Living My Passion

It's Winter

2010-01-28T23:13:00.001-08:00

Here goes, stepping out on the skinny branches. OK, I've been tweeting my brains out for around a year. I've let go of my WayHealthy newsletter. I guess I'm looking at what gives me passion.

Taking pictures and sharing them. Ohlala. It's a blast to see something stirring outside because my camera is by my side, ready to go. Just in case a turkey comes running by or the sun rays are coming through the fog. I grab my camera and click, click, click. About a year ago, when I began Tweeting, I decided to share with my tweeps, my world through my pictures via Twitpic.

Years ago, I used to post pictures to my photo blog I called 0013 Foto Phun. Some of those pictures go back almost 5 years.

I've started two stores, the Miracles Store offering some of my photos on mugs, T-shirts, and other cool items. However, for people who want my photos printed out beautifully on archival paper or canvas--matted or framed you can check out my galleries at FineArtAmerica.

Country Bees More Vibrant than Urban Bees

2009-02-07T23:27:00.000-08:00

Today when I was doing my smiling meditation in my garden. I heard a buzzing sound from 2 different plum trees. I tried taking pix of bees, but they moved pretty quickly. Then I had the brilliant idea of videoing the bees. I stood under the volunteer plum tree with the fragrant plum blossoms. The bees were buzzing all around my head.

I had heard that there was a problem with bees. Maybe they have come to my place? There doesn't seem to be a shortage in "my neighborhood".

Let me know what you think. Here is a link to the video.

Loving Where I Live

2008-12-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

I don’t think of blogging on this blog very often. However, while walking down to the hydro from our house, I remembered how much I love walking off the beaten trail during winter.

When I got far enough away from our house that I couldn’t see it, off in the distance I saw a buck. I turned on my camera, and the deer didn’t hear it. I guess that was because the wind was blowing towards me and away from him. The photo in the middle is of that buck. I hope you can click on him and enlarge him. I didn't think to video his graceful dance away until it was too late.

Walking down the steep hill under the trees, I could hear the sound of the water rushing down the hill in the seasonal creek. I tried uploading a short video in the creek with the sound of the water rushing by, but I couldn’t get it to upload.

So, I took these photos today. I am blessed, and yes, I am living my passion.

What can we do about the financial crisis?

2008-10-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

What positive actions can we take right now during the ongoing world financial crisis?

The Law of Attraction says that what we focus on is what we attract into our lives. So, instead of getting caught up in the doom and gloom headlines, news shows, and downwardly spiraling negative conversations, take a deep breath and let go of any fear or tension. Go within to the place that is always calm, yet powerful beyond measure. Know the Truth of Who You Are. Remember that you are One with All-That-Is. No matter what is happening outside of you, in this moment you are Whole and Complete. This moment is all there is. Remember to be grateful for this precious moment, this breath, and the eternal joy that is only available right here and now. Knowing that this so, I release these words into the abundant universe.

And so it is.

Apology and I am still living my passion!!!

2008-09-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I haven't posted anything on this blog in a couple of years. I want to apologize for not seeing the comments that people made in the past. I hadn't checked the box that emails comments to me;0(

My energy has been going into my healing work and to my most current blog: WayHealthy. You might want to check it out. You might want to check out my website

For the last year, my main focus has been with helping people with physical pain, and believe it or not, I have been incredibly successful helping people over the phone! Here is a link to some of my success stories. Even though I continue to help some people with physical pain, I have been shifting my focus to weight loss. I have lost 25 pounds--effortlessly, and I am passionate about helping women (especially). I taught a workshop in the town of Mendocino in July, and every time I go over to the coast I see women that are benefiting from that class, and that really warms my heart. I will be teaching the same workshop in Ukiah (100 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge) in October.

I guess that is it for now.

Oh yeah, do what gives you joy!!!

Gratefully yours,
JoAnn

Success Using EFT with High School Students

2006-06-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

I am retiring from my career as a high school art teacher next week, and I will be focusing more of my time and energy on being an EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practitioner.

Here are a few examples of working with some of my students in the last couple of weeks.

“Joe” asked me to help him with his batting. His average was 110, and it was the end of the season.

His SUDS was 7/10 for being nervous. During the first round we used statements such as:
Even though I am inconsistent with my swing, I am an OK kid. ET I can’t time the ball…

(At school I use, “I am an OK kid,” and have youth tap their karate chop instead of rubbing their sore spot. I always tap along on myself, and I tap the crown of the head saying, “releasing nervousness,” or whatever is being addressed. As they tap on each of the meridians saying the reminder phrase, I encourage them to inhale and exhale.)

“Joe’s” SUDS dropped to 5/10 after one round.
For the second round we added:
ET I am a lousy hitter, I am an OK kid.
ET I am afraid of missing the ball, I am still a good hitter (made him laugh).
ET I feel like I messed up…

His SUDS dropped to 2-3/10.
I had him tap his crown saying “remaining nervousness,” and then tap his meridians while breathing and alternating:
• I’m afraid of missing the ball.
• I’m a good hitter.
• I remember the fundamentals of hitting.
• I have been a lousy hitter.
• I’m a good hitter.
• I swing if it is in the strike zone.

