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Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Christmas Dog Party
December 26, 2012
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- Dogs’ Christmas
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- Dressed to party
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- Lodge on the Desert Dogs Party
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- Newly Rescued
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- Dogs rule the Patio
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- Poodle strikes Pose
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- Merry Christmas
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- We watch from inside
When we arrived for our Christmas party for two at the Lodge on the Desert we were greeted by a festive group of dogs and their owners who clearly came to be of good cheer. These jolly folks gather to eat outside at the Lodge on the Desert because the canine companions are welcome to join in the fun. The Retriever in the fancy dress was given an order of scrambled eggs, which we were able to observe from our seats just inside the doggie patio. A rip-roaring good time was had by all. We are more than pleased to have chosen Lodge on the Desert as our restaurant of the year for 2013. We don’t go out to eat very often, and look for a superior quality that sets a place apart from the rest. Tucson’s reigning Iron Chef is on the job there, and was willing to adapt for my vegetarian requests. He was personally riding the range on Christmas, and waved to us at our table as he walked across the patio. Our food was superb, as was the service. I will detail the gourmet delights for you at another time. For now, if you love your dog and want to party, this is my highest recommendation. My coon hound Artemisia was none the wiser that her parents celebrated Christmas dinner at a dog restaurant without her. I will appreciate it, gentle readers, if you keep this as our little secret. She howls at other dogs, and at food, therefore would be too loud and rowdy at a food centered event. We do love to see quiet well-behaved dogs enjoy the restaurant privileges the Euro dogs take for granted. I believe this hotel, with a recent remodel that has brought back the charm, will build a reputation for hospitality and gourmet dining among the human and the canine connoisseurs of elegance and good taste.
Mission Inn Riverside
December 10, 2012
Mission Inn courtyard
- Riverside, CA
interior spiral stairs
The first time I saw the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA I thought it was a mission. I learned it is a landmark hotel now owned by the city to preserve the unique architectural wonder. I visited for a breakfast in the dining room and a look around the place. It is classy.
balcony views of courtyard
Pool at Mission Inn
outdoor arches
sidewalk singer at Mission Inn
fantastic architecture
palms downtown Riverside
fountain garden
Riverside,CA Mission Inn
Born Farming
December 9, 2012
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I was a born farmer, entitled to play with everything on my grandparent’s farm. While my parents pitched in to help, I was given free reign of the place. My grandparents, Olga and Ernest Morse lived and farmed in Lincoln, Arkansas at the end of their lives after careers in teaching (my grandmother had a masters in education) and oil well drilling ( my grandfather drilled for oil before the rotary bit was invented). I did not know them before they had the farm, so I always think of them as farmers.
Pam and flowers 1953
Pam and the Fam on the farm
Here is my look in 1960, on Christmas at my grandparents’ farm in Arkansas…very American Gothic in my opinion:
A girl and her farm
Christmas 1960 Pam & Father
I met my cousin Mary in Tulsa a couple of years ago to trace the heritage of our mutual great grandmother. We did not remember that we had met in 1964 at her grandfather’s house in Iowa. Our grandfathers were brothers who followed different paths. They both did migrant labor as very young boys, traveling to work picking corn in Iowa and beyond.
Cousins in Iowa 1964
Uncle Ed sent this postcard to his brother Ernie telling him about Emma.
Uncle Ed goes to harvest
Ed sealed the deal when he married the farmer’s daughter in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Married the farmer’s daughter
My grandfather returned to the Cherokee Strip to marry Olga Scott and drill oil wells, creating two different paths for the future.
Ernest Morse
My grandparents on a double date
My dad and siblings 1933
Holiday Botanical Cheer
December 4, 2012
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holidays in bloom
tree in conservatory
season blooming
holiday color
art glass in conservatory
gingerbread house
oh tanenbaum
These are a few of my favorite shots from my visit to Phipps Conservatory last year at this time. I wish you a festive and well designed season.
