Music-the craft that heals

Something marvelous happened this week. I wonder if you have heard.
During a visit to LA on Tuesday I sat in the car listening to NPR...the way the locals do...to educate and stimulate during the periods of stop and go on the "free"ways. This story caught my attention and then it captured my imagination.

On Tuesday, the Israel Chamber Orchestra played Wagner's "Siegfried Idyll," alongside the Jewish national anthem Hatikva and works by Mahler and Mendelssohn (both Jewish composers) at a Wagner festival in Bayreuth, Germany. Roberto Paternostro, the conductor of the Orchestra is the son of a holocaust survivor. Many of the orchestra's members are themselves descendants of holocaust survivors.
I grew up knowing the stygma attached to Wagner's works...a child of post WWII America and the daughter of a classically trained opera singer. We didn't listen to Wagner.

This was an unprecedented concert. One that could not yet take place in Israel. In fact the musicians rehearsed the Wagner piece for just a few hours in Germany...not Israel...before the concert. The national psyche is so tender, rightly so.

I share this information for its impact. I see this as a great big giant shift into a new era of healed living. Yes..healed in the present tense. Did you catch the name of the conductor? Paternostro...Latin classes kick in...our father. As in the Divine Father stepping in to raise the awareness to be in a healing right now. Living in the precious present.

Just saying.

Music heals...

Direction for the directed

I've been feeling like I am pushing a rock around a curvy steep grade. I haven't been able to put my finger on where that thought is coming from until this morning. I forgot that my life is light filled. That my choices are light filled and that light is emanating through me and my activities all the time. Oops! Regroup!

I ran away this week. Under the auspices of an inspection trip. One night away-grabbed in the crazy activities of a wild and sunny summer.

We have the entire garden ready to plant. We actually have food growing too! The way has been made to supply some more food for the beloved community we so cherish. Yep! That rocks!
In this new life I do not have to be the body that does the work! WhooHoo! The Universe provides and I keep on expanding my imagination.

Last night I ate at a most unusual restaurant. It is in Hollywood at Larchmont and Melrose. It is called Cafe Gratitude. It is the place you want to be in your life. Honored and treasured and loving your body temple with great organic local seasonal vegan yumminess!

It is right near Paramount studios and I'm sure the great creatives of our time enjoy eating there! I ate a dish called I am Warm-hearted. Polenta with fresh tomatoes. So good, I tell you!

Well, life contnus to teach me to be good to myself and to reframe my thoughts to allow my greatest to be what IS in my life.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Love is the Truth between us.

What are you becoming?

Water.

This week I have forgotten to turn off the water twice. I usually use my smart phone's timer. Cuz, my brain has been overloaded with to do lists to remember the fracking water.....
The net result is a higher bill, mud across one portion of one bed due to task drop-out #1.

Task drop-out #2 fared much better. It was a good idea at the time...water the trees. It's been a while since it has rained. So...I turned the hose on low....good thinking.... and then left it on all day...not so good thinking.
Sam, however....in his mission to build water catchment basins around the trees...saved the day. Thanks love. Wish I could throw my arms around you and give you a big hug. I like how you think/thought. You saved me a real big mess today.
Instead I'll just mention that I saw the most lovely oak tree today....super majestic and gigantic. Just like you....

The good and the accomplished.

As I awoke today something in me said - Get It Done!
I am the one today....so I get to stop waiting and get my rumpus outside and protect my new seedlings and the yummy tomatoes.
Scott started a project that he has been anticipating for more than a year. So he was out the door. I got to feed the beaked ones and then....before the sun came burning through, fashion something to keep the chickens out of the corn patch and away from the baby beets. I am not sure how effective it will be...those girls are committed. I think it's time for a prayer and some drastic measures. I'll let you know how it goes.

Peace and Blessings.

Home again

That was the best! All of it! Everything between the moment that I woke up this morning and the wee hours of last Thursday morning.

