The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:76

Practical Life

We continue to be busy with projects around the property prepping for winter. The wetland path has been a priority. We had some good help this past weekend from Sam who wheelbarrowed 20 loads of wood chips for the path base. I usually do 3 loads before I want to pass out. The elevation between the pile and the wetland is about 60 feet which doesn’t sound like a lot until you walk it repeatedly pushing or pulling something.

BodyMindSpirit

It is all Souls day. A day to connect with our ancestors and Loved ones. I assembled the altar pictured above in honor of them. The pillars are candles that my family created for those who have passed on. The oldest is for my father who left this earth 26 years ago, followed by my mother a year later. We loved them dearly. With broken hearts we decorated the candles with images of them. Now we light them whenever we want to be close.

Creative soulful therapy is good for us. Make a candle for something lost, or a beautiful vision of the future. Make one for nature, missing hugs, or aspirations. Just do it from love. Directions below*.

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

Still very bright, the waning moon decreases in light.  

Meditation

It is a time for Love.
To gratefully remember love given and received.

. . . . . . . ( o ) . . . . . . .

*Candle Soul Therapy

Here’s what you need…

Tools: Scissors, ruler, glue stick, double stick tape.

Materials:

• Glass votive candle holders- these come in a variety of sizes, the ones pictured are 8” and came with candles in them. I replace the candles inside as needed.
• Paper copies of your favorite photos of your subject- I go to a copy place because my printer ink is water soluble.
• Paper base big enough to wrap the candle- I usually use an archival paper.
• Decorative:  paints, pens/pencils, glitter, stickers, papers, foil, tissue, ribbon, washi tape, etc.

Create:

• Paper base- Measure the height and circumference of the pillars and cut the paper shorter than the height, and a little longer than the width/circumference. Test the size by wrapping it, before attaching anything.
• Attach/glue to the paper base, images and decorate. Layer as much as you want while still being able to bend it.
  You can paint the glass with an acrylic, I sometimes paint the rim.
  Once you have your base decorated, wrap it around the glass to see that the shape is correct.
• To adhere to the candle- on the back of the paper base, on one of the short sides, place a strip of double stick tape as close to the edge as possible.  
  Carefully attach the taped back to the glass, eyeing and readjusting so it wraps correctly.
  Once all is square, lay the candle on its side with the back of paper exposed like a flap.
  Place a second strip of tape along the remaining inside edge.
  Roll the candle in the paper and secure it.

Light the candle with a loving intention.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:75

Practical Life

Today we rested, pondered, stoked the fire, read, and zoomed with family.

BodyMindSpirit

I have a thought worm about the value we put on being Right. That place where being right is more important than anything. Sometimes we get stuck in it. We look everywhere for confirmation to prove our point. We can’t see our bias. Too attached to see being right should never be the point.

Certainly this is going on in politics. No matter who wins, there will be a lot to clean up. I hope we can shower off the us vs them party line bs and work together for the best and highest good.

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

The waxing moon increases in light moving toward Gibbous.

Preamble

Observe where your focus is now. How does it feel? If you want a new result focus on something different. Our minds are a terrible thing to waste on someone else’s bs.

Meditation

Be here now.
Pay attention to the pattern of your breath.
With each breath give thanks to your body from your toes to your head.

Poem
The Moon, she is shining bright – despite her shadow.
Receive her with Love.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:74

This picture is from the Kohlwes dike on sunlight beach down the hill from us. It borders the Salish Sea and is 1 of the 3 dikes protecting the Useless Bay wetlands.

Practical Life

It was a chilly morning, 54 degrees in the house. Tom made a lovely fire before I got up so the living room would be cozy. We’re trying not to turn the heat on until the vents get cleaned Tuesday. We had a small mouse problem. We think they’re gone, although don’t want to breathe any potential waste coming from the vents. Our resident hunter is slacking.

We worked on the paths in the wetland again. We use a hedge trimmer and weed wacker to clear. I think previous owners used a scythe; we found an ancient one in the creepy garage. After clearing we lay a new foundation with sticks and wood chips, making a cushy walkway. During the summer it is near impossible to keep the paths clear because of the forever growth. Nature always takes back what it can. At this time of year however it’s very satisfying work because the paths will stay until spring.