Tucson’s Butterfly Jungle
December 3, 2012
— 8 Comments
In Tucson we keep a small power packed tropical jungle full of exotic butterflies. We live in a draught filled desert, so besides the regular showing of of our local flora, our Tucson Botanical Gardens provides a little slice of steamy tropical heaven for visitors.
Visiting the tropics
I support the gardens and enjoy visiting at all times of year. The contribution to our botanical heritage is important. This oasis provides a luscious environment in the heart of the city for those who treasure gardens.
strike a pose
The collection of butterflies is seasonal. They arrive in the fall and stay until spring.
Butterfly on stone
We do not mind hanging out for a while in the mist. They even play jungle sounds, Here I am with an antler fern coming out of my head.
sitting in the butterfly jungle
The star attractions are born and die constantly. The butterfly tenders bring out new boxes of babies, born right next door in the nursery every day.
twice as lovely
They are whimsical, friendly, and short lived. They are kind of like a living sand mandala. They brighten the world for a brief time. They invite you to come on down to their jungle for a break from everyday cares. They know the secrets to getting it while you can.
on my head
Jon Thomas
November 17, 2012
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Jon at Carlsbad
I was introduced to Jon Thomas by my friend Cathy Murakami, generally considered to be the pickiest woman on the earth. I, for one, will go try something based on her recommendations because I hardly ever meet anyone with standards as high as my own. Jon practices his healing arts at Cat’s studio in Encinitas, Synergy Systems. I really enjoyed my session last month. It left me feeling super balanced and energized. I learned his style of Tui Na is distinct because he learned it from his father in law, a famous Tai Chi master from Shanghai. It is a very funny combination because Jon’s soft West Virginia accent and his very unassuming calm presence reveal neither the recently retired Marine, nor the Asian powerhouse of healing he really is. Once you get to know him it all makes sense. He is fully embedded in his wife’s family as a regular kind of Chinese guy.
My treatment yesterday was in my room right on the beach, which was not too shabby. I also was able to tune in better to the way the system works by talking while he worked. Ligaments are the focus of this work. To balance and restore life energy ( aka chi) to the body, the ligaments are carefully worked and compared to each other. During the time he worked I was able to feel amazing changes by noticing where he was touching me. This time at the end of the session I felt super great, and woke up today feeling wonderful too. He works on people to cure problems, but in my own case feeling good to feeling incredibly good also can be his cup of tea. I am already wondering if I can fit one more treatment into my weekend visit. If I lived out here I would see him regularly. He, in my opinion, rules, and I haven’t even gotten to the Tai Chi master part yet.
Alchemist Archetype
October 29, 2012
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fermentation at home
In my study of the archetypes I have procrastinated badly around the character of the alchemist. I have homework that involves writing to the archetypes and tracking them in my own life. When I arrived at the second house of my own chart and found this character I stalled. Maybe I stalled, or maybe I needed a few months to consider what the alchemist does. Doing the journal project I found a few people in my past who represent this aspect of life, some of whom had not come to mind for decades before I asked myself to find them. I readily accept that this is part of me, but the definition of what it is and how I use it became a blank and a mystery. This requires great discipline. I must handle it with great respect or drop the entire curriculum. The distillation of time and space is the realm of the alchemist. I have been involved in it all my life. I still have a big interest in all the mystery schools and twirling Sufis in all of history.
If we look at all the ways magic and nature have been combined the most common use is to cure. Medicine has included alchemy, which was derived from basic observation of nature. If you go into an 800 year old pharmacy in Europe you will see the astrological signs on the wall, and the snake delivering the water used to take your pills. The unbroken tradition of magic linked to medicine thrives in places where the folk medicine still uses native plants and elements to cure. Indigenous peoples around the world do this without referring to alchemy in the European sense.
Since I am also interested in the DNA, the contribution made by the ancestors to my composite, I notice the few doctors or pharmacists who appear in my tree. On my mother’s side before 1400 a couple of generations of nice Jewish doctors lived and worked in northern Spain during the time when Jews, Christians, and Arabs all thrived in a multi cultural party of intellectual delight. Joshua ben Ibn Vives al Lorca was my 15th great grandfather.
