The Day I Barked in Public (or My Life Keeps Me Humble).

To tell this story, I need to set the stage a bit. N. and I exercise at a local gym. We recently decided that we wanted to learn how to swim... I could swim to save my life, but I could not swim a 'proper' stroke. And I certainly could not do the whole submerge your face in the water and breathe under your arm thing. In fact, learning to swim is on my 38 list -

38 things to do before I turn 39.

I am doing pretty good. I no longer leave the pool having consumed a large quantity of water. I can swim for a decent length of time without stopping (always room for improvement) and, if really in the groove, I can make it the length of the pool breathing just once (It's not a regulation sized pool). N. and I are recognized as a couple and as 'lap swimmers' at the gym.

The other night, I had finished my laps and had moved to the side of the pool reserved for everything else to do some water jogging. N. had come down from the weight room and was beginning to do his laps. We greeted each other and then we were off doing our own thing. The 'non- lap swim' side of the pool was filled with a variety of folks, doing a variety of water activities. I was in the water jogging zone. My eyes may have even glossed over. I was not really paying much (any) attention to the world around me. Next thing I knew N. popped up right in front of me. He had been lap swimming and then.... from the depths of the water, there he was right in front of me! He came out of nowhere.

I squeaked. Screamed. No, in all truth is was a Bark. A. Single. Loud. Bark. The kind of high-pitched bark a small yappy dog would make. Except that it came out supported by my strong and very human sized lungs.

There was no escaping it. Everyone heard it. The bark echoed off of the pool room walls for a long time. All of the women gabbing together in a circle in the water near me startled saying, "you scared me!" and "oh my god!" and "what was that?"

That was me. Barking. And then laughing. I couldn't stop laughing because I couldn't get the bark that had just emitted from my body and was bouncing off of the walls out of my ears. It was shocking. Startling. Appalling. Who makes such a noise in public? How could that noise be effective in the slightest if there really were a threat to my life or limb? How could such a sound be coaxed out of me, a strong and confident woman? So I laughed some more.

There was N. with a whole bunch of startled women in his midst. All looking at him as the cause of the bark. What could he do but laugh in his calm and good natured way? He was startled too.

The women carried on for several minutes amongst themselves retelling the tragic tale and giggling.

I see those people I barked at nearly every day. They smile at me. I smile back and hear the echo in my mind. It's a lesson in paying attention to the moment I suppose. And trying to keep my bark in check. And making sure N. doesn't sneak up on me in public. And humility. It's probably even fair to say that my bark is far worse than my bite....

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Drum Roll Please.... Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Madra Design Honey Bee's Stamp Set is #1 Valerie who just can't bring herself to kill or allow others to kill coyotes and other wild predators.


True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 1


Congratulations Valerie and thank you everyone who participated! I had such a great time reading your comments. Some of you expressed concern about the bee's, and as things progress around here, I am likely to post an update...so keep checking back.

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Sometimes, all you have to do is believe.

 

One of my "core" beliefs is that sometimes, all we really need is to believe in ourselves and, have someone to believe in us. I also have a secret love for cartoons. That may be because I was watching an episode of Donald Duck at the tender age of 4 when the tube blew out on our family TV and my parents decided to raise me without one in the house.  

So, I will admit to happily watching new cartoons when they come out - or, cuddling up in bed some weekend morning with the critters and a good early morning cartoon.

We rented Kung Fu Panda. I loved it. It is everything I want out of a good cartoon story. Positive reinforcement for honor, courage, hope and faith along with a solid yet simple message of believing in yourself to achieve all that you imagine to be someone else's reality.

If you're inclined, or just need some feel good entertainment, give Kung Fu Panda a try and let me know what you think! Or, if you already have seen it, tell me some other cartoon's that should be on my must see list.

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Living with Bees - Giveaway!

Last spring, Bees moved into the exterior wall of our house. I just can't bring myself to kill them. There's lots of reasons I can't get behind beeocide such as; Colony Collapse Disorder, I love honey, they are simply fascinating, we need them to pollinate our gardens both big and small, and I admire them.

