NW Herbfest 2010

This is the Kitchen Lecture "Hall"
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...mostly the best. I made a decision to stay in a hotel instead of camping. I also declined to purchase the meals, not because they aren't good, (they are!), but because at more than $20 per meal it was simply too expensive. I brown bagged it! Plus I was able to bring my own snacks and that turned out to be a good thing too.

It also meant I could spend more money at the vendors tables! I got some stuff to take home to mom since she had to withdraw due to back surgery. This included a booklet of the Symposium notes provided by each speaker. Some are very complete, others not so much. But it is valuable tool to reference during the lectures.

On Saturday I took:

Wound Care by Kelly Marie Fitzpatrick BSN, MPS, ND
Class Description: We will discuss the physiology of wound care and the rationale for botanicals as well as nutritional supplements that are important in wound care.

I liked that she referred to inflammation (both outer and inner) as a type of wound and how an acute case can turn into a chronic case with conventional treatment. She was very emphatic that we should help our patients with life style changes NOW before things deteriorate to an "end care" type situation in the hospital. However I thought she was much too exclusionary in her vocabulary. She could have spoken much more plainly instead of using medical jargon.

Herbs & Improving Tissues Of The Body by Heather Nic an Fhleisdeir
Class Description: This lecture focuses on the main types of tissues in the body and the herbs that best improve their function and structural stability.

I thought this was one of the best lectures. I have read so many conflicting and confusing diagnostic methods. Her's was the best and easiest I've come across. She has a biochemist mother and a science researcher sister. Also she is the Head of Faculty at the Academy of Scottish Herbalism and has her own shop in Eugene.

Ayurvedic Basics for the Gastrointestinal Tract by Cascade Anderson Geller
Class Description: Digestive stimulants and much more, this class will feature the medicinal wonders hiding in the kitchen and the details to help you get the most medicinal effect from them.

I got some good information from this class, but kind of felt it was a gabfest. At a later class she stated she was kind of unhappy about how she did in this one. Overall she did give some excellent advice but obviously 1.5 hours is really not long enough for this particular instructor. I mean that in the best way. She likes to thoroughly explain an aspect of the subject before moving on. Ayurveda is an ancient Hindu system based on the 3 Basic Nature types or Doshas - Vata (Air), Kapha (Water) and Pitta (Fire). Actually she described it as a life style rather than "medicine" as often it really involved the kind of food one ate.

Lemon Balm

As a side note, I'm kind of ambivalent about Asian herbal systems overall. Not because I don't think they have value but because I wonder about the need or effectiveness when I can't grow the herbs myself. I tend to want to know more about can be grown here, and how things that DO grow here naturally were really used. That said, I have more of an interest for Ayurveda than Chinese Herbal tradition.

Tea Blending for Health and Pleasure by Jane Bothwell
Class Description: Learn to make teas that taste good and have fabulous medicinal effects. From the experience of blending teas for many years I will share with you my insights into formula making for effectiveness and pleasure.

This was a nice class and she has a quick and easy formula for tea blending. She also had examples of fresh and dried teas. I liked she suggested making popsicles and ice cubes too! What is delightful ise she freely gives away her recipes for specific teas, over 18 of them! She runs the The Dandelion Herbal Center in Arcata CA.


On Sunday I took:

Biphasic Formulas, How to Build Them, How to Use Them by Robin DiPasquale N.D., RH (AHG)
Class Description: This class will cover the principles of building biphasic formulas, discussing the various categories of herbs to use in developing a biphasic formula - steroidal saponins, phytoestrogenic herbs, liver herbs, circulatory stimulants, adaptogenic herbs, nervines.

I liked this class alot as well. Biphasic formulas are (as I understand it) are complementary formulas for the Follicular (Dark moon to Full moom-Estrogenic) and Luteal (Full moon to Dark moon-Progesteronic). This was a totally new concept for me and I found it very interesting. She is on the staff at Bastyr University near Seattle (although she lives in Wisconsin!) and has her own website here.

The Pharmacy in the Pantry by Cascade Anderson Geller
Class Description: This class will feature the medicinal wonders hiding in the kitchen and the details to help you get the most medicinal effect from them.

I liked this class alot better. It was another very interesting history lesson. This time it was about spices and it's violent and sad history. (Hint-the Dutch are not nice). She gave some very good and specific advice about grinders for spices and how to cook with them. I also learned that insects and most animals do not like spices. They seem to used by and for specifically humans and how to help us eat and live well!

Sensing The Chemistry In Herbs By Heather Nic an Fhleisdeir
Class Descriptions: The same colors, tastes, aromas and textures that stimulate our senses give us clues about the chemistry of an herb. We’ll cover the primary herbal chemical constituents, what they are known to do, how to best extract them and give examples of which herbs contain them.

I thought this class was good, but did not really go too much into the color, tastes or smells of the herbs. It was more about the chemical family trees and whether they were best soluble in water or alcohol (depends on what you want to get out of them of course!). The best thing I took away was to start just doing it. Empirical practice is the best way to judge if something is effective or not. Unfortunately my phone rang twice near the end of the class! I was so mortified.

Lavender!