His SUDS then went down to a zero.

His second-to-last-game and final game “Joe” hit the ball well even though he did not reach base.

We also worked on his pitching, but I didn’t take any notes. He had an improvement on his pitching, too. I talked to his coach last night, and he had seen an improvement on both “Joe’s” hitting and pitching. The coach sees the value in eft and working with young athletes.

Another day I noticed a student with a pained look on her face. She said she had an abscessed tooth, and she had forgotten her medication and couldn’t concentrate enough to work on her assignment. Her pain level was 8/10.

We used these statements for the first round:
ET I have an abscessed tooth, I am an OK kid.
ET I forgot my medication …
ET there is throbbing pain up the right side of my face…
ET they might have to pull the tooth out…

Her pain level dropped to 6/10 after the first found.
The second round it dropped to 4/10.
We used the above statements and “ET it still hurts….”
I noticed that she made a growling noise. So, I had her continue with the above statements and had her “GURRRR” louder—which made her giggle.
ET thought this throbbing pain is still here GURRRRR.

It dropped to a 1/10. One more round brought it to no pain!!!

I listen for little noises that aren’t really words and encourage clients to do it louder.

A few minutes later in the same class, Alex asked if I could help him with his batting average which was .280. Class was almost over, and I told him that we had time to do only one round. He was quickly able to tell me the stories that could be making it hard for him to succeed. We used:

ET I might strike out, I’m an OK kid.
ET I might be too cocky…
ET I have had an off-balanced swing…
ET I might not hit the top…
ET I’m afraid of swinging and missing…
ET I’ve been in a slump…

He tapped and alternated reminder phrases (and breathed)
• Striking out
• Hit a home run
• Too cocky
• Hit a home run
• Off-balanced swing
• Good hitter
• Swinging and missing
• Home run

He only had one game left in the season—the last one, and he hit 3 out of 5 or .600! He made that incredible improvement with just one round of eft (while students were putting their things away and getting ready to leave class).

If I had more space I would share additional stories of eft wonders in my classroom, including alleviating headaches, stomach aches, migraines, and the stress of growing up.

Suck My Toes, Baby

2006-05-09T21:19:00.000-07:00

Hi baby lover (and especially of baby Tessa),

Have you ever had your toes sucked? If you haven't,
you are missing out on a real treat, and might want
to clean your feet and have someone that loves you
suck them. Have you ever sucked your own toes?
Do you remember putting your foot in your mouth?
(And I don't mean metaphorically.)

Well, Tessa has discovered her feet (I hear that her
Daddy, Calvin, helped her). She loves putting them
in her mouth. So, if her parents make sure she starts
taking baby yoga class, she will maintain her flexibility
and insure at least one possible career as a yoga teacher.
She is able to use her feet almost like others use their hands....

When was the last time that you were able to touch
a baby's bare skin? Oh my Goddess, Tessa's skin
is softer than I remember a baby's skin being... softer
than the finest silk.

Her favorite sound to make today sounded like she
was making a "rasberry" with her mouth. It made her
quite happy to stick her tongue out, blow bubbles and
make that hilarious sound that even a four month old
is familiar with.

Love from a Happy Grandma,
JoAnn

Photos Out of Order

2006-04-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

The photos are out of order;-(

I was having a difficult time seeing which photos I was actually posting. Oh, well, my bad, but they still look good! Maybe if I start posting more often I will figure it out.

2006-04-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

Tessa with her beautiful mother, Stacey

2006-04-30T17:34:00.001-07:00

My dear friend, Linda with Tessa

2006-04-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Indigo and her dad, Leo

2006-04-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

Kamala and her dad, Adam

2006-04-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Calvin and Tessa

2006-04-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Chris and Shelley exchanging vows

Tessa Goes to a Wedding

2006-04-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Blessings!!

Yesterday, our dear friends Chris and Shelley celebrated their union. It was a fantasically beautiful spring day to get married on the Ranch, with soft, sweet breezes, freshly mowed, lush green lawns and flowers everywhere! If they would have gotten married just one week ago, their wedding would have been rained on. Seeing how the ritual was outdoors, the weather mattered.

Over a hundred people gathered in circle and four generations were represented. There was a lot for Tessa to see, smell, taste, touch and hear. She loves the stimulation of being outside and also she likes people.

The first photo is of Tessa and her beautiful mom, Stacey. The second is of Tessa and her nurturing father, Calvin. I must tell you that I am enormously proud of how Calvin fathers. He is present, attentive, intuitive and sweetly loving with Tessa. The next photo is of Tessa and my dear friend Linda. The next photo will give you a little flavor of the wedding with Chris and Shelley exchanging their vows. The last two photos are of two other friends with their daughters--Indigo and Leo, and Kamala (our God daughter) and Adam.

