2011 - A World of Wonder

2012-01-19T06:51:00.000-08:00

2011 - A World of Wonder:

'via Blog this'

Christmas Memories 2011

2011-12-27T20:10:00.000-08:00

"Suddenly there was a multitude of heavenly hosts"

Busy Bode preparing for the merriment

Oh, these graham cracker houses take a great deal of focus.

Sydney and Aly.

Like mother, like son?? Uh, no! You won't catch me in there.

Waiting for the snowmen to magically appear.

Mom makes us wear these hats every year.

Margie and Melissa.

Elves come in all shapes and sizes.

We have to wait till when??

Some guys are too cool for Santa.

Some guys are just hams.

I'll trade you my dolly for your gas card.

Ahh! A great hike the day after.

This is a baby jaguar with her dad.

Eric and Maria.

Eric teaching Sophia to blow bubbles with gum.

Some girls know the best way to hike.

Mendo Christmas

2011-12-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

Nah! That's last Christmas in Cincinnati with Melissa, one of my two beautiful daughters. I recently found the hard copy photo and scanned it into my computer this afternoon so couldn't resist sharing it.

THIS is December in Mendocino! That's me paddling the surf board in my wet suit. And I'll leave that up to your own discretion to believe or not believe. Just a little imagination people.

But I have decorated for the holidays with bounty from my yard.

And a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree! Remembering my last Charlie Brown tree in Hawai'i, I am wondering where are my grandsons when I need them to make paper chains?

Even though I'm not going to be in Mendocino for Christmas, I did enjoy dinner tonight by the glow of the centerpiece I made. My florist days are not forgotten.

I usually don't bother to decorate at Christmastime but Lisa and Richard (owners of home) are coming up for Christmas since their only child is going to her boyfriend's family back East for the holidays. It's their first Christmas alone and they're dreading it. I wanted to say, "There's a lot worse way to spend Christmas!" but I kept that to myself.

Instead I decided to make the house festive for their arrival. It will either be a heartwarming surprise or a dead mess, but it's the thought that counts. Right?

Joy to the World

2011-11-29T21:29:00.000-08:00

Joy to the World Lyrics
"The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father's influence over Isaac was broken when Isaac chose to attend Nonconformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation. He wrote many hymns and Carols and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by the the University of Edinburgh in 1728. The music to the carol is by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759)."

I AM a verse-ion of Isaac Watts!

Joy to the World

(Updated for the Present Space andTime)

by Margie Boehmer

(Isaac's Version follows)

Joy to the World, the Truth is found!

Let Earth receive her Joy

Let every heart prepare a room

And truth and nature sing,

And truth, and truth, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, Truth's Presence reigns!

Let each hear their true song

Amidst denial and wars and all collective din

Repeat the sounding joy.

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let veils and fears disguise

Nor death infest the Earth.

Truth comes to allow all blessings flow

As veils lift profound

As fears become reknowned

Far as, far as, profound's reknowned

Truth rules the world with wisdom and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of Truth’s righteousness.

And wonders of HIS Love

And wonders of HER Love

And wonders, and wonders, of UNITED Love.

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

A Mendo Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

For me Thanksgiving is the 328th day of the year to reflect upon the beauty of my life with a grateful heart.

Today, ahead of me on the trail, silhouetted in the sunlight I saw a young couple kissing. She with swollen belly about ready to deliver. I remembered the days, smiled and said, "Thank God I'm 67."

After many unsuccessful attempts to take my own picture to commemorate Thanksgiving in Mendo,

a woman took pity on me. For that I am grateful.

I'm still wearing my Italy clothes and purple raincoat. Yep, Grateful.

For my fall garden in every kind of light gratitude is my song.

Trees with red berries in my yard. You got it. GRATEFUL.

For the broccoli souffle and pumpkin spice cake I'm about to eat, I'm grateful. (sparing you the photo)

But most of all, I'm grateful for all of you.

Thank you for sharing in my Mendo Thanksgiving day.

I hope your day was joy-filled as well!

Shifting Sands

2011-11-20T11:40:00.000-08:00

Having welcomed new understanding

from the resolution of inner struggle,

deeper love becomes the foundation

at the Heart of my new world.

I have learned again that

even though the sands of time shift,

I remain the same at the Heart of my Self.

I am ready to embrace my loving

nature as a gift to share,

strengthened by the knowledge

that if I give too much

my newly found shadow strength will

springboard me back to center.

My greater ability to understand

The Law of Cyclic Action and Polarity

- one of the Laws of Nature -

roots expanded thought patterns

more deeply

and

smooths out the lumps and bumps

in my personality.

My Spirit burns with desire for new

exploration within the clearer sea of

self-acceptance and self-love.

My Intellect more closely aligned with

my original blueprint is better

prepared for the next opportunity

of enlightenment through life experience.

I have dis-assembled and re-membered

my mental and emotional bodies by

taming the wild beasts lurking in the shadows.

Resulting beauty and light births itself now

on its own into my physical being.

My attitude shifts from survival mode

to enjoyment of the process of discovery.

A long-buried chest that appeared to be

Pandora's Box when first opened

turns into a treasure trove filled with

gemstones of aquamarine clarity,

magenta harmony, golden peace and

luscious peach joy.

As I celebrate the success of the achievement,

the sun breaks through the remnants of dark clouds

and brings with it the dawn of new idea.

"Radiate love from the Heart of your Self

through the shifting of the sands of time."

Bonfire of the Insanities

2011-11-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

When I focus on

staying in the center of unity

and embrace my loving nature,

I receive greater knowing

contrasting and combining

the intellectual process

with emotional understanding.

The juxtaposition

opens the doorway

to free-form imagination

coupled with the desire to

stay centered in wholeness

generating a new point of possibility.

Originating from new potential,

requires groping through the darkness,

stubbing my toes on fear,

our greatest teachers,

until I surrender to change.

Turning over the reins to

that which initiates change

moves me into inner balance

creating harmonic union

with the universe.