I had to leave early to go to work at home so could not take the very last class. Frustratingly, there was traffic, a wreck (not us!) and technical problems which prevented me from working at all! There was a bit of a freak out that we will try not to repeat. However overall this was a much better experience than last time. Evidently Ms. Tilger is going to skip next year so this is the last NW Herbfest until further notice...

Later I will post reviews of some audio CD's I order for classes I couldn't take:
1. Golden Boughs - Medicinal Trees by Cascade Anderson Geller
2. GynEcology by McQuade Crawford
3. First Aid in the Field by Wren Davidson

Midsummer, Father's Day and Graduation!

Lupines*
Wow, things are happening so fast here I thought I should update this darn page before the craziness of July kicks in! For a fun way to celebrate Midsummer, look no further than a transplanted Latvian who writes about it here. Be sure to watch the fun beer commercial at the bottom of her post!

Today we took a family trip to the Mary Hill Museum just up the Gorge. It was so nice because it was SUNNY! There was a strong wind blowing, but it was pleasantly warm. The peacocks were out wandering around the grounds and it was nice to view the exhibits again.

One that is very interesting is the Theatre de la Mode, which is a 1945/1946 Fashion collection by the Haut Coutureirs of the day. They didn't have enough money, materials or models to put on a full fashion show right after WWII but wanted to make sure France retained it's title as "Fashion Capital of the World"!

Everything is really authentic - the shoes are leather as well as the purses. The dresses and hats are made with exquisite detail. They made sets for them, (now mostly lost) some of them by quite famous people like Jean Cocteau. The collection was rediscovered by some bigwig from New York or Paris. They redid the sets from old photos and put them on tour in the 90's.

In addition to all that, there are always rotating visiting exhibits, Rodins, Native American Basketry, various items from the turn-of-the-century Queen Marie of Romania (which includes a Russian Revolution vandalized portrait of her relative, Czar/Tsar Nicholas II-they slice up his face!) and other little odds and ends of things rich eccentric people might collect.

We enjoyed the Sculpture Gardenon the Museum grounds by giving our Father's Day gifts to our favorite Dad and Grampa (my dad). The Beaniac spent alot of time complaining, as teenager are wont to do, but a mostly good time was had by all. We stopped at Hood River for a bite to eat, then in Cascade Locks for some ice cream cones. Then finally a long drive home back to RAIN!

Yay!
Last but not least, here is a graduation picture of the Beaniac. There were nearly 600 kids and 4 LONG speeches but it is now done! I can't believe she will be leaving in a couple months for her great college career! I know she's excited about it, and I am too. She has a white cord for the Health Careers path she completed. They went to an all night grad party right after. They had lots of fun, very little food and many happy memories.



*"Lupines?! We don't want any bloody lupines. We want food and money!"
( If you get this reference, you win 5 points...of something...may some stinky cheese or a dead parrot!)

Astoria 'n' More!

My wonderful husband and I finally took some time out to be together and just rest. We chose Astoria as our 'do-nothing' vacation get-away and had a fine time pretty much doing that! We ate at some old favorite places: lunch on the way down at in Clatskanie (that's klats-KAN-eye for you non-Oregonians) at Humps and breakfast at Andrew & Steve's near the Waterfront. We also found some new great places we plan to re-visit again, perhaps in the summer. I was able to do some shopping at a cool place called Gypsy's Whimsy

Gypsy's Whimsy Astoria 2010

The proprietor was a very helpful lady who had very good herbal supplies. I was able to buy several herbs (Mullein, Nettles, Oregon Grape Root and Red Clover) in small quantities to try at home for different remedies. She has a very interesting store with all kinds of things that a pagan like me would be interested in: Day of the Dead figurines, Tibetan Singing bowls, Moroccan spice chests, handwoven textiles and natural body products. Just a door down was another store I loved as well, Terra Tones , where I purchased a lovely blue Peacock cut velvet scarf for OCF this year. I also got a neat Oak Man plaque and a bracelet for our daughter.

Pink Sweater

Window shopping in Astoria is fun too and I was able to grab a couple pictures of some interesting items: The pink sweater has a really beautiful pin on it and the picture doesn't do it justice. It has a long feathery loft and looks like it is made from Angora or a similar yarn. Down the street was a neat thrift store in an old pharmacy space with some very pretty shoes I would have liked to buy...but they were a very impractical color!

White Shoes

Although nothing was playing the ONE weekend we were there, they have some great shows at the Liberty Theatre, which was recently renovated in 2002. It is just down the street from the Hotel Elliott (itself restored in the late '90's). You can also see next door the sign for the "Rusty Cup" coffee shop, a nice comfortable place to hang out and read all the books or magazines you never buy at home!

Liberty Theatre 2010

Finally as an sewing enthusiast, I found a fascinating thing about the paintings in our room...they were embroidered as well! Here is a picture of the largest one (they were all done by "Ronnie"), which has punch needle trees, and straight stitch outlines of the houses and fencing. The artist used silver metallic thread at the water line on the farside near the mountains. The effect is very 3-D but soft and unassuming. It took me a whole day to realize there was something different about them....I can't wait to go back to discover more things!


