Oregon Roots

I arrived early Friday morning at the Portland airport. The air was crisp, clean, and woke me up more than a cup of overly priced coffee. It was sunny and 65 degrees. Beautiful. By midday it was about 90-95 degrees the whole time. Weylin was waiting for me in his new Jeep Patriot and we headed into the city. We stopped at a local restaurant for breakfast where I enjoyed a Spinach and Havarti cheese omelet and seasoned potatoes. Yum.

Me and Weylin

After breakfast and a quick stop by my moms work we headed to Stayton. Population 6,800. I stayed 2 nights at my grandparents solar powered house on a street lined with large trees. I spent the afternoon making blueberry pie and eating green beans picked from the garden. I took a stroll in the garden and picked raspberries, blueberries, and boysenberries until mt finger tips were dark purple. "This is the life" I thought. My grandpa returned home from a hike to cone peak (5300 above sea level), and he is 83 years young. For dinner we had turkey, gravy, steamed green beans, cranberry stuffing, and sweet potatoes. Yum

Me and Grandpa

Solar House

I woke up the first morning to Italian opera and the spell of oatmeal cookies baking. My Grandma was in the kitchen as usual and my Grandpa was reading the paper sitting on the bar stools. My grandpa lives in a fantasy world where you think of s type of food and it appears magically in front of you. Today he had homemade yogurt, cereal with blueberries, juice, toast with homemade jam. He never reaches for any of it. He just looks up from his paper and it is there. He eats, then when he looks up the dirty dishes are magically gone. I had hot cereal with brown sugar and blueberries.

We spent the afternoon at a local festival in Stayon. I saw some cool cars. One made of Oak and a Porsche that looked like an Autobot. It was a good relaxing day.

The Next day we met my parents in Silverton and had lunch at a Thai restaurant. After lunch my mom took me shopping in downtown Salem. Oh the smell of patchouli and coffee. I missed all the tea houses, homemade soap stores, organic clothing, vegan food, people on corners playing instruments, tattoos, sexy clothing stores, the girl will dread locks to her waist. Oh Salem, you are loved.

Find your own chair bitches!

Personal Power! As Anthony Robbins would say "is the best thing you can gain in your life." Do I have it? How do I get it? What the hell is it? You might be asking. Well I think it is when you keep control of all the factors in your life. Whether its obstacles, or blessings. Are you controlling them or letting them make the decisions for you? Are you emotions blocking you from seeing opportunity?

in his words, "What’s your definition of an extraordinary life? There are as many answers as there are people. For some it may be to make $5 million. For some it may be to make $5 million and give it away to charity. For others, it may be to be a loving husband or a great mother. Whatever your definition is, you deserve to be fulfilled in whatever direction you take your life. The challenge is that in today’s complex world, it’s so easy to get caught in the process of achieving so much, that it’s sometimes easy to lose focus of what you really want. We believe to attain an extraordinary life—a life on your terms, one filled with unbridled joy, ultimate success and lasting fulfillment—it’s imperative you make progress in the areas of life that are most important to you. Anthony Robbins has uncovered and refined a unique system for anyone who wants to take their life to the next level."

ok I didnt mean to preach Tony Robbins as this all knowing man, but TR aside his philosophy is right.

We are in a recession, we cant afford to visit my family, we cant go on the glacier trip I wanted, jobs are shaky.... and still I am confident that everything will be ok. That we will be happy. Spencer and I will celebrate our 1 year anniversay this summer. That is a joyous thing. I am controll of my emotions and not lettign things add stress to my life. Why? Because i know whats important and I have it. Love, Friendship, Health. Everything else is a bonus. Its helps to have a husband who believes simplicity is better and is not too materialistic. Life is good.

So I will sit here on my big F*#@ING chair. Cause I have the power.

Please no flash photography.

