I just found this video. and while it is long it is SOOOO worth it, even if you think you've heard it all on this topic, please watch this. It is personal. Not just for the people in this video, but for me and my family and community as well. Aamjiwnaang is just downriver from me, and Sarnia right across the river.




This picture was taken several miles from where I live, in St. Clair Michigan. When I visit my mom who lives just one mile from me and whose apt. building is along the river you can see  It's a solid wall of chemical plants. (As they state in the above video, 40% of Canada's chemical industry is located across the river from me) Not only are these plants WAY too close to our living spaces, they are RIGHT NEXT TO Lake Huron and The St. Clair River. Of course, even on our side there is major pollution that needs to be dealt with as well, but the shoreline in Sarnia puts the problem into sharp relief. Our limited freshwater resources are being hopelessly contaminated by this industry!



This is NOT just a Canada or "Chemical Valley" issue [if you follow this link and scroll down a bit to where it says "Total Amount of Air Pollution", you will see a map my house is closest to the road labeled Oak Street], but this does make it very dear to me. I see the effects of this every day. I hear the sirens go off (they test them once a week too - I honestly believe that this is partially to "normalize" the sound of them so we pay less attention. While they do report in Canada that you are not to drink water for x amount of hours, or that you should stay inside for a certain period of time, none of these things is ever reported here across the river in the US - it's like it never happened...

The chemical companies occasionally hold meetings (in Canada) to discuss the "science" of their work, and assuage people's fears, but as it states correctly in the above video - these are all their own findings and NEVER show any real danger. When asked "tough" questions based on independant scientific studies, speakers have been known to LITERALLY turn and run from the floor rather than answer any questions or deal with the upset if they just stand there and refuse to answer.

The pollution isues on this side of the border are kept much quieter, but need to be confronted just as badly.

This problem is one that needs to have world wide attention drawn to it. And I will be doing my part, you can be sure. (There will be an extensively referenced article on my website soon)

Your thoughts, feelings, and insights?

I don't know that I feel any need or desire to be famous. I DO feel the need to be of value, to do something important - to hopefully leave at least a few of my ancestors thinking they are proud to have me in their family tree.

I'm mulling over life this morning taking the time to examine and appreciate the beatuy of the infinite garden of expereince around us all.

I am appreciating the beatuy of old patterns being uplifted - finally pushing through the "sticky stuff" that held them back - and coming into bloom...

I spent this July 4th (Independance Day - a national holiday in my country) with my step-grandmother and my mom at a private (and expensive) picnic at a members-only golf club. Now, my grandmother and my mother have absolutely hated each other (or at least sure LOOKED like it!) for well over 25 years. They have at the best of times had purely civil interactions. This same step-grandmother has disliked me as well for most of my life. I couldn't tell you her reasons - though she often told me how much she hated my father's family. Out of the blue, a few days before the 4th, this woman called me and wanted to know if we would be interested in joining her for the above mentioned picnic. Her treat. Not only that! She wanted to know if I thought my mother would be interested in joining us!


I about fell over! AND they were GENUINELY nice to each other ALL afternoon!!!  It was truly amazing to see the hatchet they have been grinding for each other for the better part of my life, suddenly dissolved and blooming into a real, caring relationship between them. Magic in action! It was such a joy to be able to watch them lay aside years of animosity as if it had been nothing, and turn towards the relationship I think (in secret) they both wished they had all along.

Road construction is going on all around our house at this time as well, and it's really wrapped the neighborhood in a feeling of magical upheval.


Of course, its also wrapped us up in dust, and noise, and beepers, BUT I think the more interesting thing here is the FEEL it has created. With things changing around us daily, we've been taking a lot of walks.

And noticing lots of really great things we might otherwise have never gotten the oppertunity to appreciate...

or...

some natural beauties like this

and


Sadie even discovered : Mud


If you look near her hip, you will see another orb (taken in front of that same historic building)

My gardens are in bloom now as well, the first harvest is ready, and a few new plants are waiting to go in..a task I hope to get to today, familly is in from out of town, my oldest is off on his first solitary excursion: a week long trip to an away camp far from home...

Yes, change, beauty, and a bit of the unknown are in the air around here! I can't wait to see what other beautiful and unexpected changes await!

