In Store

Standing stone at sunset on Isle of  Mull, Scotland 

Isle of Iona, Scotland in background

In Store

8/26/09

When opening to Spirit

in full realization epiphany

that we must attend

to embracing divine interplay,

then life becomes mystery

with it's unknown variables

always bringing the surprise,

sometimes in lesson form

as when ego shatters

from some denied dream

propelling new possibilities forward

even as it dissolves,

transmutes our old desires,

through filter of understanding

'change as only constant',

becoming next original choice,

learning not to hold,

but accept, loosely cup

liquid existence in chalice,

a love elixir mixture

where truth, potency, overflows

for self, and others,

which fuels freedom fire

cracking open dormant seeds

revealing essence through destruction

while birthing unique manifestations

of what's in store.

Simply

 Acetylene torch and steel artwork

(morning valley fog viewed from workshop deck)

Simply

8/15/09

It's a strength

to open up,

allow for feelings

when making connections,

whether for short

or long relationship,

I don't know

being sparked so

what will transpire

honestly excited about

new possibilities arriving,

but I'm reminded

of lessons learned

for going slow

enjoying the space

that separates hearts

within physical world

while holding thread,

the Spirit vibration,

which reveals potential

whether worthwhile truth

is mutually shared

in design, degree,

determining what is,

if these encounters

will last long

from simply being.

She Flies

Big Sur hummingbird in flight

She Flies

8/14/09

The hummingbird

does soar

so free,

cannot be

captured, caged,

her beauty

radiates love

zestful living

brilliant color

wild expression

precise movement

catalyzing joy

to all

who witness,

are blessed

in sharing

same air,

creative moment,

without holding

any intent

toward keeping

such miracle

constrained, private,

rather, provide

perfect environment

for landing,

sustenance, after 

she flies.

Being Met

Flower at Melba's in Santa Cruz

Being Met

8/13/09

Many an idea falls

from lack of medium

to push up against,

the seed needs soil

as resistance to formulate

itself and chose direction,

rooting down, strong, deep,

yet still demanding more

water, air, sun, earth,

vital nurturance for growth

which develops it's character

in every evolving stage,

so often just gestating

building the inner energy

necessary for next phase,

what will appear physically,

unique in form, function,

surprising as original entity

though same species surrounds,

there is marked difference

even within inner stamina,

one's ability to persevere

when life's storms hit,

becoming rare essence embodied

attracting a pollinating stimulator

that vibrates vital fecundity

essential to being met.

Even While

On the steps of my workshop

(Photo by Art Durand Photography)

Even While

8/12/09

Amid our business

of milestone lists,

action steps, advancements,

let's remind ourselves

to stop, appreciate,

we're above ground

still breathing life

able to celebrate

this moment's presence

smiling from miracle

of no separation,

All is One,

though different forms

give the illusion

it is otherwise,

don't be fooled,

everything is born

and will die

without exception

nothing can last

forget holding on

use that energy

for creating happiness

helping others along

toward realizing peace

free of trappings

even while struggling.

The Unexpected

At Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California

(photo by Art Durand)

The Unexpected

8/11/09

It is the way of the world

all of existence brings surprise,

the never known before wonder

in everlasting moment of 'now',

nothing ever stays the same 

within constant flux of miracle

and we are here to witness,

explore, and express it's diverseness

through one of a kind 'I AM'

entertained by unique, peculiar reality

even as we share common ground,

are interwoven with fellow sojourners,

overlapping, intersecting, dovetailing

large and small life interactions,

more so when entering heart space

intermingling love's perfumed essence

as family, friends, or intimates in Nature,

when symbiotic synthesis occurs inside

where one loses and finds self

while also absorbed deeper still

into the mystery of all Creation,

left helpless, and paradoxically empowered,

to play in the medium of the Infinite

knowing even the Sun will die

which disintegrates ego's self importance

becoming ashes for the phoenix

who rises above the unexpected truth.

Advances

Bridge on the Isle of Mull, Scotland

Advances

8/10/09

This week will swirl

with thoughts and activities

imagining myself being Merlin,

an alchemist calmly sitting,

observing, while also directing

all bubbles of possibility,

curiously wondering the alignment

that inevitably shows up

to spur my action

which influences other happenstance

turning potential into form

with the deep understanding

life builds upon itself,

nothing is without resource,

everything is expansive cog,

most importantly those times

when we're blown apart,

our ego identity shatters

revealing true Spirit Self

One with Eternal Now,

no separation, just fluidity,

immersed in miracle river

as each paddle stroke

becomes ladled sunlit silver

dazzling in brilliant beauty,

our bodies effervescent chalices

making advances toward Source.

