2017 Labyrinth Walks

A year of change, of letting go and creating, of helping and waiting.

Our lovely magnolia that anchored the seven circuit classical labyrinth came down and a slab went to Martha Capo at her request. Friends helped mark the center and create the five circuits in a dual entry format. In May we dedicated the Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth A thrilling part of the labyrinth is the burn! Thus Phoenix, because after the burn both spring and fall, life began anew.

Peoples People contemplatively walk the R3 Labyrinth

Grubbing the stump

Marking Center

Before fall burn

Fall Burn

After fall burn

January 20th, 2017, Unity Center, The Interreligious Council of Linn County, Peoples Church Unitarian  Universalist, and Winding Pathways, teamed with several singers for the “Light One Candle” service and labyrinth walk to dispell the darkness of the season and emotions.

Light One Candle Dual Entry

Light One Candle Walk

Advent in March welcomed St. Stevens labyrinth program and a simple Maundy Thursday walk at Christ Episcopal Church.

St Steven’s Lenten Program

Maundy Thursday Walk

Not all walks and programs worked out. Some labyrinths are in need of attention and some programs fell through.  One because experienced counsel was rejected and another because the timing seemed off.

Community Center garden and labyrinth in need of attention

The importance of using resources wisely

Forest Hills Cemetery, Duluth, in need of attention

Austin, MN in need of attention

Joyfully, spring, summer, fall, and winter walks at the Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth inspired pilgrims.  We dedicated our work on May’s cross-quarter day. Bankers Trust folks walked on a hot August day and a surprise breeze cooled them down in the center. The yoga classes released tears, found joy,  and experienced community when they walked.  The Anamosa Garden Club women chatted, explored and discovered wild edibles when they visited Winding Pathways.  Our neighbor’s children know they can playfully interact with the labyrinth and a young boy ran then walked and then sang with his grandmother as they walked on the Winter Solstice.

Dedication of Phoenix, Dual Entry Harmony Labyrinth

Bicycle Fun in the Labyrinth

Hide and Seek in the Harmony Labyrinth

Yoga Classes walk

Treasure Hunt with the Anamosa Garden Club

Winter Solstice Walk 2017

Enjoying warm cider after the walks

Other trips this year: Duluth, MN; New York City; New Jersey; Washington state; Phoenix and Sedona, Arizona areas; and Cedar Rapids and Muscatine, IA. The most spectacular view was from the Holy Rosary Church in Duluth where several Outdoor Writers of America conference attendees walked on a brisk day. The McCabe Renewal Center’s simple grass labyrinth showed how easily a small space can be converted to a sacred path. The annual Unity Center Prayer-a-thon with initiating labyrinth walk always delights me. The people are willing to try different ways to walk and they create community spirit.  the most amazing find this year was the Muscatine Labyrinth in the Arboretum. So an impromptu walk found a half dozen of us trekking to SE Iowa for a barefoot walk and lunch at Mi Tierra in Tipton. Amy coincidentally that morning had found a card in an old box that caught her eye.  Lo and behold!  Wild Angel Expressions sits right next door to Mi Tierra! Synchronicity. Spokane, WA, is home to several labyrinths.  One at a community center reflects the “dreamy” of enthusiasm for a project without the long-term plan to realistically continue maintenance. The other two were completely different.  One was a simple path through the woods, again in need to some attention, but defined enough for now. The other a lovely circuit at Spokane Community College along a side road with handy parking along the Spokane River.  Set aside, yet visible and comfortable.

Enchanting me in November were two labyrinths in the Phoenix, AZ, area and a lichen labyrinth in Sedona, AZ. I was in AZ to help a sister sort, pack and move back to New Hampshire.  So, one afternoon, to give us both space, I found two labyrinths that soothed the soul.  Circle of Peace Church, Peoria, AZ and Unity Center, Sun City, AZ.

Most refreshing was the unexpected licen labyrinth design in a shaded spot on a trail in Sedona, AZ. Moments of quiet in a harried world.