We lost our camera! and i feel a little empty. I feel like i am going to miss precious moments of our lives. The truth is, it was Spencer's camera, I have never owned a camera. I have had a couple "one time use"cameras. Which brings me to my point. I went 23 years without a fancy digital camera. And now I have gone 2 weeks without it and suddenly my life has changed. Suddenly i need it. It makes me happy. Pathetic. Its sad that a little piece of metal and plastic can become something so important. But lets think of all the other things we cant live without. Microwaves, coffee makers, blenders, computers, DVD players, microwave dinners. Could you give any of that up? Would you? No you wouldn't, cause you need it. And frankly, you forgot how to live without it. We like to go camping and travel, act like we don't need our little comforts for a week. But we only do it knowing we will come back to our safe comfortable lives with our many machines that make living so easy. Really we have it so easy. Pioneers, Pilgrims, Farmers, Miners, and Explorer's, they had to make something out of nothing. We need something it is already made and waiting on a shelf at a store on every corner. Lucky we are. Don't forget. Nothing comes cheap. Life may be easier, but at what true cost. We become a little more weak, a little more ungrateful, and consume more than ever. I guess I really don't have a point. Except love everything you have! Take what you need, and leave the rest!

"Plant a Tree Day"

http://www.arborday.org/
Arbor Day is April 24th
Lets learn about Arbor Day:
Arbor Day is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. Arbor Day originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States and is celebrated in a number of countries. On the first Arbor Day, an estimated one million trees were planted.

Now lets read a poem about trees:

Breath

by J. Daniel Beaudry

Tree, gather up my thoughts
like the clouds in your branches.
Draw up my soul
like the waters in your root.

In the arteries of your trunk
bring me together.
Through your leaves
breathe out the sky.

Quote

"take me for what i am
who i was meant to be
and if you give a damn
take me or leave me"
*Rent

I am one with the Rhino

Animal symbolism of the rhinoceros deals with:

• Agility
• Solitary
• Wisdom
• Paradox
• Freedom
• Stability
• Gratitude
• Longevity
• Judgment
• Grounding
• Peace of Mind
• Self-Assurance
• Unconventional
• Sensory Perception

Animal symbolism of the rhinoceros revolves around a mass of misguided perception. The rhino is replete with contradictions.

One of the top three largest land mammals, the rhino’s physical presence is mammoth. Although the rhino is known to display aggressive behavior, for the most part it is a passive creature – preferring to roam its wide-open grassy spaces in contemplative solitude. Here we see the first of many paradoxes that lead us to the underlying symbolic theme of the rhinoceros: “things are not as they seem.”

Rhino animal symbolism reminds us to appreciate the expansive bounty we have around us. When the rhino comes to us in our daily lives it is time for us to stop and give thanks to the infinite wonders occurring in every millimeter and minute of our lives. Here are a few examples of how we may do this:

• Do as the rhino does and press your feet into the mother (earth) with connective assurance that all is well.
• Inhale the richness of green as the rhino does in the tall grasses in which it lives. Savor the scent – impress it fully into memory – recall it during times when you need revitalization.
• Surround yourself in cool comfort as the rhino does with his mud bath rituals. Again, let the rich abundance and stability of the mother (earth) enfold you and reassure you.

It is the rhino’s intimate connection with the earth that makes it a perfect symbol for confidence, assurance, steadiness, and sure-footedness. When we are feeling insecure, nervous, or disconnected, the best tonic for our nervy ails is to allow the rhino to run through our spiritual realm. Mentally envision the stoic, noble rhino swaggering easily across the awing expanse of the Ngorongoro Crater where the scenery is equally matched to the regal rhino’s energy.

And speaking of energy, the rhino possesses solar animal symbolism and you will find your envisioning it will produce heat within your body.

Simply put, the rhino is a creature of substance, stamina, solidity, and explosive power. When you are feeling transparent and empty, invite the rhino into your being – see what happens – observe yourself being filled with the majesty this creature represents.

The animal symbolism of the rhino horn deals with:

• Protection
• Achievement
• Heightened Senses
• Utilization of Inner Resource

It’s not the actual horn that is powerful – the horn itself is nothing but built-up rhino skin – physically, the horn is worthless. Symbolically however, the horn is priceless.

God Help America

(Spencer)
I encountered a post on facebook stating that the 10 poorest cities in America (pop. Over 250,000) always nominate democratic mayors- the evidence suggesting that only the poor and insane vote for democrats. At first I was enraged. Then I was curious. I did some research and this is what I found.