Room Painting/Embroidery 2010

Halloween & The Day of the Dead

We had a wonderful Halloween Party, lots of fun and got to reconnect with friends and family. So here are all the pictures....


I won my work costume contest with this picture...I put on lots of make up so maybe I didn't frighten them! I have a Raven on my at and the wall plaque is a miniature reproduction of the Leaky Cauldron sign from Harry Potter. My prize was a copy of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas!

This was one of several lanterns I had out in the yard. I think the words kind of set the theme for the event...which lent itself to the short ritual we had.

This is a close up of Snabby's costume, as a "Ditch Witch" (a kind of digger tool company we have around here). I wanted him to go as a "Witch Gynacologist", but he decided to go with a less provocative outfit!



All three of these pumpkins we grew in our backyard, so the didn't cost us anything. Beaniac made the spiral-eyed one, her boyfriend made Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Snabby made a girl from the Fruity Oaty Bar commercial (in the film Serenity). They were a hit!


Here's our friends Becca (The Big Cheese) and Bob (Le Chef). He's reading my Day of the Dead pamphlet to get an idea of how to decorate his sugar skull. Isn't he studious? You can see a glimpse of the festive "papel" with Danse Macabre themes at the top of the picture.





This is a cute picture of the Beanic (as a mouse) and her boyfriend (as...surprise! a high school Marching Band member!). They had to go to a competition that day, but were able to get off early, enjoy the party and even go trick-or-treating!


Finally, here is a picture of our Day of the Dead altar. This is after our guests brought out the lighted votive candles and placed them beside the picture of their choice. Little colored corn, the aroma of Ginger Pumpkin wax melts and burning herbs (Calendula for Healing, Rosemary for Remembrance, Wheat for the Harvest time, and Rose Petals for End of Summer/Remembrance)were offerings for our Sacred Dead.

Autumn has arrived....

Field in the main campground area


Well the colder, darkening days are truly upon us, and a post about my experiences at the Northwest Fall Equinox Festival (NWFEF) is long overdue! To set the mood, here are a couple blog posts I've really enjoyed: a wonderful ode to the season, with some beautiful pictures and a second one which is a decidedly more Pagan take on the harvest.

I genuinely appreciated my time at the old YMCA Youth Camp site at Silver Falls State Park (where the Festival was held), with one exception - the field in which tenters must camp was also the site of the Drum Circle! If I had known this, I would have been more aggressive about asking someone to share a cabin, instead of waiting until the last night to do so.

Outside of that, I had an amazing time! I met several interesting and remarkable ladies from many walks of life. All had stories to share, and were very non-judgemental about how one might decide to handle life's ebbs and flows; "We're all on a journey, and we're all trying to get through life's challenges the best way we can" was the wisdom I gleaned from all those the stimulating conversations.

Although I hadn't had a real interest in the Hindu pantheon, I deeply enjoyed all the rituals & workshops for the Goddesses that had been prepared. The five Goddesses which had shrines (one in each cabin "neighborhood") were Kali, Deva (a triple personified goddess), Durga, Parvati and in the main area, the Goddess of Prosperity, Laxmi.

One of the most moving and deeply spiritual workshops was the "Family" one on Friday. At check-in at the gate, attendees were given a handmade token necklace with a randomly assigned number on the back. This number became a "Family" number (approximately 10 people per number); and at the designated time and place for that number, all the "Family" members met with a facilitator/leader and did some preparation for the days ahead. One part of the workshop involved each participant moving into the center of a circle while all the other people gently placed their hands on the center person while repeating 3 times:

"We will hold you until you soften."
"We will love you until you begin to melt."
"We will sing to you until you remember peace."

It was a totally incredible experience and really put me in the mindscape of the Festival. Did I mention this took place in the Tantric Temple? Yes, my "Family" place to meet was the MOST BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED temple of the whole campground IMHO. Later I participated in a group ritual at that same temple before the main Saturday night ritual, (again, as sort of a mental preparation for the evening). The Priestess presiding over it was amazing and she really loved my dress, which happened to be my wedding dress (an Afghani Nomad design from Folkwear).

Another great part of the Festival was the food! There were many vegetarian and vegan options I tried which I surprisingly enjoyed. I liked it all so much I bought their recipe book, "May You Never Hunger", Harvest Grove Family Favorites. The nice thing about this book is it has "Helpful Hints" and "Cooking Tips" for food preparation throughout the book, often the kinds of things you can find only in old cookbooks.

There was so much more: full moon illuminated nights, a hilarious wedding "ritual"/celebration for a long-time attendee who had just gotten married, the main group rituals each evening, time to rest, perusing the vendors for the perfect Witch's Hat....

I've already decided I want to attend next year, and look forward to celebrating the Autumn Equinox/Mabon with like-minded folks. I also want to have my husband share the experience as well, as participation in the rituals is totally voluntary and the restful natural setting helps refocus the heart and mind in healing ways.

Now onto Halloween!

Fall is in the Air!

For the last week or so, it's been very cool in the morning...the heat of August's Dog Days seems to be mostly behind us. The flowering plants are mostly done, the grass is brown, corn & apples are showing up in the Farmer's Markets around town, and even the vines on our Pumpkins & Cucumbers seem to be loosing their "oomph". All signs pointing to cooler weather ahead, and a busy Harvest Season!

