Author: Luna in Durango

 

Josie and I recently attended a local event here in town at the Durango Art Center called the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour Presented by: Citizens’ Climate Lobby Durango Chapter.  Native Americans have a proverb about the Light and Dark Wolves that resides within us all. The one you feed most is the one that thrives.  Which are you feeding most?  Dark or Light?  I have many spirit totems that assist me on my journey, but Wolf is my favorite and most power metaphorical, physical and Spiritual totem that helps protect, teach and nurture me.  Shortly after my retirement from the Army in 2003, we moved to Ely, Mn.  Within weeks of our arrival, Josie and I met Jim Brandenburg, a National Geographic Explorer photographer at his Arts Studio in downtown Ely, promoting his latest book at the time, “Chased by the Light”.  Shortly after meeting Jim, our new friends and now our long time dear friends, Bob and Ruth, introduced us to Micheal Monroe and his partner Deb at a concert that he and Jim were in collaboration showcasing his newly published book. Micheal choreographed his music to Jim’s slide show presentation.  Truly one of the most incredible and mesmerizing evenings of my life.  The magical combination of Jim’s encouragement and Micheal’s mystical rhythms launched me into this current incredible journey within I’ve been experiencing over these past many years. Thanks Micheal, Deb and Jim.  Jim is world renown for numerous achievements throughout his life, but most inspiring and influential for me is that I’ve always considered him as my mentor and inspirational hero and what I call, “The Wolf Whisperer”.  Jim would become instrumental in writing my first book, “Inspiration Point – Discovering Peace Within”.  He and a friend of his, a fellow photographer were having dinner with Josie and I at the Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast and I was sharing some of my bizarre stories that were happening to me on a more regular basis, but too terrified to share them with others for fear of what they’d think of me.  He looked at me with those intense eyes of his and said, “write a book about it!”.  I said, “I’m not a writer.”  He let the silence build while looking at me, then said,” write your book.” The photo I used for my recent Honoring our Fathers blog is the same one I used for my “Filling Your G.A.S. Tank Journal”, one of four pics I was apprehensive to show Jim as he was literally walking out the door after dinner that fateful night.  I stopped him midway through the door and said, “wait a moment Jim, I have something I’d like to show you.”  In that very moment I thought, “who am I to stop Jim as he’s leaving and show him a few of my photos?  I’m not even a photographer, I just happen to be at the right place at the right time, sitting in a bizarre looking chair near the water in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) soaking in the moment with my cheap little digital camera stashed away in my backpack/chair.”   He looked at the action series of a Blue Heron pics I’d captured on Inspiration Point, smiled and said, “very nice”.  Jim along with his wife Judy have been long time advocates for and some of the most power voices representing our brother and sister Wolves.  Many thanks to you both.  A special thanks to you Jim, for your spoken, written and perhaps most importantly, your unspoken words that provided me with the strength and courage to become a Voice for Nature and yes, I guess, a writer.  The Wild & Scenic Film Festival for me was a roller-coaster ride of emotions, both Dark and Light.  It began with a 1-minute powerful speech by John F. Kennedy with the theme: we come from the sea.  In Your Hands, is an invitation to be the change we wish to experience in the world with Nature.  The short films that followed touched on many subjects. Ranging from the amount of plastics that pollute the oceans Every Nine Minutes, to the alarming rate at which the Amazon Rain-forest of Brazil is disappearing and the genocide of the local indigenous peoples, primarily women, under President Bolsonaros’ Regime shown in a 4 minute film called “Stand with Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, the Amazon and the Climate”.  These and the many other short films, both disturbing and inspirational depict what is happening around the globe in terms of the devastating effects we’re having on planet Earth and how or what each of us can do to create a small ripple of positive change for our world.  While all had a powerful impact on the audience, perhaps the most compelling for me was, Nature Now, staring Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot on climate change and three simple things you can do to help fuel this project; Protect, Restore and Fund!  The main feature film, “The Trouble with Wolves’ is hailed as, “the greatest animal conservation success in human history.”  Obviously, I’m bit bias to the Wolves right to exist, but I thought they did an excellent job of capturing all sides of this extremely sensitive and controversial issue.  Depicting local ranchers on both sides of the proverbial fence, some stuck in their old ways of ranching and the attitudes that go with it and younger more innovative ranchers in terms of approaching the challenges they face with more modern, G.A.S.ed up creative solutions to harmoniously co-exist with these magnificent creatures.  It also shows the human element of our governmental representatives on the front lines, our local heroes, our Park Rangers.  I’d also like to take this moment to recognize all the Rangers throughout the world.  Protecting the elephants, tigers and lions.  The dolphins, Whales and sharks.  And of course all the other people working or volunteering to  protect the endless ecosystems that are home for all of Earths creatures, the enormous to the microscopic.  Every day as they slip on their uniforms or work cloths, they risk their lives for the protection and preservation of what I believe to be our most precious natural resources imaginable.  The world’s infinite and ever changing biodiversity of the wildernesses and all its wildness, the vast bodies of water, large and small, flowing or stagnant and perhaps our most precious commodity, fresh clean air.  Long term ecological studies on the effects that the reintroduction of wolves have had on the environment has proven without a doubt positive and have shown us the critical role wolves play in creating and sustaining a healthy and vibrant ecosystem.  I’m humbled and inspired by what so many people are doing, risking their lives around the world for nature, capturing it on video, sharing it all on the screen for all to witness and having their voices heard.  Thereby creating an every widening captivated conscious audience of caring activists.  My hope is that my sharing these words encourages you to be more aware of the potential power for change that naturally resides within us all.  So, go ahead and activate Your Voice from within and together we’ll become a Collective  powerful Voice and be the change we wish to experience for generations to come.  X>