Holy Rosary overlooking Lake Superior, Duluth

Unity Center annual walk

Synchronicity! Amy Ackman just found a long-ago card by this company which is located next to Mia Terra, Tipton, IA

Wyakim Park, Spokane

Spokane Community College Labyrinth

Prince of Peace, AZ

Unity Center, AZ

Lichen labyrinth, Sedona, AZ

Now the year ends with daily walks in the Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth as I welcome the adventure and privilege of joining the Veriditas Council to promote labyrinth walks and support labyrinth facilitators.

Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth

An Answer, To Start With

The Times once sent out an inquiry to famous authors, asking the question, “What’s wrong with the world today?” and Chesterton responded simply, “Dear Sir, I am. Yours, G.K. Chesterton.”* I know yo…

Source: An Answer, To Start With

Change Over

We approach mid-summer.  Time of Shakespearean “Dreams”, Lammas or first harvest.  Change over at camp.  And, in Iowa, the realization that “fall” activities will soon start.

Vegetables abound this time of year.

But for now, we revel in long days, towering cumulus clouds, fair breezes, and a sense of plenty.

Mid summer – the half way point between spring and autumn.  Day light has shortened but still lingers.  Shakespeare’s comedy “Midsummer Night’s Dream”  begins with moon references.  How appropriate since July’s new moon will have just passed and August 1st will see a waxing crescent moon.

“THESEUS

“Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
Draws on apace; four happy days bring in
Another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow
This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires,
Like to a step-dame or a dowager
Long withering out a young man revenue.

“HIPPOLYTA

“Four days will quickly steep themselves in night;
Four nights will quickly dream away the time;
And then the moon, like to a silver bow
New-bent in heaven, shall behold the night
Of our solemnities.”

Lammas or “loaf-mass” among Anglo-Saxons or First Harvest still rings true today.  All over the northern hemisphere gardeners are harvesting crops.  Nature’s natural bounty keeps pace with wild strawberries, black and red raspberries, cherries and the developing blackberries and apples.  Plentiful wild weeds beckon the Euell Gibbons in some.

“Change Over” at camp meant a new group of “4-weekers” coming in for the last half of camp. Usually we then enjoyed a week to ten days between end of camp and start of school, quite sensibly after Labor Day.  Energy was high with the influx of new faces, songs continued to be raucous and playful.  Then, suddenly the songs changed becoming ever more melancholy as camp wound down for the season. “There’s a web like a spider’s web, Made of sill and light and shadow, Spun by the moon in my room at night. It’s a web made to catch a dream, Hold it tight ’til I awaken, As if to tell me that dreamin’s all right.” And “Dona Nobis Pacem.” And tears. Oh, my.  Campers, counselors alike wept when we left.  Even gruff ‘ole Toxie Nissan, the director, had been known to occasionally wipe away a tear.

August – hardly a time to begin “fall” but that is what happens these days.  And, in our frenetic pace, nostalgia is scarcely acknowledged. The passing of warm days, once lazy days, staying up late to take in meteor showers or take cover in thunder showers. Time of cicadas and katy-dids that call long into the night.

Sometimes, we do pause and acknowledge that the year is more than half gone and that a new cycle of work, school, harvest itself is before us. Still hopeful for accomplishing our summer dreams, we push on.  After all, State Fair has yet to come, so it must still be summer.

This year at Mid-summer, Lammas, Change-over Kathy Davis and I plan a labyrinth walk and First Harvest celebration.  More to come on that.  But save out August First in the evening.  Join us in person or virtually and toast this year’s Change-over.

 

“Friends, I will Remember You….”*

What Jane and David see from their living areas.

Jane and David White moved from Tibbetts Hill Road in Goffstown to an equally beautiful setting in New London, NH.  The drive up from Goffstown was quick and pleasing – forests, ponds and rising foothills of the White Mountains.  Up near where Dad grew up.  Jane and I visited, she gratefully received Reiki, which we continued for a number of months after by distance, we drove to Lake Sunapee for lunch and took in a labyrinth.