Peace and Beauty,
Mercale

My committment to Spirit - hands down.

Life is an ever changing co-created environment. I've learned over time that a lot of things I once felt sure of were not necessarily the things that came to pass. In general, I try to live my life less attached to outcomes and trusting that everything will fall into it's proper Divine order - even when it looks like just a big mess to me!

My committment to Spirit is the cornerstone of my Being. It is like the air I breathe, the raft that keeps me afloat, the mast that carries the sails that hold my direction in this life.

Of course, I'm far from perfect..I am definitely not always the conduit for positive Divine intention that I would wish to be, but I wonder, somehow, if there isn't a purpose to that as well...

Today so far has been a day full of me noticing what inspires me. I think this is largely due to the fact that I am supposed to be writing articles for my new site today, and I have been thinking about what inspires me and makes me feel passionate enough to write about... still wandering those roads when it comes to my next article, but here at Gaia, I have found lots of inspiration today in my friends.

Nicole and Clare have inspired me to "show my face" literally around here for a bit  : ) Generally I prefer hanging out "behind the curtain". I think on some level it's about feelings of saftey as well. Saftey, you ask? As in psycho-axe murder tracks you down from your Gaia profile? Well, no.. I hate to say it but the root of the issue there sounds bad and seems rather silly. It is that  I really hate being "hit on"...I generally find it insulting, and though it's made for some pretty funny stories when I was single and out at the bar with the girls, I prefer to avoid those exchanges all together - not that I think I'm a beauty queen or anything - far from it - I just seem to attract idiots who won't stop hitting on me now and then, lol  And I am SO not on the "market".
 
Lars got me thinking about my Scorpio nature.. which of course leaves me revealing most really personal details (like my face - lol) on a need-to-know basis, as well as being very protective of the things that are important to me. I believe Scorpio "possessiveness" is mislabeled. Our apparent "possiveness" is entirely due to wanting to protect. I sometimes think of myself as a giant expandable shield, with everything that is important to me stored up inside so I can shelter and nurutre it. The word "possessive" gives our good nature a bad rep.  I realized too that being a Scorpio is probably a big part of why I don't blog more... I'd much rather hear what others are up to and quietly investigate or apply it to my own life and see what comes of it  : ) (Oh yeah - and Lars, thanks for inspiring me to blog today as well!)

Clare also got me thinking about the world changing power of laughter...

And the friend request notification that led me here (apart from feeling last night like I "should" log in today) was from The Bliss Revolution whose icon made me smile and feel like dancin ; )

...So I put on some other music that makes me smile (though warning - don't follow the link if you're offended by swearing!) very funny music - listen to the lyrics. You'll probably be quoting bits from this song compulsively for the next few weeks, and all your friends will wonder what's up with your new found boat obsession.. : )

Then I watched a few more videos on YouTube of magnetic engines (something else that is really inspiring me right now!) ...I think in fact another Gaia friend, resonant truth helped add fuel to the fire of this "interest intensive" through the fantastic body of really cool, informative links on his profile page.  In fact, my husband, brother and I are working on designing and building a prototype magnetic enging of our own, and already have had someone donate a car for us to work on - my brother is looking for a boat too, but we have to find the right fit for what we need first.. I'm of course not opposed, I can just see us sailing now...bustin out with the above song..."gonna fly that boat to the moon somehow.. Anything is possible!" ... I wonder what the kids think we are doing after they go to bed, and there is lots of whirring, pounding and drilling going on downstairs, Lol You should check it out, maybe you will feel inspired too!

I'm also currently excited by air cars  : ) If they ever make it to the US I'm so opening up a dealership... Of course, we'd need to buy the bus model for our family... : )

Other things that might inspire you: if you are a science geek but love fine art then this link may be for you... a science geek who loves bose-einstein condensates and learning games? poke around this site for a game where you get to shoot lasers at atoms and learn something in the process.. Do you like holistic approaches to health? I'm currently researching this cleansing supplement... I'm also excited to learn more about an Electrical Model of the Universe Hmm...there seems an overload of green, sciencey things ah, well, that's what is inspiring me! Oh yeah, and these people:


and this guy:




I was inspired also to learn how far this article spread. I found it on websites across the country and was kind of amazed and inspired at how far the ripple spread that started when the paper called me for an interview... I found it everywhere from "green" sites, to Kentucky solar panel sites, to children's and even a cereal website! I was amazed... Of course, it would be the article with me and my "pet worms" that spread now wouldn't it.... *grin*

So anyway, a big, heart-felt "Thank You" to the beautiful people here at Gaia who have inspired me today to laugh a little, to dance a little, and to reach out of my comfort zone a little on this fine day.   : ) And have fun exploring those links!

