Blessings of August, and big Happy Birthday smooches to my lovely Leo friends, including of course my dear BlackLion, whose birthday is today! This past weekend he and I attended an amazing music festival. We went with the Dark Follies troupe, and had a fantastic experience there. The vibe was joyful and inspiring. After a very stressful week, it was great to be outdoors in a beautiful setting, playing and listening to music with a delightful group of people.
I'm going to skip the official Starcat's Favorites post this week, since the week is well underway at this point, but I do have a couple of links that I wanted to share with you. One is a song that seems to capture my experience of the festival. It's not even the type of music that was being played there, but it feels right as a description.
The other is something I've been working on for a while, but am now really feeling in my whole being. I'm finally (again?) coming to the point of understanding that I feel best when I follow my heart. I am often drawn to pleasing others, and find it enjoyable, yet to rely on the approval of others for my own joy is a recipe for depression. I am still delighted by doing things for people, yet my self-love is growing, and I'm no longer dependent on their attention. It's a good place to be in, particularly as I face some challenges along my path. The truth that it is indeed my path, and that I am the one in charge of it, is such a huge help. The other piece that is falling into place is that it doesn't have to be lonely. I can be fully in my personal power, and still connect with kindred spirits. Actually, that's the best way to connect, when I'm feeling uplifted and free.
It's a work in progress for sure, and I'm sure I'll still stumble now and then. Yet for the moment, I'm feeling empowered. Many blessings to you on your path!
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Monday, August 06, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Curiosity Informs the Cat
One of the (many) things I love about cats is their innate curiosity. One night at a Dark Follies band rehearsal, the man who was hosting the practice at his home had some friends stop by, a bit earlier than they'd said they would. They'd brought their big dog with them. The friends and the dog hung out in the kitchen until the end of the rehearsal, which was being held in the living room. The host has a couple of cats, one of whom is a yearling male named Timothy. Apparently this was Timothy's first encounter with a dog, up close and personal.
First, he backed away, tail and fur bristling, eyes wide. He streaked through the living room and hid upstairs. Before long, though, he returned, looking a bit calmer, and sneaked cautiously out toward the kitchen door. He saw the dog, and POOF! there went the fur again, and again he backed off. This time he only retreated to the living room, hiding under the skirts of one of the band members and peeking out. This back-and-forth process was repeated a few times, until Timothy could remain quite calm upon seeing the strange canine intruder.
The look on this adorable cat's face when he was moving forward toward the kitchen said it all: "It's scary, yes, but I just have to know! What is it?"
Sure, I know curiosity sometimes gets cats into trouble, but more often than not, it probably entertains and informs them. It does me, anyway. I love to learn new things, and will often follow up with some research on an intriguing tidbit I've read or heard about. Even when I'm drawn to learn something that seems a bit on the frightening side, like performing music in front of an audience, most of the time I'm willing to put my discomfort aside and see what the situation has to teach me. And often it's very rewarding.
I think curiosity is an integral part of creativity and education. Without that wondering, that pondering - "How can I solve this problem?" "How can I craft something unique?" "What would happen if I...?" - there wouldn't be that strong drive to create something new. Inventors, scientists, and artists are motivated by this inner need to figure it out.
Without the desire to know, learning becomes rote and boring. Forced learning is an awful feeling. Just ask any kid sitting in a classroom, watching the clock while filling out repetitive worksheets. It's not that they don't want to learn; it's just that this wasn't where their curiosity would have taken them today.
Do you follow your own inner curiosity? The subjects that we find intriguing are different for each of us. Follow your intuition, stalking knowledge and wisdom like a persistent feline. When something captures your interest, follow up and learn more. See where it takes you. Let your curiosity lead you on a delightful path of life-long learning and joy.
First, he backed away, tail and fur bristling, eyes wide. He streaked through the living room and hid upstairs. Before long, though, he returned, looking a bit calmer, and sneaked cautiously out toward the kitchen door. He saw the dog, and POOF! there went the fur again, and again he backed off. This time he only retreated to the living room, hiding under the skirts of one of the band members and peeking out. This back-and-forth process was repeated a few times, until Timothy could remain quite calm upon seeing the strange canine intruder.
The look on this adorable cat's face when he was moving forward toward the kitchen said it all: "It's scary, yes, but I just have to know! What is it?"
 |
| Timothy shows his curious nature... |
Sure, I know curiosity sometimes gets cats into trouble, but more often than not, it probably entertains and informs them. It does me, anyway. I love to learn new things, and will often follow up with some research on an intriguing tidbit I've read or heard about. Even when I'm drawn to learn something that seems a bit on the frightening side, like performing music in front of an audience, most of the time I'm willing to put my discomfort aside and see what the situation has to teach me. And often it's very rewarding.
I think curiosity is an integral part of creativity and education. Without that wondering, that pondering - "How can I solve this problem?" "How can I craft something unique?" "What would happen if I...?" - there wouldn't be that strong drive to create something new. Inventors, scientists, and artists are motivated by this inner need to figure it out.
Without the desire to know, learning becomes rote and boring. Forced learning is an awful feeling. Just ask any kid sitting in a classroom, watching the clock while filling out repetitive worksheets. It's not that they don't want to learn; it's just that this wasn't where their curiosity would have taken them today.
Do you follow your own inner curiosity? The subjects that we find intriguing are different for each of us. Follow your intuition, stalking knowledge and wisdom like a persistent feline. When something captures your interest, follow up and learn more. See where it takes you. Let your curiosity lead you on a delightful path of life-long learning and joy.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Time Being Relative
I had an interesting experience with time today. We had a Dark Follies Not Just Rhythm Orchestra band practice this evening, outdoors in a lovely grassy park near the ocean. The group was working on learning a new song, and the drummers were asked to hold the beat while the guitar, violin, and accordion players figured out the melody and how it all comes together. It was a fairly simple beat pattern, one that we use for another tune, yet they wanted us to play it more slowly. This was surprisingly difficult!