It was a great day of celebration!! Lots of tears, cheers, laughs, food, dance and children.

I am so grateful to be alive!

Healing Power of Grandma Love

2006-03-20T21:16:00.000-08:00

This last summer I had the pure joy of being able to hang out with our God-daughter, Kamala. She was a couple of months old at that time, and I got to hold that sweet bundle of joy! To my dismay, it really hurt my elbows, wrists and hands to hold her. In fact, a couple of times I felt as though I was going to drop her. It was as though my joints couldn't handle her weight. I have been dealing with Lyme disease for decades. One of the symptoms has been my joints aching and not having much strength in my hands. I was disappointed not only because it was difficult to hold my God-daughter, but because within the year I was also going to become a Grandmother. How would I hold my Grandbaby without dropping her?

I knew the importance of exercising—especially lifting weights. When would I ever fit in exercising?
I had been doing a lot of reading about eft (emotional freedom technique), and I thought that maybe it could help me get back in to shape, so I could hold my future Grandbaby. Out of my desire to hold my grandbaby I came up with the idea of getting up a little bit earlier and exercising. Here is the way that I did it. I used the following affirmations while tapping on several of my body’s energy meridians.

“Even though I don't feel like exercising, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I don't feel like getting out of bed to exercise, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I feel like I would rather sleep instead of getting up to exercise, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I don't feel like I can stick with an exercise program, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I don't feel like I can pull this off, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I don't feel like exercising I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I hate lifting weights, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I feel stupid using little weights, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

Seven months later, I continue to exercise at least five days a week. I started out trying to use a hula-hoop just to make it more fun. Now, I typically jump on a mini-trampoline three times a week, and do my weight lifting routine for two days. On days that I don't feel like getting out of bed to exercise, I just eft right while I am lying in bed. Then I am able to get up and exercise!

I am pleased to say that I am proud to be a grandmother to Tessa Grace. She is now two months old and is growing quickly. Since I have been working out, I am much stronger than this last summer. I feel much more secure about holding her or my God daughter. I am so grateful to have learned how to apply eft to something that is so precious to me.

Firey Rainbow

2006-02-20T18:43:00.000-08:00

Incredible rainbow during sunrise taken from our front yard last month.

I know I haven't posted in a while. A lot has gone on in my life. My father-in-law died, and my sweet grand daughter, Tessa Grace, was born last month. My husband, Steve, has been busy with putting the final touches on his book, Drunk with Wonder--Awakening to the God Within, and I have been trying to help him as much as I can.

I have been thinking that I am going to change the emphasis of my blog. What I am really into, besides Tessa, is emotional freedom technique. I haven't quite figured out how I am going to go about blogging about eft.

2005-12-04T21:39:00.000-08:00

Self-portrait

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Space Ships at Eagle Peak?

2005-12-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

Today, my husband Steve and I went for a magical walk. The last few days of stormy weather made it difficult to really enjoy being outside. The air was brisk, and the sky clean and clear except for a few clouds off in the distance. This is a shot of Eagle Peak which juts above the horizon a few miles north of where we live. It’s impossible to get a shot from our home because there is a major hill in the way. Over the years, I have heard stories about eagles nesting there, as well as space ships mysteriously coming and going.

We have an adventurous group of people who, once a year, hike up to Eagle Peak and camp out. They hiked there this week, and I suppose they got soaked—we’ve had a bunch of rain the past week or so, enough to fill our pond and create lots of runoff. Our seasonal stream is flowing merrily, and we’re able to use our hydro system to produce electricity.

Eagle Peak

2005-12-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

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Turkey Day

2005-11-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Turkey Day! Traditionally, Thanksgiving has been the beginning of the “Stuffing Season” for me. I love sharing all the rich foods with friends and family at Thanksgiving.

I just calculated that I would have to walk 17 miles to compensate for my Turkey Day Dinner. Wow, I think that I will reconsider how much I will actually eat tomorrow.

Wondering just how much walking you'll have to do to burn off that Turkey Day dinner? Find out here.

White Deer Gang Seen by Side of the Road

2005-11-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

A dozen white deer loitered nonchalantly in the shade, and apparently entertained by folks driving by. When I jumped out of the car to take their picture, they just stared at me. Finally, when I started moving toward them, they reluctantly sauntered away.

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My Favorite Cranberry Dish

2005-11-21T10:03:00.000-08:00

One of my greatest joys is preparing fermented foods. I enjoy making kefir, sauerkraut, kim chi, and other fermented dishes. Last holiday season I created Cranberry Chutney and I continue to make it whenever I can get my hands on organic cranberries. Recently I found a group that is as crazy about fermenting as I am. You can reach them at Microbial_Nutrition@yahoogroups.com.

