Hello to all my friends....including those I haven't met yet!

I haven't written for awhile, and am happy to have a few minutes today to put some thoughts down.

Two times today I was reminded of the power of buddhist thinking to make my life better and more complete.

I felt the need to come to this place and just say the following to you all:

Thank you! Thanks for being my friends!

Thanks for being you!

Thanks for helping life be much more complete!

I wish for an end to suffering for all those who suffer in the world; whether from lack of food, warmth, safety, or from totalitarian regimes who force their ways upon you.

May peace be with you all.

One Love.....Let's get together and feel alright!

Let the sun shine in!

Let....Let...the sun shine in! Let positive energy and thoughts be the prevalent ones! May your day be bright and sunny!

May all the people who are currently suffering in this world from floods, earthquakes, rains, wars, and employment difficulties find some sunshine and happiness on this day!

Don't Forget to Dance!

Dance, Sing, Skip, Run....whatever makes you happy...but for sure....Don't forget...it brings a smile no matter your age.

The second song on this playlist is the perfect 'couples song' for a dance. Find your partner and dance!

“When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not in it!"

Be kind,
be humble,
be giving,
be loving,
be the center of a universe where care for others is more important than care for yourself.

It does not take very much to be happy!

A secure and warm place to live, some basic food and water; and a few clothes. Everything above that is just 'extra'. Consider what you really need to be happy!

Consume less so that others may live!

My deepest prayer for those who suffer from Typhoon Ketsana and the Earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia!

May your suffering come to an end soon! Please consider a prayer for them yourselves tonight!

Please send your warm thoughts and prayers to the people of the Philippines today!

As of this evening there have been more than 240 people killed from the 'worst floods in more than 40 years' in the capital city of Manila. Many more were displaced and life is difficult now as the country tries to recover from this devastation.

Please say a prayer or send a warm thought to those who are suffering in Manila right now. Find a place to help...send money, send food, send your positive energy!

The world is one and the suffering of one is the suffering of all humanity!

Remember.......

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

While we struggle with the destructive side of capitalism...

While we are struggling with the results of the destructive side of capitalism which has caused these current difficulties; let us not forget that life is about balance. Balance for all humans....A great country does not succeed by leaving its people without the means to fulfill their hopes and dreams!
- Robert Grawet 2009

To the World!

To the World you May
Only be One Person.

But to One Person you
May be the World.

Believe Nothing - Buddha

Benevolence and wisdom are roots of wholesome karma!

Saying from Buddha!


May peace and great warmth fill your mind this weekend!

A toast in memory of Mary Travers - from Peter, Paul and Mary!

I was deeply saddened this morning when the news came of the death of folk singer Mary Travers. The world loses one of its best people at a time when we need people like her more than ever....who always sang 'for the people', and was able to make my world a better place each time I listened to her sing.

She was a huge part of showing me what the word love was all about...

So many people do everything 'for the money'. Mary Travers would have to stick out to me as one who seemed to do it mostly for the joy of singing, for the joy of entertaining us, and with the intent of sharing her vision of how the world could be a better place.

"Where Have All the Flowers Gone"...a deeply thoughtful song that was for many of us the beginning of our political thinking. A song that is more valuable today than it was back then.

"In the Early Morning Rain"...wow!

"Follow Me"...Follow me, where I go, what I do, and who I know....making part of you to be a part of me....How better might you tell someone how much you love them?


"And When I Die"....the reality of life....enjoy it while you can!

"Puff the Magic Dragon"....one of the first love songs that a child can really understand.

I'll end with that....

May peace be with you Mary Travers! You made my life a better place! Thank you!

A saying from the Dalai Lama!

We must recognize that the suffering of one person or one nation is the suffering of humanity. That the happiness of one person or nation is the happiness of humanity.

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

Sayings from the Dalai Lama!

I gained some great new friends this weekend!

I had the opportunity to spend a long Saturday evening with 4 of my great neighbors. Here's to Walt, Jim, Svein, and Aaron!

Nothing more fun than a 'guys night in Jim's garage'....little beer....lots of story telling!

I hope you found time for old friends or new this weekend! Friends and Family....that's what its all about!

In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.

Whales in my backyard! Nature is such a blessing!

5 transient orcas seen in South Sound
John Dodge

Five transient orcas were spotted patrolling the waters of South Sound on Thursday, according to reports compiled by Cascadia Research of Olympia.

“It’s highly likely they’re the same whales seen in Oakland Bay a week ago,” Cascadia marine mammal researcher John Calambokidis said.

He said the whale sightings came from several locations, including Eld Inlet, Dana Passage and Harstine Island. The whales also were seen in Budd Inlet as far south as Gull Harbor, Ralph Munro said.

