Social Isolation

I haven't posted in a long time.... too busy to stop moving, too unmotivated to be introspective, too self absorbed.  Sometimes the path we should take is rocky and lonely, but still leads somewhere.  With the recent pandemic of Covid-19 we are to maintain a safe distance (>6') and avoid crowds.  Restaurants, bars, gyms, rec centers/pools, public spaces are all closed.  Now is a time to return to the values of silence and awareness, while still enjoying the sounds and sights that only come to those alone.  If indeed we are an uncarved block of pure potential perhaps this is a time to explore those avenues.  Life for a senior citizen goes so quickly and yet the days drag by when confined to a single space.  I am so glad to have an activity that still is possible to enjoy, that welcomes me in a way that no occupied setting allows.  I have involuntarily progressed  from swimming two miles/day to pacing from one side of the house to another.  As the weather morphs from cold Winter winds to sunny Spring breezes we are reminded that each moment is precious and potential for new knowledge.  On the water with wind there are waves and because wind is directional there is always a lee, a respite from the forces that would take us where we don't want to go.  I will proceed with purpose taking strength from the ability to face another day without fear.  Here we go again!

Long lost..

Time to reflect on years of possibilities... or at least the accomplishments of trying to leave something behind that has some sustainability.  I hate to think that I have only kept the Light from those that need it... so I continue to work at the only things I know... and maybe it can somehow someday make a difference... before I am called to something better.

Oil on Canvas

Grandson, Jordan Aman with his senior BFA art show.  We live on through the shared energies and expression of innate talents. 

finding the Light

“They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, the voice of perpetual Becoming.”
― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

Rock Harbor lighthouse on Isle Royale in Lake Superior was the start of our trip to circumnavigate the island.  After 110 miles we celebrated another milestone and checkoff on my bucket list.  We traveled on to the Apostle Islands after returning on the Ranger III ferry out of Haughton, MI.

The seacaves on the north shore of Devil's Island were spectacular and my third time to reach the northernmost island in the chain.  Another 60 miles made the total trip 170 including Isle Royale.

coolville

everywhere i go lately seems like the best place to be.... yesterday i was accepted for another 13 week assignment here in Fairfield, Iowa, home of Maharishi University of Management.... perhaps a chance to return to my TM practice and ayurvedic knowledge... time to pick up my beggar's bowl and the path to enlightenment.

key to the clubhouse

before the potomac froze over last month i paddled from the washington canoe club to chain bridge and back and on this trip paddled under the key bridge to washington harbor in georgetown.  as a member of the club i can paddle from there any time i'm in dc and can use one of their boats if i don't have mine.  pays to be an "out-of-towner". 

bridges over untroubled waters

it hardly seems that long ago i was cruising on the C&O canal, parallel with the potomac river in virginia, but after a couple trips on the river and joining the washington canoe club it froze up completely and i was back to memories only. 

open water on the C&O Canal in Georgetown, VA

now i'm back in iowa and able to find open water below red rock dam on the des moines river.. my usual winter paddling routine.  today it is -5F and there is enough snow on the ground to xc ski so guess i'll find solitude in a different place.

“Water is sufficient...the spirit moves over water.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche, Ecce Homo