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.