Our Heart Centered Life

My Life Work

2011-11-27T15:43:00.001-05:00

It took me 18 years to completely, deeply, and with radical commitment, answer that irksome question that often is asked at social engagements, "So, Kim, what do you do?"
For too many years that question always seemed to catch me off guard and prompt a vague feeling inadequacy.

It is not that a scattering of framed documents showing various credentials over the years are not valid or important, but I just have never taken any one endeavor and run the entire gauntlet –– an Associates Degree in Social Service; a certificate from Naropa University & Rigpa Spiritual Care in Contemplative End-of-Life Care; a recent graduate to Usui Reiki Master level with a side of Karuna Reiki; 8 years as a local hospice volunteer with a year of Spiritual Care Provider under my belt. I greatly value and appreciate the life learning opened up to me through all those avenues.

But all those things I have done do not hold a candle to what my true life work has been and continues to be.
It is now at nearly 50 years of age, and no race to win, nobodies to impress that I, without hesitation and in the blink of an eye, point over at my son and affirm, "I do that. For over 18 years I have been consciously and radically committed to growing one dynamic, creative, intelligent, compassionate, humorous human potential for our future." And if I never do another thing while drawing breath on this planet, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to give the future of our planet something I put my heart and soul into...a gift I run the gauntlet for...my life work. I call him Wes.

Two, Two, Two STERRS for the Price of One

2011-11-19T00:05:00.000-05:00

BAHS announces October students of the month

Nov 18, 2011

Courtesy of: Belfast Area High School Front row, from left to right are: Sarah James, Chase McIntire, Maddison Cummings, Abigail Wessels and Maria Swebilius; back row, from left to right are: Evan Schweikert, Wes Sterrs and Owen Sterrs.

Belfast — In an effort to raise student aspirations at Belfast Area High School, the staff instituted a “Student of the Month” program, beginning in April of 2011. This program will recognize a boy and a girl at each grade level based on teacher nominations, with subsequent voting by all staff.
The CORE Mission Statement of the school will provide the criteria for selection: a clear and effective communicator, a self-directed and life-long learner, a creative and practical problem solver, a responsible and involved citizen, a collaborative and quality worker, and an integrative and informative thinker.
The students will receive a t-shirt, a certificate of recognition, and enjoy a pizza luncheon with the principal. Additionally, each student will have his or her picture prominently displayed in the school lobby and on the school’s website.
October honorees are: 9th graders, Sarah James and Chase McIntire; 10th graders, Maddison Cummings and Evan Schweikert; 11th graders, Maria Swebilius and Owen Sterrs; and 12th graders, Abigail Wessels and Wes Sterrs.

Congratulations Owen and Wes ~ You guys are awesome!

Senior Wes Sterrs in the News

2011-10-27T18:21:00.000-04:00

Belfast High School Students Get To See Options After Graduation

by Meghan Hayward - October 27th 2011 04:06pm - Read more Local News

Belfast - Many high school students don't know what they want to do after graduation. Belfast students got to see some of the options out there.
"It's a college fair. It's a way to get a lot of colleges to come visit schools. Most of the colleges visiting are from Maine. What we've done at Belfast is attach a career fair so we have a lot of career people in the community coming in to talk about their careers."
Organizers say these events often help students see the paths they need to take.
" To connect where they're headed to what they're doing now in the classroom that's the immediate goal and hopefully that will pay off."
They understand college isn't for everyone.
" There's a big push in Maine about college ready for all kids. But not all kids want to go to college. So we feel it's important we expose all kids to all different options."
There were five sessions. Students had to visit at least two colleges. They had a variety of careers to check out. From diesel mechanics and masonry to nursing.
" I'm way more of a hands on learner so this is a lot better for me to actually see people who are doing stuff I want to do later in life."
Senior Wes Sterrs was happy to see jobs he's interested in.
" I've been doing video stuff since I could walk so I'm always looking to learn more about video production and film stuff."
Organizers are always looking to improve the fair, heeding student feedback.
" They'll do an evaluation at the end of the day. We take that feedback seriously and a lot of the career presenters we invite back. On occasion if it didn't go over well we might make some adjustments."

An Architecture of Another

2011-10-13T15:36:00.000-04:00

Stained Glass

"My souls (characters) are conglomerations of past and present stages of civilization, bits from books and newspapers, scraps of humanity, rags and tatters of fine clothing, patched together as is the human soul. And I have added a little evolutionary history by making the weaker steal and repeat the words of the stronger, and by making the characters borrow ideas or "suggestions" from one another."

~ Johan August Strinderg(author's foreword to Miss Julie, in Six Plays of Strindberg, 1955)

We are a sort of stained glass.

Pieces of life and learning assembled over time and attached to bodies like wings.

We fit snugly into the space for which we were meant, resistant to wind and rain, supporting our own weight, and withstanding time.

We are simultaneously fragile and strong.

We are opacity and transparency.

An architecture of self and others.

Meant to be shared.

To fulfill the purpose for which we were created -To shine.

Isabel Augusto

Not your Ordinary Juice Box

2011-10-06T16:17:00.012-04:00

Wes Sterrs

Wes Sterrs, Student, Filmmaker

Wes Sterrs is a student filmmaker from Belfast, Maine. He has been making short films from age 11 and has expanded his portfolio since then. Wes has attended the summer program at the New York Film Academy, produced/directed/edited numerous short films and has found work as a cinematographer/editor on a myriad of projects ranging from music videos to corporate events.
Recently, Sterrs (in collaboration with fellow student filmmaker John Loxterkamp) directed a short film titled “The Fly” that placed first at the Maine Student Film Festival. The film follows a man who encounters a late-night insect that won’t leave him alone. Wes hopes to go to film school with a focus in cinematography and to go on to work in television on wildlife nature programs.

For more information on Juice follow Wes at http://juiceconference.org/content/wes-sterrs

With All Good Intentions

2011-09-27T10:04:00.000-04:00

It's never come easily to me, this writing prowess.
It did however, at least, come with some measure of sporadic reliability.
Every time I reach into the Hannaford cooler and wrap my hand around an organic milk carton, I expect to read, "Have you Seen this Missing Blog?" when checking its expiration date.

I am not certain when my motivation or my creativity went missing, but I have my suspicions that foul play on the walls of a certain cult-like network called FaceBook may be responsible for such an abduction of imagination and initiation.
It is only a theory.

Having finally come to this abandoned and lonely blog, I stumbled upon numerous good intentions that were kicked to the blurb (that's blogspeak for curb,) or possibly hijacked for and or by that FaceBook character.
So in the spirit of creativity and saving face with my blog, I have decided to post a sampling of "Would'a, Could'a, Should have been Our Heart Centered Life Posts."

In the meantime, should you buy milk soon and notice some resemblance to this post, please notify your local authorities. Who knows, a safe return of my imagination may result in finishing future po

Believing in Miracles

2011-04-24T18:34:00.000-04:00

Here Comes the Sun, Here Comes the Sun, and I Say It's All Right

2011-04-21T12:17:00.002-04:00

& high time to spring clean this blog!

April 8, 1940 ~ February 13, 2007

2011-02-13T22:15:00.001-05:00

Dear Dad,

Thank you for loving me into being.

Today it has been four years ~ and although it has been one of the most emotionally difficult weeks of grieving since your death, in so many other ways, in particular, recently more than ever before,

I have felt your presence supporting me.

I especially love the moments when I sense so strongly,

your hand upon my shoulder!

I love you, Dad

kimberly

Isn't it ironic, when you're all growed up, life gives you your beginnings

2011-02-10T01:49:00.001-05:00

Singing out a Happy Birthday to our Sterrs-among-Sterrs Father's,
Nicholas Appel - Sterrs!

