Again

Morning in San Francisco on other side of Golden Gate Bridge.

Again

3/30/10

Forever looping

similar days,

patterned seasons,

shared characteristics,

March rain

before Easter,

Spring teased

with sunshine

exciting people

into activities,

the grayness

zaps energy,

reminds inwardness,

watching thoughts,

dreams, desires,

parade past,

repeating mantra

whether healthy

and enlivening,

or distorted

from contraction

that fears

any future

possible failure,

not rejoicing

more opportunities

to inhabit

life potential

again today.

Irrevocable

Sunset at Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Irrevocable

3/29/10

It happened,

already done,

opportunities lost,

gone, farewell,

leaving regret

for could've,

would've, should've,

if only

realized earlier,

but didn't,

wasn't possible

in haze

of ego

playing victim,

villain, hero,

right, wrong,

good, bad,

personas locked,

no winners

only losers,

smallness, fear,

precious moments

squandered, trashed,

by illusion

misplaced priorities,

protectionism, shallowness,

suddenly waking

to life's

irrevocable circumstances.

Beautiful Wounds

Leaning against a eucalyptus tree I planted years before.

(photo Art Durand Photography)

Beautiful Wounds

3/28/10

The inevitable bruise,

bump, break, cut,

that leaves scar

inner or outer,

contusions to psyche,

emotional, mental, spiritual,

continually with us,

trying to forget

we cover over

as if curse,

cause for shame,

not really owned

while striving perfection,

some imagined hero

who rises above

past insults, injuries,

forgiving everyone, everything,

so to merge

free of boundaries

with Absolute Existence,

be like animals,

plants, clouds, earth,

never needing questions,

any wondering why

one simply hurts

from recent trespass

similar to memories,

revisiting their lessons,

deepening unique character,

'beautiful wounds' develop.

Friends

My English friend Courihan visiting from Wisconsin.

At beach near Pescadaro, California.

Friends

3/27/10

It's natural,

this comradeship,

that continues

over years,

activated again

when visiting

in physical,

while memories

of past

percolate, erupt,

bringing laughs,

and present

becomes vivid

seeing things

through eyes

not accustomed

to area,

like plants

since Courihan's

a landscaper,

hearing stories

about challenges

from wife,

money, in-laws,

different worlds

collide, weave,

find perspective

new meaning

with friends.

Tethered

Manager of Rio Theater, David Anton Savage, setting up marquee.

Santa Cruz, California

Tethered

3/25/10

With desires

come strings,

ropes, cables,

depending span

to cross

from present

into future,

your dream

turned reality,

investing time,

heart, soul,

probably money

for manifestation,

they hold

some constancy

while flexing

wherever winds

of change

direct otherwise,

create questions

around willingness,

intention, attainment,

the value

tightly held

when following

mysterious guidance,

emotions, thoughts,

imagined elation

after having

tethered prize.

Resourcing

First wall framed to enclose Repass water tower 'super structure' .

Watsonville, Ca. 2008 (Daren Commons  in pic)

Resourcing

3/24/10

I'm to have patience

through process of creation

while gathering what's needed

in way of elements

that will be assembled

within formulated strategic plan

prior to taking action,

and it is true

for the many dreams

inhabiting my life territory,

so many kites flying

all tethered to me

each having own sky,

clouds, sun, rain, wind,

uniquely turbulent or calm,

an environment inviting vigilance,

reeling in, easing out

necessarily for continued flight,

often it's mesmerizing dance

wondering if I'm closer

or farther from attaining

any joy completion offers,

teases with in anticipation

from imagined great scenarios

once I've delved deeply,

discovering along the way

even more essential ingredients

initial equation missed conjuring

when resourcing mysterious future.

No Should

Long shadows and brother Keith playing volleyball.

Boardwalk and Main Beach, Santa Cruz, Calif.

