. . . so will answer mail  and resume reading after tuesday oct. 7th. I wish you were there!

Ms Claritynow

"Give and there will be  gifts for you: A full measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back" (Words of Jesus, LK 6:3)

The following is a recycled column I wrote 12 years ago for my small town KY newspaper:

Community sevice does make a difference in many lives.  We can begin as a large group of people with many resources to work with, or as one lone person with a 'cause'.   We do not need to be members of a non profit organization to make a difference.  Like the ripples of water which spread out from an initial  drop in a calm sea, people can make a difference toward postitve change. 

We can decide to 'take a stand' for issues which we carry as a burden to our consciousness.  It takes courage to be that first drop in a calm sea.  It takes acting from our Center- our hearts. 

From that part of us which knows that love and honesty, commitment to our beliefs and the care of our sick, our poor, our old, our suffering and our children, is more important than budgets we balance and money we save.

It is difficult to 'act' from our Centers unless we learn to throw out the inner garbage we have stored there.  Even if it is intense pain we are not letting surface.  Thinking positive thoughts over pain that still exists within us is a temporary solution and in the long run 'stuffing our emotion' creates only an unhealthy inner environment for our bodies.

A woman doctor named Margeret Kemeny, PhD ( a psychologist with a post graduate training in immunology and bio behavioral sciences) has discovered through a scientific study that experiencing extreme saddness is as healthy as experiencing extreme joy.

Short term catharsis of emotion, whether sad tears or happy screams, actually BOOST our immune system. 

Another woman doctor named Candice Pert who was a professor at the National Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, discovered evidence which suggest the surface of the monocyte, one of the prime cells in our immune systems, is covered with receptors for pepetides- the biochemical emotions. 

"If you cut your finger, in seconds these moncytes come out of your bone marrow, go right to the site of the injury, , and begin to remanufacture and restructure the body fabric.  Viruses use these same receptors to enter into a cell.  Emotional fluctuations and emotional status directly influence the probability that an organism will be sick or well." (Bill Moyers, Healing and the Mind).

In other words, sadness and joy both serve to increase the amount of natural peptides produced by our bodies.  Natural peptides are healthy because they increase our immunity.  The amount of these natural peptides determine whether a virus meets resistance when attempting  to enter a cell.

If we are actively experiencing our emotions, whether happy or sad, we are healtheier and more resistant to disease.  Neutral feelings have no effect on the production of these immune boosting peptides. 

It is better to be as a child and feel our emotions, than to 'grow up' and deny our emotions.  If we have pain buried inside us, we can release it by acknowledging and experiencing it first . . .  Then, letting it surface (letting it go)with the awareness that we are actually empowering our bodies' immune system, and building resistance to disease.

Every day we encounter opportunities to 'act'.  The strength in saying 'yes I will act' is as important as recognizing the strength of saying 'no I will not act'.

We are all accountable.  We all experience fear in the face of change.  And none of us are perfect.  But all around us are opportunities to choose actions based on furtherance of positive change within our environment. 

Just as our immune system becomes resistant to viruses when we allow ourselves to activate our emotions, the 'cell of society' becomes more resistant to disease when its culture unites for purposes of positive change.

By keeping track of our inner work and staying connected to the inner guidance of " . . . the Will of God as we discern it" (Thomas Kelly, Testament of Devotion)

We free ourselves from pain and fear which keep us in a 'neutral state'.  We boost our immune systems both internally and externally.  We empower ourselves as people guided by our Center. 

We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move (Tao Te Ching). 

"Give and there will be  gifts for you: A full measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back" (Words of Jesus, LK 6:3)

I once camped on the beach in Florida at a beautiful nature reserve.  It was totally free.  The reserve closed at dusk, so we were locked inside for the evening.  We set up a tent and built a fire in the sand.  It seemed cozy and warm, and the shorline looked a safe distance away from the little mound our tent stood on. 

The stars twinkled brightly above our heads, but the full moon faded in and out among the clouds.  By 9 o'clock, our smoldering fire, the brilliant stars and occasional moon were our only  source of light. 

I was pregnant with my son and sort of feeling queasy from our travels, so I crawled into my sleeping bag early.  My daughter joined me in the tent, after listening to Glenn play his drum for a while. 