I've been complimented by other musicians on my ability to "keep good time," which has seemed like sort of a cheat as it's something that came naturally, and also because I'm so new at this whole musician thing that I don't know if it's even true. For me, time and rhythm shows up as a feeling in my body (which does include my head, but not just in my mind, if that makes sense). I could tell that I was speeding up the pattern, and it felt like my hands just wanted to play it at the tempo we normally use. Yet if I slowed down on purpose, it sounded wrong or off or something.
When I expressed how hard it was to keep the riff slower, our music director nodded and laughed, like he'd been there before. Then he pulled out his phone and started up a metronome. I'd never played with one, but soon figured it out. What a revelation! Obviously, it kept me (and the other drummers) to a steady tempo. But the really interesting part was how it illustrated so clearly the subjective experience we each have with time.
Sometimes it felt like the tempo of the metronome was changing, like it had slowed down. It hadn't. Why did it seem that way, then? Maybe because of something I was hearing in the rest of the tune being played all around me. Perhaps my mind wandered off (a sample: "Wow, this metronome thing is so cool! It would be great to use in yoga, when I'm counting breaths in a longer hold...I wonder how variable each breath is, really; I mean, it works out to six deep breaths being about a minute, but perhaps that's just an average, blah blah blah..."). For whatever reason, I occasionally became distracted from the groove.
Now bear with me here, as I try to draw some parallels to life in general. When we're in the groove, feeling our own rhythms in tune with those of nature and the world as a whole, we cruise along, keeping good time. Yet when we get distracted, perhaps by those around us (the other musicians), or even by our own stories (mental chatter), we fall off the beat. Our timing isn't spot-on. And I'm not saying it always has to be. In life, as in the most creative musical collaborations, we can mess around with our own riffs and then merge back into the stream of shared time. The metronome is a guideline, not a law. In one of our other tunes, I was told I was holding too firmly to the beat, and not letting it "swing." And I could, on reflection, feel what they meant.
Perhaps keeping good time has to do with knowing when to hold the line and when to go with the flow, feeling your way along so that you know when you've fallen out of sync. It also takes a lot of practice, so you can, as our director says, "internalize" the rhythms. Much like life.
I've been complimented by other musicians on my ability to "keep good time," which has seemed like sort of a cheat as it's something that came naturally, and also because I'm so new at this whole musician thing that I don't know if it's even true. For me, time and rhythm shows up as a feeling in my body (which does include my head, but not just in my mind, if that makes sense). I could tell that I was speeding up the pattern, and it felt like my hands just wanted to play it at the tempo we normally use. Yet if I slowed down on purpose, it sounded wrong or off or something.
When I expressed how hard it was to keep the riff slower, our music director nodded and laughed, like he'd been there before. Then he pulled out his phone and started up a metronome. I'd never played with one, but soon figured it out. What a revelation! Obviously, it kept me (and the other drummers) to a steady tempo. But the really interesting part was how it illustrated so clearly the subjective experience we each have with time.
Sometimes it felt like the tempo of the metronome was changing, like it had slowed down. It hadn't. Why did it seem that way, then? Maybe because of something I was hearing in the rest of the tune being played all around me. Perhaps my mind wandered off (a sample: "Wow, this metronome thing is so cool! It would be great to use in yoga, when I'm counting breaths in a longer hold...I wonder how variable each breath is, really; I mean, it works out to six deep breaths being about a minute, but perhaps that's just an average, blah blah blah..."). For whatever reason, I occasionally became distracted from the groove.
Now bear with me here, as I try to draw some parallels to life in general. When we're in the groove, feeling our own rhythms in tune with those of nature and the world as a whole, we cruise along, keeping good time. Yet when we get distracted, perhaps by those around us (the other musicians), or even by our own stories (mental chatter), we fall off the beat. Our timing isn't spot-on. And I'm not saying it always has to be. In life, as in the most creative musical collaborations, we can mess around with our own riffs and then merge back into the stream of shared time. The metronome is a guideline, not a law. In one of our other tunes, I was told I was holding too firmly to the beat, and not letting it "swing." And I could, on reflection, feel what they meant.
Perhaps keeping good time has to do with knowing when to hold the line and when to go with the flow, feeling your way along so that you know when you've fallen out of sync. It also takes a lot of practice, so you can, as our director says, "internalize" the rhythms. Much like life.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Why Drumming Helps With My Writing
Feline Drummers at the Watch City Festival in Waltham, MA
5/12/12
photo by Jennifer Wright Owen
Elven Tiger and I are taking a drawing class at our homeschool co-op, based on the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. At this point in my life, I've done lots of meditation, yoga, and other practices that enable me to enter the alpha state at will. So I'm finding it relatively easy to slip into that right-brain mode as I draw, even though I'm far from an accomplished artist. I'm having fun sketching, with no expectations about the outcome.
In recent years I've become pretty pleased with my writing ability. (It still makes me squirm a bit to even say something like that - but I've got a book contract, so I guess I can toot my own horn just a bit). Of course, there's always room for improvement, and that's part of the fun of the writing craft. Interestingly, the thing that has had the biggest impact on my writing lately is my drumming.
I started playing the djembe a few years ago. Self-taught (aside from a couple of workshops here and there), sitting round the fire, groovin' in a hippie drum circle sort of way. Then BlackLion and I got asked to drum for the first Dark Follies street performance in 2008. At first playing with Dark Follies was perfect for our improv-style messing around, but then some of the dancers wanted something a bit more traditional. Other drummers came in, and one excellent drummer, Stephen, became the lead musician. He's done a lot of training and practice, and it shows. The quality of Dark Follies' music improved. At that point BlackLion and I almost quit, both because of our lack of experience with the more traditional tunes, and also because we got busy with other things, like writing and creating offerings and wares for our business.
BlackLion had done more drumming than me, so he wasn't really intimidated. I was frustrated with my seeming inability to remember the various beats by name. "We'll play a slow maqsum, then transition into masmoodi" sounded Greek to me. My left brain just wasn't getting it - but if they could show me the riff, I could play along with no problem. With BlackLion's urging, and being drawn in by the cool folks in the troupe, we got more involved again last year.