After this October 2012 visit, we worked by distance, did distance Reiki, exchanged notes, emails and calls.  But this was the last time I saw Jane.  I knew from the increased time between communications that she was less and less able to make the effort.  Friends in the area came in to assist. David was stalwart in his support.  Jane always optimistic about her condition.

I am grateful that in August 2010 I listened to the voice within that said to make plans to go East before we went to Alaska.  Usually I would have waited until after a long trip like the OWAA Alaska one, but one day something said, “Make reservations now.”  So, I did.  Visiting around with family and high school and long-time neighbor friends that October was wonderful.  The time with Jane priceless.  So, I was surprised and a bit hurt, well more than a bit, that I didn’t know within that Jane died until David sent an email on the afternoon that she died.  And, how thoughtful was that!   Here he was in the aftermath of her illness and death and chose to contact me.

After I sat with the knowledge and the emptiness of her death, a still small voice reminded me that I had done what I was supposed to do two years ago.  By responding to the command to go East in 2010, by offering Reiki, by sharing Mary Swander’s book, by staying in touch regardless, by receiving her initiated call a few months ago, I played my role.

A lovely labyrinth well sited, constructed of native New England rocks.

This I knew inside.  All last fall I thought, “I should go East” but the weather, commitments….so it never happened. Same as this spring.  I guess I really knew.  Just as I really knew the moment we first did Reiki, “she is dying.” That I held close and allowed her to process each time.

Other meaningful moments have been walking the labyrinths at New London, NH, as Jane watched from the car, and in Minneapolis, MN, at the Minnesota College and Art and Design. The White’s son, Thomas, attended here before he died so Jane was always interested in this labyrinth.

Well, I seem to just be matter-of-fact in writing when feeling something deeply.  ALS  is a stinky degenerative disease, brought more to light with Mitch Albom‘s book, Tuesdays With Morrie.

OK, this is enough.  Rest well Jane and David.  We’ll be in touch.  It’s been an honor to have known you, Jane. David, when I am “East” again, I’ll let you know.  We’ll talk as you wish.  Meanwhile, labyrinths are calling so blessings I’ll send to all.

*Lyrics from a John Denver song.

View into the sky with The Ramada reflecting the pattern of the labyrinth below.

Frog Camp 2014

Theme of the week with Super Heroes.

Well, Jane Shuttleworth and I along with her three trusty interns are rocking things at Lakeside Laboratory on West Okoboji Lake.  We’ve had spectacular weather and even were blessed with a wonderful double rainbow tonight after a moderate T-storm moved through.

The eighteen “froggers” from ages nine to about 13 are fun, intelligent and  basically well-mannered.  They can get a bit much, but they reel in well.

We’ve studied the science of amphibians, collected samples in two wetlands and along Gull Point. Leeches.  How charming. (What is the “point”? asked one girl.  “This is The Point –  Gull Point!” replied Jane. And, they both laughed as they scooped up “vegetarian” leeches for the evening presentation.)  Poor Lonely Luke got nailed by a non-vegetarian leech intent on sucking his blood!  Arrrggghhhh!

The adult eagle let us paddle by as it guarded the nest.

An eagle nest with adult guarding the eaglets.  Swimmers’ itch with the nasty flat worms. High Road.  Middle Road.  Lake Road. (all trails to and from the classroom and mess hall)  Land snails and water snails.  Overview of a wetland.  Reconstructing wetlands.  Useless stories, Spoonerisms, and silly songs compliments of “Ms. Patt.”  Games and slack lines.  I even explained to people about Dean Potter a renowned slack liner from New Boston, NH, one of my “hometowns.”  I have included a video of him crossing at Yosemite.  The children are particularly good at slack line and after two days began to take numerous steps on their own.  Ninja, clover chains, and juggle sticks divert our attention at lunch. Then, back to studying amphibians and the “so what” of wetlands.

Saturday Jane alerted me to a drum circle so I screwed up the courage and attended.  What fun!  Now to find a group in CR area that I feel comfortable with.

