Pictures from 12 years ago

Some things change. Some don't. What's deep in our hearts doesn't change.

I adore this picture of Sena and Aiyana.

Peace 

Another great day in NYC!

The girls and I had another great day trip to NYC yesterday. We went to the NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show in the Bronx, which, if you've never been, I highly recommend. It features a lot of iconic NY landmarks, made on a miniature scale, out of all kinds of plant materials, such as seeds, pine cones, bark, twigs, and so on. The artistry is amazing, and the miniature landscape is enchanting.

After the Botanical Garden, we headed to Grand Central Station, and from there, to Bryant Park  to check out the Winter Village. We walked into the many little artisanal shops lining the park, got some hot cider and hot chocolate, watched people skate, and just enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere, and the magic of the night lights around the park against the NY skyline.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to hang out with these beautiful, amazing girls! I savor every moment with them. They allow me to feel young and fun again.

 Peace

Great article about Sena and her work in yesterday's Hartford Courant

Meet Sena Wazer, the 15-year-old climate change activist and UConn freshman determined to protect the planet

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-sena-wazer-climate-environmental-activist-profile-20191125-dlkq4pyygnckjczu6vmlq6wlzu-story.html

Some thoughts on a powerful and beautiful union

A common theme that's come up in some of the myths I've read recently is the difficult road to attaining wisdom in life, and the many detours and personal sacrifices required as we travel this road.

In Norse myths, for example, the well of knowledge and wisdom is so well guarded, that no one can take even the smallest sip without first making a personal sacrifice. (Why is that? Why is a sacrifice required? Do you find that to be true in your life? Has wisdom come easily to you, or has it required some significant trials?)

In Greek mythology, there is the deadly lure of the Sirens, whose song is so alluring because, besides being beautiful, the Sirens promise that: "They would give knowledge to each man who came to them... ripe with wisdom and a quickening of the spirit" - Edith Hamilton's Mythology. (As an aside, I think it's interesting that the Sirens not only promise knowledge, but wisdom and "a quickening of the spirit". Indeed, I believe that knowledge without these other attributes is hollow and dangerous, liable to be misused. These days, for example, we have seemingly unlimited access to knowledge and information, yet, with wisdom greatly lagging, we often see undesirable results).

So, the myths warn us that wisdom comes at a price. I personally found this to be true: whatever little wisdom I may have, has come from difficult and intimate personal experience.

Kindness, on the other hand, is much more accessible. Kindness is immediate: most of us know what it feels like hear kind words, to have someone genuinely smile at us, to be held, to feel accepted as we are. We can easily recognize what kindness feels like when we receive it, and it takes no special skill or learning to extend the same to others.

To me, the most beautiful thing is when wisdom and kindness come together. They are such powerful mates. Wisdom without kindness is hollow, dried up, dead; and kindness without wisdom can be used in misguided, non-beneficial ways. But together, they can form such a powerful and beautiful union, which, to me, is one of the most worthwhile things to work towards in life.

Peace

Schrodinger's cat

We've been teaching the kids a little bit about atomic theory in class, and Schrodinger's cat came up, so I've been researching it and having a lot of fun with it. Here's a little bit about Schrodinger's cat (as far as I understand) and my own interpretation, or how I relate to it:

Schrodinger's cat was a thought experiment proposed by Erwin Schrodinger in response to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, which said that up until the time you observe a particle, the particle is both there and not there. Schrodinger tried to show that this would lead to absurd conclusions, so he devised a though experiment, in which a cat is placed in a closed box with a radioactive substance which, when decaying, would trigger a mechanism which would kill the cat.

“Schrödinger says that according to the Copenhagen Interpretation, as long as the door is closed, the cat is [both] dead and alive. There is no way to know until the door is opened. But by opening the door, the person is interfering with the experiment. The person and the experiment have to be described with reference to each other. By looking at the experiment the person has influenced the experiment.” (emphasis mine) https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger%27s_cat

Well, I find quantum mechanics fascinating, at least the very, very little that I think I understand, and I also take comfort in the famous physicist Richard Feynman’s quote:

“If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t understand quantum mechanics”.