Unlike the resident Puget Sound orcas, which feed on fish and are listed as an endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act, the transient orcas, which roam the waters from Alaska to Mexico in small groups, eat marine mammals and aren’t listed under the ESA.

Three transient orcas last were seen in South Sound near Fox Island in May 2009, Calambokidis said.

“I’d characterize their appearance here in South Sound as periodic – every one to two years, on average,” he said.

Six transients paid an extended visit to Hood Canal from late January to late spring 2005, a world-record stay in one place, according to marine mammal biologists. That came on the heels of a two-month extended visit to Hood Canal by 11 transient killer whales in 2003.

The 2003 Hood Canal visitors included T-14, a whale present in Budd Inlet in 1976 during the controversial, and last, capture of killer whales in Puget Sound for use in aquariums.

It’s not yet known whether any of the killer whales seen in South Sound in 2009 were among the Hood Canal visitors in 2003 or 2005, Calambokidis said.

Male orcas have a life expectancy of 50 to 60 years; females have a life expectancy of 90 years.

Have YOU seen the stars tonight?

Have you seen the stars tonight?

Photo from the Hubble Telescope files.

Imagine!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO BLOW IT UP!






Original Lyrics by
John Lennon

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

To laborers of the body and the mind....Peace and Joy to you on this Labor Day Weekend!

In my little town of Olympia, Washington, Labor Day means Harbor Days! The annual festival brings tugboats from all along the West Coast. It's a weekend of fun climaxed by the annual Tugboat Races in Budd Inlet.

Yesterday and this morning; a small pod of Orca Whales were observed in our bay as well. At the bridge over 4th Avenue, the returning salmon will be thick as they enter Capitol Lake and on to the Deschutes River to spawn.

We will be focused on the enjoyment of these events and we hope you will also find happiness and warmth this long weekend.

Never forget the meaning of Labor Day. As so many people suffer in our country and many others around the world; let's send our best prayers to them. May those who are without a job be blessed with strength to carry on and begin anew!

While we are struggling with the results of the destructive side of capitalism which has caused these current difficulties; let us not forget that life is about balance. Balance for all humans....A great country does not succeed by leaving its people without the means to fulfill their hopes and dreams!

My strongest and deepest prayers go out to you that are hurting!

There was a powerful earthquake in Indonesia this morning!

I say my best prayer for all those who may be suffering as a result of this force. May you find comfort, peace, and the love you need!

Special prayers for Steve, Sanita, Donna, Jessica; my family in Jakarta.

Sunday Evening - Quiet, reflective, go to the light!

Follow the light, flow with the river......allow positive to be strong, reject negative! Smile today!

Think about a song that makes you happy or gives you a good feeling...

Monday, Monday.....Tuesday Afternoon....Wednesday Morning 3 AM....Think about a piece of music; a song; a musical....let it take you to that moment that made you happy! Simple, effective relaxation!

As fall approaches us in the Northwest, we can look forward to 'the early morning rain'

Nothing sweeter than the smell of an early morning rain! Also a perfect setting for a day of contemplation and coffee! In the early morning rain.....

May peace come to all who are suffering....let the light come in! Flow with the river!

Special wishes of happiness for those who miss a loved one; be it a friend, a lover, a child......special thoughts for you....may the day bring you sunshine!

I say hello to old friends and new friends!

Don't know why; but for some reason, I thought of Bob's Park as I was thinking about old friends. I can imagine that Bob (from Bob's Park - between 7th and 10th on 31st Street in New York City) must have brought his friends there. Hello Bob.....I would like to have met you, and thank you for leaving this park to all who pass by as a memory of you. What a great thing to leave behind. I hope to be able to do something equally as good!

Hello old friends, I loved you then, I love you now; I hope to cross your path again some day.

Hello new friends. I look forward to knowing you as well some day.

My best and strongest thoughts go out to the many people I have been lucky enough to know and spend time with in my life so far. I wish for you all to have the most happiness possible in your life. I remind you that every day cannot be the happiest, you must have some un-happy to truly appreciate happy.

Peace be with you!

OM.......Remember to find humour and joy in every day!

A great site for downloading some Buddhist teachings!

Here's a great site...http://www.lamrim.com/

A good site for downloading mp3's of Buddhist teachings http://www.lamrim.com/

David

I haven't posted in a while! ....Sometimes less is more!

YOU MUST CLICK ON THE POSTER PHOTO AND IT WILL BLOW UP SO YOU CAN READ IT!






the Bear Poster has nothing to do with my words to follow; and everything to do with them. When you look at a person for the first time; you must not judge them or take action without understanding the entire person....or in this case, the entire message!