IBN VIVES AL-LORQUI (OF LORCA), JOSEPH BEN JOSHUA: By : Richard Gottheil Meyer Kayserling Spanish physician; died before 1372; father of Joshua ben Joseph ibn Vives al-Lorqui. He revised Tibbon’s translation of Moses Maimonides’ “Millot Higgayon” and dedicated the revision to his pupil Ezra ben Solomon ibn Gatigno. He wrote also the “Sefer Yesodot.”G. M. K.
His son Joseph was also a famous physician in Spain. These ancestors qualify as alchemists for many reasons. They had the presence of mind to move to Sicily before the Spanish Inquisition. Due to their great talents as musical instrument makers and musicians, Henry the 8th imported Anthony (1511-1574) from Venice to England to play in the royal court. They used the wisdom they had to use time and space to their advantage. They turned danger into survival.
Joshua ben Joseph/Joseph ben Joshua ibn Vives Al Lorqui (1370 – 1408)
is your 15th great grandfather
Son of Joshua ben Joseph/Joseph ben Joshua
Son of Joshua ben ibn
Son of Julus
Son of Santo
Son of Maestro Jeronimo “DeDasi”
Daughter of Anthony
Son of Lucreece Lucretia
Son of John Thomas
Daughter of Sampson
Daughter of Elizabeth
Son of Martha
Daughter of David
Daughter of Minerva Truly
Daughter of Sarah E
Son of Lucinda Jane
Daughter of George Harvey
is the daughter of Ruby Lee
Charism
October 26, 2012
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Hendrix in Tune
The idea that we all have access to deeper or higher powers is indicated in religions. It is also embedded in medicine and mythology. The individual is called on to find courage to discover and develop the talents or graces given for spiritual development. Some are called to musical interpretations, others to various forms of creativity. These vocations, or callings are the gate, the opening through which the divine enters the world. By carefully copying others or projecting an image to please the public one specifically stops unique gifts from being expressed. Charisma is an attraction to a special, unique force. Charism is the influence exerted by the unique force.
When kids learn patterns from adults today they are likely to be focused and stuck in the physical appearance or status of a person place or thing. The Dalai Lama once advised in his teachings to seriously observe the way you feel about an object (place or event works here too) you desire. He added that the details of the feelings are the most important parts to observe. Noticing the feelings toward the object when you decide to buy it, at the moment it is acquired, and again three months after the purchase tells a story of fleeting emotions, and perhaps buyers’ remorse. This desire/want more syndrome is the nature of the physical realm. If no attention is given to individual gifts or talents the cycle of never ending desire will be the only path taken in life. The treadmill of wanting what others have will consume all available time and energy.
Artists find both beauty and divine inspiration in practicing their arts. A charismatic person accepts responsibility for nurturing his or her talent. The path of creative expression focuses on personal ways to distill the beauty of nature for enjoyment by all. Charism is not a commercial effort or ROI on some training received. It is the bold decision to connect the physical world to the cosmos through mediation and art. The kids today do not need to join an order or commit to a religious vocation to be exposed to the idea that their special gifts are worth discovery. The talents are worth development because they are also gifts for the entire world. Kids need encouragement and appreciation of their artistic abilities, and exposure to the artistic work of others. Can you find your own charism and use it to inspire other people?
Yaqui Man of Knowledge, Cachora
October 25, 2012
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The first time I saw Cachora he was sitting in the shade using a needle and thread to thread tiny seed beads. He was about 85 years old, wearing no glasses. The sight of him actually able to do this made me laugh hard out loud. He commented without looking up, in Spanish, saying he was just another Indian doing handicrafts. I had been told that he was Don Juan. He spreads this rumor himself, but it is not hard to figure out that he isn’t.
