The Sunshine Observer: SO… V58

Practical Life

All the days are blurring together. Repetition equals blurring.

I planted a few tomatoes indoors and then decided to stagger planting them outside. The ones planted 3 weeks ago are basically the same size as when I planted them. They had been nibbled on by the executioner which likely stunted its growth as well as being exposed to the weather too early. As another experiment, today I planted some in the ground and others in large pots outside to see the further differences in growth. Stay tuned.

Moving on

During my mediation this morning, 3 themes kept popping in, Consciousness, DNA, and the Media.

Starting with the media. A huge part of the media’s role is to keep us engaged. And that happens through emotional connection, good and bad. Very often we see things we can’t believe or are so much on the edge, we’re drawn to keep looking. Good or Bad.

I love synchronicities, I looked at Facebook for a minute before starting to blog and found todays memory of Pinky and his protégé. Here, I am the media, pushing the boundaries of acceptable behavior. It’s one thing for an adult to dressed as a questionable character, but another to indoctrinate a child. What other strange or inappropriate behaviors might be happening in this household? The mind wanders. For the protégé, not having a history with debauchery, they think they’re being a funny looking old man for Halloween, just like mom. But the picture might suggest more. Anyway, mainstream media continues to take things from the fringes to keep us engaged. In a sense my exploration of Pinky was to keep me engaged, how far could I go and be tolerated or accepted?

Consciousness: own it. We have 2 options, Love and Fear. Stop wasting time thinking any person, place or condition is in control of what you think or do… So easy to say, so difficult to employ.

DNA, we know so little about it. Scratching the surface with physical stuff for medical purposes, and only because it pays to. Perhaps every experience and thought we have is stored in our DNA, and we pass it along to the next generation with the physical traits.

Onto our 5-minute meditation. The Waning Balsamic Moon moves toward darkness.

Meditation

The Universe is within us. Feel the power and the glory of our connection to spirit. As we speak from our hearts, we open our minds to the power of the collective love that is the Universe. Today we touch the Universe.
Hear it sing.

Poem

Back to a sliver
an opening to the Universe
climb in
rest and sing
I am here for you

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V57

Practical Life

Each morning first thing, I raise the shade and look out into the vegetable garden. Today I saw Peter Rabbit. Channeling Mr. McGregor and a Scottish accent, I chase him out. They’d come in under the gate, I need to fix that.

Things hurt again as I weeded 100 pounds of California poppies out of the garden. One of us thought it was a good idea to plant them because they are so pretty, which they are. And they’re also weeds spreading like wildfire choking out everything else. Guess which one of us likes them best?

Sundays are always fun because we do a family zoom, at first it was just my sibs, then the nieces and nephews started showing up. Each week it’s a different crew. We’re thankful for the technology.

Attached is a work video from 2000. At the time, video conferencing was just for business purposes. Consumer broad band wasn’t prevalent yet. It features Ruby teleconferencing with Grandma (an actress). Back then, a lot of people didn’t think consumers would be interested in being seen in their bathrobes. I disagreed; people are about connection. Also, the resolution is 240 x 320, which pushed the limits of the software we were using to prototype. We’ve come a long way in 20 years.

BodyMindSpirit

Onto our 5-minute meditation. Waning Moon is Balsamic.

Preamble

We are intrepid travelers, chased by shadows. Release any ideas of ideals that keep us in the past.

Meditation

Look at the bounty we bring forward.
In all things great and small we see the beauty of the divine expression.
Gratitude, always.

Poem

We rest in
gratitude
for our bounty.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V56

Practical Life

It’s a rainy day on the lane. Its good to not have to water. I went to the Saturday market for supplies, each week more vegies are available. I love this time of year. I ran into a woman carrying an adorable 8-month-old Wallaby; although walked away wondering why?

Pinky Series

In 2012, Pinky came out again, this time honestly it was because I was depressed and looking for anything that would bring joy. I also thought about how looks are deceiving and what if a character who looked like Pinky could do PSA’s about helping humanity through kindness. Jordan was always up for goofiness, so a mentorship program was born. It was to be a humorous approach but didn’t hit the bar. Attached are Pinky’s Vision and the first of the mentor videos. We did a bunch of short videos too many sucked, so I canned them. Luckily, we had fun making them.

BodyMindSpirit

Onto our 5-minute meditation.

Waning moon moves from Last Quarter towards Balsamic.

Meditation

The dark pushes.
The window is shutting.

It’s OK to leave old ways behind.
Don’t dwell, embrace what you have with gratitude.
Balance from Love.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V55

Practical Life

I went through my postcard card collection this morning randomly putting addresses on them. It was fun to think about the places we’ve been. Out in the yard I found an old bird bath that came with the property and set it out for the locals. It’s joyous to watch a bird take a bath.

Pinky Series

Yesterday I dipped into my digital archives and found a series of Pinky Ramirez videos. This is the first in the series: Everyday I see my dream, AKA Sexy and I know it.