This fall, our fearless leader decided that we should form a real band, and add melodic instruments. Thus we became the Dark Follies Not Just Rhythm Orchestra. It's been a truly incredible learning experience! I love playing with a band. I've never considered myself a musician - that was always Quester's realm, and BlackLion's. But now I'm feeling it. And the lessons I've learned are invaluable in boosting my other creative pursuits - including my biggest passion, writing. How?
Well, what I've struggled with most in becoming a "real" drummer is the connection between the left brain and the right brain. Both are needed in this gig. The right brain stuff is easy for me. I can keep the beat and get into the groove (Quester tells me that keeping a steady beat is a fairly rare talent, but I just feel it in my body and go with it). The left brain connection to that has been a challenge - learning the various beats by name, primarily. When I say a challenge, I mean one of those fun brain-bending "I can do this, I know I can!" sort of challenges. And it seems to be working! The connection with writing is that it's becoming easier for me to move from the idea phase, where I'm imagining a piece and brainstorming its components (right brain), to the actual execution of it (left brain).
I feel like I'm a symphony, sometimes, as I open up and creatively express what's in my heart. And whether my composition is made up of words or drumbeats, I'm in the moment, awake and aware, yet deeply immersed in the flow. I have a long way to go with my music, but again, that's part of the fun of the craft. I'm excited about the expansion and discovery - and delighted that all parts of my life are being uplifted in the process.
Friday, April 13, 2012
This Week
Well, hello there! I've been away from blogging for a couple of weeks, which included our amazing journey to the Life Rocks! Radical Unschooling conference. That was a very joyful, uplifting experience, and I plan to post more about it, and about some of the new ideas that inspired me while I was there. But this post is about this week in particular.
It was a busy one, and there were three things that I was primarily focused on. A past version of me might have said they were things I was feeling nervous about, but instead I'll just say that I wanted to make sure they went well. Here they are, in chronological order (although this means the order of importance is reversed).
The first one was running the audio board for a live call-in show on my local public radio station. I worked full-time for the station for 16 years, and then in 2008 I left to pursue my passions (unschooling, writing, creating my own business, and more). Just recently I've started doing some occasional work for them, filling in for other folks. They moved into a new studio, with all new equipment, so I've had to learn the new systems. It's a fun intellectual challenge, and my most recent test was to make sure things went well during my first time helping with the call-in show. And it was fine!
Next was the Dark Follies gig we had this week. We've been practicing all winter to come together as a musical ensemble, and the show went very well! I feel like I'm learning so much by playing with the group, and my drumming has improved. We have many more gigs this spring and summer, so it will continue to get better and better! I'm excited about learning some more new tunes. Here's a picture of BlackLion and I after the gig, taken by my Mom.
Finally, and most important, my beloved Aunt got some good news today at her doctor visit. Her health is her business, so I won't share in detail, but she's been going through a long healing process since Christmas Eve, and I'm delighted to say that things are very positive. I've been including her in my daily visualization practice, and I hope that and the Reiki have helped boost her healing energies.
I'm so happy and thankful for such a successful week! And now this introvert gets to rest and recharge. I'm curled up with Percy cat, the laptop, and jazz on the radio, and enjoying the chill time.
It was a busy one, and there were three things that I was primarily focused on. A past version of me might have said they were things I was feeling nervous about, but instead I'll just say that I wanted to make sure they went well. Here they are, in chronological order (although this means the order of importance is reversed).
The first one was running the audio board for a live call-in show on my local public radio station. I worked full-time for the station for 16 years, and then in 2008 I left to pursue my passions (unschooling, writing, creating my own business, and more). Just recently I've started doing some occasional work for them, filling in for other folks. They moved into a new studio, with all new equipment, so I've had to learn the new systems. It's a fun intellectual challenge, and my most recent test was to make sure things went well during my first time helping with the call-in show. And it was fine!
Next was the Dark Follies gig we had this week. We've been practicing all winter to come together as a musical ensemble, and the show went very well! I feel like I'm learning so much by playing with the group, and my drumming has improved. We have many more gigs this spring and summer, so it will continue to get better and better! I'm excited about learning some more new tunes. Here's a picture of BlackLion and I after the gig, taken by my Mom.
Finally, and most important, my beloved Aunt got some good news today at her doctor visit. Her health is her business, so I won't share in detail, but she's been going through a long healing process since Christmas Eve, and I'm delighted to say that things are very positive. I've been including her in my daily visualization practice, and I hope that and the Reiki have helped boost her healing energies.
I'm so happy and thankful for such a successful week! And now this introvert gets to rest and recharge. I'm curled up with Percy cat, the laptop, and jazz on the radio, and enjoying the chill time.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Traveling Beyond Words
Sometimes there are things that I'm thinking or feeling or dreaming that just can't be communicated with words. Does that ever happen for you? Like those dreams that stir me awake, but I can't write them in my dream journal because there's really no plot or setting or characters, just a sort of indescribable awareness. Or a feeling that arises that presents an odd combination of emotions, like an uplifting sadness or a poignant fey anger - see, just trying to write them down here isn't really capturing them at all.
The other night BlackLion and I went to a kirtan at a local yoga studio. I've been to kirtan events there before, and the organizers are just amazing. The event is woven together with storytelling - Hindu myths and personal insights and yogic quotes - in between the uplifting energy-filled chants. We brought along our drums this time. The theme was a celebration of Shiva, in honor of the upcoming festival Maha Shivaratri, or The Great Night of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the god of cosmic destruction and rebirth. We chanted to him and I joined in the drumming.
It was a powerfully transformative night. Without words, I was able to go deeply into the moment and experience the energies of the music. The chants do have words, but as they're in Sanskrit, I can easily just dive into the sounds. Much of the time, I was absorbed in the drumming and forgot to chant, anyway. I'd find myself just smiling and drumming, riding the waves of the music.
I recently learned that it's the long vowel sounds in chanting that bring us into an altered state of consciousness, changing our brain waves. It makes sense. When we enter fully into music, we transcend the normal chatter of the mind, and get into a meditative flow. In that space beyond words, I can feel the harmony of my spirit with the universe. I can understand the creativity that arises and seeks expression. I might even be able to bring some of it back into my writing and art, if I use just the right combination of delighted detachment and musing dreaminess.