I picked the last of the cucumbers, it was sad to see them end. Onto over wintering vegetables.

BodyMindSpirit

Times are weird. Introspection is necessary.

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

The waxing moon increases in light moving toward Gibbous. On Sunshine Lane, the Moon sets at 12:07 am 237⁰ WSW, and rises at 3:56 pm 120⁰ ESE.

Preamble

Yesterday was the first quarter moon, evenly split between light and dark. Now is a good time to make decisions and act in alignment with our intentions.

Meditation

Stay in the flow, step over fear.

Imagine the beauty of your vision.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:73

Practical Life

911 service in Washington State is currently down. King 5 has a link to alternative #’s depending on where you live https://bit.ly/2ThVlvp. I just added a few to my contacts.

Another gloomy morning and glorious afternoon on the lane. We went for a walk along one of the 3 dikes in the wetland. Wow, it’s a beautiful world.

In other not news, I’ve named the 2 male pheasants that have been hanging around Chester and Henry. We’ve been throwing a little cracked corn out for them. When we first moved here, there was a single male that wandered about. At the time I thought pheasants were naturally wild here. He was however a refugee from the fish and wildlife fall release program. He lasted a few winter months past hunting season. He and a Butterscotch colored bunny hung around together. One day they were just gone, likely a coyote food.

On that happy note…

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

The waxing moon increases in light moving toward first quarter. On Sunshine Lane, the Moon rises at 2:40 pm 128⁰ SE and sets at 11:00 pm 233⁰ SW.

Preamble

Consciousness is our superpower – direct it accordingly

Meditation

Ditch the party line.

Poem

The moon, she is split

Shadow and light

Toward illumination

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:72

Practical Life

It was a truly gorgeous afternoon today, making up for the dreary morning. We worked outside. I worked mostly on the wetland path while Tom mowed. We use the path a lot in the fall and winter taking our yard waste to a sloppy pile. One of our winter projects will be establishing an official composting area.

I attempted to remove the many spider webs getting uncomfortably close to the various entrances of the house. I also made sauce with the last of the ripe tomatoes and roasted carrot soup for another day. It’s funny how it seems like we don’t do much of anything and then when reflecting on the day, find it wasn’t all just sitting around contemplating.

BodyMindSpirit

This morning as I sat to meditate, I was very conscious of my view outside, not that anything unusual was happening. It was dim, cold, and damp. The sun was slow to rise over the trees inching away the shadow across the wetlands. The birds were busy near and far. Even though my intention was to sit quietly and meditate, I immediately wanted to write some thoughts on Tarot. Kitty, who thinks meditation is just about me petting him, had tucked himself in next to me. As soon as I picked up my pencil, he sensed there was competition and took off.

I don’t look at meditation as one specific act of doing the same thing every time. It’s more like a way of acknowledging I’m a consciousness in a physical body, and being present. When I do it, I always have a better day. Often my intention is to sit quietly, calm my mind and imagine the light inside. To get out of my head, as so much of western culture is about mental pursuits. I’m not turning my brain off, just spreading my attention around.

Sometimes I do have a specific intention beyond centering myself. I enjoy connecting with the great mystery that lives through and beyond my physical form. Often my mind wanders and I ask questions.

This morning I asked what is truth? Something we’ve all been thinking about lately. Our experience is directed by our perception of what truth is. And truth is fully dependent on one’s perspective. Then I went on asking, if we can see multiple truths does that strengthen or weaken our perspective? Or if we can only see one truth, does that make it truer? Or when we can hold multiple truths, does the concept of truth become less important? Then I realized my thinking analytical brain had hijacked my meditation. Oh well, part of a successful meditation is to gently bring oneself back to quiet.

Whether or not I feel I’m good at meditation is not the point, it’s that I’m showing up to this moment and my whole being.

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

The waxing Moon is Crescent. On Sunshine Lane, the Moon rises at 12:38 pm 127⁰ SE and sets at 9:02 pm 232⁰ SW.

Preamble

As the moon continues to wax, imagine it illuminating those clinging thoughts of dis-ease. Stuck like burs, imagine something stickier rolling through and taking them away… or use a flame thrower, rake, hammer… Perhaps ask why I am hanging on to them?
If surrendering or a truce feels better do that. Sometimes just acknowledgment, releases us from its grip.