Harmonium in wholeness,

strengthens my commitment

to the process of creation

but tosses my personal life

into flux again.

BUT...

This time

the combination of

knowledge and understanding

enables me to greet

the disruption with delight

rather than frustration.

When I operate within enjoyment,

I nourish the disintegration

of the old design,

listen to my intuition,

and approach life with new attitude.

Setting about my daily routine

from the new point of view,

enables me to see clearly Life's

repetitive pattern.

We Create!

We Preserve!

We Transform!

When I move through life
with a change of attitude,

I comprehend

that interference arises

EVERY TIME

I attempt to preserve what is false.

AND...

I grasp that the cyclic pattern

is designed to show the personality

the insanity of the continual

attempt to preserve

what is not true.

SO...

I begin again

to create the

transformation process

of preserving truth

while tempering

the 'bonfire of the insanities'

trusting in the evolution of change.

Purification by Fire

2011-11-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

When I rock gently between life as it seems and the ocean of dreams

emotional abundance overcomes the struggle of past experience

and I move forward into that which is open and receptive.

Illumination and manifestation unified

while retaining dominion within myself.

When I allow the universal mind

to root itself into my being,

I surrender to truth,

release mental strain

and give new focus to my goals.

When I surrender to truth,

a new direction arises.

I offer the bloody fruit of the inner struggle

in service to Unity

and accept my reason for being.

When I attune to my emotions and intuitive abilities,

I cease to be a stick figure and enact my true purpose

within the stability and security of the I AM Presence

who balances and regulates the tentative detente

reached by mind and spirit.

When I allow the stream of Love to purify my emotions,

I enable the unfolding of what is to come

and harness the force of new empowerment.

The tower crumbles around me

completing the process of purification by fire.

And the Phoenix arises from the ashes renewed.

Energized to fly into new territory yet again!

11:11:11 Balance:Harmony:Equanimity

2011-11-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

Posted originally on Magenta Harmony

11:11:11 Balance:Harmony:Equanimity

Margie:Analahoe:Stellar: Posted on Friday, November 11, 2011 6:04 PM

My mind said, "It's 11-11-11, you should attend the Mendocino Goddess Festival. A chance for you to meet new people." My body wasn't feeling it. It refused to get out of bed and then once it did, the opportunity to shower and dress made it even more sluggish.

Today, I followed my body's lead. Turned on the fireplace, curled up in the red chair, drank coffee and watched ravens spit berries onto the deck. Ignored the droning whine, "You're missing a great opportunity!" focusing instead on the blowing trees and the howling wind. And very soon I was rewarded with a special delivery message commemorating - or perhaps clarifying - the inner house-cleaning that took place the last several weeks in preparation for today's opening of the gateway into higher consciousness.

"I feel your pain and I feel your joy. Yes, we have been through the shredder. You see, I too needed to let go of my expectations and accept that 'what is' IS in divine order. Entering your physical realm wasn't the greatest experience I ever had, you know. Nothing against your body. It would be the same with any body. I'm not used to boundaries and it's not easy or interesting or fun to listen to your mind repeat the same thing over and over again like a broken record. When does that end? And you're not used to me being here. I know. I get it! We're not there yet, but HONEY! we managed to work well enough to leap across the chasm and land safely on the other side. GO GIRL! GO GIRL! GO GIRL! (sung with circular hand movements at hip level).

It's far better for us to spend this 11:11:11 gateway to higher consciousness with each other. Learning to live together. Learning to BE together as One. You're thinking Crazy Woman has returned. Not the same. Not the same at all. I AM who you truly are and when we finally begin to work as one we shall stretch our arms around the earth embracing all that is. We have chosen to walk through the portal into higher consciousness and still we honor those who choose to wait and continue walking the fire of the old earth as well. That's probably because we're not sure at all what we're in for!

The tower has done its job the last few weeks. Isolating you and then exploding the shell of past conditioning that was keeping me out into smithereens. You don't even know what the hell the shell was but we felt the extreme cruelty of its scathing jabs and stabs. This time, we will not even attempt to pick up the pieces. We couldn't resurrect them if we tried. And we don't want to rebuild any part of what we just experienced. We pick ourselves up, battle weary, and walk away no longer separated by a wall but together as one. Ready to begin again from a place we've never before experienced. A place of union. I AM no longer 'out there' somewhere. I AM YOU. YOU ARE ME. LIke it or not!

While we don't exactly understand what it means to walk through the portal into higher consciousness, we know there is no longer a need to fear darkness because darkness is equal to light.

11/11 Moon over Mendocino

I ask you, could the Earth be so beautiful, so magnificent in its splendor without its darkness being sacred? Could we experience the beauty of the Earth without density?

It is the darkness of night that rejuvenates and reconnects us with the light of the Universe. It is the light of the sun that enables the moon to reflect light into the darkness. It is the density of substance that gifts us with shape, form, color, sound, taste, texture, fragrance, new insight. We need not remove darkness. Rather we need to learn to embrace darkness and truly educate ourselves on its true significance.

The yin/yang symbol represents so much more than masculine and feminine united, it represents all duality united, opposites working together in harmony from the centered position of balance. The yin/yang symbol also signifies that there is light within the darkness; there is darkness within the light.

We only need to monitor ourselves and become aware of when the balance between dark and light shifts away from center and polarizes itself against its opposite. We say, 'light-dark', but we refer to all opposite energies, Left-Right, Masculine-Feminine, Over-Under. If we choose to move through the portal into higher consciousness, we commit to monitor our energy and take steps to consciously re-balance, re-harmonize, re-equalize when we're out of kilter.

To create balance, we must be willing to let go of extreme positions, accept the darkness in the light, accept the light in the darkness and choose to move forward as a unified energy. We must also realize that balance will tip itself again and again to ensure that we continue to GROW. If we refuse to grow, we indicate that we're ready to GO. We've learned all we can on the earth plane and we're ready to leave here.