SkyWatcher’s Cranberry Chutney

3 c. cranberries (organic preferred--regular are grown with lots of pesticides)
1/2 c. nuts (pecans are my favorite)
1/2 c. rapadura sugar (if you can't get it use regular sugar)
2 t. sea salt
1/4 c. whey (drained from kefir or yogurt)
1/2 c. prune juice
1 t. cinnamon (or 2 drops of cinnamon essential oil)
1/2 t. cloves (or 1 drop of clove essential oil)
Juice from one orange (or 2 drops orange essential oil)
Juice from half a lemon (or 1 drop of lemon essential oil)
I lightly pulse the above ingredients in my food processor. I like it
chunky.
Stir in 1/2 c. raisins (that have been soaked)

Let ferment for 48 hours--then refrigerate. The biggest problem with this is that it gets eaten so fast that I have to make more.

Ocean through the Trees

2005-11-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went to Mendocino and visited one of our favorite spots. Located at the north end of the village of Mendocino, this magic vista forms part of the headlands there. More times than not we have seen a wedding or memorial being celebrated.

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White Buck and Harem

2005-11-18T17:00:00.000-08:00

This is a shot that I took on the way to work this morning. I feel so blessed to live in Mendocino County where beauty abounds!

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2005-11-16T20:30:00.000-08:00

Hard on my Feet

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Sexy Shoes Hard on Feet

2005-11-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we went out and I wore a gorgeous new top that my friends, Lee and Mike, had given me for my birthday. Usually I dress casually, but this evening I wanted to dress up. So, I wore some slinky pants, and some sexy high heel shoes. The outfit looked terrific! I thought that I would surprise my sweetheart, Steve, because he hardly ever sees me wearing anything but sensible shoes.

My daughter, Christina, and I met Steve and our friends at the restaurant. It was about a twenty minute drive wearing those “hot” shoes. When we met everyone at the restaurant they commented on how great my outfit looked! Cool—I always like complements. A few hours later, after a delicious leisurely dinner we got ready to leave. As I walked to the sidewalk I became aware of how much my feet ached. My left foot felt like the outer bone was warped. All I could think of was getting out of those damn shoes. I told Steve about how I wore them to impress him and he said he hadn’t even noticed my shoes (they had been under the table during dinner).

So, now I remember why I wear sensible shoes—they support my feet. Even though the high heels looked good Steve couldn’t see them, and so they didn’t have the effect I intended. I guess that I will save my sexy shoes for “special” times when I am not really walking in them—just for decoration in the bedroom.

Dreamy Pink Clouds in Santa Cruz

2005-11-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, we celebrated our daughter, Christina�s birthday a few weeks after her actual birthday (October 23). I took this photo Sunday evening after walking along the beach in Santa Cruz. Pink clouds accented the almost full moon that hung low in the sky.

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2005-11-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

Firey color outside of my classroom. In a matter of days, all the leaves may be gone.

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Teaching Art is One of My Passions

2005-11-08T20:50:00.000-08:00

I may not have mentioned what I do for my day job. I am an art teacher at Ukiah High School in Northern California. In fact, that is how I came to the Ukiah area in the first place. In 1971, I received my life teaching credential in Physical Education and Art from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. After living in Cayucos (a cozy little beach town on the central coast), I vowed that I would never move back to a big city (I grew up in San Diego).

In 1971, I was hired by Ukiah High School to teach Physical Education while Nadja Larson was having a baby. At that time, I went by Ms. Stone (Dirk, my first husband, never moved up to Ukiah, which broke my heart). I was young and fresh out of college. Oh yeah, part of the agreement to get the job was that I would coach girls’ volleyball, basketball, and track while also teaching full time. I didn’t realize I wouldn’t have a life outside of school, though it turned out to be a great year!

I didn’t get hired the next year—Nadja got her job back. I went to Europe for the summer and had a blast hitching with my younger brother, Eddie. When I came back I taught PE part-time through the Adult School in Ukiah. I won’t go into all the different jobs had over the ensuing years, but I started teaching art at UHS a little over ten years ago. The last few years, I struggled with lyme disease and had a difficulty working full-time. Last year, I taught at 80%, and this year I am working at 60% and I’m better able to deal with the stress of working with teens and dealing with lyme disease.

I get a large quite a range of students in my art classes. Some students are incredibly talented, others aren’t interested. One of the things I really get off on is showing their art to the community. We have an art display window (which I helped manifest several years ago, but that’s another story) at the high school in which student work is available for viewing by everyone passing by.

Five years ago, I came upon a site, Artsonia.com, that displays student art from all over the world. Artsonia inspired me to get a digital camera so I could take pictures of student art and started posting it. I thought you might want to take a look at what some of my students are doing—I hope you will be impressed—I know that I continue to be!

