Shake It Up

Plaque commemorating the final loss of the 'Jacobite Rebellion'.

Close to Inverness in Northern Scotland.

Shake It Up

1/29/11

Humans easily forget, fall asleep,

become victims as comfort kills,

frogs incrementally heated in water

until boiled, adapting by degree,

or if carbon monoxide poisoning

there is no warning, odorless,

as unconscious ignorance takes over,

even those supposedly more intelligent,

evolved, wise to tricky mind's

tools of ego inspired passivity,

typified as control though distracted

by paddling capitalism's stupefying surface,

shallow, stagnating, lifeless, without purpose,

not taking responsibility for aliveness,

citizens handing over their power

to entertainment, economic, government gurus

taking for granted our weakness,

just malleable clay to render,

yet, many are fighting slumber,

defiantly unwilling to support apathy,

witnessing dangers they awaken others,

continue changing, creating new world

without allowing denigration to root,

cover existence in survival motif,

instead, shake it up periodically.

As Surprise

Using gift of gab.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

As Surprise

1/28/11

Often I don't know position

until worlds pour from mouth

giving me cause for pause

asking 'Is that really true?',

while I check with heart

feeling it's resonance of vibration,

my intuition searching for Essence,

and if about love connection

then tears show valid utterance

leaving all doubts to flounder,

lose mooring, within intellectual debate,

where genuineness sets me free

sometimes toward world not wanted,

one less secure, yet authentic,

setting me up to learn,

discover foundation I'll live by

no matter choices of another,

whether loving partner, friends, society,

trusting life will unfold perfectly

whenever living guided by integrity

welcoming, as surprise, each moment.

End Comes

Surprise tulip,planted by a friend, flowering next to my medicine wheel.

End Comes

1/27/11

Whether this latest poetry book,

Heidi's grandmother Rose passing on,

Antoinette's ex-husband who's on verge,

America's fall from #1 status,

myriad marriage and relationship completions,

or job finish creating void,

we see finality most everyday,

the blossoming flower now withered

reminds disintegration forever at work,

yet, if recognizing cyclical nature

seed of potent new beginning

is formed by aging thoroughly,

a coming to full term

through birthing and dying process,

same coin just different sides

to ultimately make peace with,

then fully living space between

pouring ourselves into unique husk

leaves legacy when end comes.

At Hand

Overgrown parts from old non-functioning water powered grain mill in town of Bunnesan.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

At Hand

1/26/11

Human minds like to dream,

play with possibility and potential,

from youth it's expressive fantasy

often judged as wasting time,

being unrealistic, by staid adults

who've forsaken such for normality,

a sense of secure parameters

strewn with nuts, bolts everywhere,

believing in cold mechanistic worldview

that encourages military industrial complex

infecting society through cultivated fear,

using intelligence as motivational surrogate

imagining only worst case scenario

to avoid at all costs

which insures poverty of spirit,

because we've forgotten childlike magic

and inherent connection to Miracle,

entrusting 'Source' creates behind scenes

which supports goodness at hand.

Inner Calm

Storm clouds over Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and Santa Cruz Lighthouse.

View from Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Inner Calm

1/25/11

Even as emotions find surface,

whether to ripple or erupt

in great ocean of 'Soul'

deep in our darkest domain,

there lies Infinite tranquil environment

that's foundation for all activity,

how else do we discern

the changing tides of life

without waves to comparatively measure,

but without ego's demeaning judgment,

more, let it be observation,

witnessing our great stormy Existence

forever inundating us with diversity,

asking we shift and balance

remembering each important learned skill,

archetypal pattern, our humanness contains,

shares, while adapting as individuals

to peculiar circumstances we've chosen

becoming 'inner calm' playing field.

Language

Dear friend Heidi and I sharing a laugh years ago while visiting friend Danae on Kauai.

Language

1/24/11

Old friends

share minds,

image filled

distant memories,

witnessing change

in age,

sensibilities, wisdom,

what's important,

accepting easily

these adaptations

listening stories

of transformation,

lessons learned,

new dreams,

delivered humorously

laughing antics

after tears,

troubles, resurrection,

transmitted through

heart language.