A shout out to Ruby who shot all the video for every Pinky shoot. Clearly driving her to be a schoolmarm. A nunnery was a close second, but we’re not Catholic.

Pinky was born in Port Townsend at a garage sale late last century. We were looking for costumes for a talent show and I found a splendiferous spandex onesie. I knew it had to be the base for a guy, thinking Richard Simmons, or a metrosexual from Queens. My brother in law convinced me the latter was the better gag. I remember how puzzled people were, as I stayed in character, always. Many avoided Pinky, he could be creepy.

That same year I wore Pinky to the Ching Fling and a few other events. I was fascinated by people’s responses, especially when I was around those who didn’t know me. At one event, someone said people were taking bets on whether I was a guy or not. At this time, I glued on hair from a wig for his mustache and chest. I remember all the pretty girls under 30 wanted nothing to do with Pinky.

While I enjoyed being a momentary voyeur, I put Pinky in the closet because the newness of the persona wore off.  It started feeling like normal behavior, and while yes there is this Pinky in me, it’s a tiny part, more of a cultural experiment, and for laughs.  

A few years later, I pulled him out again and got my friends in on the gag. We created RMLTD, Real Men Living the Dream. A spoof on LMFAO. Many laughs were had. Then, back in the closet he went.

BodyMindSpirit

Onto our 5-minute meditation.

Waning moon moves from Last Quarter towards Balsamic

Preamble

We go into the heavy thick darkness that weighs us down, that suffers.
Sit with it, don’t criticize.
Allow it to exist, to be.
Through allowing we release its grip.
It won’t be controlled, or it will control us.
Ease comes from seeing all is not light. See its ugliness. Hear it howling.
It too wants Love. Unconditional Love.

Meditation

Listen, forgive, release, let go, Love.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V54

Practical Life

Nature is in a fast-growing cycle right now; we are trying to keep up. We’re slowly gardening, planting seeds, weeding, mowing, watering. One might think our vegetable garden is huge given how I write about planting corn and what not, but its relatively small compared to many country gardens with just 6 beds. Our flower garden is larger.

BodyMindSpirit

We zoomed with friends yesterday and spoke about how hard it is to read anything of substance at this time. Another friend who is part of a book reading group with me said she was happy to be brushing her teeth at this point. We’re reading “Anatomy of the Spirit”. One of the premises is the biography becomes biology, which brings us to the topic “Wellbeing”

The past few days I’ve felt like I have molasses in my veins. Not particularly inspired, not depressed, just slow. So, I went into my archives and brought out a formula for wellbeing I’ve shared many times. BTW- While in the archives I found a bunch of questionable videos I’ll reshare soon.

I often think about consciousness. Much of our happiness is tied to our perception of how things are. We tell ourselves the story of who we are, the role of culture and where we fit in. Changing our perceptions and paying attention to all that affects us can bring us closer to well-being.

Well-being = Beliefs + Genes + Environment + Life Stage + Chemistry

• Beliefs– how we view ourselves and humanity, our contribution, and personal practices as well as our mental constructs. Our innate need to belong has us subscribe to belief systems that mold our thinking. Lest we forget, we make up culture and what we choose to be certain of.
• Genes and DNA- the kit we are born with, our building blocks for physical and biological potential.
• Environment– including the way we were raised, diet/supplements/chemicals, our homes, technology, education, exercise, clothing, work, culture, community…
• Life stage– at different phases of our lives we want and are capable of different things. Sometimes we want to ride the dragons…be the dragons…slay all the dragons…watch dragons being slayed…or don’t give a shit about dragons.
• Chemistry– everything we do relies on neurons communicating with one another in the brain by sending chemical or electrical messages. If there is a miscommunication, we may feel or be one putt away from the abyss. 

Your list may be different. The point is, to pay attention to all the things that contribute to wellbeing, the trick is finding the right balance. Ignoring any part can have us spiral toward the abyss.

Gratitude is the greatest gift of well-being. When I’m spontaneously Grateful, everything in my existence is joyous.

Onto our 5-minute meditation.

Waning moon decreasing in light is now Third Quarter

Meditation

Find the center between spirit, intellect, and emotion.
Align our will with Love.
Go in Grace.

Poem

Oh beautiful one
a wink
a smile
liberates
sees forgiveness

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V53

Ruby

The big news today is Ruby turned 26! How is this possible? She was always the baby of our friends’ group. She is a delightful person and we are lucky to have her in our lives. Looking forward to the next time we can hug her. oxo

Here’s an album of random Ruby Pictures.

BodyMindSpirit

Onto our 5-minute meditation.

Waning Moon decreasing in light is almost third quarter.

Preamble

Where are we now?
You know the truth. Accept that much of what we encounter isn’t ours, so move past or through it. Burn down any residual stuck bullshit. Freedom is accepting the unknown.