 

 

                 

After publishing my latest blog, I thought it fitting to acknowledge the shortcomings of the masculine thereby revealing the powerful perfection within humanities imperfections.  The thought came to me about the roles we play within our identities as male and female and it occurred to me that perhaps the difficulties that women face embracing their masculine are the same for men embracing their feminine.  We’re expected to fulfill our roles as they’ve been passed down from one generation to the next.   It makes me think of my dad, how I don’t recall ever hearing him tell any of his son’s that he loved us. Nor do I remember him being one to praise our good behavior.  I’m guessing his father wasn’t strong in that department either.   My Dad was a ginormous hulk of a man; I remember others being intimidated by his shear physical strength and size alone.  I also recall his confidence, optimism, simplistic thinking, humor and loyalty to friends and family, traits that made him not just well liked, but often admired and respected for these qualities.  He often appeared to me as a gentle giant, especially when he was around my Mom or my sister Dee.  I always felt safe in his presence both alone and when around others.  So why was it so difficult for him to express his feelings with us?  Collectively I believe we’d all come up with a similar answer.  Because it is or has been considered as a sign of weakness.  I bring attention to the “has been” because times are changing.  Often I think the pendulum of our collective sensitivity has begun to swing too far to the opposite side of the spectrum.  It appears that the nature of humanities evolution is in the extremes that we’re required to experience in order for us to change.  The Memes Extremes!?  Many issues have become too politically or racially sensitive to even breach in conversation for fear of a ruined career or relationship.  I for one don’t see an increased awareness and acknowledgment of a man’s’ sensitivity as a sign of weakness, just the opposite in fact.  It seems to just happen naturally for some as they age, it’s called wisdom. Others that refuse to embrace change seem to harden their egotistical shell with time, becoming more rigid and cynical.  We men have always been expected to be the providers, a powerful source and force for protection, retaliation and justice. Since becoming a Father and now a Grandfather myself, I know my dad loved us boys.  He expressed himself the only way he knew how, by doing his best, being a hard-working role model, a protector and provider and when needed, the heavy-handed disciplinarian that was, shall I say, literally heavily handed down, generation to generation, father to son.  Believe me, we often deserved some form of discipline. The unspoken language we project is much more powerful than the spoken word.  When we learn how to listen, not just with our ears, but with our heart and soul as well, the spoken and unspoken become one and that my friend, is Real Power!  When authentic expression of feelings, voice and action come together in unison, it becomes your personal strength, your Ace in the Hole, your luck of the draw, your true power.  A book Josie discovered that has helped us tremendously to help strengthen our relationship through better communications is called “The five Love languages” by Gary Chapman.  In my early twenties I got bored with my life and chose to follow my dad’s footsteps and became a United States Airborne Paratrooper.  I didn’t care what else I did in the Army, I just signed on the dotted line to follow his big footprints for thrill seeking, travel and adventure.  My hope and desire had always been to make him proud of me.  I used to ask myself that question often (is he proud of me?)  because toward the end of his life, I felt we’d gradually drifted even farther apart, if that was possible, because I was experiencing things we didn’t or for whatever reason couldn’t talk about, an awareness of Spiritual transformation that I was experiencing. I don’t recall ever hearing the words of approval I desperately yearned to hear from him.  However, in hindsight I clearly remember when he and Mom would visit us where ever I was stationed while in the Army and remember his smile, his puffed out chest.  His stories of his time in the Army and the obvious pride he felt for my own success following his lead.  He was clearly speaking his own unique Love language and deep down I felt it. I hear his approval all the time now, because I am he, and he is me.   This lack of self-awareness seems to be the common thread that is often severed, separating us from our loved ones because of our lack of shared beliefs and inabilities to truly listen.  I love ya Dad and miss you.  I’m grateful to have had such an awesome Dad. I’ve been reading a journal of a Dad I wish I’d have met before making his transition from this world.  A great man, a loving husband, a proud father, a son, a loyal friend, a hockey player, a youthful and uninhibited free-spirit who loved to dance and loved even more being a Grandparent. If I were to have personally known him, I would have many more adjectives to describe him and why he is so deeply loved and missed.  I can however tell you he was/is a beautiful old Spiritual Soul whose voice can still be hear because I’ve heard it.  And once I learned it was his voice, we’ve since had many conversations.  Allow me to explain.  Years ago, we attended the unification of a very special couple.  The brides Father was unable to attend because cancer had robbed him of this special blessed occasion.  The father’s son performed a sweat lodge ceremony to honor and to bless these two beautiful souls as they were to become wife and husband.  After the sweat lodge, I spread my body across the lush green grass feeling it’s cool embrace, the smell of earth and loam, the Sun’s warm comforting touch on my back was welcomed and I was filled with gratitude.  While stretched out on the lawn, I told myself I was going to take one last deep breath before going down to the river and cleanse not just my body unbeknownst to me with the Irish Spring soap that would be provided, but also my spirit in the cool rushing waters.  In the exact moment of taking in my last deep intoxicating breath, an owl called out and goose bumps radiated from head to toe as I exhaled.  Later that day, I sat down with the father’s son whom I’d just met that day for the first time, the one who poured water for the sweat lodge and shared with him my story.  He told me the Owl is one of his father’s most power Spirit Totems and that he was acknowledging my Being Here Now, introducing himself, welcoming me to his home and blessing me.  He went on to say that I remind him of his father.  The greatest compliment I could ever dream of receiving for this young man, what a gift!  It’s moments like these that make lasting impressions on the soul, the heart and the mind, moments that can be recalled and comforting when life gets really shitty.  Since that moment, every time I hear the Owl speak or I observe its powerful silent flight, we acknowledge each other.  I tell him what a wonderful family he raised, and that he’ll never be forgotten.  For his memory and legacy of a joyful life filled with family, friends and Nature all of which encompassed the loving lasting relationships he so relished, lives on within his children, grandchildren and the infinite beautiful Universe. I’ll close with some of his loving thoughts and words.  “Beautiful!  I pour a cup of coffee and sit to watch the morning unfold.  The sun keeps coming – then a great blue heron flies over the river, east to west.  One would guess she isn’t worried about all she has to do – or what happened yesterday, or what will happen later – but even with the easy pace of her wings, she seems to make her way with purpose, from the shaded side of the river, through the golden light, into the day.  Remember:  I found a place by the river to live.  I had a wife and three children – they were beautiful and good.  My mother and father were with me in my life, and sisters and brothers and many friends.  –Bobby  x>