To create harmony, it's in our best interest to remember that opposites are equal energies and to recognize immediately when they begin to play tug-of war against each other. The sooner we accept the out of balance condition, the sooner we surrender to Higher Will and the sooner we realize the futility of trying to save what was. It's especially challenging to surrender when we're totally enmeshed with the extreme within which we are living either way. Oh, by the way, Higher Will is not the angel. It is the balance and the harmony and the equality of center. An important point to remember.

Once we FINALLY let go of the rope and surrender to balance, harmony, and equanimity, we find that somehow during the fall from the tower we sailed across the abyss and landed on the other side. We're still alive, able to pick ourselves up from the shattered shell and walk away the battle-weary warrior.... only to find very soon that what we mistook to be 'battle weary legs' is actually the wobbling of the newborn foal attempting to maneuver in newness.

So engaged in discovery that we completely erase the knowledge from our mind that we will without-a-doubt shift out of balance again, put ourselves through the shredder again, even torture ourselves with mental cruelty again in order to expand into another layer or level of balance and harmony. When will that ever end? It's a really stupid way to create change and I vote that we CHANGE it to a much easier process today!

11:11:11 is an opportunity for magical transformation and even though we didn't share our body today with the goddesses, we join our heart, our mind, our spirit with all those who are observing the balanced, harmonious, and equalized opening of the Gateway to Higher Consciousness with many ceremonies around the world today. We connect with them across the rainbow bridge of light creating the One Light, the One Life that we are integrating into every cell of our being."

Balance:Harmony:Equanimity

Rainbowtide Tango

2011-11-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

Today, she wears a gown of supreme sapphire silk. From a distance, she appears to be extremely calm, peaceful as her name implies. I notice, as I draw ever closer, the silken quality is like a second skin camouflaging rippled muscles that sway with the elegant feline movements of dancers, slinking deliberately, purposefully through the sensuous glide of the Argentine Tango.

The drape of her finery waves fluidly over most of her body with controlled, precise motion until near the hem. The edge of her garment swells up from the depths erupting like molten lava from a volcano. Silken sapphire billows into the voluptuous glow of emerald. Emerald groans upward and outward until the transparency of teal rises twenty feet or more above the surface, pausing momentarily in the limelight to receive the raves of her audience, before peaking into thunderous ruffles of aquamarine clarity.

Aquamarine senses the imminence of a partner's solid embrace with an urgency that causes her to stomp relentlessly toward shore. She manipulates every movement with the tenacity of one who knows the transcendence of her own beauty. Her every tempestuous flick and kick reveal petticoats of pure eyelet lace that pitch and roll forward until shattered like shards of broken glass against the somber face of unyielding rock. Rock. Steadfast and solemn. Secure in his foothold. Retaining the structure of masculine virility while entertaining the intensity of compelling fluid feminine strength.

And while silken sapphire repeatedly enjoys the push and pull of her passionate tango with potent unwavering stone, the Sun quietly watches. Patiently the sun observes warming itself to the exquisite performance. But the Sun is not one to ever be outdone by earth and water. Without a sound, a groan, a crash or a thud, Sun shifts her position ever so slightly. Its light shines at just the right angle now. And with every crashing wave, myriads of rainbows tango upon the rocks and dance across the tide before returning to the depths of silken sapphire.

It was the BEST show EVER!!!

My heart tangos still. I've never seen anything like it.

Rainbowtide Tango is dedicated to Marc, aka Rainbowtide.

Mendocino Locals

2011-10-26T18:40:00.000-07:00

People ask me all the time, "What are the locals like in Mendocino?" The oft-repeated question has caused me to pay more attention. Be more alert! Awaken to new discoveries! And here's what I've found.

Some are steady and dependable. Showing up day after day no matter what!

There's always the one who needs to be the center of attention.

Others just can't let go of anything. Constantly at each other nose to nose.

Many are quick witted. Sharp as a knife..

There are those who roll in and out with the fast crowd while others stand watch over them like true sentinels.

More than a few will do just about anything to be noticed.

On occasion, every now and then, you'll find someone who is totally serene in the midst of chaos.

Others are consistently obstinate, refusing to budge an inch.

There's always the loud, boisterous party goers!!

Many stand around all day with mouths wide open like a bird waiting to be fed.

Of course, they're not all trustworthy. Some insist upon stealing the show.

As always, the gentle, quiet ones mostly go unnoticed.

But the common thread I've found among the locals of Mendocino is that they're all great at creating the perfect scene.

Kind of like the locals everywhere.

Enjoy your new day locally!

A Solitary Life

2011-10-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

I have chosen to walk the solitary path. Perhaps it was thrust upon me suddenly but again and again, I choose to be alone. I couldn't be more happy and I couldn't be more sad.

I didn't set out to create this life. I left for Hawaii believing I would create something that included lots of people. I created solitude. I moved to Boulder believing a community was waiting for me there. There wasn't. I traveled believing I was creating an exciting life only to find I preferred to travel alone.

I no longer believe there is a group into which I will fit. I no longer believe there is a person with whom I will mesh. I no longer believe in anything except that I'm a great storyteller! I am so good I believe the fairy tales I concoct. I convince myself that I am doing something great for the earth, for humanity, for the universe. I'm not. I'm just great at making up stories.

This story of my life. A day at the beach.

ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL

2011-10-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

What a spectacular week! Two people I love had surgeries that turned out well. That would make any week magnificent!

And I had two sets of visitors. Colorado friend, Jane Wulff, happened to be in the neighborhood. Okay, anyone who's ever been to Mendocino knows that no one just happens to be here. Rather, Jane zig-zagged her way through the redwoods to arrive on Sunday evening after an eleven hour drive from Portland. Monday greeted us with non-stop rain so we plopped in the red chairs, stoked the fireplace (well flipped the switch), snuggled under blankets, ate chili and smoked oysters, and caught up with each other's lives. Monday was the weather pits, but OH MY! the beauty of Tuesday.

Even the trail greeted us with a heart-shaped puddle. And the ocean ramped up her force aligning the tides with the full moon. Mother Nature at her BEST!

Our shadows are lookin' good, don't ya think?

