There's always something

Here is the beautiful dandelion wagon in the newest encampment on Earth. The view of the Oregon mountains in the distance is the sight we are blessed with from the torii-shaped windows.

The evidence of folks living from the tiny golden wagon.

Adjusting to our field life has been a daily and sometimes moment to moment thing ... our three step porch was left behind, back on the Ledge. There was no room to tote it in Bernadette. Instead, the collapsible plastic ladder first acquired in Manoa Valley back home on O'ahu serves as transition.

The basket hanging off the front porch is filled with tiny fairy lights, a string of them give off just enough illumination at night and mark our little home as we listen to the coyote calls near-by.

Ah ... fortunately grand stores of humor were not left behind as I watched my dear Pete turning the explosive sizzle of our old and trusty single burner hotplate into a spontaneous sort of swing reminiscent of his days as an altar boy dousing the church aisle with frankincense ...

Our very mini version of a kitchen works from the outlet just outside the door producing hot water for tea and toasted bread with coconut butter a nice way to break the fast.

Traveller's Tips:
Always have a back-up hotplate for times like this. We had one already purchased this summer, it was out-gassed and ready to replace the sizzled one, for hot tea is a pleasure to be taken with seriousness.

Pete is readying himself for a day of work on Leslie's tiny house. I'm to spend some time alone, recuperating a bit more from an over-dose of exposure to too much Ponderosa Pine. Bend is a very different clim and the natural environment will test my body's ability to be with it.

The pines, the sage and the juniper are all highly volatile in essential oils. With some good luck, rest and timely treatments using NAET I hope to make the adjustments necessary to live with this place.

While out walking I met ... those who spray

It has been a busier than usual day on the road that runs around the Lake and the Pond near the Ledge in the Woods. VardoForTwo is encamped a few yards from the road that is normally quiet and minimally traversed. Today after a nice tea of cinnamon and peppermint and two toasty slices of Mack's Flax I set off with my pink baseball cap to walk around the Pond. Within minutes the neighbor and his daughter jogged and bicycled past me. Soon after their dog "Babe" a giant of a hound woofed after them, gallumping past me again. Before reaching the bend and climb of the slope on the ridge side of the Pond, daughter on the bike whizzes back, neighbor with "Babe" collared and panting take the road back to the home. Wow, that has already more activity than I'd seen for months. On the flat side of the Pond road I spotted a young couple with two young sheep dogs on leases. The young capped man was talking on his cellphone. That in itself was cause for conversation .... "Your cellphone works here?" "Yeh ...yak, yak, yak...." It turns out his brand of cell makes the connection where all others will not. They were a pleasant couple, and then I read the logo on his green shirt. "You work for H----?" "Yes, that's us we live up there." The young man and his family own the tree farm just a mile or so from the Ledge.

Before the story continues I will tell you this: the Gods give me many opportunities to be of service to the bigger good. Life with multiple chemical sensitivities is one large test tube experiment. As our visitors and readers of VardoForTwo and Sam and Sally have gathered our life has been a journey of discovery, DIASPORA, and education. For 15 years we tried to outrun what we thought was simply an isolated incident with an ill-informed decision or a decision to just keep using/doing something because 'they've always done it.' : planting and maintaing plants that cause me havoc, using herbicides for convenience that disrupt my endocrine and immune system, spraying perfumes on the body, smoking, burning .... and the list has gone on and on. Two years ago when Pete and I arrived in Washington again we committed to building the wee wheelie home we call VardoForTwo. We began blogging to share the experience and make some sense of our lives.

In the process of building and being back in Washington a new phase of our journey took a positive turn. We began to have encounters with people who were WILLING TO BE EDUCATED.

1. We explained my severe sensitivity condition to neighbors in our White Center Wa. neighborhood and met with understanding and cooperation. They signed the Pesticide Registry application and one of them said, "Now you're safe here." Wow!
   
