Life is Good :-)

layers and layers and layers of good times and happiness, not to mention clothing!

I'm sure everyone else getting TUT...notes from the Universe got this as well, but the Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu... got my attention........ I love getting these notes :-)




The funny thing, Doreen, is that in spite of the euphoria one feels upon entering paradise, cloaked in miracles, surrounded by angels, love, and unimaginable beauty, it gradually becomes all they know, commonplace, ordinary, and then, shockingly... invisible.
Yep, I'm talking about life on earth.
Yippee Kai-Ye, The Universe
Machu Picchu! Machu Picchu! Machu Picchu!
Please join me, Doreen, as we kick off TUT's Wonders of the World Tour! Make new friends, travel back in time, and dance with the gods at the most famous lost city ever found!
It's so you!
Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ® © http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001-CghaJPZ1CDDftVt4x0xpqJqoyZpOOyy9dbAf3pDzEgcjE9NDpZh95NINdNZ9nprljmYHIUP5iX83xInJruGbZOvaj7MeEISbQWjPphoOlY= ®
You live in heaven, Doreen, you really do.



Yes I do:-) Loving my life living with my sweetest man... sharing it with good friends... doing art!

Life here more often than not is heavenly.

Live life as the miracle it is.

Where The Hell Is Matt?

Where The Hell Is Matt?

Want to feel good, no, Great?? go take a 4 minute and 29 second break and watch the video.

more Tequile...

This incredibly beautiful island has these archeways with different sculptural pieces at the top of them. There is hardship here... hard work, but the pay off is they get to see this everyday. The boats... the boats...
Hard work carrying everything up these hills.
This man is a mayor, or someone important indicated by his hat.

At the top..

At the top we went shopping. I was low on Sol, so I couldn't really get much and this was really high quality work. Beautiful and colorful weavings.

Colorful laundry. The way the land is laid out on this island, one is always looking down into someone's space and often their laundry was laid out drying... so colorful!
Two married men

Our reward :-D

This was what we had at the restuarant at the top of the mountain.

Probably the best fish I've had! Love the way they presented it to.
Looking down from the restuarant, laundry is laid out to dry

Tequile Island

Much appreciation for what I have, my home, bed and all that I have... Yes, I am grateful... but there was also this feeling, acknowledging the way of life others have and that it's not about the "things" we have, but experiencing life to the fullest. Using our resources wisely and not taking everything for granted.
This plant is used as a chewing gum.
Check out what the hinges on this fence are made of... resourceful or what!

Tequile Island

After breakfast, we went to the boats to head for Tequile Island... here the women wear black head scarves, but the embroidery on their clothing is gorgous! click on the picture to get a closer look at her blouse...Both men and women spin.
We were to hike up the mountain where we would have lunch and then back down. Along the way, Silvia pointed out certain plants and what they were good for. One plant we picked along the way was good for the altitude. We were around 14,000 ft and climbing upwards is no easy feat. Coca leaves and this other plant were blessings to have.
Along the way, there would be these doorways or arches... gateways :-)
Yep. Along the way we met a cow

Swan Medicine

Two swans and their ducklings hung out on the other side of the fence by the art tent. Earlier, John and I saw another swan family at the beach. It gave me some thoughtful moments because it occured twice this year and it's not something I usually see.
I really took notice when I received a daily om message about "messages from animals"...

Messengers Of Direction

Animals In Nature
Animals share our planet with us, but experience it differently—each has its own abilities and gifts that allow them to interact successfully with the natural world. Since we are merely one manifestation of the universe’s energy in action, when we feel the need for direction we can turn to animals in nature for guidance.

Animals can show us different ways to approach and deal with our challenges. As we hold a question in mind, we can begin to pay attention to the animal activity around us.

Staring out a window we may notice a bird soaring high in the sky, showing us how to look at our situation from a greater distance. If we don’t get an immediate answer, we can remember that the universe has its own perfect timing that doesn’t heed the ticking of the clock. Instead, we can release our question into the universe’s care, and then trust that an animal messenger will carry inspiration our way. In the meantime, we align ourselves with the universe’s rhythm—opening, humbling ourselves, and shifting our perceptions so that at the perfect time we will be ready.

Then, even weeks later, the sight of a small bird hopping from branch to branch may signal for us to use a talent other than our greatest strength and to take small leaps rather than fly over details. A squirrel bounding across an open expanse of grass to stash its latest prize may remind us to check our favorite hiding places for forgotten treasure.

