`Aha Update #10 Letting go, loosening up

"... This is a path correction. Joseph Campbell talked of finding your own path, blazing your own trail. He said if the path was clear, you were probably on someone else’s path. We have times like these to tear the blinders off and see where we’re getting off path..." - a snip from Satori's Weekend Love Forecast, Heading into the Eclipse(August 7, 2017)

When we lived in Hilo, we bought the Subaru. She was brand new. Around that same time our 'ohana, Kaliko and her friend were in Hilo for a workshop. They stayed over night with us, and brought us two brand new, bright yellow t-shirts. Those t-shirts are the same ones Pete used to clean Scout, our Subaru. Getting ready to let our first 'road home' go. It seems fitting to include both ends of that t-shirt's history here as the latest '``Aha Update. Kuleana in Hawaiian means your responsibility, your destiny.

If this weekend's astrology IS a path correction, that might allow for ambling back to Hilo. Pela, paha, perhaps.

Remember this Kaliko??

More very short videos. This time "Pete cleans Scout"

A lot of scrubbing (using baking soda diluted in water and a spray bottle of white vinegar diluted) and equal parts humor. We're having fun with these very short video. Are you?

`Aha Update #9: Becoming Mauliauhonua (family intimate with their place)

Red is the color of the sunset

(reflected too, in the skins of Fir and Hemlock)

So red hard to look at

Eyes not meant for

such red.

The forest fires smoke the air, sucking the oxygen from it making it difficult for breathing. I wonder as I write whether it is any less, or maybe, more difficult for the trees to breath. As they sense the burning of their relations, their kin, is there not grief there?

Pete drove me out to The Tilth this morning to gather a few more Mullein Blossoms from our friend Kristen's lovely garden. I am making ear soothing oil from the simple, and gently sedating golden blossoms. A few drops of this oil, though best after 6 weeks, is a comfort to the ears even after a week or two. I am finding the oil a helpful remedy for the smoke's effect on my very generously built ears:)

And, if you would like to read how the oil is also slipping into the making of myth you might enjoy going here. (This myth will become a comic book that I am writing and illustrating, and a Reward for donors when we finally launch our crowdfunding campaign.)

Enjoy a few very short videos of "Mullein Blossom Oil Making"

The process of creating safe passage for Vardo for Two is truly a long-term experience. It is the process of makawalu, analysis. Not quick, and very mindful. We keep open to the clues, and become Mauliauhonua. 

What is Mauliauhonua?

Our kumu teacher Kalei Nu'uhiwa defined Mauliauhonua this way:

1. Learning and utilizing the Kaulana Mahina to note monthly, seasonal and cyclical occurrences. 

Whenever possible our decisions and timing for activity is focused on the Kaulana Mahina.   As an example, we gathered for our first Front Porch `Aha on one of the Full Moons. Then, gathered again to set our intention to ask for Safe Passage for Vardo for Two on the New Moon. We are conscious about not doing new projects, or taking on major enterprise during the po 'ole.

2. Kilo - Making observations. Paying attention and noting what is happening around you.

Kilo is our tap root of daily practice. We kilo everything! This can be overwhelming if you shove all that you observe into yourself all at once, and all the time. That's where the po 'ole comes in very very handy. Smart, our kupuna. They lived wise timing.

3.Collecting your observations and correlating them with the Kaulana Mahina establishes your own foundational understanding of your surroundings. Over time you will be able to see the normal or abnormal trends that are occurring to which you can make adjustments to your practice.

This blog, is one of the major ways I collect and record what I/we are observing. We began when we were living in 'Scout' our Subaru ... house-less yet in preparation for a much different life; a life as mauliauhonua was beginning.

4. Collecting your own data in your own way. Examples of tools available out there to start your data collection would be to begin keeping observations sheets, logs, journals, composing ʻōlelo noʻeau (proverbs), writing moʻolelo (stories), or composing mele (chant, song).

You can also choose to write ʻōlelo noʻeau to continue the practice of creating traditional databases to transfer your observations on to the next generation.

Collecting data in my own way includes tying many angles into a net(work) that appeals to my environmentally sensitive self; being 'Environmentally Ill' takes on a whole new definition and perspective. 

I compose blog posts, and create mythic versions of the mundane and call them medicine stories. That way the multiple reality is given due respect. My kupuna the elders who came before me did this when they composed proverbs, stories, chant and song. I am perpetuating the practice. 

5. Become Mauliauhonua - "Be the App"
The final component is to work towards becoming the expert in your neighborhood or community. 

This is our aim: "Be the App." While we research what it will take for us to experience 'Safe Passage' with our golden wagon built as a refuge, we remind ourselves that it is a process. A lifelong journey of becoming.  

Hope you enjoy the videos. We do a little, or a lot each day, to make our way toward continuing safe passage with Vardo for Two. Dates and specifics are yet to come, but, we are here and connect with you keeping on this spiral path.

Peace and Love,

Moki and Pete

`Aha Update #8: SSSLLLOOOWWWLLLYYY

The heat wave may be contributing to the slow down to all things quick. In addition to the heat, all outer planets will be retrograde (appearing to be going backward putting on the BRAKES to the collective activity overall).

Forests are burning in Canada and Darrington, WA. too. In more ways than one, the heat is on.

The Po 'Ole the 'Ole Phases of the Hawaiian Moon Calendar have been helpful though intense reality checks. We are IN PROCESS. We are 'processing good-byes' left and right; and to be honest we aren't particularly good at it. Practice, practice, practice. One of the ways that does help me is to shift creative gears, and let art slip in. The best ways for me to cool down is to drink lots of fluids, Pete handed me ice packs for my head and feet; and write medicine. Medicine stories.

This drawing will be part of the comic book I'm writing and illustrating to document our journey.
The comic book will be a reward for donors. Stay tuned for details.

I am spending lots of time researching and editing our story for our Crowdfunding Page. That story is one of the MOST IMPORTANT parts to the process. We are pretty sure we will go with YouCaring as the platform, but are still getting all the details together, to make our campaign successful.
.
What do we know?

We know that Pete and I process differently. The drawing above depicts our differences.

We do know the process of clearing and packing ourselves up after almost eight years, is so much about processing good-byes. People get attached to each other as much as people get attached to place. Combined, the emotional hinges and the process that keeps hinges (relationships) flexible rather than brittle requires cool heads and loving hearts.

• We commit to those cool heads, and loving hearts and remember: this is NOT about exerting power, and our goal is comfort not control.
• To help me maintain that commitment, as I also manage the addition stress of forest smoke, I write myth. The medicine story Slipp'n In is here to follow. (This story will become a comic book and one of the Rewards for donors to our YouCaring Crowdfunding campaign.)

• The Nene, the rare Hawaiian goose is a major character in the new myth. There she is in her non-mythic form.

We do know we need to sell both our truck (Bernadette) and car (Scout). This won't be easy good-bye, but then it doesn't seem to matter that a thing isn't easy when it just needs to be done.

We do know before we sell Bernadette and Scout, we have to have a new-to-us truck that is:

1. fragrance free inside
2. not freshly painted nor detailed using scented product and cleaning solutions
3.  mechanically sound, with a good A.C. system
4.  hefty enough to tow 3,500 + pounds of trailer, vardo and our belongs in the bed of the truck
5. Pete's working on a fair price range to aim at that would be covered (at least mostly) by the sale of our present vehicles

We do know we will need to drive from Whidbey Island to Oakland, CA in our new to us truck with Vardo for Two trailing behind.

• That is approximately 1,200 miles since we will drive the coast highways (101, and 1) most of the way south.
• Becoming road ma'a, road savvy, will take some time and patience. Getting safely from here to there isn't a quick thing, it's a mindful one:) Traveling with Environmental Illness is always about 'befriending' time, being a kilo (keen observer) and making informed choices.
• Remember the Underground Railroad? In many ways our journey calls on the spirit and resiliency of a network such as that one. Not so much secret, but truly safe from pesticide and herbicide use; and hosted by open-minded folks who understand about EI. 

We know our eventual goal is to get from Whidbey Island to the Hawaiian Islands, but first we do the things above.

Mahalo nui, thanks so much for following us in the process.

Do you know of a hefty 3/4 top pickup truck that might suit us; need more info about the truck?
Do you know people, friends, family who live along the route we'll be driving who could keep a light on for us; a safe haven overnight or longer?

Let us know if you know ... in the comments or e-mail us.


To read older updates:
Go here to read about our first gathering on July 8th, 2017
See what we did on the New Moon to set our intentions for the coming moon cycle.
Further updates are here, here, here, here.


E Awaiaulu a paʻa. Bound together we are formidable.
xo
Mokihana and Pete

`Aha Update #7: Asking for clarification

Pete and I have been growing our kilo practice, observation skills with a Hawaiian edge to it, since we lived from 'Scout' our Subaru. Our son gave us our first Hawaiian Moon Calendar and said one thing, "Do no new projects on the 'Ole Moons." Ha? I knew 'ole in Hawaiian means zero or not/nothing. At that time we were untethered in all ways but one; we often parked at Sand Beach beach park and watch Mahina rise from the dark horizon. We had the Moon as an anchor and she began her slow and steady teaching with us.

This link will get you to the online version of the Hawaiian Moon Calendar we began living with in
2007. If you click on that link you'll see today and tonight is one of those 'Ole Moons. These times are best used for weeding, mending and tending (nets, gardens, lo'i, fish ponds and relationships) all manner of activity; and it's a time to rest/wait/consider; as well as a good time to ask clarification about things started during the past lunar cycle. But it is not best to begin new projects at these times.

The new Full Moon comes up soon. In terms of our intention to ensure safe passage for our wheeled golden wagon and these two kupuna, these Po 'Ole the 'Ole Moons are being all of the above:

• Pete has spent the day cleaning and tossing more
• I have received several important messages of clarification from home
• We're editing waiting for more feedback on the story for the Crowdfunding project 
• We took a Sunday drive to The Tilth to catch up, and relax with friends and bought collards for dinner (yum)
• I've had at least three naps

The 'Ole Moons last for four days/nights prior to the Full Moon, and there are three 'Ole Moons after the Full Moon. We have two more weed, reflect, tend, and ask phases . We will use them and notice the clues that show themselves in the form of Elemental signatures, and recognize the unexpected communique as answers as well. 

Over the years of kilo practice, Christopher's suggestion: "Do no new projects" has become an anchor and reminder to move with mindfulness. Our Ancestors were wise about timing, and we have found that one anchoring action so helpful.

Pete started talking with people who are interested in buying Bernadette (our truck) and Scout (our car) earlier in the month. These vehicles are valuable 'beings' who have been modes of transportation, and more, in these transformative years. We will approach their sale with great respect, appreciation and attention. Don't rush outcomes.

Mahalo nui for your continuing aloha, support, comments and e-mail,

xoxo Moki and Pete

`Aha Update # 6: Yin to Yang ... the road trip (Updated, 8/1/2017)*

We woke to the smell of fresh asphalt. The highway north and south on Whidbey is under construction. The smell of hot petroleum -- this is not a normal smell. Opportunity to make a new choice: the yin to the yang of a vehicle mobile life, and the reality of being mauliauhonua, a person intimate with their environment.

Mapped with an alternative driving plan which would avoid any new pavement we headed for the ferry via the back roads in the early morning.

 Before 7 am, we were parked at the Watering Hole, a public artesian well, on 164th Street in Snohomish County. Pete was on a 'water run' filling the car with bottles of unfiltered spring water.

 Standing in lines to fill their bottles before we got there, the parking lot already full.

 I remained in my nest -- the passenger seat of Scout the Subaru. Most of the folks are heavily scented with laundry product or other fragrance. A medicine story has begun to feed me remedy. I wrote and drew onto napkins. N-Art.

 Years ago, when the steep learning curve of life with Environmental Illness was fresh and we lived in the Subaru, it was onto napkins like this one, that I began to find a way through the unfamiliar territory; and art slipped in. I showed Pete the drawings I'd done. We stilled ourselves. "Time to give thanks to the Water." We did, acknowledging Kane, Giver of Life, Ka Wai Ola. Mahalo nui 'o Kane. And then we moved on.

 The Crows were busy at that hour of the morning. Busy getting dizzy.

Rather than return to Whidbey after the water run, we had to decide: "South to Seattle? Nope. East to Wenatchee? A'ole. West to Whidbey was already out. We heading North stopped for take out breakfast of veggie omelet and biscuits and gravy. La Conner has a new slough side park, we pulled up, and found park benches to enjoy our meal while the water and cool morning air moved swiftly past. Ah, the fresh cold air was delightful. Then we wound our way through the Skagit farmland where fields of potatoes were in blossom.

This barn. So beautiful in it's wear. We have spent many hours visiting this farm land. When we leave for warmer wintering, and Hawaii, we will take this memory with us.

Bright portraits of brown-skinned people were on many walls. Tribute to the people who gather all our food? I finally found the answer to this question: "Peace In, Peace Out"*

"Peace In, Peace Out is a project of multi-cultural journalism, painting, and a weaving exchange between families within our Skagit community. Through this project, youth tell personal and community and the value of their experiences through art." Read the entire description of this project on the "Peace In, Peace Out" website. Wow, how great that road trip really was. Journey is adventure and unfolding understandings. 

Road trips are risky business for people like us with Environmental Illness. We avoided the road work on Whidbey, but could not avoid construction on other roadways. The uncontrolled addiction, or collusion with Monsanto, and the use of Roundup for roadside cleanup was part of our yin yang road trip yesterday. My mask, and oxygen tank helps. Pete has his personal ginger root remedy that helps a little. Sharing the driving eased the burden for him who does SO MUCH. And, at the end of the day it was the safety and comfort of the small wagon, the well worn cotton bedding, the futon, in Vardo for Two that are the heart that matters so much to us. Restorative sleep is the key for us.

I'm at the keys now eating between words. I kilo, I noticed and noted, the oatmeal sending me love notes as the oats cooked. "I heart you," it bubbled. I took it as an auspicious and positive message. My body is fed. Oh delicious! We slept deep and sound last night, with more appreciation for the love that is coming in messages from the many people of Whidbey who tell us of their aloha for us.

Earlier this morning, I woke to catch up with our Hui `Aimalama Group Lecture (a private group event), that took place Wednesday evening on FB. I was exhausted that night, but checked in to say I'd be back when I could. Kalei Nu'uhiwa wrote, "Yep, yep. We await your thoughts." We are in recovery mode, operating with the spoons we do have. Diving back into this online interactive learning for Pacific Islanders focused on traditional practices to survive and thrive with climate change, I was re-charged. The give and take back and forward commentary is awesome current event making. It by-passes the risk taking that happened on the asphalt; confirms why heading home is so vital, now.

My immune system (Nene, the rare Hawaiian goose) says, "No this is not a test. Just rest." To read the medicine story that is writing itself through me click here.* I envision writing and drawing a comic book medicine story as part of the journey to create safe passage for us, and will keep you all updated as more unfolds.

We're getting closer to choosing a Crowdfunding platform, three of our supporters are helping with the story right now. xoxoxo Mahalo Joan, Kawika and Jude!!!

Aloha nui loa dear 'ohana near and far. We do so appreciate you. xoxoxo
Moki and Pete


*The link has been corrected:)

`Aha Update #5: Clouds and Wash feet

"...Late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the Virgo Moon opposes Neptune. It goes on to square Saturn then Venus and oppose Chiron, a loose grand square. Remember what you’re up to! It’s easy to lose sight of your emotional grounding when things grind to a halt or directions become fuzzy. If you feel discombobulated, slow down. Breathe. Wait for inspiration and the voice of wisdom..." - Weekly Forecast from Satori

This is a very dry and dusty summer on Whidbey. It's our first summer living at the edge of the gravel driveway; that might add to the reality of dust every where. So last night as I pulled myself onto the futon with a major case of sinus congestion, my Aunty Lily showed up. Aunty Lily was my next door neighbor in Kuliou'ou Valley. She taught me all about clouds as a girl. She taught me through showing me to look up and notice the way the sky changed. I have continued that practice.

Aunty Lily, and another girl time Aunty, Mrs. Pung, taught me other things. Last night both those kupuna showed up to remind me about keeping the dust and dirt out of the house. Our small bedroom and wheeled nest gets dusty. As if to prepare us for the protocol -- practical stuff, of Hawaiian Island style living to come, I talked with Pete about the visitation, and making some changes to our in-and- out of the vardo habits.

 We always take off our shoes before coming inside.

 the change is taking them off at the bottom of the stairs.

Pete swabbed the wooden steps down with a rag and a bucket of water, and set up a clean rug at the top of the lanai (porch).

We cleared the lanai preparing the vardo to trundle off to The Tilth and have kept it that way since. There is room for a chair on either side of the front door. Small kine change, but oh, such nice feng shui; flow and freedom.

 A purple cotton bandana (in honor of my Aunty Lily who always wore bandana during the day) is kept wet in an old pie pan. Sit. Wash feet.

Sit, wash feet. Homemade ceremony. Simple kine.

