A DAY OF LIVING

Morning and I make an appointment for another allergy test, then a long talk with a friend having teeth work done.  Elders commiserating.  Face book and emails, breakfast, meditation, 'Democracy Now' catching up on the news (see LINK), then a trip to the library where another elder, disturbed to distraction over the RNC and her memories of Hitler, needed to talk. Another commiseration session.

4PM

Restorative Nap

5PM

LOUD

In front of the building where workers are digging out more dirt from the building next door under construction.

7 PM

SILENCE

Blue-sky moment looking out the window

at the Zendo after sitting

CURIOSITY

What is 'The Cell' at 336 West 23rd Street?

(see LINK)

 Continued walking West

(I wish I lived here)

8PM

 SERENDIPITY

While waiting for the bus, a cheery moment

'Mother Pigeon' with 'Olivia'

(see LINK)

9PM

RAT-A-TAT-TAT

The drills are digging holes on the corner again

Still working near midnight

LOUD

 Con Edison advertisement and Warning

'get the CE text Ap before it's too late'

SLOW WALK

Once around Gramercy Park

following a slow walking old dog

Good Night Good Night

("parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night 'till it be morrow.")

LINK
News
http://www.democracynow.org/

The Cell

http://www.thecelltheatre.org/the-space/

Mother Pigeon

https://www.facebook.com/tinatrachtenburgartist/

and

http://motherpigeon.com/

TUESDAY NIGHT ON THE TOWN

Boarded the 1st Avenue bus

 Debarked at the United Nations

 Waited for the Cross town bus West

 Arrived for Free Event at Town Hall

123 West 43rd Street

NYC

Dada J.P Vaswami with Krishna Das and Friends

(See two Links)

They gave us snacks upon entry!

I started watching from the balcony.

and moved downstairs to the front row
for the last chant.

"Jaya Bhagavan"

https://youtu.be/_oOz8tX46wY
 ~*~

Afterward at Bryant Park

 People play free ping pong
until the park closes

 ~*~

Walking toward home, I encountered a demonstration for the Panchen Lama: Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognized by the 14th Dalai Lama on 14 May 1995.  He vanished from the public eye shortly after being named at aged six. It has been claimed that he had been taken into protective custody from those that would spirit him into exile and is now held in captivity against the wishes of the Tibetan people.

(see Link)

~*~

May all beings be happy

May all beings be free from suffering

May all beings live with ease of heart

***

Links

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dada_Vaswani

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_Das_%28singer%29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchen_Lama

Rx FOR TOUGH TIMES

"To regain patience, learn to love the sour,
the bitter, the salty, the clear." 

-James Rchardson-

SOUR

Canada on my mind

(Signage on a phone booth third Avenue NYC)
The Alberta wildfire, which has come to be known as "the beast," has destroyed 2,400 homes and businesses, and displaced upward of 94,000 people.  Evacuees, now spread across the province and the country, are waiting for word on when they can return home. The fire has moved away from the city, and is expected to burn in forested areas for many more weeks.

What happens to wildlife caught in a forest blaze?

(Answers in the Link at bottom)

~*~



BITTER 
Dreaming Nettles
I dream fields of bloom and dirt paths, old gates,
blue skies, wildflower drifting days, nettle soup,
moon strewn nights and starlit visions of heaven.
-M. Slater-

(screen shot from Terri Windlings wonderful blog Post on Nettles)
Her Recipe
"Melt some butter in the bottom of the soup pot, add a chopped onion or two, and cook slowly until softened.  Add a litre or so of vegetable or chicken stock, with salt, pepper, and any herbs you fancy.  Add 2 large potatoes (chopped), a large carrot (chopped), and simmer until almost soft. If you like your soup thick, use more potatoes.  Throw in several large handfuls of fresh nettle tops, and simmer gently for another 10 minutes.  Add some cream (to taste), and a pinch of nutmeg.  Purée with a blender, and serve."
(Much more beauty at the Link Below)
~*~



SALTY
Like the sea, like sweat, saliva, blood and tears.
 Salt of the earth salty.  Purifying curative salt.

(Himalayan pink sea salt in a shell)

Cloud Cult is an experimental, orchestral indie-rock band from Duluth, Minnesota led by singer/songwriter Craig Minowa. The name originated from the ancient prophecies of indigenous North Americans.  Just a part of what's to love about this band: "In 1997 Craig Minowa formed Earthology Records on his organic farm, powered by geothermal energy and built partially from reclaimed wood and recycled plastic. This nonprofit label uses only recycled materials and donates all profits to environmental charities. The band also tours in a biodiesel van."

https://youtu.be/mvy0BwulnEc
(More about them at the Link)  
~*~

CLEAR
Mystification is easy; Clarity is the hardest thing of all.” 

(Photographer shoots her moon)

"Clarity is the hardest thing of all.”

(Rose petals)

"Clarity is the hardest thing of all.”

(Steel wool-Black Walnut-Red cabbage)

"Clarity is the hardest thing of all.”

Violet infused vinegar)

"Clarity is the hardest thing of all.”

(Paper butterfly in a vase)


"Clarity is the hardest thing of all.”

https://youtu.be/Q5DUaqi6vSE
~*~

LINKS

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/where-the-wild-things-are-2/

http://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2016/05/from-the-archives-picking-nettles.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Cult 

https://www.blogger.com/profile/09479767121319709878

***