Nicholas may not be barcalounging, sleeping through any night soon, going to work with anything less than the smell of talc and tooshy on his tie...but DAMN, take one look at the genetic genius the God 's have bestowed ...

Yes, all is RIGHT with your future gifts to the beauty, grace, and survival of the planet (Reagan can see to this single-handedly;) BUT isn't there a lustful Daddy wish in your heart?
Like a Perkins Pancake Sunday Brunch? Or a cave dwelling where a man can scratch privately (his lottery tickets!)

Nick, from the looks of it, you have it all...for now...until ...Well, let' us just keep you in bliss for a bit longer.

~~May you get to sleep in~~ Happy Birthday, Nicholas!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2011-02-09T13:04:00.000-05:00

Friday, February 11th is my beautiful mother's birthday.

The following is a hint as to where, how, and with whom

she'll be spending her day...


A Day of Relaxation & Pampering at Cloud 9 Spa

The fine print reads ~

Arriving at 9:30am

Betty will have a Warm Stone Facial

followed by Lunch ~ delivered to the Spa Dining Area

at 12 noon

Betty & Kim will enjoy Manicures

Happy Birthday to Mom

Happy Belated Birthday to Me

(am using gift certificates given to me last March for my birthday ~ from my husband!)

sigh

2011-02-07T00:09:00.007-05:00


Dragonfly

this may be grief
it sure walks and talks like pissed off rage
but this may be grief.
and of all days the hospice newsletter has me by the throat - trying to choke out anything, anything at all related to .... related to ... sigh.
oh, again with all the sighing.
i'm beaten and mad and sad and i miss my dad....and my aunt connie

damn it...
my beautiful dragonfly flew in bearing grief on its wings.

Healings Begin at Home

2011-01-26T23:20:00.002-05:00

Sending Distant Healing using Antahkarana

no time to capitalize!

2011-01-25T00:16:00.000-05:00

the winter has been busy busy busy

with no time for punctuation or blogging

because

i am evolving

into the next phase

of my lifes purpose

Heart Centered Healing

Master Usui / Karuna Reiki Practitioner

kim Snyder Sterrs

with love guidance and support of those who surround me

Oh, give me silver, blue, & gold

2011-01-24T14:06:00.076-05:00

the color of the sky, I'm told

Of Friendship, Family, Gratitude, and PIE!

2010-11-27T00:11:00.000-05:00

Another Thanksgiving celebration with our best friends, The Jones!

Three Turkeys...Can you spot them?

Apple - Tree- First Born - Handsomeness!

Bros - Mischief in the Making

Huh?

...Now that"s more like it!

Adam and Kimmie

Beautiful Maria!

Thanksgiving 2010

..."So you are going to share that, right?"

my anam cara writes a poem

2010-10-17T19:48:00.001-04:00

summer settles

a golden bear to slumber,

bees lost to darkening ether
like secret prayer -
summer faces her fate with grace

winter hovers
on the precipice -
concise indigo sky
punctured by stars of ember
and moon, a silver scythe

winter hesitates
stunned by insolent leaves
and seductive bonfires,
enthralled by tender deer
and the fox that is autumn

this is the season loved best
by poet, shaman, and farmer -

this is the brisk jig
before the deep sleep

by k.j. o’shea

My Tribe

2010-08-16T13:09:00.005-04:00


Adam, Wes, Kim, & Larry

the gorgeous end of the gene pool

...the sometimes confusing emotions between . . .

2010-07-18T12:00:00.001-04:00

a sense of deep sadness mixed with a feeling of compassionate relief, as now I can imagine her freedom from suffering ~

I'm wrapping myself up in quiet mode for a bit ... thank you all for kind text messages, emails, and facebook posts ... going to be with our family to celebrate the brave and beautiful life of Aunt Connie.

To Kelly - On those days when people are just too damn warm & fuzzy...

2010-06-29T12:18:00.001-04:00

Disclaimer:
Stella is under contract.
Never was she in harm's way/mistreated/psychologically damaged by such rogue shenanigans.
Stella receives celebrity compensation (doggie spa treatments, grooming to ensure removal of any residual blood spatter, special treats, etc.)
Stella is mildly amused by humans thinking she actually listens and/or obeys commands.

Gentlemen to Rock Rockland

2010-06-09T20:51:00.001-04:00

Our very own Gentlemen of Society will be rock'n it Belfast style Saturday night at Rockland's Lincoln Street Center!

The Gentlemen are slated to kick off this eclectic musical event as the opening band for El Grande, a serious group of Ska musicians from Portland, Maine.

The following article appears in Waldo County Village Soup/The Republican Journal.

Some Gentlemen are gonna make Belfast proud! Congratulations –– James, Nathan, Dominic, & Wes!

El Grande

Rockland — Ska band El Grande will perform at R Space at Lincoln Street Center Saturday, June 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the lower level of the community arts center, 24 Lincoln St. Opening will be Midcoast bands Philosoraptor, Lost Generation and Gentlemen of Society.
The dance/concert is chem-free and for all ages; those younger than 14 must be accompanied by a guardian. Admission will be $5 at the door.
El Grande is a groove-rock supergroup from Portland. Their unique sound has been accredited to their diverse musical inspirations ranging from Fishbone and The Police to Bob Marley and The Clash. Their grooves vary between laid-back reggae to upbeat ska and punk. El Grande's rhythm section consists of front man Chris Gironda on vocals and guitar, Sam Yawdik on drums and Shane Fenton on bass. Rounding out the lineup is El Grande's Keith Orlando playing alto sax and guitar and Carlo Bufano on keys. The Grandes have played with such greats as The Toasters, Streetlight Manifesto, The Voodoo Glow Skulls, Big D and the Kid's Table, The Pietasters and Westbound Train.
Rockland's Philosoraptor is a dynamic trio of Dave Butler on bass, Kyle Sareyani on guitar and Derek Tripp on drums. They recently came together, rocking the house at an R Space show and the recent edition of Trekkapalooza.
Lost Generation of Appleton has been together for about three years now and has an EP out that includes three original songs. Band members include Nathan Schultz on lead vocals and guitar; Melissa Simmons on vocals and guitar; Dakota Summers on bass guitar; and Dave Schultz on drums.
The Gentlemen of Society has developed into a musical powerhouse since their formation in April of 2009 in Belfast. They combined the forces of soulful and majestic guitar virtuoso Nathan Howard with rhythm expert/vocal deity Dominic Williams. From there they added the bass slappin' skills of James Knight and topped it off with a drummer named Wes Sterrs.
Coming up at R Space is an open mic and coffeehouse on Thursday June 17 with Ellen Tipper as featured performer. Experimental rock band Arms Against a Sea will be performing Saturday, June 26 with The Class Machine, Machine and No Sane Man.
R Space at Lincoln Street Center is a new venue created to present music and performing and visual art for and by the youth of our community in a safe environment, free from alcohol and other drugs. Future plans include instruction in a number of aspects of music, to encourage area youth participation and provide them with opportunities in the musical arts.
The Republican Journal: R Space goes ska with El Grande

Why, Fruit by the Foot, of course . . .

2010-06-01T01:46:00.007-04:00

The boys were at it again today . . .

Today's favorite sketch comedy quote, "Don't you judge me."

...we interrupt this blog for some "Cinema Treats"

2010-05-17T22:55:00.010-04:00

My favorite sketch quote: "First the music industry, and now you're killing children?"

Home: The place where you earn your food, room & board by throwing your parentals the occasional funny bone –– humor and an occasional song & dance routine.

