Shadow and Light

The installation of a 5Rhythms event reflects the internal exploration of the work as well as provides inspiration to the dancers.  These works were presented to me in a dream state - both in sleep and during awake time.  Some inspiration came from the book "Connections: The 5 Threads of Intuitive Wisdom" by Gabrielle Roth - and the discussions held in our triblet's book club.

It is as much about the creative process as it is the dance, which dug deep in my soul and exposed parts of myself I didn't know even existed.  I was so enamoured this tribe that came together, I didn't want to wash off the sweat - my physical connection with them. 

5Rhythms dance isn't performance art.  You won't see photos of us dancing, but I added in photos of the dancers, to show the afterglow in their dear, lovely faces.  I hope this video is a marriage of the dreams, artwork and tight bond dancing for three days together will reveal to a person.

2012 March Shadow & Light

After my mom transitioned to heaven and my son went off to college I had a burst of creativity.  I've made many collages for Sunday Sweats.  I like to re-use common things in my art I can find on the street, garage sales, etc.  I have more plans for the drum and the door.  Look for it in our futures.

Finally, On Time

After arriving at inspiration, beaten down by the  dance journey and neurotic thoughts, I came upon this quote.

"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be.  Don’t think that you’ve lost time.  It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now.  And now is right on time."   Asha Tyson

For the first time, I am on time…. With three gifts: 

Grounded Feet
Fluid Heart
Open Mind

With gratitude and blessings to all that journeyed with me this week-end.  My heart is full of love with you.  -michey

How I Gave Up Easter for Lent

Since our Artie started UC Berkeley this fall we breeze in and out of town with not nearly enough time to explore. Although I am new to using Groupon, when a chance to stay at the Berkeley City Club for half price came up I jumped at the opportunity.    A stay in a posh hotel (at half price), have a little weekend get-away and spend a little time with our son in his own environment. 

The Groupon savvy realizes that deals of this sort have requirements and restrictions. When I called the hotel for reservations, I found they were nearly booked up.  Fortunately there was one room left – the weekend of my son’s 19^th birthday.  I thought, “How lucky for us.”  Gorgeous room with a view in Julia Morgan’s “Little Castle”, spend the weekend exploring Berkeley with hunky hubby and get to be with my son on his birthday.  Like a gift from Heaven!

Secretly, I realized our son wouldn’t be able to come home his birthday weekend this year.  He is busy with his studies and most probably wants to spend time with his friends.  This way we could have the best of both worlds.  A nice birthday dinner and he'd still have freedom to celebrate with his friends. 

Ironically when I made these lovely plans I. never checked the calendar.  When I finally consulted Pink Book I was in shock.  What on Earth did I do?  My son’s birthday weekend coincides with Easter Sunday.  My heart came to a full-stop.  For the past um-teen years hunky hubby and I have hosted Easter Sunday brunch – complete with egg hunt.   Oh my.  

2011 Easter Egg Hunters

Take a minute to go back with me in time.  Easter Sunday Brunch, eaten alone at a Jack-In-The-Box about 30 years ago.  A holiday spent alone without family, brunch or so much as a single Easter egg.  Decades later, I’m a little sad to not to uphold the almost 20 year Easter Brunch tradition. Am I holding on to the need for a 20 year tradition because I’m afraid of ending up alone?    So that is how I ended up giving up Easter for lent.  I have faith that this break in tradition will bring new hope and rich opportunity for growth. 

For info on Berkeley City Club go to:  http://berkeleycityclubhotel.com/ 

Listen for the music of the night sounds

Listen for the music of the night sounds.
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
The moon, our conductress of a late evening orchestra
Last customers leaving a late night bistro.  Hugs and waves and good night kisses. 
The clink of plates and glasses being cleared away.  The chatter of the credit card machine.
Purple pulsing music blaring out of a zebra striped gin mill,
  accompanied by the thick raspy voice of cigarette smoke.
A black cat scampers across the street.  Listen.  Can you hear her?
Cars with solitary drivers, headed home....... or somewhere.
Sprinklers shower rain songs in the park.
Stars twinkling, a light show in perfect time with the music.
The trees having tea, visiting, while us humans head into our beds
Their leaves and branches catch up on the news of the day.

Thursday Dance Moon
Our Conductress

The breeze brings news from far away lands, adding 3-part-harmony.
Soft breathing of a beloved, not quite snoring
Cats' Purr
Freeway Lullaby
Pen scratching on this page

Listen for the music of the night sounds.

Let the moon coax you into sleep.

Firsts and Lasts

Last tea bag from Empress Hotel, a gift from a dear friend the cup drained to the last drop, leaving only tea stains on the porcelain.
First taking back our darling girl to dorm after the long holiday break.  Does she have enough supplies to last until we see her again?
First 2012 trip to the farmer's market.  Coho salmon, brussel sprouts, kale (lots and lots of kale), oranges that weigh a pound and a half, sweet and juicy and the first of the Paige tangerines. 
Last of the holiday sweets.  Is it a waste to just toss them?  They will most likely be found at the work coffee station tomorrow.

First breath of day, inhale the hope this sunny day brings  families together in harmony. 

Michey's Canon

In lieu of New Year's Resolutions, I am creating a canon to follow my whole life long.

 
• Be appropriately perfumed and costumed at all times in case the the opportunity to dance appears out of thin air.
• Be so comfortable with yourself that you never worry if other people think you are absurd.
• Be open to see the truth that those that surround you offer. 
• Laugh in the presence of absolute impossibility and take action in spite of your fears.
• Nothing is too sacred to laugh at.
• Laugh more than socially acceptable.
• Live in light and sunshine.
• Work can be play if you let it.
• Let kindness be foremost in intention when living, working and playing with others.
• Eat the food your body craves to be healthy and happy.
• Listen for your Spirit Guides and the wisdom they provide.

What do you have working in your life?


Solstice Poetry

"LATE lies the wintry sun a-bed,  

A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;  

Blinks but an hour or two; and then,  

A blood-red orange, sets again.  

  

Before the stars have left the skies,        

At morning in the dark I rise;  

And shivering in my nakedness,  

By the cold candle, bathe and dress.  

  

Close by the jolly fire I sit  

To warm my frozen bones a bit;  

Or with a reindeer-sled, explore  

The colder countries round the door.  

  

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap  

Me in my comforter and cap;  

The cold wind burns my face, and blows  

Its frosty pepper up my nose.  

  

Black are my steps on silver sod;  

Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;  

And tree and house, and hill and lake,  

Are frosted like a wedding-cake."  

 

Robert Louis Stevenson