It has been over a year since I began this quest; right here for the world to see. I still find peace when I come to this site; and spend enough time to listen to all of the songs that are on the player.

I still believe my opening words............and I still am searching for the kind of inner peace that Buddha found.

I can also admit openly, that my earlobes are much longer than when I was a boy....does that qualify for anything?

I head off soon for my big work related trade show in Orlando this year. Last year was full of questions as I headed down to Las Vegas (it was there last year).

Luckily last year, I rode my motorcycle down with good friends Fran and Peter Galea from Vancouver, B.C. This gave me lots of mellow 'think' time, and was a great way to go to the show.

I'll be flying this time, as Orlando (from Seattle) is a bit far given the amount of time necessary to enjoy a ride that long....maybe some other time.

May peace come to all those souls around the world who have stress and suffering in the lives tonight!

Chin-Ning Chu

Without the strength to endure the crisis, one will not see the opportunity within. It is within the process of endurance that opportunity reveals itself.
Chin-Ning Chu

Let your stress go today!

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked,
"How heavy is this glass of water ? "

Answers called out ranged from 250g. to 700g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it."

"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance."

"In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."
0A
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. "

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work/life down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow."

"Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax, pick them up later after you've rested.
Life is short. Enjoy !"

Believe Nothing - Buddha

Fireworks over Copacabana Beach,New Years Eve 2009!

Buddha

Flow with the river!

My best prayers to the people of Mumbai!

A thought of those who aren't here to speak to anymore!

CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH AND IT WILL EXPAND TO FULL SIZE.






In the photo, I'm the guy with the dark black moustache. Don is right behind me, carrying a suit bag over his shoulder. It was April 1969, we had just landed at Buckley Field, Colorado, having come back from one year in Viet Nam.....we were the lucky ones. For most of us, there were lots of people waiting to cheer us off the plane. We were the Colorado Air National Guard; coming home from the war.....



Here's to you!

Don L. Winters - We met in 1967 as we both went into the Colorado Air National Guard at Buckley Field, Colorado. We went to bootcamp from August 13th for six weeks at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Don was the youngest guy in the entire unit, and I was second youngest as we were sent to Viet Nam the following spring.... April of 1968. We had been roommates just prior to getting the word we're going to get shipped out.

We lived in downtown Denver, Colorado. We shared a two bedroom apartment with another young Guardsman; Jay Applegate. "hey Jay", I hope you read this someday.

That was a wild place to live in the fall and early spring of 1968.....

They were putting out these lists of who would; and who would not, go to Viet Nam. There were 900 total guys in the Guard unit. Only 300 were going to be sent there.

In the end Don was on the list; and I was not. I decided to go in and volunteer to be put on it. That was way too easy.....now I was on the list. The next day we found out that Don was taken back off the list....then we left.

Thought I'd not see him again, at least for the year we would be in Viet Nam. Nope....son of a gun....there he was walking up the street one day about 10 days or two weeks after the rest of us got there. Never did find out how that worked out.

The year in the war was an amazing time. We were very young (both of us; just 18). We were so naive, and so optomistic...we never thought about anything bad happening to us....and luckily nothing did over there.

We met a bunch of other young guys from our unit and we became bonded for life as we spent that year....always wondering.....what was happening back home with our girl friends; our wives, our families.....Many got the infamous; "Dear John" letter. I did....so did Don....although he really got it before we left as well.....

So there we were, young, naive, broken hearted, becoming a close group of friends that would last forever......

And then we got introduced to Mary......Mary Jane....you know.....

As we spent the rest of the year learning about life, war, and ...Mary....we all began to develop the personalities that would stay with us for the rest of our lives.

OK.....back to Don...(although this free form rambling is really taking me back there, so please forgive my wandering)......

Don was the Super Hippest guy of all of us....(my opinion). Tall, great looking, and just ooozing cool....

There was Don....Jay....Scott T.,Bob Reposa (Rip - Rip was his nicknamne), Jim Murray (I hope you're alive buddy, I've tried a long time to find you), Doyle M. (who called me from his farm in Colorado to wish me Happy Veteran's Day last week while I was in NYC)...thanks Doyle.....Larry Christiansen (we spoke last year), and a couple of others as well.....

We came back from VN in April of 1969...hard to believe it....home again. The longest year of my life.

As I assume happens in all war-buddy stories; we hung together for a few years after we came back....always close in a special way. But then, one by one, we got married, or 'kinda' got married, and moved off with our spouse; had kids, and pretty much - disappeared....

