Back in BC

Whoops - I'm back and I forgot to blog it. A few people have been wondering if I'm home yet. I arrived back, gosh, almost two weeks ago now. Where does time go? Unpacking, laundry, re-establishing, plus planning for future events. Processing what has been (ongoing). It goes by really fast.

While the two-month drive across Canada was at points difficult with weather conditions and looking for places to stay, in general it was an awesome experience. I thank all those people I visited and stayed with along the way, people who put up with my getting a cold - and it resurged on my departure from Calgary. I drove through the Rockies with a runny stuffy nose, and full-blown either cold or hayfever symptoms but decided to camp out regardless under the stars in Wasa at the provincial campground rather than in a closed motel room.

I had been equiped for camping throughout the journey but the weather had never been obliging, until May 28 - for me anyway. Nightime temperatures had been at or below zero for the whole journey, except for a couple of times while I was staying with friends.

All the way spring was coming - buds opening up, from Ontario back to BC. Mind you in BC things had certainly progressed past bud to full leaf to blossoms. My own garden at home amazed me with lemon thyme, majorum, echinacea, strawberries, lemon balm and even some lettuce surviving the winter here. There's something to be said for a recycled-tire garden. Now I have three tomato plants, more lettuce, two zuccini, parsley, cucumber, broccoli, a cauliflower, two gereniums and six petunias - the extent of my garden this year.

I now have my summer office set up outside under an awning and I'm ready for whatever is to come my way. I have a house concert happening in my home here next weekend and a private one for the end of the month.

After discussion with friends on where I am in my life I have come to the full realization that I need to work with a team - to share, to contribute, to be part of a group rather than always doing things on my own. I also feel a move in the future, near future. I look forward with curiosity, hope and anticipation of more singing, more writing and more sharing of my gifts to help others in this challenging experience called life.

Wind is blowing up and passing through - while I sit here outside listening to Celtic Thunder on earphones. What a great Sunday morning. Time for that second cup of coffee.

Keep smiling

Rosemary

Is it too late?

That was a remarkable drive across the prairies and I'm still there. I'd never seen antelope before. I managed to get a few photos of wildlife and of the rolling hills - the prairies are certainly not flat.

Right now all the farmers are out preparing the fields for their crops. They operate huge machines tilling the soil and seeding. A lot of work that's for sure.

One thing I noticed that I didn't take a picture of was all the plastic bags in the fields - from the highway traffic - even on the back roads. There's garbage everywhere. What do the farmers do with it all? Plow it under?

Right now I'm in Morinville just north of Edmonton. I'm told that 40 years ago the population was a meagre 158 or so. Now it's about 6500. That's the same for all of Alberta. How everything has grown! I wonder where all the people have come from? When I heard that the world population has doubled since the days of JF Kennedy I realized it's population explosion. No wonder we have an economic crisis - with double the population there needs to be double the money to keep everyone alive - and double everything... It all makes sense.

I find the subject too overwhelming. Is it too late for us to do anything about the planet? Too late to clean up the oceans? The fields? The atmosphere? Our water? Our food? The forests? Is it too late?

Heavy thought but then a reality... On this journey across the country I have seen a lot and my eyes have been opened. People are carrying on as if there is no difference, nothing to worry about... Except of course those who have lost jobs and are faced with possibly losing their homes. Economists seem to think we are going to recover. I feel that we are yet to bottom out. How else can human kind learn than by having to face a real crisis?

If we keep on with the same old same old we will not change. We need to hit a wall so that our eyes can be opened to the disaster we have created here on the planet.

Sorry, but I can't be nice about all this. I try my bit but I know I can do more. Is it too late?

Rosemary

On the road across Canada

Hi Folks,

I've been on the road now for close to six weeks and what a journey. The original purpose was to visit my Auntie Renee for her 80th birthday but the adventure has now included two Mediumship & Music concerts (one more to go in Calgary) and One Seed visits to five schools in Upper Canada district. It was while visiting schools that I managed to pick up a nasty cold and lost my voice, but the show must go on, and I managed to pull things off and performed to 500 children and more.

Next time I'll fly. While Canada is so beautiful the drive across can be quite exhausting. This is the third time in 21 years. 21 years ago I was in my 30s and had lots of energy and could handle camping out etc... in cold temperatures. Nine years ago I had more vitality as I turned 50 while on the road. This time, after several health issues in the last five years, I'm finding it a bit harder, more taxing on the body. And it being pre-season for most of the country, a lot of places are closed which means choices for accommodation are limited.

Yesterday I did the final stretch across the top of Ontario and into Manitoba and at present I am sitting in the morning sun at a little table in the Yellow Quill Motel that I have visited on each of my previous trips. It's in Portage La Prairie west of Winnipeg. What a joy to find it again. The new hosts are Song and Sung who came here two years ago from Korea. When I arrived they were out cleaning the outside of the building ready for a new paint job. The room I am in is perfect, including TV and Internet so that I can catch up on writing assignments, comfortable bed, warm and cozy, and clean and bright. I can tell that Song and Sung really care.

So if you are passing by Portage La Prairie, stop off here at the Yellow Quill Motel (it's the Quill in the name that attracted me after Quills Quotes and Notes and the fact that I'm a writer).

The rates are the most reasonable that I have experienced on this whole journey! And well worth it.

Here are just a few photos... I have so many splendid pictures of this journey - I just regret not getting one of the great black bear in the brush on the side of the road two days ago.

More to come.... I know with a blog I could have kept a running commentary of the journey but when Internet access is not always available, and days of driving are quite tiring, I'm not able to be as consistent as I had hoped, I've been more living in the moment, visiting and otherwise resting.