Relief

Successful installation of 'farm sink' on kitchen remodel of 100 year old Victorian.

Relief

1/22/11

It is full exhale

after some difficult completion,

with intentioned letting go

of held constructive tension

which closely resembles stress,

that begins celebration, appreciation,

until then I'm caught

in managing many potentialities,

exercising control over circumstances

as much as possible,

while also dancing poetically

around what wants manifestation,

not always clearly known

when surprises are sprung

on route to goal

entrusted by client wishes,

whereas clarity becomes crucial

before active follow through

bringing relief whenever successful.

Finally

Buddy Art Durand continuing epic journey after last camper upgrade.

Finally

1/21/11

There comes a day,

if lucky and persistent,

where idea set upon

as highly inspired dream

finds way to fruition,

yet, not without challenges,

those unimagined course changes

due to myriad circumstances

of timing, vibrancy, distractions,

so many different discontents,

mainly because virgin territory

is hard to fathom

with unfamiliar eyes, senses,

not knowing what's needed,

again dependent on intuitively

navigating 'emotional guidance system'

while defining unique parameters,

what will work brilliantly,

toward finally realizing manifestation.

Remembering

Medicine wheel at 'Land of Shining Stones', with 'Ghost Ranch' in distance.

Ehama Institutes 'First Peace Gathering', Abiquiu, New Mexico

Remembering

1/20/11

Ceremony is high practice

of stopping, dropping in,

becoming aware of place

in 'Universe' that exists

outside meager mind meanderings

filled with self-important thoughts

that define our lives

through needs, wants, desires,

forgetting demise will come,

death shall ask questions ...

Are you ready now,

was your will done,

is 'soul purpose' complete

with fully experienced life,

did you balance efforts,

take responsibility for choices,

appreciate miracles each day

while noticing Mystery's handiwork,

remembering Oneness with Source?

What We Can

Nigel, myself, and Rosie playing a 'Robert Burns' tune during 'Burns Night' celebration.

Kintra Community Hall, Kintra, Isle of Mull, Scotland. Winter 2007

What We Can

1/19/11

Such paradox, this life,

with it's omnipresent 'isness'

which defies humanity's categorization

of it being 'timeline'

filled by incrementally flowing

calculable past, present, future,

bearing malleable, controllable nature

where circumstances are adjusted

along a great range

until finally, 'no more',

unable to adapt further,

challenging any egotistical notion

that 'mankind' is omnipotently

at 'top of heap'

answering to no one,

while controlling 'God' entity

depicted in human terms,

really we're 'bit players'

in great theatrical 'Existence'

doing what we can.

No Timetable

Stream without timetable and road alongside I motorcycled upon without a timetable.

September 2006, northwestern coast of mainland Scotland.

No Timetable

1/18/11

To those who marvel 'Mystery'

and see 'Source' in everything,

everyone, there's no predetermined 'Self'

bearing 'direct line' toward Evolution,

as if 'job' to complete

where each phase is estimated,

detailed, resourced, just waiting assembly

for 'worker bee' to finish,

so 'superiors', thinking they know

what's best outcome in life,

can be pleased with themselves

having 'envisioned' another's 'highest good',

when really it's arrogance, insecurity,

projecting their fear of cracking,

shattering, seemingly lost and unstable,

that paradoxically shines 'Light' through

touching every aspect of oneself,

less able when contained, controlled,

believing 'no timetable' spells doom.

Clean Slate

Few things excite me more than a clean powerful motorcycle ready for enjoyment.

Here is my BMW R1100RT, vintage 2000.

Clean Slate

1/17/11

It's amazing how enjoying myself

by doing what excites energy

can wash away life's grimness,

recharging burdened soul, heart, mind,

where previous challenged struggles fade,

rinse off like road grime

from this body as vehicle,

transported into remembered miraculous world

when all before was gray,

muddy, with rain threatening everything,

certainly summer like days help

as if winter is over,

now eyes see amazing beauty

bringing smile for simplest reasons

while counting my prolific blessings,

the love I receive, give,

with friends, family, and sweetheart,

feeling powerful potent goodness flow

into consciousness creating clean slate.