Even if we don’t see actual animals, their representations may hold messages; whether we see them in a shape in the clouds, a picture, or a show on television, their symbolic meaning is the same.

Animals are closer to the rhythms and cycles of nature and have fewer distractions from it than humans do. That is why they are the perfect messengers when we are in need of advice. Just by being themselves they remind us of the wisdom of the universe, and that all answers are available to us when we reconnect with our source and with those who know how to be nurtured by it.

Swans mate for life..loyalty... and there is the transformation story of the ugly duckling turning into the beautiful swan... Graceful.

My medicine cards :

Swan...

The power of woman

Entering Sacred Space,

touching future, yet to come, bringing eternal grace.

another quote from the book, "I will surrender to the flow of the spiral and trust what I am shown."

Swan medicine teaches us to be at one with all planes of consciousness, and to trust in Great Spirit's protection.... it ushers in a time of altered states of awareness and of development of intuitive abilities... to accept the healing and transformation of their lives.

Swan medicine is telling you to accetp tyour ability to know what lies ahead.... it will be easier to go with the flow. Pay attention to hunches and honor your female intuitive side.

No second guessing. Trust.

Done for now...

I ended up hiding the plug in the coral and the other plug became a sign.. Billy was getting really busy with catering jobs, so I wanted to finish it up... I can just keep playing around painting forever...........

so far............

Almost done, but I need to wrap it up. I need to accessorize her a bit more...maybe a seaweed bracelet, a waterlily in her hair (my mother's suggestion :-) and then adding a bit more more at the bottom. Now what to do with the plugs..
can you find the plug here? Still tweeking this a bit as well, but almost finished.

Photo Display...

I had the wonderful privilege of sharing my photos last evening at Igor's Masterpiece Framing. Suzanne did a wonderful job in putting this all together, our first amature photography exhibit ... a new program for the council. We held our annual meeting for the Harrison Council for the Arts, with a really nice turnout.
Recipients of the scholarships we gave to the students at the High School came, playing music and presenting a slide show of the art work created.
I had the opportunity to share some of my own photos... and was excited to talk about the Peru trip... I loved it, loved it........brought me back.
The photos will be up for about a week or two, so if you can, stop by at Masterpiece Framing on Halstead Ave. in Harrison.

How cold was it????

Besides eating a lot of carbs to stay warm, they also dance... there was a celebration of some sort when we got to the island, so there wasn't as many families there to greet us. These women were walking up the mountain... we had a bit of a hike to where we were staying for the night.

After lunch, Catalina went into a corner of the garden, sat down and started to knit. Her needles were just thin pieces of wire. We attempted to communicate which got a little frustrating I'm sure for both of us... and then I just watched a bit and smiled and then went off to take more photos.. The people here are very shy.
Soooo friggin' cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amantani Island

This was our home for the night. We arrived in time for lunch, which consisted of soup with potatoes in it, potatoes - a few varieties in a bowl - and small fried fish... very tasty actually.

And I do love potatoes...

Our room held three beds, a table, and a small pot under it.

No electricity. No indoor plumbing. No heat. Actually, one room had electricity and ours wasn't it.

Downstairs and outside from our room was the kitchen. A table that held 6 people comfortably. The 6 included myself, Mai-Liis, Silvia, two guys from Japan and one guy from Switzerland. Catalina, our house mother cooked for us here, on the floor, inside the small room that had no ventilation except one small window. She and her husband sat on the floor eating... hey, they were closer to the heat...

Dinner was soup, a dish of potatoes, rice and pasta which has some lima beans in there. Our discussion explained that a high carb diet helped to keep them warm. With our meals, there was always coca tea and another herb I forgot the name of. Both used for the altitude.

Breakfast was fried bread, corn on the cob.

here is our house father bringing hats for the cold evening.

The bathroom, downstairs and through the garden - did I say no electricity... no heat... no plumbing... I used the pot under the table!

Uros Islands

Sylvia, our guide is peeling back the totoro reed. This bottom part is what is eaten. Rich in calcium. Not bad.
we were being shown how the islands are built, how the reeds are wrapped, layered, etc. Pretty cute. These ladies were so cut and friendly.
and of course tried to sell you everything. I loved how colorful everything was. I made the mistake of not having enough solas. I did buy some things and a tiny little reed boat with a man and woman in it from a little boy.
It's all about color!!!!

