Grand Game

Where's Wing hiding? Under the heart stone, yet always found in my heart.

Grand Game

1/31/11

Hide and seek,

neighborhood fun

growing

up suburban kids

in Speedway

Indiana,

nowadays feels similar

excitedly engaging

myself

as one searching

to find

Divinity

everywhere, in everyone,

no matter

appearances

or dysfunctional behaviors,

while unabashedly

grinning

with contagious love

that tags

another,

and elicits smile,

from participant

playing

'grand game'.

Affirmed

Driving down the road with Wing, my amazingly inspirational, 'love activism' teacher.

Affirmed

1/30/12

Past week events

further engrain

understanding

foundational life purpose

as 'Love

Activist',

utilizing 'Soul Authority'

passion for

changes

playing essential part

in Great

Turning,

standing on shoulders

of courageous

ancestors

I become one

for future

inheritors,

invigorating magnificent world

through simple

acts

my existence affirmed.

New Chapters

Wing and I next to Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor Lighthouse.

(photo by Crysse Morrison)

New Chapters

1/28/12

Another

poetry book

has been filled,

ending

with loving

thoughts of Wing,

companion

who chose

me as partner,

wherein

I became

forever blessed recipient,

circulating

love that

opened protected heart,

caring

for her

amid changing pursuits,

surprise

events turning

into new chapters.

Not Gone

Wing and I driving down the road in the van either coming or going to work.

Not Gone

1/27/12

My habitual programming

finds me

speaking to Wing,

calling her,

'Let's go girl!'

into truck

on job site,

easily seeing

different remembered stages

from puppy

to 'old woman',

my hand

familiar with petting

while driving,

strokes heart area

pressed upon

by 'Little One'

for many years

riding together ...

she's not gone.

Collected

Wing and I kayaking Castle Lake near Mt. Shasta, California.

(photo by Raven Stevens)

Collected

1/26/12

I'm traveling memory

mind's eye

through brain matter,

computer pictures,

and film photos,

awe filled,

amazed at distance

we travelled,

longest love relationship

of partnership,

greatest, best friend,

accepting, unconditional,

near constant companion

paying attention

to each other,

always allowing

for unexpected turns

becoming gift

experiences gratefully collected.

Tears

The 'little charger' Wing at Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California.

Tears

1/25/12

Cleansing memory bank

forgotten events,

so many moments

turned years

of being together,

playful days

in rambunctious youth,

her agility

running, jumping, hunting,

pretend fighting,

always the charger

out front

prancing, smiling, enthusiastic,

patiently waiting

for workday end,

adventure ready

to go anywhere ...

remembrance brings

tears revealing joy.

Transported

Wing's Wheel, with her bowl and heart shaped rock at center.

Transported

1/24/12

Behind the veil

I entered

while ushering my

'Little Wing'

into Spirit World,

where Nature

came fully alive,

awake, present,

witnessed, listened, felt

honoring ceremony,

taking in words,

love feelings,

holding us both

with benevolence

completing Life dance,

gifting rainbows,

beauty, miraculous Existence

became doorway

to continued communion

mystically transported.

Life In Service

My female 'Little Wing' dog four days prior to passing into the spirit world.

Life In Service

1/23/12

My 'Wing' dog

has completed

near fourteen years

bringing love

into my heart,

this world,

everyone she's met,

now time

for courageous act

as reciprocation

of unconditional caring,

releasing her

homeward to Source

to continue

being constant companion,

our souls

linked forever there

cherishing shared

Life in service.

Rain

My spirit also soars for rainbows that often accompany rain.

(Kintra, Isle of Mull, Scotland)

Rain

1/21/12

My spirit soars,

body thrills

during acclimate weather,

listening sounds

of wind, water,

envelope house,

remembering childhood experiences

of watching

through home windows,

school bus,

loving outside smells,

excited feelings

creating great adventure,

dressing differently,

given warnings, instructions

depicting danger,

for me

just playful rain.

For Myself

Playing with professional musicians Marc Bass, Peter Clark, at my 50th b-day party, 2004.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

For Myself

1/20/12

When rains halt

usual work

for almighty dollar,

then possibilities

avalanche upon me,

including pleasure,

chores, vehicle maintenance,

exercise, desires

like lengthy writing,

workshop creations,

editing in den,

dreaming future,

or playing music,

myriad activities

no longer neglected

for myself.

Exercise

Past exercise canoeing on lake in Watsonville with my girl 'Wing'.

Exercise

1/19/12

I forget

the pure pleasurable

addictive nature

of body activity

outside norm

from physical work,

for fun,

and staying healthy,

while enhancing

clarity of mind,

brightening spirit,

energizing new equilibrium

inside skin,

muscle, aligning bones,

whether running,

dance, sports, walking,

exercise enlivens.