Ancestors Proud

The result of Irish, Scottish, and Romanian Jew ancestry.

(photo by G)

Ancestors Proud

1/15/11

I often forget in my aloneness

that always there is great company

of those who came before me,

whether just imagination or a reality,

looking upon my antics and life

as a culmination of their efforts,

refined by individuals evolving sensibilities, consciousness,

combined through generations of hard work

to create progeny that continues lineage,

gives hope, as example to children

who can believe there's brighter world

in future of unknown possibility, potential,

where faith is daring of soul

going farther that it can see,

which catalyzes an exponential inner will

able to overcome omnipresent human challenges

when wanting to advance myself above,

beyond the mundane, expressing unique soul

embodied as 'me' making ancestors proud.

Friends

City of San Francisco, Bay Area and Oakland seen in distance on motorcycle ride.

(photo by G)

Friends

1/14/11

I imagine a future epic importance

as if world depended on me

to evolve, break through, manifest greatness,

prodding me to push edges, jump,

into abyss of unknown potential, alone,

being stripped, tempered, along the way

madly shoving off excess to fly

thinking lean and mean enables success

keeping focus simple, limiting any distractions,

narrowed to intentions of soul purpose,

where no one understands, can follow,

forgetting I'm not an island, independent,

remembering my 'relations' support me here,

from earth, air, fire, and water,

plus many refinements of my ancestors

birthed through parents into big family

not just of shared blood, genealogy,

but all people who've shared life

as adopted brothers, sisters, called friends.

In Lieu

My writing den.

In Lieu

1/13/11

I've come to realize

writing is constant companion,

my confidant when troubled,

blank pages great listener,

pen is 'talking stick'

used in ancient ceremony

whenever tribe gathered round

dropping into 'sacred space',

paying attention with 'heart'

to feelings needing expression

through words from 'human',

soul having physical experience,

so without 'life partner'

who would welcome discourse,

or children, even roommates,

there's me, dog, cat,

not a talkative triad,

rather I commune alone,

in lieu, with life.

In The Groove

Dreaming more use this year of my cutting shed and workshop for woodworking projects.

In The Groove

1/12/11

If I get lazy,

falling asleep to importance

of following my dreams

by allowing for distractions

beyond capacity to recharge,

then ensnarement can happen,

tangled in distorted 'maya'

without strictness or discipline

as structurally productive routine

that renews continued attendance

toward manifesting what's desired,

granted flexibility is essential,

a pragmatically attentive ingredient

which diagnoses 'present condition',

what's possible within circumstances

measuring energy, clarity, enthusiasm,

discerning the appropriate effort

large, small, in between,

while in the groove.

Speak To It

German sisters traveling with parents via motorcycle sidecar.

Dingle, Ireland

Speak To It

1/11/11

As part of process

when raising one's vibration

up where 'joy' resides

first become distinctly aware

of your 'present condition',

whether micro or macro,

inner, outer, individual, nation,

there's often bottled energy

wanting expression, not stagnation,

which happens peering future

filled with imagined scenarios

including 'worst case' intangibles

catalyzing angst, fear, dread,

made known through feelings,

our 'emotional guidance system'

asking us to shift,

not dwell in madness

created by distorted thoughts,

instead claim powerful optimism

then speak to it.

Back To Soul

At 'Roaring Camp Railroad' acting engineer of old engine.

(photo by Richard Allan)

Back To Soul

1/10/11

Sometimes I misplace myself,

not this ego, psyche,

but 'True Spirit Self'

that is real 'home',

'center of command, authority'

who witnesses amazing world,

all the objects interacting

within gyrations of Existence

continually prompting 'WOW!' exclamations

for life's diverse synchronization,

from individual engineering standpoint

it reminds 'first peace'

smiling childlike awe, wonder,

when celebrating how blessed

I am as 'Me',

with sensibilities uniquely combined

'fleshing out' core structure

as 'Essence' inhabits bones

coming back to Soul.

