Have you ever heard the phrase, "What in the Sam Hill is going on?" Well, Sam Hill was a real man. He actually lived in Washington State and was responsible for many of the roads along the Columbia River, and border between Washington and Oregon. He was known for his wild ideas.
One of which was to build a complete replica of Stonehenge. Because he was so heavy in the roadways construction trade, his Stonehenge Memorial is built out of concrete. It was built to honor the Washington State Veterans of World War I. Just down the road from the memorial, Sam Hill also built a huge house overlooking the Columbia River for his wife, Mary Hill. Though, legend says that she never visited, nor lived in this mansion like house. Today, it's called the Mary Hill Museum and has many lovely exhibits. Sandy, of the lovely Center for Pattern Design recently had a talk there this past April, 2016. I was bummed I missed it and missed meeting her. Her newsletter is so lovely.
Some of you may know that my mom is a Faerie Shaman. A brief description of a Shaman is a healer. She is very in-tune with the earth and is regularly called to create the most amazing altars and send out prayers of healing for many. Recently, my mom & dad had taken a trip to Stonehenge for giggles. While at Stonehenge, she felt the land call out for healing. Lots of visitors who attend the Memorial will climb all over it and don't seem to honor or respect it's sacred purpose. In short, the earth, the land, the memorial, the river, all asked for her to do ceremony at the memorial and help bring the sacred back to it's existence.
Likewise, the world at large has had such a difficult time connecting, uniting, releasing the past and loving one another. This year has seen so much strife. There've been lots of good things, and lots of painful things. There are lots of souls breaking free from old ways of living and believing. That is good and that can be a challenging and painful process for some when the universe or God sweeps in and clears your plate and you weren't ready for such a loss, such a violent reaction or drastic change. We are learning to embrace and lean into the change. It's not always easy, but it definitely makes the journey more enjoyable. For what we resist persists. Yeah, try that idea on when you get angry about something. What if you just totally let go and stopped holding that rope and stopped playing tug of war? What if you started thinking about what you love, appreciate or enjoy? Are you ready for that? It's big stuff. It can feel like cutting your arm off to let go of complaining and struggle and anger. Don't let go until you're ready though. We all gotta choose that in our own time or we'll just get mad at the person who tells us what to do! HA HA HA! We're funny beings aren't we?
Some of you may know that my mom is a Faerie Shaman. A brief description of a Shaman is a healer. She is very in-tune with the earth and is regularly called to create the most amazing altars and send out prayers of healing for many. Recently, my mom & dad had taken a trip to Stonehenge for giggles. While at Stonehenge, she felt the land call out for healing. Lots of visitors who attend the Memorial will climb all over it and don't seem to honor or respect it's sacred purpose. In short, the earth, the land, the memorial, the river, all asked for her to do ceremony at the memorial and help bring the sacred back to it's existence.
Likewise, the world at large has had such a difficult time connecting, uniting, releasing the past and loving one another. This year has seen so much strife. There've been lots of good things, and lots of painful things. There are lots of souls breaking free from old ways of living and believing. That is good and that can be a challenging and painful process for some when the universe or God sweeps in and clears your plate and you weren't ready for such a loss, such a violent reaction or drastic change. We are learning to embrace and lean into the change. It's not always easy, but it definitely makes the journey more enjoyable. For what we resist persists. Yeah, try that idea on when you get angry about something. What if you just totally let go and stopped holding that rope and stopped playing tug of war? What if you started thinking about what you love, appreciate or enjoy? Are you ready for that? It's big stuff. It can feel like cutting your arm off to let go of complaining and struggle and anger. Don't let go until you're ready though. We all gotta choose that in our own time or we'll just get mad at the person who tells us what to do! HA HA HA! We're funny beings aren't we?
