A Cure for What Ails You

Well, so, I was looking at a hooping site, and caught this, and then couldn't figure out how I found it, so I looked it up on YouTube and got it with a few key words and it made me grin and grin: WATCH NOW! (I'd tell you more, but it's just so great to see this with no introduction.) Then, when you're done, visit this site to learn more about how and why this deliciously celebratory video was made...tell me what you think!

Sweeter than Candy

As I was talking to my dear friend Kendra this evening, I heard a strange sound in the background. "What was that?" I asked her. "A sugar glider," she replied-- nonchalantly I might add. "What's that?" "A marsupial that's smaller than a chipmunk." Honest to goodness, I thought she was making this up (she has been known for such creative whimsy), and all I could picture was one of those toys on wheels that you put on a wire and let slide back and forth balancing with weights on either side. Well, this "made up" creature has a name, Honey Face, and Kendra, seduced by the cuteness (see for yourself) brought her home this past weekend. Considering the slightly cooler reception of Peter and the potential mutiny of the older and larger animals in the house, Honey Face may need to find a new home. I just have to say that I love Kendra for her love of little creatures and for this utterly spontaneous act, which, despite her tremendous capacity for the fantastical within her mind, is usually one of my more practical friends (except maybe when it comes to shoes...and now maybe small marsupials). Thanks for expanding my world!

PS This video is quite fun! Makes me think of the Bjork song they use in an entirely new way!

Ahhhhh, las palabras!

Barbara Wallraff, who has regular features in the Atlantic Monthly (now -- probably for a long time, but I can't keep it in my head-- called The Atlantic), pleases me to no end with her investigations into words and their meanings. Here is a link to a little bit of information about her and some archived material from The Atlantic:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/by/barbara_wallraff

Here is a link to a recent Word Court exploration into the expression "cut to the chase":
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200804/word-court

And a recent issue's Word Fugitives:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200805/word-fugitives

Enjoy these, all my word-loving friends!

The Happiest Feet of All

This is a two-post kind of Sunday. After all of my pirate-knight adventures, I came home to a cat-that-caught-the canary grin on Nancy's face. This is what she'd been up to all afternoon...

Sir Henry the Adorable...and his mother, the Keeper of the Castle

I spent most of today as a knight, with occasional forays into piratehood -- all under the tutelage of 3-year-old, Sir Henry. His mother also bore the cutlass he handed her, as she shared her wisdom and journeys of her soul. There's nothing like a small pirate-knight to put things in perspective.

A friend to howl with

Sometimes a friend to howl with is all we need: feel free to join in!
(This is a tribute to Nancy's favorite childhood friend, Mike.)

Oh, just a wee smidge of dancing inspiration...

This is probably the best dance sequence ever captured on film. I've watched it maybe 20 or 30 times and never tire of it. Nancy and I had the pleasure of meeting Fayard Nicholas a few years ago at the Soul to Sole tap festival in Austin. (He was a wee bit older then.) Summer, I hope this inspires you for your performance tomorrow night. We can't wait! Click here if you're ready to have your mind blown.

Courage and Light

Yesterday, Nancy and I, for our four year anniversary, went to the Mt. Holyoke museum. There we saw an exhibit by Janet Fish (which was supposed to end June 1st, but lucky for us it was still running). As Nancy said (to paraphrase) after the show, what an amazing way to spend one's time -- thinking about light. And indeed Fish does. Here's a link to more of her surprisingly large paintings: http://www.artnet.com/artist/6229/janet-fish.html. So, when in doubt, think Fish! I mean, light!

And, today I was reminded by the immense courage of Ms. Summerly the Fabulous of some wise words by Chogyam Trunpa (I'm pretty sure). He said that courage does not mean being with out fear. It means being afraid and doing it anyway. You did it anyway, Summer, and I am so proud of you!

Expect the Unexpected

This link will take you to a short clip that reminds me that sometimes what appears to be dangerous or scary, can turn out to be something, well, not so scary or dangerous. And you might just make a friend in the process. Here's the unexpected.

Ah, such grace...

If only I could handle the unexpected this gracefully....
What do you think of this?

If you're gonna fall, fall like this...

Ah, there's nothing like the sound of ripping paper!
Watch this and be prepared for all eventualities...

In the synchronistic flow

Soooooo....I was talking to Summer on the phone last night and I hear Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds playing in Helena's room. Surprised, I ask her about it, and she tells me it's a Leonard Cohen cover. Well, then I see that on the same cd is a a cover of Hallelujah chorus by John Cale (I think). I listen and think, "That's not as good as the cover that Sonya put on that mixed cd she burned a couple of years ago (this is Jeff Buckley's version)." Within minutes, my cell phone rings and it's Sonya! So, then I get to thinking about Jeff Buckley and remember that his father did the original version of a favorite This Mortal Coil song (Song to the Siren). Then, for whatever reason, I think of Teardrop by Massive Attack, which I've always loved (but just found out that it's Elizabeth Fraser from another favorite band, Dead Can Dance, who sings on it). Recently I heard an absolutely amazing cover of this song by Newton Faulkner.

Well, here's to some of my all time favorite songs, and the way all things are connected. Sometimes when we show up and pay attention, the universal pulse leads us in amazing directions.

The Wealth of Massachsuetts

We are so lucky to live in this amazing state:
Can you believe this?!

And, as Nancy wrote to me, this is what happens when you watch The "L" Word!

Totally Addictive

Click here for one of the weirder things I've seen.
And I can't stop watching...
(This is all Kendra's fault! Her love of hedgehogs led me down this twisted road...)

The Church and the Winehouse

What an unlikely combination, but oh so much fun!
Visit the church and the winehouse...

First Crushes

Well, why not start with early inspiration?
Click here for a glimpse of a sparkle maker!
After all, you've made it this far!