FLICKR Cluster F*ck...Arrrrrgggghhh

2010-05-08T16:51:00.001-04:00

My first time shooting pictures of moving targets...I'm trying like hell to set up a Flickr account then link it here as well as to my facebook profile...but since I'm technologically retarded, and yes, that is the appropriate phrase for my lameness, I'm growing more pissy as the afternoon quickly turns to night.
Did I say, arrrrrggggghhhhh yet?

"what's LOVE got to do with it?

2010-05-07T14:50:00.001-04:00

It's 10pm. Do you know where your drummer is?

2010-04-29T10:35:00.003-04:00

Want to know where you teens are? Who they're spending time with? Are they eating and fortifying after a day of learning (and jumping through proverbial hoops should they be in public schools)?

. . . Then buy a drum kit, open your home (and ears) to a few amplifiers, electric guitars, cook up some chicken/cheese -nachos, and smile A LOT now that you have answered all those nagging questions!

Why, is that a Drum Set or Soap Box in the Sunroom?

2010-04-09T12:24:00.003-04:00

Always be available to your kids. Because if you say, “Give me five minutes, give me ten minutes,” it'll be 15, it'll be 20. And then when you get there, the shine will have worn off whatever it is they wanted to share with you. I've never gotten up to see something one of my kids wanted to show me and not been rewarded. ~ Michael J Fox

YES! . . . AND give them drum sets without boundaries; AND permission to grow & process through hours & hours of necessary sleep or rest that happens in the prone position while gaming or movie watching; AND allow messiness which lends itself to spontaneity and creativity; AND walk slower when their legs are shorter than your-it's not 'their' race; AND learn room for hearing & accepting their "no", so to affirm their ability to say it out in the difficult world when they'll really need it; AND show willingness to say, "I'm sorry" first, which models forgiveness; AND be kind to those YOU chose to bring to the planet for which they do not "owe" a debt; AND show compassion to their promise, potential, trials, errors, lessons, and already-whole SPIRIT! ~ me

Thank you.
Climbing down now.

Happy Zombie Jesus Day!

2010-04-03T12:00:00.000-04:00

Published @ 16...

2010-03-14T16:42:00.006-04:00

This is a piece from a neighboring newspaper, The Herald Gazette, to which I have a subscription. Wes wrote this piece a year ago after working with Kathrin Seitz, teacher/mentor of creative course –– Writing from the Deep Voice.

Vinyl
by Wes Sterrs

When I set a record on my turntable, I'm blasted into the past. I love vinyl because it is a time capsule, because it's ageless. I love vinyl because the album could have been made in 1968 in London and I'd be listening to it now, in Belfast, Maine, and it's so like I'm in the recording studio with the band -- like I'm part of that history. Nothing sounds like it, no iPod or CD player. I come from the generation of Walkmans and iPods, but I choose to listen to vinyl. It sounds, looks, feels, smells better than any MP3 or CD could. It has all the senses -- it's like a sentient being. It smells, it speaks, it feels.
I remember one Sunday morning, years ago. I was sitting next to my dad watching the "Sunday Morning Show" on CBS and a segment on vinyl came on. At the time I really knew nothing about vinyl. The segment had all sorts of clips from Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Deep Purple, all the greats. I sat in awe of the huge disc, bigger than any CD I had ever seen.
I saw it being recorded; being printed, mass-produced, and then listened to. The segment came to a close with the words, "Vinyl may be outdated, but it will never die." My dad nodded and said, "It's true. Nothing sounds like it. It's clearer than any CD. People just got tired of the size." After watching that segment on "Sunday Morning," I knew already, without even listening to a record, vinyl was what I would be listening to.
I walk into Wild Rufus. The smell of vinyl hits me as soon as I enter the door. Nathaniel always says hi to me. I don't know if I'm technically a regular, but he knows who I am and what my mission is. The rock records are in the back. I walk the carpeted floor to the back of the store; the walls are lined with rare records that are way out of my price range. The old cardboard smell grows stronger as I get closer. The records are in a big wooden bookcase, like a library of rock and roll, except, less readin' and more rockin'. I climb the ladder to the top row where the A's are. I take my time, making sure I don't miss something I need, like Alice Cooper or the Allman Brothers. I move on to the B's looking for The Beatles or Black Sabbath ... still, nothing. I take a chance, climb down a rung on the ladder, and find the L's -- LA ... LB ... C ... D ... LE. I've got sweet alphabetizing skills as you can see. I spot something. I wriggle it out of the stack gently, wipe the thin layer of dust off and look at the cover. The children play naked on the rocks by the sea, not in a pornographic way, but in a liberated, carefree way. The rocks have a green tint; the children's hair is white blond. The sky though, the sky is what makes "Houses of the Holy" amazing. The sky is orange. Not setting sun orange, but citrus orange. I see the record is in my amazingly broad price range of $7 to $13. I put the record under my arm like I'm carrying schoolbooks. I take it to Nathaniel and pay.
I'm home now, holding my new friend above the turntable, about to put it down and drop the needle. The record lies flat as a desert plain on the player. I drop the needle and the record moves like clockwork. I hear that moment before the music plays. It's a dead space; all you can hear is the pops and crackles of the record before the music plays. Then the music begins and I'm gone.
I listen to vinyl every day. Some people, some of them in this room, call me obsessed. I just say I have a passion. I'll get ready for bed every night and I'll sit in front of my speakers and listen to "Dark Side of the Moon." It's like my psychedelic lullaby. I clean my room to Black Sabbath and play my video games to Iron Butterfly. And I'll do just about anything to Led Zeppelin. I don't need a reason for listening to vinyl. It's my friend who doesn't stop talking -- and I pay attention to every word this friend says.

Wes Sterrs, a sophomore at Belfast Area High School, is the drummer for a local band, the Gentlemen of Society. He is also performing on stage in the annual high school One Act Play Competitions. (Written by Kathrin Seitz for The Herald Gazette)

Who Loves You, Baby?

2010-02-14T18:58:00.004-05:00

You may not recognize her easily as she isn't as young as when you met in 1984

OK, so her hair color has been known to change

(more rapidly than the seasons,)

and while her weight albeit nothing to cry about, has ebbed & flowed as often as the changing tides outside your bedroom window.

But nothing compares to the metamorphosis of her colorful moods....

...well, nothing except

how her love for you changed from lust, to love, to Abiding Love.


An unshakable,

       unchangeable   LOVE.

I love you Babe, that's who!
   Happy Valentine's Day, Larry

                       XO

Radiance: The Golden Glow of a Moment Remembered

2010-02-13T17:03:00.018-05:00

Today is the 3rd year anniversary of the day my dad died.
Although it is not a celebration in me, it is a steady and strong pull to consciously connect to my memories of our shared life, but most importantly for me, to remember that day in particular as we gathered around him while he lay giving us the gift of saying "good bye."

That memory is one of the clearest and most defining moments I'd ever been privilege to witness in my father.
He became a true HERO to me that late afternoon, February 13, 2007.

Our family old & young, gathered around his hospital bed – this man who was our father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and his favorite role husband to Betty – sending him all our love, expressing our gratitude to him, wishing for his safe journey, and reassurancing him that we would care for Mom and one another in his physical absence. So much love extended that this small, gray hospital room began to radiate a golden, calm, peaceful light. A moment in time that was a tangible and precious gift in the midst of long-held suffering and deep grief.

Months before his death, I promised in the presence of my dad that I would return to hospice end-of-life care of the spirit again one day. Sensing my father's once earthly impatience, the time has come as I begin in the one arena I'm most challenged - writing and editing...my community's hospice volunteer newsletter.

