Read the fine print.
What will you do to make a racket about Multiple Chemical Sensitivities?
Showing posts with label MCS Awareness Month. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MCS Awareness Month. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Proclamation: May, 2011 is MCS Month in the state of Washington
"May, 2011 is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Month in Washington State."
Sunday, May 16, 2010
MAKING AN MCS DOCUMENTARY ... A Canary's Angle on the issue from Kimberly Shaw
Notes from Mokihana
Several months ago, maybe a year ago, I received an email from Kimberly Shaw saying she had gotten my name from Susie Collins from The Canary Report. Kimberly was in the early stages of assembling a dream to create a video documentary about MCS, an illness she lives with as well. She was writing to ask if I'd be interested in being interviewed. I remember asking her to read our blogs to get an idea of what our story (ies) are, and then we'd chat, again.
Kimberly Shaw has moved forward with that dream of filming a documentary, and has read our blogs. This 'adventurous canary' has travelled and met many who live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and is coming to visit Pete and JOTS and me this coming Tuesday for lunch and a bit of chatting. She has given me permission to republish the following article as an ANGLE on MCS, originally appearing on The Canary Report.
Kimberly Shaw maintains a contributing blog on The Canary Report and also has her own blog Adventurous Canary. Mahalo Kimberly for this insight into your transofrmative art.
MAKING A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MCS IS DIFFICULT, INSPIRING
By Kimberly Shaw
At a recent film festival someone asked me,”What it is like to make a documentary about MCS while having MCS?” At the time I just expressed it was DIFFICULT! Making a film is a challenge to begin with then add into that the need for a fragrance-free chemical-free film crew, travel (and the stresses involved with traveling with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity!), equipment that will not bother people with sensitivities, concern about protecting and keeping safe the people we are interviewing and then planning how to keep myself safe. It is difficult!
Later, I thought more about the question. Yes, it is difficult, but worthwhile endeavors tend to be challenging. I started this filmmaking journey out of passion: a passion to have people educated and informed about MCS, a passion to have people with MCS heard, and a passion to have the change begin with us. I thought, “I may not be able to do much for those with MCS, but I can do this!”
As it turns out, though, making a documentary about MCS has been one of the greatest learning and growing experiences of my life. I used to think I knew a lot about MCS, but every time I interview someone with MCS, I learn something new. Sometimes the information coming at me is overwhelming. I wish I could do a ten-part series rather than try to convey what needs to be conveyed in one documentary.
With each person with MCS I meet, I am reminded about what is important: clean air, pure water, natural organic food, a safe place to live, community and love. The MCS community is amazing! If you are having a tough day you can always find a MCS friend on Facebook or The Canary Report. We are no longer alone and isolated! We may struggle to have a safe place to live, but we always have a home online with others who understand.
In the process of making the film, I have discovered that people without MCS are interested in learning about MCS. Most people can relate in some small way. They might have a relative or someone they work with who gets headaches from perfume or they know of someone who cannot be around new carpet. They are curious! They are ready to be educated!
Making a documentary about MCS is very inspiring. The people I have met with MCS are strong, talented, amazing people. Everyday is a battle and they are winning (well, most of the time, we all have our bad days!). It reminds me of how far I have come in my journey and that there is always hope. I used to hardly be able to leave the house and now I am traveling and making a documentary!
Next time someone asks me about making a film on MCS while having MCS, I think I will smile and say, “It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life!” However, if they ask me what it is like to attend a film festival with MCS, I will reply, “Difficult!”
Update on the documentary:
We are hoping to finish all the interviews by the end of this summer and have editing done by late October. If you live in any of the following places, have MCS and are willing to be interviewed, please contact me: New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Texas, Seattle, Washington state, Arizona, Maui (or nearby island), California (especially southern CA) or Alaska.
Several months ago, maybe a year ago, I received an email from Kimberly Shaw saying she had gotten my name from Susie Collins from The Canary Report. Kimberly was in the early stages of assembling a dream to create a video documentary about MCS, an illness she lives with as well. She was writing to ask if I'd be interested in being interviewed. I remember asking her to read our blogs to get an idea of what our story (ies) are, and then we'd chat, again.
