Magic

I started this post when I was in Chicago, about 2 weeks ago.  But I was too tired to finish it.  So let's pretend it's two weeks ago.  I'm overwhelmed and terrified.  In spite of careful packing, I have too much stuff, it's hard to get to, I can't imagine how I'm going to make this trip across the country and keep me and my two dogs safe and sound.  Packing the car and unpacking the car is taking me way too long.  And I want to just put down roots at Lou's and Beth's place because I'm scared and it feels safe and cozy at their place.  This is not part of the Grand Plan.

Remember my post about the Fool's Journey?  The Fool steps off the cliff, carefree and happy, with his little dog at his heels, certain all will be well.  Having taken that leap of faith, The Fool had better have some Magic, or he will fall!  And that is exactly what he encounters next. The Magician!  The Magician in the Rider-Waite tarot deck combines all 4 elements (pentacles, cups, swords, wands) to create magic. See how he's also pointing above and below, and the infinity sign on his head?  That's connection, above and below, and spiritual and all around.  The Magician is there to help him along - to connect to Spirit and ground to Earth. 

Well my magician (two actually) appeared too! See the picture below?  (Be sure to notice the two doggies, they are part of the alchemy.)

I sure needed a lot of help combining and managing and weeding out my stuff.  Thank the goddess and the universe for Beth and Lou, who helped me sort and pare and organize and pack.  And truly, it was a lot of magic that I desperately needed.  Beth was an amazing magician - taking the elements in hand (including me, my dogs, our stuff, and my worries) and combining for a truly magical outcome. (Darn - I should have a picture of my car here to prove it.  And my aura, too, which must be a calmer color.  Well, you'll just have to take my word for it.) Lou was the igniting spark who told me what an amazing Magician Beth was and providing me with spiritual sustenance and grounding to the earth and loads of love.  Ask for help, and it appears.  Thanks, Beth and Lou!

The Mighty Mississippi

Crossing into Minnesota I crossed the Mississippi River in a car (as opposed to a plane) for the first time ever.  So it was really my first sighting of it.  I even drove out of my way so I could drive along it for a little while.  I didn't know Minnesota and Wisconsin has such beautiful landscapes.  Rock bluffs - yellow-warm colors, blocky (I've no idea the stone - Becca Fenwick, could you weigh in please?).  And as I was driving next to the Mighty Mississippi (which is indeed mightier than the Ohio River - and those of us who grew up in Cincinnati always felt that the Ohio did not get her due - and now I kind of understand why), a train came chugging down the track between me and the river - a long, long, long train, and then a barge pushing coal (I think) came chugging down - and I thought of Mark Twain and all of American literature and how we have channeled and diverted and irrigated our rivers here in America so that we are completely disconnected from them and don't even know they are the life-blood of our land and without them America wouldn't exist.  It seems like about half of America ultimately drains into the Mississippi River.  And we are trying to strangle our rivers, except they won't be strangled.  They get revenge.  Ask a survivor of Hurricane Katrina.

Scenes of where I've been

On Lake Erie in Michigan

I had no idea that the dunes around Lake Erie were so high.  It was a landscape I didn't think existed in the Midwest.  Lou scrambled right up that dune on her two feet.  I pulled myself up on all fours, huffing and puffing.  Seriously - it was a long, hard climb!  But beautiful.  I took pictures, but none of them do it justice.  Oh - and I got my second tick ever.  Disgusting.  Turns out they will drop out of trees looking for their next blood meal to feed their young.

In Wisconsin

Several people told me to go to Devil's Lake.  It was stunning.  Wisconsin is full of state and national parks.  I thought it was all dairy farms and the hippie enclave of Madison.  (I love hippies, just for the record!)

Devil's Lake State Park

Rhonda and I hiked up the bluffs to get this view.

Near Parfrey's Glen.

Can you see what is on the red barn?  It was fate that made us miss the turn into Parfrey's Glen, I'm sure of it.

This person is my heroine.  A world with wings and a heart over the world on a Red Barn!  I'm going to put this on my Red Barn when I get one too.

Parfrey's Glen

 This picture doesn't do it justice.  It's a sacred place.

Madison WI

 I posted pictures on Facebook with my friend, Alissa, whom I was visiting in Madison.  My friend, Susan from high school, commented on the post, "Be sure to get Michael's Frozen Custard!"  I listen well to direction (at least on this trip I am).  Best custard I've ever eaten.  Superior to Rita's even.

Self-Explanatory

 Where else will you ever hear sung "I have maggots in my scrotum!"  If you like irreverent humor, be sure to see this.  Thanks to my cousin Peter and his wife, Heidi, for suggesting it.  I liked it so much I bought the CD.

Self-Explanatory

 I had really wanted to go see this Public Radio show being recorded live.  It was good and I'm glad I went.  Confession:  "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell me!" is better.  Thanks to my cousin Peter and his wife, Heidi, for getting the tickets and taking me to it.

Road Warriors - somewhere in Minnesota

My doggies are real troopers.  Scottie just conks out.  Maddie gets anxious - but she pulls though.  And neither of them get car sick.  Bonus!

Chasing Spring

It's been a cold and late Spring.  That's what everyone is saying - from Smithfield, VA, to Cincinnati, OH, to Chicago, IL to Madison, WI, and now to Janesville, MN.  But today it is warm (for Minnesota, that is) and I am so grateful to see the sun. 

I've seen just the very beginnings of Spring.  And it must be late, because the Skunk Cabbage is usually out in DC in January or February - which should make it March or so in Chicago and Madison.  Here are some glimpses of the beginnings of Spring.  All are spring ephemerals which are native to where they are growing.  It is a treat for me to see them because between the deer and the invasive plants in Rock Creek, I rarely get to see these.

Bloodroot in Chicago's Morton Arboretum

Toothwort in Chicago's Morton Arboretum

Sharp-lobed hepatica in Parfrey's Glen (Devil's Lake State Park, WI)

Marsh Marigold in Parfrey's Glen (Devil's Lake State Park, WI)

Skunk Cabbage (flower) in Madison's Arboretum

My Website

It's been awhile since I've posted so I've got a bit of catching up to do.  But in the meantime, check out my website.  Kudos to Webmistress Liz for her awesome design and patience with me.

http://www.redbarninstitute.org/index.html