Do I Dare

Art  Durand and Corinna Bloom daring to marry. 

Do I Dare

8/9/09

Will I allow myself

the option to dream

out beyond what's true,

now, in simple exchange

of shared sparked interest,

or rather integrate lessons

that past relationship taught,

to take it slow,

see if real friendship

arises from similar interests

and respect for uniqueness

entertaining parallel life purpose,

I want new paradigm

for results that satisfy

without expectations clouding vision,

give me surprising unknown

stepping into miracle network,

matrix of no measurement,

no hurry, or timetable,

let me expansively open

marveling at life's wonders

coming as a woman

ably willing to dance,

engage and lovingly play

on deep heart level

making me curiously question,

'Do I dare believe?'

Deserving

My birthday cake at the farewell ceilidh a week before leaving Scotland,

created my Rosie Burgess

Deserving

8/8/09

Birthday celebrations bring focus

on an individual's place

among friends, family, society,

it heralds their goodness,

the verified positive effect

from those they've touched

mostly influenced with love,

that years of experiences

discovering and knowing nuances

has seated appreciation deep

in their shared heart

colored by stories galore

often trying times dispensed

into annuals of legend,

how one faced demons

rose when thought beaten

healed from mortal blow

a phoenix from ashes,

balanced by grand events

forms of passage, initiation,

marvel participated in together

counting blessings and miracles,

ways everyone has grown

becoming more than before,

accompanied by disturbing twinge

making present moment bittersweet,

 deserving accolades, after death.

Easeful Pace

Some of the Danish 'First Peace Youth' enjoying Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico

Easeful Pace

8/6/09

Lately, there's no pressure,

self imposed, or otherwise,

to pursue life headlong

racing toward some end,

it's 'grace of journey'

that's enveloped me now

without a rigid timeline

realizing things will come

as meant to be,

and for the allowing

I'll better appreciate results

having savored rich process

absent of 'have to'

deadlines that don't enthuse,

perhaps it looks nonchalant

like I don't care,

having entered some realm

not of this world

which sees the absurdity

of goal oriented living,

though mine look different,

more being, than doing,

reading where's the 'flow'

my spirit warms to,

experiencing what comes through,

taking note, enjoying myself,

playing with easeful pace.

Revealed

My 'Merlin' statue on 'First Peace' altar with 'Indian Chief' in background

Revealed

8/5/09

In increments

life shows

what's up,

now, next,

telling stories

without knowledge

of ending

only journey

from footsteps

in sand,

washed away,

where memory

recalls tales'

heroic strive,

terrible failings,

love won

then lost

to time,

death, circumstance,

everything transpires

changes irrevocably

leaving history

it's interpretation,

found worthy

for recollection

as lessons

experiences revealed. 

The Ride

Taking an outside shower

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

The Ride

8/4/09

I've spent time waiting

dreaming of sea change

that will envelope me

wash me clean away

from staid familiar stance,

something so mind opening

my whole world shifts

revealing a parallel universe

of choice to enter

engage, embrace, without steering

releasing usual mental grip,

instead taking hands off

throwing my arms back

expanding chest and breath

leading with my heart

fearlessly trusting Infinite connection

to Life Source itself,

seeing the humor, laughing,

smiling, with mischievous twinkle

in 'good eye' recognition

witnessing our shared experience,

spiritual brothers and sisters

here to play together

give needed leg up

toward elevated joyful manifestation

as soul desire creates

the ride into Mystery.

Come To You

My 'pony' in Utah, north of Byrce Canyon, on way to Crawford, Colorado.

Come To You

8/2/09

Call it constant surprise

the way life arrives,

wants to be known,

as the chaotic trickster

with a mischievous smile

calling us to emulate,

in grin, and humor,

an energy of adventure

and childlike marvelous wonder,

(No awe? No attention.

more like sleep walking,)

this is authentic living

saying nothing can hurt,

then living as Infinite,

being Alchemist working magic

without measurement that limits,

instead seeing the 'good'

absorbing, transforming, mutating 'bad'

by welcoming, reclaiming power,

from loss, envy, fear,

it is recognizing everyone

for sharing ancestral lineage,

understanding buttons get pushed

because energy is trapped

needing expression of feeling

that opens more love

to come to you.