This year I'm going to be attending the NW Fall Equinox Festival for the first time, (I'll be giving a full report when I get back!). The theme this year is Diwali, ("Festival of Lights" in Hindi), with the primary Goddess of this festival being Laxmi (Mother of Wealth & Prosperity). I think we all could use a little of Laxmi's influence in our lives right now, what with the economy going to pot and all....I'm thankful I was finally able to get a job, even though it will cause some stress (when will the dishes get done? Who knows!)..but to eventually get REAL health insurance will worth it!

NW Herb Fest

Well folks, I've just come back from a very amazing "herbal" experience! I attended the 2009 NW Herb Fest at Wise Acre Farms, just about 15 miles south of Eugene. I got alot of great information, met some fascinating working herbalists and a naturopathic physician (and several ladies studying to become N.M.D.'s - all of them at Portland's own National College of Natural Medicine). Although I'm not into Chinese or Ayurvedic Medicine much (I prefer the Western Eclectic tradition), the program does seem to be very comprehensive. So now onto the nitty-gritty pics and info!

First up is a picture of my campsite under an old oak tree in a huge open field, (the entrance to the Fair is directly behind the tree...see the pink tape if you click on the picture to make it bigger).


I was welcomed by several friendly folks as I set up my tent, and saw a beautiful crescent moon as the twilight deepened, then the stars came twinkling out, and I saw the Big Dipper, Milky Way...and many other constellations I didn't know. In the back of my mind I filed away a determination to learn the night skies for a future project.

Unfortunately, I think I got about 3 hrs sleep max...people came in until 1 am, the lights of their cars shining directly in everyone's tent, then bumbling around & noisily setting up their own tents. Of course there was the small hike to the bathrooms...


This a view from from my car in the parking lot (the other end of the field), with the green house & gardens behind the Port-a-Potties. In the background you can see the sewage company actually servicing the Port-a-Potties on Sunday Morning, (click to make the picture bigger).

There were alot of people there, maybe as many as 200 attendees. They also had a little vendor row, with some wonderful, mostly local products (there were a few from Washington & California). Here are some pics: (the one below I took from inside the main tent while I was eating breakfast)









The next view is from the other end, from the path to "kitchen" class room, in the back (on the right) you can see the table they used for the optional meals served during the Fair. I decided to buy all the meals, to save money (although I went out a little too!), and to learn about more healthy/vegetarian options for eating. The food was excellent! I really liked their garlic sour cream artichoke dip, Nancy's yogurt with granola & berries, quinoa with vegetables...and many other dishes. They were all prepared by the Park City Cafe (see a mini-review here. I complemented the lady who did the cooking and talked with her a little bit, come to find out they have a booth at the Oregon Country Fair near the Community Village! Awesome, definitely going to check them out next year...


















From this booth I bought a "Leo Balancing" astrological herbal bath therapy product. She also had a full year "Cosmic" herbal bath teas, as well as cooking herbs aligned with the signs/planets. Although I'm not much into astrology, it was a fun thing to get.






I also bought several tinctures from some other booths, and gathered up some propaganda from all of them, including one with herbal wines! Some of the teachers also had their own booths, selling their own herbal preparations, goddess tapes, book and various other items. One booth that I really liked was Mountain Rose Herbs
a huge sponsor of the festival, (which had only an an informational booth, not selling anything). They gave away posters, pamphlets, and lots of bumper stickers, plus let you touch, smell and taste several kinds of herbs they offer.


I have ordered from them, and used their products. So far I'm impressed with the quality, quick service and the cost. They are the premier local source for truly organic herbs, teas, and other body products.


Finally, I have some pics of the extensive herb garden:

Primrose & Coneflower (echinacea)










and some of my favorite flowers:









Nasturtiums & ?






Last, (but not least!) was the heat...it was unrelenting. I actually spent the 2nd night in a hotel, and was glad I did. I got some sleep and was able to pay attention and take notes in the classes alot better on Sunday. It got so hot in that big tent out in the field I kind of passed out and missed out on 2 good lectures. I ended up discussing the heat problem with some fellow student ladies, and found that it was a big problem for alot of folks, not just me. One older woman had pretty much decided not to come again, even though she had not missed one since it's inception many years ago (it's been through a couple incarnations, but always held by the same woman, Sharol Tilger). If I come next time, I will definitely stay in a motel with air conditioning!

The conundrum (if you will), is that it is the only reasonably priced herbal seminar around the PNW. The ones at Breitenbush are more than twice the cost...and the lecturers they get are VERY GOOD - almost all of them are clinical practitioners with 20+ years experience, and the majority have published books too. I will post more later about the specific classses and teachers at the Fair, since I think that information is worth sharing, and it's just so much I wouldn't be able to include it all here..(it's the post that never ends...it goes on and on my friends...).

Blessed be!

Ze Fair!

Gnomes on Parade!