The other night BlackLion and I went to a kirtan at a local yoga studio. I've been to kirtan events there before, and the organizers are just amazing. The event is woven together with storytelling - Hindu myths and personal insights and yogic quotes - in between the uplifting energy-filled chants. We brought along our drums this time. The theme was a celebration of Shiva, in honor of the upcoming festival Maha Shivaratri, or The Great Night of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the god of cosmic destruction and rebirth. We chanted to him and I joined in the drumming.
It was a powerfully transformative night. Without words, I was able to go deeply into the moment and experience the energies of the music. The chants do have words, but as they're in Sanskrit, I can easily just dive into the sounds. Much of the time, I was absorbed in the drumming and forgot to chant, anyway. I'd find myself just smiling and drumming, riding the waves of the music.
I recently learned that it's the long vowel sounds in chanting that bring us into an altered state of consciousness, changing our brain waves. It makes sense. When we enter fully into music, we transcend the normal chatter of the mind, and get into a meditative flow. In that space beyond words, I can feel the harmony of my spirit with the universe. I can understand the creativity that arises and seeks expression. I might even be able to bring some of it back into my writing and art, if I use just the right combination of delighted detachment and musing dreaminess.
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Spirits of Vaudeville
BlackLion and I are performing this week with the Dark Follies. We'll be part of a Halloween-themed show called "The Spirits of Vaudeville," at Lucid Stage in Portland this Thursday through Saturday evenings (we have to miss the Saturday matinee due to a previous commitment).
We'll be drumming with them as usual, but we'll also be appearing in our...ahem...feline forms. Oh yes, we're cats!
If you're local to the southern Maine area, click here to find out about ticket information. It's a very reasonable price and promises to be a really fun show! Come check it out!
We'll be drumming with them as usual, but we'll also be appearing in our...ahem...feline forms. Oh yes, we're cats!
If you're local to the southern Maine area, click here to find out about ticket information. It's a very reasonable price and promises to be a really fun show! Come check it out!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm
My Mom and I went to a wonderful concert tonight. The performers were Inanna - definitely check out their website if you've never heard of (or heard) them. We've seen them before, most notably in 2004 just after my Mom got out of rehab after her major car accident. I remember that show particularly because Mom was still in a wheelchair then, and the concert was outdoors at an orchard, so I had to wheel her up the hill and through the grass. The drumming they do is so healing, though, it was definitely worth it.
Tonight's show was superb, as always. They are so inspiring! I love that they focus on encouraging women to play drums. And their new compositions are lovely - a bit more meditative and spiritual. Though they also played some of their upbeat get-you-dancing tunes, of course.
They are finishing up a new CD and are doing a Kickstarter campaign (the details are on their website) to help them raise money to finish it. If you haven't heard of Kickstarter (aren't I just a font of information tonight?), it's a very cool way for groups to raise funds (though, fair warning, there is apparently some controversy about how they choose their projects). That was how Starhawk raised the initial funds to get started with making her wonderful novel The Fifth Sacred Thing into a movie. But I digress. Check out Inanna, and support them. You can get a CD, be blessed in their prayers, wear some of their beautiful clothing that one of the members creates, or any number of other cool things, just for helping out. Drum on!
Tonight's show was superb, as always. They are so inspiring! I love that they focus on encouraging women to play drums. And their new compositions are lovely - a bit more meditative and spiritual. Though they also played some of their upbeat get-you-dancing tunes, of course.
They are finishing up a new CD and are doing a Kickstarter campaign (the details are on their website) to help them raise money to finish it. If you haven't heard of Kickstarter (aren't I just a font of information tonight?), it's a very cool way for groups to raise funds (though, fair warning, there is apparently some controversy about how they choose their projects). That was how Starhawk raised the initial funds to get started with making her wonderful novel The Fifth Sacred Thing into a movie. But I digress. Check out Inanna, and support them. You can get a CD, be blessed in their prayers, wear some of their beautiful clothing that one of the members creates, or any number of other cool things, just for helping out. Drum on!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Must-Have Music
Today is (was) Quester's birthday. When I'd asked him for suggestions for what he wanted for gifts, he gave me a list of CDs, being quite the music aficionado. The one I grabbed turned out to be the most excellent new music I've heard for a long time. The band (as well as the album) is called Superheavy. The all-star performers? Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart (of the Euryhthmics), Joss Stone, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley (yes, of THE Marleys), and A.R. Rahman. I most highly recommend it. I mean it. Buy this record!
And thus ends this rather short post, because I had one of those "oh crap, it's almost midnight and I haven't posted yet for today!" moments. Happy Birthday my dear Quester!
And thus ends this rather short post, because I had one of those "oh crap, it's almost midnight and I haven't posted yet for today!" moments. Happy Birthday my dear Quester!
Friday, September 02, 2011
Ahhh, September
I love September. Even though we're unschoolers, that back-to-school vibe in the air gets me feeling creative and productive. I'm making lists and checking them twice. I'm concocting ideas for new projects even as I try to keep up with the ones I already have on my plate. I join things, and say yes to events, and follow trains of thought that I might not, at other times of the year. Part of it, I think, is that it's my birthday month, and that fills me with energy. I think we each have our own personal new year, beginning around the anniversary of our birth. My dear friend the astrologer has offered me a birthday reading, and I'm looking forward to it. I feel this will be a big year for me.
I've also started on a 30-day program of custom-designed affirmations. I'll be passing along more information later, but my mission is to listen to these audio affirmations at least three times a day for 30 days, and see how my life transforms. I'm very psyched!
So, what else is happening in our lives? Well, both kids are heavily into soccer season. Practices have been going on for a while, and ElvenTiger had her first game this week. Dryst's first game as a high school soccer player is today.
BlackLion and I went to Cape Cod this week, to drum for Dark Follies in the troupe's first out-of-state gig. We were at the Cape Cod Festival of Magic, and had a fantastic time performing and hanging out with all kinds of cool creative folks, mostly magicians. It went really well. We made some new friends, and hope to be invited back for next year's festival.
