Mother Earth is Speaking

Northern California is experiencing some of the worst wildfires in history. They come just behind devastating hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.  In between those life shattering storms Mexico and Central America were hit with catastrophic earthquakes and then a brutal tropical storm further decimated parts of Costa Rica.  Then just this past week another hurricane hit Ireland. Yes Ireland. 

There have been natural disasters since the beginning of planet earth. But Mama Earth is alive and speaks to us in many ways. It seems recently she is screaming at us.  We need to listen or it will only get worse. Mama Earth needs to be heard, respected and honored.

This is what I try to teach and model to Amara and Havana in regards to this.

1: We Must Walk in Balance on Mother Earth. 

Give Thanks, Amara is practically obsessed with recycling and reusing things but we could reduce our foot prints much further.  The girls superawesome school, Montessori Family School, is 'education for peace' which includes a lot of practicing around those things as well.
We talk a lot about farming and pesticides, animal industries,  fossil fuels etc.  And we always bring our own grocery bags and reusable produce bags.

2: Listen to one's heart and soul.  Always follow the things that feel right in one's heart and in one's gut. And listen to earth when she speaks too.

Amara is not sure if I am serious when I tell her that I can hear a redwood speak to me when I put my heart and ear on its bark. I can. If we all stop and listen we can feel and hear the natural world speaking loud and clear. During these horrendous fires, I heart the earth say she is angry and sad at human beings right now. 

3:  We must value the earth as much as we value our cars and homes and other material possessions.

Money should not be put before caring for the earth. We should not destroy the earth for monetary gains. I try to teach that while money is important, it is more valuable to do what feels right, to follow one's passion and to be kind and loving to the earth and to each other. 

4: We are All Brothers and Sisters.

The flying ones, four  and two legged ones, crawling and swimming ones are also are brothers and sisters. We practice vegetarianism. It's okay to eat meat but as some native brothers I lived with taught me, we must thank those that have died in order to give us life. We must let our non human kin live as naturally and humanely as possible and only take what we need.  In that same regard, the flowers, plants, trees, rocks, sand, air, are also part of our family. We must be kind and walk in balance amongst them.

There are many other things to teach and model, but I think for our family, these are crucial parts of a foundation to walk in balance on Mother Earth. Northern California is burning and this has been the perfect time to be reminded of these things. Our prayers are to all living beings who have been affected and my prayer is that we all start to listen to Mother Earth and live accordingly.

Gymnastics, Full Circle

Amara has come full circle in her search for a good gymnastics coach.  We started back when she was 5 in Richmond where she started with coach Ms. Arianna. Amara  studied with her for over a year. We loved Ms. Arianna, she was skilled, professional and was great with kids being firm but kind. But the school had some issues and after the coaches left and the school started to crumble we also bailed. We had a good run for well over a year but we were left with a gymnastics void because Amara loves gymnastics. Not a day goes by where I don't think I see her feet up in the air more than I see her head!

 After Flip n Flops folded, we tried Orinda Rec. That turned out to be a lot of standing in line to do a few exercises.  Havana gave it a go with Big Sis, along with our friends Hana and Angie. All of them were left bored.  Suffice to say, we only lasted one session.  I couldn't find another school that was feasible in location  due to bearish Bay Area traffic  so we took a break for a couple of years.  Amara may have loved gymnastics but I was not heading into the Maze for classes or out east after commuting to Hayward in the morning. 

 Eventually we found Liberty in Concord and signed up. That went fairly well. Good coaches, big gym, shared commute with other friends which meant only driving every few weeks.  That alone sealed the deal. Amara worked hard at Liberty and even got to compete last Spring, getting her first medal. But then my job changed and I couldn't manage getting her out to Concord any longer. And honestly, while Amara progressed, she had several coach changes and I didn't love the school. We both liked it an awful lot but I still missed the coaches from our first school. We were also disappointed how the competition was run so taking a break in June felt like the right choice.

This summer, due to time and location restraints, we ended up doing camp at El Cerrito Rec. Amara, who does countless handstands, cartwheels and bridges daily, did even more when I told her I signed her up for a week of gymnastics camp. Each night she came home complaining how sore her legs were but that her coach Bindi, (whose name sounded so familiar but I couldn't place) taught her new things and trained her in a way that she felt "like a real gymnast." No matter how tired or sore she was, Amara would immediately head out into the yard to practice more. Girlfriend was committed.

When the school year arrived, we found out a friend was signing up for Bindi's Monday class and her dad was willing to drive Amara with them from school (new job, crappy hours, can't drive the kids anymore).  Amara was ecstatic to keep going with her flips and flops, stretches and bars. About a week in, Amara said, "Mama the other teacher with Bindi knew my name. I think she knows me but I don't really remember her." "What's her name?" I asked. "Arianna but we call her Ms. Ariann."  I could feel my owns eyes grow wide. "What does she look like Amara?" When she described her I could only smile at the divine intervention. It had to be her first coach that we loved so much. And Bindi, no wonder it sounded familiar, as a lightbulb when off in my head; she taught the older kids at our first gym, taking them on to win many trophies.