Just an aside. Two nights ago I arrive at a motel in Upsula and turn on the TV. There was Errol Flyn fighting his way out the castle of Prince John in Robin Hood. It brought back memories. In 1981 when I was in the UK running a book shop, I took a short vacation of two days to visit Stonehenge, walking from Salisbury to the historic site following the footsteps of Tess of D'Urbaville. I was exhausted when I took a room at a local inn in the town nearby and when I finally sat down and took off my shoes on the TV was Robin Hood in colour. I had never seen it before, and I really wanted to take it in but I was so tired I fell asleep. Such a great memory of seeing those monolithic stones... and the country side as I walked.

Ah, the writer in me can just get carried away....

Change?

Hi folks,
I'm taking a trip across Canada and taking some characters with me - Oliver Green the frog, Sally the critter and Sarina the unicorn. I hope they will become characters in stories that I will be able to share with children in years to come. Meanwhile, they get to see the country and participate in adventures along the way. I'll be taking pictures and put them up on my blogs.
Meanwhile it's still snowing here on Vancouver Island. Yes, March and it's snowing. What was this about global warming?
Who to believe these days, is the big question. Who to believe about anything. I figure, believe what feels truthful to you. There are so many theories going around about the planet, about new energies, about new life. What is constant and remains a constant throughout time is change - we are always evolving. So I agree, we are changing.
What do you think?
Cheers
Rosemary

One Seed is now ready for Downloading

I'm so excited!

After research and wondering how in the world to make the Book and Song "One Seed" available on the Internet I have finally found a way!

So now, if you go to:
www.oneseedstory.com
you will see the links for being able to download the book as a PDF file that you can save and print out, and the CD with the Read-along, Sing-along story and song, as MP3s that you can listen to on your Ipod and computer.

I have made them as inexpensive as possible.
So the book alone is $5 US, the CD alone is $2 US, and the two together are $6 US. It's all done through PayPal so it is secure and simple.

So finally I can say that children around the world can now read the English version.

It was quite a challenge changing the book from its original form to a PDF that can be put on the computer. But I am so glad that it is now done.

So I hope you all enjoy this, especially in the northern hemisphere of our planet as people start to think about seeds and spring and planting.

Enjoy.
Rosemary

2009 - Positively Purple

Happy 2009!

(2009 = 2+9 = 11 = Master Number)

"When the forces of the Eleven become fully operative in people, they have the power to change their environment, create new conditions, build new bodies and new lives, all in harmony with the Divine."

On New Year's Day I just knew I had to wear PURPLE. After a few phone calls and brunch and stuff I sat down to write in my new Journal of Transformation. I decided to use the colour PURPLE as background and my silver pen to add artistic interest. Then I realized - 2009 = 2+9 = 11 = the Master Number in numerology (check out Pythagorus)!

A number of years ago I had done some research on the number to help in promoting a symphony orchestra's 11th Season. I came up with all kinds of wonderful words and information. And, the colour for the number 11 is, you got it; PURPLE!

Concidence or what?

Anyway, I dug out my Master Number notes and came up with the following which I feel are a true reflection of what everyone is going through right now - CHANGE - NEW BEGINNINGS - etc...

So my take on 2009 is that while it will present its challenges with CHANGE there are wonderful opportunities for us all to grow, for the universe does indeed demand that we grow - spiritually!

So here are some wonderful words, all describing the attributes of the powerful Number 11, Master Number, and 2009:

Contact with higher dimensions, creativity, higher spiritual plane, humanitarianism, idealism, illumination, inner power, inspiration, intuition, justice, light bringer, psychic revelation, sensitivity, Spirit and Light, messenger, love, visionary, understanding, universal truth, revelation, uplifting humanity.

Soar like the eagle.
LIGHT! NEW BEGINNINGS!
TRUTH is our primary objective - extra-sensory perception - inner-sensory perception.
The hidden "knower".
The Spirals of Awakening.
The number 11 represents the SELF, the CHRIST-SELF.
ONE
Find the "Light" and share it with all who come into our realm.
Let us create illumination of all that is before us.

"Ye are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14

For this I say Hallelujah
(meaning - The miracle of Life - An invitation to ecstasy!)

Like a cocoon, when it is ready the butterfly emerges - there is transformation - there is flight.

We are certainly being challenged at this time in history, every one of us. So while stock markets tumble, weather plays havoc, the environment and all life on the planet are threatened, we must keep in mind, in our vision, that this is change - and it is for the better. There is hope. This is the time for us all to make a difference - for the betterment of humankind, and for ourselves. Be it a small step or a tall step we will make a difference! 2009 is the year. It is the magical, powerful Master Number.

So to one and all, I wish for you the mastery of 2009!

