My Creative Outlet

[ella_mental]

I wasn\'t sure if I\'d have one today, but...  Those are geraniums and a cactus I can\'t believe is still alive.  I\'m a bit of a cactus killer.

[ella_mental]

Here is a poem I\'m sharing as part of my Solstice celebration.

Ever Onward Flowing

Daydream
Sparkle
Twinkle in my eye
Taking a ride on whichever transport moves me
Any and all means, by land, sea or air
Where do I go?
I'll know when I'm there
Somewhere
In the space-time continuum continuing ever onward
Forward
Full speed ahead
Flowing the directions in which I am lead
With landmarks to keep me in the familiar
I plot my path among the colors and lights
I marvel at marvelous things to look at
I glance and gaze at all the sights
And I try to take them in
For they are all part of where I've been
And also part of where I am going
Ever onward flowing

[ella_mental]

These are snapdragons, orange marigolds, and roses that missed the first roses pic.  The green stuff underneath is lavender.

[Duckhead]

Here is another pic of my flowers.  Dahlias, foxgloves, and another one I forget the name of.

I grow Dahlias too, they are just starting to sprout (I planted them late this year). I\'ll be sure to take some pics when they are in bloom.

[ella_mental]

Happy Summer Solstice!



The flowers are a yellow lily and bee balm.

[ella_mental]

To end my Solstice celebration I made this little video to remember it by.

In my earlier years I actually joined a coven of witches.  I used to go into the woods in a black robe and cast circles and dance around fires.  Seriously.  That is where my user name comes from...calling the elements.  I still do practice some things I learned during that time.

Be sure and check out my new Summer Solstice toy...it\'s the lighter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4wJWVEX7Z4&feature=channel_page

[ella_mental]

If anyone can ruin a perfectly good song it\'s me.  I\'m really a hunt-and-peck keyboard player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRnvJTZqKXs&feature=channel_page

[zintar]

If anyone can ruin a perfectly good song it\'s me.  I\'m really a hunt-and-peck keyboard player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRnvJTZqKXs&feature=channel_page

    I love that song.  ( and the Muppets )


Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what\'s on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we\'ve been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they\'re wrong, wait and see.
Someday we\'ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it\'s done so far.
What\'s so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we\'ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it\'s probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I\'ve heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I\'ve heard it too many times to ignore it.
It\'s something that I\'m supposed to be.
Someday we\'ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

-------------------------------------------------------------
 p.s. digging the pictures  

[ella_mental]

I found what I think might be one of the coolest channels on YouTube...
http://www.youtube.com/user/swamiramahimalayas
That is the founder of the HI.  After being there, I can definately say Swami Rama had it goin\' on.

[ella_mental]

This may be a bit much, but...  I like it.

[ella_mental]

I\'m going here on Sunday for the Mantra Meditation Retreat...http://www.kripalvanandayogainstitute.org/index.html

I\'m really looking forward to it.  It is where Swami Kripalu did his sadhana and I\'m sure the energy of the place itself is going to be moving...plus the mantra meditation.  Some practices should come with the "do not operate heavy machinery" warning label.  This will probably be one of them.

[ella_mental]

Here is a poem to the Earth

The North, the earth, the growth, the truth
Spiritual guide and living proof

One food for life alone
Grown of mineral, plant, and bone

Earth cultivator
Rooted in self
Fruits of labor
Barren in wealth

Self cultivator
Rooted in earth
Fruits of labor
Priceless in worth

Union of mind, heart, and hand
Return to the fertile land

The North, the earth, the growth, the truth
Spiritual path to living root

[ella_mental]

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

That place is so awesome.  I\'m gonna share a funny story about me and my yoga buddy.  The space where Swami K. did his sadhana is beyond description to me.  I was sitting there and thinking, OMG, Swami K. did yoga right in the exact same place I\'m sitting.  Well, my yoga buddy used the bathroom and thought, Swami K\'s a$$ sat on this same toilet.  Someone\'s gotta keep it real.

As I was backing out of my garage Hilikus by Incubus was playing.  When I was pulling out of the driveway the song changed to Hills of Eternity by Buckethead.  I thought that was a nice way to start my trip...that\'s the alphabetical order.

I also got my picture taken with a bust of the Swami.  I hope it comes out good.

* I also want to add that, despite my complete lack of musical ability, I played a pretty mean tambourine today during our chanting.

[ella_mental]

I\'ve taken pics of all the flowers now...I think...so I\'ll finish my collages.  These are hen and chicks and a stargazer lily.

[ella_mental]

These are zinnias.