Kimberly Shaw has moved forward with that dream of filming a documentary, and has read our blogs. This 'adventurous canary' has travelled and met many who live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and is coming to visit Pete and JOTS and me this coming Tuesday for lunch and a bit of chatting. She has given me permission to republish the following article as an ANGLE on MCS, originally appearing on The Canary Report.
Kimberly Shaw maintains a contributing blog on The Canary Report and also has her own blog Adventurous Canary. Mahalo Kimberly for this insight into your transofrmative art.
MAKING A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MCS IS DIFFICULT, INSPIRING
By Kimberly Shaw
At a recent film festival someone asked me,”What it is like to make a documentary about MCS while having MCS?” At the time I just expressed it was DIFFICULT! Making a film is a challenge to begin with then add into that the need for a fragrance-free chemical-free film crew, travel (and the stresses involved with traveling with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity!), equipment that will not bother people with sensitivities, concern about protecting and keeping safe the people we are interviewing and then planning how to keep myself safe. It is difficult!
Later, I thought more about the question. Yes, it is difficult, but worthwhile endeavors tend to be challenging. I started this filmmaking journey out of passion: a passion to have people educated and informed about MCS, a passion to have people with MCS heard, and a passion to have the change begin with us. I thought, “I may not be able to do much for those with MCS, but I can do this!”
As it turns out, though, making a documentary about MCS has been one of the greatest learning and growing experiences of my life. I used to think I knew a lot about MCS, but every time I interview someone with MCS, I learn something new. Sometimes the information coming at me is overwhelming. I wish I could do a ten-part series rather than try to convey what needs to be conveyed in one documentary.
With each person with MCS I meet, I am reminded about what is important: clean air, pure water, natural organic food, a safe place to live, community and love. The MCS community is amazing! If you are having a tough day you can always find a MCS friend on Facebook or The Canary Report. We are no longer alone and isolated! We may struggle to have a safe place to live, but we always have a home online with others who understand.
In the process of making the film, I have discovered that people without MCS are interested in learning about MCS. Most people can relate in some small way. They might have a relative or someone they work with who gets headaches from perfume or they know of someone who cannot be around new carpet. They are curious! They are ready to be educated!
Making a documentary about MCS is very inspiring. The people I have met with MCS are strong, talented, amazing people. Everyday is a battle and they are winning (well, most of the time, we all have our bad days!). It reminds me of how far I have come in my journey and that there is always hope. I used to hardly be able to leave the house and now I am traveling and making a documentary!
Next time someone asks me about making a film on MCS while having MCS, I think I will smile and say, “It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life!” However, if they ask me what it is like to attend a film festival with MCS, I will reply, “Difficult!”
Update on the documentary:
We are hoping to finish all the interviews by the end of this summer and have editing done by late October. If you live in any of the following places, have MCS and are willing to be interviewed, please contact me: New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Texas, Seattle, Washington state, Arizona, Maui (or nearby island), California (especially southern CA) or Alaska.
Artistic Tangents: A Hidden Gift From MCS by Liberty
Thank you Mokihana for providing such a wonderful diversity of categories for this Canary Caravan!
The category that I felt most drawn to was 'Tangents' - in your words, "Tangents are the unexpected and often unplanned paths or off-shoots of a life planned; places and experiences that spontaneously happen because we are human and because MCS might have had something to add to the old 'normal.'"
Prior to having severe MCS, I used acrylic paints and a number of other mixed medias - many of which were high in VOCs and contributed to me developing MCS.
When severe MCS hit, I became unable to use those mediums without becoming very sick. I experienced deep grief over the loss of my ability to paint with the mediums that felt natural to me and with which I was comfortable.
At first, my attempts in these directions were very disappointing and I gave up for a few years.
After getting over the learning hurdle, I am now in love with watercolour as a medium and I don't feel the least bit 'deprived'! I am also growing to love many of the other art forms I've explored that I wouldn't have if not for MCS.