Deeper into the night, our fire went complety out.  I could no longer see it's red glow through the tent walls.  I listened to the waves crashing.  They were so loud, they bellowed, roared and slammed.

I tossed and turned like the rolling waves.  I wondered what my daughter and Glenn were dreaming about, they slept so soundly. 

Eventually, my nerves 'perked' and I sat up.  Leaning forward, I peeked out the front screen.  A swirling dark mass seemed to lick the sandy shore like a giant mouth.  I felt like a crumb on a plate.

The creeping tide had not been anticipated, and I convinced myself that we were much too close to the shoreline. 

I felt sort of afraid to venture out, but I needed to see how close the water was.  I unzipped the tent door and crawled outside.  My senses felt consumed by the roaring water. It was so dark. I coulldn't accurately see the waves, but they seemed to be rushing directly up to my feet. 

I woke Glenn up. Katie heard us talking and she awoke and looked ouside at the rolling waves, too.  The three of us examined the shoreline.  Sand became damp under our feet, about seven steps from out tent. 

Being on a hill, Glenn decided that we were a safe enough distance away from the water and went back to sleep.  Katie and I strained our eyes to watch the waves in the dark- as they rushed toward our tent, and then receded. 

Our eyes played tricks on us; the water appeared closer than it really was.  We lay awake, worrying about this for a while, and then fell asleep. 

The warm sun, a gentle breeze and the sound of a peaceful surf welcomed our morning.

Water stained patterns, like finger marks left on a cookie jar, were evidence on our beach of the night before.  Scattered along the edges of the darkened sand were hundereds of beautiful shells.  Sand dollars, starfish and polished stones!

The ocean had unclenched it's many treasure filled fingers, releasing much beauty for us to discover and explore.  All morning we collected gifts from the sea, "noted' sea turtle nests, and watched the pelicans eat fish.

I feel hungry for another treat by the ocean.  But this time I'll park our tent a little farther back from the shore.

Here are some meaningful words from Hopi Elders . . .  Prophesy . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrPDQeNo52M&feature=related

 (on relationships . . .)WHAT THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

Jellies

eels

fish art by mistake

greens

stars

popcorn jellies

pokadots

pinks

stars each one feels different when you touch them

Shark lesson for the homeschoolers (hint- eye)

hearts, liver, gall bladder, stomach, intestines, kidneys, brain . . . eyeball

more stars

touching sharks and sting rays

tiger model

Anchovies!!!

http://www.peteyandpetunia.com/VoteHere/VoteHere.htm

Our Queen Fairy Josie

The Singers

The Feasters

The odd souvenir

The Fairy Woman who sells wings and wands

The Fighting Teen Wenches at the Wash Barrol

The Gate Keeper

The Fortune Teller

The Sport

Knights Jousting

The Fair Lady

The Violinist

Merlin selling bath salts

The Wench selling pickles, successfully, and when asked why she got so much business she answered, "Location, location, location!"

I heard a familiar Holy Grail 'clop clopping' and here they were- coconuts shells of monty python comedians . . .  prancing by. I aimed my camera and the little one yelled, "Pose!"

Singing and dancing

Magicians and Lords

Boys

I want this dress!

Good food with drum music

Young elflings selling wishing stones for fifty cents:

Taken from the briny deep

These little rocks a secret keep

Guarded by mermaids, worn smooth by the sea

This stone may grant your wishes three

Have you heard of ACORN? Google it! There's this going on plus . . . several registered democrats and even republicans are recieving absentee ballot confirmations in the mail supposedly from the McCain campaign but is not from them-it's another scam scenerio, like paypal and internet/identity theft related material. Also reports of valid ballots being tossed out for both McCain and Obama supporters. 

Back to an entity known as ACORN who are intent to scew the votes but now law is on to them. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2080217/posts?page=1

People have begun reporting that they are recieving recorded phone messages which state that their absentee ballot request will be processed right away. This does not look like a normal absentee ballot, it is a confirmation that a vote will be processed as if  one has already registered to vote a certain way.