But, although I do not understand Schrodinger’s cat or quantum mechanics, I do understand my own experience with meditation, and have found a certain parallel, which I want to share:

How meditation is like Schrodinger’s cat:

In my experience, I found that as soon as you start to name and define something, you've irrevocably changed it and limited it to a certain state that has as much to do with you as with the thing you're beholding. What you're therefore perceiving is not the thing itself, but a certain aspect or reflection of the thing. The image that thing produces in you may be true in your own reference frame, but it is not the absolute truth about that thing. Beholder and that which is beheld are irrevocably entangled. There is no absoluteness in this sense. Frames of reference change everything!

Meditation practice may allow us to perceive things in a different way from our usual. Sustained meditation practice can give us a different frame of reference, one in which we allow things to be as they are without naming, judging or interfering. Just observing.

I laughed about this all day yesterday!

Peace

One response to my earlier question

One response to my earlier question of "what makes the difference between those ... who have things really tough and respond by shutting down, and those who respond by being kind and open?"

One answer I have:
Maybe just the realization that shutting down only causes more pain to ourselves and those around us.

Peace

Respond by opening

Today I almost started crying in school, when a girl I know from one of the classes I'm in, came around the hallways with a cart, bringing coffee and treats to any teacher who wanted it. It was early in the morning, and on such a cold day, coffee was nice. I felt very grateful and I asked her why she was doing this and whose idea it was. She said it was her idea, and she was doing it to be kind. I said that I want to support this kind of work and offered a donation, but she didn't want money (the coffee had been donated by Starbucks), or anything other than to be kind. She offered coffee to whomever wanted it, along with a little chocolate and a card with a nice message.

What made me almost start crying and still does, is that I know this girl comes from a tough family situation, where she has not been living with her parents for some time. The teacher I work with and I were both talking about this, and he asked a really good question: what makes the difference between those kids who have things really tough and respond by shutting down, and those who respond by being kind and open, like this girl did?

Peace

Pygmalion and Galatea

I recently read the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion and Galatea, as recounted in Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, and it prompted quite a mixed reaction, which I'd like to share.

In the myth, Pygmalion is a great sculptor, who, despite the fact that he despises women, choses woman as his subject, and the magnum opus of his life becomes Galatea, a sculpture he works on incessantly, and pours himself into so much, that he eventually falls in love with it. The power of his love, as well as divine intervention, eventually makes his statue, Galatea, come to life. She returns Pygmalion’s love; they marry, have a child and live happily ever after.

I see several interpretations for this myth, including: the power of love and devotion; and the awesome power inherent in the relationship of artist and art.  But I also see a more disturbing, yet inescapable interpretation, in which Pygmalion embodies patriarchal paradigm, with its expectations and controls, and its exhortations that we are basically not good enough until we fit a prescribed image, until our “imperfections” are removed  and we are molded into the impossible and dead ideal that is Galatea.

Although in the myth Pygmalion and Galatea are male and female, in my view, Pygmalion represents a way of thinking, an ideology and a system of power associated with the patriarchal paradigm, rather than a specific person or group, and as such, both men and women are diminished under Pygmalion’s chisel.

I wrote this poem because what’s of interest to me at this point in my life is not to bash patriarchy or shift its power structure from one set of actors to another (although I do believe that it’s important to talk about its history and dynamics, especially with our children who are still growing up in it).  I personally reject the model of power through manipulation, intimidation, shaming and control, which is foundational to patriarchy. What I am interested in though, is the question: what are some alternatives to this model , which are respectful, life affirming, and empowering?

Image: Pixabay

Peace 

The things that shape our lives

Some of the things that end up shaping our lives begin before we even know how to name or define them. Something inside us resonates and recognizes that we can trust whatever it is that's calling us, whatever it is that's happening. With trust, patience, and awareness right action arises.

 

Peace 

Fun and not so fun happenings

One fun thing that happened this week was that I was asked to tutor a student in Ecology, in addition to my Chemistry and Physics class work, and as a result, I've been going through quite a bit of material on the subject, and having a lot of fun doing it. I love Ecology. It's a fascinating subject.

