Out on the Horizon

"When I see the sea once more
will the sea have seen or not seen me?

Why do the waves ask me
the same questions I ask them?

And why do they strike the rock
with so much wasted passion?

Don't they get tired of repeating
their declaration to the sand?"

-Pablo Neruda








"Do salt and sugar work
to build a white tower?

Is it true that in an anthill
dreams are a duty?

Do you know what the earth
meditates upon in autumn?

Why not give a medal
to the first golden leaf?"

Seeds

One last week working in this therapeutic garden.







If a garden could tell a story..... High above Kawa Bay on the misty slopes of Mauna Loa lies the garden with a sweeping view of mountains and sea known as Nalu. Nalu means wave and embodies going with the flow. This is a place where people are sent to sit with their thoughts, reflect and grow plants. I have spent years on these grounds working: weeding, planting, watering, harvesting, thinking, and the most important job: listening. Listening to the sad stories being told.







I feel as if a big part of myself breathes within the soil and hovers with the hanging clouds above. This is a garden where dreams are planted and watered with tears.





Harvest will be many years away. We are just living the struggle to keep the weeds at bay and the soil vibrant. Magic blossoms every so often in the soil laden with hope, redemption, angst and fear.







The clouds of last chances and empty promises blow over carried by the gentle trade winds. These plants been serenaded by it all: crying, shouting, struggles and breakthroughs, motivation lost and found. Soil and thoughts are sifted and maybe if done for long enough you will find a little piece of awakening; feeling loved by the most important person: yourself. Sometimes it is just as simple as planting a seed and remembering to water it.





As the saying goes:

“Before enlightenment
chop wood, carry water
After enlightenment
Chop wood carry water.”









Blessed are the drowned
Who walk with the willows and
Sing their songs in the shadows
Those sinking souls who
Surrendered it all
Throwing their hands to the sky
Becoming the paint, laughing at the painter
Living in the currents and becoming the
Pattern to the chaos.
Existing in twilight, drowning in
The light of dark
I am drowned

Full Bloom

Rainbows illuminate the trail
Heart abuzz
Laughing the whole way through
To Halape, the land of dreams....
Where I open my eyes from a deep sleep
To find the cliffs and sea swallowed by moonlight
While the wind is still wide awake in all its brilliance
Painting with time
Finishing its wild, swirling masterpiece
Before the sun rises

Magic Abounds

From the Rogue River to Kalalau

Feelin' Good!!

I survived my first year as a teacher and managed to remain feeling good mentally and physically. I noticed that the overwhelming majority of the work force gets through each day on coffee and sugar. I got plenty of weird looks as I ate my staple of quinoa and kale each day for lunch. This has been the first time I have had to really balance all aspects of life in order to feel happy and I know nutrition plays a huge part in the mix. Feeling inspired and full of energy to run or surf before and after school has been the mission at hand. Drinking yerba mate’ has been a real joy for me and helped me sustain energy. I feel like drinking the leaf helps me whether I’m delivering a lesson, gardening, running, or just relaxing.



Sometimes maybe it brings too much joy, like when I hear students saying “Mister must have been drinking his special tea, he is acting crazy again.” That’s when I try to explain what it means to be feel happy and passionate but I guess that is not much different from crazy? I really like Guayaki mate’, they use the highest quality leaf, practice good business ethics, and are doing great things. Lots of cool info at:
guayaki.com

Patagonian International Marathon

When I was in high school, I declared at a family gathering that I would never have a regular job. My uncle’s response was “just wait, not only will you be well into a career but you will be listening to country music by age 25."(At the time my music of choice was loud punk) When visiting recently he remembered the day and said, "I’m impressed you held out this long , age 28." (But I’m still not into country)

Looking back, my declaration had nothing to do with angst. Really it was about not wanting to compromise my beliefs or values and I just didn't quite know how to express that at the time.

Along the way I have learned from each job I've held from being a lifeguard, baker, selling running shoes, and working in a therapeutic garden. I have always found ways to be on mountain tops, under the stars and in the ocean for extended periods of time. Now that I’m teaching high school full time it takes more effort to find the right balance but I’m living a life dedicated to passions and joys.I may be clean cut but still feel wild as ever!







I’m excited to be taking part in the 40 mile run through a place I have dreamed of visiting for so long, Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile. Conservation is about all the small choices we make on a daily basis, sometimes convenience must be sacrificed for the greater good.



"The event,continues to support the mission of calling the world’s attention to the conservation of Chilean Patagonia and contributing to the sustainable development of the region."


September 28, 2013
Check out race information!!:

http://www.patagonianinternationalmarathon.com/marathon/

Upstream

Join us for three days of rapids, trails, and talking story on the majestic Rogue river!!


Momentum River Expeditions:
Rogue River Trail Running Trip


"Join Momentum River Expeditions and ultra runners Jenn Shelton and Billy Barnett on a 3-Day raft supported Trail Running Trip along Oregon’s Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Combine the world famous Rogue River Trail with comfortable raft supported river side camping and gourmet meals."

http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/2013/03/12/rogue-trail-running-trip/

"This is what you shall do;
Love the earth and sun and the animals,
despise riches,
give alms to every one that asks,
stand up for the stupid and crazy,
devote your income and labor to others,
hate tyrants,
argue not concerning God,
have patience and indulgence toward the people,
take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men,
go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families,
read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life,
re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book,
dismiss whatever insults your own soul,
and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words
but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes
and in every motion and joint of your body." -W.W