Boat Ride

I have a fear of water. Last year when I asked my sister if it was worth going to Lake Titicaca, she pretty much said no. I was ok with that, because I knew if I went I'd have to get into a boat.

After returning from last year's trip, my reading about the lake and it's spiritual aspect made me want to go. Face your fears :-)

We were in a boat with about 18 people or there abouts. Not so bad. I was ok with it. Here we are approaching the Uros islands which are made from Totoro reeds. They are the floating islands... yes, they actually float.. They repeatedly layer on the reeds.
Met by greeters. Very colorfully dressed women. They are prepared for visitors - ready to sell their handicrafts.
Home sweet home.. No kidding, there is a tv in here. They use solar panels for their electricity. They seemed to be very proud of this tv.... Mai-Liis and I had a different view on this. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! And this began a discussion on books. Get rid of the tv!

A chance meeting :-)

Before going to Peru, we tried to set up something where we could meet up with Jorge Delgado. The trip he was involved with was beyond our money spending intentions. He was actually going to be there at the same time though and we thought, just maybe we could hook up with him at some point... no dice.

Except the Universe obviously had other plans....

Our guide that we were originally going to have with us was replaced by Silvia who just so happened to work with Jorge Delgado. During a conversation while driving to the "doorway", Silvia called him to try to get a meeting together. It was possible he would come to Sillustani in the afternoon. We were excited about this.

Unfortunately, it didn't happen.

After coming back from this adventure, we went to the hotel and got ready for dinner. On the way to the restaurant, we stopped in a small shop to have a look and as I walked out, I literally almost ran into Silvia! One of those moments when the brain is saying, Hey don't I know you and POP! recognition... Silvia came looking for us... and what was the probability of finding us on those busy streets and many, many restaurants..... but she did. Jorge had called her to say he could meet with us. She called our hotel and obviously we weren't there and she set out to find us :-)

I really like Silvia.......

We hopped in a cab and off we went to meet Jorge Delgado in his office in Puno.

He is the author of Andean Awakenings and is the one who motivated me to want to go back to Peru. I knew I wasn't finished.

He is a warm, friendly man. We chatted, took pictures. He remembered Susan who took his workshop and gave me a special stone. One for throwing into Lake Titicaca. I was to put my intentions into the stone... which was healing for John... and that is what I did :-)

(notice the layers of clothing...it sure was cold there)

Still Sillustani

LLama at Sillustani.
Guinea pig. Silvia talked about using them as a tool of healing. They would tell the healer what ailments the sick person had by opening up the guinea pig and "reading" the inside. She told of a story about a woman with a tumor and how the lump showed up in the guinea pig.

This is a wild guinea pig.

Guinea pigs are eaten in Peru. Nope. Didn't try one.
A woman here with probably her daughter and her llamas at Sillustani. No slouchers these women... they work hard.

Sillustani

Sillustani is known as the ancient cemetery of the pre-Incans and Incans. These are chullupas where bodies are buried - the larger ones for the elite. Nobility were entombed with their family and possessions... which made me think of Egyptians. These towers were wider at the top, opening up to the sky, unlike pyramids.

Sillustani is also considered to be a power place like Machu Picchu. Not sure if it was the overcast day, but I didn't feel it here as I do in Machu Picchu. Although it was pretty cool (and cold) being there. Silvia picked up a stone and you could see the remains of a skull. It feels mysterious here...

PLEASE WATCH THIS

Give yourself the gift of 20 minutes and listen to this.......
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229

Mai-Liis' Tag Book Project

Come Play with Me!
I (Mai-Liis) will be teaching it through my website.

Start date: June 11, 2008, when you receive the materials list complete with substitutions which...chances are good you already own, torso outlines, and all the instructions.

I will be online with students for 3 weeks to make sure that everyone has the help that they need, but you can do this project whenever you have the time.

The tags are placed into the book with brads, and therefore can easily be removed and used for other purposes such as gift tags, or book marks.

Price: $25

To sign up, PayPal to
MaiLiis@ix.netcom.com
This is a fun mixed media project for artists and non-artists alike.

Check out her website for some more yummy art... dolls, shrines or in case you need more info

Hope to see you there :-)

http://www.mai-liis.com/