The not so great part of this week was that I have some kind of congestion going on in my left ear, and my hearing has been way off. I cannot hear well overall, and I feel like I'm under water; but also, at the same time, some sounds seem way too loud. Because of this, I've been feeling quite weird and disoriented and out of it. It's been hard to participate at school the way I need to, because I cannot hear a lot of what's being said, and I am not sure, when I speak, if I'm being too quiet, or too loud.
The whole thing makes me appreciate just how much we rely on our senses.

I'm trying all kinds of things with my ear, and I feel like it's getting better, but I also know (from my own past experience and my mom's), that it can take a while for it to clear up.

In other news, yesterday was our last delivery of the season, which means that this farming season is officially over. This is earlier than usual, the main reason being because we lost the plastic on our high tunnel int he high winds last week, which left our greens unprotected, as you see below.

I'm sad about losing the plastic, and obviously this created extra work and cost for us; but at the same time, I must admit that I'm relieved the farming season is over. Since August, it's been really intense, for both Ed and I, trying to juggle all the responsibilities of jobs, helping Sena and Aiyana with school, Sena's Yale application, driving them to their activities, the farm, the cows, cooking, etc.

I welcome this colder weather, and look forward to less busy times.


Peace

Sena honored at special event

Sena was one of three honorees last night at Clean Water Action CT's event. She was recognized and honored for her environmental work along with State Representative John Hampton and Hartford Courant reporter Greg Hladky.

Sena is currently organizing the next climate strike on Friday, December 6, at the State Capitol in Hartford CT, 12pm. Please come out and demand immediate climate action from our elected leaders.

More info at: 

https://actionnetwork.org/events/december-6th-ct-climate-strike?referrer=sena-wazer&source=direct_link

and 

https://www.facebook.com/events/2616361815086787/

Peace 

Persephone: look for her out there

"After the lord of the dark world below carried her away, she was never again the gay, young creature who had played in the flowery meadow without a thought of care or trouble.

But all the while Persephone knew how brief beauty was; fruits, flowers, leaves,....must end with the coming of the cold and pass...into the power of death...

She did indeed rise from the dead every spring, but she brought with her the memory of where she had come from; with all her bright beauty there was something strange and awesome about her.

"She was often said to be "the maiden whose name may not be spoken". 

This is from the myth of Demeter and Persephone, quoted from Edith Hamilton's Mythology, and I love this myth for several reasons, but here, I am sharing it for two in particular: one, because it is appropriate for this time of the season, when the living world seems to be dying with the coming of the cold; and two, because in Persephone's terrible journey to the land below, and her return from it, I see a parallel to our lives, our loss of innocence through encountering the rough edges of life, and our potential return.

The myth tells about Demeter, the goddess of the bountiful earth and the harvest. Her beautiful and innocent daughter, Persephone, is raped and abducted by the lord of the underworld, and taken below to be at his side forever. Demeter rages with sorrow, and stops her work. The earth stops providing her fruits, nothing grows, and people are starving and suffering.

Eventually, moved by the plight of the people, other Gods intervene with the lord of the underworld and he agrees to allow Persephone to return to her mother for most of the year; but for part of the year, he tricks her so that she must come back to him. Demeter is somewhat placated by this, and she is also kind, so she allows the earth to be fertile again for most of the year, when Persephone returns, and people can once again grow food and flowers and harvest them to satisfy their needs. But, when Persephone goes down to the underworld, the earth once again becomes cold and barren.

Although Persephone's story comes to us from thousands of years ago, I think it still holds great meaning for us today. Though many different interpretations are possible, and each of us can come up with our own interpretation, here, I want to highlight some of the symbolism that is most significant to me based on my own experience.

Persephone had been a beautiful, innocent young maiden, as we all are when we are young. But:

"After the lord of the dark world below carried her away, she was never again the gay, young creature who had played in the flowery meadow without a thought of care or trouble."

Who is this dark lord? To me, he is none other than life. Life does abduct us, despite our best intentions and best laid plans, and brings us down into its scary, dark caverns. This is inescapable. Still, this is not the end. We can come out of this dark world, and may of us do, just as Persephone did.