I hadn't seen Don between March of 1972 and August or September of 1975....I couldn't get my act together after coming back, and finally...out of desperation; I joined the U.S. Coast Guard, simply in order to get away from the influences of my friends and begin to make my own life. I was poor, and had no daddy to ask for a loan....so it seemed like my only way to get back on my feet on my own. When I was around my friends, it was easier to party or 'go to the park', then it was to work, so I didn't work much then!

Coast Guard - August 13, 1971 - August 12, 1975.....it actually worked out very well for me. I got my 'act' together nicely. I married Joyce, and we had our only child; Gretchen.

When I got out; it was August 1975. I saw Don a few times then, although I never got a really good chance to talk to him. There was always something that would get in the way of a nice chat....wife's needed something; other guests wanted to talk...whatever.....but I never got a good chance to talk again with Don.

Sometime a few years later; I got a phone call to say Don was in the hospital after a motorcycle wreck between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, Colorado. He had been rushed by ambulance down to a Denver hospital with more services available. I tracked down the hospital; called it; got to the floor he was on and spoke to the nurse on call.

She said; very slowly and sadly.....I'm afraid Donald has passed!.....WOW! It hit me incredibly hard........

We saw his wife a few times after that; but she soon left town, ended up marrying someone else, and I only saw her one time after that.......Hello Dana! I hope you're doing well....up there in Georgetown.

So......"Here's to Donald Lewis Winters", A2c, Colorado Air Nat'l Guard...My friend, and a hell of a cool guy.

And Jim....If I don't hear something soon......I'm really going to wonder if you're still with us.

Finally; Bob Reposa; Doyle Miller; Scott Terhark, Larry C, here's to us all - brothers in arms!

God bless us all!!!!!

Proud to be an American tonight!

Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America!!!!!

We have finally come back from the dark path we have been on for the last 8 years and are once again the Great Nation that I grew up believing in!

I am just back from New York City!

Something about being in NYC always makes me think of Simon and Garfunkle. They sang so many songs with reference to the city. I lived in NYC from September 1971 - March 1972 while going thru a 'school' for the U.S. Coast Guard on Governor's Island out in the River off the tip of Manhattan.

The picture is actually me from about six months earlier; just prior to joining the Coast Guard. (my hair was much shorter after joining). It's the closest picture I have to that time and probably reflects who I was at that time more than any other picture I have.

You could see the twin towers; and the Statue of Liberty and the hustle and bustle of the city while in the comfort of a little island that was only accessible if you were in the Coast Guard.

I have deep and warm feelings for the city. Back in '71 I spent many a day and night wandering the streets watching the people. I was pretty poor back then, and so walking around was about all I could afford. I look back with great fondness on that now, and really enjoy each trip to the city.

Why am I talking about that; well,....I'm reminded that wherever you are; there you must be.....and whether in a city the size of NYC or in my back yard in Olympia, Washington...you are responsible for yourself, and the only way to find peace is to look within and find it in yourself.

Peace to you all...may the Bush and Bush imitators be thrown from power for ever and may the USA come back to being the great nation it was prior to those criminals coming to power.

God Bless America!


"Now the years are rolling by me, they are rockin even me
I am older than I once was, and younger than Ill be, thats not unusual
No it isnt strange, after changes upon changes, we are more or less the same
After changes we are more or less the same"...........Paul Simon from "The Boxer"

Sunset in Sochi!

The sunset...oh the sunset....

The gift to remember each day!

15 Buddhas are in my home!

Here are the 9 Buddha's who sit on the mantle in my family room! If you look down the blog you'll see my Buddha garden in the back yard, where a large Buddha sits to remind me to put my Buddha head on whenever I see them.

There are 5 more Buddha's around my home as I move from room to room.....

I am just beginning to learn how to be more like Buddha, but these small reminders help me every time I pass them.

Almost 60 days since my last post!

I have been rewarded for my hard work. I have sold the company I manage to a very solid Japanese company, and have been focused on making the transition to our small company to being part of this much larger company.

This has taken much of my time.

However, even more so, I have spent the last two months mostly focusing on helping my wife handle some cancer treatments and balancing that by taking her to some nice quite places away from home where she can concentrate on relaxation and good things.

As a result I have not written in here for some time, but I am back now.

As I've said; maybe no one ever reads this, but for me, it's a therapeutic way to explore my inner self, and to take things from my mind by putting them to paper (so to speak). This has been an ongoing way for me to find my own inner peace.

Peace to you all!

Good things come to those who wait!

Patience .......... Flow with the river! These are the thoughts I must keep in the front of my mind as the river enters an area of rapids. There are many new ideas in the fast moving river. Go with the river; do not fight the current!

My last post until my return from my beginning!