About this Canary Caravan Contributor:
Liberty is a 30-something Canadian who is passionate about the healing power of creative expression (in any form) and blogs at Divinity Withinity - art, creativity, fun as well as sharing her MCS improvements at Moving Beyond MCS.
Photography from the Founder of Planet Thrive... Julie Genser shares her "Portrait of a Life with Chemical Sensitivities"
This photographic contribution to the Canary Caravan Carnival is by Julie Genser, the creator of Planet Thrive.
Notes from Mokihana:
Julie Genser is one more brave and creative EI-MCS siter who has created and founded an on-line community to serve in multiple ways. These photo chronicles are powerful visuals that humble me and fuel my energy to be who I am ... just as I am for my limitations are a structure that is me. It is true for all of us with chronic and all too often invisible illness and disability.
Mahalo Julie for your photo characterization ...
Mokihana
Some details from the above image:
Notes from Mokihana:
Julie Genser is one more brave and creative EI-MCS siter who has created and founded an on-line community to serve in multiple ways. These photo chronicles are powerful visuals that humble me and fuel my energy to be who I am ... just as I am for my limitations are a structure that is me. It is true for all of us with chronic and all too often invisible illness and disability.
Mahalo Julie for your photo characterization ...
Mokihana
Some details from the above image:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
MORE T A P for the Canary Caravan Carnival ... Saturday's Tools, Angels and Poetry
Four more grand submissions grace VardoForTwo with Tools, Angels and Poetry for our second day of MCS Awareness Month here under the tent of the Canary Caravan Carnival.
T is for TANGENT
"Cosmic Pie" is a piece I wrote a while back here on VardoForTwo. Astrology has become a tangent and a tool that I am inspired by and infused with when others ways of understanding fall short. This nibble at the twelve houses of the Natal Chart or "Cosmic Pie" is a tool that helped me to transform despair into a lesson not yet understood. I weave astrology into all parts of my life today. Read it with an open mind, and see what you think.
A is for ANGELS
cj Wright does not live with MCS, I discovered her when I first found astrology bloggers a couple years ago. Over the while I have come to consider her an unexpected, and delightful ally. cj's article, "Entertaining Angels Unawares" is a heart-warming offer of hope. When an eternal optimist looses hope, angels cluster in tight and loving circles. Read this and feel the love that is always present.
P is for POETRY
Daisy O aka Anita Freshair is a Canary living in Olympia Washington. I was first introduced to Daisy when I learned she and her husband were going to build a safe haven home on wheels. Canaries on wheels share a kindred spirit and the process is unique for each of us. Daisy authors a blog documenting her wheelie home progress, and she includes beautifully heart-felt poetry ... like the one she allowed me to republish here on The Canary Caravan Carnival.
P is also for PROSE
Susie Collins is founder and blogger of the online support community and network The Canary Report. I asked Susie to write about her passion that fuels the heart of The Canary Report. Her prose speaks about her collaborative history and gives the online world a look at what makes a 'Canary' such as she. It's a look at an activist and community builder that inspires and serves to make an online personality more real. Thanks, mahalo for this view of yourself, tita.
Many, many mahalos to "Anita Freshair" and Susie Collins for these submissions!
T is for TANGENT
"Cosmic Pie" is a piece I wrote a while back here on VardoForTwo. Astrology has become a tangent and a tool that I am inspired by and infused with when others ways of understanding fall short. This nibble at the twelve houses of the Natal Chart or "Cosmic Pie" is a tool that helped me to transform despair into a lesson not yet understood. I weave astrology into all parts of my life today. Read it with an open mind, and see what you think.
A is for ANGELS
cj Wright does not live with MCS, I discovered her when I first found astrology bloggers a couple years ago. Over the while I have come to consider her an unexpected, and delightful ally. cj's article, "Entertaining Angels Unawares" is a heart-warming offer of hope. When an eternal optimist looses hope, angels cluster in tight and loving circles. Read this and feel the love that is always present.
