Any gold at your house?

One day in the last few after an hour of beachcombing,  the gorgeous rainbow  I've included here (yes, we did get a little wet on the beach from the rain) appeared; my spouse noted that the rainbow had hit smack-dab in the middle of a condo right down from ours.  He wondered aloud if those folks could see their place as the pot or when they looked out or would they see the end of the rainbow at someone else's front door?

Mightn't that be the way of our everyday lives; seeing the rainbow and pot of gold at someone else's door and not seeing that its presence surrounds our own selves; i.e., the neighbors have all the luck, I've never won anything, they seem to be blessed with good fortune, good health, great jobs, good hair - only kidding about the good hair - but you get the point.

I think taking a real look every day for the treasure in my life, I'll find that the pot of gold does reside in my house and in the houses of my neighbors and in the whole lives of all creatures great and small that've been given water to drink, air to breathe, resources for survival.  I think discovery and enjoyment of hidden treasures might be as simple as practicing daily scripture reading, prayer, and reflection, even inhaling and exhaling those huge bellows' breaths that many of us  practice in  our yoga classes.  Those moments are rich with sharing, with life, with faith that says I'm living in a pot of gold.

How about you - any gold at your house these days?  No, your fool's gold doesn't count - I mean real gold!

P.S. The words below were the 3rd verse of a hymn we sung yesterday at the installation of a new Rector's service and the inclusion of a growing Maui parish into full parishhood of the Episcopal Church in Hawaii. Congratulations to Holy Innocents of Maui......

Gospel Hymn "I Sing the Almighty Power of God, V3.   "There's not a plant or flower below but makes thy glories known; and clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from thy throne; while all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care, and everywhere that I could be, thou, God, art present there."
Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Photo Sunrise Sister - Maui Rainbow

Friday food lovers - who knew?

Yesterday, blogging on the serious subject of Lent; how it was beginning for me - slowly, and with some caution about the journey ahead - I found many other bloggers seemingly in the same state of mind. With less than a plethora of commenters, I did receive an intriguing question from a blogger new to me, Ann Kroeker Writer, regarding her wondering if perhaps Jesus had some of the thoughts or feelings that I had expressed in my post.  I responded to Ann and went over to take a look at her site and to take her Food on Fridays challenge even though my post won't appear until Saturday. You might want to take a look at Ann's site and profile - very nice.

So, Food on Fridays, my spouse and I are vacationing on Maui and the food experiences have been delish - often menu selections built around varieties of seafood.  We always look forward to what's new in food on Maui.  This year for me, what's new on Maui is NOT new to Maui but new for me - fish tacos on many menus - often luncheon menus.  I've ordered this entree at four different restaurants  and have not been disappointed even once.  Two of the four were served already assembled in soft flour tortillas, the fish Mahi Mahi - one with sour cream, lettuce and avocado, another with cabbage and a hot spicy red sauce.  One day the tortilla was crisp and piled high with lettuce, hot salsa and melted cheddar cheese.  Today I couldn't resist one more time and the plate arrived beautifully plated in a colorful palette of black beans, yellow spanish rice, delicious Ebbe - an Hawaiian fish not regularly served in other states but just yummy.  The flour tortillas were folded neatly to facilitate my own assembly and the topping was a spicy flavorful red tinged salsa.  I hope your mouths are watering as mine is even as I think of that dish again this evening - by the way, there was no more food consumed today after the delicious lunch - ah well, I did have one of the dark chocolate, hand-made truffles that my spouse gave me on Valentine's Day but the rest of the evening was a fast:)

I don't know that we eat any lighter during Lent than we do the rest of the year but the lighter the better for me.  I really would choose to do a larger meal at lunch and a snack for dinner but it's a habit that I've never worked to develop........maybe we'll give that a go when we return from Maui. 

Are you saved?

