(timelapse video above) I happened to be in the right place at the right time (after sifting through last minute weather forecasts) to experience the total eclipse at nearly the maximum length: 2 minutes and 33 seconds. In our case, we ended up outside an old graveyard in the rolling sandhills outside Arnold, Nebraska. A perfect place, perfect time, perfect … Read More
An extraordinary run on ocean trails in Australia
Had one of my best runs ever today – up a mountain trail I discovered by chance here in Victoria Australia. Past some waterfalls, up mountain stairs, startled two kangaroos, out to Castle Rock lookout with an exhilarating (and terrifying) view. I’m not a “serious” runner, but sometimes when the land is so gorgeous, it feels good to spend everything, … Read More
Contact Improv Melbourne: connecting with community
I had a great time at the Contact Improv group in Melbourne tonight — it’s an improvisational movement I’ve been practicing a few months in Providence. And even though I’m still kind of a beginner, parts of it remind me of some of the partner exercises I’ve been doing for years in Shintaido, where you become aware of your partner’s physical experience … Read More
William Ricketts Sanctuary: Forest of Love, Victoria Australia
Yet another extraordinary nature experience I had here in Australia…the William Ricketts Sanctuary in the Dandenong Mountains outside of Melbourne. The sanctuary incorporates 90 or so sculptures built into trails in the landscape…all by the visionary artist William Ricketts, who created a “forest of love” focusing on connection to nature and aboriginal experience. Feels like a combination of William Blake, … Read More
Is it Spring yet haiku, 3/5/17
Some warm days then cold / hard to know what’s next, but still / little nubs reach up
Three stones from home…
When I went back to my homelands, to the hill looking over the Missouri River, I decided it was a good opportunity to find three stones to carry with me, to do the meditation I learned at the mindfulness retreat with Thich Nhat Hahn many years ago. What I discovered was, there aren’t many stones on the hills looking over … Read More
Thich Nhat Hahn Meditation: Three Stones
I was fortunate many years ago to attend a 5 day mindfulness retreat with meditation teacher, peace activist, and poet Thich Nhat Hahn, much admired world wide for his work, including the book Present Moment Wonderful Moment. Our days were spent in walking meditation, sitting meditation, mindful eating, lectures, and small group meetings. One of the powerful techniques I learned … Read More
How to defend yourself from a pumpkin with a sword
If you’re ever menaced by a bad pumpkin, here’s one technique. Of course, the best approach is to just walk away from the pumpkin, or avoid it in the first place.
Inner sanctum haiku, 11/18/16
“The glowing brown leaves.” / That’s enough news for today. / More leaves tomorrow.
More post-election: taking care of ourselves and others…
I won’t mince words, Donald Trump won by appealing to fear and anger, and that doesn’t bode well for our path forward. I just returned from the NEMA museum conference, where we watched the election unfold in shock and disbelief. A friend reported someone felt this negated her life’s work in the museum field. But if anything, it’s a call to burn more … Read More