Saturday, June 17, 2017

Joan Casey: Our 27th Anniversary

Our Wedding June 17, 1990
Six and a half years before this picture was taken, I first met Joan.

Don't know if it was love at first sight, but it might have been.
I say that because at my first recollection of Joan, I distinctly recall a bright twinkle or sparkle radiating from her. 
I never forgot that. 
Because it was delightful! 
Wish I could capture that image, but my graphical skills lag far behind my memory and especially, my imagination....

 Anyway, this will remind folks of our wonderful wedding day and our life together!

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Poetry?

On Incense

Tendrils
Wisps
Curling mainly upward, riding barely heated air
Subject to vagaries of drafts and unseen currents in space, like fleeting shadows
Wafting freely, unbound by gravity
Tiny particles forming temporarily visible smoke
Later will settle unseen and unheard, but leaving a faint scent reflecting the care of those who made incense
Like a stream of potential Prana trying to reclaim what is gone
Settling slowly and silently, lightly covering surfaces that offer willing destinations
Awaken feelings of joy, reverence, respect
Creating fleeting glimpses of past joy from days long ago but not far away
Sense only by breathing in, a metaphor for life
Forgivable clinging?
Remembering great joy- can this be done without sadness?
Wonderful habits are not lost easily
Lingering memories sustain happiness
Imagine new dimensions!
Honor the good
Respect actions made with good intent
Value constancy of love
Infuse wonder into everything
Ephemeral
Gossamer
Veiling and sailing
Glimmering
Glistening
Sequins
Pearls
Diamonds
Silvery stuff
Fine fluff
Threads
Weaving
Twisting and turning
Reinventing
Reflecting
Matted and overlain into the grain
Randomly
Unpredictable 
Effortlessly made
Columnar Clouds that last for brief moments
Entwine the elusive ether
Engulfs the senses
Encloses the vastness of intensity
Indecipherable Shapeshifting patterns
Morphs re-morphs and unmorphs
Unimaginable complexity and randomness
Conceivable - only briefly
Puzzling twists and turns
Flowing
Tumbling
Circling
Surrounding
Engulfing
Gentleness personified
Incomprehensible!
Free wandering spirits bound only by imagination
Complexity beyond expression, simplicity beyond belief
Magical
Imperceptible transitions
Transparent or Translucent at will
Sinuously swirls, curls, winds, climbs, dips, doubles back, beckoning, always teasing, tempting
Traces and spaces and paces itself into complexities constantly changing, barely perceptible in transition
Tickles and trickles and dives and contorts and cavorts into forms and non-forms, not normal or formal 
Erratic and spastic and plastic and elastic - fantastic!
Errant, Aberrant, go-where-ant, bleary and blurry
InCoherently lazy, hazy and crazy
Faded and shaded and graded 
delicate traces, dreamlike
My dream…
            ------------------

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Joan Casey: Some Wonderful Reflections

The Whatcom Land Trust has been a favorite activity for Joan Casey for years. Recently, they have helped me find the Jade Stone (Olivine) Bench, obtain permission to place it at the Pt. Whitehorn Marine Reserve, and installed it.

Here's two photos I took today from Point Whitehorn Park, at the end just before the walk down to the beach.
Pt. Whitehorn Marine Reserve
Joan's Bench at Point Whitehorn
Inscription etched into left side:

So beautiful...
Joan Casey
1941-2016

View from Joan's Bench - The Salish Sea
-------The following was written a few days ago early in the morning with a mystical scene capturing my attention----

The predawn stillness is reverential in nature, with the almost full moon setting slowly in the west. 

A mist layer permeates the sky above bay and isles, both near and far.

Soon it will be gone...

Beautiful in every aspect except one; impermanence.

Ah, impermanence, an elegant cruelty; but don’t worry there will be another moment, then another; every one impermanent in their very uniqueness!

This reverie reminds of my first glimpse at one, Miss Joan Casey, arriving breathlessly at a carpool across a crowded parking lot.

That’s not as romantic as across a crowded room, but it will have to do.

Her main expression, observable at a distance, was one of pure exhilaration at being at that place and time, anticipating a wonderful walk in nature with friends.

What a very apparent joy she must have felt to elicit that aura of lightness of spirit!

Anyway, it certainly caught my eye and became the beginning of the long journey we happily took together.

Now, Joan isn’t physically around any more, but her presence remains, not so much as a protest to the whole idea of impermanence, but the expectation of ever-appearing new experiences.

As our love grew over the miles we hiked, there was always room for another adventure, then another, and another.

And, you know what; it’s still happening!!

That was how Joan was, constantly on the lookout for another wonderful experience! 

And you know, that kind of wonderful expectation was bound to succeed, as it did, over and over again.

Now on the eve of what might have been Joan’s 76th birthday, I am again experiencing great joy in having known her and recalling that moment.

The memories we shared do have a way of sticking with you…
---------
One such memory comes to mind of the time we walked the 95-mile West Highland Way in Scotland;

I made up a silly marching song as we walked along in misty cold, seeking to raise spirits, which it did.