10 richest cities in America (pop. over 250,000).

http://dcjobsource.com/richest.html, and http://www.iweblists.com/us/government/Mayors.html (I did it the slow way before I found these sites).

1. San Jose, California- Chuck R. Reed- Democrat
2. Anchorage, Alaska- Matt Claman- Democrat
3. San Francisco, California- Gavin Newsom- Democrat
4. Virginia Beach, Virginia- William D. Sessoms, Jr- Republican
5. San Diego, California- Jerry Sanders- Republican
6. Anaheim, California- Curt Pringle- Republican
7. Raleigh, North Carolina- Charles Meeker- Democrat
8. Seattle, Washington- Greg Nickels- Democrat
9. Washington, DC- Adrian M. Fenty- Democrat
10. Honolulu, Hawaii- Mufi Hunnemann- Democrat

7 out of the 10 cities with the highest income (per capita) employ a democratic mayor. It seems to be more of a big city thing than a poverty thing.

I can’t say I belong to either party. I did vote for Obama. And, yes, it is because of the sense of hope and change he brings to the country.

Money. Money. Money. I guess it is a necessary evil. But I hate it! Especially when it is exchanged for labor in countries so far away that it’s foreign value doesn’t even resemble its domestic value. Americans desperately need to consider- what is a dollar worth in America today. Key words- in America, today. How is it possible that we can earn so many dollars with so little work. It is at historic records. Echoing the constitution, “all men are created equally.” We should all have the same rights and opportunities for whatever just pursuit might interest us individually. Is it really just that we take advantage of human beings in countries that do not have the same opportunities offered to us. Ask yourself again- how is it possible that we can earn so many dollars with so little work. Let me spell it out for you- SLAVERY. We exploit less fortunate people, like the hard workers of China, Indonesia, Honduras, India, Mexico, Guatemala, etc (just a few countries I found on household items). Not to mention the fuel, for which we so casually swipe a piece of plastic and pump, costs much more that just under $2.00/gal. We are in the middle of a war for oil. Is it really worth the lives of our friends and family, not to mention the uncounted dead men, women and children outside our borders. Out of sight, out of mind. America’s wealthy have found a way to appear decent by indirectly enslaving foreign laborers. And we, the average American citizens, are victims of consumerism. We are so damned selfish! I am sick at the thought of calling myself an American. There is no pride left in that title. The difference between American slaves and foreign, working-class slaves is that we have a choice. There is not much the Chinese worker can do about his position in society. If he doesn’t work, he and his family will die. We on the other hand are free enough to resist the temptations of society. True, most of are incredibly addicted to the ease with which we acquire our luxuries. However, if we were all aware of the damage our greed is doing to the rest of the world, we might me more inclined to change.

Let the dollar plummet in value. Let wealthy international businesses topple to the ground. Let humility overcome each American individually. Let the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave be free and brave enough to confront our own . I do not exclude myself from this ignorant and evil lifestyle (they are my house-hold items). I just want to change. Someone help me, and the rest of America, change.

“…and if to live we have to be numb, I’d rather know the pain. I’d rather know. I’d rather know…” Rise Against

The political/social pyramid is imposed upon us all at birth. It doesn’t care what you want and would never wait for a request or application for participation. If you are born in America, you will live and die by American rules. A nation is just another business idea. It’s another way to gain power, fame and money. Power is our substitute for self-control. Fame is our substitute for love. Money is our substitute for hard-work.

I would love to be able to say: I never asked to use your roads. I never asked your policemen or soldiers to protect me. I never asked you to create imaginary lines on the earth to divide country, state and city. I never asked you to keep people from crossing them. I never asked you to require each member of your club to carry a plastic card bearing an identification number in order to keep track of us all. I never asked you to fling bombs and bullets at people in other clubs. I sure the hell didn’t ask you to send machines into space that can follow and record my every move. I didn’t ask you to listen to my phone calls just to be sure I’m not planning to attack you. I wish I could say all these things. But I can’t. I need your roads. I need your policemen and soldiers. I need your dividing borders. I need you to keep certain people out. I need you to know where I am just in case I need anything else. I need you to kill the people who want to hurt me. I need you to monitor everyone, so you can stop people from hurting my innocent family and friends. But I wish I didn’t.