Soggy but Still Precious

2005-11-07T17:18:00.000-08:00

I went for a walk in the rain late this afternoon. While I was in the garden, I took a picture of this wet peace rose. Well, everything was wet including me. We still have almost three more feet until our pond is full. At that time, we will feel comfortable turning our hydro on. Until then, we are running off our batteries that are filled by our solar panels that aren't doing very much in the rain. Thank God/Goddess that we have a propane generator for back up.

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My Honey is a Heart Channel

2005-11-06T17:58:00.000-08:00

It has been raining on and off this weekend, and I have been spending most of my time indoors. Besides making tasty winter-type foods (like steaming hot squash soup with a dollop of crème fraise on top), I’ve been helping my sweetie, Steve, with his book, Awakening to the God Within—Wisdom Teachings from the Ocean of Joy. He’s been getting the book ready to send to the printer. Steve is a heart, or essence, channel of a being who calls himself Arondoho. Most of the book comes from Arondoho’s perspective.

Steve’s blog, What Would Love Do, is once again active. He has been too busy even to think about blogging for several months. He plans to make posts once or twice a week.

If you would like to be notified when I post a new blog, you can now sign up by clicking on the sidebar where it says Subscribe to Living My Passion.

The Other End

2005-11-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

I took this shot a few minutes after the previous photo, looking over the west end of the pond to the north--where it is shallow enough to wade in on a sizzling summer day. The glassy pond perfectly reflected the swiftly moving clouds chasing sunset into the night.

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Salmon Colored Clouds on my Pond

2005-11-04T18:20:00.000-08:00

I went for a walk this evening just after the sun dipped out of the sky. As you can see, the water was so still that it looks like salmon colored clouds are floating on the surface.

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White Buck Needs Driver's License

2005-11-01T18:06:00.000-08:00

Do you think that this white buck was trying to hide behind the tall grass. Yesterday, he was actually walking down Orr Springs Road the same direction that I was driving, but in the other lane. I passed him on the right. He was huge! His antlers were taller than my car. I wasn't able to take a picture in the dark, but I was able to get this shot this morning.

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2005-10-30T17:01:00.000-08:00

Moonlit Path--only I will know for sure!

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2005-10-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

From the Garden

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Christina's Miracle Birth

2005-10-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

Today, October 23, twenty-nine years ago today, I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life, I gave birth to my daughter, Christina Grace Turnwall. A little over two years before, I had given birth to my son, Calvin, in our local hospital. I vowed at the time that I would not have another child in the hospital, because they would not let me hold and feed him when I wanted to.

So, I was in excellent health, and we decided to have a home birth. All that night, I sat naked and every time I had a contraction, I became one with the light a candle flame. It was a method I discovered that night, and it worked incredibly well (even though I experienced intense contractions) I felt no pain. I let myself relax by breathing in to the candle light. The midwife who we had arranged to help us wasn’t able to make it. Another midwife, who hadn’t had much experience yet, came and assisted towards the end.

I tapped into my female essence, deep into my animal nature. It was as if I was a cat or dog that wanted to hide from the rest of the world. I was non-verbal, focusing on relaxing with my breath. I reached a point in which I was almost spinning with energy because of how quickly the contractions were piling on top of each other. My midwife came over and I guess that she was looking at how still I seemed on the outside and said that she thought that I was five centimeters dilated. Not agreeing with her, my inner voice told me that I was ten centimeters dilated, which is all the way opened up, but since I wasn’t talking I didn’t say anything.

A little while later, I felt like I had to pee. So, I walked outside the yurt and squatted down to pee on the ground (I didn’t want to walk all the way down to the outhouse). Nothing came out. Again, my inner voice told me that I had better be careful because the baby might fall out. That seemed reasonable to me, so I returned to the yurt and when I walked across the threshold I screamed because it felt like someone had stabbed me. Lynn (the midwife) told me to lay down, and Phyllis (her helper) and her washed her hands. Lynn told me to push hard on the next contraction, and out came Christina’s head. I pushed again on the next contraction and out came the rest of Christina!

That was how my sweet daugh, Christina was born.

2005-10-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

Christina Grace Turnwall's first picture during the first few minutes after her birth.

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2005-10-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

Colored pencil self-portrait recreating Christina's birth--29 years ago today!

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Once a Little Brother, Always a Little Brother

2005-10-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

I SO love to garden. However, I am not the greatest gardener in the world, just in the top 15. Unfortunately, our water is limited, and I am afraid of running out. Or maybe it’s that it gets so dog gone hot in the summer garden. I can hardly stand being in there except early in the morning, when I would much rather be sleeping. I have lots of excuses for being a just so-so gardener.

My little brother, Eddie, is a fabulous gardener! He has incredible yields with potatoes and other vegetables that he grows on his forty acres outside of Winslow, Arkansas. I am sharing a picture of him in his garden taken this past summer. See how lush his garden looks! He is standing next to a tobacco plant that he grew, and he doesn’t even smoke tobacco. Go figure.

Isn’t it funny how I will always see him as my little brother, and there is nothing little about him. I love him so much, and I hardly ever get to see him, or even talk to him on the phone. Call me, little brother.