The kids are gearing up to focus on things that interest them this fall and winter: learning French, figuring out some more amateur magic tricks, diving into some new math concepts, sewing, exploring history, and of course reading. Because we're not back to any kind of official school schedule, we're also able to do stuff like this.
This weekend we're visiting OceanMouse, who's recovering from surgery, and bringing her lots of yummy goodies to eat. We'll stock up her fridge and bring her a delivery of things to do as she heals (books, DVDs, and games). Oh, and probably go swimming in the ocean near her adorable cottage home. Then we're going to come home and help a friend move. Along with laundry, writing, games, music, and all the other things we love. And hopefully some relaxing and recovering from the busy month of August.
Have a terrific weekend, and be sure to take the time to relax!
I've also started on a 30-day program of custom-designed affirmations. I'll be passing along more information later, but my mission is to listen to these audio affirmations at least three times a day for 30 days, and see how my life transforms. I'm very psyched!
So, what else is happening in our lives? Well, both kids are heavily into soccer season. Practices have been going on for a while, and ElvenTiger had her first game this week. Dryst's first game as a high school soccer player is today.
BlackLion and I went to Cape Cod this week, to drum for Dark Follies in the troupe's first out-of-state gig. We were at the Cape Cod Festival of Magic, and had a fantastic time performing and hanging out with all kinds of cool creative folks, mostly magicians. It went really well. We made some new friends, and hope to be invited back for next year's festival.
The kids are gearing up to focus on things that interest them this fall and winter: learning French, figuring out some more amateur magic tricks, diving into some new math concepts, sewing, exploring history, and of course reading. Because we're not back to any kind of official school schedule, we're also able to do stuff like this.
This weekend we're visiting OceanMouse, who's recovering from surgery, and bringing her lots of yummy goodies to eat. We'll stock up her fridge and bring her a delivery of things to do as she heals (books, DVDs, and games). Oh, and probably go swimming in the ocean near her adorable cottage home. Then we're going to come home and help a friend move. Along with laundry, writing, games, music, and all the other things we love. And hopefully some relaxing and recovering from the busy month of August.
Have a terrific weekend, and be sure to take the time to relax!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Busy Weekend
I haven't done one of those "glimpse into the life of an unschool family" posts for a while, so I thought I'd share what we did on our busy weekend. Unfortunately I don't have any photos to go with the post, since I still haven't picked up a new battery for my camera. But hopefully you'll read it anyway...
Friday night Dryst took Quester and BlackLion to the movies (well, he made them drive, but he bought the tickets). He'd wanted to see the new racing movie, Fast Five. While they were out, ElvenTiger and I had some relaxed girl time. We played Skip-Bo, our favorite card game of late, and then watched a couple of episodes of Cake Boss on Netflix. Then we just hung out and read for a while.
On Saturday, after running some errands in the morning, we dropped ElvenTiger off with my Mom, who is the most wonderful Grammy ever. Then we went to Dryst's first lacrosse game. We brought along a friend of ours, since we (the adults) were all going out that evening. Dryst had a game, then an hour off, then another game, and we'd planned for my Mom to come and be there for the second game (we didn't want to just have her pick him up at the end, because, as Quester pointed out, of the risk of injury that lacrosse brings). Little did we know that during the break, while he was hanging out with the other kids on his team, he'd get hit with a lacrosse ball while practicing, and get a bloody nose! Murphy's Law, I guess, that it happened while none of his family was there! But the coach was helpful, and Dryst is 14, so he handled it just fine. He's got some bruising and his nose is sore, but not broken or anything. That's why they have helmets during official practices and games! But he was just passing the ball around with some teammates, and didn't expect to get bonked right in the face. Mom was shocked to see blood on his face when she arrived at the field! She stayed for the game and then both kids had dinner with she and Dad, and hung out with them for the evening.
So the adults of our tribe went out on Saturday night to a fun concert! We had given one our our friends a ticket for her birthday back in February, to go and see Dark Star Orchestra at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. It was an awesome show! DSO is a Grateful Dead tribute band who replicates (most splendidly!) particular Grateful Dead concerts from their many years of touring. I think it's a really creative way to be a cover band, because the 'Dead were known for their musical improvisation and a huge repertoire of songs. For those of you who are Deadheads or are curious, here's a link to the show we saw. There were seven of us who went together, and we had a fabulous time dancing to two long sets of music. Fun fun fun! Ocean Mouse had us all over for cocktails and pizza before the show. She has such a wonderfully adorable house and gardens! We got home at 3am.
Today we went to the monthly family potluck, which was to be a cookout. It was raining, so we ate inside, but the host still ventured out to cook on the grill. We had veggie burgers (or meat for those who eat it), potato salad, and bean salad (that was what I made), plus appetizers and yummy desserts. ElvenTiger brought an umbrella and played outside in the rain, enjoying the gardens and the resident poultry: chickens and a peacock. It was fun to see the chickens just wandering through the yard, despite the downpour.
We came home and have been just relaxing this evening. BlackLion went off to hang out with Sash for some "Taco Time." The rest of us had Mexican food for dinner. The kids are both playing a car racing game with Quester in the living room, and I'm catching up on my online reading and writing, since I hadn't had much time for computer-ing for a couple of days. This looks like it'll be a busy spring and summer! But filled with fun stuff. Life is good!
Friday night Dryst took Quester and BlackLion to the movies (well, he made them drive, but he bought the tickets). He'd wanted to see the new racing movie, Fast Five. While they were out, ElvenTiger and I had some relaxed girl time. We played Skip-Bo, our favorite card game of late, and then watched a couple of episodes of Cake Boss on Netflix. Then we just hung out and read for a while.