Meditation

The past is the past. What matters is now. Allow for now.  Mind your own mind.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V52

Practical Life

Sun, rain, and wind here on Useless Bay today.
I swore I would not dig anymore sod, but it happened. A 2’ x 10’ trench for beans to grow vertically under a small deck. Now things hurt.
We still have 12 resident quail living in the blackberries. We’re waiting for babies. I found a white egg in the lawn, no idea whose it is, looks quail size but not spotted.
Tom bought a 1”x 12”- 4’ long board, it cost $47, WTF. He’s making Ruby a shelf to set across her bath tub to use while she’s tubbing.

Social

Thinking about social media challenges. I tend not to participate. A few weeks ago, I received 4 email requests to send recipes to strangers. I ignored them. I would however be happy to send a recipe to a friend should they ask or send me one. The requests came within 2 days of each other, from people who aren’t connected. This made me think about how quickly things spread. This is good and bad. What if it was bad information? Another reason to question everything.

So, you know how you think about people all the time, but don’t reach out? Yesterday I found myself thinking about a friend, appreciating how they enjoy life at full throttle. I decided to send them a text letting them know. It felt great.

Challenge

I have one for y’all.  This one tests our bravery to show positive emotions towards others.

The challenge is to connect to people you care about and tell them something you like about them; and here is the clincher, do it privately. Through email, text message or better yet USPS mail. Send one a day. And not to me, cause, well, that would feel weirdly self-serving.
Anyway, like me, you probably have about a million postcards from past trips. Employ them for good will tidings. How to choose who goes first? Throw a bunch of names in a hat and pick one a day. Or take a bunch of cards and put addresses on them and pick one a day to write the personal note.

In a nutshell, I’m asking you to tell people you love them in whatever shape feels right. oxo

BodyMindSpirit

Onto our 5-minute meditation.

Waning moon decreasing in light moving toward Third Quarter.

Preamble

All is mind.
See our oneness with the Universe.
Every thought, feeling, and action reflects the great mystery.
Think big.
We are one.

Meditation

Wear Love from the inside,
Let it radiate outward bright and transparent.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V51

Dear Mother’s,
To all of you, in every realm, to Mother Earth,
We thank you for the life you support, the love you give, and the beauty you are.
We Love you to the Moon and back.
– your children

Dear Children,
Thank you for being you.
For loving yourselves relentlessly so that you may greet the world through Love.
For seeing culture for what it is, an expression of society. And using it to connect to people, not dictate your lifestyle.
Keep calling bullshit on anything that doesn’t come from Love.
Big smoochy kiss.
– your mother

p.s. a random call now and again would be appreciated. oxo

Onto our daily 5-minute meditation. Waning Moon decreasing in light is now Disseminating.

This meditation is from the principles of the Four-Fold Way developed by Angeles Arrien.

Meditation

Show up
Pay Attention
Speak your Truth
Release attachment to outcome

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V50

It’s the 50^th issue of the Sunshine Observer. How did that happen? Honestly, I thought I might write a few until I realized I could pawn my meditations off on y’all with a little practical life update and preamble.

The daily updates started on March 16^th on Facebook initially calling them “News from the Country”. My reason for writing in the first place was to bring something other than politics or the virus to social media.  At that point we knew the virus was dangerous although didn’t have stay at home orders. We weren’t sure what to make of things, we’re still not sure but are getting used to the stationary chaos. We’ll probably start dating things B.C.V. Before Corona Virus since B.C. is already taken.

So here we are 50 days later. Looking at a beautiful sunshiny day. The videos are from March 16, and today. I hope you are all comforted that nature hasn’t stopped.

BodyMindSpirit

This is what I’m working on…

Instead of asking – what would Jesus, Buddha or Mohamad do? Embody them so there is no question about how to respond.

Our daily 5-minute meditation. Waning moon decreasing in light moving toward Disseminating.

Preamble

As ambassadors of Goodwill, may the merit of our love-based practices be of benefit to all beings.

Meditation

We’ve bathed in the light of the moon,
received new energy and ideas,
and now direct them toward our vision.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V49

Practical Life

It is an 80-degree day, and the sun brought laziness. Tom and I meandered to the mailbox. The air felt soft and easy. There were 2 Love letters waiting for Mother’s Day and a sweet little watercolor from Ruby pictured here. We so rarely get or give handwritten cards, what a treat.

A friend came over and we had a good 6-foot chat sitting in the sunshine. We spoke about disinformation and how truth has many perspectives. Question everything. Beware of confirmation bias. Each of us has our own truth.

I planned to work in the yard all day. I managed to water but think I’ll continue reading Anatomy of the Spirit and draw a bit. I love being my own boss.

BodyMindSpirit

Our daily 5-minute meditation. The Moon still full, is slowly waning.

Meditation…

Imagine arriving at our vision, victorious.
What gifts have we brought to share with the world?

Poem

We are victorious with Love.