Wednesday was beach glass gathering at where else but ...

the Glass Beach in Ft. Bragg.

One of us, and I won't name names, tempted fate to find the perfect shard of tumbled glass.

Jane left Thursday morning at nine o'clock and Mary Ann and Bruce arrived at 9:10. We enjoyed the sun and the cool breeze, lazed on the deck, and walked the Headlands. Bruce, not willing to return via the round-about road, forged a new trail through the brush. Not exactly sure because I forgot to ask this morning but he may be just a little achy today... sometimes the shortest route is not a straight line. Just sayin' !! LOL

And we had some really great food at 955 Ukiah last night to celebrate Mary Ann's birthday, walked off the dinner by stepping next door for Coconut Cream Pie and Blackberry Crumble at Cafe Beaujolais. Then we walked it all off on the four-block journey home.

They left bright and early this morning so Bruce could get to work and just missed the local high school's Homecoming Parade ... and the return of the fog. Sorry, guys, maybe next time.

And here I AM again!

Misty Morn

2011-10-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

"Out of the mists of time
it comes
Older than the oldest wine
it comes ...
Coursing through our brains
it comes ...
Pulsing through our veins
it comes ...
Crashing like a thunder roll ...
Echoing in our very soul ...
................ "
from Heartland by Celtic Thunder

...it comes ... My new website: www.magentaharmony.com

Have a look, browse awhile, download the audios, they won't be free forever, give me your feedback. Share it with your friends. Share it with your acquaintances. Share it with those people you don't care about. They may be just the ones who would benefit from it. Join my website blog.

And while compiling the website I was reminded of the instrumental part that my old friend and sometimes boss, Gail Macke, played in my life. A couple months after Fred died, Gail invited me to go with her to a weekend workshop in Indiana given by Cathy Dwyer www.encouragethepotential.com. I almost backed out because the night before the workshop I was up all night hosting a huge pity-party for myself. Fortunately, something inside of me that I now know as my Presence told me to go anyway. Gail, you were the catalyst for the biggest transformation my life has taken. And I don't think I ever thanked you for that. So I'm doing it now. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I am forever grateful and always hold you in a very special place in my heart.

And a great big thank you to Pat, Kate, Judy, Valerie, Marc, and Doreen for your sage advice. It was all received and incorporated in my own way. I'm still learning and expect the site will just get better and better with time, like a fine wine. And if not, that's okay too because I'm having so much fun creating it.

Mendocino is reviving my creative juices.... even the misty morns... or maybe especially the misty morns.

Enjoy your day!

City Slicker

2011-09-18T22:33:00.000-07:00

How to tell you're a city slicker in Mendocino? When the locals snicker as they walk by while you're cleaning your white picket fence. Where's Tom Sawyer when you need him? Or is it Huck Finn? I thought I was going to wipe off a few animal paw prints. Three hours later I'm still wiping down pickets.

We are having the most gorgeous days in Mendocino. I know those of you in sunny places like Colorado or inland California are yawning about now but this is big news here.

Finally, clear, bright days all in a row, instead of one every sixth day or so. The kinds of days where color is brighter and the sun dances on the water like millions of sparkling diamonds and best of all the temperature is above 70 degrees. I'm wearing capris, sandals, and a three-quarter sleeve for the first time since I arrived.

Mendocino is a conundrum for me. I want to write about it but everything is so peaceful and content which I'm loving but it doesn't make for interesting reading.

So I'll just communicate through photos of the quirky qualities that makes this retro town unique - like the water towers.

Mendocino is known for its water towers. In the beginning days of the town, the towers were the source of fresh water, operating on a gravity system.

Since Mendocino's water still comes from wells, some water towers continue to be used to store water.

While others have been renovated into guest house apartments and artist studios.

Water towers are on every block. This active one on Kasten Street is one of the tallest and a town landmark. The photo is looking south from the front of my house.

This guest house is the view from my bedroom window.

And then there's the headlands. I'll show you pictures of the headlands in every season at some point, or all the fences, or the weather vanes, and then there's the flowers. I know you can't wait.

When I'm desperate for news, there's always the water.

And the sunsets.

Until next time. Be well!

Home Sweet Home 2

2011-09-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Remind me never to travel on the day of a full moon again. The lunatics were out in force and my Travel Angels must be exhausted.

After a great weekend with my sister, I'm about 40 minutes into the three and a half hour drive back to Mendocino this morning. Just cruising along Interstate 580 at a normal pace keeping up with five lanes of traffic that's moving smoothly when suddenly it feels like I'm being swept into a vacuum. This idiot in a U-Haul driving about 95 mph zooms past me from the left and cuts me off. He's going so fast that the draft from his truck sucks me to within an inch of him. Then he slams on his brakes, fishtails across a couple lanes, rocks back and forth as if he's going to roll but somehow manages to right himself and zips across two more lanes onto the exit. It's nothing short of a miracle that all of us driving on that roadway at that particular time staid out of his way and each others. I've had close calls driving before but there's only one other experience in my life that I consider to be a driving miracle. That was in 1987 when after a similar event my mind couldn't understand how it was possible that I was still alive. That's how I feel now as well. So I'm actually grateful that my body jumps and quivers like like an addict in withdrawal and I'm thinking that I must have the best Travel Angels a person on this earth could ever have.

I'm thanking those Angels while I shake myself across the Richmond Bridge and onto Hwy 101 but when I reach Sebastopol, I leave the highway and head for Bodega Bay and the coast road. Better to take my chances with narrow, winding pavement and hairpin turns that hang over the ocean.

The diminished pace, cooler, clearer air and amazing scenery slowly soothes my shakes.

And by the time I stop to let a few lost cows cross the road, I've almost forgotten the harrowing event of the morning.

Oh yeah! This is ever so much better!

Shortly after passing through Gualala, about 30 miles south of Mendocino, I wind through another set of snaking turns just like the ones I've been negotiating for the past sixty miles. Only this time the shiny silver grill of a black PT Cruiser greets me head on. The PT Cruiser is IN MY LANE. I can't tell you how we managed it because I don't know, but we passed within a hair's breadth of each other. Another LUNATIC!!! Another job for my Travel Angels!!!!!