The dance between male and female dominance is an ancient one and the role each is expected to play on this great cosmic stage called “Life on Earth” continuously evolves and changes.  Are you dancing like no one is watching while discovering and embracing your inner rhythm?  Are you getting out of your comfort zone, serving others less fortunate than yourself?  Creating solutions for a more clean, healthy and harmonious environment?  Or are you slowly drowning while struggling up stream, embracing the emotional dramas you constantly co-create with whom you surround yourself, inviting them to your self-pity party?  This battle for power plays out moment to moment within each of us, because both genders reside within us all.  This year marks the 100^th anniversary for Women’s Right to Vote in the United States. One of the most important things to my Mom besides taking care of family, is a Women’s right to vote.  I can imagine her saying, “Get your ass out there and vote ladies!”  Thank you, Mom, for being such a powerful loving presence and an example for us all to emulate, helping mold us into the adults we’ve become.  Love ya Mom!  I look forward to seeing and being with you this summer. Until we reach a perceived equilibrium between the genders and begin to heal within, our treatment of the feminine continues to be reflected in our disastrous and selfish treatment of Mother Earth, resulting in our current ecological catastrophic collapse.  This “Daily Good” link Josie shared with me gives us an insight of the individual power each of us possess to help heal ourselves and in return heal the environment.  Each of us has a responsibility to “Be the Change we Wish to Experience in the World”, one thought, one word, one inspirational action at a time.  My passion is to help increase self-awareness in others and myself as to what brings Joy, Love, Inner-Peace, Purpose and a reason for getting up in the morning.  Being in tune with Nature helps balance the inner male and female within.  My silence this past year was a result of “Extreme Fear” plain and simple.  I’ve asked myself repeatedly, what is “It”, I’m so afraid of?  Success, failure, fame, fortune, not being liked, being shunned, threatened, killed, being an outcast, not being good enough? Yes, to all the above! Do I really want to place myself out on the world stage?   And at what cost am I willing to pay to play?  Why do I have this urgent need or desire to be the hero and help save our planet?  After all, look what happened to John Lennon after he chose to be a voice for Peace and Love, some coward with a gun shot him dead. But long before his murder, he was under surveillance by the FBI for what they labeled as his anti-war stance and that labeled “Stand” in and of itself made him a target to violent individuals as well as extremist hate groups.  In this day and age, it doesn’t take much to be singled out within social media platforms or bias news reports and become the target of all the hate groups and sociopaths hidden within their digital shadows.  I’m not anti-war, I’m just an “Inner-Peace Advocate” and a “Voice for Nature”.  However, to some, that makes me an enormous threat to their agendas. I’m a firm believer in a strong Military, for it’s imperative we’re able to defend our families, our country, our allies and our way of life.  I Just finished a book called “SELFiE”, How the West became Self-obsessed” by Will Storr and many possible answers to the questions that rattle around throughout my brain were answered, but mostly, just more questions appeared.  First and for most, what are people thinking of me? What are they saying about me?  What are they going to do to me? Am I feeling Paranoid?  Absolutely!  Is this feeling Normal? I do believe it is, so long as it doesn’t become obsessive.  It’s natures oldest form of self-defense and self-preservation.  It’s called your intuition.  It tells us, go with your gut feeling!  Looking over my past blogs, I acknowledge it would appear I fit into a very small niche of people I’ll refer to as Being Spiritual, or is it, Spiritual Being?  For many people that means I’m a lunatic, off my rocker, a lost soul in need of saving.  Whatever the case, I don’t consider myself religious. Perhaps I’m a “Luna-Tic, a person whom makes up stories about the mystical powers of the Moon”.  I just made that up.   It would appear that’s what we’re doing most of the time, just making it up as we chug along in life.  Making  a meaningful and purposeful existence as we experience life.  The way I define the difference is; to be Religious is to be indoctrinated into a sanctioned religious institution, be it Catholic, Christian, Islam, Satanic or whatever belief system one chooses; then raise your hand, take the oath or pledge, drink the blood, cross your heart and hope to die, light a candle, pierce your skin and hang from a tree, Aman.  Then all is well, because you’ve found your tribe, you’re forgiven, accepted, loved, supported and righteous, because everyone else is wrong and evil.  No need to worry, you’ve confessed your sins, have been forgiven,  you’re good to go and now on your way to Haven.  Sounds pretty good,  I’m tempted to sign up.  To Be Spiritual, I consider myself a free agent, to think, to voice and respond to the world as I chose.  I’m not against any of the religious institutions or spiritual groups of the world, quite the contrary.  They all have lots to teach me.  I’ve been open and remain open to their wisdom and mystical teachings.  