Moving Onward...

My news for the NEW YEAR is that I have been accepted to join the US Peace Corps ! and I am leaving the country in about 18 days for my assignment and training in the Eastern Caribbean.

 

Looks pretty idyllic--huh? but the Island where I will be volunteering has alot of poverty---not always apparent behind the tourist industry's promotion of paradise. But more about that in a later post--after I am there and know more. This I do know: the average temperature is 85 degrees year round, it is a tropical rain forest, and the least developed of all the Caribbean islands.

Some of you may know that in doing this I am following in my parent's footsteps--they were in the Peace Corps for 2 years around 1971 and were sent to Jamaica (also in the Caribbean). In fact, their service there and hearing so much about the Peace Corps from them over the years, is one thing that inspired me to do this.

So, I am leaving Seattle on Jan 23--not long off at all! and very busy packing and dealing with last minute affairs. I plan to start a NEW BLOG about my Peace Corps life, and will probably not be posting much here. However, when I get the new blog up and running (hopefully soon), I  will post a link here for everyone.

oh! and in case you are wondering which island by now?---I am going to Dominica Island (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic)....see above? it is in red on the map....

I really lucked out with this location and plan to make the most of it and help all I can. So far, the Peace Corps tells me I will be doing "NGO Development"---which could be almost anything. I won't know until I complete my 3 months of in country training exactly where I will be or what I will be doing....so for now I'm just going with the flow and letting that mystery be. I know everything will be ok and I am on the right path....

on-the-road AGAIN!!!!

I'm off an another adventure....will be a travelin' for about 3 weeks...
 

Road Trippin'....

Ah! see this beach behind us? nice clean waves? I can't help but think of the Gulf Of Mexico on the East Coast...and how it was once as lovely and pristine...

Thank Goddess the California Gov'ner has now declared off shore drilling of California to be off limits...it seems our country has had its environmental wake up call--are you listening Congress??

so here we are on our "road trip"--we drove up the Northern California coast and then up the Oregon Coast. The last day it was very rainly with hardly any visibility--so we headed inland to Portland earlier than we had planned....but all-in-all it was a great trip.

I'm still on-the-road...so more later!.....check back....

I'll Fly Away (again)

TRANSITION: noun.
1. a change or passing from one condition, place, thing, activity, or topic to another.

There is something special about a life transition--sometimes I go through the process willingly and happily and other times life drags me through the transition portal kicking and screaming. This time, it just feels familiar to be moving again because I have been doing it every 6 to 9 months for over 2 years now.

So in about a week I'm off again--first to Washington & Oregon to visit my girls and their families, then heading North to Alaska to work. Ah! that lovely seasonal summer gig as the "chef" at the rustic and yet homey and very comfortable Laughing Raven Lodge--out in the Alaskan "bush" (ie. very wild wilderness just out the back door, no kidding) on Baranof Island.

So for the summer, I'll be staying here--in my little cabin in the woods --quite near the Lodge.

Quiet--ah! so quiet, and nice and comfortable--I'm really looking forward to some time among the trees, ferns, and devil's club in the great Tongass National Forest--a true Northern Rain Forest with green green moss and ferns everywhere...

and wildflowers blooming all summer....of course all kept very lush and green by copious amounts of rainfall.

yes, I truly do believe that "in wilderness is the preservation of the soul" since spending a few months in Alaska--or even a week--can do wonders for my soul. And please do remember that a National Forest belongs to all of us...so you should plan a visit sometime to the one nearest you or to Southeast Alaska.

So, as far as transition go--this one isn't very difficult since I am going to a place I know and love. After that, who knows? But I bet by the end of the summer all will have become clear....

On the Road Again

Been a great time here in my home state...but the fall air reminds me that winter is soon coming..

so...







I'm out of here....


I will be on-the-road for awhile, so check back in early September, when I should be settled once again....

(Sometimes) you can go home again

I've now landed--for the next 3 months or so--in my old home town: Port Alexander, Alaska. Never heard of it, right? (unless you know me personally). It is a small remote Alaskan village on the southern tip of Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. Sitka, a town of about 8000 and an early outpost of the Russians in Alaska, is on the same island---about 120 miles away. However, one can only travel from Sitka to Port Alexander by boat or small floatplane--I arrived, after an hour flight over spectacular mountainous scenery, on a floatplane---the regularly scheduled twice a week "essential air" flight.

I lived here in Port Alexander for about 18 years in my youth--from 1971 (or 2?) until 1989....so it has a special place in my heart. Port Alexander currently has about 40 or 50 residents (I may be off on this--could be less)--when I lived here it had about 120 folks--counting the children. Back then, most folks made their living commercial fishing---along with the few local jobs--the teacher(s), school janitor, the post office manager, sometimes a fish & game job or two, and some jobs for the city (city clerk, maintenance), the store owner, one job taking daily weather data--but mostly fishing.

Now some folks commercial fish and some own small sports fishing lodges. I Have been hired to cook for the Laughing Raven Lodge--owned by longtime friends of mine, Laughing Raven is a family run lodge--operated by 2 older adults (Pete & Sue), and their grown daughter and son-in-law (Molly and Ryan) with help from their 2 year old, Sage.

one view from the lodge....


and here are some photos of the Lodge wrap around porch/deck...



and the trail to the lodge...the terrain here is a RAIN FOREST--the Tongass rain Forest to be exact...the largest National Forest in the nation. This forest is very lush and green and wet, so the only feasible "trail" is a boardwalk--and boardwalks meander all through the woods here connecting the town...