Image by stuant63 via Flickr

  

Flash of color amongst the rocks and sand

Tiny story teller

 Vanished, lost

Washed in waters buoyant, whole

Drifting lazily on currents

Then dashed onto rocks by roiling sea

What part of you will be found, rescued, 

cherished for what you are

Not for what or where you've been

Cherished and saved just for being you

Prayer for Release

As I journaled this a.m. I prayed for release.  "Release from what?!" you might ask - "You're on Maui for heavens sake!"  Well, we've been here alone, spouse and I, for about 9 days - most of the time we agree on the activities for the day, the evening, when to sleep and to eat.....but a new dynamic arrived last evening - and that was my sister, brother-in-law and two teens.  My spouse's sister and brother-in-law will arrive this evening so things will become a little more complicated.

Don't get me wrong, these visitors/family are the easiest to entertain or to just BE with of any people I know.  The release for me is that I let go of my compulsion to control - relax, release.  Relax, release, enjoy these precious moments with many of those that I hold dearest in my life.  There does have to be some planning, like food but mostly I need to remember that I am not personally responsible for their having a good time.  They would not have me fret over any detail, whether or not we snorkel, or dine out, or drive to a far beach.  The teens will enjoy, they will have fun in ways I could never imagine.  We all will have fun and the laughter and the joy of our love will convince me once more that release, release, release of control is freeing:))  I must remember above all to SAVOR the joy of this family I love and treasure!

The Sea and Sky

Image via Wikipedia

Days here on Maui have been warm, breezy, and blue skied - truly magical when one has escaped the clutches of winter.  Reflecting tonight on the past couple of days, I recall the morning of snorkeling at the nearby beach of Kapalua Bay.  As I wrote in my post of the "turtle sighting," we and many other beachgoers that a.m. left with an excited tale of the big green sea creature we encountered.

The big green turtle still is vivid in my mind.  As I floated near his busily-feeding armored body, he glanced briefly at me as if to say, "yes, I see you, keep your distance and both of us will be happy."  I mean, I suppose that's what he meant with the glance!  I was happy to oblige his warning and keep my distance.  Yet, thinking now, how intriguing to be in the world of the ocean as a visitor.  A visitor vastly curious about life under the water.  Aching to see turtles, exotic fish, beautiful coral and no thing more threatening than that! Oh yes, of course, one's mind cannot help but wander to the prospect of an occasional shark swimming through a bay.....it is their home! 

I/we are the visitors in the world of the ocean.  We intrude, we trespass, trying to remain neutral in our actions, not polluting with garbage, not upsetting the balance of fishes by feeding fish food in order to lure up-close encounters with the teeming tropical sea life that enjoys life hidden from human sight.  It's curious to realize how the ocean teems with life  outside our  human existence. But, of course, mankind and curiosity being intertwined has not left the underworld of the sea totally to imagination.  On any given night on any tv cable channel, there's probably a feature on life underwater.  Life in its beauty, its abundance, its brutality, its balance.  We remain the intruder and are thrilled to have glimpses of "another" life on this planet other than our own.

The evening of the turtle encounter, we took a night time cruise with the Pacific Whale Foundation, aptly entitled their "Star Gazing Cruise" - complete with astronomer, Harriet Witt, who had a lot to say about the sky and stars and who, with her magic laser beam, pointed out constellations, planets, bright living, and yellowing dying stars.  She spoke of the galaxies that had been identified in our time and that if we could close our eyes and imagine it, she could declare as fact, that there are hundreds of galaxies beyond our own.  She also suggested, with a nervous chuckle, that it seemed rather likely we are "not alone" in existence even though the "others" may not yet or we have not yet, made contact with each other.

As we floated basically in the dark waters of the Pacific Ocean on a calm sea, clear night, I felt there was no end to the creativity in which we live.  As hydrophones were dropped over the side of the boat, we could hear the whales singing and signaling to each other in loud, wailing, lamenting type calls.  Calls we could not hear above water.  And as we lay rocking in the sea, the sound any whale watcher will recognize came to our ears several times - the sound of the great exhalation of breath, the whoosh, the sound of a whale near our boat slipping by us, perhaps wondering what creatures of our kind were doing out in the Pacific after dark, floating, laughing, falling silent at the sound of a whoosh!