Being completely motivated since too early this morning I've nearly completed my first solo edition. And in the mix of reading, editing, and coaching my inner editor I found the most beautiful video on "Grief Rituals."

This post is also dedicated to all of my family and heart-friends who share themselves so openly and completely. You too are my inspiration for discovering new pathways to healing our hearts as we support one another during that last adventure that someday we all will take. Heart-hugs, kim

I invite you to watch this moving permission slip to fully and uniquely communicate, express, and ultimately soothe into healing our anticipatory grief in the time surrounding the death, dying and bereavement process.

***To mute music played on my blog, just go up along the right sidebar until you see the black playlist, and push the pause button-It should be quiet now.***

Pink Floyd, I tell ya!

2010-02-06T00:41:00.010-05:00

"Wish You Were Here"

Wes (and Nathan, not seen here as he's wearing his invisibility cloak,) performed an inspiring rendition.
They are half the foursome of The Gentlemen of Society)

Congratulations on placing top-three!

And Wes, keep singing!

february thirteenth will mark three years

2010-02-05T23:11:00.014-05:00

This Winter of your life will pass,

as all seasons do.
Stay in your season of Winterness as long as need be,
for everything you feel is appropriate.
There is no right way to grieve.
There is just your way.
It will take as long is it takes.

~ Rusty Berkus, from To Heal Again

In memory of my dad
Kenneth Russell Snyder, Sr.
Because we were fortunate and took the time before his death to tell each other,
Thank You
Please Forgive Me
I Forgive You
I Love You
&
Goodbye,

I know my dad knew my heart
(but it bears repeating,)
as time being the teacher it is, there is something I never got to tell him ~

Dad,

It was never any secret that I thought you were
the most challenging person in my life
and too often, the biggest pain in my butt.

In turn, too often, I was yours!

Because I hadn't learned it yet,
something I wasn't able to tell you before
the Winter of your life passed
is that

you
have also been

one of my greatest teachers in the lessons of

acceptance

forgiveness

Thank you, Dad.
I'll be forever grateful.

Peace

love, kimberly ~

View other entries related to dragonflies, dads & daughter

* http://ourheartcenteredlife.blogspot.com/2007/05/since-my-fathers-fairly-sudden-death.html

* http://ourheartcenteredlife.blogspot.com/2008/02/blessings-dadi-love-you.html

* http://ourheartcenteredlife.blogspot.com/2008/04/thursday-thirteenkenneth-russell-snyder.html

* http://ourheartcenteredlife.blogspot.com/2009/04/february-marked-two-years-since-my.html

* http://ourheartcenteredlife.blogspot.com/2006/10/yesterday-i-took-opportunity-to-visit.html

MASTER OF CEREMONIES, YOU ASK?

2010-02-05T08:28:00.004-05:00

The Gentlemen of Society will emcee tonight's "Belfast's Got Talent" musical talent show.

These guys not only play & sing like they're on the "American Idol" tour, but they entertain us with hysterical lyrics, on stage shenanigans, and genuine Gentlemen-like FUN!

Congratulations, Gentlemen of Society...Let the entertainment begin!

Mom, Look what the Daily Om had to say about your upcoming move!!!

2010-02-02T08:06:00.001-05:00

February 2, 2010
Honoring Passing Spaces Saying Good-bye to a Home

Saying good-bye to a home or space is an important part of moving forward. It gives us a sense of completion.

When we move from one residence to another, we often get so caught up in the forward thrust of where we are going that we forget to properly say good-bye to the home we are leaving behind. Yet saying good-bye is an important part of moving forward. It gives us a sense of completion so that we are able to fully inhabit our new space, having left nothing of ourselves behind in the old one. In this way, we honor the space that has held and nurtured us. At the same time, we cleanse it and empty it of our energy so that the new residents can make the space theirs.

Plan a walk through your home that begins and ends at the front door. Ideally, you will be alone or accompanied only by a person who shared the space with you. Prepare yourself mentally to be as present as you can during this process. As you enter the house, you might say, “I have come to thank you for being my home and to say good-bye.” You might touch the walls with your hands as you move through the house, or you might burn sage as an offering, as well as an energy cleanser. Spend some time in each room expressing your gratitude and gathering or releasing any lingering energy from the room. As you do this, you are freeing your home to embrace its new occupants. Remember to visit your outside spaces as well. Plants are especially sensitive to the energy around them and will appreciate your consideration.

As you make your way back to the front door, know that you have completed your final journey through your home and that you have honored and blessed it with this ritual of farewell. As you close and lock the door behind you, say one last good-bye. Now you can walk freely into your future and fully inhabit the new spaces that will keep you safe and warm.

CONGRATULATIONS MOM & MCCOY...LET THE FUTURE BEGIN!

Rrrrrng....It's for you, it's Healing on the line!

2010-01-31T18:20:00.002-05:00

“Accept the pain, cherish the joys, resolve the regrets; then can come the best of benedictions..."

Joan McIntosh

And so it has mostly been in the

"resolving of regret"

that the purest form of blessings

have this way come

Cow'woman' Boots...Redlicious!

2010-01-17T19:42:00.001-05:00

Can I simply confess here and now that wearing these red ~~cowboy~~ ~~cowgirl~~ cowWoman boots makes me feel sooooooooooo good!
If I could wear them to sleep, know that I would. Larry might not take too kindly to being impaled by red pointy toed footware –– so it's probably a good thing I don't have spurs –– yet!

The Way I Pray

2010-01-15T14:53:00.002-05:00

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it."

~ Helen Keller

So not to impose my will onto their spirits,
I'm send my thoughts in the form of
loving kindness
&
that they be free from unnecessary suffering

Believing

their strength of spirit

will figure out the rest

Today's Red says, "Exhale, passionately in all directions!"

2010-01-15T14:21:00.004-05:00

2010

RED

Journal entry ~

Jan 13th, 1:31am

have had the red book, on my night stand for over a month now, but had no idea what it was about or that it was totally, completely, unfreak'n - believably seeping into my consciousness the entire time i slept with my head only inches from its juicy content.

without ever cracking the binder, it already has changed my life & has made me a better woman –– the divine Red spark that i'm still becoming.

so, [note to self] you've been 100% correct all along. the really important book don't necessarily need to be read with the eyes alone-so long as the night stand is close enough for all the wisdom to jump into my mind-body-spirit as i dream the nightimes into sunrises.

my new woman crush and heroine for ~~my life, this year, this week,~~ this post –– Sera Beak, author of The Red Book and website/blogger owner of Spiritual Cowgirl.

I feel like Sera offers permission slips to those of us who haven't quite discovered with conviction that we now call them, confetti!

Who doesn't love a man in high heels?

2010-01-15T09:02:00.006-05:00

Really, who doesn't love a man in high heels?

It's the he's got better makeup & hairstyle than I do that pushes my buttons.

I don't have the energy or time in my life to be jealous of a middle aged man's calf muscles and toner –– I mean, come on! Don't we women have enough to contend with.
Like ––

Making sure we eat everything in sight to insure we don't end up looking like this ...

I'm currently setting up a "Sandwich Paypal"

Please send this model a sandwich –– You know you want to!

I'm Wired!

2010-01-14T10:31:00.012-05:00

Do you think Larry & Wes suspected an ulterior motive when on Christmas morning they opened their shared gift from me –– a complete boxed set of the HBO series, The Wire? I certainly hope not. And beings this is my blog and they have a hard time pretending they listen to me when I'm in the same room, well fat chance that cat will get let out of the bag.

Truly a guilty pleasure, The Wire is freaking awesome!

From the gritty story lines; fast paced dialogues; disturbing yet insightful peek into albeit made for TV, but depicts true-to-life urban drug gang culture, this series has made it to my top 5.

