The Three Bears

We went to Montana for my brothers wedding (pictures to come) and stayed around after to play at Glacier National Park. One word- BEARS!

I didn’t really expect to see any, because that seems to be there big marketing logo. We camped at a remote lake in the park and within a few hours a giant grizzly bear walked right thru our campsite as we were making dinner. It was very intense. He looked over at us but didn’t stop his graceful stride. I grabbed Owen and slowly walked toward the car, just in case! I didn’t have my camera handy of course. All our heads were on a swivel after that and needless to say I didn’t sleep too well that night. I felt extremely vulnerable; my false sense of safety was gone. The park ranger said it was extremely rare to see a grizzly, that they must be coming down from the high country for the fall. I consider us lucky to have seen him, now that we are home in our safe, strong walls.

We also saw 2 other black bears (from the safety of our car), a baby one on the side of a hill and a large black bear off the side of the road. We were lucky to see mountain goats and rams up very close. We saw tons of deer and 3 foxes one night. Not to mention the mountains. They were very powerful. I have often wonder what western Washington looked like before the cities and suburbs, now I think it must have looked something like Montana. I pray this sacred place always remains wild and raw and dangerous.

I reminisce for a moment...

I was a boy chaser. I don’t know why, I have lots of brothers and a loving father. I never really caught them or would have known what to do to them. In fact an older boy “caught” me once and made me kiss him. That was very horrifying. I remember my first crush, Cade Smith. I think he tripped me and skinned my knee later on. Was that my first romantic moment? Ah, grade school love.

I do remember stuffing a newborn puppy into my backpack in kindergarten. I was going to bring him for show & tell. He didn’t even have his eyes open yet. The teacher heard whimpering as soon as class had started and we had to do show and tell early. My surprised mom was called to come and get the puppy. How did she not notice that one anyway?

what are your school memories?

on my nightstand...

I am in the middle of reading 3-4 books right now.

1) Art and Fear by David Bayles & Ted Orland.
I think this is actually a textbook for college art programs. It is very inspiring. They say art is about starting over again and again, not quitting. Your work is your guides, (more works = more guides). I like this quote by Ansell Adams they included, “ The perfect is the enemy of the good.” This can be true in all aspects of life; marriage, jobs, relationships. This book is not just for college students but anyone who is creative- every single person if you ask me they may just not realize it yet.

2) Writing Down the Bones- Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
She is a writer with some great advice for other writers to help open up that door to you. She gives some great exercises, like sit down and write for 20min or whatever time. Just write, don’t edit or think or worry about what anyone will think. “Like grating a carrot, give paper the coleslaw of your consciousness.” She says you have to collect experiences and let them “compost” for awhile and turn into rich soils. It is hard to write in the moment. And again, like the other book, she says you have to practice, practice practice like a runner or dancer.

3) Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro
Just started this one but easy to get into. It comes highly recommended from several friends. Unhappy with her looks, her life, and her empty marriage, Louise needs help -- and she finds it in a secondhand bookstore. A forty-year-old encyclopedia of style titled Elegance promises to transform even the plainest of women into creatures of poise and grace. However she's about to find out that there's more to every life than what appears on the surface ... and that everything, even elegance, has its price.

4) The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
I haven’t quite started this one but it also come highly recommended and it is sitting on my nightstand. Everyone says you can’t put it down.

What are you reading right now? I love a good recommendation!

Picts

Im saving up for a new camera. I am decided to not get a SLR that I really want because I want to actually use it and take it places. Im afraid the SLR would sit at home wrapped in velvet, locked in the safe alongside its thousand dollar lens. Anywho, here is some recent pictures with the old bity. (lens smudge and all)

Holiday

I think my creative muse takes a holiday in the summertime. My energy comes out in more active ways like hiking a mountain or biking an old railroad line.
There is something about the winter- the darkness and cold, having layers of wool sweaters on, sipping a hot beverage. I am forced to create something then when I have no other options. (Sounds like an Ingmar Bergman film)
I am giving myself this excuse for not finishing or starting any projects lately. How about you? Got anything cookin?

"End of the Spear"

We just met a new neighbor who happens to be a film producer. He lent us a copy of one of his films, called "End of the Spear." It is a true story I had never heard before but many have.

It is about an indigenous tribe in Ecuador who are senselessly killing each other off. A group of missionaries goes to them and tries to teach them about God, but end up getting killed. The families of the missionaries eventually go back to the tribe and live with them converting them all to Christianity. You can read about the real story online, Steve Saint is the son of one of the missionaries and wrote the story. This was one of the most powerful movies I have seen and I cried a good portion. I just cant say enough about this great film. See it!

T