Sing, Dance, Write!

It's the last day of June and I'm writing!
I've given myself a December deadline.
The story that comes from deep inside me, is beautiful.
It's not always a happy ending, but I continue to
love with the knowledge
that I'm moving into a different phase of my life.
The Shamen, Crone, Grandma, Woman.
It's humbling.
Alaska is the setting for this myth that is my life.
Indian drums are my sound track.
Northern Lights are showing the way.
I walk in beauty and am a part of this great land.
This city by the Inlet is home now.
The center of my Universe.

Alaska's 50th Birthday!

Alaska's coldest Summer.
Luckily, I'm having hot flashes.
The well of my soul is deep.
I rise to the challenge of expression.
Manifesting the mandala of my story,
is a bucking bronk, itching to be told.
The sacred ritual to find the time,
is being pulled upward from
a pure source.
Beauty has come to me.
I will do this right.

Let Your Love Show!

Remnants of the journey to Homer stay with me. I love it here in Alaska, no matter how much it hurts. Today, I'm in the moment and getting it. Create, create. The love story is biting. Each new day brings a shower of silly torment. The disire can nearly kill you. I choose to take the passion, and stretch my bliss into a song. Oh given, the lilacs are blooming in Anchorage. Summer is spring and spring is summer. Light is dark, dark is light, love is strange, strange love. Simple to say, but a lot harder to live. I look at the images of Homer, and smile.

Traveling by Land

I'm back in Anchorage after a few days in Homer. We got Robert E. Lee on the ferry to Dutch Harbor. We hiked and took a boat out to Otter Cove. We had dinner at the Rookery. The day's were glorious and we could see volcanos, and puffy clouds hanging over the blue/green ocean, comprising a picture perfect sight. Homer is one of the places in Alaska that everyone should visit because of it's knockout beauty. We partied at Duggan's and Karacters, which were both fine drinking holes with Alaskan character abounding. On the Spit, there is a famous pub called, The Salty Dawg. It too, is a spot everyone should see because of it's unique and palpable spirit. It's an old light house turned tavern. The long, wooden tables and bar are notched up with names, and are impressive in their genuine history. The walls are covered with signed dollar bills. Every space is literally dripping with dollars. You walk along the beaches of Homer, and see distant mountains that are unfamilier, jagged, rugged. It looks like a new place on earth. It feels like the end of the world.

Road to Homer

Rain and wet petals blow in the wind today. We load the car for Homer. The grail quest is the image I meditate on. I'm here. I'm right here. Alaska is alive and I breath to keep up!

Summer Morning in Alaska

I made coffee for the fisherman.
I took Antonio to wash cars.
I made tea for dream lover,
and I've completed two Sun Salutations.
Make that three.
inhale=Mountain
exhale=Forward fold
inhale=Half way lift
exhale=Chataranga Dan Dasana
inhale=Upward dog
exhale=Downward dog
inhale,exhale,inhale,exhale,inhale,exhale,
inhale,exhale,inhale,exhale
walk or jump to the top of your mat
inhale=Mountain
exhale=hands at heart center

This moment is it.
Beauty Loves Me!

Full Moon Song

Getting back to Alaska. Seeing the history, the people, and the nature is breathtaking. I find freedom in movement, and happiness in the little things. I'm taking the high road, and we'll see how long my resolve lasts. I loved Haines. I love the Alaska Highway and I will travel it again some day. Today is the full moon, and Summer Solstice is friday. I'm content in the gifts of the Universe. I know my path.

On The Water

The boat part of this journey is all new. All the people and water traffic have been such a study. I find the journey hard to describe this morning. I would travel by boat again, because it's soothing and scenic. I think B.C. Ferries and the Alaska's Marine Highway do a fantastic job of it. Some of the rules are a bit strange, but I just follow them and all goes well. The Inside Passage is like going back in time. Whale watching and historic landmarks are a form of bliss for travelers. I'm just a tourist.

Another day in the life of Riley!

The journey continues. I sit looking out the window knowing I leave for Port Hardy this evening. Alert Bay was such a cultural goldmine. The beaches were filled with jewels and the skies were lovely. I learned a lot being here with Kari and Wally. Kari is an inspiration, and we have so much in common in our creative process. Each day was filled with art, music, fun, food, and all the good things of life. It's really, " A Life of Riley" here.

Birthday Greetings!

Happy Birthday to me! I rise and celebrate life. It's great to be here in Alert Bay on my birthday. I study the eagles and hummingbirds. I do my practice and write my book. The inspiration and magic that fills the air here on this island is a great present. I see how I walk the path and know. I will not pine. I cannot weep for my desire. Fulfilled and free, I attract the loves and teachers that I seek. I shall make a vow to be true to my heart and keep it free of fear. Thank you!

Kwakwaka'wakw

I was invited to a Cultural Celebration of the T'lisalagi'lakw School. It was held at the Big House on the First Nation side of Alert Bay Village. It was a Pot Luck, dance performance and we brought a Yam Casserole and Chinese Cole Slaw. I went with my hosts Kari and Wally and we watched from the bleechers as the children danced, played drums and sang. The students and their teacher, Hotsine'ga (Sande) did a great service to the community by performing many of the native dances for a rapt audience of parents, family and friends. I was honored to be there and witness the historic, community, moment. The elders made speeches, and told the audience how happy they were that their people can finally speak their language, perform their dances and keep their culture alive. I was in awe of the sweet families and people who make up the village of Alert Bay. There's so much to see here, I can't do it in four days. I will come back and stay for a long time.

On The Journey

I sit and watch the rain come down on the Pacific Ocean. Kari and I arrived in Alert Bay last night. It was a short ferry ride from Port McNeill. As we waited in my car for the ferry, we noticed the deck crew turning back a native couple who were on foot and were too drunk to get on board. It held us up a little bit, and it was a sad thing to witness. We crossed the water in around thirty five minutes, and Kari pointed out different landmarks on the island as we slowly crossed. Alert Bay is a mystical place. It has a feeling of the past and I sense the sacredness of it's history and I want to explore the magic. Our journey from Portland was filled with many wonderful friends, food, flowers, ferries, fun and frolic. I haven't written much, because traveling requires focus, energy and time. Sitting here now, I'm pleased with all of it. Hummingbirds are zipping by the window on their way to the feeder and Kari is cooking up potatoes for Wally and I. It's nice not to have to get back in the car for a few days.

Columbian Cafe

I've completed the task I came to do. It's been such a good learning experience. So many loving spirits here in Astoria. Some may feel this is a dark town, but I see the light. I'd come back to work on the building that Jeanine and Uriah Hulsey are continually working on. They work very hard, but it's a beautiful life they have. I'd be honored to come back.