Click

With dead trees down a new view opens that seemingly catapults me into 'parallel universe'.

Click

1/18/12

Oftentimes

clarity eludes me,

arriving

somewhere I feel

misaligned,

out of place,

imagining

destined parallel universe

awaiting

behind different choice

offering

authentic soul experience

needed

to further growth,

synchronicity,

meeting person, having

conversation

bringing realizations that

click.

Timing

When ready, I found perfect logger to fell quagmire of dead trees.

Timing

1/17/12

On this

follow through depends,

have come

to understand procrastination

that's different

than habitual avoidance,

delay instead,

waiting for resources,

information, impetus,

and catalyzing grace

catapulting energy,

vision, enthusiasm, joy,

past mediocre

advance when misaligned,

blindly inattentive

to sacred timing.

Calibration

Reverend Deborah L. Johnson interviewed on KZSC radio show, 'Conciliation Sunday'.

At Inner Light Ministries service she spoke of 'inner calibration to future calling.'

Calibration

1/16/12

In timeline society

pursuing goals

with action steps,

accountability, determination,

to accelerate progress

there's phenomenon

beyond manipulative paradigm,

potently seeded

within invisible realms

where energies

swirl inside people

as dreams

beckoning from future,

mysteriously incubated

for however long

individually necessary

until day arrives

birthing 'Yes!'

completing evolutionary calibration.

Recover

Consuming crab legs before seeing Oakland 'Cavalia' show years ago.

Recover

1/15/12

In hindsight,

worth of endeavor,

that breaks

from routine structure

in place

to manifest desires,

is measured

not only by

episodic quality

of original experience,

resources consumed,

urge to repeat

with person

as intimate activity,

but also

weighs residual benefit

accrued and

time to recover.

Truthfully

2004 motorcycle trip in Scotland celebrating my 50th birthday.

Truthfully

1/14/12

When attended

then freedom rings,

holding fast

to authentic Soul

fulfilling destiny

by walking unencumbered

no matter

circumstances that surround,

generously administering

talents as succor

while Life

organically plays out,

my dutiful

sacred responsibility is

honoring Source

through living truthfully.

Space

Watching big sky turn colors at sunset over Lighthouse Field, Santa Cruz, California

Space

1/13/12

Leaving it open

especially

when unsure

allows more information

entering

to point way

sensed

as destiny,

where synchronistic alignment

congeals

benevolent outcome

in mind's eye

translated

as 'Yes!',

similarly for love

loosely

holding potential

waiting patiently in

space.

Instruction

No instructions for placing third story on rebuilt lower framework of old water tower.

Lakeside Organic Farm, Watsonville, California

Instruction

1/12/12

Many pursuits

require

information gleaned beforehand

by those

experienced

with acquiring goal,

hopefully making

success

quicker, easier, safer,

without having

work

of recreating wheel,

other times

life

traverses virgin territory,

always really,

wherein

each day arrives

with only

inner

guidance as instruction.

Beautiful Behavior

Rounding first base after getting a hit playing softball.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

(poem inspired by Rachel Carlton Abrams, MD)

Beautiful Behavior

1/11/12

New doctor

used this phrase

describing

encouraged shift

around diet, exercise,

lowering

cholesterol, sugars,

finding balance using

moderation

as key

to optimal health,

chuckling

I imagined

world doing same,

humans

changing consumptive,

warring habits, creating

heaven

on earth

through beautiful behavior.

Territories

Lone sentinel among cliffs at Bryce Canyon, Utah.

Territories

1/10/12

Surrounded

I sit,

listen soul intuition,

where,

what, will

receive attentive energy

after

morning ritual

pleasing writing muse,

blessed

by choices

to exercise creativity

I'm

calmly aware

of whirlwind possibilities

this

day brings

in myriad territories.

Everyday

In my workshop from earlier days and arrangement.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Everyday

1/9/12

She's demanding

mistress,

always with me

as muse

wanting

expression for pleasure,

hearing

her call,

above society's din,

constantly

desiring attention

I finally relinquish,

declare

unswerving loyalty

above all else

everyday.

Essence

Sunset during ferry ride between Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland.

Essence

1/8/12

Stop,

be still,

quit searching,

it's here,

everywhere,

always been,

will be,

permeating everything,

breathe,

witness Existence,

humming vibration,

making you,

me,

Earth, Sun,

trees, animals,

uniquely from

Essence.

Circles

Two eagles on the wing above the Isle of Mull, Scotland.

Circles

1/7/12

No corners

to turn at

as I

spiral like eagle

on wings

buoyed by Spirit,

riding currents

absent cutting edge,

eyes view

far-reaching vistas devoid

of separation,

upon ground

I'm galloping horse

stretching powerful

muscles in coordination,

propelled onward

sweating, steaming, snorting,

dreaming horizons

outside of circles.