Several folks who check this out are finding that they are registered for a different party than one they signed up/registered for. Many of these voters have unlisted phone numbers, are registered democrat, and have not requested republican absentee ballots. Or are repbublicans who receive valid ballots and funny business prevents them from even voting!

This has been reported on the news media and I know a person in a swing state who has recieved one. It's getting crazy.There's  insane extremist behavior coming from both sides and going on right now.

Basically, folks are going out of the way to disrupt people's valid voting rights . . . I feel for the elderly and ill who vote with absentee ballots- and have been encouraging my  nurse peers and friends (hospice and home bound nurse workers mostly) to help people call for their ballots from the city clerks etc and help them double check they really are registered and signed up for the party they choose to be signed up with and gaurd their rights.

We all know folks who need us during this time.Just because a person wants Obama or McCain . . . this being a democratic freedom of choice to vote . . . the person should be able to safely cast a vote with no hampering or disruption.

 Personal volunteering to bypass this insanity is in order- just helping those in need to get their vote out one way or the other.  A fair vote is nothing to be afraid of, unfortunately there are those who fear it.  I have offered my time to hospice, home health and all home bound patients in my driving distance. Anyone who needs double checking or phone calls made . . . or whatever it takes to help them cast their vote for who ever they chose to vote for.

Please, assist our neighbors who need, this is what we can do right now.

Please be on alert for this sort of scam and if you get one of these, report this to your election office (city hall etc) and let others know. Don't ignore this. Ous is a historical election and no matter who you want to vote for-  make sure it's YOUR vote. This may effect you, so double check your status with the authentic voting offices.

The most important thing is that your vote is valid and counts the way you intend it to count. It doesn't hurt to double check that you really are a republican, independent or democrat registered the way you intend to be registered. I am voting absentee in Oregon for MI this year and was alerted  to pay attention while at the DMV today.

Thousands of jobs have been lost in recent years, and thousands more are falling away, I have been in Michigan watching the auto industry for these past 8 years.

Health care costs are rising, I see people struggling with this- as a full time nurse working in a health care setting.

People are losing their homes to foreclosure, it’s all around us in every state, and our economy is suffering beyond measure.

The educational system is crying out for help and most every promise by this last administration to help fix this has been broken.

Autistic children are being born every few minutes- why? What is going on and why has nobody yet offered a valid reason?

Americans have been at war for the majority of this republican administration, a great portion of thinking American people feel lied to, ripped off, powerless and non trusting toward our government.

Many of us still remember the sense of elections being stolen and have no reason to believe that anyone in our current administration will make any notable changes. We are watching politicians sell their soul for a vote, and put themselves above the good of our country.

Our country is divided- made up of good people, but divided.

Our global environment is falling apart, we are not innocent in having a part to do with this, and good people who have dedicated their entire lives to studying why and figuring out solutions- they are being ignored and belittled by a government who would rather spend billions and billions and billions on war.

I see a government who has based its’ success on the ignorance of it’s sheeple.

I see a government run by power hungry rich people who haven’t spent our tax money on the improvement of infrastructure, keeping jobs here in America or improving our health care crisis- not to mention this sudden influx of special needs children.

Washington Post and Huffington Post both report that Palin cut funding to teens. This is an issue many care about and if it is untrue then so be it, that part is a relief I guess . . .  though it still does not take away from other significant red flags- 

 http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/gop_convention_spin_part_ii.html

Did she cut the special needs education programs in her state by 60 %,  and now is standing on a platform as a special needs advocate? She did leave her small town 22 million dollars in debt and God help us if her economic skills translate to a broader scale in America. 

Sara Palin on abortion:

http://www.ontheissues.org/Sarah_Palin.htm

She has petitioned to keep polar bears off the  endangered species list, doesn't support equal pay for equal work for women (?!) is this true? She has stated that if we pray hard enough we can get this pipe built through Alaska and gays will convert. Well, she has a right to those beliefs, but does she belong in the VP seat?

If we thought White Water was bad . . . what IF this bi partisan 14 or12-0 vote for an ethics probe regarding abuse of power as a leader- actually has substance and she’s suddenly our national leader? I can't stomache anymore ethics issues with leaders, can you? 

