Last beach day on the wings of Mercury

I spoke of August in my previous blog. Here's a pic of one of the last beach days at the lake around the corner from my home, end of August. I look like I have white clouds coming out of my head on a windy day...the winged look of Mercury aha aha ha.!

Still working on it!

Hello. The last few months have gone by in a blur. I can't believe how fast time is going right now...if there was such a thing as 'time'. That's another story, lol! May, June, July and August comprised mainly of two things...beach and working at my day/night job...in random order. I put in many hours at the worksite and a lot of those hours were nights. I wrote chapters of my book at the beach and then copied the sunscreen scented words to my computer and memory stick at night...sometimes 'til 2:00 am. I'm at Chapter 15, not where I thought I'd be ...I expected around Ch. 20...oh, well - I'll keep at it.

I saw a few friends and family on days off, fit a b-day celebration in there, too. Our picnic became an indoor event that day, due to July rain...but it was fun. I got away to the Shuswap in July, to my cousin Jan's summer cabin - see pic -, albiet briefly in good weather tho...bonus! August was the best month for summer temps, day after day of hotness which I love. I'll take hot over cold anytime. My plants exploded in Miracle Gro assisted blooms in August. They are now very lush, the best I've ever seen in my garden during September.

One of my main concerns is animal rights...always. I've continued to sign petitions and be active in this regard all through the past several months. I do what I can, mainly online right now.

PLease....instead of simply donating to charities you can help. When you see the word "Research" in the title, beware. Many societies abuse animals in laboratories for their so called "research". It is horrific unspeakable abuse funded by general population ...well intended but severely misinformed. Watch "Earthlings"...for example and the 'research' is exposed.

I have been returning envelopes to these societies not with a donation, but with a written request on their donation sheets. I explain "I am an animal rights supporter. I will no longer contribute to a society which abuses animals in laboratories in the name of 'research'. Please send info telling me if this society has animals in labs for experiments. Thank you."

We have to change the way our world views all life and nature. We need more respect. Thanks! Bye now!

My New New Book

Happy May! I've been working on my new book. I've decided to incorporate some themes of my first short novel "Life and Death - the Path of Lu" into this new manuscript. This current book I'm writing is a New Age suspense teen romance fiction. I've been inspired by the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer. Her style of writing looks easy and effortless but there's a lot to it...so much more than meets the eye obviously. She's very hugely successful for a reason. Her background is in classic English Literature, somewhat like my background but her books are very modern in style. She's nailed it.

Another inspiration is the college course I've just completed. It was a blast to meet with 10 students every week and learn more about writing, current publishing and marketing techniques to help us with our manuscripts.

I'm on chapter 7 right now and plan to have around 21 chapters in total, about 450 pages when the book is done. I'm moving along quickly. The 6 chapters were written in April. I've also started a blog at wordpress (on the college instructor's advice) but I've not posted much there yet.

March news

Hello - time for an update for all you shy lurkers - come on ...I know you're out there! Please post a comment now & then lol! All is well. I'm taking a course at the local college here and the sessions are Monday nights.... really enjoying meeting with other authors, talking about our individual projects...our instructor is nice & helping a lot!

I'm looking forward to an art show coming up at a gallery close to where I live. Two artists I admire will have their pieces in this exhibition - one buddy for the first time! I'm happy about that. Check Tobinism - his art is tres cool! Both guys have their own amazing styles.

Speaking of ...a girlfriend's b-day celebration is tomorrow same day as artist Michael Godard's b-day so I'll drink (non-alcohol juice) to both of these awesome people!

New decade dreams

Dreams...actual dreams while I sleep...I've learned to see some things. It takes a long time to understand the symbols, and to look for the pictures in waking life. Usually I know when awake life will be good because my dreams tell me. I know when there will be a problem and I've learned how to soothe my sleep so I can find the path of happiness. Sometimes I walk into the picture of my dream the next day, week or months. People say 'why can't someone predict the lottery?' Probably the signs are there and people should be able to find the numbers because there really is no future and no past...just various dimensions of our so called reality. But a lottery is not a main spiritual path, it's more like a back alley... so that's why we can't usually dream the numbers imo. Here's a dream, part of my book

A door – my hand is on the ornate handle –
An antique knob with smooth scalloped concave design
All around the edges.
I saw it – half awake, half dreaming –
Just now as I rested on warm sand.
I was turning the door knob.
It was a bit loose – old,
At least 100 years.
Sometimes maybe after trying and trying
I have been right at the door –
And without knowing how near the next room was,
I’ve turned and walked away.
This time around, I’ve touched the handle and turned it.
A very good dream.

Turning point of the year

I want to share my views in the following blog. I'm only trying to understand my world, my surroundings - or what seems to be my reality. I want to learn and this is what I've seen. No one knows exactly what we are. I don't say I know anything to be true....just thinking of stuff during this special time of year. I'll be glad if you read or add your comments & thoughts here or at myspace. Thanks.

This is the new year of ancient calendars...the winter solstice and now the length of daylight increases. In many religions this coincides with the birth of a sun or son, the result of a god or goddess and a human coming together...or the result of a galaxy being created. I don't think people should have anxiety about religion...as long as we find comfort in the principle of goodness prevailing over evil, of love as a much more powerful force than hate. My God is within me and all around.

I like many parts of the Bible, the story of Jesus, the son, and believe these events to be true...but in many cultures & histories throughout time there is a saviour. I like reading the Bible sometimes for inspiration but I skip the violent parts. Our sun which shines is also a saviour. Nothing is 'one thing' separate from the other. I accept all the info in the Bible as close to historical truth but I also remember this fact - only in recent times we are allowed the luxury of knowing how to read, a luxury denied most people historically except the elite, the rich, and members of the church. I believe ancient manuscripts were translated to the best of abilities but not without error.

I like to have moments of peace and tranquility during this festive season. I think people and all of life seek comfort and love, and people are truly looking for the goodness of life especially at this time of year. Expression of love is always welcomed. What is our expression, how do we find answers to our needs? One way is through looking at our own god, a very great power and truth and finding our own individual path toward our own heaven. All is one - science, art, religion...if you are looking to put everything into neat separate compartments you're on the wrong planet lol!! Then again, who knows?

There's a small publishing house which publishes separate couplets from contributing authors once a year at this time and all couplets are put together in a poem. This year the poem theme is 'Cold'. Also good news! My book of proems "Life & Death, the Path of Lu" (I've copied parts of it in my previous blogs here on this site) I'm closer to finding a publisher now!

Here is my couplet to be included in the multi-author poem "Cold"

Howling my white craft down the corridor of the Sonora,
Northern electrons spelling crystal to my southern desert love.


To all who read this, enjoy the festivities in your own special way, hopefully with others! I will!

Happy New Year!

Trip to Van, man!

Recently I had the pleasure of going to Vancouver in good weather while the Coquihalla hwy was in good shape! This is a pic of the area near the summit. A wilderness you don't want to be stranded in with a car problem in sub zero conditions but so beautiful at all times.

I enjoyed Van...It rained rivers as is usually the norm & we celebrated a birthday, a dance convention with my niece & her students of the studio held at the Hyatt downtown, shopped around, stayed warm and had a great time! Watch out for M-pathy ... a super dance group with original moves!