Jun 03 2008
Nature
I believe that to come together as an Earth Community, that we need to change our relationship with Nature. We need to change the story from “How can we conserve our resources for generations to come?” to “How can we once more fall deeply and completely in love with the Earth?”
A Chorus of Pollenators
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!
Video: The Blue Bird (15 MB - Requires Quicktime)
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I created this video while bicycling in Madison, Wisconsin. The song and the pictures capture the feeling I have when peering out into the water of lakes, rivers, and streams. Sometimes the open space is so captivating and breathtaking that I long to be a bird, soaring above the water in the open expanse.
Movie: Nature for Sale
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.
Photo Set: Willard Munger Trail
The Willard Munger Trail originates in Hinckley, MN and continues approximately 70 miles to Duluth, MN. The trail sits upon the railroad bed which once carried survivors out of The Great Hinckley Fire of 1894. Enjoy these photos along the Munger Trail from Finlayson to Hinckley.
Photo Set: Coldwater Spring
Coldwater Spring is the only naturally occurring spring left in Minneapolis,MN. Three others were destroyed in the building of major highways 94, 394, and 35W. The spring was saved by an act by the Minnesota Legislature, causing the reroute of highway 55 to preserve it. Today the spring is at about 60-70% of its previous water capacity. Coldwater Spring lies on land that was once Camp Coldwater, and the “birthplace of Minnesota” - where westward settlers and Native Americans once lived in harmony with one another.
Recovering the Sacred Northland - Reflection Paper (PDF)
A self-designed class, Recovering the Sacred Northland included labyrinth tours, bicycling along the Munger Trail, visits to Coldwater Spring, meeting Winona LaDuke and other “green sisters” at a Sisters of the Earth conference, and a renewed ethic of cultural and spiritual oneness with the land and heritage.
Art in Spirit and Nature - Reflection Paper (PDF)
Art and Spirit in Nature was a course that simply “emerged” through sheer experience and circumstance. From the connections made through an Animal Mask Making class, I was led to be a part of a chorus of nine “pollenators” for the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary’s 100th anniversary celebration. I created art that “brought to life” animal spirit guides, as well as my “Soul Image” of Water, and “The River Between.” Because of an unexpected 2-3 week period between homes, I allowed myself the time to travel to remote places to experience nature. This independent study has been woven together from these experiences, where I trusted my curiosity to lead me on a path, where I simply “Let Nature Be My Guide.”
Awakening Quest at Starwalkers - Reflection Paper (PDF)
In March of 2007, I participated in an Awakening Quest retreat at Starwalkers, a new intentional learning community in rural Northfield, Minnesota that I have been privileged to have a hand in creating. In this retreat, I and the nine other participants came to explore our dreams, to gain insights into our own “allurement” through walks in nature, to share in the telling of stories, and to live intentionally with one another.
Sustainability in Motion - Reflection Paper (PDF)
My critical learning from my summer of bicycle adventures. Many twists and turns happened with regard to my learning. Parts of the journey unfolded before my eyes as I followed my intuition while in Portland, OR.