We always celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year. No matter what faith or religion you follow, we keep turning around the sun. The sun & moon rise and set. The tides ebb and flow. The seasons change. Most of us honor or celebrate using our current socially normal holidays like Christmas, New Years, Valentines, St. Patrick's, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July (for the states), Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. All of those are ways we honor and acknowledge the changes of the season. We choose to honor what are known as the 4 quarter days. They just feel right to us. They are:
As both my mom & I are expanding our spiritual practices, businesses and readings, we decided to perform our honoring ceremonies for the 4 quarter days at sacred sites around us. That combined with the call from Stonehenge a few weeks before Autumn Equinox and our dream became a reality.
Now, keep in mind, it takes 4 hours to drive to the Stonehenge Memorial from the Seattle Metro area. So, you really gotta WANT to be there. And we did. We said many prayers, sprinkled faerie dust (organic blend we make) in the same spirit that Native Americans leave tobacco or spit (to say thank you and leave as an offering), and were blown all over the heck (it was SO windy we could lean into it).
- Winter Solstice (darkest night)
- Spring Equinox (day and night are equal and the veil between the worlds is very thin)
- Summer Solstice (lightest day)
- Autumn Equinox (day and night are equal and the veil between the worlds is very thin)
As both my mom & I are expanding our spiritual practices, businesses and readings, we decided to perform our honoring ceremonies for the 4 quarter days at sacred sites around us. That combined with the call from Stonehenge a few weeks before Autumn Equinox and our dream became a reality.
Now, keep in mind, it takes 4 hours to drive to the Stonehenge Memorial from the Seattle Metro area. So, you really gotta WANT to be there. And we did. We said many prayers, sprinkled faerie dust (organic blend we make) in the same spirit that Native Americans leave tobacco or spit (to say thank you and leave as an offering), and were blown all over the heck (it was SO windy we could lean into it).
There's no weird sacrificing that happens. There's no creepy stuff. It's no different than a prayer circle gathering and praying for your congregation, for your families, for all of humanity. We just choose different processes and methods to pray.
I've resisted sharing this much of my spiritual practice publicly for most of my life. I grew up in a town that has churches on every corner like Seattle has coffee shops! I lost friends in school when I attempted to speak or debate spiritual ideas. I felt alone except when with my family and the other spiritual friends we had, most of which were older than my brother and me.
I've never fit any religion. I've been to many churches, spiritual talks and the like. Most don't fit me. I am simply me, a spiritual seeker, an oracle. My entire life, I have thought differently about not just spirituality, but everything. I'm not a color inside the lines girl, yet at times I am. In school, I would come up with ideas that instinctively I knew would work, but because the other engineers or business people couldn't prove them, they dismissed me and treated me like I was stupid. Even in Engineering, I live on the edge in my thinking. I come up with wild ideas. But for many years, I've forced myself to conform, to be normal, to be industrial because that's what the world told me it would take to be successful. Hmm, that has only helped so much. If it weren't for one of my Physics Teachers at Community College, I might still be struggling with why I was so different from the other engineers. He gave me permission to think differently and trust my intuition. It's taken years for me to get back to that state of allowing. I let the world tell me that data and proof were the only methods worthy of proving that I was valid. Thanks to an awesome call with Kelly last night, I was beautifully reminded to trust my ideas and to follow through. Every time she's invited me to one of her Sew Alongs, my world of sewing opens up a bit wider, problems resolve themselves and things tumble into place. Note to self: trust your instincts and tell the inner critic and naysayers to go count the number of rocks on a gravel road.
What I do recognize is that there are certain souls, no matter what walk of life, no matter what religion, no matter what education, sexual orientation, language, skin color, etc, who I do click with. They are those of the scar clan, those who have gotten up after being hurt and have carried on to create the world they dream of. They are those of the purest of heart who are not here to convince another to their way of thinking, but simply to enjoy and appreciate their own path and the path of those they encounter. The more we follow the beat of our own drums, the happier we are and subsequently, the more we make an amazing symphony that is perfectly in time, in tune, and making Divine Music. We are each a note in a song, an instrument, or a phrase.
