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Sunday, July 20, 2008
Everything
Everything in the universe is a pitcher brimming with wisdom and beauty. - Rumi
(Photo taken at Denver's Botanic Gardens)
Labels: photography, Rumi
posted by Carol at 4:16 PM
0 comments
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Spiffy, Spooky Spider Spinning Sprawling Web
It appears that spiders make bigger and much more interesting webs in Maine than they do in Colorado. We walked on one pier that had a giant web on almost every support pole. Our second day in Maine began with a lot of fog, so the webs had nice diamondy droplets on them..
I was looking up wikipedia information on spiders and found this photo of fried spiders in Cambodia:
Maybe I don't know what I'm missin', but....
Anyway, I hope you're having fun and staying cool this summer Saturday!
I was looking up wikipedia information on spiders and found this photo of fried spiders in Cambodia:
Maybe I don't know what I'm missin', but....
Anyway, I hope you're having fun and staying cool this summer Saturday!
Labels: Maine, photography
posted by Carol at 3:00 PM
4 comments
Friday, July 18, 2008
Rolihlahla Mandela
On this day, in 1918, Rolihlahla Mandela was born. A teacher gave him the name "Nelson" because Rolihlahla was too difficult to pronounce.
A BBC article chronicles the life of Nelson Mandela for this, his 90th birthday. If you have a moment, watch the video at the end of the article. It's touching to see the masses of people gathered to see Mandela as he was released from prison in 1990 after serving 27 years.
Happy 90th Birthday, Nelson! May you live a very long life!
Asimbonanga (Mandela) (we have not seen him) by Johnny Clegg:
There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children. - Nelson Mandela
A BBC article chronicles the life of Nelson Mandela for this, his 90th birthday. If you have a moment, watch the video at the end of the article. It's touching to see the masses of people gathered to see Mandela as he was released from prison in 1990 after serving 27 years.
Happy 90th Birthday, Nelson! May you live a very long life!
Asimbonanga (Mandela) (we have not seen him) by Johnny Clegg:
There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children. - Nelson Mandela
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. - Nelson Mandela
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. - Nelson Mandela
Labels: Johnny Clegg, Nelson Mandela
posted by Carol at 12:01 AM
2 comments
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Sometimes it's a form of love
just to talk to somebody
that you have nothing in common with
and still be fascinated by their presence.
- David Byrne
posted by Carol at 9:50 AM
5 comments
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Role Model
In 1992, Severn Cullis-Suzuki, age 12, asked the delegates at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro a question that I have pondered numerous times.
Well now, how do we answer such a direct and straight-forward question like that?
When I grow up, I want to be like Severn. I guess I'd better start practicing now.
You can read the transcript of her talk here.
At school, even in kindergarten, you teach us to behave in the world. You teach us:* not to fight with others,
* to work things out,
* to respect others,
* to clean up our mess,
* not to hurt other creatures
* to share - not be greedy.
Then why do you go out and do the things you tell us not to do?
Well now, how do we answer such a direct and straight-forward question like that?
When I grow up, I want to be like Severn. I guess I'd better start practicing now.
You can read the transcript of her talk here.
Labels: Severn Cullis-Suzuki
posted by Carol at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Monday, July 14, 2008
Losing and Finding Freedom
I can't believe that she gave my book away.
I don't buy too many books anymore, but instead frequent the library down the street. If they don't have a book, CD, or DVD there, another library in Colorado will deliver it to the one near me, so there are very few limits to what I have access to. Still, I couldn't get Jarvis Jay Masters' Finding Freedom through the system, so I ended up buying it. I was glad to buy it, because Masters is a wonderful man and I'm happy to support him.
I previously wrote a post about Masters' book Finding Freedom. You can read it by clicking here. But this post isn't about the writer or the book. This is about what I learned when one of my best friends gave my prized book away.