My first drum circle

Sunday night was the fund raiser for Lakeside Labs. Watching Jane circulate was interesting.  She really does appreciate the contributions from the people in the area.  And, people seem to appreciate her.

Monday evening she and I met to brainstorm and I did some Reiki on her which was pleasant for both of us.  Tuesday I joined the Shuttleworths for a wonderful Cod dinner that Hank prepared.  Wednesday was a long but good day with activities, practice for the Wild Wednesday presentations, and then the evening presentations which went really well.   Parents were excited, kids energized and confident.  How fun!

I have put FB one-minute videos up with Splice to show the activities and enthusiasm and knowledge of the children.  So, now we approach the last day which the interns have taken charge of.  The week has been great and again, I am a bridge between people.  Just like this rainbow.

After the rain.

 

Into Your Soul

The trash of our lives can become the rich compost of a bright future.

You let me see into your soul and hear your deepest hurts.

*  “I’ve done horrible things.”

*  “I am not enough.”

*  “I am alone facing eye surgery…again.”

*  “I never finished anything.”

*  “I was assaulted.”

*  “Kids need a good home.”

*  “I was downsized. How do I get a job?”

*  “I was abandoned as a kid.”

*  “My son died in a car accident.”

*  “We moved a dozen times before I was eight.”

As you shared your deepest fears, the reason you “cannot write” about yourself becomes clear.  Your pain is deep.

“I cannot write,” you insist.  Yet, your short reflections that I insist you do before you leave for the day and leave on the desk for me to read and respond to, are well composed. Poignant.  Honest. Sometimes hopeful.

“I’m not enough,” you lament in tears. Yet, how you support each other every day with accountability, a compliment, a quiet word, a respectful discussion of opinions on parts of a sentence reveals your compassion, connection and resiliency.

So, here is the deal, readers. Part of this remarkable program Kirkwood Pathways to Academic, Career and Educational Excellence (KPACE) in which I teach needs one more component.  We can work with the adult students in academics, get professional clothes for their interviews and connect them with the business community.  All of these important pieces to help the disenfranchised and wounded re-enter our society.

Now, we need the critical piece of “How to Let Go of the Parts Holding Me Back.”

Have the participants done dopey things?  Certainly.  (Who hasn’t?) They recognize that the old path serves them poorly.  It always has, but at least was familiar.  They seek a different path.  How do they navigate it?  Without guides, falling back to the familiar negative lifestyle is a tempting option.  Because change ain’t easy.  Oh, some will move through all this.  Think of how many more we can help move into their true self and contribute to our world positively. Think of how many more we can help break the cycle of poverty and abuse.  Think of how much happier and productive we could all be. Less welfare.  Less abuse.  Less poverty. Less low self esteem.  And, more of the I AM WORTHY and will help you along, too.

These men and women from ages 18 through 70 are courageous. I am honored to work with them.  (Even in times I want to “whop” them upside the head.)  So, I put to the Universe please guide me in what is mine to know, what is mine to do. Above all, how is mine to be?

 

Feather Hunting Metaphor

When Feather Hunting I walk with measured tread and look with soft eyes.  Perhaps a good metaphor for life.  When we rush, we can miss a lot.  But, a purposeless meander can also yield little. Although the serendipity of “purposeless” can be delightful, so I rarely rule that one out.  Too, the painful “one-foot in front of the other” (Sorry FUN) can make life’s journey pretty dull.

So, what is the balance? For me “balance” is fluid.  Not static like a perfectly aligned scale, but a gentle rhythm back and forth.  My practice field is Faulkes Woods scouting deer sheds  or on the steep and perilous north slopes above the Creek in search of fallen feathers.  Usually the hunt yields a handful – primary and secondary flying feathers, occasional tail feathers, and rarely the small under feathers.  Gazing with soft eyes I note changes in the woods’ floor patterns.