P is for POETRY
Daisy O aka Anita Freshair is a Canary living in Olympia Washington. I was first introduced to Daisy when I learned she and her husband were going to build a safe haven home on wheels. Canaries on wheels share a kindred spirit and the process is unique for each of us. Daisy authors a blog documenting her wheelie home progress, and she includes beautifully heart-felt poetry ... like the one she allowed me to republish here on The Canary Caravan Carnival.
P is also for PROSE
Susie Collins is founder and blogger of the online support community and network The Canary Report. I asked Susie to write about her passion that fuels the heart of The Canary Report. Her prose speaks about her collaborative history and gives the online world a look at what makes a 'Canary' such as she. It's a look at an activist and community builder that inspires and serves to make an online personality more real. Thanks, mahalo for this view of yourself, tita.
Many, many mahalos to "Anita Freshair" and Susie Collins for these submissions!
PROSE from Founder of The Canary Report ... Susie Collins writes about her passion
Notes from Mokihana
The Canary Report is a very successful and collaborative example of resourcefullness and service with its focus on MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES. "The Canary" is the creation of founder Susie Collins, who lives and blogs from the island of Hawai'i. I found Susie and The Canary in the early days of living back on the North American continent when the symptoms and despair of MCS had us in a swhirl. The blog was smaller then, yet there was support and wide-open arms with the flavor of Hawaii that is always a core of nurturing for me. Here is a piece of prose that I asked Susie to contribute. It's a view of this wahine that fills out the hard-working public relations that she does with the online community that swells with spirit. Susie likes to say, "Together, We are stronger" in Hawaiian that would be Onipa'a Kakou. Mahalo Susie for your expression ... your mana'o.
Aloha Mokihana!
Thanks for inviting me to join your Canary Caravan Carnival! This has been an amazing MCS Awareness Month, full of fun and creative activities, and I think this 1st Annual Canary Caravan Carnival is the most fun idea ever!
You’ve asked me to write about the passion that fuels my work at The Canary Report, and about my passion for collaborating with other bloggers to create resources for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. I’m happy to share some thoughts on that.
Throughout my life, I’ve had a passion for activism and community work. In high school, I went door to door with petitions about water rights on the island of Molokai, and while at university I worked on a 65-foot schooner that sailed inter-island teaching kids about ocean resources.
Later, when I owned by own bookshops, I started a women’s group where we gathered every full moon to dance on the beach to the beat of our own drums. That morphed into local community work, which evolved into local political work and getting involved in the 2004 election season, where I then ventured out of my comfort zone to work on the presidential campaign in Boston and DC. For the past few years, I’ve been part of a group fighting the development of a veneer mill and power plant planned for our tiny village.
Meanwhile, in 1995, I’d developed MCS, and as time progressed, I became less and less able to work out in public. I’ve been incredibly lucky these past 10 years to work as an assistant to the chancellor at the local university, where I do communication materials. The incredible thing is, my boss allows me a home office. I used to go into the chancellor’s office every couple of weeks to meet with her, but after they renovated the building with new carpet and furniture a couple of years ago, I couldn’t even do that anymore. Exacerbating the problem was the toxic emissions from our active volcano, called vog, further restricting me from venturing out.
So I knew that if I wanted to continue with some sort of public service activity, I was going to have to figure out how to do something online, where I could do good work, but in the safety of my home office.
And that’s how The Canary Report was born. I thought I could take all the skills I’d developed throughout my working life and public service activities and apply them to creating a super online resource about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Plus, I really love social media, and I wanted to start my own blog and online social network. I thought all those factors might be combined into creating an exciting and worthwhile online project about MCS.
If you look at the way I’ve done public service, community work, and activism throughout my life, you’ll see a pattern of teamwork and collaboration in everything I do. I love organizing things for others, helping with documentation so everyone is informed and included, creating schedules and goals so everyone can participate, helping the group create a common vision. I believe that leadership means listening to all points of view and inspiring all group members to participate. I love empowering people to fight for what’s right, fight for the underdog, protect the weakest of the group, and work hard toward improving the quality of life for everyone. And I love giving people a platform to be heard, to be respected and honored for what we in Hawai‘i call their mana‘o, their opinion.