Once again, we headed down to Eugene for the Oregon Country Fair...and had a pretty wonderful time, (there was a little unfriendliness the 1st day...but great after that). It also was the 40th anniversary of the Fair, and I managed to get one of the last Commemorative Batik Sarongs...they also had some flags which I wish I gotten now...but no worries! We also had one of the Beaniac's friends from Alaska (via Virginia...it's a long story!)-he was great, just became part of the family, and we're planning on having him back next year too! So now onto some more pics...


E -The Bean's AK friend & all around good kid, the Beaniac & Snabby

The second day was nice as well as we got to park nearer the entrance, and just mosey on in a little early with our 3-day wristband passes (cost a pretty penny, but makes Fair life just a little easier)...You can see above an example of the funky signs around that make it a fun place too-even the No Parking ones!


Glitter Henna!

I decided to spend a little cashola and get some Mehendi done - the lady that I chose incidently also offers a fine glitter decoration while it dries if you want - and I wanted! Here below is a pic of the finished design a day or so later...

Done!

May Day Fun!

Spring Lady Bag

Well, I'm working on a new project...and trying to get it done by Friday - May 1st!
I got the special edition Eco Bag from Sublime Stitching, and mostly following Jenny Hart's design & colors, (see pic above). I'll post updates as I finish more embroidery.

Also, I'll see if I can take pics at the May Day celebration at the Rose Garden too - I'll be up early - at 4am to get there in time for the Bagpipes at Sunrise!

Spring Lady-More!

Update # 1 - I've finished up the face, and will do the bee stuff tomorrow (will upload another pic too). I've really liked how it's turned out so far...and I'm on track to be finished by Thursday night (May Day Eve)-Yay!




Spring Lady-"Bee" almost done!
Well, I am way ahead of myself...I might be able to finish it by tonight...a whole day early! This is great, since I've got alot of other things to prepare for May Day - I really want it to be a totally fun day for the family!





Spring Lady DONE!
Yay! It's all done, and I've sure received alot of compliments on it! I am really pleased with how this project turned out, and will definitely be checking out other Limited Edition stuff by Sublime Stitching (the bag is already down from the website!)...Jenny Hart has had something special for each month this year; in February she had a VERY cute Valentine's inspired stitchable card...but I couldn't get it :( ...due to money being tight. Check out her site at the link above and see what her featured product is this month!

Opening to the Fullness of Spring!

Wow, spring has finally sprung from this long, dark, COLD wintertide...but still the chilly fingers of Jack Frost haven't let go...The mornings are often very cold still...

In the meantime we've worked on our garden, my potted herbs and even gotten an air/duct sealing for our home (for free!). We've worked very hard on getting more frugal with our lifestyle, reduced/eliminated some debt and will even be able to have some savings soon (in case of job loss). So many positive steps...

However, recently I've had to step back from an increasingly unhealthy situation...and it's been difficult. I'd been back and forth on how to handle it...and every time I thought, "Well, maybe..I'll just do this,...or ...I'll just help out here..", I'd get requests to do even MORE! "Do this! We need this!" There were several creative ways to "get the job done" without me, but they "can't see the forest for the trees" evidently.

I didn't want people who I've really come to like and admire think bad of me...but since they don't know the FULL details of what my family's dealing with on a financial, wellness/health and psychological level, I simply can't expect them to understand. Some have a small inkling, but aren't sympathetic as several others are dealing with health-related crises of their own. The one thing I didn't bring up to these folks is that this all happened during February/March, leading up to the most difficult part of the year for me. It dawned on me that my son's death still affects me to this day, and the grieving process intensifies problematic situations. I discussed the problem extensively with the two people who were present on the worst day of my life (the stillbirth of our son), and they both agreed with me; I had made the right decision to stand firm in my departure from this group. The relief is palpable, I didn't realize I had had been doing so much work for so long! It may get nasty, but come what may, I can finally say I made the right decision for me, my family and ultimately, for them.

So on to May Day...a Spring Sabbat to celebrate with Mirth and Joy; release burdens, and open up to new mysterious possibilities!

Signs of Spring

I should have posted this a couple weeks ago...but now will do. There's a fab full Storm Moon out...and I've decanted the herbal tinctures I started on the New Moon, which happened to be Mardi Gras! (more about that later..).

Anyhow, as a very occasional phenologist, I've noticed the obvious seasonal changes: chattering morning birds, the spring bulbs slow emergence and flowering, the longer days (although this was now screwed up by Spring Ahead Daylight Savings this past Sunday), and cloudy rainy days. Strangely, it snowed just a couple days ago (Monday the 9th) and earlier the year started out dry, COLD and sunny (see beautiful sunrise pic from early February)
February 09
In fact, it has been very cold this whole winter, and we've all had bad bouts with colds as a result.

Speaking of the Spring flowers, they are very late this year, usually by this time I have masses of Daffodils for a huge bouquet I make for the St. Patrick's Day celebration that I host for the older members of our family. We barely have any, just two pink hyacinths and one small early-blooming variety of Daffodil have fully blossomed, the rest are just buds...