I’ve never experienced anything more impressive, sacred or awe inspiring as when I’ve stepped into a house of God throughout our travels around the world, from the Notre Dame de Paris to a sweat-lodge and Sun-dance in Texas.   All have a role to play in the human experiment of evolution by way of our collective personal revolutions, revelations and stories.  My sharing is not always just about Nature, it’s also about the people I encounter and engage with and the lessons I’m to have within each moment.  It’s often more safe and powerful in numbers and so if you align yourself with the majority, life is less dangerous.  Step outside their set of parameters, laws, rules or beliefs and you’re fair game, subject to harassment, false accusations, persecution, or even death.  Some religions insist that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is evil. That somehow, these people are defective, not natural.  I don’t buy into it, not for a moment!  And don’t even get me started on women’s rights!  There is currently a worldwide women’s movement underway and I’m 100 % behind them! You go Ladies!  Some of my best friends are those people; gays, lesbians, independent minded women, UFO believers, mentally unstable and all the rest of society that doesn’t quite fit the masses perception of being right or normal, if not perfect.  Most of these so-called rejects and misfits I chose to align myself with are some of the most loving, fun, non-judgmental, compassionate, grateful and caring people I’ve ever had the honor to be friends with and I’m supposed to believe they’re terrible evil people?  Bullshit!  Mr. Storr points out this need for perfection in his book “SELFiE”.  There appears to be an epidemic of suicides, not just in the United States, but throughout the world.  Perhaps it’s a reaction of the Self, when It, (the Ego) doesn’t feel “It” measures up to others’ expectations or doesn’t get its way, or gets its secret desires fulfilled then gets found out. I recently watched a documentary called “Third Eye Spies” on Amazon Prime.  It’s about our governments involvement in using individuals with psychic abilities to spy on the enemy.  I recall hearing rumors of such things when I was in the Army, but of course I didn’t believe any of that hocus pocus nonsense and so I didn’t give it a second thought.  Now, I don’t just believe it, I live it, I experience it!  I’m not saying I’m in a constant state of mystical ecstasy and can perform miracles on demand, not yet anyway.  Most of my days are filled with everyday ordinary events.  I’m no different than you, except perhaps just a little more self-aware of how my thoughts, words and actions influence my experience and because when I’m open, not afraid and willing to experience unusual and extraordinary extra sensory perceptions, I do.   People in this Top-secret program referred to as “Third Eye Spies” claim they were at risk of being targeted by the enemy, to be captured, tortured or killed for their supposed mystical gifts.  Sound familiar?  So, where does that place me in this world if I too, claim to have some of these mysterious or perhaps better stated, miraculous abilities now and again?  Finally, I’d like to comment on a book that a friend of mine, Helmet, suggested I read called, “WILDERNESS, THE GATEWAY TO THE SOUL” by author and photographer, Scott Stillman, because we both seem to be speaking the same language and having/had similar adventures.  I highly recommend you get yourself a copy and go on a walk-about, get connected and plug into the mystery.  I got myself a copy of “Wilderness” about a week ago and I’ve chosen to read a little each day of this emotionally charged book, to savor it if you will, because he has a way of describing what it is I feel when I spend time in Natures’ stupendous beauty.  I can certainly relate to his writing because what often happens to me in the Wilderness is difficult to put into words.  Scott does a great job of describing the landscapes that inspires his writing as perceived through his mystical senses.  As for the first half of my life, I’ve heard myself telling others it resembles that of the movie “Forest Gump”, the main character portrayed by Tom Hanks.  Like Forest, I too found myself receiving medals for what I thought was, just doing my job, just having fun, (most of the time).  Working for, meeting with and/or shaking hands with Generals, Ambassadors from around the world and Presidents of the United States.  In my off-duty time, having grand adventures with family and friends’.  Having very unusual assignments and missions, some of which I’ve agreed never to discuss the details of and/or the classified information related to my duties with you.  While serving our country, I never believed any of that spiritual or religious stuff.  I just thought of myself as lucky.  But what is luck?  Being in the right place at the right time?  Or was it/is it, who I am BEING at any given time, place and space?  All that changed when I retired from the Army.  It now often feels as though I’ve stepped into one of the Harry Potter books or have fallen down the rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland.  No, the reality of it is, I just went for a long walk-about in the forest with my (DOG) and an open mind or did I get the spelling backwards and it was with my (GOD) , got lost, built a chair and found my voice, my purpose, my passion and my obsession.  Thank you, Universe, for keeping me filled up, surprised and questioning. X>