Then, when I am done, I pick up the pace and stride out, ready to be home.

walk with soft eyes

Heart of Sedona

Sometimes serendipity happens!  Wednesday while removing dead stalks from the labyrinth, I noticed a car had pulled in. Out stepped a friend with a gift from her trip to Sedona.  The story:  I had asked her, only partly in jest, to bring me a rock for the labyrinth like she did last year.  While not specifying what type, I really hoped for one that called to her on “a trail.”  During a walk with people she knew there, she stopped and said, “It’s all about the Love.”  Friends said, “Look between your feet.”  There was a small heart-shaped red Sedona rock.  Bingo!  So, she had a local artisan craft silver wire around it, tied it with a chartreuse ribbon and brought it to hang in the magnolia tree!  How fun is that!  Very sweet and now the Laughing Labyrinth is tidied up for the season and the plants already showing through  the burn we did.  Birds checking out the tree, the bird bath, the bugs to eat.  Sweet songs and lovely sunshine.

Allowing Susurrus

Allowing Susurrus.

Reprising “Wildflowers in Winter”

Winter Weeds

The original article appeared in the Winter edition 1983 of Iowa Woman, Valerie Staats, editor and general manager.  Patty Crawford was the artist who drew pen and ink drawings of wildflowers i in winter.  Reformatted here for the blog.

Winter stripped, clean and hard. Where to go?
What to do?

The dominant perspectives of winter after a snow  are tactile,  visual, and auditory. As I trudge through the deep snow, bundled against the assault of arctic air, our watering eyes behold a glittering, translucent world.  Even an ear dulled by too many days inside can attune to the frozen music of ice tinkling on ice, scouring rush squeaking against itself, and the gentle rustling of stiff prairie grasses and rigid pods.

A winter day day can inspire a sense of awe and respect for the flora that survive our most severe Mid-western season.  Soft hues reveal startling color against the monotonously opaque sky and land: diminutive, golden aster bracts; fuzzy, cream goldenrod plumes; pitted, gunmetal grey cornflower seed heads; and feathery mauve little bluestem.

The strength and fragility of nature is clearly seen in sturdy cattail marshes and delicate, tumbling panicles of magenta sand love grass.

By February in the snowbound depths of a north slope bog, the broad, verdant leaves of skunk cabbage unfold by their own heat, emitting an unmistakable odor.   For many, our Midwestern prairies and wetlands are a dim memory, replaced by the realities of corn, soy and wheat stubble. Following are vignettes of the prairie wildflowers and grasses from a winter perspective.

Just about everyone knows the common cattail that blooms May, June and July in lakes, swamps and ditches.  Its delightful appellations include cat-o-nine-tails, marsh beetle, water torch, candlewick, great reed mace, blackamoor.  Often used for food, the cattail has been eaten raw and cooked, used as a flour, consumed like corn on the cob, and even served as a medicine to ease the pain of burns.

Popularly known as Queen Anne’s Lace this wild carrot, ancestor of our table carrot,  grows abundantly along roadsides.  Imported from Europe, it is now firmly established throughout most of the United States.  The roots of the wild and cultivated carrots are similar.  The fragile white, sometimes pink, blossoms grow atop stems two to three feet tall.  The older flowers curl into a dry “bird’s nest” cluster.

The dozens of varieties of Goldenrod grow in open woods, along roadside and fences, and in pastures.  The Latin name Solidago means “to unite”, an acknowledgement of the healing powers formerly attributed to the plant. Over one hundred different insects pollinate goldenrod.  More important to remember is that it does not contribute to high allergenic pollen counts in late summer.  The innocuous rag weed is the culprit.

Blazing Star, or Gayfeather, has a rich purple spike of tufted flowers often used in cultivated arrangements.  Underground tubers send up three foot stalks.  More than fifteen species hybridize so frequently that botanists sometimes cannot tell them apart.

Purple coneflower, a member of the daisy family, has a distinctive blossom.  On the purple pale variety, the petals, or rays, hang backwards.  The long tapered leaves have rough “teeth”.  This prairie plant blooms into October.

Giant Blue Stem once covered the virgin prairies and waved in seven foot stands.  This blue-tinged beauty sends roots deep into the earth holding down soil, sequestering moisture  and as it decayed each spring added to the rich soil of Iowa.