In Light and Hope

Rosemary

Rosemary's Economic Package

Economic crisis? We had it coming. And now our government in Canada is in crisis. Coalition government? Election again? Please. Just get down to business and get real.
The real solution – NO GROWTH – it’s called sustainability.
More growth will result in more eating away at this planet, like a cancer just taking off and taking over. When I heard recently that the world population has doubled since John F. Kennedy (1963) I gulped. That kind of brings it home about how much we have swarmed all over this little blue ball in space and how we are consuming IT.
I find it hard to listen to reports on the economy when the state if economy is equated to housing starts. (How about renovating instead?)
The last few hundred years economy has meant growth. So how do we develop a NO GROWTH economy? An interesting challenge for sure.
We have enough
I hear the auto industry complaining they will have to close plants, that there will be many jobs lost and a ripple effect across the country. Do we not have enough cars on the road? Maybe fix up what we already have? For the present this would be a great idea, to stop manufacturing and put a hold on production until a real environmentally conscientious car is designed – properly.
The automobile has become such an integral part of our existing world, but that world is changing, has to change.
What is important?
So what really is important at this time in global history? FOOD. SHELTER. CLOTHING.
I ask politicians to rethink, turn around 360 degrees, and think of what keeps them alive – food. Right now most of our food in Canada comes from south of the border in the US. This means shipping and transportation – meaning fuel consumption. And then the food is sprayed and treated to keep it longer.
Why not have the government, instead of putting money into the auto industry, put it into farming and growing our own food, even if it means building greenhouses and storage barns.
Problem is all those workers who have received incredibly high union wages in the auto industry, and those who make great wages and profits from other industries that will be crashing, will balk at the idea of working for minimum wages and subsistent living. How would they pay their mortgages and buy all those toys and things? Think of what the farmer, who keeps us alive, has been living with.
Maybe there is another solution
Margaret Meade, anthropologist, once made the suggestion that we all share work, that we work part-time, everyone, and learn how to re-create.
Comfort zone
We in North America have created an incredible comfort zone of things – have to have things, lots of things, and the latest of this and that – from clothes to IPods etc... What a shock it will be when the economy really bottoms out and nobody can buy any things.
I figure, the important things are:
Food, shelter, pots, pans, implements and dishes for preparing and eating food. Light is good. Clothes – we have enough of. Furniture – we have enough of. Cars – we have enough of. For now – computers and gadgets - we have enough of. And what we do need we can get recycled.
What if?
We had just two shampoos to choose from? Two cheeses? Two makers of bread? One area farmer to provide our milk?
Happiness
Someone told me recently, and I’ve heard this from many sources, that those who have nothing, in countries we call undeveloped, are actually much happier than we are in North America where we worry about mortgage payment, bills, and are generally not a very happy people.
The real solution
So I challenge our newly elected MPs in Ottawa (after an election that wasted 300 million tax-payers dollars) to find a completely NEW solution which puts the economy ON HOLD for at least 10 years until things get straightened out – and that priorities are dealt with – food, shelter, clothing and heat. (Note here I didn’t say cool – air conditioners add to the heating of the planet – have you ever stood near the back of one – it throws out HOT air. And where is that going?)
A New Way of Thinking
So, with a planet in crisis we have to come up with a new way of thinking. The old doesn’t work anymore. I do know that this economic crisis and situation affects everyone around the world, even the vineyards of Italy, France – everyone. It’s a mammoth problem.

That’s my two-cents’ worth for today.

In hope
Rosemary

Voting Green & A Definition of Stock Market

Hi folks,

Tomorrow is election day. I still don't understand why the government broke it's own law to call one in the first place. Now after over a month of hype and back slashing, verbal abuse, political rhetoric and bull, and not to forget the millions of dollars this election is costing us on top of the Stock Market chaos - I've decided to not go strategically but vote with my heart for the future of this planet.

The political system HAS to change, the old boys clubs HAVE to be replaced, and it's about time there was some more female energy involved in our governments, from local to federal. It's time that we looked further ahead than four years - to the next election - to at least seven generations.

I'm reading a fascinating book about the Incan culture in the Andes. A quote from one of the characters really drew me -

"You North Americans are really skeptical. You put your faith in the strangest things and believe in them, but what is right before you, your own experience, you don't believe.
"What is this thing a North American once told me about... how do you call it? The estock marrket?" he asked, his accent making the words sound strange indeed. "This is something that you cannot see or touch, yet you get very excited about this. Many of you spend days thinking and worrying about it, even praying to it. But what you don't appreciate is that it is your collective belief in it that gives it power.
"Here in the Andes we have a different collective belief. It is about the power of nature..."

From Initiation by Elizabeth B. Jenkins, GP Putnam's Sons 1997 ISBN 0-399-14326-2.

So who really caused the stock market crash this last couple of weeks? And what is the stock market? Who forced the Canadian dollar back down? Is this all an illusion? Just a collective belief? What is the truth behind this bail-out? Is North America, and therefore the rest of the countries involved in any action and misfortune by the US, getting the message yet?
In this upcoming election, is Canada getting the message yet? What does the Harper government really have up it's sleeve? Is Harper inwardly hoping to step down? Has he had enough?

I don't envy anyone wanting to be in a political position at this time in our global chaos. Is it ego? Is it really wanting to make a difference? Is it just the political game - playing chess with the population of Canada as its pawns?

Whatever the circumstances with politics, without respect and consideration of the power of nature, without concern for the ecology, the environment, we will have no economy, no planet on which to live. We are not taking care of our host, Mother Earth.

So, I'm voting GREEN. And I hope you will too! I want to see a real difference in this world. I want to see systems change. The change is coming. Yes, it's coming.

Happy Election Day.
Rosemary

"Believe" - Ken Lavigne on the Road to Carnegie Hall

Wow, I just looked at Ken Lavigne's new web site. He is one of Canada's great up-and-coming if not already there tenors. I found on his web site http://www.kenlavigne.com/ not only his bio and news but also a great video that shows him performing. He talks about his life, his music, his dreams and his goal of performing at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, January 22nd.

New York will get a delightful taste of this great singer and his incredible friendly personality, his humour, his talent.

I did an interview with him earlier this year which you can see at www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-lavigne.htm in which he describes his journey to where he is now and where he is going. It's entitled "Believe". He is certainly an inspiration for anyone - not sitting back to let opportunity maybe come but rather going for it himself. He admits that the journey he is on is made possible by the many who love and support him, particularly here on Vancouver Island. Ken believes.

So watch out New York - here comes Ken!

And here come the Canadians! Fans also get to book exclusive trips to the Big Apple that include tours of the Metropolitan Opera House, Metropolitan Musem and the Radio City Music Hall and much more...

Good luck Ken, you are going to do really well, I feel it. And so many are going to benefit from your talent. I can see you lifting people up in their lives, as your concerts inspire and bring hope to every member of the audience. Way to go Ken!

I look forward to seeing him again as he does some warm-up concerts - visiting his fans in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island at the Knox United on Sunday, October 26.


Cheers
Rosemary

Shift Happens

I guess you've heard the latest - stock market plummeting after US Government rejects bailout bid for Wall Street.
CNN states - Asian and Pacific stock markets slid downward Tuesday after the U.S. House of Representatives failed to adopt a Wall Street bailout measure, triggering the largest point drop in U.S. market history.
Are we hitting the wall yet?
It's time to turn left or something.
Maybe there is another solution? Something so completely filled with common sense that it would be overlooked?

There are many of us who have suspected this would be coming along - the warning signs have been there for years. The material consumerism that has now engulfed us all is about to crash. Finally. Then maybe we can start living more realistically in tune with the planet we inhabit. Like David Suzuki mentioned in the posting I made a few days ago - our planet is in crisis.

On another subject but yet one that tells us all that Shift really is Happening, our New Democratic Party and its leader Jack Layton are supporting the statements of a candidate who believes that the 9-11 World Trade Centre implosion was an inside job - supporting the 9-11 conspiracy theory. Finally. What many have known all along is being brought out into the open - that it has all been one big super plan - acted out with fear and control of the American peoples.

A good friend indicated to me lately that things are really speeding up when it comes to Shift of consciousness. In fact, it's been suggested we watch the news every ten minutes or so to see what else is Shifting.

Yes, Shift is really Happening. And fast. Hold on to your seats.
Interesting times for sure that we are living in.
As Tom Stoppard said in one of his plays, "Would the real Inspector Hound please stand up."

So what is reality? Where is truth?
And then when we put on our spiritual hat and stand back we see that everything is happening in its own perfect time and - everyone is exactly who and where they are meant to be at this moment in time for their own soul's growth.

Yes, interesting times we live in.
Keep smiling!
Rosemary

What a mess!

Hi Folks,

What a mess this world is in. On the news this morning I hear that nuclear discussions with North Korea are stalled. My big question in all of this is if the rest of the world is gearing to reducing nuclear and hopefully eliminating nuclear warheads, how come the US keeps a huge arsenal? If we are to work together for the safety of the planet this includes the US, don't you think?

On another foot I got to hear David Suzuki this week as he spoke here in Nanaimo to a delegation of participants in a Multiple Informations Systems Association West conference. His message is clear - we are in crisis. The world is putting economy (a man-made concept) ahead of ecology - the bottom line of reality is that without an environment and ecology we don't have an economy but folks just aren't getting the message.

I wonder how the children are feeling at this time - if they can get their heads away from computers and animations and video games? How does it feel to live in a world where they are being told we may not have a world in the next twenty years if grown-ups keep on going the way they are going? Even 20 years ago I watched as teenagers felt the impact of the warnings then and plummeted into depressions. Now it is even worse. How is the suicide scene these days for teenagers?

I feel I grew up completely sheltered - in a world of the 1950s where the message of mankind was "Nature is here for us to control!" Dear Mother Nature is showing us otherwise. That was the 1950s where man took and took from this planet and has kept on taking.

Right now in Canada we have a federal election happening which really bothers me. We have a government that made a law to hold elections at slated times only - and this Conservative government is breaking its own law. So can they be trusted with anything? It's rather like a small child who can't get his/her way. Maybe the reason why parliament wasn't going along with Steven Harper is because that's not what this country wants? So why call an election that is going to cost the tax-payer millions of dollars?

And while listening to the CBC radio this morning I hear updates on each of the candidates and their statements and platforms - Conservative, Liberal and NDP but no mention about Elizabeth May of the GREEN PARTY and her train that is travelling across the country making whistle-stops to encourage folks to think of our FUTURE beyond four year election goals - a future for the children and their children and their children - seven generations!

It is a sad state for sure. Come on folks, wake up!

Earth has a parasite - it's US - yes, you and me. Pretty soon she'll be getting out the RAID if she hasn't already.

That's my rant for today. Phew!

Cheers

Rosemary

UN International Day of Peace - Vancouver Island, Canada

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday was United Nations International Day of Peace. It was established in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly and the first was celebrated in September 1982.

It was never on the same day in September but fluctuated with the opening of the Assembly. In 2001 a group was organized to meet in Grand Forks BC, in their City Park to honour the UN International Day of Peace with songs, prayers and speeches - organized by JJ Verigin, Honourary Chair of the USCC Dukhobor community, and Laura Savinkoff, both tireless workers for world peace. That day was September 11, 2001 - United Nations International Day of Peace. Now that day is known as 9-11, the day of the horrific implosion of the World Trade Centre in New York. That day's intended celebration in Grand Forks City Park became solemn and was made even more meaningful as people gathered to share their concerns, their tears, their fears, their heart-felt feelings for peace.

It's funny how the media never picked up on the connection - World Day of Peace - attack on World Trade. Interesting. And there is a connection. I phoned all the main media news rooms but they were evidently not interested.

In 2002 the United Nations set a firm date of September 21 for International Peace Day so that events could be organized around the world, as they were and are. Yesterday there was a call from the UN for peace in Afghanistan - the UN's main target for peace for this event. The initial news report on CBC Radio was that the Taliban would honour it. At the same time the Canadian troops were changing guard. But?

To help celebrate peace, and to spread the word that Peace begins at Home, three young women and yours truly made signs and sat out on HWY 19 at the intersection in Nanoos Bay and waved and smiled at passing traffic for several hours in the afternoon. I figure we can safely say we reached over 3,000 people with the positive message as we received honks, whistles, yahoos, waves and peace signs from passers-by. We even got the "Live long and prosper" Volcan sign from Star Trek. It was a great afternoon, and I'm sure that many of those who put their hands up in the gesture of peace hadn't done so since the 60s or ever. It was quite an experience. And, it was exhausting - but such a great feeling to have done something - anything - to spread the word.

I give the girls a great kudo for their guts and their creativity!

And yes, peace does begin at home!

Wishing you peace,

Rosemary

Googling your name

D'day,

And what an interesting one. I had just finished making some super revisions to my web site at www.qqandn.com and also www.rosemaryphillips.info and decided to Google myself.

I had done this about six years ago when first putting up a web site and at that time there were very few Rosemary Phillips listed. There was one who already bought the URL www.rosemaryphillips.com and that's the jazz singer from Granada - and over these six years her career has truly blossomed and her site, which was pretty dormant in 2003, is really active.

Another Rosemary Phillips is a lawyer, Rosemary E. Phillips, and yet another is a singer from the UK. Another Rosemary Phillips died in a ballooning accident. Another runs a farm. Yet another is a theatre and entertainment technician. It's a good name!

When I was in high school after we had first immigrated from the UK to Canada, my Latin teacher, Mrs. Phillips, had a daughter Rosemary who was a golf champion. Needless to say many people thought I was a golfer and would congratulate me.

In 2003 there were a handful of Rosemary Phillips results with Google - often connecting me to Rosemary Clooney, which is an absolute honour. Now ther are over a million. Yes, a million. Rosemary Phillips the jazz singer is all over the board. I have a few entries, and Rosemary E. Phillips has a few. It's a name that's getting around for sure.

So, I tried a few others for fun. Michael Burgess - I have an article on my site about the Canadian tenor. He has competition from a young Michael Burgess, a singer in New York. Paul Horn, flutist, has a name in common with Paul Horn a scientist, and also a researcher at IBM. Gary Karr, world's leading solo bassist shares his name with Gary Karr, producer for Law and Order. And so on. Fascinating.

And then at the library the other day while looking for a light reading book for relaxation came across "Cyber Cinderella" by Christina Hopkinson about a woman who Googled herself and found a web site dedicated to her. I haven't read the book yet but the concept is fascinating. One reviewer says, "A fast, feisy and topical page-turner that will make you think twice (or maybe even three times) before Googling yourself."

Must go, things to do, and more Googling research. Isn't technology absolutely mind boggling?

Cheers
Rosemary

Embargo on Iran hits Canada Post

Dear Readers,
Today I found out how an embargo upon Iran by the US and other countries can affect the simple process of sending a letter to someone in that country.
I have had a wonderful request from an Iranian writer who is considering translating my story "One Seed" into Persian. This has long been a dream of mine, for the story does indeed take place on the Persian desert. It is also a story about peace and how it takes "One Seed to make a difference."
Yesterday I went to Canada Post with my envelope containing the book and CD (http://www.oneseedstory.com/) and was told it was too large for regular postage (even though I have been sending it thusly for the last four years), could not get it registered because of the size, and that it could be tracked only if sent as a small package which would cost me in the vicinity of $60 which is way beyond my budget. So, I thought I would investigate other methods of shipping.
Today I checked out FedEx and UPS, both coming out of Canada, for rates and size. I never even thought there would be an issue of whether it would ever get to its destination. I just had the gut feeling that I had to put tracking on the package. I was told that sorting of shipping occurs in the US so anything out of Canada is also victim to the embargo on Iran.
When checking with Canada Post again, main information, I was told, after the clerk did some investigating, that at this time there is also a block from Canada Post which ships through US companies.
So, even if I had spent $60 on this little package, it would never have got to Iran.
It's just a simple thing really - but shows me how the Middle East situation can affect us.
In addition, I had received an e-mail from a very reliable source this week warning of the military build-up in the US against Iran. The "Armada" (my term for list of destroyers and ships) is evidently a bigger fleet of ships than was sent for the Gulf War.
Whatever, it all seems really nasty, as though the US is set to invade Iran. It rings so much like the build-up for the invasion of Iraq - the same basic underlying issue - oil. It's all politics! Greed and power!
So what of all the people living in Iran? People like you and me living supposedly normal lives? To be pawns in a political game? Isn't it time for humans to change and instead of re-acting with violence, sit down and negotiate in peace? Will that ever happen? I like to think that it will eventually, some day.
So I thank Canada Post yesterday for telling me I would have to pay so much for my parcel. It forced me to look into the matter even more and to eventually find out what is happening at this moment in the Middle East. There was a gift in the problem. I have learned something new.
I shake my head.
I pray for peace.
Rosemary

Health Care in Crisis

Dear Reader,
Over the last few days I have been involved in several discussions regarding health care in North America. (1) One discussion was about the design of cities and their reflection on health care, another (2) about the control of health care (and world economy) by American pharmaceutical companies and corporations, and the (3) third about the Canadian Bill C-51 and C-52 being discussed in the Houses of Parliament.
Re the first - (1) design of cities: This also involves economy. It involves housing (or in many cases the lack of housing), transportation, environment, pollution and so on. 32 years ago at the United Nations conference on Habitat, held in Vancouver, BC, Peter Newman, planner from New York, studied this issue extensively and created a film. His focus was on the design of housing - that the higher the living units from the street the worse the levels of crime which in turn result in fear, and so forth - drugs, addictions etc... very unhealthy. This is specifically with low-income housing. In his film he interviewed residents in tenement housing, in I believe it was Chicago, who lived in constant fear of being mugged, raped, etc... Of interest to note, his film opened with the imploding of two high rise buildings that had become totally unhealthy places for living. (That very image of the implosion crossed my vision coincidentally 25 years later, a week before the World Trade Centre collapsed. The collapsing looked very similar - implosion.)
Meanwhile, one of the main areas of discussion at this Habitat conference in 1976 was the need for involving the user in the design or arrangement of their housing to help in creating a feeling of ownership even though they do not own the units. Healthier.
(2) Control of health care: does it seem fair to say that a sick population makes for a healthy economy in our present world? I just had a flash - are we undergoing the Inquisition of Health Care? Only instead of the Pope burning herbalists at the stake, along with anyone else who wasn't considered a Christian as the Vatican of the time understood Christianity - it is all being handled politically? And so the Canadian Bill C-51 and C-52. I am not fully aware of the contents of this bill although the natural health professions have been talking about it for several years. This link will provide information.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/08/01/special-update-canadian-bill-still-poses-a-threat-to-natural-health-consumers.aspx?source=nl

Maybe if we all took more responsibility for ourselves we wouldn't be running to doctors and hospitals every time something minor is going on with our bodies - have you ever really thought about the cost of a surgery?
See my article Cost of Cheating Death at www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-cost-cheating-pub.htm for an idea of medical costs.
I do however know the importance of the medical system (particularly for emergencies and injuries), and wish it were like the times of Hippocrates (400 BCE) when the whole being was involved in the healing process - body, mind and spirit.
But then again, putting on my spiritual hat - everything is in its right time and place, and everyone is who and where they are meant to be at this moment in time for their own soul's growth.
That was a bit verbose for a Sunday morning.
Comments are welcomed.
In love and light
Rosemary

Asha (Hope) song and circle dance

Dear friends,

It's finally done. After four years of wondering how - my promise to get the song and circle dance "Asha (Hope)" out into the world has been accomplished.
I had to figure out how to make an mp3 download and put it up on my web site. That took several hours. And after spending the last two months learning HTML while doing web site revisions, I finally got it all together.
You can get the song downloaded from:
www.ashahopesong.com
I've also put up lyrics, guitar chords and the instructions for the circle dance created by Mihaela, a dear friend.
This comes at a very important time with such uncertainty on the planet, in this week of commemorations for Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the call for world peace as people around the planet hold celebrations and vigils for peace, harmony, love and hope.
Already since sending this out to contacts yesterday I have had feedback about how people meditate to the music, have danced the dance and are brought to tears.
Mihaela and I both wanted to share this with the world, to have people sing and dance.
We hope you enjoy it.
In Peace - Om, Shalom, Asha Inshallah.
Rosemary

The importance of the whole

I am hearing of so many organizations and individuals going through extremely difficult times right now with tests seemingly related to ego, where ego and the individual are taking centre-stage rather that the good of the whole.
I give my thanks, as do thousands around the world, for Eckart Tolle's A New Earth and to Oprah for including it in her programming. He writes about being in the now, the present, and in surpassing the ego. He speaks of being in the moment and through being in the moment we are able to overcome many obstacles. John Denver wrote about this too in his many inspiring songs, like Sweet Surrender and On the Wings of a Dream. Another was Looking for Space - about going into the centre then suddenly everything is clear.
I often wonder too why we analyze everything to such extremes without accepting that things just "are", and that everything and everyone is exactly where they are meant to be at this moment in time for their own soul's growth - that means every challenge, every difficulty, every joy, every love - for that is why we are here in this third dimensional experience.
So how do we put ourselves aside and look at the bigger picture - the whole? One good friend of mine has always said, "And when I put on my spiritual hat..."
The whole is a reflection of who we are as an individual.
Your thoughts are welcomed.
Love and peace to you on this August day.
Rosemary

Mediumship is the music

Greetings,
Be sure to visit David's story that was entered here last week - The Painted Church. It is so pertinent to situations around the globe re governance, for example, the recent fall of the Belgian government. Is democracy and concensus really working? One author of note, Taylor Caldwell, once commented in a preface to, I believe it was Pillars of Iron, the life of Cicero, how democracy is the end of civilization.
I give my thanks to the folks at Balance Point Inner Garden for hosting a mediumship and music night last night in Whiterock. The music felt wonderful and thanks to a good sound system, I didn't have to put a strain on my voice. There were definitely many unseen forces at work both for the music and the mediumship. Regarding the latter, I get blown away by what comes out - as I remember my instructions over the years - just open your mouth and let the words flow through - don't let the mind interfere.
(For more information visit www.mediumshipandmusic.com.)
So thanks go to the organizers and to all those people who took time out from a beautiful summer evening to sit indoors and experience words from "the space between space" - a quote from the latest Indiana Jones movie.

cheers
Rosemary

The Painted Church

Hi Everyone,
Here is David's story. It really is wonderful and an inspiration for anyone who works with a group, committee, board, organization. It reaches past democracy and concensus to a more inclusive solution to any problem.
This is truly an exciting moment to be sharing a story on this new blog site. Please feel free to pass this on to friends, family members and anyone you know of who volunteers or works in a group of any kind.
Please share your comments at the end so that others may also see your points of view.
Enjoy

With much love
Rosemary

Sunday July 13th 2008

THE STORY OF THE PAINTED CHURCH.
By David Dunlop

It all started a couple of days ago. I had been working out in the garden doing weeding and general clean up for a couple of hours trying to dodge the hot sun by moving around and working in the shade. I often do the weeding from a meditative state; it’s great therapy to quiet the mind and just appreciate the moment. It was just another calm and quiet hot summer day and time for my afternoon siesta.
As I stretched out on the sofa loosening my lower back muscles, all I can recall is the thought of, “I wonder how ‘that’ is going to work out.” And for the life of me I can’t remember what ‘that’ was. Slowly I drifted of to that deep silent contemplative place, for I rarely sleep in the afternoon; it is more to rest the bones and renew the energy. As I went deeper and deeper into that relaxed peaceful silent place I noticed that my awareness was no longer in my body but out of my physical body, flying around and being drawn to someone or someplace.
Those who know me know that I have a habit of going up and out quite easily, but for the last couple of years I have been practicing staying in my body and dealing with the 3-D issues of this reality. From past experiences I have learned to trust and go with the flow, for I know there is always a message or guidance given that is appropriate to the journey I am on right now.
It took me a couple of minutes to settle in and be comfortable in this familiar yet new state of awareness. Slowly out of the haze I could make out the landscape of a small rural village maybe two, perhaps three hundred homes stretched along the windy rural road. The only intersection in the village had a couple more laneways on each side of the main drag. The more I focused the clearer everything became and the faster I was being drawn in along the main road. As I looked up ahead at the end of the village where there were only houses on one side of the road as it rose up a gentle hill to a small wooden church.
I circled the church spire a few times before I found myself being drawn thru an open window to rest on the upper balcony of the church. This balcony was more like a storeroom full of old furniture and an old tattered red velvet drape separating the balcony from the main church below. I looked around and thru the old drape saw disrepair everywhere. I noticed the beautiful architecture of the gothic arched trusses and hand hewn beams and woodworking detail around the gothic arch stained glass windows, but it was all so dark and gloomy, not very inviting or inspirational.
Off in the distance I heard voices of people coming up the hill and slowly they made their way up the gravel path and thumped on the door. I hadn’t noticed that there had been someone in the church but as the door swung open there was a friendly greeting with a ‘thank you for coming’.
I made out about ten maybe twelve people gathered in the pews at the back of the church. They were all very jovial and so friendly to each other – like good friends. The minister walked up the aisle and stood a few rows in front of them. With a huge grin on his face he said in a quiet voice, “ We got it, we got the grant to restore the church! We have to be finished a year from now ready for our one-hundredth anniversary. So let’s get right down to it. You have all been working so hard as a committee, organizing the schedule, the logistics, the scaffolding, the materials, the volunteers, so let’s hear what have you come up with.”
A fellow stood to face the group and the minister. “ Everything is in place; we have fifty-five volunteers from the village, each committed to giving one day a week for nine months, and we have a few extras on standby if we get behind, We got the scaffolding and as an added bonus we have a small cherry picker on loan from the hydro company for those hard to reach places. We got all the tools and materials ready to go. But, what we can’t agree on is the colour scheme. Some don’t want to change the colour from the forest green it is now, saying it will save paint.”
A voice from the back row piped up, “It is only green because it was a miss-match donated for free, twelve years ago. Others want a light colour church with dark trim, others want a dark colour church with light trim. There is just no agreement on the colours.”
“So given, we need consensus on the colours. This is a democratic process by the way, ” said the minister. Let’s hear from each of you what you want for the main exterior colour of the siding.”
So one by one they all stand up and revealed their preferences; white, butter yellow, golden yellow, sky blue, light green, dark green, vermillion red, burgundy red, navy blue... So the minister pondered on this a moment and asked what would happen if we mix all these colours together; that would be a consensus. A lady from the front row spoke up saying, “If you mix all these colours together you’ll end up with a disturbing shade of brown and nobody here has asked for a brown church, so nobody will be happy.”
Another fellow timidly raises his hand to speak. “I’ve observed that when we work in committees and try to find a consensus we always end up with such a watered down solution to the issue, to keep everybody happy. The end result is that nobody is really pleased with it, and nobody takes ownership of the solution. It is the same with our political system, we end up with policies that have no teeth to them so we end up with the status quo and not much really changes.”
The minister looked a little perplexed and asked to take a five-minute break. He walked up to the front row pew and sat down. Some of the group stepped outside to stretch their legs while the rest sat quietly, talking amongst themselves. The minister returned with a smile on his face and a couple of collection bowls tucked under his arm. The rest of the committee gathered to listen to what he had to say. “I want to commend you on the great job you have done so far; each of you has taken the task at hand - volunteers, scaffolding, materials, schedule, logistics and you have individually taken responsibility to deliver the results required to get the job done. We are going to do the same for choosing the colours of all the different areas of the church.
Before we do, bear with me while I give a short sermon on trust and acceptance. First of all, I would like you all to put your personal preferences aside and choose from a place of that which is in the best interest for the whole community; to trust your fellow colleagues that they will be choosing what they feel to be is in the best interest of the community, and to accept their choice even if you agree or disagree, like or dislike their choice. All I ask of you is to accept it, the same way I trust and accept that we create together a harmonious colour scheme, and an inspirational energy in the church, with an enlightened congregation. All I ask of you is to put your personal preferences aside and respect each other’s choices. So let’s get started, let’s put all our names in this collection bowl, and in the other bowl put all the areas of the church to be painted.”
The faces of the committee members lit up with excitement as they realized that each of them would be creating a part of the whole. The minister picked a name from the one bowl then asked the committee member to pick a slip of paper from the other bowl, therefore choosing their area of the church.
Mary picked the external wooden siding and she stood up to speak. “I’ve lived here almost twenty years and always seen the church from a distance as a sombre place. I’ve dreamed of a white church so it could be a beacon of light and hope sitting on top of the hill.”
“A white church it is,” said the minister as he called on Joe. He chose the colour of the trim, windows and fascia boards. Joe hesitated to stand then said “I want the trim to complement the front doors.” Then he sat down fast.
“I’ve got the front doors ,” said a fellow next to the minister, as he jumped up to speak, “I believe under all those layers of paint are a beautiful pair of golden oak doors that I could strip down and seal with a clear coat of varnish.”
Before this fellow sat down, Joe was back on his feet, “How about a pale golden oak colour like butter cream so that it complements the doors, yet the doors become the focal point.”
“Who got to choose the colour for the vestibule?” asked the minister. A frail old lady stood. “ I am not sure but as a greeting place it should be cheerful and welcoming. How about a soft sunshine yellow that will also compliment the inside of the golden oak doors? I am just so grateful the sun shines down on us every day.”
You could tell there was momentum building with the enthusiasm of each committee member as they were being empowered by their choice.
Next up was a lady who chose the colour for the nave alcove behind the pulpit area. As she turned to face the minister she spoke softly, “I know you always have spoken of a time when you would like to paint a mural of angels on the back wall, so how about we paint the background of the mural a pale sky blue?”
The minister’s face was just radiant as he asked Joan to choose the colour for the balcony. “After I am finished ripping down that filthy old drape and getting rid of all the junk up there,” said Joan, “I will be more than happy to enjoy the morning sun coming through those beautiful stained glass windows that have been covered up for far too long. It doesn’t matter what colour you paint upstairs. Well maybe it does. It should match the main hall of the church.” She sat down to applause and somebody said, “Finally we are getting rid of that old drape.”
It went on in detail like this for maybe another hour: the tongue and groove wainscoting to be the butter cream colour of the exterior trim; the plaster walls above the wainscoting being chosen as white; those beautiful gothic arch trusses and ceiling beams to be in the butter cream as a slight contrast against the white vaulted ceiling; and, oh yes, the balcony was to have white walls above the butter cream wainscoting.
The minister closed the meeting by asking them all to stand in a circle and hold hands. He stood in the center and gently looked into everyone’s eyes as he spoke, “I could not have wished for a more beautiful outcome - created by accepting, trusting and respecting each other’s choices. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being responsible in creating a little piece of heaven on earth. We have demonstrated that we can joyfully work together, if we only choose to see consensus and democracy from a slightly different perspective.
“As we come together in groups or committees it would be beneficial if we break down the issue into smaller parts. Each individual then owns the responsibility of seeing the problem as an opportunity to create a solution coming from a place of trust, acceptance and respecting those in the group. You folks have taught me this from this experience. What a great lesson I got today - thank you for being such wise teachers.”
As the group gathered their things together to leave, there was a look of bewilderment on their faces. One of them spoke up saying, “The minister has never praised us like this before. We must have done something right for a change.”
As they left the church I could feel I was on the move again. As my awareness gathered, I hovered around the main hall of the church having a good look, then before I knew it, I was whisked away through the open window. As I turned I saw the minister close the open window with such an inner peace and contentment on his face.
I came to an abrupt halt over the roof of the closest neighbouring house and turned slowly to look back at the church. It was like watching a movie on fast forward as people were coming and going, trucks arrived, unloaded and left, scaffolding went up, a crew of guys wire brushed and prepared walls and trim, a crew of painters ran up and down the scaffolding painting, then the scaffolding came down. The movie slowed down to regular speed.
The orientation of the church with the sun hitting the two majestic stained glass windows above the golden oak front doors with such beautiful rays of light. The whole church just glowed with an unimaginable aura. It truly was a little piece of heaven on earth. I was watching the most beautiful sunrise I had ever seen.
I slowly felt the awareness coming back into my body, lying there on the sofa, and in the distance, as I woke up, I faintly heard the ministers voice say, “ David what part are you going to play in creating heaven on earth?“

P.S. Monday, July 14th 2008
I thought before I send this out to family and friends, [and feel free to pass it on to your family and friends if appropriate] that I would add my own thoughts to this message received.
I have for the past 18 months been in what I call a holding pattern with not much of anything going on. In the past two weeks there have been a great deal of very subtle yet very active energies of synchronistic events going on. So something is shifting again.
It’s just a feeling in my gut that we are close to some major changes that are about to unfold. No idea what form these changes will take and not even going to speculate.
I do know that with change comes upset for we are taken out of our familiar routines and have to deal with the situations that arise. This might be a good time to see these changes as opportunities to evolve and practice a new way of coming together and working together in trust, with respect and acceptance.
If these changes do manifest and we are called to participate in family, group or community events where committee’s are set up, it may be beneficial to be clear about what gifts you are willing to bring to the table. So maybe this is the time for getting clear about what role you want to play in creating heaven on earth.
I feel the old paradigm of consensus will only water down what we are truly capable of creating.

WE ARE ALL EQUAL PARTS OF THE WHOLE - So let’s have fun and be creative as we come to the table to create a NEW EARTH AS HEAVEN

P.S. “I wonder how ‘that’ is going to work out?” and for the life of me I can’t remember: Now I remember - I was contemplating on my resistance to working in committees.

With deep respect and much love,
David

For more stories by David visit his web site at:
http://www.sacredspace.bc.ca/entry.html
E-mail : david@sacredspace.bc.ca

If we all had a horse

As I was waking up this morning a crazy and comical vision came through my mind - what if everyone on the planet had a horse instead of a car?

• Instead of parking spots we would have to have horse stalls, with hitching posts and feed bins.
• Can you see it now - WalMart with fields of horse stalls instead of a car park? Or a hospital horse lot, with the aroma of manure permeating all the hospital rooms - and patients arriving on horse-back or horse-drawn cart?
• What I then saw was piles and piles and piles of manure - where would we put it? How would it smell? We would have to have special road crews and work crews to take care of it.
• Blacksmiths would have a great come-back.
• Metal would be needed for horse shoes.
• Leather would be needed for harness and tack, and saddles.
• Fields would be needed for grazing and rest (parking at home).
• And where would all the hay and grain come from? Instead of using the present fossil fuel of oil for cars (there is a better way but the oil industry has been squishing any patent for the last 50 years or more to protect their own investments) we would have to grow lots and lots of grain which would then be used for transportation instead of food for human beings.
• Roads would be quite a challenge, but they wouldn't have to be paved - horses are better on dirt.
• And a wonderful thing about driving a horse - it becomes your friend, and being a living thing (but then all things are living things, even cars) it needs taking care of and loving.
• Air pollution would be taken care of - there would be no carbon emissions - but we'd have a heck of a lot of manure and methane gas from it.
• Life would be a LOT SLOWER and GREENER!

But, that is purely imagination. Reality is that every human being wants a car. And a large segment of the population has one - or two.

I figure, that which creates most pollution is travel, travel of any kind - auto, truck, bus, train, plane (particularly air travel - it's one of the worst - but we don't seem to really talk about that do we?). Walking or cycling is by far the best way to get around, but then even to build a bike requires metal, rubber (from oil) etc.

So David, where's your story?

It's a beautiful, sunny BC summer day....

Rosemary