Fortune's Child on her Birthday

So in Eureka, Ca, my fortune was read by a carnival like creature just outside a candy shop. This is my last day of being 67 and I wanted to see what the stars had in store. Here is my reading.

"What a joy to look ahead to read into the signs of your future. So much happiness is in store for you that the most brilliantly lighted stars will be put to shame by the brightness of your life.

Ah, this is not all caused by sheer good luck. Nay,nay, my friend, your perseverance, your clever ways of handling your domestic problems and your sincerity in dealing with others are pointing the way to their reward."

Then a quote from somewhere at the end:

"Oh happiness what an elusive thing you are. But Thank God your were born beneath its star."

Happy Birthday to me and it is my candle wish that all beings be happy and bright.

On the Wings of Love We Fly

Elowynn and me- at Saanichton Bay, BC, near Sidney

Elowynn and Evan

Evan and his mom, near the beach, Victoria, BC

Well, how do you think I got this far?! Just some of the love along the way...and more to come..

Saying Goodbye, What it looks like, How it feels

The landscape pales in comparison to being with my loved ones. Thanks Russell, Jeanne, Evan and Jesse for being in my life and to Canada for providing me with hard to leave experiences and land and sea escapes. Off to Port Angeles, WA on the ferry today, but not before having brunch with Jesse. It is windy and splattering rain right now. I feel a chill.

Along the Boardwalk, Victoria, BC

I stayed on the waterfront across from downtown Victoria. You might expect to see lots of proper Brit influence, but it depends on which side of the Strait you are on. No that is not Evan's house in Victoria, but yes it is Evan. We walked along the boardwalk to the inner harbor and found a few things almost as strange as Carhenge. I greatly enjoyed the moments with Evan and with being by the sea and watching floatplanes, cruise ships, water taxies, ferries, fishing boats,row teams, and helicopters(sometimes moving all at once). I want to keep them forever in my view, especially Evan. Of course I can't do that. But sometimes I wish I could freeze those moments I had with my son and be there forever. But then he is forever in my heart, warm and toasty. But is there really anything as good as the real thing in the real moment?

A Brand New Day, Yellowhead Hwy, BC

From Alberta and a night at Whistler's Campground just outside of the town of Jasper, and after seeing warning signs for elk, moose, and cariboo that could clash with The Turtle , I experienced instead the softness of a Beautiful BC morning with the heavens opening up and a corresponding tuning of my emotional nature.The song, A Brand New Day, by Sting was playing on about the only new part The Turtle has (installed by Sterio Man in Asheville). A black bear padded her way along the curve several yards in front of me and quietly disappeared into the golden-ferned roadside. I thought I had selected another album, and was surprised to find that some DJ somewhere in my universe, picked this one. My tears matched the drops on the windshield and The Turtle stuck her head out and let the rain reach the tip of her tongue. I was speechless.

A Real Bird's Eye View

".. the blackbird, the staccato of the sky" a line from a song that KD Lang sings on her CD, Hymns from the 49th Parallel...or from Canadian singer songwriters. And although I know this is The Raven , he is still black and makes loud cawing sounds that punctuate the quiet. Sadly, this one has lost his mind because he prefers stale white bread to the landscape he appears to be bird-eyeing. And I know that I sometimes I also forget where to look for my sustenance.

My Spot, Kootenay National Park of Canada

The spot...gateway to my heaven I suppose...

Retreatants often stack rocks at Southern Dharma where I live...

The cartoon like clouds are blowing puffs of wind...

Olive Lake has lots of full-grown trout that are only 4 inches long..

I enjoyed Kootenay National Park in BC Canada more than anyplace I have been. Even more than Lac Louise, the Icefields, or Jasper. The water colors were olive at the entrance and reflected all that green meant to me in that moment. On down the road, I found the spot that stopped for me, and the restless getting from point A to point B was blown away for at least 30 min. The closer I got the more in love I felt, despite a slight fear of the grizzly. The clouds were cartoon- like with pursed puffy lips that blew cooling wind on the little camper that could while I took lots of photos with my little digital that tried. But I am not sure the photos really show the majesty of this place. As I got closer I saw several rock stacks made by other travelers who perhaps sensed the spirit of nature and how that can be all there needs to be , instead of Point B! Hallelujah