Great Big Love,
Tanya

P.S. Sorry this is so long - I figure since I only blog periodically, I'd better make it count, right?  : )

P.S.S. "If you're on the shore, than you're shore not me - Oh!"  : )

Eli's blog inspired a good deal of thinking on how to "fun" up the "traditional" hug.

I mean, a hug is nice, a warm snuggle and tender embrace is better, but you know, where's the FUN?

So... as I've been pondering this... based on the fact that I think sometimes wiggly hugs are fun... I've come up with a few "fun" ideas (of course use discretion - everyone's definition of fun is not the same, nor even the same every moment.)

1) The "wet-willy" hug, as you're embracing your unsuspecting pal, quickly sneak in a wet willy. (be sure your arm is in a good postition for this to start with!)

2) The dangling hug - this is fun with children and other people shorter than you. Cats do not find it as enjoyable.  As you are hugging your prey ...er... loved one, place your arms under theirs. Wrap your arms securely around their shoulders, head and lift them from the floor, wiggling them around slightly

3) The centrifugal hug. Hug your loved one, and while still hugging, run around them in a circle.

4) The chorus line hug. As you're hugging, begin doing a little dance during which you will kick your legs out brightly to either side of the hugee. Be sure there is adequate shoulder to chin clearance for the bouncing though - or someone could get hurt!)

Of course...these are just a few.... my "evil mind" has only just begun to work.... : ) I expect more gems in the near future, and of course, I wonder, what ingenious ways you can think of to "fun" up the already joyful experience of hugging...

I'm so excited this morning. I got the best birthday present I could have asked for - a sign that a benevolent government of the people, by the people, and for the people is indeed possible.

Like a lot of American citizens, time (and two Bush terms) have eroded my faith in the government of the country that I love. I heard myself describing my country as once-great. I felt my patriotism lag in the face of years of candelstine activities, of a government that spent my tax dollars to spy on innocent people, and to manufacture charges to persecute it's enermies. A government that lied to me, and assumed the baseline will and intelligence of the people of this nation to be if anything, negligable. I've felt offended, and abandoned.

And then last night happened. I spent the night vacillating between joy and fear that the old regime would pull it's old tricks, fix some results, tell a few lies, and claim that "Obama ran a good race" and the Republican party wouldn't forget that. I can't help but think that world wide support of Barack Obama helped to keep that from happening - that the "old guard" knew that the world wouldn't stand for another questionable election. So to you brothers and sisters around the world - I offer you my deep, my sincere, my heart-felt thanks. Your support during this election process helped those of us who supported Obama to believe it could happen, and helped show those who may have attempted to illegally influence the results, that the world was indeed watching.

Barack's acceptance speech (as well as McCain's defeat one if truth be told) brought tears to my eyes. The election resolved itself so beautifully, there was so much warmth to the process (the McCain rally's more embarrassing attendees not withstanding).

I feel warmth and hope. This morning I awake with a renewed sense of patriotism, and a bright outlook for the changes that lie ahead if we are to restore our nation to her former lustre.

Thank you Barack Obama, supporters, and campaign workers. Your nation is very grateful.

Namaste~

Mercale

I expect by now you are probably growing weary of all the election day hype. (Especially if you are not from the United States) However, I just returned from the polls a little while ago - and I swear I have never expereinced anything like it.

Most years (yes, including presidential voting years) the polls are DEAD when I go. Last year I had a 25 min. chat with the election workers after I voted because they were bored, and I was trying to prolong my "kid free" time : ) (Incidentally, one of those ladies remembered me from last year and inquired about my kids and family very specifically, lol)  Today, there was hardly a parking spot to be found, in the parking lot, or in the street. Today, the line wound around and out the door. Today the line waiting for the polls to open reached half way down the building.

