Of This And That

I have bits of stuff to share and wanted to catch up on my info snippets.

This book, I've not yet read, but I love this particular Buddhist teacher. Today, I show it because of the title which fits with this quote I came across recently; I think it's worth remembering:

"Mend the parts of the world that are within your reach."

~ Clarrisa Pinkola Estes'

I like it because I often struggle with how one gets started to do good, the trying to make a difference. Every problem or cause seems to be so much bigger than my ability to effectively impact. However, I can certainly begin with Estes' wise advice. And, so long as I know where I am...well, I believe I can make a difference. I am here. I'll reach for those parts where I am.

Next bit: here's a picture of my friend, Mark Pemburn. He has a wonderful way about him. Kind and gentle. Loves to laugh and finds humor in most situations. He's helped me through many a rough emotional spot by sharing his very considered, humble views on lots of topics. But, mostly by sharing his time and being completely present to a spirit in their time of need.

He's married to the most amazing woman. Leanne is strong, proud, brave, true, gentle, intelligent, engaging. And when I think of Earth Mother, she immediately comes to mind. I love these people greatly.

Recently, Mark decided to begin blogging. I can't recommend it enough. He'll be covering lots of issues; I promise you all will make you think. He's a great thinker and a solid, clear writer. I believe you'll enjoy your time with him at Clear And Obscure. Please tell him I sent you over when you go to visit.

He has no idea I've done this today, so leave him a comment and cheer on a new blogger whose work will be a great addition to our world here.

Okay, so you all know that I covet some recognition, just as we all do. And, some of these awards, I really think are adorable. Like this one. I truly have always found it fanciful, colorful, and charming. Thanks to Joanna Jenkins of The Fifty Factor I can now display this cutey on my blog.

The Splash Award

Is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs.

So I want to pass this one along to Ribbon at Fragment Treasures Memories and Liz of The Fragrant Muse because I learn from these women and I love visiting with them as I take away a lot to ponder and consider. Thank you both for your lovely work on your blogs.

Joanna, thanks for thinking my blog is the sort that qualifies for this adorable badge!

And, finally after the emotional day we all had yesterday, Rory wants you to remember:

Be kind to yourself today. Rest, eat well and enjoy your weekend.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Because I Remember

This morning, I was awakened by the sounds of heavy equipment working on the road. In a lull between men shouting and the metal clang of the dump truck, I heard the train rumble by and blow its whistle as it chugged along. Just after that, I heard a small plane on its landing approach a quick five minutes from my house at Arnold Palmer Airport.

Instead of being annoyed or bothered by the clamor, I whispered, "Thank you God & Goddess for these sounds. Thank you."

Because I remember living just 45 minutes up the road from D.C. where panic screamed in the streets as the Pentagon was hit by a jet. I remember the phone lines going down in the national emergency and being cut off from my friends and family. I remember wondering what the hell was going on. I remember not being able to call to check on people, but being amazed that thanks to the Internet, friends in Russia and Scotland were sending frantic emails to hear if I was all right. How the world had changed so quickly...

I remember how completely overwhelming the silence of the following days was as planes, for the first time in our history, were grounded. No distant noise of jets and things flying high over my head. I didn't even know until it was silenced, how much air traffic is simply part of the white noise, the symphony of living in a modern age. But, the silence was deafening. Eerie. Foreboding.

Now, I live about 35 minutes away from Shanksville, PA. It's absolutely in the middle of nowhere on the road to nothing. When friends and family visit, we take them to see the crater created when United Flight 93 was driven into the ground like an arrow by brave Americans determined to prevent further damage to their country. Who refused to let their impending doom be meaningless.

Their final resting place is in a field near farms- an all American landscape. Beautiful. Always reverently silent and always you can hear the sound of the wind in your ears as you take in, or try to take in, the sacred atmosphere of heroism. The truth that Human Beings are capable of such glorious acts of selflessness and love. Patriotism. I prefer to remember these acts; these images.