"She did indeed rise from the dead every spring, but she brought with her the memory of where she had come from; with all her bright beauty there was something strange and awesome about her."

She came back out, and she was still beautiful, but now, she was also "strange and awesome". Why? Because now she KNEW. She no longer had the innocence of inexperience. She knew not only about the beauty and care free aspects of life, but also the dark, heavy ones. In fact, she was now so awesome and powerful that:

"She was often said to be "the maiden whose name may not be spoken"."

Why could her name not be spoken? Maybe because, as a society, we prefer the young, innocent, trusting person, who can easily be intimidated and manipulated, to the woman or man who knows. As a culture, we don't really want to hear truths about how things are, but would rather hold on to conventional thinking. We don't want to hear what's wrong; we don't want to hear about mental health and the factors driving it, how our culture itself shapes it; we don't want to talk or hear about what really goes on in our closest relationships, with our marriage, our children, our parents; we don't want to talk about the jobs we feel stuck in and how draining they are, and how we slowly numb ourselves to the ideals and aspirations of our youth; we don't want to open up to that level, and when someone else does, we are uncomfortable with it. We call them strange. Plus, as a society, there are powerful interests, poised to make lots of money from our ignorance of the true costs of our lifestyle and ideology: the ideology of power, competition, disposability; and the extractive mentality of getting as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as cheaply as possible, whether it be out of the natural world or out of us, people.

So!

Back to Persephone. To me, Persephone, above all, symbolizes the wise woman, or man. She's been innocent and she's been through some darkness, and she's come out of it, although she knows she will return once in a while. She is still beautiful and she can still see and appreciate beauty, and I would add, maybe in a way that she wasn't able to before.

She is awesome and powerful and strange because she carries with her the knowledge and experience of the darkness, yet she is willing to come back out into the world, and be the cause of that which is beautiful and life sustaining.

Persephone lives all around us. I've seen her in many women and men. Look for her out there.

Peace

Windy Samhain

May these strong winds we've been having bring about the changes we need. May they cleanse us and sweep away all that is no longer necessary, leaving us lighter and with more clarity.

May we all receive what we need and may we give what we can.

Peace 

Fear not the pain

For numbing to pain is also numbing to tenderness and to everything beautiful. This pain is just your love reflected in a different mirror. 

Peace 

Twelve years ago, my Halloween princesses

Now 14 and almost 16 years old....Aiyana taking geometry and killing it. Sena teaching calculus to other students in her class and leading protests. Crazy stuff...

Their expressions kill me. 

Peace 

Fail by succeeding

We can fail ourselves while succeeding in ways we've been taught to unquestionably follow. Yet,  when we become aware of this, we have already begun to turn around. The shift towards authenticity has happened; now failure and success become relative and ever shifting. Failure leads to success and vice versa. Abandoning notions of success and failure for the practice of simply living with integrity may, paradoxically, be the ultimate success.

Peace 

This feedback keeps me going

I am so grateful when someone writes to let me know that my poems reach them in a deep, meaningful way. I never know if what I write, which comes out of my personal experience, will resonate with or reach someone else. But my greatest hope is that it does, so when someone gets back to me, like these people below did recently, it really means a lot to me.

"This book reveals what the beauty of the heart can be through poetry. It is filled with passages that shifted my perspective into an inspiring truth. I frequently pick it up and read a passage just for a momentary pickup. Well done Raluca."- from QC, Canada

"I am rereading your book of poetry...for inspiration and just plain spiritual pleasure....I hope many people treat themselves by purchasing your beautiful works of "spiritual art" as I have done."- from CT, USA

"Good morning, Raluca,
Moved and inspired as I knew I would be, you emerge the quintessential Buddha nature, as defined by the Lotus flower.
I will now go back to dwell with each poem for a while.
I have ten thousand words I want to say, but for now they will rest in the "silence"
- from PA, USA

Peace

A trifle

If we have the courage and presence to be still and see, truly see, the beauty inherent in everything down to the most banal aspect of our lives, we'd surely recognize that even a love as great as Orpheus had for Eurydice pales by comparison to what we're surrounded by and what is possible within ourselves.

