School may be back in session for many and summer may be almost over for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but unless you live in the Arctic circle, now is as good a time as any to plant a container garden. Sunset magazine recently featured not 10, not 25, not 40 or 50 but 53 container gardens! A few of my favorites a pictured above. And since on Sundays I post an interesting fact about the number 53, this Sunday I’m featuring these 53 container gardens. Read more…
Award-Winning Latino Poets In Ojai 8/23
Three award-winning Latino poets read tomorrow Sunday August 23 at 2pm at the Ojai Art Center 113 So. Montgomery, downtown Ojai. Angel Garcia, Melinda Palacio, and Emma Trelles will perform poetry and Claudia Simone will sing with classical guitarist Don Cardinali. Food trucks will be on site and while the event is free, donations are appreciated.
The Ojai Art Center has several branches; the literary branch is hosting this event: “The Literary Branch shines a spotlight on writers – especially local talent – to provide the community events that acclaim all types of literary works. It invites participants to use their leisure time to venture to the Center to share with others the sensations of good writings. Lean in. Listen. Learn.”
#CRUDEAWAKENING
Are you still disturbed by the horrific oil spill a few months ago on the Santa Barbara coast? I am!
Did you know that last week, Plains All American, the operator of the ruptured pipeline increased its estimate of gallons spilled by 40% – now saying over 140,000 gallons total?
Did you know that while additional clean up off-shore isn’t possible, clean up on-shore continues, focusing on the tens of thousands of gallons that soaked into the soil and rocks of the bluffs and beach?
Did you know hundreds of birds and marine mammals have died as a direct result of oil exposure?
Did you know tar balls from the spill made their way hundreds of miles south– as far south as Redondo Beach?
Did you know YOU CAN DO SOMETHING? How close have you ever paddled to those enormous oil production platforms dotting our coastal horizon? How about a couple hundred feet away – in the name of oil spill prevention and response and stopping future offshore oil drilling? Or take action about current legislation?
Tonight the Ventura Patagonia Store will open its courtyard at 7pm to host a free after hours gathering for 200 or so. Chef Tim Kilcoyne’s food truck “Scratch” will be there, Surf Brewery will be pouring, plus there will be popcorn, music, and conversation among like -minded folks before the 8pm film “The Fisherman’s Son” followed by discussion. Read more…
Get Happy, Get Nature
We deem those happy who from the experience of life have learned to bear its ills without being overcome by them. —Carl Jung
[image]: Apollo, god of music, Athenian red-figure kylix C5th B.C., Archaeological Museum of Delphi.
A friend of mine who also studied Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute posted this this morning which she found on the CJ Jung twitter feed. I find this quote particularly profound and poignant partly from reading notes from my students where several shared their struggles in life and as their stories resonate and reside in me I reflect on how best to be their teacher this semester. Part of the challenge as a mentor, a guide, a teacher is for us ourselves to find the balance where we have learned how to bear the ills of life and not become overcome by them.
But how exactly do we do this? And can it be taught? For me, a key element is a sense of purpose and accomplishment, that I am being of service and doing something with my life–giving back, creating, participating, not just consuming. I feel better about myself and the world when I live consciously on the earth and with others. And I am always better able to bear life’s challenges when I spend time in nature whether I am walking, hiking, camping, sitting, contemplating. When the going gets tough, the tough get going –outside! There’s even a website and a commercial for Nature Rx
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Class will also include this video version of Dr Seuss’s book Oh The Places You’ll Go which uses Burning Man 2011 as a backdrop (and yes I was there that year!) and a clip from Wall E. Ah the places we’ll go this semester…
The Immediate Availability of Awakening
The most important understanding for a lay Buddhist is the immediate availability of awakening.
Awakening need not arrive after a long, protracted practice history unless we believe that this is necessary…
We practice until we are tired preparing for what has always existed here and now, then we become quiet and surrender.
–Rodney Smith Stepping Out of Self-Deception: The Buddha’s Liberating Teaching of No-Self
Today is the first day of the fall semester at Ventura County Community College District, and since I teach Mondays and Wednesdays, today’s the first day of school for my students and me. Read more…
Hot Topic’s #HousePrideSweeps
Is it tell me something goof? Or feed me something good?
It’s summer, and time once again for the Ventura County Fair “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” and the annual “Bounty of the County” where, on Tuesday August 11 from 5-7pm regional restaurants and wineries offer bites and tastes to the first 200 fortunate fairgoers. They get to taste and then vote on best food, best wine, and best pairing. There are also several other wine and food events coming up!
Events like this are a great way to develop your palate and figure out what exactly pairs with what!
Be sure to come early to The Agriculture & Natural Resources Building in the northwest corner of the fairgrounds (near the grandstands) to get in line for this popular event!
On Sundays in 2015 I post an interesting fact about the number 53; this week’s interesting fact is that 53% of all voters in 2012 were women according to this article.
Why do I bring this up? And now? Read more…
How to Fly to Burning Man
Brand new Burning Man video features 88NV –the Black Rock City temporary airport!
Did you know that Black Rock City, home to Burning Man, has its own airport? Indeed it does! 