The Wire has some of the best characters. From the savvy entrepreneur,

~~drop dead gorgeous hot~~ impeccably dressed Stringer Bell

–– to now one of my favorite bad guys, "you feel me?" Omar

–– to the tug-your-heartstrings compassionate crack head Bubbles

–– to a family man through and through – Avon Barksdale.

If you can take the violence, blood, political corruption, drunken police department, and nonstop expletive language, well by all means stop by & pull up a couch cushion on Monday evenings when we'll be watching –– just after we play Jeopardy with Alex Trebek, of course.

Posts and Catching Up...Coming Soon to this Blog Near You!

2010-01-05T16:35:00.000-05:00

So much blogging, so little time...
So glad I didn't make any resolutions regarding my inept posting!

Doing my Happy Dance . . . Went broke during our annual holiday shopping trip to Portland, but had a ton of fun!

2009-12-16T00:49:00.003-05:00

Unconscious Mutterings

2009-12-13T09:00:00.004-05:00

Up :on the housetop reindeer pause...

Scram! :bled eggs, bacon, toast with jam!

Smell :...sniff, sniff...are those chocolate chips I smell?

Belong :Maine is where I belong

Doug :is smug as a bug in a rug

Collar :––right, gotta remember to get a new holiday one for Stella

Squirrel :Nutkin

Chinese :Drunken Noodle Bowl

Tracker :of snow & mud into the house- not my favorite time of year!

Apartment :rent control

Healing Engeries placed on whisper sent on an exhale . . .

2009-12-12T22:24:00.018-05:00

“The more fully we give our energy, the more it returns to us.”
Buddha

For Baby Alyse

For Jake and his journey over life's threshold

For Kathleen as you say goodbye and hold your own daughter-heart in this time of transition and letting go

image from http://www.reikicolorado.org/learn.html

~ If one eats enough snowflakes, seems a surety they'll be beautiful on the inside ~

2009-12-11T16:34:00.005-05:00

Patty: Try to catch snowflakes on your tongue. It's fun.

Linus Van Pelt: Mmm. Needs sugar.

Lucy Van Pelt: It's too early. I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January.

Linus Van Pelt: They sure look ripe to me.

Wes, just another little reminder why I don't take you driving...

2009-11-16T16:05:00.003-05:00

*** Skip down & Pause my sidebar music player before playing this short clip ****

...because that could have been a Volvo and your mother in the driver's seat...wouldn't be so funny then, huh?

Dear Mom,

2009-11-14T00:02:00.003-05:00

I LOVE YOU

I don't always

call to tell you

even though I feel this way
every day,

all day long!

Precious Ache ~ Remembering

2009-11-12T08:21:00.001-05:00

The Dragonfly

Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads,

there lived a little water beetle in a community of water

beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond

with few disturbances and interruptions.

Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of

their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and

would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their

friend was dead, gone forever.

Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge

to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would

not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what

he had found at the top.

When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the

surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so

warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body

changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful

blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body

designed for flying.

So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole

new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never

known existed.

Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking

by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and

explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been

before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended.

But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could

not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he

understood that their time would come, when they, too, would

know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off

into his joyous new life!

~Author Unknown~

Not sure if There Will Be Blood, but I'm damn certain There Will Never Be Two More Adorable Oil Men

2009-11-06T11:25:00.005-05:00

(An Opera House Video Joint Production Photograph)

Maine, Let's Show California How It's Done . . Vote No on 1

2009-10-27T08:02:00.014-04:00

. . . and so they too lived happily ever after. The End ~

Should I ever tote my martini drink'n, occasional cigar light'n, pirate mouth talk'n self to the house of somebody's Lord, I'd choose Rev Kate's crib!

2009-10-26T15:50:00.006-04:00

Marriage Equality in Maine is No.1 on our November ballots.

It has to pass because I used up all my tears when Wes decided to embark on the institutional learning journey, sophomore year in high school.
I have no more tears to cry, and cry I would should this civil right be revoked!
But like I said, no tears left.

Today I read Rev. Kate Winter's guest column which I truly appreciated and would like to share with you. Reverend Kate's God is the kind of God I'd have on my side should I decide some day what my true belief system actually is...but until then, I'll borrow her compassionate heart and wish upon a star that her God either Blogs or Facebooks with all the other Gods!

Thank you, Rev Kate - see you on Christmas Eve when Larry & Sharon ~~drag us kicking and screaming~~ invite us to your service before we can drink wine and eat shrimp as is their family Christmas Eve tradition.

Waldo County Village Soup guest column, Gay Marriage: A gift to us all...

not < or >, but =

2009-10-24T19:59:00.004-04:00

Unschooler + Renegade Schooler =
A Radical Life Learner!

ren·e·gade (rěn'ĭ-gād')
Renegades are the people with their own philosophies
They change the course of history
Everyday people like you and me
We're the renegades we're the people
With our own philosophies
We change the course of history
Everyday people like you and me

~Rage Against The Machine

. . . and a wide smile crosses the unschooling mama's face.

2009-09-24T15:34:00.005-04:00

"He's a thoughtful reader, he adds a lot of insight to
discussions, he works well with everybody--I really can't say enough good
things about him. I hope his transition to the high school is smooth and
that he's doing as well in his other classes as he is in mine."

and he is!

An Autumn Morning ~~ I Think of You, Kelly

2009-09-18T09:23:00.016-04:00

There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound
~ Diana Cortes

HEY, WE JUST HAPPEN TO KNOW THIS GUY WHO JUST TURNED 16...MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD OF HIM ?

2009-09-03T07:59:00.043-04:00

HE

. . .BELIEVES BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER

. . . HE'S A RADICAL LEARNER

. . .IS IN LOVE WITH BEAUTY--(WILD INNER BEAUTY!)

. . .WAS THESPIAN (til he turned the camera around!)

. . .IS A FRIEND TO ALL SPECIES

. . . EXPLORER OF LAND & SEAS

. . . KNOWN FOR HIS ATHLETIC AGILITY

. . .POSSIBLY A FUTURE IN FILMMAKING (ya think?)

. . .OR THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

. . . HE'S A COOL

. . .HAS APPRECIATION FOR LIFE'S FINER NUANCES

. . . HE AINT HEAVY, HE'S A BROTHER

. . .ALWAYS THE PEACE MAKER

. . .IS SECURE WITH THE PHRASE & DISPLAYS OF, "I LOVE YOU MAN"

. . .AND REGARDLESS OF THIS AWESOMENESS, HE'LL ALWAYS BE OUR BABY

Happy, Happy 16th Birthday Wes! You are so loved!

Wonder What's Hanging in Editing Balance?

2009-08-30T13:07:00.016-04:00

LUKE AND WES COLLABORATE ON THE SUMMER '09 FILM....
Then it's off to college for Luke, and Wes decided to hit the ground running and give traditional high school a go. He enters as a sophomore Wednesday, the day before his 16th birthday!

HMMMM.....WHAT'S HE GOT UP HIS SLEEVE NOW ? ? ?

Cellular Primal Energies ReAwaken

2009-08-25T09:37:00.012-04:00

ONE week from today, SIXTEEN years ago, September 3, 1993, on the most profound cellular level I understood my connection to the deepest part of my primal nature . . . . . . I gave birth.

Back then, those blissful earliest minutes, hours, day, days, week, weeks I often felt an unshakable sense of knowing––what my beating heart, "where there's now one there will be two,"would need of me.
Keenly intuitive to this new soft breath, hushed murmurs at the breast, night feeding squeaks in our family bed. One rip-my-heart-from-my-chest-whimper turned tear-streaked face cry set my ear closer to this tiny body...listening, deeply listening for distinction.