Peace 

First dance

Aiyana, home from her first high school dance lady night!

When I went to pick her up at the end of the dance, all the girls were coming out dressed up to the max in heels and super skimpy dresses. I've been there. The boys were dressed up too and looked like they were trying so hard. The whole thing was funny and sweet to me, now that I don't have to worry about it, and can just hang outside with the other parents with my thick wool sweater and unfashionable everything, and just be okay with it.

Peace 

Don't forget to leave a blank space

My daughter's friend was telling Aiyana and I about a project they're doing in her high school English class. It sounds so great, so I wanted to share it here.

So the teacher in this class asked the kids to create a collage of their inner lives or inner landscape, something they'd be comfortable sharing with the rest of the class, that would reveal who they are beyond outward appearances.

Apparently, this one boy, when it was his turn to present his collage, showed a blank page. He is someone who's known in school for being an athlete. He explained that he put out a blank sheet because he didn't know what his inner landscape looked like. He'd been strongly encouraged by his parents to get into sports from an early age, and even though he eventually started enjoying sports, he never really got the chance to explore other things about himself.

I found this sad at first, but then, when talking with my daughter's friend, we were saying how at the same time, this is a wide open door for this boy. His page is literally blank, and he can put whatever he wants on it, which I think, is exhilarating.

So what does you inner landscape collage look like? I think it's fun to think about this, and share it with others, if you're comfortable.

And if you do think about it, or even make a collage, no matter what you come up with, don't forget to leave a blank space!

Peace

So many ways

Seashells
And bumblebees
Physics
And distant constellations
There are so many ways
In which it's possible
To love you

Peace

Two wells

(Image source: Pixabay)

Peace 

Happy birthday Aiyana!

Turning 14 on this beautiful, fitting day!

Peace 

Update about my job

I'm happy to say that so far I really like my teaching job. I've been an Instructional Assistant at EOSmith since the beginning of this school year in late August, working with two teachers in the science department. I feel appreciated, and I feel like I am making a difference. I like that I get to work one-on-one with kids, teaching them some basic science skills that will hopefully serve them for the rest of their lives.

I also like my schedule a lot. I'm in school from 7 to 2, and the day goes by really fast. The schedule is fast paced, and there's no time to get bored. 

I must say that having a job is so much easier than running your own business. I didn't realize just how much until now, when I can actually feel the difference. I come to school, I do my work, I leave. End of story. Running your own business, you're always on, always worried about something, the customers, the suppliers, the work itself, whatever. It just never ends and there's nobody to turn to. You're it, and if you're not responsible, if you don't stay on top of things, you bear the consequences. There are no breaks and something always needs attention.

That being said, we are still farming. We have a great worker that does most of the physical work during the day, but I still take care of all the customer stuff, do deliveries every Friday after school, and in general take care of the logistics.

In addition, I help Sena and Aiyana with their homework or whatever support they need when they get home, and I still cook and try to make cheese, so being able to have a job that ends at 2 is very beneficial.

So that's my update for now, and I must say I'm grateful that it's turning out to be like this. I was pretty nervous before I started and didn't know what to expect.

Peace

From a dream

Woke up at 1:30am last night and jotted this down before falling back asleep.

The picture is from our trip to the Azores in 2017.

Peace 

Contribute

Knowing what it feels like to hurt, to be disappointed, ashamed, afraid, and all the other things we try so hard to avoid, can, if held with awareness, allow us to contribute more, as far as helping others, than any perfection we might have wished for in our lives. In this sense, our problems and difficulties are precious to our life's work and meaning.

🍃Poem by Raluca Mocanu. Check out my new release: Out of the silence (link in bio) www.etsy.com/shop/shundahaishop

Over $1000 from my poetry went to protect the environment since 2018! 🐝

Gravity

I've always been in love with physics, and now, because of my new job, this love has been rekindled.

I find physics applicable to life, even the most abstract concepts.

Image source: Pixabay

So happy! My second book is out!