My life has been adrift like the leaf in this picture was prior to landing on the rock. My leaf has found a new land.......a new beginning.

I leave on Saturday; riding my motorcycle toward my destiny in Las Vegas where next week my life will start again in some way.

For clarity; I am not going to gamble in Las Vegas in the traditional way. I AM going to gamble in a very traditional business way.

Will the business gamble pay off? Where will my rock come from? Have I already found it?

Only upon leaving Las Vegas on June 21st will I have the knowledge to really know.

Please come back to visit often while I'm away. ......and say a prayer for me......in the way you do best!

I send my own prayer of hope for those who suffer in the world in a much greater fashion than I.

My Backyard Buddha Garden

Click the picture and it will blow up to full screen.

This last weekend, I prepared my house and yard for the upcoming visit of my close friends Peter and Fran. They will arrive this coming Friday afternoon on their motorcycles from Vancouver, British Columbia.

We'll share the evening and spend some time in the back yard here with Buddha, the fountain (just out of site), and the birds chirping....

On Saturday morning we will get on our bikes and ride to Las Vegas. Along the way we will surely find our own personal Nirvana........It always happens on the annual long ride.

I may not post more before leaving......may peace be with you!

I send my thoughts of well-being, peace and good will to the people of the world who are suffering tonight. May good things come to you on all levels very soon!

A Second Old Friend makes contact this same week!

The last time I really talked to Larry Christenson was probably 1969 in May. We had just finished spending a year in VietNam together and were back safely in Colorado.

We were 'a little messed' up from the experience. All in different ways.....

Larry and his good buddy Tom Freeman.....were good friends while we were in Phan Rang. They were some of my 'big brothers' since in their mid 20's they were 'old' guys. I was the second youngest guy in my unit at 18 1/2 years old at the time we arrived in VietNam. My good friend Don Winters was the youngest.

Larry found my email and sent me a note. We followed that with a phone call.

We share motorcycles as a passion.

I'm going to try to remember the other members of our 'group' that hung out and watched out for each other in VietNam.

Don Winters (died in early 90's from motorcycle crash), James L (Jim) Murray - used to see him and talk regularly; but he's disappeared and I can't find him, Doyle Miller - Lives in Elizabeth, CO, Scott Terhark - lives in Parker, CO, (saw Doyle and Scott at our big coming home reunion in 1989, but not since), Jay Applegate (lives in Denver), Bob (Rip) Reposa - lives in Aurora, CO....Hi Bob!

I love you guys! Miss you! Wish we could all get together again.

I send a message of peace and an end to suffering for all the people in the world affected by war, drought, hunger, natural disaster, or internal personal suffering. I pray you will have an end to your suffering and a return to joy and inner happiness very soon!

Today I began the next journey of my business life!

After three and 1/2 months of steady movement......always coming back to center myself on the idea of going with the flow.....I have just signed a legal document to initiate moving toward a contract that will take me to the next stage of my journey.

Although the next stop is not absolute as a result of this signing; it is nearly that.

So....I take a breath......and begin to move slowly ahead again toward the final contract and the realization of my plan for the future.

Thank you.

My blessings and humble thanks are sent to you.

Please give a moment for silent prayer in support of the many who suffer in the world on this very day, at this very moment. They need our 'extra' prayer.

Peace to all who read this!

I talked to an old friend today - that is a gift!

Thank you friend......Travel in peace my friend!

For some reason this song came to my head after our talk:

"OM" by the Moody Blues
It starts off with these words:

"The Rain is on the roof; hurry high butterfly"

You can hear it by going to the music player at the top of this page and clicking on the Arrow to advance to the next song until you come to it

PLEASE....take the time; sit back; listen; close your eyes....and truly let the music take over. Relax..............................

My blessings to the people of war torn countries and those of the recent natural disasters. Peace be with you.

I cross another river on my journey!

One more river has been crossed as I walk on my journey. I decided to 'flow with the river' yesterday (like I knew all along), and the result was I achieved my goal.

My thoughts continue to be for the millions around the world who are suffering from war, famine, natural disaster.....it is even harder than ever now to understand why those people have such terrible times and my disasters have so far been very stressful at times; but incomparable to theirs. I thank God for my luck.....and I will try to live my life in a way that shows that.

Peace be with you today!

Let the river flow....flow with the river. Immerse yourself in nature! Find pleasure in simple things. Take the time to look at the springtime beauty.

These are the things I must concentrate on today as I go into a new level of negotiation for my future.

My thoughts as always to those who suffer.....my own difficulty is so incomparably minor to those in Myanmar, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Chinese earthquake among so many others. Peace and an end to suffering to you in those situations!