Imbolc-First Post

Brigit pours out her Blessings

I really like this time of year, when the sun starts coming back, the spring flowers start poking their heads above ground and the frenzy of the mid-winter holidays are behind us. I especially love snowdrops, often the very first blooms of the season. I sometimes use old Catholic name for this holiday, Candlemas
. I like to celebrate it by making a Brigid's Cross, to hang over our threshold during the year (you can see examples in the background in the picture above); put away or burn any remaining mid-winter decorations and renew New Years resolutions.


There are several holidays that fall around this time as well:

1. Valentine's Day - Apersonal favorite as this is when my husband & I celebrate our "anniversary" - even though we were married in August.

2. Imbolc/Oimelc, a Wiccan/Pagan Sabbat (Holy Day); Often a day when new initiates are accepted into covens or begin individual studies with an elder. It also celebrates the end of Winter and the first day of Spring (despite Ground Hog Day stating "4 more weeks of Winter" usually!)

4. Mardi Gras! - Link takes you to the official New Orleans website...Party time!

Six Random Meme....

Six Random Things About Me
Swinebread didn't really tag me, but it seemed interesting, so here goes

The Rules

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six random things about me-

1) I have visited Palenque in Mexico-awesome. Wished I'd had a camera....

2) I was an evil older sister...but I got better!

3) I love Alan Moore...and his work! Can't wait for the next League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to come out (Top Shelf!)

4) I do several kinds of embroidery: Punchneedle, Hardanger, Brazilian, Cross-stitch, Neeelepoint, and the plain old kind...

5) I've never mowed a lawn, and by Goddess I never will!

6) I have the best husband in the world...forever and 2 years at least...

No Tags for anyone, if you feel you'd like to do this, great!

An Epiphany

The first weekend in January is the time when the French eat a special cake called "La Gallette", a pastry-wrapped disc enclosing a delicious almond paste interior...and a little ceramic item called a "feve" (there is no English equivalent). Here is a great authentic recipe, along with picture of the cake with a paper crown. Whomever finds the "feve" in their piece becomes King or Queen for the day.

The picture above is from a book I've read to my daughter's classes for many years...it's basically a Gingerbread man-type story "Run, Run, you can't catch me!" but of course he's caught by the sly fox in the end!

This time of year is also a nice wind down from the hectic holiday season; I had an "Epiphany" of sorts also...I've decided to make some simple daily practices...like a 5-minute morning meditation on the (Majors only) Gaian Tarot Deck I received as a Yule gift. My two other commitments are to redo my resume in order to get a REAL job in the next 3 months, and to either do yoga, or take a walk every single day.

Three things, three Kings - hmmm kind of fits, doesn't it?

Can't wait to work up some inspiring endeavors for Imbolc/St. Brigid's Day!

San Francisco!

I went down to "The City" the weekend before last, by myself to visit an old college friend who was going to be in the Bay Area. SO MUCH FUN...Bought tons of books and magazines at the Borders near Union Square...where they were putting up a huge Xmas tree and had a little skating rink!
"MEN AT WORK!





















My hotel was just 1/2 a block from the Chinatown gate, and one of my fave restaurants,Cafe de la Presse. The hotel I liked alot - all the guests were very friendly and always struck up a conversation in the ONE very old slow elevator. The only caveat I have is that it did not have air conditioning...which was needed for the unseasonable warm weather they had. In the picture below, I'm looking out on the backside of the Chinatown gate at one of the pretty window displays..the restaurant is on the other side of the street in the background. I bought something for my new nephew at one of the quirky tchotchke-crowded stores...

Tourists!



Hmmm, the Cafe had some great tomato soup, blissful chocolate & strawberry gelato, and a great steak! Plus there are lots of magazines and books (in many languages too..so you can brush up on your French or German) to read while waiting for your meal. Mostly my friend and I walked around downtown, went window shopping and talked - alot! We also had a Dim Sum lunch down near the waterfront with another friend...very good! It's always great to catch up with someone who you're not able to see often enough...speaking of window displays - here's another one that caught my eye. Don't you just LOVE the colors on this lamp!



I want this one in my dream house!



We also saw a live version of the Rocky Horror Show, which was tons of rolicking fun! We met a cute French guy who was taking two girlfriends to the show....even though it was technically "sold out", they managed to get tickets-Yay!. The play is a little different than the film, but I liked seeing what the Victoria Theatre did with it...and OMG the shoes! They were the highest stilletto fetish heels I've ever seen (mostly red instead of black this time around); I was contantly afraid some actor was going to get a terribly sprained ankle or land flat on his/her ass!...(it nearly happened once..the entire audience audibly went "aaaaggghhh"!).


We also visited a newer shopping mall (mostly for the temperature factor), The Westfield Centre, right on Market st....it's got a beautiful dome, 5 floors of shopping, a movie theatre (saw Quantam of Solace..). It's a bit on the chic spendy side...did find an interesting Japanese tea shop Lupicia, (link takes you to a short review)...bought some Pommier for a gift too!


Finally I'll leave you with an early morning pic out of my hotel window of "The City" on the day I had to leave (sob!).

Coit Tower & Chinatown

PS. I can't say enough about BART and MUNI...the FANTASTIC public transportation is one of the main reasons San Francisco is such a joy to visit.