2005-10-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

My brother, Eddie Butler, in his garden outside of Winslow, Arkansas.

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2005-10-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Mare's Hill

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Creeping Virgina Creeper

2005-10-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

This beautiful Virginia Creeper has crept over one corner of my house and covers most of my bedroom window. In the last 24 hours, it has almost turned all red. In a few more days, there won't be any green left. Then, a good wind will come and blow it all away.

I used the posterize effect on Photoshop to intensify the colors.

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2005-10-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

Shy Wild Turkeys not interested in sticking around for dinner.

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2005-10-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

Poison Oak Dancing with Oak

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2005-10-11T07:58:00.000-07:00

Unresolved

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2005-10-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Arms of Mother

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Naked Tree Climbing

2005-10-09T15:07:00.000-07:00

Visitors pass within 30 feet of Spirit Tree and without ever seeing it, even though it is huge (the front right crotch is over my head when I stand next to it). I have climbed on it, and sitting on its shoulder with blue mud scraped out of our sacred pond and smeared artfully on my and my friend’s body. As we danced around and on the tree (we actually climbed on that limb), I was riding it like it was a horse. Its hide was rough and with the stiff mosses dried in the summer sun. My friend and I seemed to go into a timeless realm. I think it was because somehow the blue clay freed up our spirits and allowed us to dance with the spirit of this exquisite California Myrtle. Some people see them as weeds because happy Bay trees (another name for this tree) make lots of baby Bay trees. I live on the edge of a forest which Bay trees abundantly frequent.

Some of the other old growth Bay trees in our neighborhood had large pieces cut out of them, probably in the fifties. I feel sad when I come up to an ancient one and find that it has a rectangular block of it removed—maybe 8 cubic feet—two by two by two. I love it when they look like Spirit Tree with arms outstretched--for me, another manifestation of God/Goddess.

The photo that I posted on Friday was taken in July of this year. I have a few more that I have taken over the years. This tree begs to be touched. My kids and extended kids loved to climb and jump off this tree. I have also drawn it and painted it from observation. When I draw or paint, I like to show how I see with eyes of spirit. Many times, I don’t “see” what came through until I look at it at later through different eyes. It is my intent to connect with the spirit of everything I photograph. Not trying to capture the soul, simply connect in a way that allows a peek into a different realm. I guess that would be allowing spirit to work through me. Or is that the same as being the God/Goddess that I AM? Or seeing the God/Goddess/Goodness wherever I look. I walk in beauty. May you walk in beauty. We are at choice as to how we perceive the world, and how we be and act. As both Mahatma Ghandi and Challenge Day say, “Notice, choose, and act.”

2005-10-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

Drawing of Spirit Tree that I did with colored pencils this summer.

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2005-10-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

Spirit Tree

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2005-10-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

Clean-up Time in the Barn

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2005-10-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Here again is the view I will never tire of.

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Battery Found

2005-10-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

Yipee! My husband, Steve, was walking down the driveway and found the battery for my camera. So, I don’t have to figure out how to use my other camera. However, I am having a problem getting a photo uploading this morning;-(.

Camera Blues

2005-10-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Wow, I haven’t posted since last Friday. Let me share my excuses with you. Saturday and Sunday I took a “Watercolor on Silk Class” taught by Susan Moyer. I got to experience many different ways to paint dyes directly on to silk. To save money, I drove around an hour on a winding road each way. So, I didn’t have time or energy to do anything for my blog on the weekend. After I came home from work last evening I felt like I was still recovering from a weekend on the go.

Yesterday morning I pulled my camera out of my purse and out on to the car seat. To my surprise, the little door on my camera’s battery was open, and nothing was in the chamber. That afternoon I went to our local camera store and ordered a battery. The camera lady said it would be 2-3 weeks. Today, I went to Walmart thinking that they might just have a battery for my camera. Alas! They don’t carry it.

One my options would be to play with some of my other pictures using Photo Shop, and then post them. Another would be to find a place online, order another battery and maybe get it sooner. That way I will continue to be able to take pictures. Or, I could use my other camera which is more cumbersome, and yet has more features. For example, I could shoot in the raw format if I knew how, but would take time reading directions. (Yuck!)

While picking up my Minolta Dimage A1, I accidentally turned it on. I tried taking a picture, but couldn’t remember how the camera works. This camera is counter-intuitive for me. Around a year ago, a got a smaller point-and-shoot Minolta. Since then, I haven’t picked up my big old clunky camera.

2005-09-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

Equipment in the Barn

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Still Hanging On

2005-09-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

Steve and I went to one of Dale's memorials on Sunday. Steve called me over to scope out the barn. I loved the way that the light was playing on different surfaces. This photo is one of the entrances to the barn area.

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Evening Light

2005-09-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

When I looked out my studio window the light was in contrast with the sky filled with heavy clouds. I almost didn't go in to the house to get the camera. I am so glad that I followed through and got the camera, and was also willing to go outside.