When I bought the book, I read it like I read many books that I enjoy. I inhaled it. I dived into it and didn't come up for air until I closed the back cover. Once done, my plan was - as it is with many other books that I have loved - to go back to it and to slowly let the words and concepts sink into me. To savor it and let it infuse my soul.
BUT before the second phase of reading happened for this particular book, my good friend from out of state visited. She was passing through on her way to a retreat. I lent her the book with the understanding that she would send it back to me when she got home. But she didn't. On her retreat, she loaned it to a mutual friend - one that doesn't live near me and that I don't often see. It's been months since this happened and I still have not heard about Finding Freedom.
When I heard about the fate of the book, I first felt disappointment. Over time, I worked with letting go. Yesterday, I realized that if I would have taken my time the first time I read it, if I would've savored each moment instead of dancing on top of the words, I would've been fully done with the book as the last page was turned and its loss wouldn't have mattered so much.
Then I wondered... is this how I go through life? Quickly and on the surface, counting on the opportunity to come back and let the experience go deeper later? In a land of no guarantees of a "later", this isn't a wise philosophy.
After all of the studying that I've done about slowing down and staying present to the moment, am I still surfing the channels of life and thinking that I'll have another chance to stop and smell the roses or wildflowers or dog shit?
Funny thing is that the essays in Master's book are supreme examples of his ability to stay present to the moment even while sitting on death row.
And I had to lose the book in order to get it.
I don't buy too many books anymore, but instead frequent the library down the street. If they don't have a book, CD, or DVD there, another library in Colorado will deliver it to the one near me, so there are very few limits to what I have access to. Still, I couldn't get Jarvis Jay Masters' Finding Freedom through the system, so I ended up buying it. I was glad to buy it, because Masters is a wonderful man and I'm happy to support him.
I previously wrote a post about Masters' book Finding Freedom. You can read it by clicking here. But this post isn't about the writer or the book. This is about what I learned when one of my best friends gave my prized book away.
When I bought the book, I read it like I read many books that I enjoy. I inhaled it. I dived into it and didn't come up for air until I closed the back cover. Once done, my plan was - as it is with many other books that I have loved - to go back to it and to slowly let the words and concepts sink into me. To savor it and let it infuse my soul.
BUT before the second phase of reading happened for this particular book, my good friend from out of state visited. She was passing through on her way to a retreat. I lent her the book with the understanding that she would send it back to me when she got home. But she didn't. On her retreat, she loaned it to a mutual friend - one that doesn't live near me and that I don't often see. It's been months since this happened and I still have not heard about Finding Freedom.
When I heard about the fate of the book, I first felt disappointment. Over time, I worked with letting go. Yesterday, I realized that if I would have taken my time the first time I read it, if I would've savored each moment instead of dancing on top of the words, I would've been fully done with the book as the last page was turned and its loss wouldn't have mattered so much.
Then I wondered... is this how I go through life? Quickly and on the surface, counting on the opportunity to come back and let the experience go deeper later? In a land of no guarantees of a "later", this isn't a wise philosophy.
After all of the studying that I've done about slowing down and staying present to the moment, am I still surfing the channels of life and thinking that I'll have another chance to stop and smell the roses or wildflowers or dog shit?
Funny thing is that the essays in Master's book are supreme examples of his ability to stay present to the moment even while sitting on death row.
And I had to lose the book in order to get it.
Labels: freedom, Jarvis Jay Masters
posted by Carol at 9:03 AM
9 comments
Sunday, July 13, 2008
What We Did On Our Summer Vacation
We're back! There's no place like home, Toto! Buddha (the dog) was squealy happy to see us when we walked in the door last night. We took him on a hike this morning - ahhhhhh, back to hiking in our favorite spots, breathing in the dry Colorado air.
Our trip was perfect. We were totally spoiled by the in-laws and got to see the in-law clan, food everywhere was excellent, and the sights were stunning.
Here is where we stayed for two nights in Maine:
This was one of the views from our room:
It doesn't get much prettier than that!