2. One of our neighbors in White Center was burning trash in her fireplace when we arrived last winter. It was making me sick. I filed a burning complete with the Clean Air Department in Seattle and that neighbor thanked me for 'reporting him.' He stopped burning all together, bought electric floor heaters to get through the winter and switched to natural gas. Throughout the nearly one year settle there in White Center Tony began watching from his backyard and then came to visit Pete often as VardoForTwo. When we pulled out in early April, it was his commendation of our efforts and perseverance that made such a difference to us. This was a special man come into our lives to blow on that amber of hope so dim in our hopper.
   
3. We now live with two old friends who began making the changes in their living and cleaning habits so we could share their space, their land and their lives. The commitment is not easy, and yet they continue to make adjustments and together we learn how to live respectfully and gentler on the Whole.
4. Our neighbor across the road has begun to learn how chemicals have and are affecting her health because our our "Anna and Joshua" friends who share their land with us. Anna got an update yesterday on the choices being made across the street. Seems there's one more positive change going on their today...through examples the process become the solution.
   

Perhaps it happens because in our life of having to escape and flee the affects of another's choices we came to the place in the road when we simply had to STOP, PAUSE and become part of the solution. When living in Hawaii, our attempts to make a difference by calling attention to the fact that we were being poisoned by pesticides were met with empty apologies and ineffectual governmental rationalization. There was nothing more we could do at the time ... we left O`ahu two years ago last May. Though there are still huge gaps in the practices and governmental monitoring and control of herbicide use in Washington state (and the nation) we have had positive experiences with face to face education. So if you're still here let me get on with the story of what happend while out walking ...

The question and answer about who these young folks were switched on my awareness: these are the folks who might be spraying herbicide on their trees. I was aware of the tree farm ... I informed them of my chemical sensitivities. They were not aware of The State of Washington Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Registry. They seemed open to learning. I took the lead and asked, "Did you use herbicides?" "Yes, about a month and a half ago." Somewhere within me I stilled the urge to flee or panic. The spraying had already happened. I knew it was possible, probable and now the fact was confirmed. We stood in the middle of the road and continued with this conversation. Unconsciously we stepped apart a bit. I prayed a silence prayer for protection and kept sharing information. The young man is seriously allergic to weeds ... that's why they spray. Oh no! I found enough calm to offer him a solution or at least a potential solution. I offered him the concept of NAET, the allergy elimination technique that has served my well-being in recent years. They were interested. I offered them the information of this blog and the links that may serve him and the bigger good ... Earth's good.

It was too late for them to know that we, seriously sensitive to chemical folks are living in that caravan around the bend: they had already sprayed around the small trees on their farm. There is that risk almost everywhere we live. Could I have prevented that by acting with more due diligence? I could have, didn't and now I was given the opportunity to meet 'those who spray.' Perhaps more than anything I would like to be the NOMADnomad that is not just mad at the world of choices that creates health hell for me and my darlin' Pete. Now that we have built a small world that spokes from VardoForTwo, the possibilities for education grow. We are living examples of what is necessary to live a life of few conveniences, and learn instead to live a life of consciousness. As much as this post is for educating and sharing what it's really like to be Gypsies of a Canary Lineage ... this post is a nod to the young people I met while walking.

I hope the meeting makes a positive difference in your today and tomorrow. We all live with the affects of your choice to spray herbicides and there are other ways to make tomorrow different. (click on the link to go to Beyond Pesticides) I will go into VardoForTwo do a treatment to boost my immune system, clear the energy that is contrary to my well-being and give thanks to the Gods for a chance meeting of those who spray.

Mahalo! Mokihana

Leaving the Ledge for a day in the city

Yesterday was a city day. We live on a ledge that is such a leap from Here to There. The city we called home as we built VARDOFORTWO is now a two hour commute ... driving and riding a ferry to cross Puget Sound to Seattle.