On Saturday, after running some errands in the morning, we dropped ElvenTiger off with my Mom, who is the most wonderful Grammy ever. Then we went to Dryst's first lacrosse game. We brought along a friend of ours, since we (the adults) were all going out that evening. Dryst had a game, then an hour off, then another game, and we'd planned for my Mom to come and be there for the second game (we didn't want to just have her pick him up at the end, because, as Quester pointed out, of the risk of injury that lacrosse brings). Little did we know that during the break, while he was hanging out with the other kids on his team, he'd get hit with a lacrosse ball while practicing, and get a bloody nose! Murphy's Law, I guess, that it happened while none of his family was there! But the coach was helpful, and Dryst is 14, so he handled it just fine. He's got some bruising and his nose is sore, but not broken or anything. That's why they have helmets during official practices and games! But he was just passing the ball around with some teammates, and didn't expect to get bonked right in the face. Mom was shocked to see blood on his face when she arrived at the field! She stayed for the game and then both kids had dinner with she and Dad, and hung out with them for the evening.
So the adults of our tribe went out on Saturday night to a fun concert! We had given one our our friends a ticket for her birthday back in February, to go and see Dark Star Orchestra at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. It was an awesome show! DSO is a Grateful Dead tribute band who replicates (most splendidly!) particular Grateful Dead concerts from their many years of touring. I think it's a really creative way to be a cover band, because the 'Dead were known for their musical improvisation and a huge repertoire of songs. For those of you who are Deadheads or are curious, here's a link to the show we saw. There were seven of us who went together, and we had a fabulous time dancing to two long sets of music. Fun fun fun! Ocean Mouse had us all over for cocktails and pizza before the show. She has such a wonderfully adorable house and gardens! We got home at 3am.
Today we went to the monthly family potluck, which was to be a cookout. It was raining, so we ate inside, but the host still ventured out to cook on the grill. We had veggie burgers (or meat for those who eat it), potato salad, and bean salad (that was what I made), plus appetizers and yummy desserts. ElvenTiger brought an umbrella and played outside in the rain, enjoying the gardens and the resident poultry: chickens and a peacock. It was fun to see the chickens just wandering through the yard, despite the downpour.
We came home and have been just relaxing this evening. BlackLion went off to hang out with Sash for some "Taco Time." The rest of us had Mexican food for dinner. The kids are both playing a car racing game with Quester in the living room, and I'm catching up on my online reading and writing, since I hadn't had much time for computer-ing for a couple of days. This looks like it'll be a busy spring and summer! But filled with fun stuff. Life is good!
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Iron Pentacle, The Simpsons, and a Kiss From Michael Franti
Hello, loyal readers! I assume you're loyal, since you're still here even though I haven't written for a while. October was insanely busy. I had said "yes" to a whole bunch of (admittedly fun) social events, we still had lots of soccer games, our car situation remained...interesting, and by the end of the month, I was done. I was tired and burned out. After a car accident (Quester hurt his arm, but he's okay now) and a sudden illness in BlackLion's side of the family, we canceled most of our Halloween plans and stayed in, honoring Samhain quietly (the kids did get to go trick-or-treating with their friends, though).
The first weekend in November was set aside for a two-day workshop that BlackLion and I were very excited to attend. It had been scheduled for last fall, then spring, and for various reasons had been delayed. It was well worth the wait! The workshop is from the Reclaiming Pagan tradition, and is called the Iron Pentacle. I learned SO much about myself, discovered new tools for my path, and met some wonderful folks.
As you can tell, I love to explore my spirituality, and I often (as a Virgo) have a plan - I outline goals, next steps, and practices for myself. Yet at the end of the second day of Iron Pentacle, one of the questions we answered was "what will you take away from this workshop?" In other words, what are your next steps? And I was delighted to not have an answer. I have so many rich, deep, challenging and delightful new concepts to contemplate that I just don't know yet where they will lead me. As I'm setting aside much of the rest of November for introspection, creativity, and inner work, it's great to have so much material to focus on.
After the second day of the workshop, we went to New Hampshire with some friends to see Michael Franti and Spearhead in concert. What a perfect show to close out our magickal weekend! Their music is uplifting and positive but not syrupy. It's about real people, struggling, growing, and loving as best they can. And Michael Franti is full of energy and glows with power-from-within. Everyone in the place was up and dancing! After the show, he hung around to meet his fans. I went up front to shake his hand and thank him for the show. I said "blessed be," and he replied with a kiss on the cheek and a friendly "and you." I love how he blurs the line between performer and audience. For the final song, he invited all the young kids and adults age 60 and up to come up on stage and dance. It was a very cool experience, and next time we plan to invite Dryst and ElvenTiger to come with us.
One of the things that came from the workshop was a renewed focus on my passions. Meaning the things that I love to do, that I find exciting, that I choose to do given infinite time. So I came up with the idea of only doing the things that are a passionate "yes" to me, and transforming things that are an intrinsic part of life into things I can also be passionate about. Like, being passionate about housework because I love to have a clean house.
Yesterday, I had a half-hour before we were going to leave for my parents' for dinner. I was hungry, and the kids were sitting down to have a snack and watch the Halloween episode of The Simpsons. So I joined them. I don't watch many TV shows, and certainly wouldn't have put that particular show on the list. But the "yes" was about connecting with my kids, and sharing their passions. And sure enough, Dryst started telling me about why this show was particularly interesting, and how it included parodies of several movies, and ElvenTiger and I laughed together, and we had a fun time. I like where I am right now, and can see all the amazing things I have yet to learn.
The first weekend in November was set aside for a two-day workshop that BlackLion and I were very excited to attend. It had been scheduled for last fall, then spring, and for various reasons had been delayed. It was well worth the wait! The workshop is from the Reclaiming Pagan tradition, and is called the Iron Pentacle. I learned SO much about myself, discovered new tools for my path, and met some wonderful folks.
As you can tell, I love to explore my spirituality, and I often (as a Virgo) have a plan - I outline goals, next steps, and practices for myself. Yet at the end of the second day of Iron Pentacle, one of the questions we answered was "what will you take away from this workshop?" In other words, what are your next steps? And I was delighted to not have an answer. I have so many rich, deep, challenging and delightful new concepts to contemplate that I just don't know yet where they will lead me. As I'm setting aside much of the rest of November for introspection, creativity, and inner work, it's great to have so much material to focus on.