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Sun Setting in the Yurt

2005-09-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

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2005-09-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Molten Sky-- The sky was filled with incredible firey clouds last evening. The sky is framed beautifully by a madrone tree. We could hear thunder and it started to sprinkle.

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Half-Hearted Sun Setting

2005-09-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

This is the last picture that I'll share with you tonight that was taken last evening. It started to rain and I noticed that my camera created this circular pattern on the photos.Can you believe thatI didn't adjust the color? I didn't.

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Naked Ladies Dancing in the Light

2005-09-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

This is a test to see if having the words "Naked Ladies" in the title draws more attention. Last time that I showed some Naked Ladies, I got eight comments, and I believe that it was because of the title.

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Charred

2005-09-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

This is a view of where the fired burned on Orr Springs Road looking back towards Ukiah.

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Death and Rebirth

2005-09-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

This is a view of the recent fire on Orr Springs Road. It was taken looking to the northwest. If you look closely, you can see the bridge at the far bottom left corner of the photo.

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Fires of Fall

2005-09-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

When I got home last Tuesday earlier than usual, my husband, Steve, was still in town running errands. I got a call from him saying that there was a fire at the bottom of Orr Springs Road, and that they weren’t letting traffic through. He ended up finding a back way home. It took one and a half hours to get back here (usually it takes about 20 minutes). So, I had to see for myself if I was in danger and drove back towards town. I found the fire raging pretty close to Ukiah, about six or seven miles from here. Fortunately, for my neighbors and I, the wind was blowing from the west, and not driving the fire our way. My son called because he had seen the smoke, and told him I was OK.

The next morning, the fire still burned. The road was choked with all kinds of firemen and equipment. Only one lane of traffic was open, but I was able to get to work. It took two helicopters, two firefighting airplanes, over 30 fire trucks, and a multitude of firefighters to get it under control. It ended up scorching over 111 acres, though, no structures were lost. I heard that the cause of the fire had to do with someone cutting fire wood. I take my hat off to the firefighters who help knock it down and put it out.

By the way, it was earlier that same day that I took the picture of the turkey vulture on the telephone pole, just across the road from where the fire took off. My understanding is that no turkey vultures were harmed in the burning of this fire.

Golden Light

2005-09-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken of the view looking north from our front yard as the sun was setting. I love the long shadows and the goldish-orange colors that are so unique to this time of year.

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Sunbathing Vulture

2005-09-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

On the way to work this morning, I noticed a turkey vulture airing its wings while perching on a telephone pole. I took the picture through the windshield because I didn't want the vulture to fly away. Then I used Photoshop posterize adjustment to create this effect.

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"Hot" Summer Eve

2005-09-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

This is a different view of our "view". I walked about 100 steps north of our yurt, and then took a picture trying to shield the lens so the glare wouldn't be too much. I love the way the rays of light beam across the Big River. In Photoshop, I used Rough Pastels for a stunning effect.

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2005-09-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

Lone Buck

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2005-09-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

Alien Flowers

When Stars Dream

2005-09-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

When stars dream
Planets form
Carrying cargoes
Of treasure
Beyond measure

When stars dream
Galaxies sparkle
With light
Scattering seeds
Like stardust

We are stars dreaming
Come to life
Laughing and loving
Across all boundaries
Of space and time

We dance together
As Beloveds
Lifetimes cocooned
In our embrace
Lovers stardancing

Stars dreaming
Through the great
Wheel of Being
Birthing universes
Dancing as One –

Steve Ryals
09.13.05

Today is my birthday! Two of my favorite gifts were both of these poems that my Beloved, Steve, wrote for me on this special day.

Love & Adoration

2005-09-13T22:16:00.000-07:00

How can I tell you
Of my love and adoration
On this glorious day
Of your immaculate birth?

How can I begin to describe
Just how deeply I feel,
How the scent of your hair
Brings me to rapture,

How the look in your eyes
Tells me I’m home in your heart
As the taste of your soft lips
Makes me sing like a robin in spring –

How inadequate words seem
To reflect the feelings
Dancing in my heart…
Your magic touch,

The miracle of your tender smile,
All wrapped in the
Tawny glow of summer skin –
How can I tell you?

Steve Ryals
09.13.05

2005-09-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

Sun Drenched Clouds over Fog. I had to slip on some warm clothes to take this photo. I am sorry to say that this captures less than one tenth of the beauty that was here this evening. Oh well, that is the way that it is with the vastness of nature.

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2005-09-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

A Brilliant Sunset! This shot was taken from our ridge tonight. This summer we haven't had many extraordinary sunsets, like this one, because the sky has been so clear.

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2005-09-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Nature's Garbage Disposals Flocking Around

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2005-09-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

Easy Landing!

