As the sun eclipsed ... resolution/acceptance of the conflicting attitudes toward change and memory

http://www.mele.com/music/artist/olomana/like+a+seabird+in+the+wind/

Music is said to be the voice of the Gods.  Timeless and yet present at precisely the point where the innocence of a moment lets all guards down opening to the potential of miracles, music can be the balm of birth wounds or resolve that is divine.  In the darkness of last night's pre-eclipse Pete and I lay together and talked of time present and times gone, time lost and friendships never to be the same.  We talked of corrections, heva (wrong-doings) and then the sun eclipsed with Capricorn's New Moon.  Miracle?  Probably.  Change?  Undoubtably.

We are older now, and we have left many, many  places and people.  So too have we become more and more accepting of what we had and what we have now.  Among the songs that melts all guards that keep me distanced from my self, the Hawaiian classic Ku'u Home O Hahalu'u written and song by Jerry Santos and his partner the late Robert Beaumont, speaks to my heart.  If you click on the link above you can listen to it yourself.

Cindy Combs, slack key artist from the Island of Kauai has also recorded this incredible, timeless ode and from the liner notes of her album "Slack Key Lady" I found this:

Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u (vocal)


Tuning: C Wahine (C–G–D–G–B–E)

-from the Liner Notes of  "Slack Key Lady" by Cindy Combs, Dancing Cat Records"

One of the great songs of the 1970s, Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u eloquently addresses the conflicting attitudes toward change and memory at the heart of traditional culture. Like many of the most successful pop songs, it is at once both candidly personal and strikingly universal. Cindy's friend Jerry Santos wrote it and first recorded it with the late Robert Beaumont as the popular duo Olomana on their 1976 album LIKE A SEABIRD IN THE WIND (Seabird Sound). As reflected by the song, the group Olomana has always been involved in deep community issues, combining political, social and artistic ideals of the highest order. "I've been in love with this song since the first time I heard Jerry sing it," says Cindy. "For the album I was trying to create an arrangement in C Tuning and just couldn't get what I felt it needed. Something seemed to be missing and I was getting kind of frustrated. Then, driving into the studio the next day, the Olomana recording came on the radio and that did it. Hallelujah, it was like a sign and after that, things just flowed." The Hawaiian word 'o'opu refers to Gobi fishes, Ko'olau refers to the Ko'olau Range on O'ahu; and the last phrase of each chorus (and the song title) "Me ke aloha ku'u home o Kahalu'u" means "Love for my home, Kahalu'u." Cindy dedicates her version me ke aloha pumehana (with warm aloha) to Jerry.

Is there music that does this for you?

Moments and miracles on and off the Ledge

Time has passed. Some of the things that happen are large ... impossible to miss. Other things seem smaller or easily missed because they blend in, or get missed in the rush. Today is Wednesday, and life on The Ledge and off have included making time to notice.

Last year's Cattails in the wetlands stand as tall as ever with puffy cotton-tops. Present for the newbies they are a reminder of continuing.




Deep muddy banks, smooth, thick and full. I love the hairy banks that hold up the edges, like some old, trustworthy head-dress.













Swallow nests built by hand, hang on the old cedar posts ... we watched the many kin of swallows swoop and dive as they make their own homes under the broadwalk made with mud.


Just before dust the red bark of the cherry tree that grows near the vardo pulled me near. Tree skin is beautiful. I wonder who named it "bark"? Surely not the tree.




A big miracle showed up. One shiny young woman with a project worthy of support and encouragement came to visit. Amanda Abel, a graduate student from the University of California in Santa Cruz has been 'quietly following' our blog and contacted us through email. Her query: would we be willing to let her interview us for her Small Home Movement project ...she's calling it "Closer to Home."

Both Amanda and I live with physical conditions that challenge our reserve of energy. I wasn't sure I'd be up for it and yet Pete and I both knew the opportunity was important. A chance to met and be part of a young person's dream for making a positive contribution. I asked Amanda to give me time to consider ... I rested up all week and prayed for the wisdom to make good decisions

The photo here documents the documentarian, Amanda hanging out on the porch of VardoForTwo after a wonderful Sunday lunch of barley bread, noodles with steamed carrots and peppermint tea and plenty of conversation. There was plenty of energy to share. All involved worked hard to make it happen and Pete and I have expanded our worlds because we met this young woman. Thanks for making the effort to be with us, Amanda. I hope there is time to rest between next steps (aloha!)

Moments and miracles are the result of committing to the belief that we're part the solution. It's a full life and periods of rest make the next awakening that much more noticeable. Living with the affects of multiple chemical sensitivities is sometimes inconvenient ... just think how inconvenient it must be for the trees, the bees, the bugs and Mother Planet.