It went like this, to the tune of “Oh Britannia”:

Oh, the Deebit, 
The Deebit walks with me
Oh, the little Deebit walks with me.

Oh, the Lambit,
The Lambit is so fine,
Oh, the little Lambit’s love is mine.

Oh, the Joanie,
The Joanie is my wife.
Oh, the little Joanie lights my life.


Note: since Joan had 2 dimples when she smiled, I called them Deebit and Lambit

Now that’s written, as the sun is rising….

The duty crow has already begun its futile dive-bombing attempts at making the gulls leave his roof.
========================================

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Phase 2: A Love Story That Will Never End




Today I cried, but only after reflecting again upon the most wonderful experience in my life, 32+ years with Joan Casey.

I’d like to think that these were tears of joy, but they were also mixed with tears of sadness and loss.

How could they not be so?
I am after all, human.
Sometimes very human.
One day I will perhaps become less human, but until that time, why not cry when I feel the need?
Little boys are taught not to cry, but I haven’t learned that very well.
Now that I’m an old guy, who cares? 

I cried today after another insightful reflection, about who Joan & I were and what made us so attracted and devoted to each other.

Both of us had relatively comfortable lives and fairly strict upbringing, which proved to be both blessing and curse.
Blessing, because we were healthy, obtained good educations, had solid values and were good with other people.
Curse, because we almost expected life to be on cruise control, that all we ever needed would be provided, that troubles and misfortunes were for other people.
How wrong we were!

While neither us suffered from real hardship or deprivation, we did have individual challenges that involved issues like trust, acceptance of the lives we had, and issues of what constituted love.
I suspect anyone would experience such confrontations in life, but only some might have them be a cause of despair and deep questioning of beliefs and faith. 

Each, in our way, had experienced the urge to do something different, live in another place, enjoy adventure and the companionship and love everyone wants.
And, each in our own way, dealt with these desires only after suffering some real ruts and bumps in the road of life.
Time does heal wounds, but lessons to be learned also require time to digest and figure out how to use.

Both Joan and I had reached similar places in our lives, when we were open to interaction and change of the most profound kind.
We were fortunate to meet under circumstances so conducive to friendship.
We had each gone through disappointing relationships that soured our appetites for more of the same.
Something we had lacked was the main culprit, although unsaid at the time.

Nevertheless, we were ripe for a positive change, and when we met a mutual attraction was triggered, slow at first but maturing quickly into real love - and healthy respect from where we had been.
About 2 months later, we were writing each other love letters, a really old-fashioned thing to do!
But, we were both somewhat old-fashioned and didn’t care about much except getting to know each other better; something we never ceased to do.

Being bruised and cautious does slow down relationships, but ours progressed steadily. Nine months later, Joan invited me to live in her house; something I did willingly, to be closer to her more often.
Soon after, I asked her to marry me.
She didn’t say no, but did want more time to consider the proposal.
We continued to enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities and learning experiences.

Five years later, we were still considering my proposal when a job opportunity came, requiring a move to Bellingham.
Joan could see the opportunity was a good one, and we agreed to go together - after getting married!
Wow, Joan’s first marriage at age 49 was such a joyous occasion I couldn’t believe it!
We moved and bought her dream house together, where we lived for 26 happy years, while again enjoying all kinds of activities, friends and memories. 

After such an extended time of happiness, Joan died, unexpectedly on our way home from San Francisco, where she had just completed the renovation of her ‘little old lady’ home. What a shock!
She was in hospital in Redding, CA for 3 weeks before she passed from this life.
We alternately felt encouraged at her recovery prospects and saddened by her serious condition, which prevented her from being moved.

Although we had discussed end-of-life issues, neither of us was ready for what happened - me least of all.
The day before Joan passed was awful, except one Vajra Sister, Nora, was there to comfort her and assist with the Buddhist practices for which Joan strongly wished.
Even though she was minimally conscious, I remained hopeful that a miracle would manifest and make Joan well again. 

At her bedside, I held her hand; something we often did.
Then, late at night, I went to rest.
At 4 AM, the phone rang and the nurse said I ought to come to Joan’s side; her vital signs were dropping and were was little hope she might improve.
I was there in minutes, holding her hand, lightly rubbing her head and whispering sweet nothings meant to comfort her.
I believe this reached her consciousness, before I gave the signal to stop the intubation on the nurses advice. 

Joan descended peacefully, with very little physical movement, then slowly a peaceful smile appeared on her face.
I will never forget that moment, torn between grief and prayers for her joyful passage into the bardo of dying.
Then, very quickly, it was over.

Almost automatically, I sprang into action; so many things to do and attend to - it was almost overwhelming!
But, I needed to do it, to honor Joan, to set the necessary legalities in motion.
So much to do, so little time.
Then, it occurred to me this was a metaphor to life; our rushing around was always to meet some deadline - real or imagined. 