After the second day of the workshop, we went to New Hampshire with some friends to see Michael Franti and Spearhead in concert. What a perfect show to close out our magickal weekend! Their music is uplifting and positive but not syrupy. It's about real people, struggling, growing, and loving as best they can. And Michael Franti is full of energy and glows with power-from-within. Everyone in the place was up and dancing! After the show, he hung around to meet his fans. I went up front to shake his hand and thank him for the show. I said "blessed be," and he replied with a kiss on the cheek and a friendly "and you." I love how he blurs the line between performer and audience. For the final song, he invited all the young kids and adults age 60 and up to come up on stage and dance. It was a very cool experience, and next time we plan to invite Dryst and ElvenTiger to come with us.
One of the things that came from the workshop was a renewed focus on my passions. Meaning the things that I love to do, that I find exciting, that I choose to do given infinite time. So I came up with the idea of only doing the things that are a passionate "yes" to me, and transforming things that are an intrinsic part of life into things I can also be passionate about. Like, being passionate about housework because I love to have a clean house.
Yesterday, I had a half-hour before we were going to leave for my parents' for dinner. I was hungry, and the kids were sitting down to have a snack and watch the Halloween episode of The Simpsons. So I joined them. I don't watch many TV shows, and certainly wouldn't have put that particular show on the list. But the "yes" was about connecting with my kids, and sharing their passions. And sure enough, Dryst started telling me about why this show was particularly interesting, and how it included parodies of several movies, and ElvenTiger and I laughed together, and we had a fun time. I like where I am right now, and can see all the amazing things I have yet to learn.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Drumming at the Edge of Winter
Last night BlackLion and I drummed for a Pagan benefit performance honoring the Winter Solstice, called "The Longest Night." The performances, which were excellent, consisted of dramatic readings of prose and poetry, storytelling, dancing and a sing-along. As Feline Drummers, we drummed before the official start of the show and during the intermission. I had a great time! Leading up to the event, we practiced the rhythms we've written over the past year and learned a new one, which was also a lot of fun.
This reminded me that I haven't taken much time to drum lately, since the colder weather. I'm not sure exactly why. I recently read Mickey Hart's Drumming at the Edge of Magic, which was inspiring. When I do drum, I get swirled away in the music and the moment. Learning new rhythms engages both my logical and intuitive sides, which is challenging and exciting. I'm still a beginning drummer, though I think now I'm perhaps at the advanced beginner stage. I'm lucky enough to have a natural sense of rhythm, but that only takes me so far. I definitely want more practice and training.
After performing last night, we got several invitations and recommendations, along with a bunch of compliments. Two people mentioned a local drum circle that we should drop in on, we were invited by a dance teacher to drum for her classes this winter, and some folks that we work with magickally want to add drumming to our next gathering. I think I'm being gently nudged in the direction of more drumming! First, though, I need to get through the rest of these holiday preparations and celebrations. Pa rum pa pum pum....
Oh, and an addendum to my book wish list - I forgot (at least) one very important book! I really really want to read The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn.
This reminded me that I haven't taken much time to drum lately, since the colder weather. I'm not sure exactly why. I recently read Mickey Hart's Drumming at the Edge of Magic, which was inspiring. When I do drum, I get swirled away in the music and the moment. Learning new rhythms engages both my logical and intuitive sides, which is challenging and exciting. I'm still a beginning drummer, though I think now I'm perhaps at the advanced beginner stage. I'm lucky enough to have a natural sense of rhythm, but that only takes me so far. I definitely want more practice and training.
After performing last night, we got several invitations and recommendations, along with a bunch of compliments. Two people mentioned a local drum circle that we should drop in on, we were invited by a dance teacher to drum for her classes this winter, and some folks that we work with magickally want to add drumming to our next gathering. I think I'm being gently nudged in the direction of more drumming! First, though, I need to get through the rest of these holiday preparations and celebrations. Pa rum pa pum pum....
Oh, and an addendum to my book wish list - I forgot (at least) one very important book! I really really want to read The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Seasonal Favorites
It's time for another "fours list." I'm not sure why my blog lists seem to come out in fours. They just do. So, here are some of my holiday favorites:
Movies:
White Christmas. The traditional music, the eye-catching costumes, and the charming plot are what keeps me watching it over and over. And the young Bing Crosby!
Love Actually. This is such a terrific movie. The quintessential romantic comedy, with many different stories woven into one.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The original cartoon version. Though I did think the live-action Jim Carrey one that came out a few years ago was funny.
A Christmas Story. My family's all-time belly-laugh favorite from my childhood. "You'll shoot your eye out!"
Books:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Classic.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. The pictures are lovely, as is the sentiment.
This Year It Will Be Different (and Other Stories) by Maeve Binchy. This Irish author is great at making you feel like you really know the characters - even in short stories.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett. Check out any of the picture books by this author. Delightful pictures and fun stories for all ages.
Music:
"Holiday Spirits" by Straight No Chaser. These guys have amazing voices, and a sense of humor.
"A Christmas Together" by John Denver and the Muppets. I rediscovered this one a couple of years ago, and it brought back the feeling of the holidays as a kid, when we had the record album.
"In the Christmas Mood" by The Glenn Miller Orchestra. This CD swings!
"Celtic Christmas" by various artists (from Windham Hill). Really pretty and relaxing. Great to listen to on a snowy day.
Foods:
Banana Faerie Cake. It's a recipe created by BlackLion and I, and it's a yummy vegan treat that everyone loves. One Yule, this cake was a bigger hit than the sugar cookies or the chocolates!
Truffles. These homemade treats are easy to make and very decadent.
Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Coffee Cake. I'm not sure if that's the actual name for it, but my Mom makes it and sometimes brings it for Christmas Day breakfast. Perfect with hot chocolate.
Seitan, Gravy and all the Fixings: The traditional holiday comfort foods, vegan-style. We make enough to have plenty of leftovers.
And yes, I've noticed that my favorite holiday foods are mostly sugary. That's why they're treats, people! :)
Movies:
White Christmas. The traditional music, the eye-catching costumes, and the charming plot are what keeps me watching it over and over. And the young Bing Crosby!
Love Actually. This is such a terrific movie. The quintessential romantic comedy, with many different stories woven into one.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The original cartoon version. Though I did think the live-action Jim Carrey one that came out a few years ago was funny.