Phases

Boats and 'lock' near Kilmartin, Scotland. February, 2007

Phases

1/7/10

Within the journey

life offers respite

after gathering courage

to tackle distasteful,

undesirable, challenging aspect

necessary to transcend

if intentioned goal

will find completion,

and energy needed,

mustered for perseverance

is within us,

so often hidden,

buried by reticence,

thinking imagined future

scenario dreadfully unappetizing,

yet, successful individuals

access electric reservoir,

release inherent resources

as phases demand.

Through

Stopped by graves on Scottish mainland when riding through from Isle of Skye to Isle of Mull.

Through

1/6/10

From birth canal

to death's passage,

life's beginning, end,

there is transition

in every aspect

of miraculous Existence,

journey is destination

as space between

moments of accomplishment,

whether success, failure

depending one's perspective

is all relative,

also meaning interconnected,

without any stopping

only slowing down

when lovemaking, meditating,

being supremely present,

holding onto nothing,

while ushering through.

Reflections

2006 winter water reflection near 'Lochbuie' on the Isle of Mull, Scotland

Reflections

1/5/10

Life is a grand mirror

if we can stand back,

witness that everything surrounding us,

our circumstances, family, friends, lover,

where and how we live,

what we gather and arrange,

do for work, pleasure, community,

represent detailed list of values

deemed essentially important in degree

becoming prioritized during daily endeavors,

and age brings originality forward

with new interests depicting growth

while also letting go old

perspectives once held as sacrosanct

that often elicit commentary, criticism,

from those once in picture,

challenging decisions to continue onward

toward what calls individual soul

turning accomplishments into mere reflections.

Bound Up

Bound up in motorcycle gear, overlooking Zion National Park cloaked by forest fire smoke.

Bound Up

1/4/10

It doesn't take much lately

to recognize I'm off balance,

feeling it in body joints,

hips, back, neck, and muscles,

contrasting my usual easy flexibility

that runs high physical energy,

and because of interconnected nature

mind, spirit, emotions are effected,

becoming angry from myriad thoughts

which cloak brilliance of soul,

taking on 'pressure cooker' qualities

sensing freedom is being obstructed

whenever I'm less than optimal,

call me sensitive in comparison

while imagining others endure more

with grace and sheer will,

contrary to angst that arises

when I'm discontented with life

bound up by own doing.

Stay True

Picture of a 'Scot' in hotel on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.

Stay True

1/3/10

This is often not easy

though less so when older

able to say 'not interested'

as 'king' of one's domain,

where what once held sway

through desire, or peer pressure,

no longer carries distractive power

that usurped potency in past,

instead refined senses receive messages,

signals, beyond earlier mental conception

while deeper currents are recognized,

celebrated, for vitality and integrity

leading toward 'soul purpose' direction

which prods 'intention' to follow,

no matter if solitary route

when conjuring, creating, manifesting ideas

into form, as 'ultimate sharing'

with community, world, fulfills essential

wise mandate to 'stay true'.

New Year

Part of farewell performance to close the 'world's smallest theatre.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

New Year

1/1/11

Four 'ones' in abbreviated date

speak to truly fresh start,

also to who comes first,

ideally each individual as participant,

star celebrity, taking lead role

in movie created by oneself,

written, directed, acted confidently upon,

choosing sets, co-stars, dialogue between

depending circumstances and decisions made,

overall fluctuating as comedy, tragedy,

thriller, documentary, fiction and non-fiction,

based on reality, intermixed dreams,

with love story elements included,

depicting protagonist, antagonist as diversely

moving through victim, villain, hero,

touching upon life's archetypal structures,

struggles, what constitutes our existence,

wondering how much personal power

I'll claim in New Year.

The Process

Me, Mike, and Paul,hiking to top of 'Scridain', Feb. 2007.

'Loch Scridain', and 'Ross of Mull' in background.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

The Process

12/31/10

Journey is the destination,

nothing's complete until end

though that is arguable

when wrapping up projects,

a prized intended goal,

small daily chore, errand,

dishes cleaned, bills paid

for moment, then more

come down life's path,

most humans enjoy accomplishment,

feel godlike when creatively

turning idea into reality,

believing they're in control

until 'unfinished' piles up,

overwhelms, with unending desire

to attain future ideal,

'Manifester' getting things done

pointing to acquired results

now disintegrating, needing maintenance,

further becoming the process.