So here we are full circle, back with not one but two skilled coaches and each week we see Amara progress further.  Amara is the best gymnast but she is pretty darn good. Most important, she loves it and is committed. I am thrilled we can support her passion with coaches who also support her passion. I am  thankful for Divine Intervention in all of this. And I think I may start to count just how many cartwheels, bridges and handstands Amara does everyday because she may hit a world record!

Here are Amara and Ms. Arianna when Amara was just 5. No wonder she didn't remember her, it was half her life ago!

Yosemite in Late Summer

Last month, my sister Kim and brother-in-law Timmy came to California for a visit. They drove cross country for what would be Timmy's first visit to the Golden State. Kim has been here a few times but had not ventured out too far from the Bay Area. This time around we decided to take trip to Yosemite, one of the most sacred and beautiful places on planet earth. (as an avid traveler I feel I can take the liberty to make such a bold statement!)

We rented a cabin for the weekend in Yosemite West. It was close enough to the Valley but removed enough from the crowds that the Valley also brings. It also allowed us to cook meals and watch movies by the fireplace at night.

We were met with sunny days despite a wildfire burning nearby that could have made days hazy and gray. We were also most fortunate that due to so much snowfall last winter, the falls were abundant with water. They usually stop flowing in May. Kim and Timmy were blessed to see their powerful, magnificence.

I was beyond thrilled to share this sacred land with my family. To see their eyes light up at the beauty around them was pretty special. Yosemite has an effect on one's heart and soul and I suspect that neither of them will ever forget her.

Havana couldn't contain her excitement about seeing a mama deer and her fawn up close and personal. She followed them along a trail until they took a turn and crossed a creek.

We never leave home without these guys, or Suckey!

An impromptu stop along the side of the road for the girls to touch the river gave us the view of this bridge, made many years ago by rocks. I found it quite lovely and serene.

A dragonfly took a rest on Don.

The famous view when you first enter the park. No matter how many times I have seen it, it always takes my breath away and reminds me just how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of life.

A Good Read

Before we began on our road trip this past summer, Amara decided to try reading on her kindle. What a pleasure to see my child curled up with a good read instead of playing some game on the screen.

First Day of 3rd & 5th Year

Havana has not been feeling the photo vibes in recent months. Her facial expressions reflect that!

The new school year started last month with the girls starting their 3rd and 5th years at Montessori Family School. The girl's Tia Kimberly and Tio Timmy were visiting from Florida around that time so it was a busy but exciting time. It also meant that they got their hair done up real nice on the first day of school!

Our beloved school has been undergoing many changes and we are not sure how much longer we may remain there, but for now, it's been a good start to the new year with each girl thriving in their respective classrooms. And of course, Luvey, Ellie and Suckey (not shown but in the backpack) are also learning alot so far as well!

Last Stop: Grant's Pass

Our last stop in Oregon was to visit some friends in Grant's Pass. We had stopped through the city for gas on our way back from Yellowstone last year, but we never got a chance to get a feel for the city. What better way than to meet up with friends and to visit the local Farmer's Market? Bob and Kathy were great hosts the night we arrived and gave some some history of the town including the story of the whimsical, adorable, sculpted bears that line the main thoroughfares. (apparently each year, a new bear is commissioned.)

We were saddened by the ravaging forest fires nearby that kept the area covered in a gray, hazy, smokey, overcast cloud. The fires prevented us from being out too long and we were not able to enjoy the river for a hike or exploration. Yet our first (and only) hotel room at the Riverside Inn afforded us with the ability to take in the peaceful river from the safety of our smoke free room. (it was so smokey when we pulled in, that my eyes burned.) Although the smoke couldn't stop the girls from getting into the pool for a good, long swim with Don, while I went and sought out a laundry mat so we could have some clean clothing to wear.

Our view from our room at the Riverside Inn. We were most thankful to Bob's recommendation for the lodging.

We got to take in some of the local flavor the next morning at the farmer's and artisan's market. Whenever we travel, I try to see if there will be a farmer's market because it's a great way to meet local folk and get a sense for the area. Grant's Pass was full of creative, dedicated people who grew some tasty fruits and veggies, had yummy, all natural shaved ice (which the girls had at ten in the morning!), mouth watering homemade breads and beautiful, unique crafts. We all picked up something to take home including gifts for future birthdays. Most of all, it was fun to spend a bit more time with our friends who knew all the good spots at the market.

It seemed the whole of Southern Oregon was covered in smoke. The reality of the fires was daunting. 

After we finished our shopping we said our goodbyes and hit the road towards home. We would still be out another night at families in Sacramento but this last stop in Oregon was the perfect ending for our Oregon Road Trip.