So I'm beyond thrilled to be home, tucked safely into my upstairs alcove, comforted by occasional whiffs from a lavender candle, and writing to you.

On a fun note, the Wizard of Oz was great!!! Cara and Mighty's choreography made an old story feel fresh and bright. Cara's dad and mom are pretty proud. So is Auntie "M" !!!

Home Sweet Home

2011-09-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

Did you ever live someplace that just feels like you've always lived there... and there's just no logical explanation for the feeling? That's how I feel in Mendocino and in this house. Earlier tonight I was dancing around the kitchen while making my dinner. YES, you heard me right! I said, "dancing around the kitchen while MAKING my dinner," and listening to Hawaiian music (that's V-8 juice in the wine glass by the way). I knew that kitchen would entice me to cook sooner or later.

Anyway, while I danced and cooked, the idea struck me right in the heart like cupid's arrow that I am very happy here. Happy just doing my energy work, pulling weeds, laundering other people's sheets and towels, restocking supplies, wondering if the handyman will call me back so that the rotted board in front of the door to Marigold Cottage will be replaced before the guests arrive (I stepped right through it), praying Judith the cleaning lady who speaks very little English actually understood the dates I gave her and shows up to clean the cottage before the guests arrive. And it turns out there was no need to even be concerned, because in a moment's time the handyman calls and replaces the board within the hour. Judith shows up and I'm able to communicate with her well enough to know it's all good. I worried because it was quite a different experience when I supervised the caretaking of Kona Plaza in Hawaii. I'm not used to people actually calling me back much less show up the same day to work. This is a new dimension I'm living in here.

And then a few days ago while taking a walk, I stopped into the World of Suzy Long, an artist shop in a water tower a couple blocks from my house. Suzy specializes in watercolors and pastels. We chatted for quite awhile. Before I left she offered to give me painting lessons in exchange for energy sessions. I'll follow up with her on that when I return.

Return? Oh yes, I can't believe I'm actually packing again but I'm headed down to Walnut Creek in the East Bay to see the Wizard of Oz choreographed by Funkmode. http://www.funkmode.com Funkmode, the "Best Hiphop Dance in the Bay" would be the business of my niece, Cara and her husband, Mighty. They have choreographed their first professional play, a hiphop version of Wizard. I can't wait to experience it. Mary Ann, Bruce, (Cara's mom and dad), Hugh and Barbara, (brother/wife) and I will attend the opening gala. Watch for us on the red carpet. (kidding but Cara and Mighty may be there one day). Then Mary Ann and I will have a sister's weekend.

All is well in my world! I wish the same for you.

Moving Day

2011-08-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

I'm lounging on this leather chair in the upstairs alcove with my computer on my lap and I'm feeling that I must be doing something right.

Lisa and Richard came up from Sebastipol this weekend and moved out their personal belongings and showed me the VRBO ropes. Then we went to lunch together at Cafe Beaujolais. What a great couple they are. It was fun to get to know them a little bit. I guess they like me too. We did a lot of hugging goodbye today.

So here's the rest of my new abode.

The front entry.

The morning room where I'll do my daily energy routine. In the winter, I can have a cozy fire.

The evening room which is the other half of the morning room.

The room that would require cooking...

More than likely I'll sit at this table and admire it. Or maybe I will cook. Hhhmmm. We'll just have to see what transpires.

I'd like to show you more but the photos won't upload. Maybe I've reached my photo quota. I'll share more another day.

After traveling for the last year and a half, I'm looking forward to settling into the chores involved with taking care of Marigold Cottage and renting it out to other people.

Ramblin' Girl Why Can't You Settle Down?

2011-08-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

I CAN. I AM!
Extending my stay in Mendocino Town!

Ever since arriving at Marigold Cottage on July 1, I have felt 'at home.' Like I belong on this particular piece of land at the corner of Little Lake Road and Kasten Street at this particular period of time. (The photo is of downtown Mendocino.)

But as much as Marigold Cottage is lovely and quaint, it is one room with a floor that runs downhill and it's really not a good plan to roll from my bed to the couch for the longer term, so....

I negotiated an arrangement to live in the two-bedroom house on the same property as Marigold Cottage. The house is furnished and used for 'get away time' by the owners. It was for sale when I arrived but has been taken off the market. This is the side view of the house as seen from the cottage. It's an historical house that's been totally remodeled inside and out in 2006. Used to be the Parson's Home. Not sure if that means the family name was Parsons or if the person who lived in it was 'the parson'. Marigold Cottage was the garage.

The entrance.

Deck and studio in the back.

Front garden filled with hydrangeas, calla lilies, butterfly bush and more.

I'll see the inside this coming weekend when the owners come up from Sebastipol for a last visit and to instruct me on managing the VRBO rental of Marigold Cottage.

Ice Cream, Pizza, Falafel

2011-08-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, beer, wine and coffee too! That's what you'll find at Frankie's, the busiest spot in Mendocino... along with an internet connection. For some reason I cannot connect to the internet from the cottage since I returned from the stay in the cave. What a nuisance! I guess I'm grateful if this is the only difficulty Mercury Retrograde causes me.

Well, then there is the summons to jury duty in Boulder. The really interesting part is that they mailed the summons to my Ohio address. Then I had to tell them I now have a California address when I filled out the online form. Shades of border crossings. Boulder replied, "After careful and deliberate consideration, you are excused from appearing in Boulder District Court."

I've recently been having bird encounters. First it was the hummingbird hovering in my space in the garden. That was kind of special. Now it's the seagulls. This one perched on the hood of my car for about ten minutes just staring into the car before striping my hood white and flying off. He looks a bit pompous, don't you think.

Yesterday, I went to Casparfest. A fest in Caspar, two miles north of Mendocino, This is the town of Caspar (minus the tents).

I went specifically to hear the African Drumming. It was, uh, well, interesting.... not exactly the same experience as Bagamoyo!