That’s why The Canary Report has so many contributors and guestbloggers. And that’s why I love our online community so much, there’s so much wisdom there! Providing a platform for others to do good work, to dialogue, to share all they know about MCS makes me very happy. I’m driven with a passion to do all I can to help people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity get the information and support they need to live the healthiest, most productive lives possible. So it makes me very happy to see our thriving network of hundreds of people helping each other cope with MCS.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is part of The Canary Report’s blog and online social network. I am so proud of our canary community! I’m proud about how kind everyone is to each other, how supportive, wise and compassionate. I want to thank everyone for all your support. Together, we are stronger!
Aloha,
Susie
--
Susie Collins
The Canary Report
The Canary Report is a very successful and collaborative example of resourcefullness and service with its focus on MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES. "The Canary" is the creation of founder Susie Collins, who lives and blogs from the island of Hawai'i. I found Susie and The Canary in the early days of living back on the North American continent when the symptoms and despair of MCS had us in a swhirl. The blog was smaller then, yet there was support and wide-open arms with the flavor of Hawaii that is always a core of nurturing for me. Here is a piece of prose that I asked Susie to contribute. It's a view of this wahine that fills out the hard-working public relations that she does with the online community that swells with spirit. Susie likes to say, "Together, We are stronger" in Hawaiian that would be Onipa'a Kakou. Mahalo Susie for your expression ... your mana'o.
Aloha Mokihana!
Thanks for inviting me to join your Canary Caravan Carnival! This has been an amazing MCS Awareness Month, full of fun and creative activities, and I think this 1st Annual Canary Caravan Carnival is the most fun idea ever!
You’ve asked me to write about the passion that fuels my work at The Canary Report, and about my passion for collaborating with other bloggers to create resources for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. I’m happy to share some thoughts on that.
Throughout my life, I’ve had a passion for activism and community work. In high school, I went door to door with petitions about water rights on the island of Molokai, and while at university I worked on a 65-foot schooner that sailed inter-island teaching kids about ocean resources.
Later, when I owned by own bookshops, I started a women’s group where we gathered every full moon to dance on the beach to the beat of our own drums. That morphed into local community work, which evolved into local political work and getting involved in the 2004 election season, where I then ventured out of my comfort zone to work on the presidential campaign in Boston and DC. For the past few years, I’ve been part of a group fighting the development of a veneer mill and power plant planned for our tiny village.
Meanwhile, in 1995, I’d developed MCS, and as time progressed, I became less and less able to work out in public. I’ve been incredibly lucky these past 10 years to work as an assistant to the chancellor at the local university, where I do communication materials. The incredible thing is, my boss allows me a home office. I used to go into the chancellor’s office every couple of weeks to meet with her, but after they renovated the building with new carpet and furniture a couple of years ago, I couldn’t even do that anymore. Exacerbating the problem was the toxic emissions from our active volcano, called vog, further restricting me from venturing out.
So I knew that if I wanted to continue with some sort of public service activity, I was going to have to figure out how to do something online, where I could do good work, but in the safety of my home office.
And that’s how The Canary Report was born. I thought I could take all the skills I’d developed throughout my working life and public service activities and apply them to creating a super online resource about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Plus, I really love social media, and I wanted to start my own blog and online social network. I thought all those factors might be combined into creating an exciting and worthwhile online project about MCS.
If you look at the way I’ve done public service, community work, and activism throughout my life, you’ll see a pattern of teamwork and collaboration in everything I do. I love organizing things for others, helping with documentation so everyone is informed and included, creating schedules and goals so everyone can participate, helping the group create a common vision. I believe that leadership means listening to all points of view and inspiring all group members to participate. I love empowering people to fight for what’s right, fight for the underdog, protect the weakest of the group, and work hard toward improving the quality of life for everyone. And I love giving people a platform to be heard, to be respected and honored for what we in Hawai‘i call their mana‘o, their opinion.