Today I realize that love is the common language spoken among all faiths and all religions. Everyone is supposed to follow their own path. That is a God, Great Spirit, The Universe [insert your term for The Divine here] intended. By following the religious or spiritual path we feel called toward, we are supporting the greater world and making it a better place. Likewise, by allowing everyone else to follow their own path, we are creating a unified and supportive world. Allowing feels so good. Allowing means you get to be you and I get to be me and we get to enjoy what each other brings to the table. When aligned with The Divine, there really is no wrong path. Multiple are needed to suit each and every soul.
I've resisted sharing this much of my spiritual practice publicly for most of my life. I grew up in a town that has churches on every corner like Seattle has coffee shops! I lost friends in school when I attempted to speak or debate spiritual ideas. I felt alone except when with my family and the other spiritual friends we had, most of which were older than my brother and me.
I've never fit any religion. I've been to many churches, spiritual talks and the like. Most don't fit me. I am simply me, a spiritual seeker, an oracle. My entire life, I have thought differently about not just spirituality, but everything. I'm not a color inside the lines girl, yet at times I am. In school, I would come up with ideas that instinctively I knew would work, but because the other engineers or business people couldn't prove them, they dismissed me and treated me like I was stupid. Even in Engineering, I live on the edge in my thinking. I come up with wild ideas. But for many years, I've forced myself to conform, to be normal, to be industrial because that's what the world told me it would take to be successful. Hmm, that has only helped so much. If it weren't for one of my Physics Teachers at Community College, I might still be struggling with why I was so different from the other engineers. He gave me permission to think differently and trust my intuition. It's taken years for me to get back to that state of allowing. I let the world tell me that data and proof were the only methods worthy of proving that I was valid. Thanks to an awesome call with Kelly last night, I was beautifully reminded to trust my ideas and to follow through. Every time she's invited me to one of her Sew Alongs, my world of sewing opens up a bit wider, problems resolve themselves and things tumble into place. Note to self: trust your instincts and tell the inner critic and naysayers to go count the number of rocks on a gravel road.
What I do recognize is that there are certain souls, no matter what walk of life, no matter what religion, no matter what education, sexual orientation, language, skin color, etc, who I do click with. They are those of the scar clan, those who have gotten up after being hurt and have carried on to create the world they dream of. They are those of the purest of heart who are not here to convince another to their way of thinking, but simply to enjoy and appreciate their own path and the path of those they encounter. The more we follow the beat of our own drums, the happier we are and subsequently, the more we make an amazing symphony that is perfectly in time, in tune, and making Divine Music. We are each a note in a song, an instrument, or a phrase.
Today I realize that love is the common language spoken among all faiths and all religions. Everyone is supposed to follow their own path. That is a God, Great Spirit, The Universe [insert your term for The Divine here] intended. By following the religious or spiritual path we feel called toward, we are supporting the greater world and making it a better place. Likewise, by allowing everyone else to follow their own path, we are creating a unified and supportive world. Allowing feels so good. Allowing means you get to be you and I get to be me and we get to enjoy what each other brings to the table. When aligned with The Divine, there really is no wrong path. Multiple are needed to suit each and every soul.
We wrote many prayers on torn strips of fabric, then tied them onto an amazingly powerful walnut tree. I prayed for unity, for love. I prayed for suspended judgement. For hands to shake and arms to embrace. I prayed for honor, for honesty, for integrity. I prayed for mutual respect. I prayed for love. As above, so below. Blessed be thee and me.
Isn't this photo wild?! A selfie, where the wind was whipping about so hard that the strips of fabric with my prayers written upon them look nearly invisible. The idea is that the wind will play with this until it wears the fabric out and becomes threads that the birds make their nest of (hence 100% cotton), or biodegrades and helps the earth. Like how smoke from a pipe ceremony or a fire is meant to carry prayers to Great Spirit, so too is the wind meant to carry our prayers to God, to those who need healing, to those who need a reminder of hope, or those who are needing a wee dose of inspiration to tip them into taking action toward the greater good. We don't put limitations or requirements on prayers. We send them out in white light so that they serve the greatest good of all. We leave all that deciding stuff up to the big guys upstairs.