These are full days and with MCS the possibility for a toxic exposure is ever present, we prepare ourselves as best we can carrying a jug of sweet well water for drinking and dousing my mask against pollens and fumes, pack the coolers with ice that will keep our delicious slabs of salmon cooled (we continue to eat salmon thanks to our friend Dylan from Loki Fish ...click on this link to find out more about this terrific NW Washington family business), bring extra clothes for the exposure possibility, say a hui hou to Jots and say our prayers.

Along the way and while in the city we are always drawn to the trees. Above is a precious reminder of the Tall Ones who were here in times not long again. This giant fir is perhaps the largest of the Tall Ones left in the area not far from the Ledge. We stopped to take this picture showing the size of him next to the old building still left in the fields. Oh my. Tree cutters came to get him, the story is told, and one man stood in front of it and would not let it happen. The man is a hero passed on to another life, the tree stands and we thank that man.

Pete and I were in the city because I had an NAET treatment with Chulan Chiong, I needed her attention and her skill to help my liver detox the leavings of toxic intake. Chulan did that and I remain thankful for NAET and the level of well-being I experience with these treatments. A two-hour drive once or twice a month for these appointments keeps Mokihana going.

Another reason we came to Seattle was to visit our dear friend who lives in a Seattle neighborhood. G. is one of our friends who lives with MCS as well. The photo above was taken from her luxurious urban backyard, a rarity of spaces in Seattle this backyard is truly an oasis. The ambling cedar fence that you see along the left needs a bit of attention ... the sort Pete can give. So along with a delightful sit and chat with cups of sparkling water Pete walked the fence line with G. and has a plan for repair with conscious and care.
This is a picture of tree skin ... tree skin on another magnificent Tall One ... a Black Locust growing in G.'s urban oasis. B e a u ti full.

Wild dill and skinned, water-worn limbs from trees that washed up on the beach, the same beach I used to walk every morning while we lived in Seattle.

That possible toxic exposure happened when I was least prepared. It's one of those incidents partners who accomodate a mate/spouse with MCS may recognize. A trip to the bank: Pete enters to simply deposit a check, within minutes he is covered with the smell of every fragrance in there. I am exposed and sick within another few minutes. We had no baking soda to neutralize his hair although he was able to chance his shirt. Fortunately, there was the beach air and my appointment was scheduled an hour from the exposure.

The daily twists that make a pleasant hour poisonous are difficult and happen within seconds. I feel ill and guilty for the shift that takes place in my brain capacity, temperment and disposition. Pete is doing everything he can to make the daily needs and challenges level-out. The NAET treatment was timely, the stress of the exposure existed and yet we worked through it and have learned something again ... bring baking soda and don't go into that bank again. Partners as precious and I appreciate Pete everyday. If in my haze and panic I lose my grace ... I level out sooner today than in times past. Apologies are important, and amends work, too.

A lot happens on the way to the city, and then that too passes.

Hope yours is being a day graced with the bliss of it.
Mokihana

Back at it

Aloha,

I'm back on the page. The four days of Ole were full of cleaning and clearing and reviewing what has already begun:

1. Since it's been raining and raining, little outside vardo work could be done so Pete (who always keeps a great construction site) gathered scraps, restacked the oak siding, and reinforced the ropes that hold tarps over the vardo.

2. On one of the four days when a bit of sunshine warmed things up, Pete rubbed in a second coat of beeswax finish to the two side walls.

3. He also caulked all the exterior open seams, around the corners, windows and the roof (using AFM SAFECOAT Caulk ... a low voc, water-based caulk; more tolerable for MCS tribe; it does have its limitation, but we have opted again on the side of 'less petroleum-based products')

Our goal with the caulk is two fold: keep the vardo as water tight as possible so the siding doesn't buckle; and, keep the outside smells like wood smoke from seeping into the vardo.

4. Yesterday we worked inside the apartment, cleaning up the rooms that store the tools, paperwork, powered milk-paints, and supplies. Even with the very minimal life we live stuff stacks up. So, on Ole Pau (the fourth night of the ole cycle) it felt good to touch everything we have, decide what to do with each, and put it where we can find it again.