Spiders...and the Day of the Dead

Well, I haven't posted in awhile...actually have been very busy on the home front. It's not that I haven't noticed what a wonderful fall we've been having here the the Pacific Northwest...it's just I've had a little bit of "ennui" for some time. I ended up watching Serenity only about a million times, along with any other movie Sean Maher has ever made-(spoiler alert DO NOT watch the end of Living Til the End!) and just generally just having the blahs...Then I realized I was similarly obsessed with Hugh Jackman and The Fountain last year...just about this same time, (yes, we bought the movie AND the sound track...) Then it hit me...the thinning of the veil upon us, and I will remember our stillborn son, and all the other friends and family who went before, again.

I also started re-thinking my whole volunteer schedule..and I believe I'll be pulling back and spending some time on family and "wintering in" (fancy wording for working home projects, which sounds more poetic I guess); and may be seriously looking for a job in January. (In case you haven't heard, the economy's going in the pooper...and hubby's job may go the way of the dinosaurs...we'll see how Wall Street handles the 700 billion the taxpayers have SO nicely donated to their suffering cause...cynical snicker).

I digress! This post is actually about the exceptional autumn we've had...cold nights and clear sunny days. The perfect weather to produce color splendors worthy of an East Coast fall foliage tour. It's been so spectacular that when our usual rainy, cloudy weather appeared a couple days ago, I was a bit disappointed our Indian Summer had finally come to an end.


This picture is from my ancestral homeland, Champoeg. It's a nice time to be there now as the Park has very few visitors. It's got lovely views of the Willamette, and great biking/walking paths.

I've also observed (a la Waverly Fizgerald's School of the Seasons) the plethora of spiders during this season. They've been all around outside, in every nook and cranny in the garden...and some of them managed to sneak inside the house too! We have a very fat pregnant one just outide the kitchen window. Without realizing it, Waverly found out this natural process is called phenology-the science of tracking seasonal changes. She's got lots of links to some very interesting sites here ,(you'll have to scroll down to her phenology article first).

Until just yesterday, (several days WELL after All Soul's Day), I still had all the Day of the Dead decorations up, (I find I prefer the Mexican take on this holiday...); I had wanted to do something more elaborate for a family ritual (my inspiration is this one done by Joanna Colbert)...but our daughter had Marching Band Championships that weekend, the weather didn't cooperate and we had already planned for a Firefly party (yup, we're Browncoats!)...so there just wasn't time for the entire family to come together and prepare anything. We barely got our pumpkins carved on Halloween day! I did the the traditional one on the lower step...

In any case, I was musing about, feeling a little unsettled...couldn't resolve it until I hit upon the idea of just lighting all the candles and doing a Goddess Rosary (I can already tell after reciting it this one time, I'm going to tweak it for my own purposes!). Now I'm not praying for the restoration of Avalon...-No, I'm much more focused on the here and now... the needs of my immediate family and the mysterious desire for communion with our Sacred Dead. After I had done all that, I felt a sense of closure and was able to put it all away for next year.



PS. I'll be going to San Francisco in a week or so to visit an old college friend, so there'll be posts galore coming up!

We've had beautiful weather here...high 70's..a little into the 80's, but cool and crisp in the evening...the shadows are lengthening! Mabon is just around the corner...

A couple days ago I ran out to get some milk and came upon a gorgeous 1st quarter moon, which I would have missed had I not done that. -(and yes, I know the pic is a full moon, but couldn't find anything free of a quarter moon...)

Sat outside last night and watched the moon and the twilight turn to darkness.

This is my favorite time of year, I always get so excited with the bevy of Holidays coming up, which I enjoy, even if it is alot of work...AND...since I am NOT working...I can plan things a little more. Already have lots of crafts and food items I'm preparing for...even signed up for some Herbalism classes, where I'll be making some gifts for Yule!

Strangely it's relaxing and stimulating at the same time...

Good Harvest to you and yours!

Seaside Thoughts and Musings....

Sunset on the Prom

Geez, it's almost the end of August...this "workin" business sure tends to interfere with my life! I have only 3 more days, yay!Anyway, earlier this month I took a week long vacation in Seaside w/my Dad and Husband. It was alot of fun, especially since I took along my new book I got for my birthday, The Druid Magic Handbook by John Michael Greer, sequel to his first book on the subject, The Druidry Handbook (which I also have!).

I took time out to finish some sewing projects, of which I VERY proud! I plan on having them framed when I have some money to do so...along with my OCF poster I got this past July.

I also went for long walks along "the Prom", some with Dad, and some w/hubby...but mostly by myself. The last couple days were a little strange...very misty and foggy. I walked all the way to Avenue U from the Turnaround...and on the way stopped to sit on a bench for a rest. Quite unexpectedly a flock of Canadian Geese winged almost silently overhead...almost imperceptible in the heavy misty morning. They flew in from "nothingnesss" straight as an arrow into "nothingness"...only they knew where they were going by some unknown sense. They seemed to be going to Tillamook Head from the direction they were going...I only knew that since I've been to this area since I was a little kid and have a good sense of direction. Otherwise, you could only see about 30-40 feet to any one side of yourself, due to the fog.