And after such a rousing day, I easily fell alseep by the light of the full moon over Mendocino.

Retro Love and Laughter

2011-07-31T17:06:00.000-07:00

What better way to greet your siblings than with a house that resembles the one we grew up in! I wish I could say it was this cute house but as the sign indicates, that's the Cafe Beaujolais where we celebrated my 67th.

Hugh's wife, Barbara, took most of the photos. We had a great walk on the Headlands in the fog.

And found some interesting algae growing but we couldn't interest Hugh or Mary Ann in going back to have a look.

I need to give you some backstory about the house I rented for a week.

When I booked Marigold Cottage in downtown Mendocino for July and August, the last week of July was already booked to someone else. Not a problem. I'll just head South for the week and take advantage of Hugh and Barbara's and Mary Ann and Bruce's hospitality in the San Francisco Bay area.

But.. while wiling away hours in Birch Bay, Crazy Woman suggested that I splurge and find a cute house by the water for a week and invite my family to visit me instead. "What a great idea!" I exclaimed. A vacation from my vacations! Did my usual VRBO search and located a gem - 2 bedrooms, pull-out couch, ocean view, walking distance to town. Perfect! It's available when I need it. Perfect! I book it! And I'm excited about being able to invite someone to visit me.

On July 24 I pack up and leave my sweet, bright, flower laden Marigold Cottage, drive a mile up the highway, and step into a dark, dank cold cave. Every square inch of wall and ceiling is paneled with D-A-R-K wood. Did I ever mention, I HATE paneling. I love light. I need light. The VRBO online photos were taken by a skilled photographer. They didn't misrepresent the cottage but they were taken so that you didn't notice the paneling. The saving grace is the large comfortable sofa that sits across from an equally large window that faces the ocean. And, YES, we can see waves crashing in the ocean through that window as long as we look through the telephoto lens of Barb's camera.

The look of the kitchen cabinets reminds me of the ones in our parents' house though not of the same quality. The lower cabinet doors under the sink will not stay closed and it's annoying. Hugh remedies the situation by wedging the 'Please Remove Your Shoes' sign between the handles and the doors. And here's the thing, there is no way in hell we are following those instructions and walk barefoot on floors that look like they haven't been deep cleaned in awhile. A long while.

Before my guests arrive I wash windows and cabinets, scrub sticky fingerprints off the appliances. Even picked some flowers and put them in vases. All attempts to try to make it feel cheery. Barb noticed the flowers two days later. That's how dark and dingy the house is.

The good news is the bed and bath linens are very nice and clean, as well as the bath fixtures. The beds are comfortable and despite the mustiness of old wood cabinets, the ickiness of finding an ancient, long black wool coat with big black fur collar in the closet, and the weirdness of having a memorial to an air traffic controller with a gold airplane sticking out from the bedroom wall, we had lots of laughs and fun. Actually, maybe because of all that I just mentioned we had lots of laughs and fun.

Then there was the 'five of clubs' card that mysteriously appeared on the living room floor one evening. We hadn't played cards nor did any of us have playing cards in our possession. Do-do-do-do. This, of course, was followed by a brother's game of hiding the card in places only his sisters would find. Had he put the card on the floor to begin with????

Just sharing an example of the lighting. How many of you had one of these back in the '60's, '70's. I know I did. Can you just imagine how it brightened a dark wood paneled room!

But we enjoyed ourselves. We laughed about the house and we reminisced a lot about 1315 Sleepy Hollow Road (our home). Mary Ann and I giggled in bed the first night until we cried, finally falling asleep from laugh exhaustion.

What a treat for me to spend a few days on the California coast in the fog with my big brother, Hugh

my little sister, Mary Ann

and my sister-in-law, Barb.

Even though Hugh and Barbara experienced the daily parade of wild turkeys, they did miss out on a couple of wildlife adventures that Mary Ann and I had the pleasure to experience after they left. Namely, the frog plastered on the window Friday night

A N D

the surprise of Mary Ann's friend showing up in downtown Mendocino on Saturday.

Despite a disappointing living environment, we enjoyed each other and shared great meals together in town. I assured them all that the next time I rent a really crappy place, I'll invite them back. This is the first place n all my travels that I'm really, really grateful I didn't have to be alone here for very long.

Monday afternoon, I'll be back in Marigold Cottage. My work here is complete. Love and Laughter is the best medicine for anything that ails. I'm grateful to have had this opportunity to share both with my family.

And now I have to go and write some feedback to the owners of this lovely Cottage at Mendocino.

Mentally Numb; Emotionally Inert

2011-07-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

... but magnificently alive and aligned with the Earth.

I'm having trouble putting coherent sentences together and it just doesn't matter. I have no desire to be with people right now.

Almost every day I walk near the end of this piece of land in the Headlands Park,

too high for the waves to claim me, close enough to hear and feel the force and the constancy of the ebb and flow on three sides of me.

When I'm not walking the Headlands, I'm in the yard. The owners invited me to use the whole yard since they are not living full time in the house. As a former avid gardener, it was like inviting an alcoholic to guard the keys to the liquor cabinet. I spend hours removing spent blooms, weeding, trimming... with my scissors. It's the only tool I have.

I can't help myself. Many of these are flowers I tried to get to bloom in a too-shady, too-humid yard in Kentucky without much success.

An hour spent deadheading a lavender bush is a zen experience. Twice now a hummingbird has stopped her flight within inches of my face and stayed there flapping her wings looking at me. I look back acknowledging her. Then she flies away.

I did leave Mendocino last Friday. I was driving into Ft. Bragg, 10 miles north, to do my laundry. Instead I turned the wheel of my car onto Rt. 20 toward Willits. A beautiful winding drive through the forest.

The most exciting thing I found in Willits was The Dollar Store. Stocked up on some essentials. Drove the 101 through Ukiah. Didn't find a reason to stop. On to Cloverdale where I considered doing my laundry in the laundromat there but didn't. Rather I had a chicken quesadilla at La Hacienda and then drove Rt. 128 back to Mendocino.