P.S.  I’m not into the whole Social Media thing, yet.  Nor am I interested in talking with any media or self promoting myself any more or any less than I have in the past.  Believe me, I’ve sent out the media packets and put myself out there.  I’ve asked individuals and organizations if they would like to collaborate with the Peace Chair but it all would appear to have fallen on deaf ears.  That’s OK, I’m content at the moment writing my blog and doing what I love to do.  But, if Ellen Degeneres  agreed to have a conversation with me about G.A.S. on her show, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment.  I believe she is one the funniest and most courageous women I’ve never met.  So in the mean time, if you like what you’ve read in this blog, then by all means, share it with others in your life.  They might just become inspired, encouraged and courageous enough to have their voice be heard.  Or to become more active as in Activism and take a stand for what is important to them, or take a Sit and connect with their Mystical Self.

 

 

I did a search on the internet this morning to see what would come up for The G.A.S. Man and it took a while to find anything pertaining to my blog.  I did several searches to include, (naturesgas blog, patrick milan, G.A.S. blog, the G.A.S. Man and several others and very seldom did I find any listings for my blog.  Lots of sites about natural gas exploration, cheap gasoline prices using Gasbuddy,  Farts , Fart jokes and the list goes on and on.  Unlike all the other Gas you may need or are looking for, Natures G.A.S. is Free!  Yes free and the only place you’ll find it is from going within.  Or should I say by being present.  “Being” in the NOW moment.  I’m not the most tech savvy guy you’ll ever meet.  As a matter of fact, I have a love/hate relationship with tech.  I love to hate it.  Perhaps it’s time to change my story?  My energy has always had an interesting effect on electronic devices or was it/is it just serendipitous moments I experience?  Anyway, what I did find on my “Search for the the G.A.S. Man” is a very well-respected long-time resident of Durango by the name of Sammy Denham.  According to the Durango Herold, “Sammy Denham might be the most popular guy in Durango. That’s what happens when you spend 42 years managing the gas station that almost always offers the lowest prices in town.”  I’ve met Sammy a few times over the years, but it isn’t because of the cheap gas that keeps me coming back.   Sammy is one of the most personable, likable guys you’ll ever meet.  Josie and I have been purchasing our tires from Sammy long before making our recent move here.  We’ve always had excellent experiences from He and The Peerless Crew and with their lowest price tire guarantee in town, you can’t go wrong.  My G.A.S.Tank (Heart) always gets filled when I visit them.  I’m sad to see Sammy leave, but am very happy for the new stories that await him.  Congrats Sammy, wishing you and Marcie many beautiful moments with your grandchildren and awesome new adventures.  To me Sammy is a Local Legend, an example of what small town living is all about.  Durango may not be the small town he remembers, but it is one of the most incredible Large Small towns anyone could hope or wish to live in.  A community of people serving people they know, love and respect.  A community Sammy helped grow and nurture.  So, if you are looking for some cheap gas, or in need of some new tires and great service, check out this Natures G.A.S. Station in Durango and get filled up.   Bon Voyage Sammy!   X>

 

 

Aside from the obvious place you might guess I like to spend much of my time, immersed in Nature, is in a book.  Books stimulate, entertain, educate and inspire.  Perhaps most importantly, books have the potential to liberate the mind.  I love libraries and bookstores, so many books, so little time.  A friend of mine, Nuri, recently contacted me to share his long-anticipated book called “Infinite Mind: A Scientific and Spiritual Exploration: Building a Bridge Between Inner and Outer Worlds”.  I first met Nuri at a local monthly Spiritual gathering in Northfield, MN Awakening to Oneness hosted by a dear friend of mine Larry Vorwerk.  The earth will continue to evolve with or without us!  Our continued existence as a human species on this planet depends upon on our scientific and spiritual self coexisting in balance and harmony with Nature.  His book “Infinite Mind” is an example of the courage it takes for us as individuals to be the voice for Nature, to take action for future generations to emulate and BE the change we wish to experience in the world.  Thank you, Nuri.  Another book that caught my attention during my latest visit to the library is called, “Spiritual Rebel” by Sarah Bowen.  She has a lighthearted entertaining way of introducing the possibility for us to explore our unique individual sacredness, the inner world.  She immediately addresses a challenge many face when embarking on a journey within, myself included, the “G” word, God.  She helps us understand that words are just pointers leading us in a direction in which to follow, or not.  Words are powerful.  Words have equal power to create as well as to destroy.  As I often like to remind you, be careful what you wish for, you might just get it! x>

