Stones

There's nothing like a medical emergency,
Possibly fatal
To teach you the categories of pain

That you never imagined,
Ever conceived, well
beyond Hollywood torture.

But it happens…
And then you would trade any body part
For release, any intervention--

Whether blessed narcotic
Or the simplicity
Of a loaded revolver.

Most often you survive,
Turning away from knowledge
That your life could instantly

Become and insurmountable Hell
Or endless oblivion.
No need to think about that.

Life is for living.
Go about it, do new things.
Exist for the moment.

Forget all darkness.
Dismiss any thought
of that patient grave.

First Moonstone of 2010

From the movie, Cast Away:

 

 Keep breathing 
 because tomorrow the sun will rise.
 Who knows what the tide will bring? 

How to Connect with the Earth

1. Believe that your are in better shape than at any time since your youth.

2. Imagine that decades of hiking make you impervious to any mishap.

3. Scoff at the possibility of getting your feet wet as you cross a small stream.

4. Pay no attention to a 10 inch twig, less than a quarter of an inch in diameter, easily snapped over the knee a child.

5. Forget the physics of lateral force, which proves that sufficient wind force (such as provided by a hurricane) could drive the same twig right through a telephone pole.

6. Experience surprise when the aforementioned twig wedges firmly in the pocket of three small stones and the top your shoe. 

7. Be grateful after falling face down that you are still able to stand up and brush yourself off.

8. Eject dirt from your mouth realizing that at any given time, the whims of nature could spit you out in a similar fashion.

9. Understand the three meanings of the following phrase: "Grounded by Gaia".

Why It Sucks to Get Old

You start off cute

Wide-eyed and innocent

You get a little lazy

Then you put on a few pounds

Your face goes all to hell

 

And you end up as someone's cranky old parent

 

But don't worry . . . it's inevitable!

Santa Cruz Adventure

It began with a  powerful vision:

Of traveling to the islands...

 

On a three day tour

And two young heroes answered his call

They arrived

They camped

(some just waited to be fed)

But first they scouted their surroundings 

And they began to hike

and hike

and hike


 

And hike 

 

 

They discovered new lands

 

And had many extraordinary adventures

 

And endeavored to live off the land

discovering beauty beyond their dreams

Then one young hero, after much deliberation and indecision

Left his companions for the highest ground

Encountering Everest-like peaks

 and lofty heights that made him dizzy

And anxious for lower ground,
he happily returned to his companions

Only for the trio to encounter a greater challenge...
  The Endless Rock Canyon from Hell:

But they survived, all the while they encountering strange wildlife

And yet stranger wildlife

Not to mention exotic plants

 

And more exotic creatures

Meanwhile their camp was nightly assaulted by fearless, ferocious creatures

 

 

Putting them all in mortal danger 

                  

 

These relentless attacks (and subsequent photo ops) tried one member's patience to extremes)

So they partied to relieve the stress

            















(In moderation)

And managed to depart as friends

Already planning next year's adventure

When the trio shall return...


              either by sail

Or by paddle

And so the preparations begin

 

For next year's adventure
      --when the trio shall return.