128 took me past several vineyards whose evenly spaced grapevines graced the hills like a lacy green shawl draped upon a grandmother's bosom. I didn't stop for the wine tastings as I still have unpleasant memories of the last wine tasting experience I had in Napa and Sonoma many years ago. Melissa (my daughter) remembers as well, I'm sure. Besides, I'm driving.

Very suddenly I leave the openness of the vineyard covered hills and enter the somewhat eerie womb of the Redwood Forest. Magnificent trees high as the mountains, and wide as the hills allow only dapples of sky through their leafy branches for miles before just as suddenly birthing me

into the openness of the coast road where patches of late afternoon fog steel away from the open sea to stretch themselves across the trees like wisps of angel hair.

And in just a few miles, I'm home again.

And the laundry is still in a bag in my car.

Such is the day in the life when you trust yourself enough to allow mental numbness and emotional stillness to align your full being with the Earth.

I haven't felt this attuned with the Earth since the Big Island. And then I didn't trust myself enough to just let go of everything and go with it. And when I reflect upon my gypsy years, I'm grateful for having the courage to continually walk into the unknown even as I wonder what my next steps will be.

Mendocino - Funky and Feminine

2011-07-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

I've just been taking it easy. Enjoying the sunshine and cool breezes. Rather than bore you with my thousands of photos of the coastline, I'll share the Mendocino Art Center Garden. This sculpture, Three Generations of Women, stands directly across from my front windows.

The Art Center Gardens are filled with funky female forms.

Everywhere you look... the sculpture and the flowers.

This filly is guarded by a dancing princess.

Goddess of Mushrooms...

And the town is funky and feminine too. And filled with peace.

A sign in the window, says, "Garden Tour - 25 cents."

The driftwood art is interesting individually. Unfortunately, the entire yard is filled with it.

I couldn't resist. My spot. Also Feminine..

Okay, I'm off to the Art Center Theater tonight to see, "She Stoops to Conquer". I took my nap today so I can stay up late.

Amazing how this much peacefulness requires lots of dozing.

A Mendocino Kind of Day

2011-07-04T00:18:00.000-07:00

Recognize this house?

If you do or if you don't, you get to come with me on a little hike. But it's only fair to warn you that you have to put up with me crying the whole time. The happy cry.

I don't remember a thing about the physical aspects of Mendocino from a visit with my sister, Mary Ann, about 16 years ago. I do remember the feeling of it but nothing in town is familiar to me at all.

And yet every step I take here today is filled with cellular memories... and emotions ... another lifetime..... a native lifetime... before picket fences, knock-out roses, and sweet Victorian houses that were used to portray the fictional town of Cabot's Cove, ME. The house above is Angela Lansbury's home in the TV show, Murder She Wrote.

We start our hike by walking down Little Lake Street for a few blocks and enter the Headlands State Park.

The tears start to flow when we pass this house perched on the boundary of the Headlands. (Tears... emotion actually initiated last week when I looked online at The Mendocino Art Center which is directly across Little Lake Street from Marigold Cottage where I'm living. I haven't stepped onto that property yet.)

Wildflowers and grasses create a continual wave in the wind and blackberries grow along the edge of the road. We stop long enough to pick a handful of ripe ones and eat them straight away because we're sure they don't spray poison in Mendocino.

In a short time, we come to the end of the flat land. We step over the edge, a bit unsure because our legs are still unsteady from the drive but something pulls us forward assuring us that we'll be okay. (The picture is looking back up.)

While it's warm in town, the wind is biting here at the interface of land and sea. We walk as far as we can and sit for awhile. I put on my FIRENZE sweatshirt and tie an aquamarine long-sleeved shirt around my head to keep the wind from jabbing the insides of my ears with icy picks. Not a pretty look but you should see what you did to keep your head warm. Now we can stay for awhile, relax for awhile, listen for awhile. Powerful waves roar like angry lions, their sound echoes all around us, reminding me of South Point. A favorite spot on the Big Island.

we mindfully gaze and my cells remember ...

After a bit, we remove the shirt turban and continue along the path that hugs the cliff.

We listen... We chant... We remember...

And by the end of the hike, I know this particular vision quest is complete.

On July 27, 2010, I waved goodbye to Dee in Boulder, CO and drove cross country to OH/KY the long way (2400 miles) just so I could feel the energy of the quartz crystals within Mt. Magazine, Arkansas in 110 degree heat. Then in September I flew to Geneva to stay with Doreen across the border at her home in France before meeting up with my Boulder writing group in Lucca, Italy. Then Dee and I headed to Tanzania for a month followed by a week in Rome before parting ways in Florence, Italy where I stayed for six weeks visiting Arezzo, Sienna, Assisi, Venice, and Le Cinque Terre. Then back to my children/grandchildren in Ohio/Kentucky for Christmas, to my sister's in Concord CA in January with side trips to Bellingham and San Diego before flying back to Ohio/Kentucky for a short visit and to pick up my car for the drive cross country again, northern route this time, picking up Crazy Woman when I crossed over "Crazy Woman Creek" in Wyoming on my way to Birch Bay WA, (2600 miles) and then Vancouver BC where I got to hang out with the Wild Women of White Rock (and Vancouver) before the yukky drive on I-5 and the beautiful drive on 101 to Mendocino. Take a Deep Breath! (Right now, the song 'Where Have All the Hobos Gone' is playing. Synchronicity!!!)

And it was all in preparation for arriving in Mendocino on July 1, 2011 as S*T*E*L*L*A*R, almost a year later. (Thanks, Marc, for the addition of the "R" and the stars.)

What an amazing trip this has been! I had NO CLUE what was to come when I said to my 'I AM God Presence' one morning in Boulder, "I surrender to Your Will but I ask that travel be involved in our service." What a sense of humor, my Presence has! And there has been one person who has seen me through the thick and extremely thin of it. In very literal terms I would not have made it through the Italy portion of this quest if it had not been for the assistance of my dearest energy compatriot, Namir Shaheem. He was there for me every week, every step of the way, guiding me through some pretty rough times that never made the blog. And he continues to be there for me whenever it is appropriate. I am forever grateful to you, Namir.