After our brief and intense ceremony, we drove down the road to the Petroglyphs. Many of these designs were incorporated into Pendleton's blanket designs. It's wonderful to see ancient local tribe designs preserved. These rocks feel so good to be around.
We brought lunch since Mary Hill is near Goldendale, WA and is a bit out in the tulies. This sweet lake is just off the edge of the Columbia River at Horse Thief State Park. A great place to lunch.
Though, I have to admit, that super short ceremony wiped me out. When we got to the petroglyphs I could barely stand. What most people don't know of someone who channels and does work with "The Otherside" or with Heaven, is that it takes a lot of energy. It's physically exhausting. After a day of channeling, I usually need to go eat a good meal and sleep. In many ways, I can equate it to a night of dancing. And sometimes, after doing spiritual work, suddenly, you have no energy.
We hit up a Starbucks on our way to the store and it was a damn good thing. I LOVE coffee and was suddenly wiped out. Even though it was 4PM, I wanted both coffee and a giant passion tea. I like to have 10 different drinks all at the same time. Always have! Drinking that cold brew at 4 in the afternoon was like taking an IV! Ha ha. I scared one of our friends with the sounds of utter relief I exclaimed over and over. See - I enjoy espresso multiple times a day. Not a ton, but enough. ;) And I just hadn't quite had my quota for the day.
We hit up a Starbucks on our way to the store and it was a damn good thing. I LOVE coffee and was suddenly wiped out. Even though it was 4PM, I wanted both coffee and a giant passion tea. I like to have 10 different drinks all at the same time. Always have! Drinking that cold brew at 4 in the afternoon was like taking an IV! Ha ha. I scared one of our friends with the sounds of utter relief I exclaimed over and over. See - I enjoy espresso multiple times a day. Not a ton, but enough. ;) And I just hadn't quite had my quota for the day.
On our way back west and north, we stopped at the Pendleton Mill Store in Washougal, WA. Exciting!
I haven't been to the Pendleton Mill Store in years!! It's probably been 10-15 years. This is Pendleton's outlet store. The mill is actually behind this building you see below. One day, I'd love to take a tour of their mills.
I haven't been to the Pendleton Mill Store in years!! It's probably been 10-15 years. This is Pendleton's outlet store. The mill is actually behind this building you see below. One day, I'd love to take a tour of their mills.
I've grown a lot as a sewist in the years since I was last here. Imagine my delight at seeing all the vintage factory/mill photos and tools.
Below is their fabric section. I learned that just 3 weeks before, there weren't any fabrics here. I'm glad we went the day we did! I found many delicious wools.
Below is their fabric section. I learned that just 3 weeks before, there weren't any fabrics here. I'm glad we went the day we did! I found many delicious wools.
Sewists! Do you see that oak tag in the back right of the below photo? Those are their patterns for the Pendleton Wool shirt. Can you believe that they put them on display? Notice how they've hung their patterns. It's not a clip, but more like a brad. Interesting huh?!
Just look at this beautiful welt pocket! Oh my goodness. Immaculate. If I were in the market for wool slacks, I'd definitely check these guys out. This pair retails for $175 USD. However, at their mill store, it was marked $19.99!!! Lucky buyer!
I thought you might also enjoy seeing how Pendleton, known for their plaids, has handled the waistband and welt pocket and also plaid matching on the front pocket. Aren't these fabulous?!
Because we were on a Spiritual Pilgrimmage on a sacred day, I didn't feel called to purchase clothing. However, I recently made a drum and felt called to pick up some lovely wool so I can honor my drum and make a drum bag to carry it with me. Drum and fabric below.
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