At church this a.m., during the sermon, the priest recalled an evening on Lana'i when he had driven to the very end of the small island on a clear, dark night to encounter what he could only describe as God's creation surrounding him - a sky full of stars seen as though rising from the ocean to the heavens.  Having just done our star gazing a couple of nights ago, my arms felt tiny tingles of goose bumps rise as I imagined my encounter with the world of the sea, the world of the sky, the world in which we exist.  A span so immense we don't know where the sea and the sky separate.  Am I what separates the sea from the sky - I mankind?  Will the sea and the sky some day visit my world in ways that I can not yet fathom - perhaps my soul will one day know the answer to my question.

And you, have you explored the world of the sea and the world of the night time stars and heavens?  Where were you when that happened?  Was it just fun or did you feel something so far beyond your imagination that it caught your breath?  I'd like to hear about that.............your experience of the sea and the sky.

Turtle Time

Image by Mike Rodriquez via Flickr

This a.m. at Lucy Creates! I read a beautiful piece of poetry by author, Judy Brown, entitled "Trough" - I encourage you to read it.  The poetry reflected on the mystery of water and brought to mind an experience I had yesterday with a Maui turtle.

Snorkeling off Kapalua Bay Beach on Maui and  having thoroughly enjoyed the time I was in the water,  I decided to head back in from fish viewing for a while.  Swimming or I should say floating in saltwater is the easiest place anyone would ever want to "experience" the water as there's a natural bouyance that one cannot find in fresh water.  (It took my spouse about 15 years to convince me of that fact.)  Soooo, I just paddled a teeny bit with my flippers and let the waves carry me toward the shore.  My idle plan was to float over any rocks that popped up unexpectantly and cruise into a nice soft, sandy landing.  

As I relaxed and drifted, expecting nothing more than to be caressed and deposited on the shore by the rhythmic waves, I found an unexpected treat almost at my fingertips - a massive green turtle was feeding on the small rocks close to the shoreline.  He was certainly aware of my presence but went about his business and other than my heart beating loudly and a silly smile trapped inside of  my  snorkel mask apparatus, I tried to remain still in order to view him for a while.  I couldn't resist though as my ears came above the water a bit, I could hear people shouting - "there's a turtle, where, where?"  Only for one second did I hesitate to raise my arm above the water and point to my aquatic pal's location.  He swam around as if he was a wind-up turtle for the tourists' pleasure and indeed  many, many smiling faces came out of the water beside and right after me!

As I read Lucy's post and reflected upon the influence of water in our lives, drinking, bathing, swimming, sailing, etc. my "water experience" focused me on this.  I was floating, I was enjoying the embrace of a miracle of life, the water, the fish, the sunlight - expecting nothing more than acceptance of my thanksgiving.  Was it a bonus I received?  An act of nature? A synchronistic happening with me and the turtle - maybe more.  For a second I thought of not sharing my good siting, keeping it only for myself rather than lose the moment.  But that was only a second as I wanted to share the goodness and the thrill of my discovery, my smile with those around me.  It was almost as much fun to see the happy faces laughing and exclaiming as they returned to the beach as it was to spot the turtle!

Isn't life like that for you sometimes or maybe all of the time?  The sharing of one's gifts, the sharing of the Good News, the sharing of love and relationship?  It's such a good thing why don't we do it more often?  Maybe today's the day you and I will share something more important than a turtle siting....but perhaps during or after that sharing, we'll both think of the hard-shelled creature that inspired me yesterday and smile:)


See photo inscription for photographer credit

Prayerful thanksgiving -

For the beauty of this earth

Amen

Sunrises, Ancient Cities, Sunsets........