I have my own little rustic cabin, located between the guest house and the main lodge....

the view from my cabin....

ferns grow everywhere in this climate....
so I will blogging from the land of the northern lights and the midnight sun for a few months...still knitting and crafting between cooking so I will be sharing some Alaskan stories and images and recipes and as well as my usual art and crafts.

Today's quote: " The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. " ---John Muir

Abundance Dream

I believe in abundance---that is---I believe that everything good is readily available. This morning I woke up from a dream with this phrase in my head: "Do what you love and the money will follow."

Then I saw myself making a page in my journal with this phrase which was resonating in my head, so I got the colored pencils from my suitcase and started drawing. For months now I have been adrift without a job, living on savings while I reconstructed my life and pursued the elusive perfect next chapter of my life.

Thank Goddess my friends and the universe threw a good summer job my way---in a few days I am off to a small town in Alaska---where I lived for many years in my youth---to work for the summer. I will be cooking (a chef!!) at the Laughing Raven Lodge for the guests and staff--a fun job, working with good friends---but also hard work. I have done this job before a few years ago--so I know what it entails. I will be living and working in Port Alexander on Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska until the end of August--then who knows?

I have put much energy out into the universe requesting and searching for a meaningful job---because at this stage of my life a job is no longer about the $$$ money, it is about doing something meaningful that gives back to my community---and I do not doubt that a new door will open and I will step through it into my next adventure.

"When nothing is sure, everything is possible." ~Margaret Drabble. For several months now this has been my motto---I have tried to stay open to all the possibilities, rather than fall into despair each time I applied for a job and was rejected. Of course, I was living in Portland, Or---a state that is second in the nation in unemployment---where a job is advertised and 6oo people apply. Talk about fierce competition! I am glad to be going to Alaska to work awhile and feel blessed to be graced with this job.

I have stored 99% of my belongings in storage locker--freeing me up to go anywhere the next escapade leads me. After moving all my stuff--down one flight of stairs (no elevator) and up 3 flights (freight elevator) and stowing it all away, I wanted to sell most of the stuff---all my books, artwork, furniture, shelves etc. and take the $$$ and hit the road as a travelin' gypsy. Who needs all that stuff anyway?? Memories are what count---not material possessions.

"Do what you love"---? well, I do love Alaska--my first home, and I love cooking (and eating!)so, for now, this job fits the bill...I will be blogging from my trusty new refurbished and very portable Macbook about my Alaskan adventures..so please stay tuned!

Ghana coast & row, row, row your boat

After traveling in the hot and humid inland, the coast of Ghana was paradise...slightly cooler (but still humid) with a refreshing ocean breeze...sandy beaches, palm trees, and warm salt water...we were soon wading in the warm water---of course, the kids were wading and swimming!



the is the one shot of the hotel grounds that I took---the hotel we stayed at on the coast at Elmina was deluxe ....
a woman walks down the beach---carrying a load on her head--a typical sight in Ghana


Before heading back to Accra--Shirley Mae had arranged for one more adventure for all of us---a dugout canoe ride through the Amansuri wetland to Lake Amansuri and the Nzulezu Stilt Village.


The only way to get to the Nzulezu Stilt Village is to travel 5km on the lake in a local dugout canoe.


The dugout canoe ride takes you through areas of marsh and open pools fringed with palm thickets and opens out into the vast expanse of the lake.


All 23 of us got into the dugout canoes and local guides paddled---



This is a local fish trap in the wetlands.... we canoed on by...


once out on the lake--we all began to sing to urge our canoe on...."row, row, row your boat..."


Then after about an hour long canoe ride, we came to the Village....


Nzulezu Stilt Village is an amazing community built entirely on stilts in the middle of Lake Amansuri. It is constructed out of wood and raffia with one central walkway and about two dozen houses on either side. Presently the village has a population of between 500 and 600 people.









We had brought supplies for their school, so we met with the Village leaders and the children presented copies of the book they wrote and the school supplies-- we met the teacher, and we each shook the Village leader's hands....

the village school

then we walked back down the boardwalk on stilts and climbed into the canoes for a pleasant canoe ride back...

I had expected it to be hot on the lake--but the air was a little cooler and the whole day was a real treat....I doubt I will ever have another ride in a dugout canoe in Africa--but who knows???

Ghana Kente Cloth #2

After visiting the Craft Market, we went to another small village and visited a facility with numerous Kente cloth weavers, and glorious colorful Kente cloth covering all the walls. Here is one corner of the room.



The colors and variety of patterns were stunning--and admidst all this vibrant Kente cloth we began to bargain with the men selling the cloth.






Here is one weaver--weaving a Kente cloth strip on a loom



We could purchase the strips of handwoven cloth or a large piece with the strips sewn together





I couldn't quit taking photos of all the different colorways and patterns...


Among the handwoven Kente cloth--the vendors were also selling some printed cotton fabrics...and sometimes the Kente cloth was sewn together with the printed cloth, like this piece



I snapped a few pics of some of the printed cloth, also




I find myself wishing I had taken a few more close-up photos of the Kente cloth, but came home with one beautiful strip and a larger piece--for some reason, I was attracted to blues that day...