Summer road trip time! We left for a wedding in Colorado and returned to food growing with gusto and Iggy kitty greeting us in the morning. It seems he too took a vacation!
Things have evolved for me with the heat index! I am not allowing myself to be intimidated by the "potential" of a hot day. As it turned out we did not have to endure any outrageous heat. Thanks to air conditioning and a swift drive. So why put energy towards something like that? Just chill Laura!
What is all this about?
We drove through the high desert to get through the rocky mountains to the Denver area. Bonsall to Vegas to St. George to the I-70. The route is full of splendor and amazing beauty. How to fall deeper in love with the Creator. WOW!

That is a view from Bryce Canyon. A side trip on the way home. I like to take backroads when possible and a road trip sometimes can afford that. You've just gotta see this place. It is majestic and breathtaking.
I was here when Lily was my sling baby. It's been a while!

I want to remember this journey. I did not write while I was gone. There were many friends to see and no time without something going on.
I am looking forward to some quiet! We rocked and rolled for the many hours of the drive yesterday - the birdsongs will be just fine today!
Thankfully, the weeds are growing along with the squash and carrots!!
I will have the time to be. To reflect. To re-enter this lovely life here!

Breathing in that marine air.....loving sunny So. Cal.

New job

I am a many-part-time-job momma.

Another job came to me this week that completely stokes me out.

1 job as a self-employed farmer-check.

2 jobs for the organic certification agency...check.

1 job as a garden goddess growing food in a backyard for a friend.

overarching theme.....service, support, love and clean food.

Saying yes feels good. Didn't know it was gonna feel this Good.

bring it on....yuuuummmmmm.

That's my ohm chant.

I am in love.

It’s a beautiful thing.

You might think that it is something you already know. That love is deep and true and strong.

This is a new love.

It’s something that kinda jumped at me this weekend.

I’m in Colorado visiting friends. We are staying in Centennial and in anticipation of a wedding in Lakewood. Nice names for communities, eh?

So…this love has shown up through my friends and through the experiences that we are sharing.

Thunderstorms brew and blow and bang and pour.

Conversations are such delicious soup.

I love it here in Colorado.

I have been thinking about love-all the way here and the whole time that I have been here. How much we have. Well, how much I have in my life. It must be evident then, that I give a lot of love in my life. Funny that I wonder if I am giving enough...Just look around Laura!

My pursuit of happiness is accomplished today. There is something delightful about being out in the world accompanied by wonderful young women. The energy is so strong and the people around get a great hit from it. Yes, of course, they are beautiful as well.

Lunch, pedicure and coffee. Yep, happiness indeed.

We drove across the beautiful landscape. Many long hours and beautiful vistas were treasured. Independence Week. hmmm...Summertime road trip and lots of freedom to celebrate.

This blog may not make very much sense to those reading it. Not much continuity. It's more of a statement of experiences over the last few days that I wanted to be sure to get out into cyber space.

Ahh!! Summer.

Woke up in the house this morning and it was just Scott and I. Lily's having fun with some friends in the Temecula Valley. It must be beautiful there this morning cuz the clouds have already burned away here. Empty nest...how funny when it's so full of love and possibilities. The memories are overflowing! It's a grand practice to choose the ones that make me smile. That is my newest spiritual practice. Not avoiding the sorrow....just re-directing the energy to JOY!!!

The farm is looking so lovely. On Tuesday my soil sisters and I planted tomatoes and basil.....Bring on the mozza and we'll enjoy all of it together.....in the last summer! Last night Scott and I planted beans, squash, cukes and bunching onions. It was late in the day...the luxury of having a farm wrapped around my house is that I can nap in the heat and come out to play later...after the heat. The softened light hit the bed just right and showed us this sweet sprouting of red romaine lettuce volunteers. Now, that is a great way to turn a though around. I could have been really bummed about missing plantings...and...how fantastic is Nature that it makes its own way....given all the right conditions.

Praying for Nature to rain without lightening or strong winds on the fire striken areas of Arizona and New Mexico. Praying for the safety of my sons' friends who are fighting wildfires far away from home. May they be protected and honored for their service.

Happy Independence Weekend All!!!

Blessed in our Inter-dependence in creating Heaven on Earth.
Follow Your Folly.
Follow Your Bliss.