The beauty of our own landscape as shown above will be hard to beat but........

I hope to bring home some beautiful photos from across the world; in the meantime I'll miss seeing you and reading your news for the next two weeks.

Bon Voyage

SS Photo of the beautiful rolling landscape of the Palouse

Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Edwards, CO - Roadtrip

Gone for a road trip - maybe some posting - maybe not......................................

A Little Lenten Parable

(While on Maui)......fresh off of an exciting whale watching excursion and bolting for a land based women's room, I encountered a young mother and child entering a small public restroom. The mother turned to lock the door and I said, "Oh, excuse me - aren't there two stalls in there?" The mother immediately replied, "yes, of course" and allowed me to enter the space as well, I into one stall and the mother/child into the other one. As we got down to business in our own ways, the mother was impatient and rushed, telling the child not to touch things, to hurry up, and then to hold the mother's things as she needed to use the space as well to meet her own needs.

I heard the little girl ask, "why were you so nice to that lady and now not to me?" I realized then that I had unthinkingly pushed my way into a space provided for two persons when actually there were three of us. I was a bit desperate but in my hurriedness, I overlooked the fact that both mother and child were in need of the same thing I was. I answered back from my "space" - "your mom was nice to me because she could see how badly I needed to come in here." I could have just as well replied because your mom had compassion on me, but that seemed a bit of exaggerated language for such a little girl. Through my pop analysis of the situation I could have also said that your mom's not actually angry with you but with me and you are the "me" that she's being impatient with......but you know I sort of just left it alone instead of trying to act as Dr. Phil in a public toilet space!

As I was washing my hands, I reflected as to why we humans think it important to show compassion to a stranger, even if only in a bathroom situation, and then take our impatience and annoyance with the stranger out on a person very near and dear to our hearts? It wasn't a big deal but it was just one of those moments when I connected with treating others (especially those we love) as we would want to be treated ourselves. You might say it was a reminder moment, an aha moment, a learning opportunity, maybe even a parable?

Words from Thomas.....

A WEEK AGO - Maui, Sunday night, February 15, 2009, - After a tremendously full day with daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren at church, at sea side in warm sun and sandy beach, snorkeling, resting in breezes, rejoicing in laughter, fun, good food and stories, I opened Thomas Merton - A Book of Prayers and read a litany for the Dark on page 67.....it was truly a wonderful litany and perhaps if you have the book, you'll read it this evening at dark, wherever your day has taken you and wherever you are - but in the meantime, with all due respect to Thomas Merton and his wonderful editor, Kathleen Deignan, I've rewritten the litany in my words....

Teach me to go often in my mind to this peaceful, joy-filled scene - beyond words - beyond names. Teach me to pray on this side of the day, here where the stars glisten now. I feel led by you. I feel my heart moved by you. I feel my soul made clean by your presence. I feel my will to trust made strong by you. I pray the world will be saved and changed by you. I pray for your healing hand on all those who suffer, who are in prison, in danger, in sorrow. I pray for your grace for all crazy people. I pray your healing hand to work always in my life. I pray you will make me through your grace, as you made your son, a healer, a comforter. I pray your joy and light will reach and raise the dead from their bondage of the grave. I pray you will help those dying to cross their chasms and streams in your hands. I pray you will be with me always and with those I love whether we are living or dying. I believe that you hear this prayer and am thankful.
Amen.

Wings go surfing with the goats?

Well, the goats don't really surf but with a name like "Surfing Goat Dairy" how can we Maui tourists resist a trip up the side of a mountain for a taste and a purchase of delicious goat cheese! We've been there many times but this time you can see that "Susanna's wings" came along:)

Wings and a prayer.......

