Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Ashokan Days




Dearest Reader
I am living in New York now -- since my last blog I have spent a divine summer -- some say the best ever in the Hudson Valley. Although many people have not heard, the SF Bay area does not really have a summer. Certainly not the kind that we here in the east enjoy. It was so hot here that you could easily not wear clothing around for days. You could take a nap naked, or swim naked or dine naked and never miss any article of clothing whatsoever. Of course I did not do that except when safely in my bedroom, but one could if the culture allowed it.
The moist air of summer in the valley is so smooth that sometimes you feel you could swim through like a fish twirling your body around with head down or up, tail in the waves. Pixley, my 3 year old grandson and I spent many days together having picnics, playing with water, letting the wind blow through our hair and hanging out in the basement with train tracks, engines, freights and woo wooooo's. Almost no one in Kingston is excited and happy when a train cuts off the streets as they rumble by, but Pix and I searched them out. We pulled up as close as we could and watched, shouting out the names and colors of the cars and staring in amazement at the connections so necessary to make a train do what it does -- travel along, pulled by an engine on a track.
That is the theme of my night. Connections.
I have never valued my connections before the way I do now. The links that I have with other people have become like precious seams in an endless quilt of time. I have begun to accept that I am loved and lovable, valuable for simply who I am, for my sweet heart, my soul's desires, for my journey as a simple pilgrim walking along the paths, wandering in the forests and holding the hands of those who I meet. No frills, glitz or can can is necessary. Just the authentic being.
The fascination of a small boy, a strong boy, a bright and energetic boy for trains and tracks carries me along to appreciate being with the people here in this community, this joining of lives together in honoring the river, the mountains, the streams and honoring what happened here before us and will happen here after us. The dance of the sun, the stars, the clouds and the seasons all whirl around us as we alamand left, and right, swing our partners and fall satisfied into our beds at night so grateful for this place we call home.
Je'taime


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