Enter

Beach cave in San Diego area.

Enter

1/6/12

Sudden breakdowns

bring original opportunity

within context

to use tools

gathered up

from past tribulations,

whether communication,

truck not starting,

dropping ball

on follow through,

or animal

injured, getting old,

new world

quickly shows itself,

often irrevocably

if it's death,

life always

tests our willingness

to enter.

There's Little Rhyme

Wednesday sunset from patio of house I've been working on.

Santa Cruz Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California

There's Little Rhyme

1/5/12

Less reason

for what transpires

each season,

or any day

we live,

love, work, play,

generously give,

Life rolls on

so unencumbered

as miraculous phenomenon

breaths numbered,

to change anything

first accept

all that's happening

even death,

then when clear

dispel lie

in Existence there's

little rhyme.

No Separation

Less cluttered past, that led to now, leading to future, without separation in 'infinite time'.

No Separation

1/2/12

Doing mundane things

like laundry,

groceries,

cooking good meals,

getting rest,

exercise,

working on land,

in shop

organizing,

and at desk

writing bills,

donations,

caring for animals,

loving them,

Life,

are essential aspects

of creativity

laying

the holistic groundwork

of no

separation.

In There

Meeting writer friend Geoffory Dunn, wife, & son at Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

In There

1/1/12

Coming through

fits, starts, malaise,

wondering how,

when, I'll escape

difficult tests

being with discomforting

inner struggle

until finding again

an opening

where grace dwells,

or expressing

what's bothering me

to stranger,

old, new friend,

that reminds

me of 'connection'

as Power

for embodied Soul

in there.

Surprisingly

A surprising rainbow outside my wee croft with my amazing 1991 BMW K75RT motorcycle.

Kintra, Isle of Mull, Scotland

Surprisingly

12/30/11

It fascinates me

when grace

descends

tapping with insight,

intuition, direction,

foresight,

my squirreled brain,

as body

affirms

to follow through

on uncertain

hunch,

wherein alignment flows,

synchronicity easily

happens,

appointments open up,

opportunities avail

surprisingly.

The Switch

The potent moment switching from standing still to opening the throttle.

(photo by Crysse Morrison)

The Switch

12/29/11

Looking

to flip

it,

finally

leave my

conundrums,

fully

engage what's

next,

simply

with passionate

pursuit,

harnessing

horse energy

daily,

from

standing to

gallop,

making

the switch.

Witnessing

Self=portrait driving back from southern California with a truck load of workshop machinery.

Witnessing

12/28/11

My antics

would be humorous

if not

taken so seriously

by Perfectionist

often at wheel

measuring degree

of right, wrong,

as Judge

defining highest worth

to pursuits

purporting significant importance,

thankfully Soul

sees larger picture,

says 'Relax,

forever busy egoistic

'monkey mind',

continue witnessing miracles.'

After

Floating in Monterey Bay at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

After

12/27/11

Once

festivities end

things settle down,

recalibration

of body,

mind, spirit, emotions,

re-aims

toward purpose,

direction, vitality, integrity,

strengthened

by connective

family, friends, community,

again

finding balance

within Life immersion,

floating,

swimming, surfing,

diving deep beneath,

after.

Assist

Assisting angels, Mimi and Melody, at Floyd's 90th birthday celebration.

Assist

12/24/11

Each

plays part

in Great Turning,

according

personal timetable

and revolutions inside,

without

comparing ourselves

envious of others,

this

is music

on grand scale,

vibrations

ripple outward

large and small,

bearing

unique quality

we assist others

Accountability

The Buddha statue in the flower garden inspired by my buddy Art Durand.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Accountability

12/23/11

In end

my biggest relationship

is not

lover, partner, family,

some other,

but with Life,

Source Energy,

this miraculous Existence

as Soul

sharing Infinite Is-ness,

without separation,

guiding inhabited ego

in world

through mind, body,

and emotions,

to be servant

creating results

becoming proven accountability.

It Flows

Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

It Flows

12/22/11

Then, when

all is ready,

preparations made,

plenty of sleep,

right thoughts,

eating proper food,

plus exercise,

requesting through prayer

benevolent outcome,

help from ancestors,

spirits loving,

caring, for people,

committing oneself

on personal path

of Soul

expression this lifetime,

it flows.

Pointing

Pointing out where I used to live and do things at the end of the ridge.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Pointing

12/20/11

Whether it's

some planetary alignment,

full schedule

not offering opening,

'perfect storm'

of blocking circumstance,

procrastination lessons

to be learned,

Life often

channels toward direction

for Soul

realizations around clarity

and importance,

plus deepest desires

patiently waiting

as future possibilities,

delivering awareness

pointing the way.