That’s why The Canary Report has so many contributors and guestbloggers. And that’s why I love our online community so much, there’s so much wisdom there! Providing a platform for others to do good work, to dialogue, to share all they know about MCS makes me very happy. I’m driven with a passion to do all I can to help people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity get the information and support they need to live the healthiest, most productive lives possible. So it makes me very happy to see our thriving network of hundreds of people helping each other cope with MCS.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is part of The Canary Report’s blog and online social network. I am so proud of our canary community! I’m proud about how kind everyone is to each other, how supportive, wise and compassionate. I want to thank everyone for all your support. Together, we are stronger!
Aloha,
Susie
--
Susie Collins
The Canary Report
Friday, May 14, 2010
WELINA! WELCOME! ALOHA, The first Canary Caravan Carnival BEGINS
MCS Awareness Month throughout the Planet is in full-swing. MAY is half way through it's calendar days, the real lives of all sentient beings are being lived in magnificently unique fashion. Those of us who live with the reality, limitations and structure of environmental illness (EI) or MCS are a minority often silent or invisible to the society of humans in all corners, cities and environs.
This first time for us on VardoForTwo bloggers carnival began weeks ago with a dream inspired by other blogging communities as a way to express the resilience, challenges and realities of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. When I introduced this project, I did it knowing the possibility that we would be 'on the move and limited in our access to resources' ... The possibility is here. I blog from behind my "I Can Breathe" carbon-filtered mask seated at the shared library computer in Langley, Washington on Whidbey Island. The Carnival continues with adjustments. The horns, bells, and whistles of the internet are a bit limited and yet, what I can do is being done.
This first time for us on VardoForTwo bloggers carnival began weeks ago with a dream inspired by other blogging communities as a way to express the resilience, challenges and realities of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. When I introduced this project, I did it knowing the possibility that we would be 'on the move and limited in our access to resources' ... The possibility is here. I blog from behind my "I Can Breathe" carbon-filtered mask seated at the shared library computer in Langley, Washington on Whidbey Island. The Carnival continues with adjustments. The horns, bells, and whistles of the internet are a bit limited and yet, what I can do is being done.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
PREPARING for the Canary Caravan Carnival May 14,15,and 16th
The first MCS Blogger and Allies Carnival is coming up in a month. Here are a few dates, astrological transits and their implications for being in the flow of things, and a deadline for crafting your submissions.
Mercury goes Retrograde on Saturday, April 17th for three weeks through Tuesday, May 11th
'Ole Cycle of the Moon of the Hawaiian Moon Calendar begins Tuesday, April 20th for 4 days through Friday, April 23rd
(Sorry for the inaccurate dates previously posted)
Attending to the energy of the Moon, Mahina, in my Hawaiian culture is a valued practice for me and Pete. We need the guidance and structure that suggests rest or review rather than pushing forward on agendas or projects that really need to be wait. Much like the longer cycles of Retrograde, as in Mercury's retracking, the 'Ole Cycles are mini reviews like the 10th Step in a 12 Step Program we continue to take personal inventory and when we find something to adjust, or make amends for, the opportunity is there for the taking.
No new posts on our blogs happen during the 'Ole Cycles so this post prepares our readers for our absence as we do the internal work of sorting, weeding, reconsidering, and editing what has already begun.
DEADLINE FOR CARNIVAL SUBMISSIONS: Monday, May 10th.
So, to all you bloggers and allies who are collaborating with the Muse, and considering the story, prayer, prose, photography, activity, exercise, or whatever else that suits you keep this deadline in mind, please.
Mercury goes Retrograde on Saturday, April 17th for three weeks through Tuesday, May 11th
Sandra & David Mosey from Zodiacarts create a valuable tool of Moon Phase Calendars. Here is what they have to say about Mercury in Retrograde. I'll use this guidance to try to say in the flow of things as I organize this very first Carnival. See how their insight might work in your life.
