The Rainbow Connection

June 2019

University of Washington. Working on Public Philosophy Network Outline. Getting Back to the Books

watercolor painting of my friend's son Noah 

June has been a whirlwind of adventure, traveling through the Pacific Northwest through Oregon and Washington then coming home for a week of rejuvenation before heading out east for Rainbow Gathering in Wisconsin.

Adventures

Modal Zork

While I was in Portland, Oregon I messaged my sister, Echo that I met working with Peace Village at Rainbow Gathering (Oregon, 2017.) I asked what she was doing that night and she said she was on her way to Portland to see Modal Zork. I was really surprised, I had forgotten that she lived in Oregon. I cleared my schedule for that night to go out and see her. The music and art was a lot of fun, and it was amazing to see her again. She gave me the greatest hug that I needed so badly. 

Chuckanut Mountains Hike

I stayed with my friend Scott in Washington and had the opportunity to hike with him and Jeff one day in the Chuckanut Mountains. It was a beautiful hike and really useful to reconnect with both of these friends from another time of my life. I felt a lot of nostalgia spending time in Washington. I have some deep roots here from my time pursuing my formal education. 

Dead and Company

I didn't realize that there was a Dead and Company show in Washington until I was already in Seattle staying with Scott. When I found out, via Facebook, the day before the show started I began putting together my resources looking for a ride, because I knew I wanted to go but I also knew I didn't want to spend 6 hours in my car by myself to get there. On Friday I went to the food bank to volunteer with Scott and the awesome volunteer coordinator, Marie Clare saw my Grateful Dead shirt and told us that she was driving down Saturday and then driving right back because she had to work Sunday. I told her that worked for me! And asked if I could get a ride if I pitched for gas. I got to meet her sister, brother, and father. They were a great family who were very welcoming to a weird hippie stranger. I told her sister Caroline I would give them 5 stars on Yelp, so, there ya go, 5 stars. 

The concert was amazing. I appreciate the music so much now compared to my first show in 2017 when the only songs I knew were Friend of the Devil and Ripple. Now I feel like many of them are tied to memories and relationships deeper than the ocean. 

Zions National Park

I went to Zions with my friend Damon that I know through Utah Harm Reduction Coalition the weekend when I was back in Salt Lake City. We hiked Angel's Landing which has definitely been on my bucket list, and I bought this dope Indian Blanket Jasper from the gift shop. 

Playing with Jaiden and Kat

Playing with kittens in Jaiden's backyard <3 (ecstatic dance friends) We also made some art together. 

To Infinity and Beyond!!!

A couple days ago I set sail to Rainbow Gathering (in Wisconsin this year) with my friend Sam. I know Sam from UNI 2015, when I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, he has the same diagnosis and has been a loyal friend through the years and has been a major pillar of support for Voices in Wonderland since it's foundation as a Hearing Voices support group. 

Deadhead Art

Writing

Here is my primary stack of research for the Public Philosophy conference in March. This paper is getting written if it is the death of me. Tickets for the event are on sale: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-public-philosophy-network-conference-tickets-59229426810?aff=ebdsorderfblightbox

Community

Co-op

I had an awesome opportunity to spend some time at an artist co-op in Denver the last few days and help out with gardening and see how they operate. The owner has a bus out front and the couple staying here have an indoor free-range rabbit and a very nice doggo. After Rainbow Gathering they are planning to get chickens. This co-op is still in the formation stage and I'm excited to support them as they grow and expand. 

Suki was a great roommate/bunny, super soft and cute.

With Haley in her garden

My friend Rebecca from Healing Mountain massage school came over one evening and made art with me. 

A short original song 

Rainbow Gathering 2019

I'm bringing art supplies to distribute at Rainbow Gathering, hoping to inspire art and encourage others to share their stories and create, thereby opening their throat and sacral chakras. Also, spreading awareness about my organization and the projects I have been working on for the last couple of years. 

Happy Trails

Because I know myself, I am making this post early because I'm heading to Rainbow tomorrow and I don't know where I will end up from there. I know that wherever I land will be where I am meant to be and that brings me great comfort. Until we meet again darlings. PEACE. 

River Songs

May 2019

This month has been one of integration and moving forward as I have had the opportunity to meet new people and hold more control over the direction my life is taking than I have in the past. I have realized the importance of boundaries and protecting my energy. I found a beautiful quote online that said "boundaries are the distance in which I can love you and me at the same time," I felt that. I had a few excellent opportunities to be out in nature this month, I went to two hot springs and visited the Boise river several times a week to do yoga and drop feathers and flowers from my hat off the bridge to watch them sail away with the flow. There's something about running water that really soothes my soul.

Adventures

On the New Moon I did a sunrise hike (starting at 2 am) to Trail Creek hot springs in Cascade, Idaho with three women: Flower, Brianna, and Asiah. We set up crystals, lit candles, drank tea, smoked herbal cigarettes, and soaked the morning away. Then spent the rest of the day drawing, journaling, exploring, collecting rocks, and flowing in the mountains.

I spent the first ten days staying with Flower's family. I met Flower at the Rainbow Gathering in 2017 at Peace Village and we traveled together in two vans for about two months after the gathering. Now she works at Starbucks.

Sugar Magnolia Stealie inspired by Flower's backyard

Getting some writing done at Starbucks

After ten days I decided that my adventure in Idaho was not over yet. I moved in with Brianna and instantly bonded with her dog, Russ. 