Meditation

Our shadow is part of us. It will take all our attention given the chance.
Bring on more light.
The brighter our light, the less shadow there is.

Poem

beauty in stillness
dark and light

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:71

Practical Life

Today was a mixed bag of activities. We voted, surveyed the property for what needs doing, harvested a few things, sighed at the industrial strengthen kale, and washed the new silverware.

As I was drying the new set, I wondered how often people use both a salad and dinner fork for everyday dining. If we were to start again what should the modern table setting look like? I might have to do a survey.

BodyMindSpirit

“If you want to know your past, look at your present. If you want to know your future, look at your present” -Buddha

Over the summer I listened to the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It’s a practical guide for reaching goals by making tiny changes to our habits. He uses stories, psychology, and neuroscience to explain things, making it easy to grok. One of his premises is to start by just showing up. Even if its just putting on sneakers if your goal is to start jogging.

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

The waxing Moon increases in light moving toward crescent. On Sunshine Lane, the Moon rises at 11:21 am 122⁰ ESE, and sets at 8:16 pm 236⁰ WSW.

Preamble

Want to start meditating? Keep it simple. Show up.

Meditation

Sit.
Breathe.
Be.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:70

Practical Life

We went to the mainland today and did a lot of socializing, in person and virtually. On our way we had a mobile zoom call with my family. Then met up with our kids, followed by an afternoon with dear friends. It was wonderful to enjoy time with people we love.

BodyMindSpirit

On our way home we saw this sign at an intersection. It made me laugh, then I questioned my ethics, so quick to jump to a conditioned response. I decided that I would hack the hack. (A hack job indeed, but you’ll get the point ) At first I thought I’d just change the one word to Hope, but Hope for cash any condition was just too sad.

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

The waxing moon increases in light moving toward crescent. On Sunshine Lane, the Moon rises at 9:58 am 115⁰ ESE and sets at 7:39 pm 242⁰ WSW.

Preamble

We continue our journey, grateful for our shadowy past, knowing it does not define us.  

Meditation

Expanding with the light.
Our dark corners and shadows want Love too.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:69

Practical Life

Ah, it’s that time of year again when we wake to the not so distant sounds of gunfire in the wetland as the mighty hunters’ prey upon the stocked. Seasonally, a few acres north of us, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife release the beautiful yet vapid pheasant to be shot dead, for sport. I’m guessing some eat them, although in reviewing the wildlife website I found nothing about nutritional value, or how to prepare them. Yearly 35-40,000 pheasants are released in Washington. It is heart cooling to know our tax dollars are providing opportunities to shoot and kill, for sport. Seasonally, the prey find their way to our 5 acres for refuge, although being dim-witted, they wander back into the kill zone.

Yes, I eat chicken a distant cousin… by the way have I mentioned a pheasant sounds like a chicken coughing into a can? And whenever they’re disturbed, they let you know it.

BodyMindSpirit

Pheasants entered my meditation this morning as I dreamily gazed into the wetland only to see just the head of the distinct bird rising from the tall grass 60 yards away. Although only 4 inches, something unfamiliar was in the familiar, a kind of reverse Where’s Waldo.

It started me thinking, we’re often hunting for something. We don’t always know what we’re hunting for, we’ll know it when we see it if we’re lucky. It’s part of the eternal restlessness some of us are plagued by.

Meditation can bring peace. Although sometimes I’m not feeling the flow, and force will not bring it.

Others hunt for my peace, it’s a conscious effort on my part not to let them have it.

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

The waxing Moon increasing in light moving toward crescent.

Preamble

Yesterday we meditated on a Hero’s journey. Heroes are ready to begin again and again. They remember yet forgive their past and show up bringing their best forward, releasing attachment to what may come.

Get ready to make magic.

Meditation…

We bring our fire, passion, & wisdom.
We bring all that comes from Love.
Grateful to what we leave behind.

Poem

The moon whispers to the trees as we say good night to the day

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:68

Happy New Moon everyone!

