A circle is always perfect. If it isn't perfect, it isn't a circle.

It's been over 2 years since I've posted here. I created this blog mainly as a way to keep my family informed of my journeys in California. Oh, how I miss that beautiful, golden state! You've guessed it, I am back in Ohio. It's been almost two years since I've been back. Coincidence? I stopped blogging right around the time I left California. Now I will begin again for myself. 

After an incredible liberation experience in Grass Valley, I moved back to my mountain home in Watsonville. I studied karma yoga for three months under Baba Hari Dass' students at Mount Madonna Center. 

[Steps leading to Hanuman  Temple at MMC]

I loved my time there. I still feel called in my heart to study within this lineage. I met some amazing people on the mountain. People in Ohio just don't compare. Give me travelers, for they know love.

[Lovely ladies. Mountain Devis]

So now that I've been back in Ohio for almost two years, I am finally going to take a look back on what I've learned and experienced in that time. It's been a lot. Reflection may take a while. But I'm doing all this in order to look forward. In order to appreciate the present. In order to better understand my being. Here, there, and everywhere.

[One of the first photos taken of me since coming back. Here I am at Brothers Drake Meadery, summer 2013]

Welcome back. 

OM the end. OM the beginning.

Omega Odyssey: A Liberation Retreat

I spent the Fourth of July through the weekend camping with my cousin, Jude, at his friend Kelly's  Omega camp in Grass Valley. It is beautiful land in the Sierras at about 5000 feet. Jude, Kelly, and friends have been celebrating the 4th (also Kelly's birthday) here for 30 years. Here we are, Jude and Kate- the masters of ceremony- conducting the raffle for wonderous prizes!

Grass Valley, CA

 

I headed up to Grass Valley where I stayed with a retired couple who have started homesteading. This is their lovely permaculture garden. They grow most of their own vegetables.

 The lovely compost!

 

Inspiring greenhouse made from an old trampoline frame. Giant monster Swiss Chard. I felt prehistoric when harvesting it for meals!

Cucumbers on a rope!

 

Be sure to wear flowers in your hair...

In leaving Murphys, I made a detour to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield to pick up my dear friend, Roger. We headed to the Bay for a day in the City!

We ate dinner at this hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant in the Haight-Ashbury. 

Good friends never fade.

Brice Station

 

Here I am at Brice Station Vineyard/Quyle Kilns Pottery in Murphys, California. I have been watering the plants, maintaining the compost heap, cleaning the kitchen, making dinner and cookies, weeding and tending the Merlot grapevines, among other things like hanging out with the chickens.

The family is incredibly kind and hospitable and I am so grateful for their generosity. Stu and Dolores are the winemakers, while Dolores' sister, Pam (above), runs the pottery studio and showroom. Both ladies are hardworking women and I am so inspired!

I made some friends who take me on hikes to beautiful places, such as this mountain top...

...and this awesome river spot.

May 1, 2012

Happy May Day! Here we are dancing the May Pole.

 

The Merry Strolling Minstrels... leading us towards the egg toss.
 

A quartet of ladies in white. Beltane princesses.

Down Home, Hand Spun

I spent a weekend with Kim at her ranch where she raises angora goats for their fiber.

Here is Kim milking Lucy!

One of the goats giving birth.

Such a good mama. I am so amazed at the kids' instinct to stand, walk, and suckle. They are minutes old and know exactly what to do. Such smart animals.

Kim is an incredible lady. She processes all her own fiber, spins it into beautiful mohair yarn, and dyes it using plants she grows in her own garden. Check out her website!

http://www.downhomehandspunfibers.com/