Today, I was privelaged to see more first-time voters and young people than I have ever seen in my poll-going life. Today, the gymnasium where the voting was taking place, was warm with the heat from the throng of bodies. Light streamed brightly through the windows, and the whole process had the feel of group-adknowledged sacredness around it.

I treasured that feeling, held the light shared along with my own, and anchored it to that place that will help decide the destinies of us all, for the highest good.

I felt hugged with warmth and love, and immersed in sacredness that went far beyond the process itself.

Our country has been eroded away from underneath us for many many years now. Most of us have only just begun to see what past politicians have wrought in secret, right under our noses. So much darkness, confusion, and hurtful entanglement has been brought to the surface... and yet today, I felt so much Light.

And now I wait, along with the rest of my country, indeed the rest of the world, and with an enthusiasm for the influx of Light that I can barely restrain, to find out the results of this years election.

Lend us your Light, brothers and sisters, and if you do live here, lend us also your voice as you stand and vote for the choices both local and national that you believe are right.

In Deep Reverence to the beautiful spirit of Humanity,
Mercale

Well, first off, I'm working on keeping my over-interested cat's head out of my soup bowl...  : )

Other than that, why sillies, the same things I am always working on: Becoming One with the Universe, cleaning my house (litterally and figuratively - let's fact it, things are boring unless you can recognize at least two facets),  surviving parenthood of 6 little ones, and hopefully passing on as much wisdom and knowlege as possible to help them sustain joy in their later lives, "Birthing the healers" as my guides have said, trying to have the most amazing and spiritually beautiful marriage possible, and erm, eating. (I like that one!) 

I am also preparing for a Green Gathering planning meeting this weekend, an adult costume party, flag football practice for one of my sons, and wondering how my mother honestly expects me to get up and jump when she calls me with things she wants me to do.

*sigh*

Oh, and of course (!) I'm having fun exploring Gaia this morning!

Hope you all are too!

Much Love,
Mercale

(Austin Powers movie reference there for those confused by the title)   ; )

Did Mercury go retrograde and I missed it?

My internal weather systems are distant storms, echoing throughout my space today.

It has been so far an exceedingly conflict-filled week. Inexplicably really, and I am feeling very blind-sided and therefore I think, misunderstood. Aren't we all of course? I don't expect anyone to *totally* understand me, (it would be nice of course for hubby to get close) however I think I live pretty authentically. I'm not perfect of course. I certainly have my personal challenges and occasionally maddening idosynchrocies I'm sure. BUT I just don't get it when someone gets to the point where they can state something *about* me, that so totally goes against the grain of who I Am.

I believe several discussions on Gaia this week have helped me put my feelings into perspective, but the whole thing still floors me.

I have been told this week that (1) I am not interested in seeking (or attaining) spiritual development and I was just looking for an "easy way out" - I'm a Scorpio for goodness sake! Nothing is "easy" it's ALL nuanced and complex! lol (2) I'm a conservative prude (!) (3) I am a liar, and in fact that women are culturally groomed to be liars as we dress up to become "not who we are" so we will be attractive to our men who are groomed to be pigs.

Hmm... I can take a lot of things, but honestly? Insulting my commitment to Spirit - which is litterally to me like the air that I breathe, and calling me a liar (again leaving the above committment to bettering my resonance with the Divine so as to better bring that energy into the world aside - I'm a SCORPIO, we're freaking obsessed with the Truth, well I am anyway - I wanted to get the word "Truth" tattooed on the bottom of my feet for awhile actually so I could literally and symbolically always be treading a path of Truth.)

Am I really miscommunicating myself *that* terribly? I would think it would be fairly easy to know (at least generally) who I am and what I'm about  -  and many people I meet "get it" early on! Yet this week in most of those instances, the comments were from people who if they were using thier brain (and in most cases they have beautiful brains worth excercising) would realize how rediculous and insulting thier comments were.

I certainly don't begrudge anyone thier bad day, their own miscommunication or any other "human trapping". I certainly don't begrudge anyone the right to disagree with me...  Just feeling like someone painted a bullseye on my head this week... What's up with that?