While Mercury is retrograde, familiar channels of communications become tangled and confused. Expect delays and changes in plans. Use this time for researching and problem-solving.
This is a great time to rewrite and edit, rework an old project or successfully repeat a task. Reevaluate and reconsider, but hold final decisions and approvals until Mercury goes direct.
The tendency is to initialize or finalize projects prematurely. The contents of verbal or written contracts and plans made now may later seem inadequate or unclear. This is not a good time to buy on the spur of the moment without investigation.
This is also not a good time to purchase electronic equipment or cars. Major purchases may be reduced in price after the retrograde period and you can save money by waiting. Major repairs or surgery performed now may be incomplete or plagued by unexpected repercussions.
Double-check and reconfirm every detail. Typed or written errors are easily overlooked, paperwork mislaid, appointments forgotten. Let your sense of humor overcome the challenge of unexpected adjustments.
'Ole Cycle of the Moon of the Hawaiian Moon Calendar begins Tuesday, April 20th for 4 days through Friday, April 23rd
(Sorry for the inaccurate dates previously posted)
Attending to the energy of the Moon, Mahina, in my Hawaiian culture is a valued practice for me and Pete. We need the guidance and structure that suggests rest or review rather than pushing forward on agendas or projects that really need to be wait. Much like the longer cycles of Retrograde, as in Mercury's retracking, the 'Ole Cycles are mini reviews like the 10th Step in a 12 Step Program we continue to take personal inventory and when we find something to adjust, or make amends for, the opportunity is there for the taking.
No new posts on our blogs happen during the 'Ole Cycles so this post prepares our readers for our absence as we do the internal work of sorting, weeding, reconsidering, and editing what has already begun.
DEADLINE FOR CARNIVAL SUBMISSIONS: Monday, May 10th.
So, to all you bloggers and allies who are collaborating with the Muse, and considering the story, prayer, prose, photography, activity, exercise, or whatever else that suits you keep this deadline in mind, please.Please email me your submission on or before, MONDAY, MAY 10th. I will assemble and organize the 3-rings of our Carnival with posts over the three days, using the flow of activity that Mercury, Mahina and life as I know it. My email address is ssvardo@gmail.com.
Link here for the full description of the Categories for the Carnival. Join in with your MCS related stories, successes and submit to the TAP dance that adds such diversity to our lives so often engaged in avoiDANCE.
Hope your day includes moments of joy and laughter, insight and love. I wish that for my own dear self as well.
Mokihana
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
CANARY CARAVAN CARNIVAL ... the excitement builds
I'm so excited by the wonderful positive response I'm getting from the 'ohana of canaries who want to be part of the whoopa! So far these friends are adding their ika (energy) to the excitement:
Mary and Keith who author Mary and Keith's Excellent Adventure!
Susie Collins from The Canary Report
Liberty from Moving Beyond MCS
Julie Genser from Planet Thrive
I have emails of invitation ready to send to other MCS friends, and allies of MCSers who bring insight, joy and positive energy to the Canary Caravan Carnival. Since my last post about the Carnival, my brain has been storming (in a good way!) with topics for our three ring circus and storytelling jamboree. So far, it looks like these are the three basic categories for blog posts/articles/activities. Like a good TAP DANCE, we'll fill the Canary Caravan Carnival with our brands of cavorting.
The three rings or circles at the Canary Caravan Carnival of storytelling and sharings will offer:
Toot your hoot with the tools that make your life with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities a life-in-progress. Tell your stories about the totems -- images, charms and sign-posts that tether you to your strength and serve as affirmation to the unique being you are. Tangents are the unexpected and often unplanned paths or off-shoots of a life planned; places and experiences that spontaneously happen because we are human and because MCS might have had something to add to the old 'normal.'
Are there tools, totems and tangents that make a difference in your everyday, or perhaps showed up at the perfect time along the way?