Dear friends,

My second poetry book, Out of the silence, is out! I am so excited and grateful. 

All profits from my poetry go to support the vital work of environmental organizations like Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, and Center for Whale Research, as well as to support work for protecting pollinators.

Over $900 from my poetry went to protect the environment since 2018!

My books costs $15 each, and can be purchased:

• Online, at my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shundahaishop
• In person, at the Willimantic Food Co-op: https://www.willimanticfood.coop/
• In person, at Shundahai Farm: https://www.shundahaifarm.com/

Also, tomorrow, Saturday September 28th, I will be at the Willimantic Food CO-OP Downtown Country Fair, from 10 to 4, with both of my books. Please stop by if you’d like.

Peace

I love this woman's reaction

to Sena's speech at the Clobal Climate Strike last Friday:
(Thanks and credit to the anonymous photographer who took and shared these beautiful pictures).

Peace

Where our hearts finally meet

Peace

Compilation of news coverage about Sena and yesterday's Global Climate Strike

TV coverage from NBC Connecticut:

https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Climate-Change-Rally-Held-in-Hartford-560918711.html

TV Coverage from FOX61:

https://fox61.com/2019/09/20/protests-held-across-connecticut-to-combat-climate-change/

More coverage from FOX61 News, with Sena's full speech at yesterday's rally, starting at minute 4 into the video.
Before Sena, Ruben Perez Cruz​ and Sarah Rose​ opened with a beautiful Lakota song for the earth, which I was also honored to be asked to sing.)
https://www.facebook.com/100025500349404/posts/441065033420171?sfns=mo

Article from The CT Mirror:

https://ctmirror.org/2019/09/20/climate-strikers-ask-lamont-to-take-emergency-steps-on-environment/

Journal Inquirer

https://www.journalinquirer.com/connecticut-activist/image_ec1f8d82-dc12-11e9-8052-03f9ba1646ff.html

Hartford Courant Coverage:

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-connecticut-climate-strike2-20190920-qrjqzzlcw5fkdk3jyotebkyiwu-story.html

Some screen shots of the stories that came up about her this morning. Crazy...

Peace

Non stop

Sena's been getting a crazy amount of calls from newspapers and other news outlets who want to interview her about tomorrow's strike. The Hartford Courant showed up at her school today after asking for an interview earlier in the day. She's also been getting calls from congressional and state senators asking if they could speak at the rally, to which she gently replied no. 

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-connecticut-climate-strike-20190919-juhcy74ayjhzvhaya4eunhebi4-story.html

Tomorrow!!! Show up!

Tomorrow, Friday September 20th 2019, thousands of people around the world will participate in the Global Climate Strike that promises to be a historic turning point! Show up and be a part of history making.

Show up for your children 

Show up for your future 

Show up for the earth 

Show up!

Find the closest strike location to you at:

https://strikewithus.org/

Lovely article about Sena from NPR

https://www.wnpr.org/post/young-connecticut-activist-gears-global-climate-strike

Sena's NPR interview

You can find it here, on the Sepetember 16, 2019 Episode, if you missed it this morning. Sena's part starts at minute 33:30, and it goes to the end of the segment.

She did a great job. Now on to this coming Friday's Climate Strike. I really hope that everyone comes out and shows they care.

Peace

Tune into NPR to hear Sena tomorrow

She is scheduled for 1 hour on the talk show "Where We Live", tomorrow at 7pm on NPR. 

https://www.wnpr.org/programs/where-we-live

This is a well known radio show here in CT, so we're very excited. Now if her voice would only hold up, because she's been sick and coughing, but getting better. She's giving another talk today at a synagogue.

And in other news, also related to Sena's environmental work:

She and another young man have been working very hard over the past few months, organizing the upcoming Climate Strike here in CT. So, I want to share this announcement here:

Make your absence felt wherever you work or study and raise awareness by showing up for this important event:

Global Climate Strike this coming Friday 9/20. 

Let's tell our elected leaders that we expect them to take immediate climate action.

And let's show our kids that we care about them and the world we're leaving behind for them!