Even learning his would-be foreign language we seemed to communicate with undeniable TRUST. As close and connected as time did grace us, even bridging the language barrier until we were fluent, damn if there weren't countless times over the years when I became debilitated by fear that I was losing ground. I didn't feel prepared or confident that I knew or would know what he needed as he grew more and more independent–––I was lacking that earlier and undeniable primal TRUST.

After a long night of insomnia and sharing countless memories with my pillow I am confident I, still more often than not, don't have a fucking clue what's going to become of what comes next . . .BUT,

With grace and guidance from that once seven pound, seven ounce flesh and wonder, what I learned in my unshakable primal heart is that TRUSTING HIM has always been the key.

. . . and sleep will come to this mother's "where there's now one there will be two"––HEARTS

Partial song lyric quote from Indigo Girls, "Love Will Come to You"

When It Seems Nobody Is Hiring...Grab Your Thick Skin And Get On Downtown

2009-08-21T15:26:00.004-04:00

After Jake & Wes's previous successful musical payouts on a downtown corner,
Wes, Pender, and John decided to pan their compassionate, humanitarian sides.

Feeling a bit blue today? Want to get something off your chest?

We'll stand here and take your verbal abuse, you'll feel better, and possibly we'll earn a days pay as donations are appreciated.

These guys have my admiration, some of my money...but mostly THEY'VE GOT MOXIE !!!

One Might Say I've Grown Rather Fond of Wes's Nikon Digital

2009-08-19T14:03:00.020-04:00

Oh yes I did . . .

An evening, water side view of our home using a camera setting I know nothing about, but gives a cool blue effect. . .

The moon hugs the dead one . . .

Another night rises . . .

Hot Nightlight . . .

Friendship, s'mores, and music––what more could our deck hope for?

. . . OK, truthfully, a good stain job and some nail pounding!

A shot of Main Street which I really like for some reason . . .

Two musicians who work the corner of High & Main . . .

My just about to turn 16-year-old son being his awesomeness . . .

A flower I MUST have in my garden next year because it is amazingly cool . . .

Steve'O who must return to our deck summer after summer to perform his belly laugh that instantly becomes contagious to any adult within ear-shot . . .

Wes swims in the biggest pool we've ever not owned . . .

Our favorite place when we're not at home or on a friends boat, THREE TIDES...Best Brew, Best Oysters, Best Staff, Best of the Best Owners, and when we're hunting down all our Best Friends, we find them here Tuesday––Sunday . . .

Singing on the Streets is SWEEET!

2009-08-18T12:14:00.002-04:00

Wes and Jake play the corner during last nights first Belfast Block Party!
It was a profitable eve for the gents...$103

Recently someone said (in jest, of course,) "Wes, get a haircut...and a job!"
One out two ain't bad, huh Wes?

2009-08-06T15:14:00.008-04:00

Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world. ~Ada Louise Huxtable

HUMMING ZEN

2009-07-31T12:28:00.003-04:00

LET YOUR TRUE COLORS GROW...

DON'T GET YOUR FEATHERS RUFFLED OVER LITTLE THINGS...

JUST WING IT...

SIP THE SWEET MOMENTS...HOVER IN THE MOMENT, APPRECIATE ITS SWEETNESS!

All food tastes better at the picnic table!

2009-07-22T12:28:00.004-04:00

children of the corn--Mariah & Wes

a new friendship blossoms--Mom & McCoy

nothing like a lobster feed mess, outside!!

One of the most beautiful days we've had thus far this summer was spent deck side enjoying steamed lobsters, corn, mussels, and strawberry shortcake with my mom, Betty, and her new and dear friend, McCoy. That's right friends, The Real McCoy!

We had a lovely day of getting to know McCoy a bit and then stuffed him full of Maine lobster with a doggie bag for a next day's lunch of fresh lobster salad!

Mom is so happy and we all love knowing that there is a special someone in her world who can bring out her beautiful smile!

Through Their Eyes...

2009-07-21T18:56:00.005-04:00

I have looked into your eyes with my eyes. I have put my heart near your heart.

Pope John XXIII

when i dig a little deeper...

2009-07-12T16:06:00.007-04:00

it's not always easy to change my perspective, but there are times when a closer look actually widens the view, revealing the reward

Hey, Look, it's Tom and Traci....but more importantly...It's Thomas with a TAN (which could only mean he's living near the SUN!)

2009-06-30T17:14:00.004-04:00

I'd Like to Thank my Mom for the "Green Thumb" Gene

2009-06-19T01:02:00.011-04:00

My gardens are overflowing with buds, blooms, and fragrance.
Before the torrential rain came I spent an afternoon intentionally walking the stone path weaved throughout the beds. I was again impressed by the tenacity of seemingly fragile things that not only survive our harsh coastal winters, but thrive & multiply as they await the Sun's gift.

I've been spending more time just admiring the diversity of the plants and noticing just how quickly they change––small buds, bigger buds, just opening, fully open, bursting blooms, petal by petal drop away...and I turn around just in time to see a whole new plant begin it's similar cycle.

Really, Sun, I need some of your time shining on these beauties...then I'll pass the day away reading, smelling, and smiling on that weathered wooden bench in a sea of color

Colby, Here She Comes...

2009-06-18T11:42:00.014-04:00

CONGRATULATIONS, MARIAH!

Honoring all your accomplishments, successes, struggles, triumphs...and all you haven't even dared to dream yet!

Damn!

2009-06-16T16:39:00.007-04:00

I went searching for new tunes to make lawn mowing less like creating crop circles, and to my delight heard a new (to me) Rob Thomas song. I'm never coming down off the mower!

Don't get me wrong, ladies...This is strictly a MUSIC CRUSH!
You know when an artist gets under your skin and can make you feel like dancing, singing, swaying, sighing, and/or riding your mower over every neighbors lawn just to keep the momentum going and learn every lyric before the gas runs out!

Really, Rob and I are strictly platonic!

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

...yeah, right!

He's Got the Music in Him

2009-06-12T18:39:00.004-04:00

Wes rocks a drum solo at a recent fund raising event for his friend, Nathan

...wait for it

...Yeah!

...Endorphin Smile!

Wes and Jake beautifully perform, The General by Dispatch

I cherish this picture in particular these days...

What I truly love about these guys is their honest to goodness Man-Love...it's authentic and wonderful!

Full Moon Fiest

2009-06-07T14:02:00.010-04:00

If I hear one more skeptical, traditional educator or smart ass ignoramus give unsolicited comment on how my kid and other young home-based-learners are disadvantaged socially due to the isolated lifestyles imposed through a pedagogy they obviously know jack about,

well...I might be drawn to the dark side of mothering and....

A Truly Heart Centered Couple...

2009-06-06T09:28:00.004-04:00

Wes escorted Mariah to her Senior Ball and as is their usual "style" they were stunning together. Mariah's dress style you might recognize if you saw Keira Knightly in Atonement...and Wes, well you be the judge...!!

We Certainly Got a Bang for Our New York Film Academy Buck$$$

2009-06-01T19:44:00.007-04:00

Another FUN, FUNNY, movie by Wes Sterrs (and our surrogate son, Pender)

Wes and Pender have entered "Late Fees" in a local film competition with the Belfast Filmmaking Group. The screenings will be Thursday, June 3rd...This film seems to have a big following and surprisingly most of the cast (with the exception of Stella, she's got another gig,) and many local viewers plan on attending said screening in hopes of voting, cheering, and cinching a WIN!

Best of luck to the cast and crew and creators of "Late Fees"

He Signed It!!! He really Signed It!!!