Cachora at the bead table
I asked him if he was a shaman, to which he responded negatively. He said he was a man of knowledge. He then began to tell me his entire cosmology. He began with his birthday and place, then his parents birthdays and place. He and his father were born in Rio Yaqui, Sonora, like Don Juan. Cachora’s mother was from Oaxaca. His parents had met while collecting plants for medicine. He told me his parents had never used pesos in their lives, but had traded medicinal plants for all they needed. This was their craft and way of life. The vest he shows here belonged to his father, and was worn for healing ceremonies. That is the case, if Cachora is telling the truth about this vest. He is what is known in the world of medicine as a coyote. He lies a lot, misleading and amusing himself with the confusion of others. So I took the birthday information and went to a book store to buy and reread A Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda. The first fact given about Don Juan is this birthday, many years before Cachora’s.
symbols on the healing vest
This man of knowledge became my friend. I called him on the Don Juan thing on my second visit. I also remembered to bring him what he wanted rather than money. This practice made me a favorite. His first requests were for some specific stone beads, some hummingbird feeders, and some reading glasses. I returned with his wish list items about three months after we had met. I used to hang out and joke with him, learning a little about plants. He told me that I am a siren.
Cachora and the healing vest
I spoke with a friend in Tijuana last year and learned that he was still alive and kicking. His much younger wife, Josefina, had died, but he was in the company of a young girlfriend from Spain. He is not Don Juan, but, as he puts it, there is some of him in all those books. South of Tecate, in the valley of the sorcerer, a Yaqui hombre de conocimiento named salamander (that is the translation of Cachora) is still in the business of knowledge.
beaded vest
The Yoga Coast of California
October 15, 2012
Self Realization Fellowship, Encinitas
I am visiting the super highly charged driving world of So Cal. Here it seems to me that all my friends are driving at least half of their waking hours. I am a Tucsonan, and almost a non driver when I am at home. I can bike to almost everything I like to do, and a typical month of milage amounts to less than 150 miles total. I have been in Encinitas for 5 days and have done more driving than I do in a regular month at home. I knew the gas prices had been raised. I knew they did not establish any more parking places for me at the beaches. I knew I would become irritated with all the traffic and the never ending search for parking space. Why did I decide to enter this zone? I consider this zone to be the very best place to drive, ironically. The access to the beach is the obvious excitement, but by no means the only reason to visit and drive to the many attractions.
The natural food lifestyle and vegetarian ,organic, all pure, eco-enhanced products abound. I laughed when I observed a big sign advising that the hot dog on a stick stand had two vegetarian options, veggie dog, and cheese on a stick. Gluten free everything is everywhere, at elevated prices. Surf equipment, beach styles, brew pubs, and hip action sports programs are all over the place. I do look at the ‘fornians as lotus eaters, but enjoy coming out to chomp a few lotus myself. The casual and the sporty people mingle with little distinction in style between the super affluent and the full time surfers. In fact, it seems like the common goal is to become affluent so one can afford to live here and surf every day. Little formality and a taste for the well designed, the gourmet, and the latest of everything defines the coastal lifestyle. This is not a good place to try to assess people’s wealth or status based on the way they dress. Dressing for success here is likely to be baggies and a very rad board.
The concentration of so many of the best yoga teachers in Encinitas is not an accident. Paramahansa Yogananda built a temple on a cliff overlooking the sea here in 1937. His hermitage was a gift from a devotee who acquired the property for the purpose. The building was on the side of a cliff and eventually sustained damage that was too costly to repair, and had to be demolished. Today the center and meditation gardens are extensive, but the buildings are safely set away from the stunning view the first hermitage possessed. The Self Realization Fellowship continues to be a thriving center bringing visitors from all over the world to study or simply enjoy the gardens. I always spend a few minutes and a few dollars in the book and gift store there. The selection of books, art, and clothing is outstanding and the free stuff from the teachings is also available in English and Spanish. You don’t have to be a yogi to appreciate the history and the impact the swami had, and still has in this area.
Yogananda’s first hermitage
swami’s view
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