To find a local strike near you, go to: globalclimatestrike.net

If you live in CT, here's the information you need:

What: Climate crisis rally 

When: Friday September 20th, 12 to 3 pm

Where: State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT

Peace 

The tides have turned

There comes a point in our lives
when we realize that we now have the power to give ourselves
whatever we've been waiting to receive from others:
love, understanding, encouragement, appreciation...

We also realize
that as we give these things to ourselves
we also need to freely give them to others.

The tides have turned.

Peace

An experience I just had

I wanted to share this experience that I just had today, which made me happy and gave me hope.

I went to Starbucks over my lunch break, to get a coffee and croissant. There was a young man with a dog in front of me in line. He ordered a cold brew, but when it came to paying, he realized that he forgot his wallet at home and had no way of paying. He told the cashier to cancel his order and was about to leave, but I overheard the exchange, and said I would pay for him. A whole bunch of people who were in line or waiting for their orders turned around and looked at me. The guy with the dog said, "Are you sure?", and I said yeah, you're just getting a cold brew, I'll pay for it. Then the woman at the cash got a little flustered, and asked me what I wanted and said a croissant and a coffee. She got the guy his cold brew first, and said that Starbucks will pay for it. Then she turned to me, and said that my croissant would be on the house too! The guy with the cold brew said that he'd be sure to pay it forward. And everyone was happy. Really! Everyone was smiling. It was such a small thing, but such a good feeling.

Sometimes it takes so little to make us happy and to connect us with each other!

Peace

Endless flow

Endless flow. Despite and throughout any apparent disconnection, isolation, separation.

Peace 

Congratulations Sena!

For scoring 1470 on the SAT, which puts her in the 98th percentile. She worked really hard for this, studied intensively, and we are really proud of her!
Here she is with Aiyana and their good friend, Ella.

Peace

The edge of emptiness

The edge of emptiness.

Empty of mental constructs, we come closer to a state of interconnectedness.

I used the word "emptiness" here in the Buddhist sense, as in empty of any fixed or permanent characteristics; instead interdependent and intermeshing with everything.

Peace 

So in love with this song

If you need something to get you out of your head, this works for me:
https://youtu.be/QFlcs8vwLK4

Lunch break

Also wishing my mom and dad a safe and fun time in Europe!

Peace 

And more changes

I sent this out yesterday to the Willimantic Food Coop Board of Directors, which I was part of:

Dear BOD members,

I've had some significant changes in my life recently, which I will talk about briefly below. As a result, after some stressful deliberation, I've decided that I need to resign from the Board of Directors.

These are some of the major changes I am talking about:

• Last week I started a full time job as an Instructional Assistant in the science department at EO Smith Highschool. 
• My daughters both started new schools, also last week. Sena started as a full time student at UConn, and at only 15 years of age, I need to make sure I am fully available to support her in this transition. My daughter Aiyana also started a new school, EO Smith, which is also a big transition for her out of homeschooling, and I want to make sure I can support her as much as she needs.
• In addition, I plant to keep and run our farm as before (to the extent that that is possible).

With all these changes, I feel that it is unrealistic for me to put in the time required to prepare for Board meetings, be involved in commitees, and in general be an active, involved director. I don't like to come unprepared to our meetings, or any event, and so, I think the right thing for me is to drop out.

I am sorry about this, and please know that this was not an easy decision for me. I have enjoyed working with and getting to know all of you, and I am grateful for what I've learned in the past year and a half from all of you.

True to you, true to myself

True to you, true to myself.

Never underestimate the impact you can have on another.

The red striped snake

That story about the garter snake with the red stripe;

How he lived in the swamp behind your house;

How you would see him when you were playing back there;

How everyone had said they wouldn't build, because it was a swamp;

And how, that time, when you came back from college, you watched them drain the swamp, start building;

How, after that, nobody saw the snake again.

You could've told me other things about yourself:

What town or city you are from

What schools you went to 

What job you do 

So on;

None of those things 

Compare to the story

of the red striped snake 

How you remember him

And how you made him come to life for me 

Enough

So that I now 

Grieve his loss too

-RM