On Sunday at Holy Innocents Parish in Lahaina, Maui, the sermon dwelt in large part about relational issues between compassion and anger. As I thought about why those words felt so "right", I realized that in feeling compassion for someone or some group of persons, one cannot help but also be filled by a sense of anger; anger for how we see others patronizing or maligning a given group, and self-anger in recognizing that the downtrodden of this world are not entirely rendered useless by others' faults, but very possibly by our own actions in denying the burdens and responsibilities that we as fellow human beings and children of God all bear for others.

In the Christian tradition, we have work that we have been given to do as disciples - some of that work is to bring about justice for those less fortunate than we are ourselves, those for whom we feel compassion; but often it seems we must "go" to anger before we are moved to action.

Compassion is worth study and reflection - are we/aren't we, why/why not, can we learn to recognize/feel compassion and move forward with action to erase what we consider an injustice without the often logical but sometimes just time-wasting reaction of anger? Can we recognize anger as important in its work as catalyst, while at the same time learning to sidestep that emotion and move right into the justice of lessening a burden, lending a hand, walking beside those for whom we feel compassion?

Believing that we have all been endowed with the virtue of compassion, it seems to me that by placing anger in the appropriate context one may more easily recognize the tasks, large or small on behalf of others, that one has been called to do.

Rambling thoughts provoked by the priest's sermon are my own based upon an eloquent, cogent sermon. The priest might wonder if I got the point at all - then again, might think that I took to heart the words he said about compassion, anger, justice and about our having the power to truly make changes in this world - to save ourselves, our planet, and each other.

You may have read before in a post or two that I'm NEVER sorry that I've been to church on a Sunday. I believe that each priest has a message and many of those messages do come straight from God. The priest recites the message in the best way he or she knows how perhaps not ever really knowing if anyone has listened or not......and only perhaps praying that what he/she was trying to deliver fell upon ears that were listening. This week's sermon? I believe I heard the words and better yet however he delivered the sermon, I received a message!

How about you - you weren't there, you didn't hear the words - I pray you received some message by my telling of the telling.......

Photo by SS - Wings by Susanna - little "work of art" in front of Holy Innocents Parish - Maui

The Wings came to church with us.....

"Susanna's Wings" came with us to church yesterday - Holy Innocents Parish, Lahaina, Maui - the "wings" perched atop the picture of "Mother and Child" as posted on the parish sign board.

We've been coming to this church on our annual pilgrimage to Maui for many years. On Sundays, weather permitting and that means nearly always, the interior wall panels all open/fold away for worship and the sound of birds (and an occasional Harley Davidson rumbling by) fill the sanctuary, along with the sound of a small organ/piano, and words from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.

It's a wonderful place for prayer, reflection, and listening.....

Bananas and wings.....

I know as well as you do that bananas grow on banana trees, somewhere, some time. Mostly though, with little thought or intention, bananas are grabbed up in bunches in the course of a busy grocery trip, or sliced up into yummy pieces for one's morning cereal. Encountering them at one's condo doorstep, green, sculpted and still hanging on the tree, it's time to pause, give a big sighhhh, and say, "Ah, it's Maui time!"

Photo - SS - Wings from Susanna's Sketchbook Project

Out of comfort zone.....

I don't know whether to be surprised, happy, or annoyed, for I've stepped, or I should say I was dragged into, once more leaving my comfort zone to attempt something new.

While in Honolulu and out for a relaxing afternoon sail and snorkel with family members and new friends, the skipper of our vessel decided that those of us least familiar with sailing should learn the thrill of this sport! I fully expected that he would honor the "cowering comfortably in the corner" position that I had assumed, that I would not be one of those called upon! Wrong!

On my feet, shaky, embarrassed, and somewhat just ticked off.....I soon found that the mystery of the wind in the sails was NOT such a mystery, that the boat would actually respond to my hands on the wheel and that my miserable deckhands (while snickering a bit) would also respond as I heartily (well, maybe not quite heartily) announced the actions I expected them to perform on my command! I could go on.....however,

The lesson is not lost on me that after all of these years of adamantly lobbying against the sport of sailing, that sport being one which my spouse finds totally alluring, I believe that I now could actually be persuaded to venture onto a LAKE, or a small body of water - a BAY - in order to learn more about sailing without the dread fears that I've harbored all of these years.

