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mermaidcamp

Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water

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Labyrinth Walking

December 18, 2013 — 2 Comments

The practice of drawing and walking labyrinths is ancient and has been found all over the world.  Today there is an interest in this form of meditation, and full moon is a perfect time to commemorate a moment in time by walking one.  In Tucson there is a group hosting a full moon labyrinth walk each month and just recently they decided to become mobile.  Rather than center the walks at a Unitarian Church with a lovely permanent labyrinth the design is now drawn on the ground for a temporary portal.  Last night was the last full moon of the year, just a few days before the winter solstice.  The labyrinth was constructed of ropes on the lawn, a shiny center with LED lights, and rattles for those who wanted to borrow them.

The weather was mild so we enjoyed the meditation and stayed to share cookies one of the ladies brought.  Everyone expressed a feeling a full presence and appreciation.  I have normally liked to go on these alone, but the drumming and the shared reverence, not to mention to rainbow around the full moon as we said good night, gave a depth to the moment that was very special.  People of all ages, shapes, sizes, and cultures came to participate and commemorate the season.  It was perfect.

Artist Archetype

December 17, 2013 — 2 Comments

The artist reaches just beyond the normal senses to bring creation into being.  There is strong motivation and emotion driving the artist to produce.  The medium is not as important as  full artistic expression.  Some of us are not making any money from art, but still live our lives involved with creating.  Cooking, gardening, and all normal day to day tasks can be done in artful ways.  Art truly is in the eye of the beholder; A strong desire to design and deliver creativity to the world is all that is needed to be an artist.

Making a living at art is risky, and yet rewarding.  The starving artist and the crazed genius artist are examples of the shadow aspect of this archetype.  I used to make my living as a potter.  I worked at a school mixing glazes and firing the kiln. I was paid in clay, glazes and firing; I had to turn that into money by selling my work.  I was very good at being  a starving artist and never starved at all.  I remember that time as an extremely abundant phase, full of friends, travel, and unlimited creative freedom.  Clay is a fast medium initially.  Throwing a pot on a wheel is pure zen. It must be centered and formed quickly so the clay body does not get too wet and collapse. The pot must be dried slowly to avoid cracking. The glaze firing is an alchemical process that has slightly different results each time it is done.  From the first time you touch the clay you know that some of your pots will not make it.  If you are lucky the problem occurs when the clay has not been fired, so  you can just turn it into wet clay and try it again.  I used to take finished pots I thought were too ugly to sell out to the desert and shoot them with a 22 pistol to destroy the evidence.  I used to joke that anthropologists in the future will wonder what kind of civilization felt the need to shoot pottery.  I am glad I still have a few pieces I made that have survived, and equally glad I shot the ugly ones.

Phun in Phoenix

December 16, 2013 — 3 Comments

There is an arch rivalry between the cities of Phoenix and Tucson. We Tucsonans know that people outside the state have no way to distinguish the two and often confuse them. Politics aside (which would be impossible for Arizonans), there are extreme differences in the tourism and hospitality styles of these two towns.  Tourists are attracted to the golf tournaments in both Maricopa and Pima Counties.  Baseball spring training has all moved up there, and brings in millions. Bowl games and the Phoenix Suns brighten the economic situation for them too.  The typical Tucson tourist is much less interested in shopping and is more likely to be spending time involved in outdoor sports of all kinds. Scottsdale is not afraid to step up and cover that niche offering the shopper from back east a wester phantasy phree phun time. Phree parking in old town allows these people to leave the car and ride around in a horse-drawn wagon for an exorbitant price. Everyone is excited to be way out west.  The city of Scottsdale hires the trusty horse Dusty and Gary J Sprague, the singing cowboy, to serenade the crowd 1-4 on Saturdays. They are a huge hit.

I am inspired to drive to the Valley of the Sun for the phabulous phood scene.  The AZ Slow Food newsletter informed me recently about the existence of a  special highly rare date variety growing only in Scottsdale known as the Black Sphinx.  The market was established in 1951 selling a date that developed there from seed and was distinct from all others. The extremely thin skin makes it a poor candidate (pun intended) for shipping.  The fresh dates require refrigeration and are extremely delicate.  After shopping the Scottsdale Pharmer’s market where I scored amazing produce and preserved items, we visited the date store, which features Arizona products of high gourmet quality.  Bob bought beers brewed in Arizona, one of which was a stout that contained the dates from the Sphinx Pharm.  We both agree the Black Sphinx is the best date we have ever tasted, and before Bob ate it he told me he does not like dates…a convert.  We also tried a very good date cookie and some chocolate covered Medjools that are scrumptious.  We came home loaded with gourmet groceries and exotic citrus.  We have to admit we had phun.

Posh Dining

December 15, 2013 — 4 Comments

Our first meal at Posh in Scottsdale was so memorable we have wanted to return for more.  The first two weeks of December are low season in tourism the world around, so we made the trip our holiday party.  The menu lists assorted groceries on hand, and the guest indicates any type of meat not desired in the meal.  I am a vegetarian, which is all they need to know about me.  The chef then creates culinary  improvisation around the guest’s wishes.

