I’m all for it, personally. I love the longer evenings, the energy boost I feel by that extra hour of light. It makes me get out in my yard and get busy! Yet, not everyone is a fan of daylight savings. I did a little research, and found there are a number of cons to be considered when we lose that hour every spring. Not being particularly affected by it, I was surprised to discover the problems brought on by the change in our clocks. There are many people who suffer serious fatigue for up to three weeks following the confiscation of that precious hour. It’s also been proven a time when the rate of heart attacks is increased. And, it’s a time when we are normally getting past the worse of the flue season, only to have many fall ill because of the tiredness brought on by the run-away-hour! Amazing what an hour means to us! And of course, it has to be taken away when we are sleeping. Like a thief in the night, each state in the union except, Hawaii, Arizona, and half of Indiana, erase an hour from our sleep. Funny, but too many of our…
Wolf Encounter
Never have I considered the spiritual impact of hiking with a one hundred thirty five pound wolf and his one hundred and ten pound mate. To say it is indescribable is correct. To say it is awesome is understated. Predators of the Heart, Wolf Encounters, is located in Anacortes, Wa., on a 10 acre private woodland. You can read all about their mission statement on the website, (predatorsoftheheart.com) but I’m going to talk about how this experience touched the very core of me. My friend Shannon and I began our encounter by joining five others for a hike. Seven people, and two enormous wolves. They walked along side us, heads swaying front, side, occasionally back, constantly keeping everyone in scope. Eyes like slits in fur covered faces. Enormous paws stepping with purpose and strength. Up the hill we went, through the forest to the top of the trail. They were on heavy chain leads because the property is in the process of being securely fenced. When we reached the top, our guide asked us to howl. So we did. The wolves lifted their heads high and howled with us, a sound chilling and beautiful. They made eye contact with us…
Vintage Watercolorists
I’m not sure at what age we are considered “vintage,” but I’ve received notice of an upcoming event involving some very impressive “vintage” artists. In fact, the event is called “Vintage Watercolorists of Washington.” If you are a local art enthusiast, go online to sunnyshorestudio.com, and read about the impressive accomplishments of the featured artists. On March 10th, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., a reception is being held at the studio where the artists will be available to meet and discuss their work. It is truly an amazing opportunity. As an art lover, I’v decided this opportunity is too good to keep to myself, and with permission from artist Jack Dorsey, I am passing the invitation along. If you are Stanwood/Camano Island people, you have a short drive. The studio is located at 2803 S.E. Camano Drive. There is free parking available. The event actually begins on Saturday the 10th of March at 10:00 a.m., but the artists will only be present from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.that afternoon. The show continues for the following two Saturdays, March 17th and 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 5″00 p.m. Unfortunately, we will be out of town for the March 10th and…
The Wind
The wind. Magical. It guides kites to the stars and blows holes in the clouds. It is the lift the eagles sore on, a free ride for pollen, and natures way of drying out the dampness. It sets the ships a-sail. A gust lifts our hair, our skirts, or moods. It ushers out the old and stuffy and whisks in the fresh and new. Wind produces energy, carries warnings and confirmations. We can tell rain is on the way with a simple sniff of the breeze. We can tell the forest is full of pines, and that a fire is nearby, information escorted to our senses by the wind. An abundance of knowledge rides the shirttails of natures telegraph system. We need only to pay attention. “Just follow the wind,” she said. “It tells you everything you need to know.” With a flip of her hand she turned away to continued her beach meander. This old neighbor surprises me. She is surly and cranky and funny all together. Living on the Island for the past fifty years has made her an expert. She is outdoors every chance she gets; rain boots, hood, gloves, scowl. But, I have learned a lot…
A Born Again Yoga Virgin
Oh yes, it’s vaguely familiar. The serenity, the breath, the stretch. Oh yes, it’s all coming back to me now. I can do this! Unfortunately, I am the last one through the door and the only spot open is front row. That’s Okay, right? I roll out my mat, then tip-toe to the equipment and retrieve a blanket and a set of blocks. I pretend I’m not the least bit bothered that I’m the last one to get settled, that the class seams to be waiting on me, and that I haven’t been to Yoga in six months. I’m trying to get into the rhythm of things.That’s when I finally notice everyone is lying on their backs with a blanket underneath them as well as a bolster leaning up on blocks positioned under their heads. This posture is lifting the whole back to allow gravity to pull the shoulders down and open, thereby opening the heart center. My instructor has made her way to her mat and is addressing the class in her best yoga voice, talking about the benefits of the pose. I didn’t notice we were using bolsters today, so now I have to figure out how to…