I remember being in class a day after these horrors. Wondering how many of my kids would show up. Being so awed when all of them arrived. College kids eyes wide, heads shaking with disbelief and sadness. Tears. With a large majority of them being from New York and the surrounding areas, trying to determine if their fathers, mothers, family, many of whom worked in the Twin Towers were alive, missing...dead. I remember being one of the few adults who could be there for them as they waited and wondered. I remember hugging all 45 of them as they filed out at the end of the class with a word of encouragement to each. I remember how quietly the world moved along in those few days immediately following.

I remember when the New York skyline looked like this. A sparkling jewel. And, I ache each time I see a movie that captured, without realizing the implication, these twin industrial constellations as a background in a scene. The electric firmament is forever changed. The World Trade Center is no more; existing now only on celluloid.

But, I remember. My son remembers and so now serves our country as an Airman. And, all in America remember in their way. Because, to not remember would mean it was for nothing. And that...that would be a shame.

So, I remember and that's all I can do as I hold hope and work for better and more for all of us. For we are Citizens of The World. And, what happened here in our United States on 9/11/01 did not happen only to us...it happened to all. Because we are all, the profane and the sacred, connected as Human Beings.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Remembers

Slowly I Turn...Step By Step...Inch By Inch...

"So, I'm thinking," he says, "The weather today isn't that great and we're not that far away from it. How would you like to drive up to see Niagra Falls?" "Oh wow," says I, "I didn't know we were that close to it." "Well, we're about as far a drive to it as we are to Erie from home, so what do you think?"

Absolutely! I've never been. So, into the truck the four of us go. Puppies quickly laying down as they can tell we're going to be awhile. How they know this, I don't know. A couple of hours later, the sun breaks through and we're there walking about with the other tourists seeing an amazing site.

75,000 gallons a second! That's what slams over the falls. The roar of it all but drowns out the sound of talking. People from all over the world, speaking all sorts of languages, linger at the rail standing in awe of the power. You just don't get to see that every day, you know? This is Horse Shoe Falls from the American side. If you click on any of these pictures, it will take you to full size so you can see detail.

We watched as a bunch of visitors got ready to go on the Maid of The Mist as they've done for years and years. The only indicator of current times is that they no longer give you slickers to wear...now they give you a yellow baggie with a hood to drop down over your body. Eww. So not appealing to me. And so not like you see in those great movies from the 30's! I had a blast standing on the edge watching the boat bob closer and closer and then sharply turning.

The Scotties were rock stars and may have been photographed more than the falls! We were asked repeatedly and of course we always agreed. A man from Germany spent a good five minutes capturing them. Children asking to pet them. People stopping to ask about them or share their love of their Scottie with us. I was proud of them as they took it all in stride. Fiona is not much for being touched by those she doesn't know, but she let the children pet her. Rory never met a person he didn't like so he was always up for the lovin'!

The noise may have been a wee bit intense for the dogs...they seemed to be a bit overwhelmed and excited at various stages of our time there. But, as long as 'Dad' was there, nothing too much to worry about.

Michael knows that I didn't have the opportunity to travel much as a child. And, a great many of the touristy things that everyone else takes for granted, I haven't experienced. I love that if he has a chance to show it to me, he does. I wouldn't see these wonderful things if he didn't make them possible. Thank you, so much!

The American falls is impressive, but not as much as I would have been able to see had I been standing just across in Canada. Unfortunately, since it was a spur of the moment thought, Michael and I didn't have our passports so we couldn't cross over to see. Truly, Canada does have a better view of all of the falls so we'll have to go back and do that one day.

What I didn't know is that there are some lovely, less powerful parts to the falls...places and spots of some truly beautiful scenery. Calmer. More quiet. Picturesque.

Stone bridges in the mist to walk across and watch as the waters swirl rapidly in anticipation of the ride over the edge...

Quiet swirling pools where you can take a minute to cool your feet and relax a bit till you trek to the next sight. So long as you're a bird, that is...

And, if you go, don't forget to look down at your feet. It's so easy to get absorbed in the powerful show out in front, that you could miss some pretty nice things, just at the edge of the unknown.

When you go to someplace new, always remember to look up and look down. A word of advice from the new kid.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly