Last night I was one of maybe a couple of hundred folks who had the privilege of seeing Michael Meade on his home territory of Vashon. For those not in the "know" -- Michael Meade is a mythologist, sociologist, educator, writer, poet, and "trouble-maker".
I have been in a Dark Place for about a month or more -- struggling with uncertainty, self, a "spiritual crises", issues with my community and individuals within that community -- not feeling very good. There are moments of Light -- moments of joy even, but there is a lot of yuckiness...
Michael spoke about the need for Darkness to allow us to see the polarized situations, out of which the creative individual births new ideas, creations, and evolves the world. It was good.
I am reminded of college -- of the tension I carried constantly, the Wanting -- not for things to be touched, per se, but that which is not so easily touched, but transforms.
As I am experiencing this personal Darkness -- Michael pointed to our country's current "crisis" and ventured to point to the larger issues facing our entire planet. It wasn't Fun -- and it was scary, and I was touched by it... even as I was already touched by it before I sat down... Michael just had a lot of eloquent words for what I felt.
I feel stunted and shuttered in -- unable to break out and write, create, be genuinely ME in art or things that matter to me. It is always just around the corner, after one more challenge or deadline. Never NOW, not immediate.
I am seeking fuel for that fire -- the fire that is smoldering inside.
But I am BEING in the Darkness for a while. And it is OK to be scared.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Migrating this blog...
Hi All -- When I began this blog, I didn't realize that it would want to be so personal -- well, yes, I did, but the name "One Woman's Press" is really a BUSINESS name that I want to use... to I am migrating this blog to one that is more personal in nature.
If you like reading my personal entries -- please visit http://writerswood.blogspot.com
From now on, One Woman's Press will be for my more professional entries.
Thanks so much for your understanding!
Julie
If you like reading my personal entries -- please visit http://writerswood.blogspot.com
From now on, One Woman's Press will be for my more professional entries.
Thanks so much for your understanding!
Julie
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Momentous Day -- #2
Well, you read it here first: Daughter #1 lost her second tooth this morning!
As opposed to the first tooth, this one bled a bit -- scaring her a little, and she mentioned she was chewing gum and almost swallowed the tooth... but she is proudly wearing it in her tooth necklace (taped shut) and I know she is excited for the Tooth Fairy to visit.
The Tooth Fairy is pretty generous with her -- she gets $1 plus a quarter for each year she is old... so she is excited to save for a toy. I am so glad that it is out! It was hanging by a thread, and Daddy just wanted to yank on it ;^)* I just didn't want her to misplace it or swallow it because I hate those disappointed tears. Thankfully, she didn't!
I am very stressed as of late: my DH is working on contract in a new field for him, and we are doing better than we were on unemployment, but I am concerned because there are no health benefits with the job, and I am not sure long-term what is going to happen with the benefits we are on. I am sure that so many Americans are in the position that we are in that it is giving me great solace and a huge amount of humility in being in our situation. I find myself praying a lot.
We are keeping things simple around here -- or trying to -- but life does get complicated. I am working to transform my house (hard to deal with the possessions and clutter of 4 people who love STUFF), my own career/work (technical writing and application development for mobile devices), and supporting my husband's work and interests... and then I have a friend who is going through a transition and I am trying to find my place within that. And it is all harder than it sounds. Oh, and top that off with huge transformation around diet and eating -- and well, I am not at my best game right now!
Sigh.
Bloggging though -- gotta do more of that. Why? Dunno. Writing is good for me. This is a diary, I guess -- but with the ability for folks to see it and post comments. Maybe someone will. Anyway -- I am just happy for my little one -- a bit sorry for me at the moment, and wanting more fun. Anyone else in the same position? Type a comment and share, please!
As opposed to the first tooth, this one bled a bit -- scaring her a little, and she mentioned she was chewing gum and almost swallowed the tooth... but she is proudly wearing it in her tooth necklace (taped shut) and I know she is excited for the Tooth Fairy to visit.
The Tooth Fairy is pretty generous with her -- she gets $1 plus a quarter for each year she is old... so she is excited to save for a toy. I am so glad that it is out! It was hanging by a thread, and Daddy just wanted to yank on it ;^)* I just didn't want her to misplace it or swallow it because I hate those disappointed tears. Thankfully, she didn't!
I am very stressed as of late: my DH is working on contract in a new field for him, and we are doing better than we were on unemployment, but I am concerned because there are no health benefits with the job, and I am not sure long-term what is going to happen with the benefits we are on. I am sure that so many Americans are in the position that we are in that it is giving me great solace and a huge amount of humility in being in our situation. I find myself praying a lot.
We are keeping things simple around here -- or trying to -- but life does get complicated. I am working to transform my house (hard to deal with the possessions and clutter of 4 people who love STUFF), my own career/work (technical writing and application development for mobile devices), and supporting my husband's work and interests... and then I have a friend who is going through a transition and I am trying to find my place within that. And it is all harder than it sounds. Oh, and top that off with huge transformation around diet and eating -- and well, I am not at my best game right now!
Sigh.
Bloggging though -- gotta do more of that. Why? Dunno. Writing is good for me. This is a diary, I guess -- but with the ability for folks to see it and post comments. Maybe someone will. Anyway -- I am just happy for my little one -- a bit sorry for me at the moment, and wanting more fun. Anyone else in the same position? Type a comment and share, please!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Foods that I am afraid of -- and one that just jumped off the list
Hey all -- you ever have foods you are "afraid of"?
I feel like my six year old when I type that -- but it's true!
I am afraid of kombucha mushrooms (slimey, YUCK!) and soymilk (don't tell my elder daughter who can't handle cow's milk and has to drink it...) and escargot and okra...
But Quinoa just fell off the list!
Quinoa 101
It really does taste good -- and I am using it in place of wheat bulgar in tabouleh -- wonderful!
You see, I am in a class by Kathy Abscal about eating to reduce inflammation. Who knows if it will really work with me (I am not "perfect" at following all the rules) but I am very much enjoying eating consciously! And I am finding things that I like that are higher in nutrition than the things that I was eating before.
There is a big push for green leafy veggies on this eating plan -- and a concept/consciousness of proportional eating, which makes it really tough for me. However, I see this as a "long haul" type of change, so I am trying not to beat myself up over taking things slowly, messing up, and adapting to the change in my own way.
Just glad to have one less food that I am "afraid" of!
I feel like my six year old when I type that -- but it's true!
I am afraid of kombucha mushrooms (slimey, YUCK!) and soymilk (don't tell my elder daughter who can't handle cow's milk and has to drink it...) and escargot and okra...
But Quinoa just fell off the list!
Quinoa 101
It really does taste good -- and I am using it in place of wheat bulgar in tabouleh -- wonderful!
You see, I am in a class by Kathy Abscal about eating to reduce inflammation. Who knows if it will really work with me (I am not "perfect" at following all the rules) but I am very much enjoying eating consciously! And I am finding things that I like that are higher in nutrition than the things that I was eating before.
There is a big push for green leafy veggies on this eating plan -- and a concept/consciousness of proportional eating, which makes it really tough for me. However, I see this as a "long haul" type of change, so I am trying not to beat myself up over taking things slowly, messing up, and adapting to the change in my own way.
Just glad to have one less food that I am "afraid" of!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Enjoying some Crafting time with my Kiddo
Y'ever think -- man, this is IT?
My elder daughter -- the one in the photo, with the missing tooth -- is now crafting with me. She is working on cards and beading a necklace to send to her cousin... wow. The little one is asleep on the couch, in an early and spontaneous nap -- and we are just having fun.
Amazing.
There are still many days of just running around doing things for them, wiping noses and butts, but this is a Good Day.
I have much other work to do starting tomorrow -- and I did clear my plate of lots of nagging issues, like packages that needed to be mailed, and spreadsheets that needed to be looked at and dealt with, but today is just a wonderful respite. Mondays CAN be a healing time... this one is lookin' pretty darned good :^)
My elder daughter -- the one in the photo, with the missing tooth -- is now crafting with me. She is working on cards and beading a necklace to send to her cousin... wow. The little one is asleep on the couch, in an early and spontaneous nap -- and we are just having fun.
Amazing.
There are still many days of just running around doing things for them, wiping noses and butts, but this is a Good Day.
I have much other work to do starting tomorrow -- and I did clear my plate of lots of nagging issues, like packages that needed to be mailed, and spreadsheets that needed to be looked at and dealt with, but today is just a wonderful respite. Mondays CAN be a healing time... this one is lookin' pretty darned good :^)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Momentous Day
Daughter #1 lost her first tooth.
She lost it at school this morning, and they gave her a cool little tooth-box necklace -- very smartly taped shut. Upon her coming home, there was lots of exploration of the tooth -- then right before bedtime she leaned over the sink in the bathroom to brush her teeth, and noted that the box was open and the tooth was gone! She was SURE it went down the sink... dutifully, we took the sink apart -- no luck.
No water had been run. I began to suspect that the tooth had NOT gone down the sink.
Good news -- tooth found on the dining table! She must have put it there just after this photo shoot, before she went to brush her teeth.
But, I did get to have a good conversation about it NOT being the old, little tooth that was important... the tooth fairy comes to bless the NEW, BIG TOOTH! (Yes, it is already there -- in fact, both big front lower teeth seem to be coming in pretty far back there... in the photo you can see the hole in the front, and the new tooth there already.)
Still, the little gal wanted the MONEY that the tooth fairy is going to leave. Oy, the tears, the turmoil, the joy!
To be a parent... it is one of the toughest jobs I will ever love.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Let's Face It: I Need an Outlet!
It's come to this. I am in need of a place to post thoughts -- more publicly, and get some feedback, if anyone is listening.
Who am I? You might ask... well, you can read the brief bio posted to the right -- but more likely, you will find answers as you read. I have another blog, for card-making and crafting -- at http://inkingitup.blogspot.com so if you like to see about the things I make, you can look there.
This is the spot where I will talk more about me -- my thoughts, philosophy, and what I am doing. I am doing this here, rather than over on FaceBook, because on FaceBook we are not sure who owns what at this time: here, I know I own what is written here. So -- read the copyright info -- this is not to be lifted for personal use, without my express permission ;^)* So DO type to me, if you like any of the words or thoughts that I am publishing here. Thanks.
So -- here goes: One Woman's Press is going into the world of Blogs. Let's see where we end up.
Who am I? You might ask... well, you can read the brief bio posted to the right -- but more likely, you will find answers as you read. I have another blog, for card-making and crafting -- at http://inkingitup.blogspot.com so if you like to see about the things I make, you can look there.
This is the spot where I will talk more about me -- my thoughts, philosophy, and what I am doing. I am doing this here, rather than over on FaceBook, because on FaceBook we are not sure who owns what at this time: here, I know I own what is written here. So -- read the copyright info -- this is not to be lifted for personal use, without my express permission ;^)* So DO type to me, if you like any of the words or thoughts that I am publishing here. Thanks.
So -- here goes: One Woman's Press is going into the world of Blogs. Let's see where we end up.
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