We like to sit up at the bar because we talk to the chefs and watch while they are cooking the food.  The night started with fresh potato chips with seaweed and drinks.  Each plate was packed with flavor and art.  All the presentations are appealing and imaginative.  Bob enjoyed the exotic boar bacon and perfectly cooked scollops.  The ginger wasabi slaw on top of ramen noodle cakes were a highlight, but all of mine were enjoyable and unusual.  We know when we come to enjoy our dinner at Posh we will be given a sensual treat and be served with impeccable professionalism. It remains on a very high pedestal in my mind.  The experience is superior to regular menu/dining in many ways. I have tried combinations I would not have ordered, but discovered I like.  It is more of an adventure than just a meal.  You can choose as many courses as you care to taste, add extras, and wine pairings a la carte.  When you go home they give you a tiny take home sweet to remind you of what a jewel of  a restaurant it is.

I Adore Elisio Pitta

December 13, 2013 — 2 Comments

I met Elisio Pitta 20 years ago when he visited Rancho la Puerta to teach and do a capoeira demonstration.  I had never seen capoeira before and was fascinated by the grace and power of the movements.  He taught us some Brazilian folkloric dance also.  We were all beginners, but he managed to get us all moving and enthusiastic in the few days he was our teacher.  I have had the opportunity to learn from excellent teachers, but his talent to both teach and move was beyond compare.  I never really attempted to learn the form, but I never forgot it either.

His career in dance has taken him around the world from his hometown, Bahia.  He lives on a hill with a fantastic view of  the Atlantic and has very deep cultural roots in the city.  He has been performing a new dance of his own creation there this week, and soon will take the show on the road.  Next month he will perform Othello in Shakespeare’s own country, in Liverpool England.  Using Brazilian music and original choreography by Elisio he interprets the classic story of jealousy and regret.  He dances the part of Othello and projects the other characters onto the stage in preproduced segments to tell the story of Desdemona’s ill fated murder and his subsequent remorse.  He is using contemporary props and costuming in the production to go with his digital cast members.  I asked him why he decided to be Othello and he told me that it is the Year of Shakespeare and he always wanted to do it.  Classy.

I admire his extreme creativity and dedication to the art of dance.  His natural talent is obvious, but he has used his talents and his strong cultural lineage to transcend boundaries.  I think Shakespeare is proud of him.  I am pleased to know such a talented and artistically ambitious man.

Flaunta, Goddess of Confidence

December 12, 2013 — 2 Comments

Flaunta was the second cousin of the goddess Aphrodite.  She became the goddess of confidence.  Her journey to her vocation to inspire and represent confidence was a story of self discovery. Aphrodite needed no outside assurance to know she was a great beauty.  She exuded it.  The young Flaunta was not convinced of her own powers, but passed through a jealousy of earth women who enjoyed and were confident in their own good looks.  She studied the powerful and confident women, learning their secrets. Eventually her cousin would bestow the title and the powers of confidence goddess on Flaunta.  She is active today in the complicated self image issues women face about appearance and competence.  Being authentic and unique leads to the highest kind of confidence, as Tank Girl can attest. Confident women know:

  • Personal power and charisma are unlocked with confidence
  • Spending lots of time and money on appearance defeats confidence
  • Standing out from the crowd is a fabulous way to be
  • Following fashion can make a monkey out of you
  • Your instincts are worth following
  • Your artistic style has yet to be fully nurtured and developed

Get to know Flaunta, and take her with you next time you need to look something or somebody right in the eye.  Nothing says “I got this” like control of your gaze.  Bluffing or not, the first impression you give will remain strong when you show self assurance.

Rock, Paper, Paperwhite

December 11, 2013 — 1 Comment

I am a recovering reading addict. I will probably be an over-reader for the rest of my days, so the question is where why and how to read. I received my Kindle Paperwhite yesterday and am very pleased with it.  It has a very adjustable screen that allows you to fine tune the font and the backlight to suit all situations.  It is light and I find it is much easier to hold than an iPad, where my first Kindle books resided.  There has been much thought and design work put into this creation.  It is for reading, without distraction.  It is a noticeable upgrade from paper.

People used to hold newspapers up to read, and some still do.  This is a kind of space divider that lets others know (or think) that we are busy reading, learning and becoming more informed.  I used to read the Wall Street Journal almost every day with the small print and big ads.  If you hold that paper up to read at the Starbucks you are making a statement about your interests.  I used to read Architectural Digest and Yoga Journal all the time.  I still have  subscription to The Week  magazine which I am much more likely to read in the digital version, while the paper one sits around unopened.  I just cleared out years of them from my magazine rack, most with almost no pages read.  I bought a 5 year subscription, and I do love the reporting/curation because it features articles from journalists around the world rather than an American only perspective. While Newsweek is returning to print for subscribers only, my involvement with paper publications is dwindling. If I have a burning news question I ask twitter what is happening. My conversion to digital makes my life easier and better because:

  • The Paperwhite and it’s cover fit nicely into my purse
  • The entire Amazon Prime lending library is available to me on it
  • The advanced comfort and ease of the adjustable settings is stellar
  • I can store books in it for reading with no Wi-Fi
  • I have nothing to return to the library or eliminate if I don’t like the book
  • The screen stays on for recipe use, which is a problem with iPad
  • It has a super long better life so I can read for days without recharging

In the kitchen or on the go, the Paperwhite is the tiny portable but unlimited library I always wanted.  I am sure I will return some day to the Pima County Library, but for now I am perfectly happy to have my library in the cloud.

