Oh Haiti

To support artists and artisans near the epicenter through the Vassar Haiti Project, click on this painting:

I've never bought a painting before and am doing it now.

Caryn Halle, my friend who works with the artists (and practices her Haitian Creole), says that in addition to the Vassar Haiti Project, the other organization she'd recommend supporting is Partners in Health, "an amazing Boston based organization that has the means and the reputation to see that money intended for earthquake relief reaches its victims.."

Donate Here

Make Something of Yourself

I waitressed in high school and one day called across the line to my buddy in the kitchen. I said, "Murphy, what kind of school'd you have to go to to work here?"

He said with his voice cracking, "What... what kind of school?!" and then doubled over laughing.
With one hand on his knee he pulled the arm of the grill cook and said, "Shannon wants to know... ha!... to know what kind of school we had to go to... (whimper) to work here."

The grill cook spit a laugh through his lips and they both buckled under the weight of their laughter as I stood watching them in my uniform collared shirt. The question was especially poignant that day (apparently), since I'd failed to notice that our dishwasher, another great guy, wasn't at work as a result of being jailed for cocaine possession.

So later Murphy at the salad prep says, "Shannon, you've got potential. You gotta get out of here and make something of yourself."

Yeah I've been trying to do that.
It's good, you know, making your life your own.
A precious luxury in this society.

This Friday I woke up in a bad mood. I said I'm tired of trying to be somebody. I've tried very hard to be important. It hasn't gotten me more love. In fact, love seems to be oblivious to this entire facet of pursuit in my life.

Today we all sat around eating together and telling stories and playing with the kiddos. Just had the best time. And in everyone's eyes was a sparkle that warms my heart.

You know- getting to love such precious people-
loving the wind as it makes me cold and the birdies flying like a school of fish- it makes me feel a part of something so profoundly good in this world that I feel like I already am something.

How about Valentine's Day?

My friend Pat- that's Pat on the right
She's been asking a question I want to share. "How can we make Valentine's Day a day for the heart- really? In what ways can we create a day that's about being good to each other and being in our hearts? And how can we give to children especially?"

Ann responded- here's Ann:


"You know, my husband always says that holidays are made by the card companies to generate profits. But I feel that some days ought to be commemorated. And I don't have to buy anything to share love with the people in my life."

So how can we make Valentine's Day deeper, wider and sweeter? Especially keeping children close in heart?

A Poem for Friday

A $3 copy of Leaves of Grass found me in a little shop by the marsh. Walt Whitman- what a sweetheart. I like this poem. Especially considering that he wasn't particularly fond of sleeping with women...

(ROSETTI, Venus Verticordia 1864-68)

TO A COMMON PROSTITUTE

BE composed—be at ease with me—I am Walt Whitman, liberal and lusty as Nature;
Not till the sun excludes you, do I exclude you;
Not till the waters refuse to glisten for you, and the leaves to rustle for you, do my words refuse to glisten and rustle for you.
My girl, I appoint with you an appointment—and I charge you that you make preparation to be worthy to meet me,
And I charge you that you be patient and perfect till I come.
Till then, I salute you with a significant look, that you do not forget me.

Boogee!

Steve and I made a Dance Video!


Niece Aly summed it up best:

Secret Language of Elephants

Would you like a treat?
How about.....
Elephants!

(Click on the elephant to read the story and watch video)

I love this program.

It warms my heart that the Elephants' Language is receiving attention. I've heard it said that whales are our oceanic wireless internet. They receive newly transmitted information from the heavens then sing the current vibration through the seas in intricate patterns all over the earth. Elephants are the land counterparts of the whales. Their big drum feet sense frequencies and their infrasonic calls sing to their friends near and far. And those trunks! And those ears! All the amazing ways they can hear. Aren't they wonderful?

Peace Heart

Happy New Year!

That's the Peace Rose there at the bottom. I made this today with colored pencils Mom gave me for Christmas. She came over tonight and we colored. I didn't have any paper except the printout of Approaching the Vibrational, so that's what's on the other side.