Kindle

  I leapt and got a new Kindle Fire on the Amazon daily deal the other day. The boys and I were needing another browse-able watchable screen gizmo toy. It really is fun to have and I am glad I bought it. I'm addicted to games of mahjong (and bejewelled) and spent many hours Friday playing mahjong, watching free movies and netflix. I am reading the last book that came out in the game of thrones by George RR Martin, A Dance With Dragons, and now I can read on the kindle and return the overdue library book (over a 1,000 pages..) The best thing about the Kindle is it doesn't ring - like a phone. I have not done the angry birds yet or friends w/ words but I am sure the bandwagon will have me aboard in no time.
  The beach has been good lately with some nice weather. The agates are scarcer now due to the deeper layer of gravely sand. It all depends on how the tides have laid the sand/gravel layer with each passing tide or weather related event. No storms, lower tides = built up sandy gravel. The higher waves in the winter really scour the beach and expose the "agate beds". I have found so many fistfulls this past few months and jars of seaglass. Every day is different and you never know what you will find.
  I have found a good basketful of Japanese items recently - lighters, markers, bottles, bottlecaps, giant light bulbs, flotsam and jetsom. Walking the tide line and kicking around the smaller driftwood is usually where that stuff is. I almost always haul out a bag of debris consisting of plastic and bits of styrafoam and things. There have been lima bean sized balls of white wax (paraffin?) laying around that I can't figure out. I pick them up to dispose of also because I don't want the tide to carry them back out into the ocean and get eaten by the marine life. We have a year-round tribe of about 200 seals that live at "my" beach. They frolic and lord knows what else. They don't need to eat wax! Or plastic.
  I am looking for a RV. We are going to become a mobile unit. It will be a few months but I am tired of paying rent and having nothing to show for it. I also do not like to be at the mercy of neighbors and their loudness and smoking and door-banging and landlords and their blankeyblank. The last 3 of the last 4 houses I have rented we had to move because of landlords selling or some such. I guess I don't feel secure and worry we may have to move and have no where to go again. An RV or other mobile unit would solve that.
  My landlord lets people smoke right outside and it comes right up in our windows. It is supposed to non-smoking but there are big piles of cigarette butts and noisy people standing around smoking. It sucks, yes it does. And the neighbors right next to us moved and god please let quiet non-smokers move in. It is very tramatic to have no control over basic peace of mind and proximity to others. I spent the last summer till late fall as you readers know being home-less (un-homed) and mostly sleeping in my car. Well that sometimes doesn't seem so bad when there are 8+ people yucking it up and throwing butts around within 8 feet of your window.  The big problem will be to get something the boys and I can live in that will fit us for low money. I want to be able to move it at will. I just need some cash and a good deal! I can put the houeshold back into a storage unit. Unless I can find a house to rent reasonable. But then again I feel a distinct urge and compulsion to be mobile and very flexible. I know I will never be able to own a home at this rate and have a garden for keeps and be able to root properly. So I might as well be the best flexible gypsy-princess I can.   
  The boys are big and wonderful and we all get along so darn well. We have talked about it. They hope for the best outcome. There are several good options for mobilized unit living in our vacation destination coast town. And lots of beautiful places to ramble to daily if needed. If I had the means I would buy a very good Pacific Yurt and a bit o' land and we would live lightly and very happily. (I have lived in yurts, teepees and tents before.) But till then, we will try the wheels under our feet. What a grand vision I have of a real kind of freedom in shelter! It is a good thing. I am grateful for all my blessings every day. Maybe an angel will bring us an RV to call home. Please

Chagall, My Heart

I love this video of an exhibition in Madrid of Chagall. It makes such an impact when you see how large some of the canvases are and the colors so alive and brush work up close (virtually..) Literally made my eyes joyfull and my heart beat stronger. I must visit a city soon and go museum hopping. There are small galleries near me and I should visit them more often. Many are predominately seascapes. My eyes long for the drenched and bold and intense of saturation. I have grateful eyefulls of the oceanic everyday. So incredible but maybe it is the heat of color I long for. In this cooler climate the blues, greys, driftwood, agate, sand, shell, tree and seagull, moist and fogged are the norm. I will try to dip my Easter eggs deep with color this weekend and blaze some vibrant hues into my environment. Easter is my favorite holiday of all.  

Chagall



Sometimes

Sometimes wildness is the only thing that can help me feel better if I have a lump of anxiety in my heart chakra. I have a bird in there today that is fluttering and trying to fly. That is what it feels like anyway. I am going to walk to the beach through the wind and cold - I will find my center just fine on the shifting sands and by the changing tide. They are almost the only constant things on fluttering -heart-days like now. The trapping of civilization do not soothe me - only Mother Nature. Her wild chaos is the order I seek and the bigness of the horizon to give me room to breathe I need now. See ya'll later.