A Christmas Story. My family's all-time belly-laugh favorite from my childhood. "You'll shoot your eye out!"
Books:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Classic.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. The pictures are lovely, as is the sentiment.
This Year It Will Be Different (and Other Stories) by Maeve Binchy. This Irish author is great at making you feel like you really know the characters - even in short stories.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett. Check out any of the picture books by this author. Delightful pictures and fun stories for all ages.
Music:
"Holiday Spirits" by Straight No Chaser. These guys have amazing voices, and a sense of humor.
"A Christmas Together" by John Denver and the Muppets. I rediscovered this one a couple of years ago, and it brought back the feeling of the holidays as a kid, when we had the record album.
"In the Christmas Mood" by The Glenn Miller Orchestra. This CD swings!
"Celtic Christmas" by various artists (from Windham Hill). Really pretty and relaxing. Great to listen to on a snowy day.
Foods:
Banana Faerie Cake. It's a recipe created by BlackLion and I, and it's a yummy vegan treat that everyone loves. One Yule, this cake was a bigger hit than the sugar cookies or the chocolates!
Truffles. These homemade treats are easy to make and very decadent.
Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Coffee Cake. I'm not sure if that's the actual name for it, but my Mom makes it and sometimes brings it for Christmas Day breakfast. Perfect with hot chocolate.
Seitan, Gravy and all the Fixings: The traditional holiday comfort foods, vegan-style. We make enough to have plenty of leftovers.
And yes, I've noticed that my favorite holiday foods are mostly sugary. That's why they're treats, people! :)
Sunday, April 05, 2009
New Goals
I've been doing some introspection and re-membering, and I realized I hadn't written about my goals for this year (2009). I did this last year (click here to see the 2008 post) and found it useful. In fact, I just went back and commented on how I did on each of them.
So, here are the things I am focused on this year:
1. Writing. This is the year to become a published author. The vegan pagan cookbook is finished, as far as content goes, and will be sent out to prospective publishers soon. BlackLion and I will be publishing our core belief kit this spring, and we also plan to finish The Book of Ing. More to come!
2. Yoga. I will continue to focus on and refine my daily yoga practice. I will include more meditation as well. I'd like to try new types of meditation, and attend more yoga workshops and retreats.
3. Drumming. I will practice my drumming regularly, and perhaps take some lessons. I plan to play more gigs as well as play for friends and family.
4. Art. I am going to explore my creativity through various arts. One that I really enjoy is collage. I'd like to try some new forms, too.
5. I'm not sure what to call this one, though it encompasses love, joy and gratitude. I will tune in to the sacredness of everything. I am further exploring my spirituality, and having fun doing so. I will ENJOY life!
So, here are the things I am focused on this year:
1. Writing. This is the year to become a published author. The vegan pagan cookbook is finished, as far as content goes, and will be sent out to prospective publishers soon. BlackLion and I will be publishing our core belief kit this spring, and we also plan to finish The Book of Ing. More to come!
2. Yoga. I will continue to focus on and refine my daily yoga practice. I will include more meditation as well. I'd like to try new types of meditation, and attend more yoga workshops and retreats.
3. Drumming. I will practice my drumming regularly, and perhaps take some lessons. I plan to play more gigs as well as play for friends and family.
4. Art. I am going to explore my creativity through various arts. One that I really enjoy is collage. I'd like to try some new forms, too.
5. I'm not sure what to call this one, though it encompasses love, joy and gratitude. I will tune in to the sacredness of everything. I am further exploring my spirituality, and having fun doing so. I will ENJOY life!
Monday, October 06, 2008
So Many Projects!
It must be fall - I'm feeling creative and inspired, and I have so many projects either underway, or in the planning phases.
I've got a few winter holiday (Christmas/Yule/Solstice/New Year's) gifts in mind already that I want to create. I can't mention them here, at the risk of spoiling the surprise.
For writing projects, the Core Belief Kit is still underway, plus I'm working on a chapter for a fiction piece I'm writing with two friends, a personal journal for my character in a role-playing game (based on Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber), and various other articles.
In the garden, we need to finish harvesting, then turn over and mulch the beds. We've got some garlic to put in, too.
With the kids, we're busily in the last couple of weeks of soccer. Plus our usual projects and interests. We got a bunch of new books at a library sale recently. The Maine Wholeschoolers (our unschool support group) will be part of a local art fair later this month.
And in about a week and a half, I'll be headed out for my yoga retreat! Wow, so much exciting stuff happening. Not to mention reading, visits with friends, yoga and more yoga, at least one drum performance for Feline Drummers, and of course the never-ending housework!
I've got a few winter holiday (Christmas/Yule/Solstice/New Year's) gifts in mind already that I want to create. I can't mention them here, at the risk of spoiling the surprise.
For writing projects, the Core Belief Kit is still underway, plus I'm working on a chapter for a fiction piece I'm writing with two friends, a personal journal for my character in a role-playing game (based on Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber), and various other articles.
In the garden, we need to finish harvesting, then turn over and mulch the beds. We've got some garlic to put in, too.
With the kids, we're busily in the last couple of weeks of soccer. Plus our usual projects and interests. We got a bunch of new books at a library sale recently. The Maine Wholeschoolers (our unschool support group) will be part of a local art fair later this month.
And in about a week and a half, I'll be headed out for my yoga retreat! Wow, so much exciting stuff happening. Not to mention reading, visits with friends, yoga and more yoga, at least one drum performance for Feline Drummers, and of course the never-ending housework!
Friday, October 20, 2006
Wannabe Drummer
I'm sitting here typing and listening to Freakwitch practicing in the basement. I wanna be a drummer! I need to somehow make it a priority (i.e. find the money) to get the djembe I've been talking about getting for months. B. is going to give me some lessons. And my Mom is going to learn, too - we both want to get a drum soon. I really like B.'s drumming, both kit and doumbek. And I just feel like I have a natural affinity for rhythms and beats. That's always what I follow the most when I'm dancing. Sure, I groove to the melody, but the rhythm always calls to me. Ah well, for now I'm just a wannabe!
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