Rainy Days Blues
Sog and bog, muck and yuck – it’s a normal Western Washington winter. And unfortunately for so many of us, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing that rears it’s nasty head every winter, right about now. The joyful holiday season is behind us, we were blessed with a magical white Christmas, now all that’s left is to hold on till spring. It’s a good thing we’ve had enough experience with these winters of ours. At least nothing comes as a surprise. Of course it’s dark out – it’s 3:30 in the afternoon, after all. And of course the streets have become lakes. The storm drains are clogged because most of us don’t bother to keep them clear of the massive fall of leaves! It’s just too wet and miserable to be outside doing our civic duties. “It must be a great time of year to be a writer,” my friends say. And it would be if I could just stay awake! I bought an Ott lamp and it seams to be helping. The bulb emulates natural sunlight and fools the brain into thinking it’s a nice sunny day, and as long as I don’t look out a window,…
Broken Hearts and Violence
Another child lashing out with violence. Children killed, wounded, terrified and scared for life. What a heart breaking time we live in. What stubborn closed minds we have. In over ninety percent of school shootings, bullying is sighted as the major activator. A kid who just can’t take it anymore. Teens don’t start out that way. They start out as newborns – a blank slate, a book with empty pages. Everything that happens from the time of birth forward fills in the pages and writes the story of every persons path. Imagine only good happening to each child, only positive influences in their lives. No one picking on anyone else, no negative talk of being fat, ugly, weird, a loser. What if all our kids accepted each other just as they are. Unfortunately, most parents are so overwhelmed with life in general, they aren’t tuned into their kids enough to know when they are keeping quiet just so they won’t get beaten up. Or about the mean notes shoved into their lockers every day. Or the threats against their younger siblings if they don’t comply. Most of us cross fingers and hope the rest of the school year goes as…
Sleepy Time Tips
I’ve been reading up on insomnia lately. My off switch seams to be broken, and this constant on is wearing me out. I’ve suspected insomnia affects women more so than men, and I’ve discovered this to be true. Not only that, but women commonly develop serious health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and deppression when living on less than seven hours of sleep a night. There are a million reasons why so many of us can’t sleep – stress, of course, being the number one contributor. As I read, I began to realize some of the “cures” I’ve been trying are simply myths that not only hurt my chances of getting to sleep, but staying asleep as well. Interested in hearing some myths that do more harm than good? Here you go! Having a glass of wine or some other alcoholic beverage is helpful for insomnia. Wrong! It may put us to sleep, but we will not stay asleep. Alcohol interrupts the sleep cycle. Sleepy Time tea is much better. It helps to watch a late night movie or play games on our computers. Nope! Far to stimulating. The best thing to do is read from an old fashioned book…
Who are those people, anyway?
In three words: Hallmark Christmas Movies. I’ don’t know where these small towns hail from, nor do I understand why everyone living in them is – well, so Hallmark-y. The men are desperately handsome, attentive, and humble multi-millionaires, and the women are hometown beauty queens turned interior designers looking for just the kind of man the small towns have to offer. I’ve never been in a town where sleigh-bells ring as a horse drawn sleigh trots by carrying a family, all bundled in fur blankets and sipping hot cocoa, plus a Victoria’s Secret version of a golden retriever. I haven’t had carolers come to the door all dressed in vintage garb, smiling and blessing me. Never. Then there’s the whole romantic tragedy that ends up with a white wedding and well as a white Christmas. It’s amazing how quickly some people fall in love! I’ve never know step kids to embrace new fathers with such abandon as the kids on these shows, nor have I known any man to have longed for just this child and mother to belong to him for eternity. Dreams come true in Hallmark Christmas movies. Not that I find it all a tiny bit unrealistic…
Tis The Season…
Tis the season to reconsider all that counts – as in those extra holiday pounds. Do they count? Absolutely not! Nor does the annoying relatives nasty remarks, a croaky voice singing out of tune, exhausted kids throwing temper tantrums, dogs barking – none of it counts! You see, tis the season to overlook it all, with an understanding that supersedes every possible negative to come.Gear up! You know what’s coming, we’ve all been through it a million times! Family and friends will trudge through recently shampooed carpets with mud on their shoes, kids will eat cookies leaving trails of crumbs, candles drip wax and ruin table tops, pies are yanked from the oven with burned crusts, the garbage disposal clogs, the sink over-flows. It’s the freaking glory days! Embrace them for all they’re worth, which is all we’ve got and all that counts, and have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and a Happy New Year! Later, Mary Ann