Serene architecture at Popham Beach:
Fort Popham (You can read about its history if you click on its name. I'm not much of one for caring too much about fort stories):
The water in the area was full of buoys marking the location of lobster traps. Here is a man setting his traps (she writes as the B52s' song, Rock Lobster, tramples through her head):
I took the two photos above as we toured the harbor on a little harbor cruise. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see much wildlife -just some cormorants and a nest with some ospreys in it. The captain asked for two of the strongest passengers to help with things, so here is a photo of me and my mother-in-law as we helped fight the mighty seas:
Our trip was perfect. We were totally spoiled by the in-laws and got to see the in-law clan, food everywhere was excellent, and the sights were stunning.
Here is where we stayed for two nights in Maine:
This was one of the views from our room:
It doesn't get much prettier than that!Serene architecture at Popham Beach:
Fort Popham (You can read about its history if you click on its name. I'm not much of one for caring too much about fort stories):
The water in the area was full of buoys marking the location of lobster traps. Here is a man setting his traps (she writes as the B52s' song, Rock Lobster, tramples through her head):
I took the two photos above as we toured the harbor on a little harbor cruise. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see much wildlife -just some cormorants and a nest with some ospreys in it. The captain asked for two of the strongest passengers to help with things, so here is a photo of me and my mother-in-law as we helped fight the mighty seas:
Labels: Maine, Massachusetts
posted by Carol at 11:22 AM
4 comments
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
If I Lived Here...
...I'd shave my head every summer.
And buy warm, wooly hats for the winter.
We're in the Boston area. Land of humidity and hair that curls and clings.
Tomorrow we go to Maine for yet ANOTHER family celebration - my mother-in-law's 70th birthday (Happy Birthday, Helen!). I've never been to Maine before. It sounds very beautiful and romantical.
Maine has over 60 lighthouses along its coast and we'll be staying two nights in a faux lighthouse - photos to come soon.
Meanwhile, here's me and my MIL on Duxbury Beach (MA) this morning:
(Photo courtesy of Mr. CarolForPeace.)
And buy warm, wooly hats for the winter.
We're in the Boston area. Land of humidity and hair that curls and clings.
Tomorrow we go to Maine for yet ANOTHER family celebration - my mother-in-law's 70th birthday (Happy Birthday, Helen!). I've never been to Maine before. It sounds very beautiful and romantical.
Maine has over 60 lighthouses along its coast and we'll be staying two nights in a faux lighthouse - photos to come soon.
Meanwhile, here's me and my MIL on Duxbury Beach (MA) this morning:
(Photo courtesy of Mr. CarolForPeace.)
Labels: Boston, Celebration
posted by Carol at 10:09 AM
5 comments
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Bird Philosophy
Is education possibly a process of trading awareness for things of lesser worth? The goose who trades his is soon a pile of feathers. - Aldo Leopold
On a planet that increasingly resembles one huge Maximum Security prison, the only intelligent choice is to plan a jail break. - Robert Anton Wilson
Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart - Kahlil Gibran
Labels: Kansas, photography
posted by Carol at 1:58 PM
5 comments
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Chocolate
I have started thinking about chocolate again.
Just thinking about it.
I even gave myself permission to eat one square of luscious, fair-trade, organic, dark chocolate with almonds today.
But I never did it.
I think the idea is better than the real thing.
And the real thing is pretty darn good.
That chocolate has been sitting on the pantry shelf for all of the 25 days that I have been living on vegetables, chicken, and fish. I have gone a long time without sugar before, but I always made sure there was none in the house to tempt me.
You can now call me Ms. Will-of-Steel for never, during these 600 hours and 25 minutes of eating so purely that even mosquitoes aren't interested in me, succumbing to the voice of chocolate pleading from the pantry to just take one little bitty bite.
But I PROMISE you that I have not yet had my last bite of chocolate. Heh heh heh. That little tasty bar will not last the summer...
posted by Carol at 8:04 PM
4 comments