White Wind Dance

 We had 55-70 mph wind (South Wind's tan cheeks all huffed and puffed up and busy) all day then at 6pm it started snowing (North Wind calmly tossing cold our way in a very slow and silent manner while gently spinning around) and snowed all night. (Sometimes when these winds meet they thunder and rumble but yesterday they danced). The S. wind was so strong yesterday I thought my car would flip. The boys walked slanted into the wind to prevent blow-over. As soon as the wind abated the snow began to fall in thick big flakes. It is so pretty and of course shut down entire coast. The weather is always present in this town. Like another person in the room and a voice with opinions about what you will or won't do today, thank you.
 The crest of the waves made huge 50ft. plumes of white and froth off the tops. The beach was reduced to momentary glimpses of sand between the high crashing onshore surges. Then comes the snow which is always a rare and special treat on the beach. (Sunday was full of bluster and snail which is rain and hail - we laughed at it while running to beach to scamper in the chill winds, looking for beaver chewed sticks in the driftwood to make into magic wands - the seagulls lowered their faces into squinty little wedges to let the wind blow around them like a torpedo).
 All this makes me remember how it snowed during and after the Tohoku tsunami last year. But across the street the daffodils have bloomed and are waving hello as I look out.
 I have been especially busy this week using my brain cells at a rapid rate with no end in site till late March. I would like to just curl up on the couch with cocoa and my book (the 4th in the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin - A Feast of Crows) after a beach walk but that will have to wait.
 I hope everyone is safe and life is fine for all of you today. This world is a magical wonderland and sometimes it just makes me wonder...

I told the boys that if the wind had been blowing so hard while it snowed, that would be a blizzard. That is what I experienced as a child in Colorado but they have never expereinced on the Oregon coast in their lifetimes.

Tsunami Sunday

All I can think about is the event of the tsunami one year ago...
Life changed forever that day - for myself and countless others. On the other side of the Pacific ring of fire, the Oregon coast is no different in our risk for such natural occurrence. I lived in and love Japan and its people fiercely and my heart breaks still at video and story. Strangely enough, late in 2011 we moved to a very at risk tsunami zone in our town. Where before we were uphill a bit, we now are at water level, next to a tidal creek that will be a natural conduit of flooding inland. Every time I walk the beach I observe escape routes and run-lines to possible safety. How long would it take to run across the sand over driftwood and dunes to hill? Will the hill/cliffs even withstand earthquake? Will the kids all be safe and get to higher ground? What would I grab if I had to evacuate? Last year when the sirens went off I just took the boys and my cell phone, not even grabbing my handbag. Am I truly not attached to the material objects around me? If not, then why is so much of my time invested in care and attention to them?
Later this year and next year we will be expecting the debris to begin washing up to Oregon beaches from Japan. It takes awhile to cross the ocean via the currents. I hope to be able to document some of this.
Today I will pray and send love and express gratitude. These thoughts are never far back in my mind. I watch and listen.

Daughter of Nature

In the center of a lonely wood
Upon the moss a young woman stood
She wore a dress of Summer green
Her face was soft and tanned and lean
Her eyes were pools of clearest blue
 Jane Stuart

picture of Lily Donaldson by Greg Kadel

Mechanical Unicorn

I think the internet is like a mechanical unicorn that you can ride to faraway places. Mechanical. Gears and levers and wires. Unicorn. Imbued with magical essence that virtually escapes description. It is it's own reality. But, man made. Yes, what an inspired creation. Can be very troublesome at times.

Run

Valentine Menu



cherry

ginger

thyme

Like A Child

LIKE A CHILD

Like a child I just sat in the sunlight

and played with the minutes as they went running by.

Like a child who had never known sorrow

I didn't hurry I just looked at the sky.

While the clouds went on endlessly passing.

All the clouds on their long voyage home

seemed to say that youth is everlasting

but a rose cannot grow alone.

Like a child I would listen in silence

to the soft sound of evening as it caught up the day,

till you were there in the gathering darkness

and we found that our green years had all gone away.

Now the clouds are going forever

here awhile then gone evermore

and a child on the far side of never

has to run when time closes the door.

Then take my hand and as children we'll go now

all alone through the thundering crowds.

Take my hand and together we'll look now

like a child for the little lost clouds.

ROD McKUEN

from "Listen to the Warm" ©1967

Hold Out For the Real Thing



the girl who knew better

 "always I will dance for you in the circle of my heart" Cerridwen Fallingstar 



Peace

♦ hedgerow arts wishes you all a happy new year ♦