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2005-09-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

Our resident turkey vultures having a conference

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Dale's Crossing Over Celebration

2005-09-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

We got to Dale's Crossing Over Celebration in time to put a handful of soil in his casket. Then his body was covered with the coffin lid.

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2005-09-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

Carrying Dale in the freshly decorated "green" casket

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2005-09-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

We probably walked the labrynith celebrating Dale's passing for 15 minutes. People carrying Dale were leading the way.

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On the Occasion of Dale Glaser’s Passing

2005-08-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

Let grief soar our wings
Held down too long in sorrow

Let this sadness we feel
Help us to heal

And come, reborn, to life again
Seeing the miracle of Spirit

Shining in each other’s eyes
Beholding the magic of the moment

As the gift and revelation it is,
Our tears anointing each other with Grace

Our community coming together
With a single song,

Celebrating Dale’s life
In this Sacred place –

May we honor his passing
With much laughter and loving,

Feel his smile
Envelop us all –

May the Goddess carry you Home, Dale,
In the precious heart of Her heart,

And may you know only laughter
And the sound of the wind blowing free…

Steve Ryals
08.31.05

2005-08-30T22:58:00.000-07:00

Backsides of Naked Ladies

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2005-08-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

A Sweet Spot north of the Headlands at Mendocino that we visited today.

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2005-08-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

"Night Landing" or so it appears. Actually, it is our yurt, which people have always commented that it looks like a flying saucer. What do you think?

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2005-08-20T16:23:00.000-07:00

Moon Shadows outside my Bedroom

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2005-08-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

Full Moon Ecstacy. I love this moonlit view from my front yard. Using a tripod made it possible for me to take this shot, and I was able to lighten it up with Photoshop.

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2005-08-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

Along the Smith River in Gasquet

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2005-08-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

Our sunflowers are approaching nine feet tall and are finally starting to bloom. The romano beans that were interplanted with them are climbing up the stalks.

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2005-08-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

Passionately Purple

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2005-07-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

Lovely Lavendar Kisses the Sun

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2005-07-30T22:21:00.000-07:00

The Peace Rose is one of my favorites!

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2005-07-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

Rattlesnake "Running" Away as Fast as her Scales Will Take Her

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A Rattlesnake Visits

2005-07-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had a fabulous time painting on silk while sitting in front of my house. Fir and madrone formed an azure shield that protected me from the hot afternoon sun. I was engrossed in playing with dyes on taunt silk, mesmerized by the different colors reacting to each other in unique ways. Suddenly, out of my peripheral vision, I noticed something move, and when I looked up I saw a rattlesnake slivering towards me. It was within 24 inches of my feet, which were on the ground, and instantly I instinctively raised them up in the air, adrenaline pumping through my entire body.

As soon as I moved, the snake froze. I’m not quite sure what the snake was thinking (do snakes think?), but I suppose I surprised her when I raised my feet up. Grabbing my camera, it just wouldn’t turn on fast enough. Trying to focus on the snake became nearly impossible because I was shaking so much. She turned around and started to “run” away from me as fast as her scales would take her. Trotting after her, clicking my shutter as fast as the camera would let me, I tried to capture her image. And then she was gone.

My kids were just babies when we moved onto this land. This was about 30 years ago. My husband and I were terrified that a rattlesnake would bite us, or worse yet one of our babies. So we killed them. Then I would skin them, and cook them (they taste like chicken breast, but with a lot of bones). When Christina and Calvin were around four and six years old, we stopped killing the snakes, and instead taught our kids to be careful where they put their hands and feet. The snakes weren’t trying to hurt us, and we didn’t have to kill and eat them. That is when we learned how to live in harmony with rattlesnakes.

2005-07-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

Ben and Chris clowning around

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2005-07-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

Biker in Tutu arrives at the Circus Party

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A Mural Celebration

2005-07-26T23:51:00.000-07:00

My Beloved son, Calvin Turnwall had another one of his famous birthday parties last weekend. This year had a Circus theme. Calvin, who is a talented artist, painted the outside of his trailer for the event. In fact, he was still doing finishing touches on the mural at 7:15 when people began showing up for the party.

Each year Calvin has a different theme for his party. Previous themes included the wild west, animals, and the pirates of the Carribean. He paints the outside of his trailer to go along with the event, and everyone is expected to wear a costume or one will be assigned. This year included a fashion show and some circus games.

Calvin has plans of getting rid of his trailer in a few years. I have been telling him that I will help him sell it on eBay. So, if you think that you might want a country trailer with a mural on it be sure and bookmark this page or contact me @ skywatcher013@yahoo.com.

2005-07-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

It is 7:15 pm, and Calvin is still putting on finishing touches on the mural that adorns his annual birthday party last Saturday.

2005-07-26T16:01:00.000-07:00

The elephant looks so real that Christina looks like she may be in danger and not know it.

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2005-07-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

Calvin working on circus mural

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2005-07-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

More Magic in the Land of Mendocino. I took this picture a few days ago when we were fleeing the heat.

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