Practical Life

Summer has come and gone on Sunshine Lane. We enjoyed friends and family visiting, summer breezes, floating on the Salish Sea and just being. We are grateful for the space and ability to entertain outside. Our gardens were bountiful. Lots of beauty, and things to eat, can and freeze. At times it was hard to keep up with all the growth. A 10 ½ pound zucchini went to our neighbor donkey, Cleo.

BodyMindSpirit

I started the Sunshine Observer as a deterrent from a bazillion posts about COVID-19 in social media. My intention was to keep things light as the world discovered what this virus was and how to manage our lives with it.  

Then George Floyd’s death brought the somber reality of existing racism front and center. So many important voices are finally being heard; the movement remains strong.

COVID continues along with floods, hurricanes, fires, murder, inequality, culture wars, political division, anarchy, and general insanity. A lot of craziness has happened in the last 4 months, it is deafening and much of it we can control.

There are unlimited strategies others use to gain power over us. Chaos, fear, religion, finger pointing… These strategies trap our attention and take our control. Power over us is a choice.

So, with the intention of lightening the deafening mood, let’s start anew.

…….

Onto our 5-minute meditation following the phases of the Moon.

Preamble

We are not simple, yet when we show up from Love, we set a strong foundation for everything we encounter.

The new Moon is the dawn of a new cycle, as the Sun and Moon are in alignment. It’s a good time to set intentions for the coming month.

We begin by welcoming the possibilities.

Meditation

We are on a Hero’s journey, starting something new. Start from Love.
With the dark we feel and hear deeply. Listen.

Poem

silent

present

welcoming the new

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V:67

WTF is going on in Seattle?

Some of you not in the area may be wondering if we have gone to hell in a hand basket. No, no we have not. But it’s complicated.

Here is my understanding of the last few weeks…

Do not trust the media.

What is being reported in the media is a mixture of truths and false information depending on the perspective they are supporting. I do encourage looking at different news outlets to see how differently each is representing the situation.

There have been a bunch of different things going on at once. First protests were prompted by the police killing of George Floyd. Initially Black Lives Matter were not encouraging people to protest because of COVID, but people came with signs anyway in support. Then CHAZ (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone) was created in reaction to the SPD’s violent response to the peaceful protests. While Black Lives Matter and CHAZ share some of the same concerns, they are different citizen groups. Here is the list of demands from each  Black Lives Matter and CHAZ.

Even though we now live 35 miles away, we still consider Seattle our city. When the protesting started, we sat on our couch and watched the news. Disturbed by the mayhem of the anarchists and looters. We listened to our mayor and police chief talk about how they supported the protesters and their right to march, but there were others causing trouble as the police were trying to keep the peace. We were impressed at the time with the calm demeanor of the officials and their support of Black Lives Matter.

Then I started seeing social media posts from friends who were there peacefully protesting.  The police were throwing stun grenades/flashbangs and tear gas at them. My son Sam got a frantic call from his friends to come get them. They were quietly setting up equipment for the speakers when the police came and threw flashbangs and tear gas at them. Then the looting started. It was really confusing at first, it seemed like these folks had just gotten in the crossfire between the looter/anarchists and the police. But the violence continued after the looters/anarchists went home.

The protesters decided to stand their ground and marched to the Capitol Hill precinct which is now CHAZ, a 6-block area of the city. During the weeks I would switch between social media and the news outlets to see how each was handling it. The media focus stayed on the Capitol Hill protesters often criticizing their behavior, calling them terrorists etc. Friends reported the protests continued for the most part peacefully. Yes, a few small things were tossed at the police but nothing that warranted the severe response as they continued to throw tear gas flash bangs and pepper spray. The mayor and the police chief both said they would not use tear gas anymore, but the police continued to do so.

I believe my friends and Sam who spent a lot of time on Capitol Hill as things unfolded. None of whom are terrorists, looters or anarchists. They are peace loving people who started out protesting in the name of George Floyd and ended up protesting against SPD in self defense. The main thrust of the CHAZ protesters was to get the police out of the precinct, which they did. It’s unclear what will happen on Capitol Hill moving forward, things keep morphing.

We need police reform. Defunding the police is not a request to get rid of police, but to look at restructuring the system and reallocating the budget to include social services.

Peace be with you.