We brush off reports that her announcement of selling a plane on ebay was not technically a sale on ebay but  really a sale of significant loss to her state and not on ebay after all- or that she keeps important secrets and can lie so well already.

We brush off reports that she didn’t address the fact that after lobbying for money for the bridge to nowhere and taking a significant amount of money from the government to fund this, she decided against it and then didn’t give back the money still leaving a huge debt to the people.

We explain away how, why and even IF she asked the librarian to ban books, had her fired and then hired back after town outrage

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/09/11/palin-and-book-banning/

 that the high school drop out rate in Wasilla where she was mayor was over 40% and that she cut funding to the program in her state which  was effectively working to  fix this. I still want to know more about this . . . witness what a John's Hopkins Study refers to as 'the drop out factory'!

http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=7289165

It’s okay that she may not be living up to certain family values that maternal instinct would have our insides screaming about in any other situation -with a friend or family member. We seem to be so caught up in women lib issues that we can’t see anything straight-

I want to hear her actually speak off the cuff.

I want to listen to her in actual interviews outside of a written speech- without stabbing one liners-  And despite eye rolling reactions when I mention this- her speech really WAS written by the Bush speech writer and from a platform of change, this both scares and offends.

Our lives, our America, our country- WE are at stake here, and yet she is not being allowed to grant interviews?

It's not about no permission for a Heart song- or her unwed teenage daughter- it's about how all these little things add up to reflect the character of a ticket, of AMERICA of our reputation in this world.

After reading the Tucker interview I lose sleep over what might happen to our country if we once again choose to vote for this flavor of republican ticket.  

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/05/brown.bounds/index.html

Our government and this administration let us down in ways difficult to forgive, and there are so many issues at stake besides high gas prices. This ticket supports more war- and though words come out of mouths screaming ‘change!’ – I heard no ridicule from the RNC of the very administration which supposedly provoked such a motivation for change recently.

I am mortified by the death and destruction of these past 8 years and want solutions, real ones that involve not killing. I believe in keeping our guns, but I'm not turned on by a VP with a gun in all these photos.

Now that we are in such a world crisis- at least humor us with a ticket that is strong on foreign policy and hope for PEACE, one that doesn’t leave us fearful that the one person on the ticket- a decorated war hero who has some experience – is older than the comfort zone for a president while the other didn't get her first passport until 2007 and has no record of any foreign policy decision in her 20 months of governing  . . . as the national guard is controlled by the pentagon.

I’m saddened by what I’ve seen in the Vet hospitals and in mental health care facilities concerning care of our vets.

I’m scared that both of these people are not strong on economy and we are in a crisis- we need some educated boring people to just help us out right now- no more drama, mud and crisis please.

I see no different solutions being discussed by the RNC ticket for these issues. I search for hope in news articles and in voting records, biographies, autobiographies and in debate and I find none.

Thankfully folks who see things on the opposite side of this, do correct the limited facts reported by media sources from time to time- but this still doesn’t fix it for me.

This ticket has me losing sleep . . . I'm shocked and afraid that I heard nothing in any of the RNC speeches I could wrap my trust around  about the future empowerment of this country.

I watched it, like many other open minded independents and Democrats did, searching for a sense of security in case Obama doesn’t make it.

Where were the specifics about health care and educational improvement, poverty and PEACE? Where was the encouragement and thanks to American people for community service-we were going through a hurricane there were people out there giving and helping- and listening to that convention  . . . are these politicians so very out of touch?

Where was talk of educational values, economic growth, and environmental protection? 

Time and again we as advisors advocate for ‘what you focus on expands’ the democratic speakers in my eyes, were so positive and uplifting- I felt real hope for this earth and our American future.

The RNC used fear, the entire platform running seemingly on war-

Yes McCain is a good man and a war hero like many other war heroes . . .   honorable, yes, though I don’t sense he is connected with America in ways that will assist us to climb out of this black hole we are in.

This ticket scares me.

In a McCain/Palin world I see women’s control of their bodies taken away and our children drafted to wars.

Finally I must say that to distract us from the real issues - this smoke and mirror tactic of gender- being untouchable, feeling attacked regarding interviews-  the greatest insult of this ticket- 

. . . and the critism of Obama not being experienced and then choosing someone less experienced for VP to publically compare him to . . .  these Moses, Britney/Hilton ads . . .  I pray that our America will not go blindly toward more self destruction and suffering.