Here is a great article about why I can't kill them. And here is an article about a group of scientists that are making some headway with understanding Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).

Highlights of Living with Bee's

• Some days the bee's are more active than others.
• Hive cleaning seems to take place about once a week wherein the weaker Bees are kicked out of the hive and not allowed back in. These Bees die clinging to my door,on my door step, or just inside the door where they have crawled in an attempt to keep warm. Or something.
• Zeke, having been traumatize as a pup when I stepped on a Yellow Jacket nest sending N., Zeke and I running for our lives, has a significant fear of all things that go buzz in the day or night (even flies - we all were stung pretty badly!). Beehive cleaning days make Zeke run really fast through the door. Sometimes he even shoots me a look of frustration just before he runs for his life through the door. Our Bees are helping him get over his fear of all things that buzz.
• I now sweep out my entry and doorstep WAY WAY more often than I ever have.
• Bees like it when I sing to them. And they really like drumming.
  
• We still have never been stung. Our bees are very happy, healthy bees.
  
• Everyone that visits can't help but comment on the bees and stare at them as they come and go.
  
• I am slightly pissed about the undoubtedly FABULOUS Spearmint Honey that is somewhere in the depths of my house THAT I CAN'T GET TO!

Perhaps it is a tad bohemian, but I kind of like living with bees.

Now for the Giveaway!
My dear and talented friend Candice over at Madra Design has provided a set of her HONEY BEES stamps for this giveaway. She has a blog *collection of my life* where you can keep up with her ever cool and hip stamp designs.


The rules are simple.

1. Leave a comment below telling me one example of something you just can't bring yourself to do.(I can't kill bees).
   
2. All comments must be received by Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 4:00pm Pacific Time.
   
3. You must provide your name and an email address to contact you at.
   
4. I will use the Random Number Generator at www.random.org to select a winner from qualified comments.
5. Earn an extra entry by blogging about this giveaway. Post a link to your blog by adding another comment here.
6. Earn an extra entry by Tweeting about this giveaway. Add your Twitter ID in another comment here.
   
7. That's a potential for 3 entries for you!

Update: Please Note: This Giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to take a look around.


Bee Images via Wikipedia Bee stamp image via Madra Design All Rights Reserved

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How would you describe an INFECTIOUS Laugh?

I couldn't resist. A friend from work sent me this link via Kim Komando. It was posted on You Tube by the Laugher's kid...who swears it's real.

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Going Dark for Mother Earth - Earth Hour

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming. For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard. -voteearth2009.org

At 8:30pm local time on March 28, 2009 all around the world, Businesses, Governments, Schools, and a host of Individuals will be turning off all non-essential lights and electricity. Earth Hour, sponsored by World Wildlife Fund is a global event to raise awareness about climate change and global warming. It's not about saving electricity. According to the official website, “it’s much broader than that – it is a symbolic action to show governments that the people of the world want an effective global climate deal at the end of 2009.”

Go to Earth Hour to sign up and add your voice. So far 2,500 CITIES IN 82 COUNTRIES which is quadruple the number of cities that participated last year have signed up to participate.

Learn more and get involved:
Follow Earth Hour on Twitter: http://twitter.com/earthhourUS
Earth Hour US
Earth Hour Global
Vote Earth
There is even an Earth Hour kids website too.
For more Blogger's Earth Hour Post's, visit: Bloggers Unite - Earth Hour.



A whole hour without electricity? Here are some ideas to pass the time.

• Tell Stories
• Go for a walk
• Visit with Neighbors and/or a love one
• Bundle up and watch the night sky
• Light a beeswax candle and write (with a pen or pencil!!!???!!)
• Sing songs
• Meditate

My plan is to learn some new songs.

Have a great idea of how to spend and hour without power? Or already have plans for Earth Hour? Tell us about it in the comments of this post.

Earth Hour logo via http://www.earthhourus.org

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Water Atl Mizu - It's All About Water. The Stewardship of it.

