Eudaimonia

The heavy rains of last night have ended and for now we have early morning sunshine. Double blessings for new spring growth; some of which I can see as the feet of old snow continues to melt away, return to the deep earth. Birds are not at the feeders right now. My wooly Bear still finds snow to roll in, to lick as a child would enjoy a popsicle.

Andrea told me of a book she loves: Big Magic - Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. I immediately bought and read it and have now downloaded it to Audible so I can listen to Elizabeth reading to me while I paint/stamp/stencil in my DLP journal. I listen as I prepare Listing paperwork for a new  real estate client. I listen while I plan for the next hula lesson I'll teach or the next Hawaiian language class I take. This book is big magic as it propels me to just keep doing the work. Don't judge, don't overthink, just work. If poetry doesn't come, then paint. Or plan the next hula costume. Or choreograph. Or work in the yard, painting with plants and rocks in the bits of my tiny yard which I can see right now. Greens appearing around the still deep snow bomb piles.
My new favorite word - that I've wrapped around me like a blanket - came from her text. EUDAIMONIA. She explained it as from the Greek, meaning 'well daemoned'. Protected by creative spirits. I've read that it was first used by Aristotle to mean happy and healthy. I also ascribe my core self as having my Grandmother Dix's happy gene. Aristotle and Grammy plus good spirits dancing around me. I am blessed.

I understand that I have chosen a varied life which encompasses my 'work' work as a decades long Real Estate Broker and is seasoned by a passion for traditional Hawaiian hula which I now teach here in our village. I also require the companionship of my beloved rescue Alaskan Malamutes; Bear Pono is my guy right now. Blind and yet he sees/knows more than I will ever ken. Art journaling has opened a grand new time of excitement as I learn color and form and freedom on the page. I have also returned to an on going class in Hawaiian language in order to understand the chants with greater clarity. Each of these holds a dear place in my life, each one feeds the other.
I dance forward in each quadrant of my life with the intention of doing and being better each day.
Client meeting this morning. A little art journaling mid-day prior to walking the dog. Then rehearsal for Women's International Month presentation at Snowy Owl this evening. Life is good. I wish the same for you. Aloha.

Sunday Morning Comin' Down (as an old friend wrote)

Put Bear Pono outside to eat his early morning fill of snow. We were surrounded by a magnificent Maxfield Parrish sky. Upper Valley sunrise of soft yellows through dark oranges and reds. Mahalo Nā Akua. This has been a week unfolding like a spring bud in a big hurry. New experiences came running to me in a heated rush.
In my Artistʻs Way morning pages I had written of the cocooning of winterʻs hibernation and stated that I was ready to expand my world with new experiences and new people. Wowza! Be careful what you ask for...and then pay attention.
On Monday I got a call for an need for a Beginner Hula class. The woman had daughters and was ready to go. I emailed my present haumana (students) to invite them, as well. Tuesday evening the class was begun. The new students stood on the edge of a new experience and dived right in with ooohs and aaahs and laughter. Oh, yes; that was a fine beginning.
Wednesday is our Lele Mana O Pueo class; we are preparing for a performance in March at Snowy Owl. We are part of a presentation of Dangerous Women in celebration of Womenʻs History Month. We will honor Pele, the Goddess of the Volcano. Dance, dance, dance. And chant.
Thursday was a hoot! I had recently contacted my Kumu ʻŌlelo, Likolani Tackett, to ask to return to study of Hawaiian language with her. Language is critical to my understanding of hula and Hawaiian culture. I have completed 4 semesters with her, but that was 18 months, ago. Time to return! I joined a Skype class already in session on Thursday night. Oh, my goodness. Smoke was pouring out of my ears as I began retrieval of grammar I had not used in a very long time. I love it! Crazy good fun. And fine new people to get to know.
Friday was an evening of fine dining with past clients who have become dear friends. We walked to Wok About Grill and ate and talked for hours. She is a Native American Rights attorney. He captains the boat during fishing season in Alaska. They rescue Great Pyrenees. I rescue malamutes. Theirs are bigger!
Saturday was time spent with a wonderful sistah who made time to come visit for the rest of the weekend. Time to talk story again. We met another dear friend at OʻGradyʻs for lunch. She is a math professor, a jewelry maker and a paddler of her own kayak. Kimberly comes once a year to this conference and we get to spend 3 hours together. We met through Alaskan Malamute Rescue and became sisters of the hair immediately.
My real estate business is blossoming, as well. I am so grateful for all of my clients, both returning and new. We are on their paths to new discovery.
Art Journaling continues to pull me into the world of paints, inks, stamps and stencils with my talented and funny daughter in law, Heidi. I listen and learn from her. And also I just "try s---!" My favorite way to approach the art.
Like this morningʻs Maxfield Parrish sky, my world is expanding, vibrant and varied; full of promise. I am blessed.
"I ka wā mamua i ka wā mahope." The future is in the past.

Living Aloha in the Bavarian Village

We are living in a time of transition here in the Pacific Northwest. Feet of snow still fill my yard. The incessant rain of the last couple of days has hastened the melting. Rivers are running wild and strong. Pine Grosbeaks have come to strip my Lishka Tree, the Indian Summer Crab apple, of its remaining berries. Gold, House & Cassin's Finches, Chickadees, Steller's Jays, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers and Quails have all come to dine at my feeders during the winter. Sistah Kitty sits in the kitchen window watching and mentally stalking each one.

Bear ʻIkepono loves to lay in the deep snow and lick tunnels in the snow and ice. His Alaskan Malamute soul is fulfilled at this time of year.

Tonight we start a new Beginning Hula class. Advanced haumana and performers have class on Wednesday nights. My hālau, Mālamalama O Ka Mahina, was born on Hawaiʻi Island in 1984. I taught in Kailua on ʻOʻahu for many years. I began teaching traditional hula and chant here in Leavenworth, WA in April of 1999. That was also the year I adopted my first Malamute, Lishkalani. I live in the yin/yang of Aloha and Snowdogs.

My home has been nicknamed The Bavarian Beach House, by my clever daughter-in-law, Heidi. I have named it Kuʻu Puʻuhonua O Pueo. It is filled with Hawaiian art and books and music. The long porch welcomes you with comfortable rocking chairs. "Hele mai," come in. Together we shall enjoy one another and talk story.

A hui hou, until we meet again.

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