A River Between

I was sitting in Amazing Grace Coffeehouse in Duluth last week, when my friend Áine emailed a link to me of a British singer.  Susan Boyle was an auditioner on the television show, Britain’s Got Talent.  She’s 47, unemployed, never married, and lives with her cat, Pebbles.

Everyone was cynical, and seemingly against her when she claimed that she wanted to be as successful as Elaine Page.  But then she began to sing - and as she wowed the audience to their feet, it was all I could do to hold back my own tears just watching her.  This beautiful woman, who against all odds, showed the world that you must never judge a book by it’s cover, and that we should all be so bold as to go after our dreams - no matter how young or old we are.

Her Youtube video(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY) has reached near 40,000,000 views as of my writing this, and I’m sure these numbers will continue to rise.  So many people had the same reaction I did.  This very common woman shook our foundations and shattered the walls of loss, loneliness, and isolation that are felt by all of us at some point in our lives - and some of us, even nearly all our lives.

What a gift to hear her sing this song, and to share her presence - her very authentic presence.

I think of people I know who have dreams - oh heck, even me and my dreams!  What is it in our world, in our society, that tells us that we cannot acheive these dreams?  What is that force that tells us that we aren’t good enough, young enough, attractive enough, etc?

And then we see someone who can put a mirror up to our own self-doubt - our own memories of bullying, criticism, and those who cut us down over the years - and she hits the home run for all of us.

What a moment!

Thank you, Susan Boyle!

I took an “extended weekend” trip to visit friends in the Twin Cities and in Northfield, MN this week, and as it’s winding down, I’ve been having a wonderful time. Reuniting with my friends, Rose Ann and Gene has been wonderful. Since moving to Duluth in September, I’d not come back to really spend any significant “visiting time” really. I’d just passed through.

I went to the monthly Dream Group, and had a wonderful time just listening to others nighttime dreams, and got some wonderful insights to a dream I had some months ago (I’ll have to share my drawing and reflection sometime!). I also got a chance to revisit the Northfield Buddhist Meditation Center, and I “got through” a half-hour sitting meditation (I’m out of practice). I got to see some old faces at Just Food Co-op, have some hangout time at Goodbye Blue Monday, and just catch up with dear friends.

I also learned that The Village is going strong, meeting on Wednesdays, and that The Center for Sustainable Living is now embarking on a “Transition Towns” initiative. Lots of good things!

All in all, a wonderful visit!

I don’t normally put links to movies on my blog, but this one needs a special mention. Throughout this whole movie, I was moved to tears. Prayers for Bobby is a very honest portrayal of a family and a mother dealing with the news of their son being gay.

Coming out is a journey for a family. Sometimes it’s a real struggle, and nobody’s perfect, and there are never easy answers. Acceptance doesn’t always come quickly. In my own wonderfully loving and beautifully imperfect family, our journey has never been easy, but we’ve always loved each other - that I have never doubted. It took some time, but now they ask me about Michael, my partner, and I was touched to see them put his picture right next to mine in their home.

This movie shows so vividly, the worst fears of any gay son to feel deeply that they are not loved, and the deepest fears of any parent who would have to suffer a death of their son to suicide. It also shows how religion can be used as a tool to divide us, to sever families, and to make people to feel deep deep shame.

How can God shame one of his own? How can God not love one of his own?

I forgave my mother years ago for saying some of the same things Sigourney Weaver says to her son in this movie. I forgave myself for feeling like I put my parents through this tough journey years ago. And though in many ways we’re all still on this journey, I love them with all my heart, and I grew to accepting myself, and feeling the gifts that come with loving another person, and finding true joy.

So, I encourage everyone to watch. Have kleenex ready.

It’s been in the making for a while, but now that we’ve been able to tell some really close friends, I thought I’d make the big announcement here.

In September, Michael and I (and Junebug) will be leaving Northfield to live in Duluth, MN. We have been talking for a while with the Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker Community about our desires to someday move to Duluth. At first it was just casual, but then the community gave us an offer we couldn’t refuse. We’ll be moving into Hannah House, helping them out by paying the taxes, insurance, and utilities, as well as helping them out and being involved however we are comfortable.

If you aren’t sure what a “Catholic Worker Community” is - here’s a brief history lesson. Originally founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, the Catholic Worker movement has sought to provide shelter, meals, and hospitality to those who are homeless. They have also been know for their “radical” political stances regarding peace and social justice. Many folks in this movement have been know for their civil disobedience, especially against war, militarism, and nuclear weapons - often from a very radical Christian or spiritual standpoint.