No Should

3/22/10

In mind we imagine

what 'ought' to be,

life without war, poverty,

the nature of relationships,

how we want them

in interaction with partners,

thinking 'this' means success

while working every time,

same in business dealings

having notion about costs,

yet when it's higher

there's lament about disagreement

between reality and dream,

or lover acts different

than prescribed as 'appropriate'

then wailing, fretting ensue,

it's about preconceived notions

believing there's better perfection

beyond 'what is' presented,

denying opportunity to learn

through acceptance, gathering wisdom,

for next similar situation

that will be original

with own specific dynamics,

only it's shadow familiar

to anything previously experienced,

 we must let go

believing expectations hold truth,

notions you know better,

living 'no should' paradigm.

Glorious

Morning yoga sun salutation overlooking arroyo.

Land of Shining Stones, Abiquiu, New Mexico

Glorious

3/20/10

Spring days

so fresh

with brilliance,

delicious air

startling Sun

luscious Earth

succulent water,

energizing cells

igniting mind,

spirit, body,

and emotions

as one

fully alive

human 'being',

miracle imbedded

sublimely activated

through ethers,

Creative Powers

forever inspiring

new diversity,

surging life

that evokes

whoops, hollers,

exhilarated expression

recognizing preciousness,

rare originality,

offered daily

in benediction

that's glorious.

New Structure

Snake on arroyo's slick and muddy stream bed.

Land of Shining Stones, Abiquiu, New Mexico 

New Structure

3/19/10

Made another move toward

the future I'm dreaming

by not playing softball

with buddies last night

as Spring league started,

initially to heal shoulder

now I see wisdom

of soul claiming time

for my writing pursuits,

imagining foundation for career

different than Building Contractor,

and transforming this land

into potent gathering place,

Mystery has been curling

within me, coming through,

dancing a serpentine rhythm

going from very slow

to quick, radical strikes,

each and every turn

revealing way of being

contrary to linear thought,

more an intuitive impetus

undulating around any obstacles

while seemingly caressing them

though simply passing by,

demonstrating how laying low,

being close to Earth,

stealthy, quiet, at home,

supports creative new structure.

Stripped

Scottish veterans of World War II honoring the fallen at World War I monument.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

Stripped

3/18/10

Life takes us down

then lifts back up

depending any given mood

effected by thoughts entering,

and there's the economy,

numbers in bank account

bills on the table

which challenge anyone's sanity

around sense of worth,

what really has value,

when one's individual soul,

heart, mind, and body,

are seen as expendable,

less than, when scrutinized

coming up woefully short

to upper echelon criteria,

the folks making rules

about what progress is,

it's sad world state

that enable debilitating wars

providing poverty, hunger, insecurity,

footholds when not necessary,

wounding, crippling us all,

wherein from manmade distortions

people are robbed blind,

yet somehow find courage,

hope, faith, fortitude, resources,

inner sight seeing 'Spirit',

with everything stripped away.

Exposed

Norwegian Caroline Waters,  at KZSC radio station, on Sunday morning Breakfast in Bed.

Santa Cruz, California

Exposed

3/17/10

I was amazed recently

by a singer songwriter

from Norway who visited

 KZSC community radio station,

brought 'Exposed' CD, partner,

and phenomenal life story

to the listening audience,

later blowing doors off

D.Q.'s International Music Hall

with world class voice,

craftsmanship, playfulness, heartfelt presence,

her willingness to reveal

courageous authenticity, inspiring everyone,

conveyed through resilient soul

that found grace, peace,

joy, after devastating loss,

there she stood, transparent,

nothing to lose now

just being totally herself,

we entered Caroline's world

found belonging as family

sharing deep heart space

riding emotional waves, humor,

awed by talent, beauty,

smile, and enlivened spirit,

where I came away

feeling transformed at core

having met incredible woman

unabashedly exposed and vulnerable.

Loose Rhythms

The mysterious horizon beyond my home base in Soquel.

Loose Rhythms

3/16/10

From rigid history

of marching to

beat society drums

with it's judgments

around right, wrong,

through religion, education,

family appropriate upbringing,

and political, national

patriotism to uphold,

which shaped conscience

I took on

influenced during youth,

somehow evolution emerged,

because experiences encountered

born of choices

effected world view,

the lessons learned

for better, worse,

developed my outlook

on individual level

within shared generation,

us baby boomers

unwilling to settle,

embrace status quo,

became pioneering adventurers

wanting new horizon

believing there's more

when dancing life's

improvised loose rhythms.

