Simple Pleasures

Nothing like the simple pleasures of humor and laughter.

Simple Pleasures

2/17/12

Birthday comes around

bringing celebration

thoughts,

toying with large

group wild

extravaganza,

or leisurely day

doing nothing

much

except what comes

naturally promising

joy,

most likely alone

following soul

rhythms

and authentic tendency

to create

something

significant, or not,

celebrating Life,

myself,

through experiences fondly

remembered in

future

as simple pleasures.

Directed

High hill overlook off of Route 35 between Pacific ocean and SF bay.

(photo by Ilyse Streim)

Directed

2/16/12

Ego's real work

is to

search

and recognize magic,

miracles, divinity,

beauty,

throughout mundane activities

making up

day,

this life with

all it's

circumstances,

while looking to

help others

out

doing the same,

continually remembering

interconnection

with Source filled

plants, animals,

Existence,

physical core nature

individually Soul

directed.

Greetings

Wing fast asleep on her pillow, on my bed, relaxed by early morning wood stove heat.

Greetings

2/15/12

Met this morning

by wind,

stars,

cool weather that

exhilarates my

Soul

after alarm clock

awakened at

4 am.,

and 'Bryon Kitty'

sat on

chest

licking hand that

lovingly pet

him,

now remembering Wing

through years

past,

stroking her while

asleep on

pillow

when still too

early for

any

reciprocation of greetings.

Love

My Mom and I hugging with Little Wing to the side.

Love

2/14/12

Potent mysterious elixir

powers Creation's

magnificence,

welling up inside

resilient expanding

heart

as authentic response

to beauty

witnessed,

a sunset's rainbow

above eastern

ridges

while twenty birds

glisten silver

white

bathed in last

rays against

rainclouds,

it's energy dispersed

through hands,

arms,

hugging parent, child,

sibling, friend,

partner,

or pet with

gratitude, called

love.

In Every Head

A few of the many folks who celebrated Christmas at Pennyghael Community Hall in 2006.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

In Every Head

2/13/12

There's a world

within people's

minds,

verily an encyclopedia

of informational

stories,

strung loosely together

dependent on

memory,

those random threads

linking synapse

together,

becoming likes, dislikes,

judgments, interpretations,

representations,

while building strategic

worldview upon

thoughts,

wherein each person

declares different

rightness

because life manufactures

uniquely diverse

'truth'

in every head.

Keep After

Keeping after a project at the house.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Keep After

2/11/12

Everyone juggles life,

changing circumstance,

crisis,

in different ways

depending one's

standing,

anchored as Soul

having physical

experience

or small self

of ego

control,

former is gracefully

cordial when

navigating,

latter frequently pushy

disregarding obtuse

repercussions,

most people perform

somewhere in

between,

I do also

when addressing

issues

deemed important to

keep after.

Becomes Known

Old abandoned boat on Loch Scridain shore outside of Kinloch Hotel.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

Becomes Known

2/10/12

Truth arrives sporadically,

lasts for

awhile

then mysteriously dissolves

as circumstances

change,

or is forgotten,

to acquire

again,

differently if of

lasting universal

nature,

this dance continues

through original

moments,

where as conduits

living Spirit

created,

whether old, young,

muddied, or

pure,

life brings opportunities

for furthering

evolution

whenever soul embrace

becomes known.

Visit

"Bryron Kitty' visiting 'Little Wing's' burial site while in progress.

Visit

2/9/12

Never

the same twice,

as older

person

experiencing city again,

meeting niece,

partner,

for theater play

seen before

elsewhere,

everything has changed

in world

awakening

to sun today,

circumstances of

importance

around work, relationship,

pets still

here,

or gone, often

disruptive, mercifully

end,

allowing a new

peace to

visit.

Ego Follows

Winding road in the Lake Country near Patterdale, England.

Ego Follows

2/8/12

Eventually there's trust

of Soul

to gracefully direct

daily trajectory

as a mystic

in touch

with grand landscape

interconnection between

all life's territories,

ably sensing

path leading onward

through 'maya'

that's physical world

demanding attention

from chief navigator

who commands

nobly as author,

setting tone,

timing, intention, pace,

into Unknown

while smiling unabashedly,

whistling tune

on great adventure

toward future,

wherein ultimate service

ego follows.

Visions

Sunset view from beginning of Ross of Mull, and Loch Scridian, on my way home to Kintra,

Isle of Mull, Scotland

Visions

2/7/12

There are moments,

frequent nowadays,

as if assisted

by Wing,

spirits behind veil,

my ancestors,

father, and grandparents,

guardian angel,

who open gateways

for genius

to be activated,

co-creatively dancing

with inspiration's arrival

from ethers

when giving thought

toward possibilities

percolating in soul,

around anything

calling from future,

riding past,

into potent present,

landing prophetically

while shouting 'Yes!',

thankfully amazed

at catalyzing visions.

From Inside Out

Michael Rueshcer helping me out with gardening.

(photo by Karin Ruescher)

From Inside Out

2/6/12

Exposure to society,

meeting people,

new and old

friends, acquaintances,

ignites mysterious inspiration

as fuel

for creative process,

something said

poignantly by another,

witnessing activism

through art, community,

encountering kindness,

love and compassion,

stirs heart

which reflects favorable

human potential

to evolve, or

go down

singing and dancing,

believing transformative

redemption is possible,

forever probable,

when individual souls

share gifts

from inside out.

Many Firsts

At my 50th birthday party near 8 years ago.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Many Firsts

2/4/12

Called 'primary experiences'

by girlfriend

in past relationship,

I'm experiencing

them in quantity

these days,

open mic performance,

contact improv

and shamanic disco,

writing workshop,

meeting loved filled

original humans

embodying 'Great Turning'

spirit journey

within physical world,

expressing joy,

humor, compassionate acceptance,

on river

awakening to ocean

of enlightenment

inherently in us,

sharing Divinity

as One People,

One Planet,

delivering many firsts.

To Be Human

Wonderful group of loving folks who so generously helped me out as visitor from abroad.

Kintra Community Hall, Isle of Mull, Scotland

To Be Human

2/3/12

I'm inspired

by those who

help others

out of goodness

in heart

expecting no reward

except enjoyable

feeling giving brings,

contrary to those

who take

as though entitled

barely considering

plight of downtrodden,

or musing about

shared world

and impact possible

if people

would 'get over'

me, mine,

separation by embracing

we, us,

distributing resources fairly

demonstrating how

to be human.

Open Connection

My girl Wing was always happiest when out exploring in Nature.

Open Connection

2/2/12

No matter circumstance,

financial loss,

gain,

future work looking

steady or

sporadic,

death having come

to loved

one

which simultaneously creates

opportunity for

birth,

thrown off center

by humanity's

madness

then finding it

again in

Nature,

staying curious about

miracles permeating

life

allows loving souls

magical arrival

through

Divine open connection.

For Future

Shaved head, altered state, after completing Wing's memorial.

For Future

2/1/12

Having fun

reframing experiences

initially thought

un-wantingly bad

to perfectly

timed event

supporting evolutionary

'what's next'

that builds

motivational momentum,

renews resources,

ushers wisdom,

makes space,

breaks open

mind, heart,

soul perceptions,

assists conscious

deep recognition

of Divinity's

pure essence

pouring through

every atom

as catalyst

and vehicle

for future.

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.