January 23, 2019 was the last time I shared anything with you in my blog. I’ve missed You. It’s been a very bumpy ride to say the least. It was certainly the year of new stories for me. How about you? What kinds of stories have you been sharing with others? Most of mine are amazing!!! A few of them terrifying!!! Before I catch you up to date on what’s been happening with us/me, I just want to say that the year, 2020 Vision of Peace was, is and will be, the most spectacular year ever! Why you might ask? Because I said so! My Ego likes to be heard, acknowledged and experienced, as equally as does the Spirit Within.
I began the year 2019 with some serious mental health issues. Some of the most terrifying experiences of my life. Just when you think you have life mastered; it throws you a cure ball. Shortly thereafter we returned to Durango and with the help of family, friends, strangers, the local medical and Spiritual communities I sought help, welcomed it, embraced it, internalized it and am eternally Grateful. I visited a shrink for the first time in my life, so that combined with a local Native American sweat lodge the healing process continues. Thank you all.
Growing up as a child I was taught to believe everyone that has lots and lots of money are bad. I grew up thinking they were just a bunch of selfish, greedy, self-important people. And as for all those righteous religious people, I never had time for them either, pious bastards! I always perceived them all as a bunch of do-gooders acting as if they were the happiest people in the world because of their bags of money and this or that religious institution they belonged to, while deep down I sensed discontentment, uncertainly and a profound unhappiness deep within them.  Or was it within me? I now realize I was simply reflecting my own ignorance, intuitive thoughts and insecure feelings alongside my childhood programed beliefs about others, thereby creating a reality I perceived and believed to be true. As I began to explore various religious and spiritual disciplines as a way of examining, contemplating and understanding my life, it became, is and continues to become even more bizarre, miraculous, and mysterious within each passing moment. What is true? What is illusion? What is real?
Life is amazing! Life is scary! Life is a gas, gas, G.A.S.!
While the beginning of 2019 didn’t start out so good, it finished very well indeed. I’ll begin by announcing that Josie and I have become Grandparents and now understand what all the hype is about. We can’t get enough of that new beautiful little soul. Josie continues being and doing what she is and does best, a bright beautiful luminous presence and my anchor to this world. This past Spring, Rosie the Silver Wolf (our past home on wheels) found a new home. A very nice couple from the Durango area now own the Silver Wolf and so the Adventures with Rosie continue. We look forward to hearing some of their stories in the future. Happy G.A.S. Adventures you guys! While one the road, Josie discovered a website called trustedhousesitters.com (THS) and we’ve had and continue to have incredibly rewarding experiences. We’ve stayed in and cared for a wide variety of homes and pets around the country ranging from a small cozy cabin in the woods, to an enormous luxurious beautiful log home overlooking the mountains. Some had indoor and or outdoor pools, hot tubs or saunas. We’ve found ourselves near lakes with sky blue waters, fishponds or bordering a cold crystal-clear river filled with monster sized Rainbow trout (where I learned to fly fish with the assistance of our next-door neighbor. Thanks Doug). Most have had breathtaking sunrises and or sunsets. We’ve loved meeting and spending time with our new feathery, fury, hairy, etc.… friends and most times enjoyed the people too. Seriously, we’ve made some great new friends and acquaintances through THS and it has allowed us to more easily integrate within the community we intend on living in for a while. The place we’re currently staying at is a cozy log cabin with a fireplace where I like to sit in one of the comfy chairs with a book or capture my thoughts and share them with you in this blog. One of the homiest feeling places we’ve stayed at yet. It comes with a view of one of the many magnificent snow-covered peeks that surround Durango out their living room sliding glass door. We immediately felt very welcomed here the moment we met the owners Randy and Kristen and that gut feeling was confirmed as we quickly settled into their sanctuary. Wishing you guys the most wonderful Nature’s G.A.S. Adventures! No worries, we’ll keep the home fires burning.
I’ve continued to become more involved with the Adaptive Sports Association (ASA) because of the people, the smiles, the laughter and adventures, especially with those whom we serve. Come join us and get filled up! I’ve discovered fly fishing since our recent return to Durango and LOVE IT!!! Mountain Biking, Fishing, building and caching chairs all go very well together. This summer I taught some dear friends Sunshine and Moonbeam how to build their own personal portable sanctuaries at the first PC Playshop held in Bayfield, CO. We then performed a naming ceremony and they’re now the proud owners of the Gratitude Chair, the Awareness Chair and the Service Chair respectively. Josie and I wish you the best on your new endeavors. Please keep in touch, we look forward to visiting you both in the future and sharing a PC Playshop with you and your new friends.
The most recent three chairs I’ve built have all been created on Full Moon eve days or evenings to include my favorite, “Cedar’s C3 Chair”. Each were then bathed in the luminescent Full Moon energy the evening after they were built. And so, I’m not surprised by the gift I found this year for Josie, a Tibetan Full Moon singing bowl. Typically, I hate shopping, especially for x-mas. This year was different and magical. I started my afternoon holiday shopping with a haircut at Tucson’s Barber & Styling. According to Yelp an online consumer adviser, it would appear people either love’m or hate’m. Personally, I was very pleased with my haircut, T’s attention to detail, the fish stories shared and recommendations of where to go fishing. Thanks Tucson. I don’t always believe the online advisers, they like many other forms of media can be abused and misleading. After spending some time in the barber’s chair, the first shop that drew me into its space with its good vibes was Good Karma. Could it have been the powerful energy of the “G scale” Full Moon Tibetan Bowl calling to me? Thanks Sabina, what a beautiful Soul you are. Next, I stopped in and said hello to my friend Miki at her new store front downtown called Sticks and Stones handmade. There I discovered a bright, warm and beautiful setting featuring locally handmade artful creations and yes many of them crafted of stick and stone by local artists. But perhaps most importantly, they’ve all been inspired, created and infused with ”Local Love”. With my shopping completed, I stopped by Ernie’s, 11th Street Station to say hello to some friends we’d recently gotten to know while helping our Son Eric with his new business, On a Roll Ice Cream. The 11th. Street G.A.S. Stations (Food Trailers) have lots of great yummy options to choose from. Mexican, Sushi, Sliders, Pizza, and some of the best Tai food Josie and I have experienced at Chang Thai . If you’re in the mood for something hot and spicy, stop by Cuevas Tacos and ask Oscar or Claudia about their crazy fries, they are out of this world tasty. Perhaps that’s why I like them so much, I too often feel a bit crazy and from another world. In the mood for some fresh fish? Then be sure to visit Manny’s Fresh Co and see what beautiful and delicious treats Manny can slice, dice and roll up for you. You can’t go wrong with a gourmet Slider from the Backcountry Gourmet with a side salad. Don’t forget to check out the back patio where you’ll find incredible wood-fired pizzas made with high mountain sourdough and local ingredients at The Box. And baby if its cold outside, step inside and visit the Taste Coffee bar. In collaboration with Desert Sun Coffee Roasters, get yourself a cup of delicious certified organic, fair trade coffee while you’re waiting for your food to be prepared. Visit Ernie’s today and get filled up, Mind, Stomach, and Soul!  So, if our future manifests into our present moment experience by emulating the prominent stories that rattle around in our brain before being shared with others we encounter, then let me share with you how you can Be part of this past, present and future G.A.S. Adventure. I’m currently having fun creating some long overdue How-To-Peace Chair Scavenger Hunt videos and will be posting them soon. Together we’ll co-create a 2020 Vision of Peace we choose to experience together. I’ll leave you with a saying Chief Richard once shared with me after my Vision Quest at “Heart of the Woods”. “Happy wife, Happy Life!” I’m very, very happy, thank you Universe! X>