That is when I calmed down enough to truly honor Joan, her delightful spirit, always good aspirations, and wonderful smile, all stamped indelibly in my consciousness.

I am so thankful for the inspiration Missus Joan gave me, to go on strongly and determinedly, to do all the good I can - and no harm!
That has kept me going so far, and perhaps much longer than I expected. 

But, today I am writing this in preparation to posting it at 9 AM tomorrow, to mark the first anniversary of my Dear Joan’s passing.
May her spirit endure forever!
I love her still…and always will…
===============================


Monday, February 20, 2017

WYSIWYG: tRump Revealed

After weeks of misery, shock & awe at facing the sorry reality of our latest Presidential Election, I at last found -at the bottom of my glass- a very toxic revelation. Empty. 
So, I had another in hopes that my mood might brighten right here, right now, in my own private Institute for Institute for Attitudinal Adjustment. That didn’t work either.

So, after a wee nap, I awoke with the ANSWER! Nothing weird like a vision, but simply cold, hard facts -not of the Alternate Variety. 
What You See Is What You Get
That’s right, WYSIWYG. So clear, so simple, it clears up everything! What took me so long? 

Hell, what took everyone so long! Even those stupids who voted for this 't'-creature, and those who didn’t vote at all, and those thought their vote was worth wasting by voting for someone NOT HILLARY. 
I’d better have another drink now, sorry. 
I’ll be quick. 
There, that’s better. 
Others may feel cheated by this short unnecessary delay, but get over it, neither you or I are likely to feel better in the morning…

Anyway, what was revealed to me was this: 
tRump never gave us any good reason to vote for him, except wishful thinking. 
He never spelled out any plan except in the most general, hazy way. 
He refused to answer any normal questions.
Neither the Press, nor his fellow candidates were able to penetrate his deviousness.
He bullied and intimidated his supposedly R competition, until they all dropped out, victims of poll tea-leaves reading, plus an epidemic of weak spines, fear and disgust. 
He still defies releasing something as American as Tax Returns, unlike Warren Buffett, et al. He claims the ‘unfairness’ of his releasing tax information because he is involved in ‘litigation’ 
-Huh? That ought to be a red flag, doncha think? Besides, the man is just plain litigious , with something like 3500 lawsuits reported.

Bottom line is ’t’ ain’t gonna change, unless he’s forced to. 

His colleagues have so far been too chicken to really press the issue, so partisan is their view that they hope he will become the ‘tip of the spear’ for pushing through selective legislation, or repeals thereof, that they want to impose on the rest of us. 

Until it proves too hot for the R’s to handle, they won’t do much about it, except the usual jawboning and posturing so typical of groups who operate as a block, desiring so mightily to stay in power. 

Unless, their rather high tolerance for shame is reached, ’t’ is their man, despite the chaos he causes daily. 

When that trigger point is reached, they will turn on ’t’ with a vengeance, and it won’t be pretty! 

The World will be treated to a spectacle it won’t forget, and hopefully not of the violent type. 

So, its up to you, Congress, to get this right -it’s not a PARTISAN issue!

Question is, what will it take to turn up the heat quickly enough so that the frog knows it’s being boiled?

Likely, that may be the Russian Connection which is NOT going away. 
If that is the trigger that impeaches ’t’, then so be it. 
But please let it happen sooner than later! 

Then, we get to figure out What Mr Pence brings to the Off-White House. 
Plus, all the excitement of finger pointing and scrambling for power seats.

I’ve already seen too much of this movie, which unfortunately, cannot be un-seen! 

So, go ahead little ’t’ and make my day; screw up just enough -but not too much- to flush that throne you’re trying to sit on. 

Go back to where you belong! 

Air Wick, anyone?
Maybe Fabreze…

Saturday, January 14, 2017

A Day to Remember: January 14, 1984


Thirty three years ago today, I met Joan Casey, who became my dear butterfly...
We went on a long hike at Point Reyes National Seashore, and until April 12, 2016, we have hiked many, many miles together!

Despite the sadness of Missus Joan's sudden passing, the joy we shared during our life together certainly outweighs the pain of me missing her physical presence.

I will always have the precious memory of her, her zest for life, and the love we shared.

Here are a few photos that recollect moments our journey together:
Trails & Picnics - 2 Favorites!
Our Camping Home
We never regretted living at 1015 Toledo!
At Ash Lawn - James Monroe's Home (2011)
Joan's iPad, a gift that kept on giving!
UVA President's Home (2011)

Chincoteague Birding
Joan with Bud & Juanita McCormick
J & J - Dingle, Ireland
Joan on Patio @ 291 Surrey
Giddy Gato - Our Wonderful Cat
J&J with John's son Tom, Sister Mary & Richard - Tullahoma, TN
Missus Joan @ Moose Lodge - ca 1998

J&J with Mr Jefferson - 2011

Clowns Lily & Big Red

Hiking at Mt Baker - our backyard!




Joan & John - June 17, 1990