Inspire

 Four inspirational teachers in my life. 

Wind Eagle, Pele, FireHawk, and RainbowHawk.

Inspire

3/15/10

Most people don’t realize

how even simple gesture

of kindness, care, generosity,

can lift another person,

humans can be secretive

about doubts, challenges, longing,

putting on brave facade

as they toil onward

through muck of living,

maybe hoping in travels

to have miraculous intervention,

whether mundane or grand,

that reignites promising fire

in belly, heart, mind

while searing itself upon

memory of the soul

revealed in one’s eyes,

no matter their fortune,

class, and life position

or success and failure

along one’s mortal path,

and it’s gift given

when those ‘turned on’

share their authentic vitality

in most honorable way

awakening someone's sleeping spirit

coaxing them, ‘Come play,

enjoy this shared world,

live boldly,and inspire.’

Integral Piece

After KZSC radio interview with Tommy Sands, the influential Irish singer/songwriter 

who helped bring peace to the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland.

Integral Piece

3/14/10

I need not be star

though am willing to shine

when playing part on team

whether sports, radio, or work,

fulfilling my role as needed

hoping admirably in others' eyes

or at very least satisfactorily,

and like most everyone else

there is no real knowing

how my antics effect others,

okay, within response that's immediate...

disgust when booting the ball,

committing an 'air room' error,

coming up short in carpentry...

those I readily can read

but long range is different,

rarely is the time experienced

that someone speaks an appreciation

for influential moment in past

about how action, or word,

graced another's life with blessing,

in right time and place

so that something profound impacted,

sent ripples into brain matter

creating new furrows of response

perhaps setting a necessary foundation

which enabled springboard for future

bringing success and deserved accolades

as integral piece to puzzle.

Kindred

Bonnie, the wanderer, and my 'Little Wing' girl.

Kindred

3/13/10

As I grow older,

become more refined 'me'

knowing my inner workings

of what's really important

on core structural level,

even though it contrasts

societal norms, common sense,

in immediate economic climate,

I meet familiar people,

young and old alike,

who reinforce my thinking,

are pushing edges also,

against the status quo

that creates such suffering

through it's careless disregard

wanting to maintain power

plus position in world,

and I understand that,

people abhor losing ground

after having worked hard

attaining some material fruits,

their sense of security,

for themselves, family, community,

yet it's all fragile

can be lost quickly

due to health, catastrophe,

those unforeseen future turns

which remind great worth

of befriending kindred spirits.

Right Timing

Preparing to lift remodeled third story onto rebuilt water tank structure.

Repass Farm, Watsonville, Ca.

Right Timing

3/12/10

To be sensitive

patient and persevering

while wondering when

circumstances will align

with inner motivation

can be difficult,

doubts often arise

thoughts around procrastination,

what is missing,

should I ramrod,

make it happen

no matter obstacles

that point elsewhere

saying do this

instead of forcing,

here's your ease,

flow, graceful living

of poetic nature,

there's where creativity,

freedom, play, reside

awakening childlike magic,

opening the senses

toward great curiosity,

adventure, awe, wonder,

transcending one's ego

through emotional flexibility,

letting go rigidity

embrace internal clock

dictating right timing.

Imbedded

Stair landing corner, shell imbedded rocks, spiderweb, succulents, bamboo wind chimes.

Imbedded

3/11/10

Self worth is measured

by familial, societal standards

passed generation to generation,

some swallow the bait

hook, line, and sinker,

others rail against system

even while enveloped by

the pre-conditions for living,

functioning in economic model

with material reward trappings

beyond essentials of food,

water, housing, personal expression

as socially redeeming work,

let's include love, joy,

a shared community consciousness,

but what happens when

truth pandered turns false,

grounds for faith crack,

trust is in upheaval,

hope for better life,

ourselves, children and friends,

the carrot on stick

becomes an illusory motivation,

do we then succumb

to dread of insecurity

our ancestors ancient fear

born from survivalist experiences

or embrace new opportunities

imbedded in troubled times.