 Oil isn’t worth sacrificing all these other pressing issues for- and there are so many other ways to live besides dependence on fossil fuel without a plan.

Research and gradual moving away from this dependence  . . . taking about ten years which is very reasonable per Obama . . . is one answer that will bring a lasting solution.

Speaking of Obama, to his credit he has run a beautiful campaign managing an enormous staff and amounts of money. He has raised this money with no lobby donations. He has been deeply scrutinized and handled the ridicule and constant research of his life with grace, I sense compassion for people from him, he continues to grant interviews- even to those who hate him, and he offers real solutions with many details- to my satisfaction.

His deep respect of, and brilliance in community organization, has brought him this far.

He and his wife have a history of community organizing and enough global awareness and foreign policy experience to make decent decisions in times of crisis. I see real partnership and joy in his family life. I’ve had time to think about, check out and debate the facts about him, we've put his feet to the fire and he's still standing. 

He has proven his abilities and has been researched, interviewed and judged for months by us, and passed the American test- enough to keep a solid base of supporters and become the nominee for president.

It’s not about ridicule, put downs, amniotic fluid, cultural bias- it’s not even about evil or good, it’s about who is most qualified to run our country at this particular time.

It's about the suprise on America of a VP who comes with suspicious scandal and we are not given enough time to get to know her- which reflects on EVERYTHING about how decisions would be made and our country would be run if we elect this ticket to leadership.

 Right now the most politically incorrect thing to do is NOT speak up- and I pray all Americans put their neutral caps on and really do some research- beyond the media- beyond what their family voting tradition is, beyond their prejudices about gender or race . . .  just feel the pulse of this country and examine both tickets until beyond a doubt and without prejudice, a clear headed decision is made.

To boring Biden's credit, he wrote the Violence Against Women Act and constantly is tweaking it as real life goes along.  He is a pro life person who doesn't believe in pushing this issue legally. He knows his way around Washington and contrary to the popular CHANGE slogan, that is a very good thing-  he's a strong and experienced decent man, one who will help fix this country's desperate problems-.

The ISSUES, political agenda, and moral character  . . . over looked due to smoke and mirror tactics- on both sides.

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"

I'm open to difference of opinion and if my facts are off base I welcome a correction. For me it's the total picture of what this ticket represents. It is what may happen to our supreme court and to the future of women and children in our nation if we don't pay close attention to this election.

I know that my essay here will not be popular-  but I'm not being a very well minded woman right now, am I?

Forgive me these honest, bold statements of my thoughts and feelings, I am a woman -and you know what they say- the Goddess energy is emerging these days . . .

Fawn

http://deepakchopra.com/index.php/search/palin+effect  what deepak chopra has to say . . .

Polar Bears '08

Animals are so awesome . . . I remember as a young child in NY my family would take me to the zoo and just walk me straight to the bears where I'd stand for the majority of our visit and just watch them. Often Grandma would sit on the bench with me and we'd watch the polar bears while the others in our group would look at everything else. To me they were and are the most amazing powerful example of survival and animal personality - they love water and are so playful. God help a human who goes near them as they are not teddy bears, they are dangerous,  though amazing.

"Polar bear populations are declining.
'U.S. Geological Survey estimates that all polar bears in Alaska may be extinct by 2050"

The history of humankind shows that when troubles arise, we tend to start killing off entire species, or entire cultures for our own survival and gain. Even if there are other ways to go about something, we historically have chosen the more direct and less gentle way.

It's now time to make decisions about the polar bear, the time of choosing to protect and honor the polar bear or to let the polar bear die off . . . it has come.

If one studies the current political and environmental climate these days -  like national geographics, current US elections and political science issues . . .  scientific data about the earth . . . it's obvious that we are maybe witnessing some last days w/ our polar bear buddies.

With so many other issues to worry about, it's difficult to feel empathy for them right now- on a national or global scale. This is sad . . .

But true- all

"The best available science shows that polar bears are facing extinction due to the loss of their sea ice habitat.