2009-05-07T20:38:00.002-04:00

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today signed into law LD 1020, An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom.

May 6, 2009

...“I have followed closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully,” Governor Baldacci said. “I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste.”

...“It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

...“While the good and just people of Maine may determine this issue, my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do,” Governor Baldacci said.

He Signed It!!!

Creativity Doesn't Have a Bedtime!

2009-05-04T09:48:00.015-04:00

Just Another Example of Why We Haven't and Can't in Good Conscience Impose Bedtimes...What begins as a spark at 10pm may not fully ignite until 3am!

(...and I just couldn't be responsible for the demise of such potential)

An Exerpt from the Documentary on Service Learning , 2008

2009-05-04T08:19:00.005-04:00

Last year Wes was immersed in a project with Time For Belfast and The Toddy Pond School(a very small, but wonderful independent thinking/learning school in Swanville, ME)

I've posted photographs and written a bit about how wonderful the experience was for Wes and hopefully I included how wonderful it was for me as well.

The movie was filmed in HD and premiered at our local theater, The Colonial.
It is really a "gem" and I wish I could play it here...sigh.

After the movie was completed the producers, Caleb Crosby and Ruth McVane, filmed the follow-up documentary which is incredibly wonderful as well. It gives voice to all the children/teens involved in the movie's process and as well we get to hear from their parents about this open, creative, and much needed model in the sphere of institutionalized learning.

Although Wes is not a traditional student in a traditional learning environment, he grew a great deal from the experience of working with professional filmmakers as well as with all the students (homeschoolers as well.)

This is just a clip from the documentary which is fun as it plays back and forth between Wes and me answering questions related to our experience during the making of the film.

I can't believe how much he's grown in under a year...yes, physically, at nearly 6'3", but even more evident is his depth of character and ever enriched life learning!

2009-04-30T08:01:00.003-04:00

February marked two years since my father's sudden death. From time to time I've written bits about my experience and process before and during his dying. But I've not spent much time thinking about my relationship to my bereavement process. It's mostly been organic as I leave it be to compost and wait to see what might push through the dark layers of the complexity that was our life together.

And just as effortlessly as I've invited the grieving in, something creative and connective came up through the layers just as my dad's death anniversary approached.

Even now I will be challenged to put in writing something that most of this time I was at a loss for words to explain.

MAINE, LET'S GET THIS RIGHT...PLEASE!

2009-04-26T10:42:00.004-04:00

Bill would allow same-sex marriage in Maine

(CNN) -- A Maine lawmaker introduced a bill on Tuesday that would allow same-sex marriages in the state.
A bill introduced in Maine would having it join two other New England states in allowing same-sex marriages.

A bill introduced in Maine would having it join two other New England states in allowing same-sex marriages.

Democratic state Sen. Dennis Damon's bill is entitled "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedoms." It would allow any two people in Maine to apply for a marriage license.

Mary Bonauto, a Maine resident and civil rights project director for the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), held a news conference Tuesday to show support for the bill.

"Loving, committed same-sex couples in my home state deserve all the rights and responsibilities of marriage," she said.

Wes Rocks It on Stage at the 26th Annual Belfast POPS Concert!

2009-04-06T12:30:00.010-04:00

It may have been but a month ago that Wes announced he'd be joining Mariah and her fellow high school students on stage for the much loved POPS Concert. I confess, I was really surprised!

Wes began hour long, flexible once a week bass lessons with our friend Jason just a few months ago. He bought a bass, then decided he liked Jason's electric guitar better, so secured a loan from his dad for a used electric guitar. Soon he found a Black Keys song that he thought would be great to play at the annual high school concert. Mariah would play her last solo on a saxophone that's just shy of her 5'2" height as she is off to Colby College in the fall. Wes went in search of a singer and a drummer to share the stage for one act. He practiced this tune less than I imagined he needed, but enough to keep it vibrating the house and ringing in my head, daily.

If Wes had a stomach full of butterflies, he didn't let on. I imagine he channeled them into the energy he brought to the stage ~ steady, thoughtful, and open to the fun that building rhythm and a cheering audience would bring.

In the letting go of a child boyhood and learning to trust the wisdom that each new developmental stage brings, we keep growing one amazing human being!

Filmmaker, artist, creative writer, and who knew(?)...ROCK STAR
He's definitely got the hair!

A thought I have a lot these days is how through those early years and for many years he watched us, his parents, and learned through imitation, patience, guidance. And now I know without a shadow of a doubt that those tables have turned and it is I who learn every day from a shining example who takes risks not imagining failure or being held back from fear. Our children most definitely are our greatest teachers.

Two Guys and a Girl

2009-04-02T03:19:00.011-04:00

Late night shenanigans on testosterone

Just like the prize at the bottom of a Cracker Jacks box

I'm thinking the New MOD SQUAD!
(I seriously just dated myself, didn't I?)

I'll Have a Cup of Contemplation with the Cafe Mocha, Please

2009-03-04T10:26:00.007-05:00

A morning examining struggle~

Imagining where the invisible boundaries lie~
Angst
Teenage angst
Invisible anger
just not so invisible~

Deciding to let roll off my back
each new rush cutting a gorge down my spine
or
building a boundary
a feminine fortress
shelter from the storm

I wonder if the mortar
can withstand another two to three years
?

It's all about the Cake!

2009-02-28T11:05:00.016-05:00

this has gotta be the cutest cake I've ever seen!

Inertia, it's the only {lame} excuse I have for not posting Happy Birthday sentiments to the wonderful women in my life, whose birthdays fell in February. But before the clock strikes midnight and out like a lion in like a lamb begins, here's some cake for these birthday Goddesses...please have a piece and leave a birthday wish if you like...

Betty, my mom ~ born February 11th

Aunt Connie ~ born February 15th
Because she just became a Grandma, I gift her, Babycakes!

Corinne, gorgeous soul mate friend ~ born February 18th

Although I'm not quite sure of her date (may possibly be the end of January,)
Mary, one Zenmomma who lives in a garden!

A BACON garden!

And last, but certainly not least...gleefully I've not missed her big day, is
Tiffany, loving, compassionate, the younger version of Goddess ~ born February 28th

Oh Tiff, I'd totally put him on your cake!!

No matter the date, I send you wishes always!

Making Friends with What Is...Blue

2009-02-19T18:36:00.007-05:00

Been having that feeling again...except this year those old familiar blue tones were patiently waiting to greet me in mid February.

The weather certainly isn't in any way uplifting...it snowed sideways most of the day here.

It feels more and more difficult to come out from the blue cavern.

Possibly if I just make friends with my blue phenomenon something blue-ti-ful will take root...

Larry Sterrs...This Post's for YOU!

2009-02-04T00:35:00.017-05:00

Look Honey ... I got'z color!

....See you Saturday! Who can wait???

Inquiring Lurkers Minds Want to Know., "What's up with the Island?"

2009-02-03T21:22:00.030-05:00

My newest blog header ~~was lifted~~ is from a real estate company somewhere in the Bahamas. It's a fairly decent aerial view of "our island"-- Lubbers Quarters Cay nearer the southern end of the chain of Abacos islands in the Bahamas.

Pretty sweet, huh?

For many years our best friends Larry & Sharon have vacationed on various islands in the Bahamas. Their knowledge of these areas and waters, coupled with their desire to some day spend more time in warmer climates, got the men [especially] motivated to explore this once thought "snowball's chance in hell."

Of course it would take a couple "man trips" and exploring several islands before our hunter gatherers struck gold. "Oceanview," as it was named by the previous and only owner, is fast becoming the ~~hideout~~ home away from home that the four of us had only dreamed of owning.