Strange and glorious, maybe even a little thrilling. I took a walk barefoot on the beach later that same day. I wanted to experience something, a bit of nature, perhaps I was in a "Spiritual Attitude" as Brendan Cathbad Myers says in his book, The Mysteries of Druidry. (I got this book in Astoria, of all places!).

Yea, Druidry - it's got alot to offer. I'm pondering that as a possible additional path to the Goddess path I've been treading for some time now... And I've ordered all of Shekhinah Mountainwater's currently available works: her Rune Book, Music CD, and Last Interview DVD, (she passed away August 11, 2007). Last year I managed to get my hands on her seminal work, Ariadne's Thread; a well-used copy from Powell's. I feel lucky to have gotten it.

This has been a busy summer, but I've been in the best of health (mostly!) to enjoy it! I can tell my mind and heart have been turning to make some decisions and commitments...while letting others go..but I need to figure out out exactly how and when all this will happen. What's important, what's not - and focus my efforts and energy towards those goals.

Now, curiously, as I'm no longer in my twenties...or even thirties (!)..I feel confident I will make the right decisions...but I'm not so impatient or anxious about it as I was in earlier times.... it will be "All in good time" I expect!

Oregon Country Fair - Meaningful Meditations

Chela Mela Meadow
Well, July has come and gone...and I didn't even do a post. However, for this Lughnasa season I'd like to go back to an event I attended way back in early in the month, for the 1oth straight year in a row, the Oregon Country Fair. This was a very interesting one for me, as I went alone, instead of with my family or friends. I especially want to talk about my second day there, as it was more meditative and thoughtful that the first frenzied shop-hopping day....so much more mellow and enjoyable.

After a small debacle in which I couldn't find my parking pass, had to pay the parking fee, then found it, and then had to walk back and forth to my car to get my $5 back....I decided to stop at a couple "doings' near a field by the Cabal gate. I was in no rush, so I went over to Eyes Wide Open, an exhibit by the Friends (Quakers) on the true cost of the Iraq War. It was very moving, and geared towards Oregonians, with the monetary costs, civilian lives lost comparison and memorial for Oregonian soldiers killed (represented by their empty shoes). Although you cannot see the names in the placard below, actual names of Iraqis killed appear listed above and below the picture.

After this sobering experience, I was in a more thoughtful mood and knew I needed something to transition from a heavy, cruel reality back to the zany atmosphere of the Fair with out forgetting the importance of what I had just witnessed. Fortunately opposite this exhibit was The Labyrinth, a feature which has been at the Fair...for I don't know how long... Most of the fields surrounding the Fair have been cut (hayed?) so people can use them as parking lots and Fair Family as campgrounds, but they leave this one small portion long, and only cut a small winding path...braiding the long grasses into short mounds separating the trails. (Note: The hay is formed into bales and used as "fencing" around entrance gates, inpromptu tables & sitting areas and such all around the Fair - a couple random bales appear below).


This was the perfect method for me to process all I had just seen, I entered the Labyrinth lightly holding onto my new Goddess Rosary, spontaneously deciding to use this opportunity to bless it in use for the first time. I began by clearing my mind and simply walking forward, then concentrating on the War Memorial exhibit, and said to myself "I will witness this in words and actions, in a postive way in my daily life". I resolved to continue my volunteer actions for social justice (currently with REACH), the environment and to speak out about the devastation of war (and in particular the Iraq War) when the opportunity presents itself. The rosary I held would be a connection to and physical reminder of my promise. As I walked looking down at the grass, the path..with intent focus...I felt the cares of the day dissolve and a calm clarity emerge. At the center of The Labyrinth, there's a little mound with small objects folk leave...I think I left a few coins and a movie ticket..but it could have been something else. I just remember that it was the perfect item and I felt "finished" when I stepped over the paths to leave the center mound.

Next up, I got in a little early due to my 3-day wristband, and wandered around and checked out the Energy Park and the Community Village. I spent alot of time looking at native plants & flowers in an exhibit by an organization I can't remember the name of now...I especially wanted to be able to identify and use some of these plants and the information provided was very useful (Latin Names, other Common Names, botanical properties, some growing information). I plan to definitely go back next year,and also spend some more time to talk to some of the Master Gardeners at CV but take some mosquito repellent with me!

Up by the Outer Banks loop was an Memorial for all OCF Family who had passed, with an invitation for the public to add thoughts for their own lost members...which I did of course, honoring my son, my cousin, my grandmother and a local teen who was killed riding his bike home from school earlier this year, Austin Miller.

I guessed I must have missed it the first time I went around; there was a HUGE World Ball map (with people signing and decorating it), right nearby, closer to the path...and I had earlier decided I didn't need to "mark my place", (so to speak) on that particular public art project.

Since I was just wandering taking the time to look at the various vendors, people watch and generally soak in the Fair atmosphere...I joyfully spotted the "River/Island" art piece they had this year at the Outer Banks area too..every year it's different...I remember several large decorated teepees one year, another some huge colorful flags...this year's was "modern" looking, something maybe inspired by the wind, or rushing water?


The white "arty" balloons were a perfect, relaxing way to end an a perfect meditative day...until next year Fair Family!