One of the things both Josie and I miss while traveling on the road full-time is community.  We’re lucky of course to have such great friends and family.  Josie and I would not still be together had it not been for all of you, you know who you are.  Without a group of people, you trust, life is not only empty and meaningless, it becomes a place of fear and loneliness.   Having said that, I’m excited to share with you a unique group of people we recently met out on the open road in the Escapees RV Club.  Their tag line is, “A total support network for all RVers.”  No matter your interest or hobby, you’ll find your tribe in the Escapees.  I was amazed at all the knowledge and expertise found within this organization.  If you have a question, concern or need help with something just ask, then open your heart and allow the Universe to answer.  Afraid to travel alone, no problem, find a group that fits your comfort zone and interests and jump on in.  Or better yet, get out of your comfort zone and experience something different, exciting and perhaps a little scary.  Having known nothing about this club, we were invited and introduced to it by some dear friends we recently met on our travels.  It will come as no surprise to those that know me, our first experience within the Escapees is the Boomers where whey pride themselves on (having no rules and no leaders).  It is a place where things just happen organically or what I like to refer to as serendipitous.  In other words, things change, constantly!  Be sure to check the bulletin board regularly or you might miss out on the FUN.  Josie and I feel like we’ve found our home away from home with the Boomers and look forward to participating in some of the other BOF’s and help fill some G.A.S. Tanks.  X>

 

Most of my writings are a result of long periods of reflection allowing my thoughts to marinate and become juicier.  This one however is powerfully raw and fresh.  The kind of experience that launches you into another dimension.  Some very nice down to earth  folks were next to us the past several days, the kind of people you love to have as neighbors.  What I didn’t know until the day before they departed is they have their 27-year-old adult child camping with them.  I didn’t ask them what his official mental diagnosis is.  If I was to guess, I would say down-syndrome, but I’m no expert.  All I know is that when I met T and looked into his eyes I saw caution, or was it fear!  Something inside me just wanted to go hug him and tell him he’s safe, that I’ve got his back.  Instead I couldn’t tell you what words were exchanged between us and doesn’t matter.  What matters is what I felt.  When I woke up around 3 am the following morning after meeting T, the message was loud and boisterous, “The Peace Chair Seed #16 is to be offered as a gift to the young man I’d met the previous day.  Later that morning, T’s mom was outside packing up preparing for their departure and so I asked her if I could have a talk with her son.  She looked at me very skeptically and said, “T doesn’t talk much, especially when Mom is around!”. “Well”, I said.  “That’s OK, he can just listen if he wants, I like to tell stories.  What I really want to do more than say, is to gift him that chair over there, if that would be OK with you and your husband.”  It appeared I caught Mom a bit off guard, but she finally nodded her head, OK.  She told me it was his birthday soon and that he constantly reminds her of this fact.  I said, “how perfect is that?”  I shared with T all my Dreams about what the chair represents for the world and he just grinned from ear to ear and listened.  He’s a great listener.  I told him the story about his chair, how well traveled it is and where the wood came from.  I showed he and his Dad how to properly fold it up in travel mode, how to set it up to sit and how to adjust it to a hill side setting.  I also showed them how to untangle the straps, not IF, but when they get tangled.   T agreed to the following Chairtakers Pledge. “I agree to take good care of the chair and share it with others”, then instead of shaking hands, T and I fist bumped on it to make it official!  But we had not yet performed the Chair Naming Ceremony and so I ask T if had any thoughts about that. “I don’t know,” he said.  I jokingly told him that’s a funny name.  After the laughs subsided, I asked him again and he said, “Holy Grail”.  Silence ascended upon us all.  Yes, I was speechless!  The family requested to remain anonymous and so I honor their request and hope others respect their wishes as well.   My wish is that one day in the future, I’ll meet T again and he can share some more of his stories with me, he’s a good story teller.  How do I know this?  I’m a good listener too. Something told me that his Mom was a bit surprised at how much T talked with me.  I don’t know what his normal is, in reference to talking or being, but to me, he is perfect just the way he is.  I’m Flowing over!  x>

 

This past summer while visiting family and friends in Minnesota, a dear friend of ours Paula, gifted me a book called “Journey Into Now”, by Leonard Jacobson and said, “I think you’ll enjoy this read”.  Thank you, Paula, not only did I enjoy it, I love it!  Leonard has this gift of sharing stories in such a way that I was able to understand better how to integrate what I’ve been experiencing (the mystical) into my own life and share it with others both fearlessly and authentically.  It has helped me confront questions such as, what the heck is happening to me? Why am I forgetting everything?  How is it possible I’m able to remember everything?  Nothing matters anymore!  Everything matters!  Over this past year, I’ve experienced such intense happiness and joy I didn’t know was possible.   The flip side is I’ve felt the opposite as well, an unimaginable deep profound sadness, aloneness, anger, shame and guilt.  These feelings are not new to me, I’ve felt this way all my life, often feeling like an outcast, feeling like something was wrong with me.  The difference now is the level of intensity in which I feel and experience life.  For well over a decade now, my feelings have gradually intensified.  And if that wasn’t enough, these past several months life has become even more intense.  And so, I asked the Universe, “What the heck am I supposed to do with it!?”.  The answer was simple and powerful.  Keep having fun!  Keep laughing!  Keep Smiling! Keep learning!   Keep sharing the G.A.S. Stories!  Embrace the unknown with questions, all the while remaining present in the NOW moment.  The challenge is, it isn’t always fun.  I don’t always feel like laughing or smiling.