5. Rest and Recoup. The exposure to the dryer sheets left me weakened. As I posted earlier those dryer sheets are lethal. My weekly visit to Chulan Chiang my NAET practitioner identified my PITUATARY GLAND (in the middle of my forehead) was over-burdened. We worked on clearing and reinforcing that part of the brain.

6. Behind the scenes connections: I have made connection with Rae Enslin and Jay Shafer both of these folk are inspirational and instrumental in our building VardoForTwo. Rae has linked us to her site, and Jay's blog now makes comments about our vardo. Thank you Rae and Jay.

Life Savers and Safety Nets

Today I had my weekly appointment with Chulan Chiong, my NAET practitioner. Six months ago when Pete and I arrived in Seattle I knew that a big part of the transition from wandering the roads, parking lots and temporary rest stops of O`ahu would be connecting with a support system. LIFE SAVERS AND SAFETY NETS is an image and an affirming focus every one needs. And, for someone riding the swells and bottoms of an illness like MCS finding Life Savers can be a tricky thing ... and that's putting it mildly. Stepping into a new office or building is always a venture into the twilight zone. What smells and possible allergic/sensitivity triggers are there? Even after questioning a potential "life saver" the proof is only in the step through the threshold. Fortunately, I had developed an internet and phone pal who became my first new MCS Life Saver. Days after getting off the plane from Honolulu I called "G.C." to tell her we'd landed. (There'll be more about G.C. and the uncommon good she has shared with us and others with MCS in Seattle.) I asked "Do you know a good NAET practitioner in Seattle?" "Why yes I do!" That was the beginning of my healing relationship with Chulan Chiong, licensed accupuncturist and NAET practitioner.

NAET = Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques. I have included a link to the NAET website where you can explore for yourself the history and the practice of this non-invasion and holistic "Life Saver" that has expanded my world, and improved my health.

Here's a beginning checklist of questions I have asked (over the phone) a potential practitioner/wellness provider: (Thanks to the friends, counselors for sharing bits that make up this list.)

If you have any other questions to add to this list, we'd love to hear them ...thanks!

1. Are you familiar with MCS? Do you have clients/patients who have MCS?

2. Are you a fragrance free office? If they answer "Yes" ask for some details ... air purifiers/fragrance free handsoap/fragrance free laundry detergent used to wash linens...

3. I wear a mask and may need to bring a sheet or blanket to cover any carpet smell or upholstery that might affect me. How do you feel about that?

4. I can usually tell within a few minutes whether I can tolerate a new office, would it be possible to just check it out before making an appointment?

5. Do you offer any discounts to clients/patients with MCS who have a limited financial resources and/or no insurance?

• Listen to the feelings you get when asking the questions. Your gut has intelligence called intuition. I've learned to trust it more and more.


• Listen to the answers (the words) and the emotives that you get when you ask your questions.


• Try to talk with both the receptionist (or whoever might be screening calls) and the practitioner herself. It's good to get a feel for the people in that office.


• Trust your instincts and your intuition; take notes as you do your phone interview.


• Take time to decide.


• Call a trusted friend, a pal who can know you did this very courageous thing.


• Give your self credit for this act of bravery.

One last thing. Here's a quote from a woman and healer-medical physician who has inspired me throughout my journey to be unafraid to seek wholeness in my relationships with any "lifesaver" or "safety net"...

"Serving is different from helping. Helping is based on inequality; it is not a relationship between equals. When you help you use your own strength to help those of lesser strength...we don't serve with our strength, we serve with ourselves...Service is a relationship between equals...Helping incurs debt...But serving, like healing, is mutual. There is no debt."

-Rachel Naomi Remens, excerpt from the article "In the Service of Life"

To link to an incredible site where I post a whole piece on Rachel Naomi Remen and where other HEROES OF HEALING connects you with a world of healers please go to Jenny Mannion's website: http://www.jennymannion.com/

Aloha, Mokihana