This is the fourth post in the series dedicated to WATER in honor of World Water Day 2009.

Today is World Water Day 2009. The whole idea behind a World Water Day is to bring water to the forefront of our awareness for a moment in time. It's a way to focus the Stewards (that's each one of us) of the Earths water on the issues around water. Advocating sustainable management of our freshwater, and considering and actively addressing the availability of clean, safe water.

It may not have occurred to you to consider yourself a steward of water. *The Earth is 70% water. 2.5% of that is freshwater, the rest salt water. Water unites all life on this planet. We all need water to survive, to thrive. Each one of us is responsible for the quality and availability of safe, clean water because the very nature of water is to flow. It is in a constant state of coming and leaving. Water requires us to share.

I live in the Pacific Northwest where water is abundant. The Pacific Ocean is to the west. There are a multitude of fresh water lakes, streams, creeks, puddles everywhere. To drink water, all I have to do is turn on the tap. I have a few of them in my house. And outside of my house in the yard. Abundant water. Even though it is so very plentiful here, the way I take stewardship of the water while it is briefly in my care, affects all others connected to that water. And that's you.

If I add a lot of chemicals to my water, say detergents, cleaning agents, nitrates, or even expired or unwanted medication, you get the benefit. I'm using 'benefit' loosely here. In America, we have a better water treatment system than most, and yet our water treatment facilities are not able to remove many of the chemicals we add to water - so they stay. The next glass of water has more of those tiny particles in it. Granted, anything I may flush down the toilet, or pour down my drain is minor. Have you ever thought about what it would take for minor to become major? If every household contributes to the pollution of our water in a minor way, it can become major pretty quickly.

What is really in your drinking water? You can see your water utilities annual report. It's usually on thier website or you can request a copy. Here is an interesting report that shows by state, the trends in clean water spending. For more information, here is the National Tap Water Database. Search the Environmental Working Groups website for many reports and articles about water.

Water scarcity is a stewardship issue too, not just in some areas of the United States that have been or are moving toward a state of drought. Millions of people around the world do not have access to clean water for bathing, drinking or growing food.

For me Water Stewardship is about respect. It's about considering the complete water circle from beginning to end. It's about honoring my responsibility to care for water now, so that the coming generations can do the same. It's about considering the effects of my actions before I take them if at all possible.

For today, join me in honoring Water and World Water Day. Open up the conversation in the comment section below. What do you put down your drain?  What does Water Stewardship mean to you?  You can subscribe to all comments on my blog in the "Subscribe" area of the sidebar.

*percentages provided by charity:water
photo via Lino Alvarez openphoto and the Creative Commons Attribution License

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I'm a Guest on Way Beyond Green Blog Talk Radio

This is the third post in the series dedicated to WATER in honor of World Water Day 2009.
In honor of World Water Day 2009, Gemma of Way Beyond Green invited me to be a guest on Way Beyond Green Radio to talk about water.

We discuss the healing aspects of water, the stewardship of water and the importance of water in our culture and daily lives. You can listen to the program here.

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Water H2O Mvura - its ALL about water. The Charity of it.

This is the second post in the series dedicated to WATER in honor of World Water Day 2009.
In honor of World Water Day March 22, I'm talking about water. Let's face it. The reliability of sound drinking water is an ever changing reality. I remember when there was no such thing as bottled water for sale. When water out of the tap was unquestioned. No matter how concerned I am about the quality of the water available to me, there is no doubt that I am water blessed.

There is abundant water in the Pacific Northwest. It is so plentiful that many don't think twice (once?) about wasting it. I can get water with every meal, wash my clothes/dishes/body water my yard/garden/pets as frequently as I desire. I have plenty to drink and while I do filter my drinking water which is an added expense and effort, I don't go without. Certainly, my daily life is not focused on securing clean water.



That is not the case in all corners of this planet. According to charity:water, right now, 1.1 billion people on the planet don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. That works out to 1 in 6 of us. charity:water gives 100% of your donation to the direct project costs of bringing clean drinking water to developing nations. $20 can give one person clean water for 20 years. In 2 years, they have raised over $7 million and funded 1,247 water projects. charity:water builds wells. It can cost from $4000 - $12000 to drill a well.

What would you do if your tap went dry? Know of other worthy water charities? Speak out in the comments section below.

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He's HUGE, Floofy and I am Felting Him...

...rather, I am needle felting his fur. He has an abundance. And happily, he likes to be brushed. So, N brushes the beast known as Malachi, and I am felting squares of his fur. It is a gorgeous charcoal gray.... and SO soft. Perhaps someday I will have a lovely Malachi scarf or bag. He sniffs his felted self and tries to groom it. Oh my... we do have some chuckles around here.

 Along with being massive (he measures 39 inches tip to tip) he has a remarkably large belly button. I have provided the photographic proof.

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Water H2O Agua - its ALL about water. The Art of it.

This is the first post in the series dedicated to WATER in honor of World Water Day 2009.
In honor of the upcoming World Water Day March 22, I've been focusing more of my thoughts on water. Which means I will be writing about water. Now, I often think about water anyway. I am one of those people whose universe can be made right again by soaking in water. I drink lots of water every day and love it. In fact, I start each morning with a glass of water and a prayer of healing and gratitude to break my fast.

In my tradition, water is the original medicine. We often say that water is life. Perhaps that seems to be stating the obvious, but seriously, how often do you REALLY think about water and its involvement in your life?

There are many metaphors and proverbs in the English language about water... still water runs deep, hope springs eternal, go with the flow, "We do not know the worth of water until the well goes dry", "When drinking from the well, do not forget those who dug it" and many more. Look here for more water proverbs if you're interested or just listen to yourself speak - do you use any water metaphors in your daily conversations?

The United Nations proclaimed 2005-2015 as the International Decade for Action on 'Water for Life'.





For today, here are some excellent (in my humble opinion) examples of Water Art. Grab a glass of water and have a browse.

The WebEcoist 42 Wonderful Works of Water, Snow and Ice Art

The World Water Assessment Programme Photo Library

Liquid Sculpture Water Drop Art

Update: I just found this water art exhibit charity: water At Chelsea Market (NYC) in honor of WATER.

Let me know if you have favorite water art. What is your favorite water metaphor or proverb? What are the words you use to describe water?

If you would like to read what other blogger's have to say about World Water Day, check out Bloggers Unite.


Photo Credits: Water Drop Image via istockphoto.com UN logo via http://www.un.org/ water art via WebEcoist

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This is NOT the kind of sewing I was taught in Home Economics

This is a new, far more applicable and say....MODERN approach to sewing. Their mantra is, "Wherever the sewing needle goes, we go." It's a new quarterly magazine called Modern Sewing. You can download the first issue free here.

If only, if only I had fathomed that someday, I would come to love to sew (certain things - not all things) I just might have paid better attention to Mrs. Woodrow.

Sorry, Mrs. Woodrow for never finishing my 7th Grade sewing project. I probably would have learned a lot. I am a much better seamster now.

Home economics was torture for me. WAYYYY back in the 7th grade, I much preferred Wood Shop.

Thanks Mr. Woodrow, for letting play with the Band Saw.... I still like to create things out of wood and my mom still has the seal I made for her in your class.

For the record. It's true my Home Ec was taught by the Wife and Wood Shop was taught by the Husband.

via not martha via Pink of Perfection

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Alligators and Sea Turtles and Pelicans - Oh My!

If you are just tuning in... you can read all the posts to date about our trip to Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico here:
Help me, he's got a phrase book...
Try as I might, I am still here in my mind.
Casa Holistica Sol - Our Bed and Breakfast in Mexico
Cuijas - a Cute Mexican Mystery

This post is dedicated to some of the Wildlife and other critters we encountered on our trip.

The disposable underwater camera was a disappointment to say the least. The color and clarity of life below the surface just did not translate. And, I missed the shot of the Octopus I swam over. It was pretty small, about the length of my forearm, very shy and I was shock. Not scared, just blown away that an Octopus was 2 feet below me.