 If this is what it means to be a mystic, then I’m not sure I want any part of it!  If this is what a life of a mystic experiences, I want more of IT!  Yes, I know it all sounds confusing and complicated.  To the mind it will always appear as complicated, until it isn’t.  It becomes easier when you experience an increased awareness within the power of NOW.   I’m extremely grateful to Josie, for she is my life preserver, my life line, my Soul Mate.  She herself has been through her own journey contemplating the deeper questions in life, often coming up with what would appear to be no clear answers.  I’m excited about our journey into the NOW moment together because I’ve finally experienced for myself what it means to Be present with and for another.  I now get to BE Josie’s life line, BE her true Soul Mate.

OK, enough of the deep stuff, lets get back to the basics of life.  Life is what you make it out to be.  I’ve always looked at it as a playground for my own personal entertainment.  Does that sound selfish? perhaps it is.  It seems to have worked well for me, so I’m going to continue embracing what feels good.  I’ve never enjoyed team sports.  I’ve always been more into the individual adventure.  Climbing rocks, biking, hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking or swimming to name a few of my favorite things to do.  Lately my preferred activity is Mountain Biking, building and sharing chairs and Sitting in extremely beautiful Natural places for long periods of time.

I’ve needed new wheels and tires for my mountain bike for some time now and finally got my upgrade!  Last week while traveling through Tucson, AZ, Josie spotted a bicycle shop going out of business and offering 30%-50% off everything.  I got my new wheels and Josie got a new helmet.  A large sign over the work bench apologized for their no longer offering bicycle repairs because of the closure and that was how I met JJ, owner of a small local bike shop called, JJ Bicycles.  He told me a story about how this nationwide bicycle chain store first opened years ago and offered him a job.  My first thought was, brilliant business strategy, hire the local bike experts that own local shops and you remove your competition and gain their clients all in one swoop.   Unfortunately for this chain store, that strategy didn’t work out for them in the Tucson area.  I was extremely impressed with JJ’s expertise, efficiency and his overall likability as a person.  He got my wheels all put together and even did some minor tweaks to my bike and now I’m good for few more adventurous miles.  So, if you find yourself in the Tucson area and in need of some help with your bike, stop by JJ Bicycles and tell him the G-Man sent you to get your G.A.S. Tank Filled Up.

In past blogs, I’ve written about discovering real treasures to report on and I’m excited to share with you a story about a man by the name of John Easterling or better known as “Amazon John”, founder of the Amazon Herbs Company.  I met John several years ago in Minneapolis/St. Paul when he began a world tour promoting his medicinal herbs.  Not long after beginning my own Spiritual journey experiencing Native American Ceremonies, I was invited by my friend, Dr. Tom Weaver to help prepare and participate in a sweat lodge ceremony honoring Amazon John as he embarked on his promotional tour.  John is a leading expert in the healing properties of the powerful herbs and botanicals found in the Amazon Rainforest.  I encourage you to watch this interview with john as he describes his fascinating journey into the Amazon Rainforest in search of Inca artifact treasures like a modern-day Indiana Jones if you will.  Stories such as this one is what prompts us to embark on our own personal journeys of health and wellbeing.  The stories we tell others are what gives life meaning and purpose and ultimately become our self-fulfilling prophecies.  Become aware of the stories you tell others and you’ll begin to understand how your life has unfolded thus far.  Whatever story you tell others are likely to repeat themselves in the future.   Yes, different places, with different people, but with a similar theme and outcome.  If this is true and you don’t like the story you are telling others, then perhaps it’s time to change your story.  Change begins by getting out of your comfort zone.  If what’s happening in the world infuriates you, great!  Do something about it.  Write a letter to your congressman, get out in the streets and protest, get angry, be heard, be seen, be yourself.  Whatever you do, do it responsibly.  2019 is The Year of New Stories, preparing us for a Vision of Peace in 2020.  But let us not get all wound up around the axle of time because the NOW moment is the only thing that is real.  The past is behind us and the future is just a dream.  What kind of change do you wish to experience in the future.  In the now moment is where the magic happens, where your story is unfolding.   Now is the time to go out into the world and start filling others’ G.A.S. Tanks and see what happens to your life.  I guarantee you one thing; your life will be different.  Your Tank will be filled, and you’ll have different stories to tell others in years to come.  Stories filled with serendipitous encounters with strangers that before would have terrified you, but now energizes you.  I know, it all sounds too easy, but what if?   What if, a change of life is just a thought away?  I’m here to tell you it is!  A thought is just the beginning, the next step is to Be the voice.  The final step is action.   Write that letter, write your book, teach the class, enroll in that class you are interested in, or volunteer in your community.  x>