Sleeping outside

For the past few years, I have used sleeping outside as a many leveled therapy.  At first, it was to escape:  my messy house, my messy thoughts, my insomnia and even depression.  I found that to go outside and slip into bed was to remove myself into the world of nature, which soothed, forgave and comforted me.  I got over being depressed and continued sleeping outside to marvel at the bird sounds that woke me each morning and to fall asleep with the sounds of the wind and the tide waters from MacKaye Harbor down below my rise of land.

For the first year, I just put a mattress on the porch and threw a tarp over the covers so that if it rained, I could still stay out there.   It was a bit damp and crinkly and sometimes I gave up and came inside.  A dear friend saw how I was doing this and gave me a wonderful gift:  a sailcloth that attaches to the eaves of my roof and ties over the bed to the porch railing.  Now I can easily stay outside in all weathers and do.  Something about sleeping outside: snug and warm in the rain, makes me feel giddy with pleasure and just a bit smug.

This time of year, mid-May, the smells from the crab apple trees and other blooming bushes are luscious.  The robins and the crows and the geese chorus away and all manner of other birds I can't identify add their two cents worth.  The cat comes and curls up too.  I highly recommend this therapy and feel I am awfully lucky to have the chance.  May all of us get enough outside time and may we also find ways to slow down and not use as much gas fueled transportation as before.  It doesn't make sense anymore, does it?

Flags in Washington State were at half mast for young soldier, but what about Osama?

Upon hearing about the murder of Osama Bin Laden

May, 2011

These words, sent from Laurel to her parents ~

"I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Simple joys of tribal connection

Singing last night in dear friend Lorrie's house, welcoming new family: Marjorie, Diano and Niema there.  (I have a feeling I'm not spelling all those names right!)

Seeing and being with loved friends and sweet black dog, good healthy food.  Listening to Niema direct us all and call her adult friends by the names she chooses.  My favorite is "Kenny Fugi" for Kenny Ferrugiaro.

Oh, how sweet it is
To be wishless
Without a sign
An empty mind...

Joe Reilly, spirit boy