 Inside, the yoga mat and a long wearing favorite rug passed to us from Aunty Lily's daughter, Nola, welcomes clean(er) feet:)

A second Mullein flower yellow folding chair is parked inside.

Homemade ceremony

Sit
Washed Feet
Notice
Things that
Keep
Us going.

Update #4: "Why you do this?" (Edited)

Okinawan Parunku 

When Pete and I lived on Maui in 1995, in a lovely cottage in Iao Valley, we became friends with the Okinawan Paranku community. Thanks to Kimiko Takamiya. Every Sunday afternoon I would join this long-time established group to learn paranku. It was "Kimi" who encouraged me. We worked together at the Westin Hotel back then, we got to know and enjoy each others company. One Sunday, as we took a short break from practicing one of the old-timers (and if I remember right, the instructor) asked, "Why you do this?" I'm not exactly sure how I answered her, but I remember that I was not intimated by her briskness and answered "Because I love this." I didn't say at the time that I loved trying something new to me even if I looked as awkward as a kid learning how to skate for the first time. And, I am not Okinawan might have had something to do with her question.

My dancing never reached any great mastery, Pete and I marched in a parade with the group, and had great fun. We celebrated at Christmas and New Year's at the old Maui Palm's buffet with these folks. Those memories and that question, "Why you do this?" have become communication shorthand for us over the years. You know, da kine.

As we navigate our boat and feed our beliefs with the vision and intention of Safe Passage Vardo for Two and Pete and Moki, "Why you do this?" comes up as another Hinged Question. The video from Kanaeokana with this lead paragraph answers the question for us.

"Our indigenous cultures have always been about the future. Our ancestral knowledge teaches us to save huli to plant, put seasonal kapu on fish, and manage fresh water for the good of all. These are but a few examples of how Hawaiians use the ʻike passed down from our kūpuna to ensure that our futures are pono and that we are lako in those times to come. All of us who live in Hawaiʻi have much to learn from these values and practices handed down through the generations. They teach us how to live sustainably, how to care for the land, and how to generate abundance, all things that are needed now more than ever."

So at this point, as the New Moon in Leo moves ahead, we are infused with it's firey energy, and the astrological admonition 'share the stage with others.' We keep the communication going; we hinge you folks with our vision and our progress.

Yes, the move will be a complex puzzle to put together.

We have not assembled all the details to the puzzle, things change/the sand shifts under our feet; and not yet chosen the fundraising platform. Our goal is to get closer to these answers in the next couple of weeks.

There's an Eclipse in Leo mid-August; that'll give the Moon something to howl about:)

We are building community and have a trusted `aha `ohana rope of family supporting our roots, and dream. This part of the journey, the community building, the affirmations from trusted friends and family ... this is most important!

We are overwhelmed. Often run out of 'spoons' , refuel, rest, call for help and go again. Asking for help in this public way is very new to us. We are humbled, and admit we may fumble and scramble on the way.

One more communication story to pass along. This comment was left on the blog post "The Hinged Question." It was written by our very dear friend Liz Smith who is in the Peace Corp in Guatemala. We first met Liz in the summer of 2007, the summer I got very sick with MCS, and the same summer that led to us driving south to San Sebastapol to learn how to build Vardo for Two.

Here's what Liz wrote about 'hinges.'

"Wonderful!!!! and great fotos!!!!! hinges must be played with......here is a cautionary tale about that, sadly true!!!!! My brother, a Pete-type guy who always had the tools and bits of hardware needed (just add wood) for everything, made some lovely chip-carved mortise-and-tenon cabinets.....They were truly lovely, of re-used old-growth fir. He wanted special hinges, so he bought beeswax (bis blocks) and carved out a set of large strap hinges. Then life intervened, the project stored in the basement for a year, and, like the salt that can harden in its cloth if the dream is left too long, the wax was ruined by curious rats.......(my emboldened emphasis).The two chests live on forever in his daughter's house. Neither has hinges, but they do have sties inside and within.... " 

We remember to befriend time, and not leave the dream too long; we know about the habits of curious rats (and other rodents). We do what we are doing because we love life in spite of all the evidence. Wendell Berry might have said that. And because my Kupuna have very long memories for what is important, and why? They have strong and resilient roots like the women in that parunku group, their hinges received lots of play.

Let us know what you think, and if you have questions and ideas please leave a comment or email us. Mahalo nui loa to everyone who 'holds space' for us.

xoxo Much Aloha Kakou!!
Moki and Pete