And her cats 💗😻 Lady and Little Foot. 

I spent the full moon camping at Boiling Springs with Brianna and her friends Ryan and Sammie. We were right next to the river and it was so nice to fall asleep to the sound of water rushing past. It rained the first day but was sunny the next. I didn't spend a lot of time in the hot springs because of the spider mites, but that didn't deter the others. I did a lot of reading and introspection there. I was too lost in my own world to take pictures but Sammie Sturges captured these beauties and gave me permission to include them:

Pic credit: Sammie Sturges

PC: Sammie Sturges 

PC: Sammie Sturges

Ripple Stealie Drawing I did of Brianna and Russ

Reading

This month I read The River Why by David James Duncan. I first started this book in the back of Boot's van when I was hitchhiking in 2017. Someone I love dearly and consider family recommended it to me. I rediscovered it when I was looking up books that take place in the Pacific North West for this tour. It's an interesting story that is rich with philosophy and humor. It made me want to go fishing. 

Brokedown Palace Stealie

Box of Rain Stealie

Quotes :

"And so I learned what solitude really was. It was raw material - awesome, malleable,older than men or worlds or water. And it was merciless - for it let a man become precisely what he alone made of himself." 

"Rain pours down without water, and the rivers are streams of light. One love it is that pervades the world; few there are who know it fully." - Kabir 

Yoga/Massage

I started following an instagram called i.am.hummingbird and I followed them in a ten day challenge of bird/insect poses. Some of these positions were pretty challenging and showed me how much space I have to improve my strength, flexibility, and balance. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that I could accomplish some of these with practice, and that I have the arm strength to hold a crow pose (thanks Orange Theory!) 

 Here's the line up:

1. Flamingo vs. Spider pose

2. Bird of Paradise vs. Bee breaths/dead bug

3. crow vs. firefly

4. pigeon vs. butterfly

5. eagle vs. grasshopper

6. partridge vs. scorpion

Partridge is HARD. Here is the super awkward thing I was able to accomplish: 

"Russ I can't throw that stick right now I'm trying to be a Partridge."

But through trying I found that I can do this thing again that I haven't pulled off since Jr. High. 

7. peacock vs. locust

8. heron vs. caterpillar

While I did this I sang Paint With All the Colors of the Wind in my head

"The HERON and the otter are MY FRIENDS and we are all connected to each other, in a circle, in a hoop that never ends." 

9. invert your bird or insect

Upside down is a bit out of my comfort zone, but here's my best go at an inverted eagle. Do you know who's not uncomfortable on her head? My mom. I have a lot of memories of sitting in family counsel or at a family night when my mom would randomly take a headstand. My little brother and I would laugh and say "what is mom doing right now." 

10. yogis choice or hybrid: Goose

🌻💗I also had the opportunity to do a couple crystal balancing sessions and give some massages. 💗🌻

Drawing

This month I worked primarily in the medium of charcoal and colored pencils and found inspiration in past and present relationships.

I got better with faces each time, particularly the noses. Youtube tutorials helped. 

Community & Spirituality: Coffee, Archery, Church, Meditation

My favorite place to chill was at Death Proof Cafe. This local coffee shop was always pretty empty when I came in, the staff was friendly, signature drinks were delicious, and the vibe was awesome. I highly recommend Swamp Thing, a pistachio Irish cream latte. 

With my new deathproof cafe pin

I found an archery range called Dead on Archery next door to Death Proof Coffee. I took a beginners class and spent a couple days at the range. I found that this activity helped in the same way meditation does in quieting internal voices. I walked to the range during a time when I was feeling particularly triggered with a relationship and shot arrows for 3 hours. I definitely want to manifest my own bow and arrow set in the future to shoot at targets in my backyard. Just trying to get as good as Katniss Everdeen. 

I met Ed Damian at Starbucks then saw him again when I was playing my Ukulele outside the strip mall. He has worked as a pastor and is a disability advocate. He is currently writing a book called "A Propensity of Faith." He asked if I would be open to being pen pals as I continued on my travels and I asked him if he would mind me taking a picture with him for my blog. He invited me to his church, Treasure Valley Church of,Christ over memorial day weekend to hear a friend of his give a sermon. 

I went to Treasure Valley Church of Christ on May 26th and met some lovely people, heard some all-too-catchy Christian rock, and was reminded of some classic parables. There was also a yummy potluck afterwards with banana pudding involved. This week they met at a local church building in the afternoon after the usual congregation was out but sometimes they meet at parks or at someone's ranch. If anyone in the Boisie area is looking for a casual, intimate nondenominational Christian church service they may be worth looking into. 

On Monday, May 27th I went to the Divine Spirit Healing Center Monday Meditation with Brianna that was part of the Goddess Archetype Meditation series. We focused on the goddess Yemaya who is an African goddess of oceans, rivers, amniotic fluids, and water of all kinds. She is the goddess of surrender. Through this meditation I found myself healing some deep wounds and letting go of certain hard held worldviews to find myself open to recieving whatever beautiful life that is meant for me. I love that there is a sea turtle in this image too. I wish I could attend more from this series. I highly recommend this center. 

http://www.chakraguru.org/about-us.html

💗

I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had this month to recenter and see more clearly the direction I want my life to go in. Sending unconditional love and gratitude to all reading and all the connections I made this month that helped me grow and discover different parts of myself that I haven't explored for a minute. 

Next month: Oregon and Washington. 

Happy trails.