It's a wonderful, crazy life that my Presence has given me. And I AM ever so happy to be HER recreational vehicle of choice for experiencing and co-creating a new life on a new Earth. Today is the ending of this particular quest and the beginning of something new. I have no idea what the new is, but I will continue to blog about it. "The Source is the Goal. The Goal is the Source. The Source is Love." Today is the first day of the rest of my purely abundant life of love. I invite anyone who cares to join me to tag along.

The land and the ocean and the stars have called me home yet again.

Something I wrote shortly before I left Hawai'i in 2007 under another of my nom de plume, Analahoe. It still holds true for me today.

The Fool's Journey

I am the source of my own love.

It doesn’t come to me from above.

Not from my sister or my brothers.

Not from my children, friends, or lovers.

This circle now I can close.

It gives me peace of mind in my repose.

I know better my strengths, and these I treasure.

My weaknesses and fears are manageable in their measure.

I feel centered and balanced in this moment

No issues arising to cause me torment.

It is an ending of a search, you see

Completing the circle, that’s all about me.

Yet, it isn’t the end at all. It is that I awaken

to the next adventure that demands to be taken.

Through my adventures I more clearly find

my steps laid out in front of me as well as behind.

As I review all of these steps, it becomes clear to me

that I have traveled this Earth many times, incessantly.

But where have I gone in these forever travels?

Around in circles it seems, as life unravels.

The gentle fool looking for love’s true source.

Only to find, Love lives right inside, of course.

As I arrive at the end of this circle,

I'm about to reach my goal. What a miracle!

Upon reaching the goal, I discover it’s not at all the ending.

It’s the source of yet another beginning that’s pending.

For it’s a spiral, not a circle, that I’ve been traveling;

and life’s mysteries along the way I've been unraveling.

At each ending I have grown and am ever so much clearer

only to discover on the new circle, there is NOTHING FAMILIAR.

And so the ecstasy of completion quickly ends

and I bravely step forward onto life's next bend.

Once again I’m facing the unknown

trusting that into maturity I’ve grown.

For one thing I’ve learned along life’s journey

It is only the pictures of fear in my mind that do burn me.

The fear itself is but a not-so-friendly reminder

to change the pictures inside to those that are kinder.

I shall practice this as I begin anew

having faith that with all this journeying, surely I grew.

I am eager to begin like a race horse at the starting gate.

Yet for my heart’s signal to go I know I must wait.

I am no longer deciding the next steps on my own.

Consulting with my I AM GOD PRESENCE is how I've grown.

Since true love resides within my inner flame,

respecting its guidance will surely help me enjoy life’s game.

The game of life need not be so traumatic.

when we are no longer addicted to the dramatic.

For drama's sake we say, “Trauma is the way of life!”

to make it okay to live with stress and with strife.

But, this next circle of life lays out for me

a path with another brand new opportunity

To truly allow my steps to be guided by Spirit.

It’s not something new. This time I shall more clearly hear it.

I shall wait when I’m inspired to wait

even though others tell me to release the gate.

I shall follow up on life’s little hunches

without expectation of receiving money in bunches.

For now my heartfelt desire in everything that I do

is to trust my Higher Self and to my I AM GOD PRESENCE be true!

And so, the gentle, loving Fool starts out again

looking forward to what’s around Life's next bend.

Ready to experience and enjoy all the world has to offer

and like a child who’s learning to walk, I can’t fall far!

Analahoe 2-6-07

Stella Gets Her Groove Back

2011-07-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

My neighbor's house.

It's A Fairytale!

Stella's my new name. Since I have followed my star practically around the world and ended up in heaven, I should be known as Stella. And since I got my driving groove back, that confirms it. I don't really feel like a Margie any more... never did really. I feel like a Steeelllllaaaaa!

After a lavender epsom salt soak and a good night's sleep, I felt much better this morning. You see when you have many of your worldly belongings in your car, you can come up with a lavender soak when you need it. So I set off from Coos Bay in a morning mist that draped itself haphazardly over the hillsides like a gauzy shawl falling all the way down to the lower limbs of the lowest trees. When I passed the sign that announced "Entering Bandon," it felt like I was driving Interstate Sixty. Interstate Sixty is my all-time favorite funny and thought-provoking movie.

In stark contrast to yesterdays drive, today's was scenic, sunny, warm and little traffic. Only two challenges presented themselves today as I moved forward in my life. One was, that just as I was re-entering Highway 101 in one of the areas where it's expressway, a bumble bee attuned to the wrong flight path, flew into my car and landed behind my sunglasses over my right eye. I didn't panic, but I did scream, I think, as I quickly closed my right eye, negotiated traffic with my left eye and left hand, all the while feeling the bee's wings flutter and the vibration of its frightened buzz, and removed my sunglasses with my right hand. All within a split second. The bee flew out the sunroof. How could that happen? I mean really. I was in a moving car gearing up to 60 mph on an entrance ramp. This is my second bee experience in a month. What's up with the bees?

The second challenge was keeping the car on the road while my soul soared high above the redwood trees.

I didn't realize how much I have missed the Pacific Ocean... the ocean... not a sound... but THE sound of the ocean as the waves roll in.

The personality of the stone people who vigilantly guard the shore.

I arrived in Mendocino about 4 pm. My little place is called Marigold Cottage. To me it is Mary's Gold. Perfect for me!!! I am fulfilling all of my childhood desires and dreams. My own playhouse.

It's on the corner of Kasner and Little Lake Streets. About four blocks to the ocean in either direction.

The chairs are empty now but who knows who will sit in them within the next two months!!

Everything I need in one compact space. Even light through the windows!!

It was so worth the craziness and frustrations of yesterday's drive!

It's not only Mendocino. It's WINE Country!

Now I'm going to walk down to listen to the ocean before having some pleasant dreams!

Stella