Journeying: Paddle to Puyallup 2018

We boarded the 7 o'clock ferry early Saturday morning. "Honoring our Medicine" is the theme for the 2018 Paddle to Puyallup Canoe Journey and in our way, we two were journeying to join the more than one hundred canoes and paddlers. The journey is a sacred one, infused with meaning on all levels. The many canoe families were retracing ancient trade routes their ancestors have long traveled. To physically commit to the challenge is one thing (a big one) but the spiritual elements are equally important, if not most important. Pete and I traveled less than a hundred road and water miles to be present. Those physical miles added to the internal mileage are what really builds character, and where the 'medicine' lies.

This spring and summer are times of many dawnings for me. Reality checks and deeply revealing episodes are part of the threshold work going on. I don't think I'm alone in this process as I see friends around me dealing with how to manage and adapt to the need for medicines -- both literally, and metaphorically -- or treatments to realign, restore or add longevity and harmony to body, mind and soul.

In our case, the threshold work for this spring and summer has been focused on recognizing consciously what it takes to live in community, adding our needs, beliefs, perspective and ways of being to the culture into which we have immersed ourselves.

Several years ago, and the year my brother David passed into spirit, I began studying the work of Angeles Arrien, and specifically Arrien's work The Second Half of Life Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom. Arrien writes:

"At the Bone Gate, we realize that our homeland of authenticity is within, and there we are sovereign. Until we discover this ancient truth in a way that is unique for each of us, we are condemned to wander, seeking solace in the outer world where it cannot be found."

To get to the landing spot in Pullayup the canoe families have prepared themselves in the long way -- historically reclaiming their rights, restored traditional practices, and reestablish sovereignity  politically. The journey is painful, difficult, and rewarding when an event such as this annual sacred celebration marks one more example of being here against all odds.

Personally, I can relate to the long term preparation and unfurling it has taken to know the many emotions involved in decolonizing that inner homeland of authenticity. Without kumu teachers and elders to teach me first-hand my learning has been a wanderer's journey between this Pacific Northwest coastline and her islands with the islands of my birth.

It was vitally important for me, and Pete to do everything we could to get from here to there. Using the guidance from Arrien, I reflect on her thoughts:

"Indigenous peoples say that in order to return to our true nature, we must befriend four essential symbolic bones in our body: the backbone, a metaphor for courage; the wishbone, which represnts our lives' wishes, hopes and dreams; the funny bone, a symbol of our sense of humor, which keeps us resilient and flexible; and finally the hollow little bone, whic allows the Mystery to work us rather than us trying to work the Mystery."

To get there in practical terms I needed to make clear choices about how to spend our money wisely, and road trips take energy to complete. There were other events during the month that would have been fun to attend (Bon Odori, the Dance to honor the Ancestors in Seattle; a picnic, also in Seattle with MCS friends; more trips to the Hibulb Cultural Center in Tulalip). But rather than spend resources we didn't have a lot of, I committed to the canoe journey and Pete and I worked together to do it.

In befriending those four essential symbolic bones, I recognize how the Universe and the Mystery are definitely working me, and not the other way around. Arrien asks "At the Bone Gate we ask ourselves; Which of these four bones, with it's essential character and qualities, needs strengthening or realigning?" Twice during the past month my backbone has been tweaked: first by a freakish accident that led to whiplash; and second a small but jostling turn of my foot while I searched for props for my upcoming storytelling. With ice packs, rest, and reflection that bone is being realigned and strengthened, consciously.

Sighting the canoes as they prepare to land, sitting on the beach.

We made the trek, joined families from faraway and near. We listened to the speakers who gave their formal greetings and announcements to the crowd in the heat of a late July, post red moon full moon eclipse. Eagle and Hawk along with all the other Ancestors came to bless and be with us all.

Beside us as Pete and I watched the canoes land we listened to a haole man pepper a pair of native women about the schedule and the meaning of many of the customs and practices implemented at this ceremony. I tracked my personal 'affort' to his prying inquisition, but said nothing. Never once did I turn to see the body language on the women who answered all his questions. The haole man persisted with one question after another at one point adding the disclaimer, "Excuse me for my ignorance, but... " as he continued with his digging.

Later Pete and I talked about the episode. I spoke about what it's like for me to hear this kind of exchange. It had no feel of respect on the part of the haole man. And to those womens' credit, they answered his questions but did not promise him any permissions; they simply answer the questions.

The ceremonies continued in Puyallup that day and will continue through August 4, 2018.  We left just before one 'o clock, standing in a long line to get back on the bus that shuttled people to and fro the parking area a couple miles away. "Elders can go to the front of the line," a volunteer dressed in a beautiful deep blue top tightly fitted to show off her amble breasts said. I did not hesitate a moment and followed the couple just ahead of us. When it was time for me and Pete to step onto the steps of the bus I thanked the woman, who humbly and softly said, "You're welcome."