Never Know

Plant tendrils on my bamboo fence near Cali Lilies and redwood tree.

Never Know

3/10/10

Desires can dream us

dancing with heavenly thoughts

around fantasy, hope, possibility,

conjuring images that entice

make our heart leap

believing fruition is inevitable,

could be if willfully

committed with deep intention

so tendrils can grow,

begin to scale potential,

grabbing on, spreading wildly,

fed on more imagination,

'If this, then that,

which inevitably leads there.'

where now territory expands

becomes kind of unmanageable

threatening loss of bearings

we begin to retract,

attach strongly onto essentials

our ego believes necessary,

putting stake in ground

of what's still ethereal,

only smoke and mirror

holograms in the mind

sparking brain into believing

it's reality to defend

with future on line,

life's joy, abundance, love,

yet, the truth is

we really never know.

Life Teaches

Early morning story telling  in my workshop/art studio.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Life Teaches

3/9/10

There are lessons,

opportunities to learn,

within every experience,

not always evident

some sneak up

from hindsight recollection,

often what happened

opens up possibility

that was hidden,

closed, perpetually overlooked

because of busyness,

behavior patterns, habits,

mundane narrow consciousness

kept for security,

sense of control,

but disruption occurs

from outside forces,

influential secret desires

born of discontent,

heart wanting expression

for being here

on soul journey,

if nothing more

than telling story

about our challenges,

failures, and victories,

having risked ourselves

to attain wisdom

this life teaches.

We Are

Enjoying clotted cream, jam and biscuit in southern England.

We Are

3/8/10

What is eaten

walks around tomorrow,

not just food

but thoughts also,

attitudes, opinions, beliefs,

all create images

that activate secretions

which effect emotions

plus brain synapse,

round it goes

where system expects

same fuel fed

even if unwise

diet of sugars,

alcohol, fast food,

forming human habits

whether good, bad,

often it seems

the latter wins

especially when exciting,

impacting, even sinful,

on macro level

it escalates dramatically

as intoxication from

power, greed, war,

distortions that disconnect

our holy recognition

of miracle, forgetting

who we are.

In Nirvana

One of  my garden bird baths, minus water and feathered friend.

In Nirvana

3/7/10

Many spiritual teachers say

we are already here,

that Heaven's on Earth

and there's no separation,

though humans perceive differently

because of mind distortions

created from accumulated madness

centuries of warped thinking

passed generation to next,

if true, we're deaf,

dumb, blind, and clueless

even with our technology,

creativity, innovations that dazzle,

plus institutions, laws, transportation,

our ability to communicate

from satellites, cell phones,

computers, in multiple languages,

yet, simplicity escapes us,

missing opportunities to stop,

observe, be in miracle,

merge with as part

of whole, inextricably entwined,

where we 'real-eyes' truth

when watching bird antics

in joyful morning bath

going under water, fluttering,

coming up, splashing more,

bringing smile to face,

lightness to heart, soul,

experiencing life in Nirvana.

Testing

Surprised to find no helmet law in Wisconsin, so I rented a Harley.

Testing

3/6/10

These times are challenging

whether from outside circumstances

plucking on emotional chords,

or likewise, inner questioning

about what's really important

while living the years

between birth and death,

certainly there's enough practice

as I grow older

disregarding truth of youth

filled with invulnerable promise,

it's black, white understandings,

for gray shaded complexities

where rebellion changed shape,

became softened by blows

that cracked hard certainty,

allowing for compassionate light

to reveal shadow work

hiding for so long

from myself and others,

thinking it was complete

after previous exploration efforts,

granted there are differences

with new dynamics effecting

because of experiential accumulation,

hopefully viewed as wisdom,

though in the end

little can be anticipated

when testing brings surprise.

Putting In Time

Peering down from hip roof apex on Repass 3 story water tower project.