So, chalk it up to - the timing was right, I'm too stubborn for my own good/fun, I'm a show off, I can be intimidated into "service" or what - it was a grand day for me on a sailboat and I look forward to the next sailing event.

That being said, you might remember some time ago I posted words about that "comfort zone" thing....so how are you doing on stepping out of your comfort zone these days? Any good reports?

I'm now listing swimming and snorkeling in the ocean without my trusty life preserver, surfing, sailing, entering 3 art shows - being accepted into two.....let's hear some good reports for you steady readers!

Photo SEW Kanehoe, HI

When was the last time......

When was the LAST TIME, you did something for the FIRST TIME? That's the caption - that's the message of this little personal collage.

Firsts don't all have to be so daring as taking a surfing lesson - although I highly recommend that idea - what's in your mind that you've wanted to do for a long time?
Why not talk yourself into it rather than out of it! Why not.....

-Write a blog entry you thought too daring for your readers
-Why not investigate a new blog writer that you've convinced yourself you don't have time for
-Invite a new acquaintance to lunch
-Invite a new acquaintance to dinner
-Take a singing lesson or two
-Find your local used bookstore that "everyone but you" seems to find interesting
-Pick out a totally strange, untested item on a restaurant menu
-Pick out a complicated new receipe and find out its not so complicated
-Walk someplace you've always driven to before
-Pump your own gas - no, everybody doesn't do that
-Send a get well card to an acquaintance
-Pray for your enemies
-Pray for peace
-Ask God to walk with you while you attempt to lose 5 lbs
-Enter a contest - any contest will do
-Write a letter to the editor
-Take a yoga class
-Visit your local YMCA for a list of workout classes
-Visit your local "something or another" that you've never visited
-Take your camera with you when you go out
-Take a sky dive - I know one of you readers of mine has done that before:)
-Eat oatmeal or poached eggs for breakfast
-View a sunset WHILE you're not on a vacation

Well, you get the picture. I'd love to hear about something you've done lately or are planning to do that you've never done before!

Collage by Sunrise Sister

Formless.....

Formless, floating, drifting
Through God's time like jellyfish
Awaiting the moment of being
Were we, are we...








photo by Sunrise Sister - Maalaea Aquarium - Maui, HI

ODES FROM MAUI

SINGLE BIRD
Singly flies free or walks ‘side the road
This creature independent carries no load
Soaring, diving, lighting on trees
Even a landing sometimes on the sea

Is single bird lonely
Remembering the nest
Does he have a cool spot that he finds the best

Is the rookery his peace, his peace for the night
Does he speak with his friends of faraway flight
Does he screech, chirp, and crow before he finds sleep
Or stake his branch quickly with nary a peep

When the sun brings him warmth
Does he then flee with joy
Does he fear old age or remain a mere boy

When death catches him flying and soaring above
Does he fall to the earth without any love
For dying is part of the bird’s flying free
He worries not, frets not of what he’s to be

And then when a bird falls in death from the sky
Does he fall up or down or to heaven he fly
For do we see dead birds around us in heaps
Or do we think nothing of the bird’s final sleep

I doubt that he falls unnoticed, oh my
I thank God the bird flying found my lone eye


MAUI’S FERREL FELINES
Road kill or owl bait
Their fate is quite sad
Hunt or be hunted, it's nothing but bad

Born to be free - free what to be
Molested, infested - seems awful to me

Domesticity would bring a different reward
Cooed to, groomed oft, totally adored

Free to roam or be catered to -
Now what would they choose
Seems life as a house cat would bring nothing to lose

But free now they roam
And roam it will be
'cause ferrel cats have always
been born to be free

photo Sunrise Sister - side panel of pulpit - Holy Innocent's Church, Lahaina, HI