Our field trip, and journey to honor our medicine was not quite complete when we finally reached Seattle. There was one more important stop to make. We hadn't seen our two dear friends, Glenda and Lee, for many months; a visit was long overdue. Without calling before showing up I knocked on the deep green door; first the front door and then the back one. The tiny woman opened the back door not expecting a brilliantly colorful woman under a big straw hat wearing red rubber boots.

For an hour or so we sat in the shade of our friends' huge Locust tree sipping Pelligrino while we told stories and laughed and laughed and laughed. The conversation took many routes, and surprised and delighted us all. This pair of friends were our first people, as in first people to embrace, welcome and guide me through the changing reality of living with MCS. Through a set of unpredictable circumstances, I met our guide into what would become new-normal. What a fortunate day that was for us those eleven years ago. And on a Saturday afternoon it was a pleasure to feel my funny bone having such a grand time, engaged in delight, in the shade of the Ancestor Locust!

"The Bone Gate brings us to the "bones of who we are" -- a metaphor for our authentic self...The Bone Gate urges us to develop character, integrity, and wisdom...We are reminded of Gertrude Stein's words, "No one is boring."

Back on the prairie I'm back inside the kitchen which we share with the community each weekend during the Farmers' Market Season. The sound of traffic on 525 alternates with the hum of the solar powered refrigerator a few feet away from the keyboard. Pete is doing laundry in between eating his pot of oatmeal. Bright sunshine fills this space. I wear my big papale even as I write.

My bones literally and metaphorically settle into living this Monday morning, and we my bones and I are grateful to not be boring. Mahalo nui loa to the Puyallup Tribe for hosting and welcoming us to this historic event. Mahalo to our friends for being our 'first people' who continue to inspire hope and laughter in our lives.

And you, how goes the journey?



To honor the medicine of the canoe journey, the people and the protocol of asking permission you can view the Paddle to Puyallup website with authorized videos, photos, information and schedules go here.

Love the one(s) you're with

"... You are in the process of becoming aware of, and clearing away, the tendency of your current social experiences to mimic those of the past, seemingly to no end. Yet you must claim your space, and your right to organize your world in a way that consciously suits you. The question on one level is about patterns; though, on the visceral level, it's about attachments..."- Eric Francis, Scorpio, July, 2018 

The words of the Crosby, Stills and Nash song have been playing in my head most of the month. "Love the one you're with ..." A year ago Pete and I hooked up the trailer and prepared our golden wagon, the Vardo for Two, for our first journey in many years. We'd settled into the woods to reassure ourselves that it was possible for rolling stones to gather some comfort and surety after searching for a place to ground, at least for a while. In those woods we found a spot to sniff out the mystery Cedar, Pine, Raven, Huckleberry, Rat and Mouse all know as intimates of this Salish Island. For a time in those woods we hunkered down refueling, as the second-half of life made sure we were not only refueling but attending to the attitudes and beliefs that might be operating us out of habit where they (those habits) might be better traded for something else.

A year ago our belief and our goal was to return, with our wagon home, to Hawaii. It was Hawaii Island we imagined and envisioned as a place to bring our rolling stone version of life. More than anything it was being close to the ones we loved that was motivating our move. Our years in the woods, with friends who supported our quirky and mcs-laced lifestyle, bouyed our confidence and our resilience but to get all the way back to Hawaii was not the hand we were dealt.

Instead, we showed up yesterday in the late afternoon for a three-hour steward shift at the Whidbey Island Fair. "The Steward keeps an eye on the exhibits, chats with visitors, helps children stamp their Passport cards, encourages voting for the People’s Choice awards of the Critter Creations and answers questions about the exhibits (you’ll get oriented about those when you arrive). There is also a table set up with vegetables and fruits for children to make their own Garden People or Animal Creature." - Prescott

We had such a fun time!

Pete's Fav

One of my favorites.

Chuck Prochoska checked-in to take a count on the Garden Critter voting yesterday while we were there. 

The fair was crowded with people of all ages and every one we met came with attitudes of positivity. In fact, tacked to many of the telephone poles up and down the streets of Langley were just that  PositivityPropaganda. I've Got Your Back (the Universe). I loved that one! Being in large groups is an increasingly 'can do' activity on my list. It's a change for me over the years of living with MCS. Slowly, but, with a readjusted attitude of positivity I have made this change. Clearing space and giving myself rest before and after engaging with the energy of many people, I can be with the ones I'm with.

The original lyrics and the original time when CS&N sang Love the One You're With meant something different to me in the 70's. Being 70 now, the meaning expands and to love the ones I'm with takes on a transformative and lightened meaning. Freedom to organize my internal space gives me room to walk in, and walk out of a space where Garden Critters attract youngsters and people of many ages to a table I'm at. 

