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Lady in the Water
We watched M. Night Shyamalan's latest tale last night. I really enjoyed the way he rendered his role as writer so transparent by explicitly pointing to and integrating the archetypes that writers use in crafting stories into the story itself. He has such fun killing off the critic. It's an exercise that all artists need to do mentally from time ( Read more... ) -
Happy Birthday, Dad
My father would be 86 today. Since he is as alive in my heart and memory as he was when he was physically alive, I thought I'd post him a Happy Birthday message ( Read more... ) -
Quietly Amazing
Greg and I were in Albuquerque during the first week of April where we caught up with friends and family, including Ben and Becca and Beauty (i.e., irresistible Iris). When I expressed interest in vegan cooking, B & B recommended their favorite vegan cookbook, Vegan With A Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. What an awesome collection of recipes! ( Read more... ) -
Paying attention
When I woke up this morning, my thoughts were all askew as usual. I asked myself: Where are you? (In bed.) In what position? (Lying down.) What do you feel against your skin? (Sheets, covers, Greg’s arm and leg.) How does your body feel? (OK - no pain anywhere. Fatigue deep inside, but not unpleasant; warm, slightly vibrating, generally comfortable ( Read more... ) -
Sweet Land
Greg and I went to see Sweet Land yesterday, a movie about a farming community in Minnesota just after World War I. Within the community, a small, tight-knit group of Lutherans struggles to accept Inge Altenberg, a German immigrant who arrives to wed Olaf Torvik, one of the Minnesotan farmers, through an arranged marriage. What a remarkable ( Read more... ) -
Alternatives to Violence Workshop
This past weekend, I co-facilitated a three-day Alternatives to Violence Project workshop at a nearby men's correctional facility. The last AVP workshop I co-facilitated was about one year ago at a nearby women's correctional facility. I had forgotten what an awesome experience it is to work with inmates. Last year as well as this weekend, I was ( Read more... ) -
Meditation
I meditated this morning for 45 minutes trying out Byron Katie's approach of giving thoughts a picture, naming them, and thanking them for sharing their lives with me. The last step is to watch as they go back to where they came from. I learned at least a couple of things about my thoughts and about the way my mind works by doing this. Thought I'd ( Read more... ) -
A beautiful day in Minnesota and other things
It's gorgeous here today, at least in our neck of the woods. It's sunny, slightly windy, and 26 degrees. The Bahamas!! Compared to the temperatures we've been having, it really almost does feel like tropical weather. The quality of light is wintry (muted) -- soft and lovely. At this moment, I am looking out at the backyard. It's always amazing to ( Read more... )