Winter Traditions Unplugged

December 10, 2013


The ancient world was more highly aware of the seasons than we are today because they had to make fire to stay warm or see at night. Religion, tradition, and regional provincialism are woven together at the winter solstice time.  We have a food and drink festival that imitates Saturnalia and a birthday the resembles the birth of Mithra.  I believe I have inherited some feelings for Christmas from the way my ancestors behaved.  I have had the good fortune to be in other countries to celebrate the season, which opened my eyes to the wide variety and regional roots of the holiday practices.  I choose the part I like and feel no pressure to perform now that my ancestors are all dead.  I see the end of the year as a fun break before tax organization season, and a good excuse to party with friends.  We give few gifts, but like to share extra food and drink with friends.  I like to embrace it as an upside down time, a season for preparation and clearing.  Spring will be right around the corner, when the harvest cycle can begin once more.  For now, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; it is time to party.

Going Prime Full Time

December 9, 2013

Since I joined Amazon Prime I admit to having gone on a free delivery shopping spree. I have also been streaming more television than we normally watch in order to compare and conclude if we want to keep Hulu Plus and or Amazon Prime. They are both good deals if you have time to use them fully. Although Hulu Plus has some very good content not available anywhere else, there are still commercials in the Hulu shows.  I have been enjoying watching several episodes in a row of the shows I like on both venues.  There are great advantages to using these services:

  • Original content
  • On demand streaming of everything on your schedule
  • They recommend shows based on your taste for exploration
  • Amazon Prime has no commercials
  • Amazon Prime has a full time digital lending library for Kindle
  • Amazon Prime has two day free delivery of many items you buy
  • Price—- all this streaming media is almost free compared to cable

Since I love reading and other activities I can’t imagine making good use of two streaming video services.  After this month of samples I am going to give up the membership at Hulu Plus.  I had also, years ago, resigned from Netflix because we did not watch it.  All you can watch is like all you can eat; It is probably not a good idea to do it very often.  I like the all you can read option in which you can leave home with a zillion books in your Kindle and have a long battery life and fabulous screen on which to read.  After a year on the Three Book Diet, I would rather go on a reading binge than a television marathon.  If you are paying for cable and wonder if you can lower your entertainment bill, now is a good time to try the 30 day free Amazon Prime membership.  The only down side I can think of is that I am not shopping local when I get my items delivered.  I am supporting Amazon instead of a local merchant.  For now, we still support our local cable company. We may be able to cut the cord once we learn to use our streaming situation to the best advantage.

Defining Waste

December 8, 2013

During this December of deletion it has become abundantly clear to me that waste of all kinds can be nipped in the bud by simply defining it.  I, for instance, have not been willing to admit that owning 5 times more clothing than can be worn in a year is wasteful. Hoarding and waste are the exactly same thing, but hoarding is waste without boundaries . This shocking realization has deep meaning in my closet, in my office, in my kitchen, my garden, my barn, and even in my social life.  The most notable waste that can be eliminated is time spent seeking more acquisitions.  If you don’t need anything, is it not a waste of your time to go around trying to mindlessly acquire something, just to be consuming?  Even more devastating to my health and happiness is allotting my space to extra junk. I pay taxes, insurance, and utility bills to basically own the space in which I keep all my gear.  Although I am not approaching the level of the hoarding crazy people on reality television, I see no reason to continue owning extra stuff I never use. I now define that as a waste of my time, energy, and space.  As the hoarder in the video explains, the junk is like a barrier or a wall created to hide himself from the world.  All possessions can be treated as self-limiting boundaries, from your Mercedes to your expensive signature haircut.  Marketing is the process of changing the desires of the people to match what is available in the marketplace.  In itself, it is not evil.  Something has changed our attitudes about consuming to the detriment of our society and economy.  We are building a landfill to heaven.

When I was a child we never thought of wasting energy, or carbon footprints, or even about world peace.  I grew up in an industrial era during which producing goods and shipping them around the world was exciting and considered to be the highest and best use of time and resources.  Owning things was very important to my parents.  Pride of ownership was a distinct value they impressed upon me.  They were both very seriously into wardrobe, theirs and mine.  They had super high standards for tidiness and order that would not allow them to acquire more stuff than they could store.  The material world was in balance because they did not mistake quantity for quality.  I rejected their materialistic version of reality, but ended up with plenty of material goods anyhow.   It is time to examine, eliminate, and most importantly be vigilant about portions.  Time, interest, talent, and resources need to be spent in the right proportion.  As we head into the darkest time of the year it is my goal to emerge with a highly organized and clear space.  There is much to do.