At the root

I've been reading and watching some powerful stuff these days.  The Shock Doctrine is a remarkable book that gets at the very root of our current economic and political situation.  It's not a beach read, and there are parts that are so heartbreaking and infuriating that I had to take breaks to recoup.  I think it's essential reading for anyone who wants to know where your tax dollars have been and are going.  Disturbing, provocative, brilliant and finally (at the very end) hopeful.  I recall first hearing about her during an interview on KBOO and happily came upon her audio book at the library. 

Because I'm fascinated by the author's mind, I checked out The Take, a documentary made by Naomi Klein and her husband.  This film recounts the economic crisis in Argentina and how workers have taken over closed down factories...I loved it for many reasons.  It's so important that someone is documenting the hopeful and powerful stories of resistance out there, and I loved seeing these working class men fight and win.  I also enjoyed getting to see Naomi Klein and her husband, who come across as funny, young, smart and relentless.  

A state of grace

We had the most wonderful weekend at Breitenbush, something we are making a summer tradition.  After a very social summer of cookouts, a lovely long visit from family, and 2 weeks full of Miss G., we got our mini-getaway from all the chores and noise of daily city life.  Unlike vacations where you need to plan, organize and then execute (Day 1 visit Museum X, take bus Y), this is just a time to relax in nature.  Tall majestic old growth trees, hot pools of spring water, flowers, the sound of a river, yummy vegetarian meals (no sugar, no caffeine and no snacks!), yoga.  No keys, no money, no buying of anything, no worries.

One of my highlights was soaking alone in a hot spring pool in the morning and having dragonflies hover the entire time.  I have a special affinity.  After I lost the baby (I call him Benjamin) and first ventured outside strong enough to garden a bit and walk around, a dragonfly danced around to greet me.  Dragonflies are not a common insect in our realm, being a dry waterless city block.  I am sure it was sign from the baby.  A hello, a way to make me smile and take notice that the world held these moments of grace in the face of big losses.  Dragonflies landed on me all weekend long....Benjamin's way of telling me that he is well, and he is with me...we are ok. 

The other was seeing a meteor dance across the sky in the small pool at night.....Yet another was holding my partner's hand as we did yoga, relaxing and close.  Another was crashing a beautiful dance party on Saturday night full of Reiki healers, who were having a weekend retreat.  The music was this magical blend of 80s songs and world music (Kenny Loggins, among others). We all danced joyfully, and I felt like a kid dancing away....everyone was blissed out, smiling at one another...I thought, this is how the world is meant to be.  Everyone is just innately and naturally happy, dancing....to really really good music. 

I finished up the perfect read for such a weekend, The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman.  A story of faith, of healing, of love....of the possibility of everything, kind of like my life.