Reward

My Mom who modeled staying busy and being a giver.

At her 88th birthday party.

Reward

12/19/11

I struggle

with concepts around

enjoying life,

being on purpose,

going after

latest farfetched dreams,

while balancing

time spent working

for money,

practicing self care

by relaxing

when feeling urgency

to produce,

take action steps

toward goals,

things needing done,

wanting accomplished,

as own reward.

Permanence

Design carved on tomb lid of a 12th century Scottish knight. A tattoo?

Isle of Iona, Scotland

Permanence

12/16/11

Few things

have this essence

in world

that's forever changing,

death does,

scars, losing limbs,

body parts,

sometimes broken heart,

or residue

from physical abuse,

as counterpoint

there's love experiences

staying with

giver and receiver,

plus goodness

housed in Soul

like tattoo

carrying Life permanence.

Fluctuations

Keith, me, goddaughter Adrienne, Zeke, and guide in rapids on Tuolumne River, California.

Fluctuations

12/15/11

The ebb, flow

of energy

I'm always calibrating

affects choices

and the difficulty

following through

with any vision

that entrances

on soul plane

while navigating

thick physical world,

bringing heaven

down to earth

can be

hellish when manifesting

upon river

surging with fluctuations.

Sacrifice

Arthur Durand III and Corinna Bloom on their wedding day.

Sacrifice

12/14/11

It's surrendering

something highly valued

for another

supremely prized attainment,

letting loose

thoughts of entitled

having everything

all at once,

willingly postponing

or downright losing

some aspect

of Sacred Dream,

while inviting

mysterious uncontrolled circumstance

it's seat

at Destiny's table,

being ready

to be consumed

by Forces

within Life sacrifice.

Important Part

Stone beach behind Findhorn, with entry to Northern Highlands of Scotland in distance.

Important Part

12/13/11

In this river

of Life

I'm humbly honored

and proud

to join brothers,

sisters, ancestors,

on amazing journey

filled with

love, danger, mystery,

toward ocean

consciousness of Oneness,

Unity, Stewardship,

persevering stagnate eddies,

rapids, waterfalls,

discovering strength, weakness,

turning 'shadows'

into friendly allies

while courageously

playing important part.

Out It

Lunar eclipse early morning 12/10/11 from my house in Soquel, California.

Out It

12/8/11

Surprising

what comes

when opportunity shows

itself

for speaking

long held words,

thoughts

not consciously

collected as opinion,

belief,

attitude, image,

having formed inside,

yet

once started

brain's amazing synapse

discovers

connective thread

to out it.

Enter

Spilling myself backwards into Monterey Bay at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Enter

12/6/11

The choice

of how wet

we'll get

in this river,

toe, foot,

leg, lower torso,

full emersion,

and ocean waters,

doesn't matter,

or arrival technique,

speed, grace,

when we realize

decision made

was long ago,

before birth,

to enter life.

The Judge

At the end of the ridge where I first began living on this amazing land.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

The Judge

12/6/11

Shadow work

has released him

from jail

where barely heard,

often disdained,

I'd go opposite

distant warnings

to prove false

that 'realist'

is 'dreamer's' superior,

Big Mind

says 'Get along.'

while playing

with authentic thoughts,

feelings, actions,

my Soul

has 'him' handcuffed

to Divinity

becoming ally as

'the Judge'.

New Approaches

'Wing' dog, and 'Byron Kitty' comfortably living a 'new approach'.

New Approaches

12/5/11

Leaving behind

some old ways

of doing

what I've done,

allowing for

original intuitive ideas

to influence

when entering mind,

sparking synapse

creates puzzle pieces

finding place

in emerging mandala,

I witness

same phenomenon unfolding

in world

desperately needing change,

new approaches.

Benevolent Outcomes

Once the tiptop of a towering redwood, now the severed 60 ft. top laying sideways.

Benevolent Outcomes

12/3/11

This request

is new mantra

opening potential

for what's best,

expanding intention

beyond limited mind

to catalyze

invisible magical realm

of possibilities'

far reaching expanse,

the timeless

'All' encompassing miracle,

unrestrained, unbounded,

connected to Source,

'is-ness, Life,

becoming mysteriously dreamed

benevolent outcomes.

In The Dark

My debris covered driveway after pulling larger limbs to the side.

In The Dark

12/1/11

Violent winds rip,

debris flying everywhere

all night long

testing branch strength,

rootedness to Earth

as Air whistles,

howls, is locomotive

driving head on

through oak, redwood,

madrone, bay, eucalyptus,

all are effected,

and power lines

with vulnerable wires

easily become disrupted,

severed, leaving us

in the dark.