We’re not sure exactly what we’ll end up doing there, but I have a lead on some office space in Downtown Duluth for doing bodywork, and Michael is considering driving for Duluth Transit for a time. Whatever we do for “jobs” we will figure out. This is just an opportunity for us to live on SO MUCH LESS money, and to be around incredibly like-minded friends. Duluth is where Michael lived when we first met, and where he and I did sidewalk chalk drawings all around the city for Hiroshima Day.

We’re incredibly excited! We’re going up this weekend to help clean the house and get involved with a march down the Lake Superior coast. Apparently the military has been dumping some toxic waste in the lake and it’s gotten a bit out of hand.

Wish us luck!

Here’s my cute cute baby, my “swamp thing” as I sometimes call her. Today, like many days, was spent at home working on web sites, napping, and hanging out with Junebug, our dog. She’s 10 months old today, and learning and growing all the time. Life would be so mundane without her in our lives.

Enjoy the pictures of our day at the Saint Olaf College natural areas near their athletic fields, here in Northfield, MN.

This weekend I am in Madison, WI, where I attended the 2nd annual Unschooling Conference, sponsored by H.O.M.E. All I can say is “What a conference!” Coming to meet so many wonderful people has been a great re-charge of my spirit. Unschooling has many forms, but can generally be characterized as the development of complete autodidactic, or self-directed learning. Unschoolers reject “schools” and imposed curriculum and structures, to allow students and people to learn from their own interests, goals, and passions.

The Village School of Northfield was an “unschool” where children were free to study what they wanted, when they wanted, and how they wanted. Here’s a link to a previous posting about The Village School.

At the Unschooling Conference I was able to meet some very wonderfully creative and passionate people - many of whom were parents who unschool their own children.

Here is a general summary of my experience:
Continue Reading »

On Saturday, August 11, I was part of a “Chorus of Pollenators” to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis. The festivities for the day were organized and performed by members and volunteers of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre.

You may view pictures on Flickr of the event!

Videos are listed below for viewing and downloading! Songs performed were written by Laurie Witzkowski. Enjoy!

Bees
A song about worker bees, dancing and singing bees, and those who simply flap their tiny wings to move pollen in the hive.
Watch in Pop-Up | Download Movie (8.4 MB - Requires Quicktime)

Pollenator Makes it Three
What’s a flower to do when it has a longing to cuddle with the cutest flower it sees, but can’t just get up and walk? Cross-polination is where it’s at!
Watch in Pop-Up | Download Movie (11.6 MB - Requires Quicktime)

Hummingbird
Hummm…Humm Hummm….Ming…MINGMING… Bird..Bird..BIIIIIRRD! A fun and lively song about the hummingbird.
Watch in Pop-Up | Download Movie (6.8 MB - Requires Quicktime)

Video: The Blue Bird (15 MB - Requires Quicktime)
Click the image to watch in a pop-up window.
Click here to download

I took a mini-vacation this weekend to Madison, WI. I lived in Madison from 2000-2003 and did massage out of a small office on Bedford Street, just a few blocks from Lake Monona. I love to return to Madison to bike the trails and to just peer out at the lake every chance I get. Unfortunately, I don’t think I ever biked in Madison when living there. Coming back and riding a bicycle helps me to discover it all over again.

I also did a bit of “geekery” and created a short quicktime movie of all of the bodies of water that I’m fond of just peering out at. I hope you like it. The song is “The Blue Bird”. Click the image above or the download link below the picture to watch the short video.

(6.9 MB Quicktime Movie)

The area in this video is Hiawatha Avenue (Highway 55) in Minneapolis. In 2002, this was the site of protest, as sacred trees in four directions once stood as a sacred site. After much political wrangling, controversy, and the eventual eviction of activists, and the bulldozing of trees, highway 55 was expanded in this area. I found a row of trees for sale along the bike path, which I found very ironic. Enjoy the movie.

Over the weekend, Michael and I went to his family’s cabin area near Sandstone, MN. This has been a great retreat for us this year, and every time we go there, the scenery changes. This time, when we arrived, Michael’s mother was busy creating a labyrinth.

This was a great culmination, since back in May, I went on a labyrinth tour as part of a conference. As well, just a few weeks ago, Michael and his mom went on their own labyrinth tour around the twin cities. This was enough to spark interest in building one at “the farm”. With everyone pitching in, we were able to complete this small, four-circuit labyrinth in one day.

I’ve posted photos and a little tutorial on “How to build a labyrinth” on my Flickr photo space. Enjoy!