Even on the clearest of Seattle mornings I can often see the fog rolling away over the ocean, while the smell of fresh fish still lingers on the morning dew. I live near Ballard and the docks where the Deadliest Catch boats tie up, and gruff fisherman unload their loot. Mornings when I wake up with the windows open, I'm … Continue reading No time for sleep in Seattle
“Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be acheived unless we first establish peace within our own minds. We can send so-called 'peacekeeping forces' into areas of conflict, but peace cannot be oppossed from the outside with guns. Only by creating peace within our … Continue reading Mindful lessons from buddhists
Planning a trip to Washington, D.C. can be a complicated endeavor, especially when 56 students from 12 different countries are involved. When the plans for the trip began some time last October, we began by reaching out to the museums, the White House, Pentagon and the like, explaining our unique group of travelers that would … Continue reading What does it mean to be an American?
In May 2015, I moved from Arizona’s sunniest city to Seattle, Washington. As a perfect summer in Seattle progressed, my worry about the sure to be coming onslaught of rain and dreary winter increased. I likened it to my time waiting for winter in Germany, when I lived on the Eastern side of the country, just a quick skip … Continue reading Seattle in the rain
County Clare, Ireland - Wednesday, September 2010 “I won’t be giving you a ride deary, but I’m happy to give you a lift!” I blushed, immediately realizing what I had just said to the older gentleman bus driver. He was about 5'5 with sparkling blue eyes and wirey gray hair. He had a sharp twinkle in his eye. The passengers … Continue reading A hitch-hikers guide to Ireland
I was lucky enough to see a wonderfully inspiring man speak last year at a conference, you may remember – I talk about it HERE . “Normal?” He pleaded, “who wants to be normal?” His presentation began with a slide picturing three upside-down bats. “Look outside the box, what do hanging bats look like if you … Continue reading How do you embrace diversity?
One sunny Thursday a few weeks ago Brent called me, just as I was heading into the office. “So… EBR shut down, for good,” he said. I could hear the uncertainty on his lips, as if the impossible had just come crashing around him. His dream job had disappeared out from under his feet, over night. … Continue reading Life, this incredible ride
From the passenger seat I watched the front right tire of the jeep roll up, and twist over a big rock in the trail. In the shiny, black metal I could see the reflected red hued mountains in the distance along the desert trail, wrapped up in the endless, clear blue sky above. Our friends followed along in … Continue reading The Hills Do Have Eyes! – Adventure To Big Eye Mine Cabin
I watched Sedona's brightly colored figure dance across the alfalfa fields towards home, fully saddled and bridled, without me. The lyrics to the songs"Ready to Run", and "Cowgirls Don't Cry" flooded my brain. I kicked my boot into the dust and just had to shake my head in disappointment at the scenario. She'd dumped me. I landed on … Continue reading The Bucking Mare
Sometimes I feel that I left my voice in graduate school. Perhaps I left it behind when I learned the German language. I wouldn’t say that I found my voice on my blog, though. My voice was found through four years of school in creative writing classes, and studying abroad in Germany where professors were … Continue reading Where do I find my voice?
Poesie Sans, Souci 