A for Allies, angels and angles
We are in this space ship together! No doubt, that there are times in each of our individual lives where we are lonely, and more often than we'd care to believe, MCS can become an isolating reality. Through the vessel of cyberspace -- the internet and blogging, the connection with Allies we could not have imagined become part of our net of belonging. Personal and collective angels come into our lives and a new and unplanned angle appears as many of us connect to the vast universe, the stairway to the nurturing celestial bodies or the sound of nature that persists inspite of the odds.
Share the allies, angels and unsuspecting angles that support you in your journey.
Pfor Prose, poems and prayers
Canaries, those of us who have included all manner of masks to shield or filter the toxic effects of others' choices also find creative expressions to make sense of life with change. The mask can also be an incredibly vibrant and beautiful second-skin or other face that says something grand/potent/humorous/gut-wrenching about our experiences at the moment. Story in prose, poems and prayers have long been a way for the human being to connect and communicate with the god/goddess/higher power within.
The Canary Caravan Carnival offers a circle for the stories that you have found, written or created to connect with that power that is ever present.
If you would like to contribute and make a submission to the Carnival, please leave a comment in the Comments or email me with your idea/submission: ssvardo@gmail.com Let me know which category you'd like to be apart of, too.
More details and a deadline for submissions will be posted as the days and nights roll. There's still plenty of time to join in, so please feel welcome to add your uniqueness to the activities. Help me fill in the white space, and be unafraid to color outside the lines (ahhh...there are no lines!)
More details and a deadline for submissions will be posted as the days and nights roll. There's still plenty of time to join in, so please feel welcome to add your uniqueness to the activities. Help me fill in the white space, and be unafraid to color outside the lines (ahhh...there are no lines!)
Let our canary roars be heard!
Aloha,
Mokihana
Clipart credits go to http://www.designedtoat.com/ for all the graphics, save for the canaries
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Canaries Caravan ... a BLOGGERS CARNIVAL to Celebrate MAY MCS Awareness Month
Today is April 1st ... APRIL FOOLS DAY. A perfect time to announce a sort of bloggers' carnival. It would be fun and empowering to use that month of may to give voice to the very well and very resilient force of human power alive in the examples of women, men and children who live with MCS. I'm inspired by the wonderful Astrology Carnival that my cyberpals CJ Wright and Donna Cunningham concocted to celebrate National Astrology Day. No fool'n!
Here's the idea ...
- Friday, May 14, Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16 are CANARY CARAVAN Days it's a time to circle the wagons and come to tell our stories. We who live with the affects of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities are as similar and different as the shades of yellow, or the hues of the color blue; there are so many shades of yellow or blue (or green or purple) and what we know comes from who we are at the core. Posts by bloggers with links or related articles will appear on VardoForTwo on these three days. Written to inspire and offer space for the incredibly rich and creative expressions of our lives I hope to circle the wagons for a time of collective strength.
- I will be chatting behind the scenes with my blogger friends who live and thrive with the realities of a life affected by MCS, hoping to enlist the help of two other bloggers who will also post CANARY CARAVAN stories on their blogs. Even as I write this to the page, all is not firmly in place so if you have ideas or thoughts please leave me comments or email me at ssvardo@gmail.com. This is a totally new project for me so please join in.
- There may be categories of stories over the three days of CANARY CARAVAN. I'm thinking:
- Poetry and Prose: Words and images poems, a photo essay or short story that reflect your life with MCS
- Tools and Practices: Stories about the medical, physical, emotional and spiritual supportive practices that aid and create foundations for an evolving life
What other categories would you like to see at the CANARY CARAVAN?
We have six weeks to put together some really fun and inspiring blogging that can educate, infuse and make a difference. If you're interested or curious let me know in the comments or email.
Aloha,
Mokihana
Gypsy Caravans Photo Credit:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dd46zqevGTbXvZ7X7gaJP0OYlKAqebHKEZLRjLm8ehyRaUpZsglAZJv4Ba_hb0eZT8noAI9pYmJ4Nbvc3p7hEqsx-Y0odERpIjktPkwDSC22uef910eT5D3xw3LJ4TlmZ6h9jd9r1Gg/s1600-h/gypsy-caravans-pic-sm-41652864.jpg
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