(based on science data w/ "empirical, peer-reviewed, scientific studies and modeling-long used in making population forecasts for wildlife, and the climate models used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey- which are robust and generally accepted within the scientific community."

Which all translates into - Scientists are now focusing on the suffering and eventual extinction  of the polar bear.

So, I'm taking a few minutes to post how much I have respect, do respect and pray I will always have the opportunity to continue this respect . . . of their existence on earth; and to say that if I could help somehow . . . to make a difference about this, I'll make choices to help them survive what they're going through now.

"Protection of the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act would require federal agencies to “consult” with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before proceeding with industrial development and other actions that may cause harm to the species.'"

I fear they may be removed from the list. :-(

Factual points/quotes taken from :polarbears sos dot com

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/12/061227-polar-bears.html

Fawn

Polar Bears '08

We help create a plan of action prior to birth and spend our lives working with this opportunity given us - of life- to fullfil our chosen unique purpose and share the gifts we bring.

We have soul groups we belong to who are folks we feel very familiar with and who offer themselves as teachers and students in our lives. We are not alone . . .

A soul purpose is always evolving. For example, we might choose poverty and illness as a soul challenge through an earth life to overcome certain obsticles. Our soul purpose for the life might be that we are here to share with others the gift of free spirit through dance or through being an awesome cook or through example to others by overcoming the tragedy of disease.

Free will always has a part in everything that occurs. If our soul chooses the challenge of illness and suddenly our free will evolves us to a point where we can create a miracle in our lives and heal, that soul purpose can be aborted through free will, and replaced with a new one. Maybe overcoming, living with, or teaching others through illenss was what we chose.

Or we can live with a disability and learn certain lessons, teach others certian lessons, and our souls can, through free will, change the plan. It's our plan after all! We can work with God in all ways, both on this side of the veil, and on the other.

Soul Purpose never releases the need for choice/free will. I have spent many years tapping into the soul gifts and chosen soul purposes of individuals who have chosen to be born on this earth and live out a life plan . . . our souls decide this w/ our soul groups/communities, and with the Great Spirit, God/Goddess . . . .  or who ever, what ever, you choose to label this guiding energy we pray to . . .

Sometimes souls enter earth having the greatest of intensions . . .  and their lives, through free will, become side tracked and can even turn out negative and scary when their soul self originally planned a different script to play out. What remains the same are the 'sign posts' we set up for ourselves along the way during a life time, which que us in to what will occur or who will appear at certain times . . .  or offer a chance to make an 'Out', a U turn, or renewal.

We are ageless, immortal,  & with unlimmitted opportunity to create and expand our lives every moment in physical life and in spirit. There are always choices we are making, and everyone has a divine connection and plan which we helped create and our higher selves help direct.

At a certain level, humanity has agreed to go through what it has gone through so far, to evolve and learn. Even Bush has a soul purpose and he came to share his gift. He has soul goals and a design with free will. He has failed in some, and he has succeeded in some . . . with spirit consequences he will face through lessons learned by various choices.

We all have been faced with hardship and suffering on various levels . . .  so we may know how to grow spiritually, to heal and to transform. The Obama soul purpose is not any more important than your soul purpose, or mine. This awareness makes it easier to comprehend, maybe.

Shamanic practice is so very powerful, I love it! I teach workshops with it, enjoy grand circles of friends with it . . . it is for all of us to learn. It's psychic, intuitive, sacred, humble and so very self healing . . . for me. Thanks for your correspondence. I enjoy sharing with this topic much :-)

Hot tamale!!! The theme this year is Passion- yeah! This year it falls on the first weekend in October (3rd, 4th and 5th) and women who attend will have an opportunity to rekindle, express, discover, or uncover their PASSION through several workshops.

 It's coming closer . . . the Second Annual Women's Wellness Workshop.  I had such a great experience last year and will be traveling across the US from Oregon to KY soon, just to do it again.

My best friend, my 90 year old great aunt, and maybe my roommate from college back in the 80's will attend with me.