We also missed shots of 4 whales breaching, spouting and diving. I also missed the sailfish - sail down, and the flying fish - oh mercy, now there is a sight. It looks like the Ocean is having a conniption fit for a moment. I was too gobsmacked when we ran across Iguanas in the wild to remember the camera at all. Several different colors, blackish, bright green, and white, it's not as if I didn't have a couple of chances to get their pictures. Oh well. Have you ever seen an Iguana run for a good distance in the wild? It's quite comical.

On with the pictures we did manage to get.

The Frigatebird, pre-historic looking - don't you think?


Clearly, an Alligator warning sign - even if you don't read Spanish. Look closely at the second picture in this series. The Alligator laying there in the sun is about 20 Feet from the sign. And about 200 yards from the Ocean. And there was no fence, no barrier, nothing at all between me and that Alligator just laying in the sun. We watched an American couple with their Toto dog walking about 8 feet in front of its mouth arguing about whether it was alive or dead. When that little dog got close, the Alligators eye popped open and started tracking the dog. Definitely alive. The arguing Americans were to busy bickering to notice the eye activity. *sigh*
This Alligator is separated from my foot which was on the sidewalk by about 18 inches and some sturdy chain link fencing. Wait, is chain link effective when it comes to a determined and hungry Alligator? I have to admit, these Alligators didn't look that hungry. However, I was not willing or eager to test my theory.

Termite nest within the Mangrove...uh, grove?
This donkey and its Ostrich buddies are somehow charming to me.

Now we get to one of my favorite past times while visiting Costa Alegre ... watching Brown Pelicans fish. I am telling you - it is riveting! They are committed and FAST!


The Pelicans only look like they are dive bombing children swimming. Really, its all about fish. We were lucky to have spent a day on the water more on that in another post and spent hours sneaking up on sleeping Sea Turtles. This one is getting ready to dive. So graceful, I swear. I would giggle and do a little happy dance each time we saw one. This is a Sea Urchin in Coral - so beautiful. Under water the Urchins are a deep, rich purple color, the spikes are from 2 - 6 inches long. The coral is totally misrepresented in this picture. I didn't include the Horse and colt walking the streets of Barra, occasionally stopping to nurse, or the chickens they will appear in an upcoming post, or the mama dog that liked us, but barked like a rabid beast when others passed by. This post is long enough as it is!

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Making a Change Around Here

I can't take it anymore. I am making an executive decision which means I haven't not run this by the man currently known as TOIL around here.

I am no longer calling my husband- the man that makes my heart sing - the man I live with - the man of my dreams - TOIL. I was trying to be inclusive when I asked N how he would like for me to refer to him on this blog. He pondered, considered, threw out even more annoying suggestions and finally settled on TOIL which stands for - at least in his mind - The One I Love.

Let there be no doubt. I do indeed love him. A lot. He is my boyfriend we like to keep it fresh around here. But every time I have to type TOIL my blood curdles a little for a moment. Which is bad for my health. EVERY SINGLE TIME I TYPE IT I first think of the 3 Witches from Shakespeare's MacBeth, "Double, double, toil and trouble". And then I think of the definition: thanks www.dictionary.com

toil
1. hard and continuous work; exhausting labor or effort.
2. a laborious task.
3. Archaic. battle; strife; struggle.

And while being honest about our marriage, I can say that, yes sometimes toil shows its ugly head in our relations. I can also say that my honey and I work to keep things like, "exhausting effort" and "a laborious task" and "a battle" from defining our relationship. We do a pretty darn good job with it.Isn't he handsome underwater?

From this moment forward the ONE that I LOVE will no longer be referred to as TOIL on this blog, no matter how funny and ironic he thinks it is. I am initiating my authority over what gets set down in typeface here. I will call him N. because it makes me think of him first and foremost when I type it and, that way his identity is sacred, I mean secret. And it's easier to type.

Amen.

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