Jump

'Carl's Jump' at Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico

Jump

8/1/09

Nothing like being rested,

up early, having gratitude

for spectacular foggy morning,

wet 'white sage' scent,

birds, trees, my relations,

to life, people, existence,

in 'medicine wheel' ecstasy,

then coming back upstairs

embracing my morning rituals

that sustain deep levels

of integrated, balanced living,

no matter what's happening

with the political world

things are good here,

this moment of contemplation,

when all there is

becomes pen to paper,

hand movements, following mind,

the thoughts wanting expression,

slowing time to crawl,

soon change will happen

as this poem completes

and life spirals onward

asking me to participate,

be part of dance,

another story about how

people jump into future.

Risk

Taking photos during a 'car rally' on the Isle of Mull, Scotland

Risk

7/31/09

Can't get away from it

no matter how safe you play,

even telling the truth

has it's own surly dangers

when not often welcomed

making people feel uncomfortable

as they keep theirs hidden,

which in degree, I'm guilty of,

sometimes not fully expressing,

or engaging, in Big Game way,

and last night at softball

nursing sore shoulder, hamstring,

I didn't go full out,

commanding myself to be controlled

without diving for balls,

twisting, turning, for pop ups,

so we lost, partly because

there was 'rational restraint'

at which my core rebels,

though I understand rules,

laws, what's socially acceptable,

yes, even wisdom to live by

that makes perfect sense

in order to extend the time

of being healthy contributor

while able, though railing against it,

thinking to risk is real living.

Headway

Site of the 'First Peace Launch' in Abiquiu, New Mexico,

at the Village of Shining Stones, with 'Ghost Ranch' in the far distance.

Headway

7/30/09

Thoughts percolate

over days,

weeks, years,

wait impetus

to arrive

like muse

finding me

because of

my routine,

laying groundwork

creating space

each morning

while visioning

what's next

in words

wanting expression,

no different

than efforts

toward projects

being propelled

by details

simmering aromatically,

condensing uniquely,

specifically designed

for situation,

your desire,

making headway.

Reconfigured

Prism altar, with 8 directional stones, as a transmitter for Spirit,

created in Abiquiu, New Mexico

Reconfigured

7/29/09

I'm needing some shifts

in organization, living space

upstairs here and outside,

add downstairs, plus shop,

to enliven my spirit

make me feel good,

powerful, for orchestrating change,

as always it's vision

that comes into play

when entertaining my options,

allowing ideas to surface,

create a natural synergy

as possibilities open up,

show themselves to be 

potent in new alignment

gauged by emotions stimulated

which evoke hoot, holler,

saying 'Yes, that's it!'

followed by celebratory jig

for life's amazing dynamics

the miracle of manifestation

born from intuitive sense

or some soulful knowing

transmitted to cerebral cortex

arriving as discovered thoughts

needing to be harnessed,

then reconfigured, with artistry.

Loose Ends

Fall vines  at R & R Ranch,

overlooking Watsonville, Ca., and Monterey Bay

Loose Ends

7/28/09

Like nerve ganglia,

or octopus arms,

moving on own

sparking and using

energy without coordination

as separate entities,

I can view

my unfinished business,

all that's undone

needing focused attention

and little actions,

with calm consciousness

to make difference

in present condition,

today, more opportunities

for real progress

trusting the perfection

of every thought,

intuition, feeling, sense

that points direction,

calls me forward,

shows the way

while unleashing joy

when checking results

once evening falls

ending effort to

complete loose ends.

Constant Choice

Apex on hip roof of water tower structure, a confluence of  recycled 100 year old wall studs

Constant Choice

7/27/09

Decisions continue

for now,

what's next,

in future

every moment,

when deliberate

there's precursor

some impetus

of thought

that designates

corresponding action

while emotions

fuel urgency,

the power

and speed

of implementing

new agenda

for completion

or furthering

one's aspirations

toward dreams

to manifest,

no matter

how simple

they seem

within life's

constant choice.

Laughter

Old laughing high school buddies, Kevin and Jamie, on recent S.F. visit.

Laughter

7/26/09

Is life a big joke or what,

full of paradoxical events,

absurd, irrational chaos,

with so much to marvel

of it's ever changing fluidity

and inconceivable results,

that to pin it down

trying to make sense

is humorous in itself

yet humans expend energy

send attention toward conformity

while at the same time

are intent on independence

though intricately interwoven

whether alone, isolated, withdrawn,

there are innumerable instances

for smiling Buddha nature

to come out, view the world,

without our cloudy filters

only capable of seeing the mundane

as miracles abound like gymnasts,

leaping, twirling, tumbling clowns

getting chuckles for the antics

this wild life provides us,

yes, even dark periods are fodder

stoking ingenious improbable connections

which evokes laughter at ourselves.