Putting In Time

3/5/10

No matter the desire

or hurdles to jump

for attaining any goal

there are ingredients needed,

in beginning comes urge

and willingness to pursue,

faithfully, daring the soul

to go much farther

than can be seen,

it's tied to dreaming,

peering into unknown possibilities

hopefully stumbling upon potential

that's waited for recognition

through eyes of soul

within misty ethereal Mystery,

once nugget is found

more precious than diamonds

then comes cutting, polishing,

however jeweler's abilities allow,

many stones are dropped,

lost in cracked consciousness,

even mislaid, forgotten about

collecting dust over lifetimes

because obstacles stubbornly remain,

but there are solutions

trusting experiences point direction

toward perseverance, creativity, joy,

the dynamics of manifestation

when putting in time.

Unknown Edges

Costa Rican butterfly.

Unknown Edges

3/4/10

There's only one corner

of universe to influence

and perhaps improve upon,

that would be yourself

effecting others comes later,

(paraphrased from Aldous Huxley)

while in meantime Existence,

with all it's Mystery,

works transformation through me

bringing unforeseen casual reality

into my perceptual sphere,

stimulating, provoking some address

to sensations coming through

most often I handle,

could even say control,

yet remembering past experiences

where life demanded evolution,

when I was reticent,

then change happened dramatically

stripping me to core,

my soul structure inside,

whether ready or not

it came into me,

similarly something is happening

beyond my normal scope,

abilities, understanding, and framework,

like promise of 'chrysalis',

caterpillar turning into butterfly,

which finds creative freedom

from transcending unknown edges.

Integrate

Skye Bridge connecting the Isle of Skye, in the distance, and the Scottish mainland.

Integrate

3/3/10

Marriage has been arranged

between realist and dreamer

though both are wary

of losing their power,

thinking they'll be subservient

or at least compromised,

so communication becomes mandatory

to rein in fear

about what this means

in joining their forces,

verily Heaven and Earth,

instead of odd separation

within entity called 'me',

where ignited upper chakras

fly hither and yon

while lower ones anchor,

solidify, in giving support,

but it's no fun

for the dancer, lover,

athlete, blue collar worker,

whose freedom is usurped

by poet, philosopher, artist,

wordsmith, with untethered visions

needing to be cultivated,

rooted, in physical reality,

this realm that sustains

when all elements conspire,

bridging diverse holistic equilibrium

that can integrate evolution.

Destiny Companions

(l to r) Pele, FireHawk, RedHorse, Rowan and Peter at First Peace Launch

Land of Shining Stones, Abiquiu, New Mexico

Destiny Companions

3/2/10

We're all in this together

so completely and utterly interconnected

within realm of physical existence,

further more on economic terrain

linked inextricably by communication systems,

no matter your actual participation

the spider web envelopes all

often noticed by shared effects

from disasters, war, global warming,

though 'patriots' still chant nationalism,

class, race, gender, and culture

as grounds for staying separate,

some form of paternal security

born when fear wants protection,

but this denies 'what is',

that we're all dependent on Earth,

water, air, Sun, and resources,

sharing them though so unequally

in this creative evolutionary dance,

most want music to continue

according to individual's unique rhythm

which continually creates new arrangements,

yet somewhere in the cacophony

like minded folks hear melody,

are drawn toward particular parameters

able to hold clan members

who recognize their potent mission

and responsibility for furthering diversity,

plus goodness, with destiny companions.

Do

Balinese sculpture of lovers, at Anamaya Retreat and Resort Center.

Montezuma, Costa Rica

Do

2/29/10

There's no mystery

except for how,

what catalyzes effort

within human soul

to accomplish anything,

on surface simple,

writers pen prose,

poetry, stories, novels,

artists create beauty,

sculptured, painted, drawn,

photographers capture light,

Nature, people, places,

gardeners grow life,

flowers, vegetables, trees,

teachers educate minds,

adults, teenagers, children,

carpenters construct projects,

buildings, homes, studios,

lovers share hearts,

bodies, spirit, intimacies,

each action defines

who we choose

ourselves to be

when accumulatively labeled,

often by another,

ably witnessing breadth

of life accomplishments,

opposite inner workings

that shape everything

we actually do.