After a long and sometimes tedious international land/home purchase we've only just begun to enjoy vacations at Oceanview. And so far it's been a vacation grab bag of sorts with mutual friends joining Larry & Sharon for their 25th wedding anniversary two years ago, or Larry and Sharon alone, or us and them. But I confess my favorite would be "the man trip" that Larry, Larry, and Wes have taken a few times now...well, it will have been my favorite until Saturday when Sharon & I meet up the husbands and spend a week together island ~~heavily medicating ourselves with Kalik, Bahamian beer~~ hopping!

There's so much more to say about this watery slice of heaven, but I need to cram more less than 4oz contraband into that ridiculous postage-stamp size baggy!

...And if you can stand to look, come back for photos of our "full moon at Cracker P's Bar & Grill" and any PG13 rated pics[as if!] of Bahama shenanigans!

Having Not Read the Script, I can Only Imagine What Fresh Hell Awaits...!

2009-02-02T09:03:00.020-05:00

Another short film by Wes Sterrs...Still in production, but coming soon...to a computer screen near you!

Wes, Writer/Director/Cinematographer/Deer in the Headlight

Mariah, Wes, & The Clacker...It's the little details!

It's getting creepy. And they haven't left our house to go shoot yet!

Mariah begins Sam's makeup

Sam, Mariah, & shenanigans from the director

OK, officially creepy!

Now on location, Mariah morphs Pender

Wes really sinks his teeth into this movie...

Cast & Crew...Woody, Mariah, Wes, and poor, poor Pender

Mariah, makeup artist/actress/bestest, best girlfriend to Wes

They make the cutest couple!

Yikes, I hope this isn't a spoiler...Woody commands The Ramen!

Ha! Pender checks the ~~fine print in his contract~~ script.

Awesomeness! Is anybody getting the whole momma pride thing here?

Oscar headline reads, "Headless Director Takes Best Picture"

Ok, so nutritional value isn't a high priority after hours & hours of hair, makeup, and filming. Amazing job Wes, Mariah, Pender & Sam!

‘A New Birth of Freedom’

2009-01-20T11:07:00.001-05:00

If you want to be important — wonderful.
If you want to be great — wonderful.
But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
That's a new definition of greatness ...
by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.
You don't have to have a college degree to serve.
You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve.
You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve.
You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.
And you can be that servant.

an excerpt from a sermon Dr. King delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga

The Blog Quote of the Moment...

2009-01-20T10:50:00.002-05:00

And while Mrs. G. is thrilled her party's candidate won, this inauguration, in her mind, transcends politics. On Tuesday, she will be sitting on her couch watching a black man raise his right hand, flanked by his beautiful black family, and she will cry.

And while she cries, she will think: hey racism...

in your fucking face.

I Remember When...

2009-01-16T20:52:00.003-05:00

When Wes was a toddler and fully immersed in perfecting his gross motor skills from sun up to sun down, I recall wondering if he would ever ~~sit for 5 seconds so mommy could catch her breath~~ want to draw or paint.

I remember silently wishing he'd at least take to coloring so I too could color an afternoon away.

And not that he ever neglected his gross motor development, but he did begin to show increasing interest in stories...or better, writing them. Actually, in the beginning he'd draw the story on computer paper then ask Dad or me to write the words on the pages for him...oh, and then staple the pages like a book--he didn't know how to use a stapler yet.

On his own terms and in his own time, he developed and refined those fine motor skills and isn't ever farther than an arms length from a big blank drawing book.

We've always admired his tenacity, his attention to detail and albeit frustrating as it was at times for him mostly, but dad & mom too...well, let's just say he's mastered that stapler!

Mariah, lost in Wes's new parka

Drawn by Wes while playing Jeopardy with mom & dad

icicles & sea smoke

2009-01-16T12:20:00.006-05:00

sea smoke view from our bedroom window this morning

shine a little light on me

shadow reverence

before...now you see it...

bidding adieu

after...now you don't...

...the calm at the end of the day

We Love Video Games! They Teach...They Connect Us...They Challenge...They Give Us Reason to Laugh at with Dad!

2009-01-09T17:20:00.001-05:00

Proof is in the pictures...

...a brief tutorial for a first timer

...Sterrs men Rock!

...Nicole & Mariah bring on the feminine power

...Ad brings it home!

...Mariah, the only one who actually has any musical training (she's very patient)

...or maybe proof is on Larry/Dad's face!

"Button" Up...Oh, I See We Have a Tie for Blog Award Button Friday...

2009-01-09T07:45:00.011-05:00

And the winners are my West Coast friends, Kelly of "She's in Transition" and Mary of Zenmomma's Garden!

These women, mothers, wives, Goddesses are breaths of fresh air and my life has been deeply enriched by having met them through ~~a random act of Goggle~~ a meticulous Blogger search.

I'm enrolled in their distance learning program (Blog Tech 909, Passionate Unschooling-the Teen Years, and Smile Wrinkles-They're so In!) I hope to be a ~~daily blog stalker~~ perpetual student of their for as long as is perpetual's definition.

Congratulations Mary & Kelly...

Happy Birthday, SETH!

2009-01-07T17:23:00.003-05:00

I've been attempting a birthday post to my friend, Seth, but have been receiving an irritating message which says something to the effect that my image quota is full...wtf?

Seth, in spite of Blogger I wish you a wonderful birthday full of:

...great food (insert visualization of beautiful filet mignon dinner platter,)...
...perfectly mixed Stoli & cranberry juice (insert visualization of Stoli bottle and the perfect pink hue in an iced filled glass,)...
...one kick ass birthday cake(insert visualization of decadent three layer chocolate ganache cake complete with ALL the candles,)...
...and of course insert image from your most recent memories of a room full of crazy, lovable, loyal good friends and one crazy-about-YOU husband!

Hope you enjoyed our Solid Gold Dancer's rendition of 'Appy Birdday'...sung despite clogged ears and stuffy noses!

Hugs,
Team Sterrs!

Broth is Beautiful

2009-01-04T15:36:00.006-05:00

"Good broth will resurrect the dead," says a South American proverb. Said Escoffier: "Indeed, stock is everything in cooking. Without it, nothing can be done."

Tomorrow I begin the two and a half day FAST that I've been putting off since early November. In the beginning I thought I was just procrastinating the IVP procedure, but now I'm certain it's the "clear liquids" and "just say no to pasta" that has me eating my way through the weekend like a voracious lioness!

It's probably a given that spaghetti is on the menu for supper tonight...spaghetti with sautéed mushrooms, peas, chicken and Alfredo sauce. And on the back burner: chicken carcass, herbs, onion, carrots, celery stalks, etc...hopefully, a beautiful broth a'brew'n

Charlie's Christmas Angels...Not!

2009-01-03T14:00:00.004-05:00

A Solistice Blessing to My Family & Friends...I Wish You Peace, Love & Light

2008-12-22T20:19:00.003-05:00

SOLSTICE

dawn creeps in
crystal clear
intrepid
yet
calm

endings
become
beginnings

savor this juncture
for the road ahead
is long
and arduous

but in this moment
all things
are possible

© 1997 Judy Anne

Wes, where's O'Tannenbaum???

2008-12-18T15:47:00.004-05:00

Tannenbaum '07 was so cool...can't wait to see Tannenbaum '08

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY....

2008-12-03T17:56:00.009-05:00

...marvelous

...awesome

...real

...inspriring

..."a" student

...hip & happy!

Happy Birthday Mariah!

We love you!

Rest for the Weary...

2008-12-01T19:37:00.002-05:00

or...as soon as creativity synapses spark!