Our friends who had the steward shift just before us asked, "Can you be in this place?" I said I was gotta try. For most of that three-hour shift I was comfortble or tolerant of the smells within the space. When I needed a fresher air time I took a walk, looked around, had a change of venue. While inside I set down my papale my sun hat and enjoyed the company of a tiny girl who asked if she could leave her critters with me while she went on a ride. 

"Sure, I'll take care of 'em while you're gone."

When she and her dad came to reclaim her creations, I asked how her ride was.

"We went on the one that throws you against the wall!!!" She was jubilant.

"Yikes, you made it though." I reassured myself (she needed no reassurance) and gently squeezed her arm.

"I didn't," said Dad still reeling.

We commiserated. "I can't do those," I said. I have never been able to do those.

If we could be with those loved ones we love, we would be. If we can't be with them, we can love where we are, love the ones we're with and in the process, with the Universe having our backs, become the loves people love in return. That's big.

And, to those people and that place where Na Kai Ewalu (the eight seas of Hawaii) connect the culture that we love with everywhere else, we send big aloha to travel those currents!! 

xoxoxoxo Mom/Mokihana and Pete/Aunty Titi and Uncle Pete

Celebration

 A riotous flow of Golden Nastursiums spill up and over the side of the planter we filled with richly worm-casted compost. The Blueberry Pete bought to celebrate and remember his sister Jean is joining in the burst of celebration, soon purple and ripe we'll celebrate again when we pop them sweet and juicy in our grateful mouths.

 While the blooms spill outside, time ticks forward and the sun returns to his spot on July 4th in Sheboygan, WI. Yesterday, the sun returned to wake our man Pete and cards, gifts and well-wishes awaited.

 A many many vegetable omelet for the birthday breakfast with our friend, Hope Fay. And then ... another friend, Madir, joined us to wish the man a Happy Birthday.

Clean-up after a grand celebration and a lovely way to give thanks for a great partner who I love like no other. (This day could be a scene from a chapter in a version of The Safety Pin Cafe, and in a parallel universe it is.) Many many thanks to the Universe, the Elementals, the Ancestors, the people of Whidbey for all the miracles that make such an ocassion as tasty as it is, not owning the land we share it and hold energy for this place with open-palms, in such creative ways!

We don't own this world

We never did, we never will

We don't own this world

It's ours to share and pass it on

We don't own this world (we don't own this world)

We don't own this world, yeah
"We don't own this world" Lyrics George Lynch

xoxo Humbled & Grateful,
Moki

This week

"Don’t look backward into the past to try to fix anything. Do take care of what crops up to be readdressed, but don’t go looking. This week’s Mars-Mercury situation is ripe for hotheaded confrontation, but don’t take the bait. Go for bigger picture action, cooperative action, creative thinking, finishing what you’ve started to make way for new plans down the road. Let it inspire you to cooperation over combativeness. Get fired up for creative inspiration. Make plans, plan art." - Weekly Forecast, Satori

I'm awake after a disturbing dream. To shake off the effect of it, I climbed from the comfy bed and a reassuring cuddle and dressed to take a walk down the steps to the 'other rooms' more than a hundred feet away. The sky is sparked with stars and planets. Traffic from the ferry tells me it's late, but not late enough for a ferry-free hour. The dogs across the fields were awake too. Disturbed by coyotes who have been taunting and doing damage to our neighbor's herd of sheep. The reality of hungry wild creatures.

As I left Pete still tucked under the covers, he said, "GO. Read the comics." That's his personal first stop any time he's awake after 11 P.M. Me? Not so much though I could really use a different venue for stress reduction. Instead where am I. Here. Gathering thoughts to replace the one that was so troubling.

Last week I made a decision to make changes to what I eat, and when I eat. An unexpected message from any unexpected source stirred and pointed me toward this new choice, a choice to eat to quiet inflammation. I've begun this eating plan before, and felt better while eating this way; but haven't stayed the course over the long haul. This time, the effects are quickly leading to that second line in Satori's weekly forecast. What's cropping up are emotional (old losses surface) and physical (a rash has raised itself around my mouth). Stepping away from pints of Lopez Island Vanilla Ice Cream is serious stuff!

I'm having withdrawals from the sugar and the old way of eating. It will be very helpful to keep a perspective of compassion and bigger picture with me. Being a hot head internally is just as bad, if not worse, than being a hot head with others. Satori's reminder, "Don't take the bait," becomes a mantra.

Any positive insight and experiences are welcome, like the beautiful images a friend is posting on FB of water spirits (thanks Chris), or 'nets' that I love in the ocean waters of Greece where she is, and in Waimanalo on the island of O'ahu which I have long loved. Wheww ... I could use a long gentle float in warm salty water.

What do you do instead of 'taking the bait'?

Tomorrow is Pete's birthday. "Firecracker Pete" ... There's a story floating around about that ... maybe you'll be lucky enough to hear it while you float in the big connecting ocean:) Here's one of those short takes of a Pete video to remember just what a guy he is.  Happy Happy Birthday coming up, honey!!

xoxo Moki