There will be one of my faves this year . . .  Woman Words Writing Workshop with Normandi Ellis who is the former president of the National Association of Poetry Therapy. She leads workshops in writing for wellness, personal development, and creative writing. Her recent book, Fresh-Fleshed Sisters, was a fiction finalist for the 2007 Kentucky Book  Award. A well-respected scholar in ancient Egyptian mythology and women's studies her other works include Awakening Osiris (translated from hieroglyphs), Dreams of Isis: A Woman's Spiritual Sojourn, and Feasts of Light: A Celebration of Women's Festivals in Ancient Egypt.

Her workshop was one of my all time favorites because it woke up and stirred up certain parts of my soul self . . . parts I'd not felt in years.

Shamanic Journeying, with ME, yes, I teach this part of the workshop and it's a popular one. I teach self healing techniques and how to journey . . . this year I'll introduce soul purpose tapping which is a powerful method of finding one's bliss and life path. I've been a practicing Shaman since 1988: Institute for Shamanic Studies; Soul Retrieval work as taught by Sandra Ingerman; and ongoing advanced healing work with Colleen Deatsman who is an awesome friend and teacher.

AND-

N.E.T (Neuro-Emotional Technique) with Dr. Theresa Pigott: She says,"After trying to find my purpose through other career avenues, I had a dream which lead me to become a Chiropractor.  I trusted and followed that path, one which has brought me tremendous joy, fulfillment, and a "knowing" that I am home.  This profession gives me hope for the future and a way for me to share my passion for holistic health care with others. I was the first Michigan Chiropractor to be certified in NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) as well as the first Chiropractor to be on national television promoting this incredible, life changing technique."

Well, I can't say enough about this form of healing. I was thrilled to find real transformation from what she did with us. So much so that I found her in Michigan at her practice and went through some life changing personal sessions.

Kyrai Antare is the founder of this weekend, and our awesome caterer She's a depth psychology specialist  and Woman on Earth Program Leader. She authored the book Finding a Break in the Clouds in 2001, and has a private practice in Berea, KY. Kyrai specializes in the unique treatment of disordered eating and body image issues, as well as the creative reclaiming of the feminine principle in everyday life. We'll be enjoying her workshop, Freedom Movement                   

My dear friend of many years, Jane, will lead us in Tai Chi. Jane Post has been a Massage Therapist for over 12 years, a Tai Chi instructor & Martial Artist for over 20 years, and a Culinary Artist and Gardener almost her entire life.  She has been living in the Berea area since 1974 when came to Berea College and studied ceramics. She a Goddess, I love her! 

We'll be enjoy some Restorative Yoga with Tracy Briney who has been studying and practicing yoga for the past 10 years.  She began studying Anusara Yoga with John Friend since 2002.  Her most current studies have been with Senior Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher Laurie Blakeney. She loves the devotion of Anusara and the amazing and brilliant art of precise alignment in the Iyengar method.  She has also been studying Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga for the past two years with Dr. Paul Dugliss, M.D.

We'll be blessed by the presence of Susan Holt who will lead us in Brain Nutrition and Passion.  At the age of seventeen, Susan began studying how to heal all kinds of common health problems using targeted nutrition. Over the years she has developed a workable knowledge of specific nutrition for ailments, dietary health in general, homeopathy, herbal usage, yoga, weightlifting, guided meditation, charka clearing, and energy work.

Other really awesome experiences, besides the good company of amazing women and workshop facilitators are- a
depth-oriented film discussion group, friday night bonfire and song/rhythm circle, delicious, homemade, vegetarian meals,group art creation and Woman on Earth Marketplace where all who come can sell or trade wares.

This will take place on the beautiful Berea College Campus, a famous craft capital . . . with great view of the foothills of Appalachain Mountains. The cost is only 350 dollars for all workshops and meals . . . I believe we are offering a discount this year for those who register early and folks who attend can stay at historic Boone Tavern or at one of the other affordable motels in town.

This year folks who have been touched by cancer . . . immediate family . . . can offer what they can to pay and the cancer foundation will cover the cost of the rest. One woman is paying 50 dollars and the rest of her bill for the weekend is paid for.  I love it!

I am from Berea, a resident for over 23 years before I began to travel and learn in other places. I still own land there, and have many friends in the Berea Community. I graduated from the college, grampa was a professor there . . . and it's still a big part of my heart.