CONVERSATIONS

The most remarkable conversation happened a few days ago. I was doing my usual trash pick-up at the beach, and the waves are still HUGE so there is way more than I can get. When I am passing people "using" the beach, sometimes they will ask if I'm finding shells, occasionally saying something positive when they find I am picking up trash, and often saying nothing. Well this conversation began with the question about what I was picking up, and when I said trash, the guy looked stunned and said "I see trash on the beach all the time but it never occurred to me to pick it up"!!!! He said he assumed someone else would. No, there is no-one whose "job" it is to pick up in remote places. Sometimes at resorts I suppose. Then something happened that is a first in 10 years: he got a bag and JOINED ME! Honestly, no-one has ever done that before. It rather astounded me. He said he would pick up the area around where he and his girlfriend were laying. I got so HAPPY! I always hope people will step up and start doing something about the way we are harming the Earth, but in my experience it is really rare. Once in 10 years. And what was so cute was he needed coaching about what was plastic and what was bits of shell or coral! Hilarious. A trash coach?

In talking with my family and friends over the years I have been so frustrated with how hard it is to get people, even people that love me and listen to me, to realize how serious our destruction of the Earth is and DO something about it. Recently I've been having conversations with several people about why this is. I've learned what might be a few of the reasons, so I post them here in case they ring for others.

Because of the way I live my life, I am seeing every day what is happening to our Earth. I am watching paradise disappear. I have to remember that most people aren't. There are so many big money companies telling them not to worry, that they feel skeptical. "What if I give up all of this stuff and the other side is right and I didn't have to give it up after all?" So they just keep doing their thing and wait until they "see" something happen or until their neighbors do something so they don't feel like they're the only ones "giving up stuff".

How can I get people to believe how important it is to change swiftly? To save what is LEFT, before it too is wiped out forever. Because if we keep going the way we are, quite literally this planet will be un-inhabitable. Very few people believe that. They don't see it so it doesn't make sense to "give up stuff". The Inuit who are watching their houses sink into the melting permafrost believe. The Indonesians watching the forest they live in being cut down believe. The Polynesians forced to leave an island in the Pacific because there is no high ground and their crops are all under water with rising sea level, they believe. The tribes in Africa killed so their land can be mined believe. Our life in N. America is way too cushy. We don't know what we are doing that affects people in other parts of the world, sometimes literally taking their lives. I am told I may be labelled as "hysterical" and people won't listen. And yet what is happening is DESPERATE. How can I get people who don't see it to SEE. And stop contributing immediately so lives can be saved. All I can do is keep putting information out there and pray like hell it will get through to the heart. If it's just in the head it does no good. People need to be moved in the heart, with enormous compassion for what they may never see first hand, in order to do something. By the time we feel it in N. America in a big enough way to scare people into action, millions of people and creatures will already have lost their lives in other places less insulated. There is a Native Indian saying: "When the children ask what you did while the Earth was dying, how will you answer?"

The thing that still baffles me is the continuing to do something once someone knows how simple it is to do it differently. When you walk into a store you simply pick up the recycled toilet paper rather than the one that has destroyed forests. You pick a cleanser or soap that has no toxic chemicals rather than one that does. You pick up something organic that hasn't poisoned the soil. They are often in the same aisle now at the big stores. You don't even need to go out of your way to do it. It seems that people make it into a bigger shift than it actually is. There was a time when ONLY the health food stores carried products that do no harm, but that is no longer true. It's just so EASY now to make a choice to do no harm, and still people choose what does harm. I don't understand that. Once you know? Really?

I have been told for a lot of people Nature is an "it", an inanimate object, and objects cannot be harmed in very many ways that burden the conscience. WOW. I can't quite wrap my mind around that. But it sure would explain why people harm the Earth the way they do. Separate from Creation. Yes. And so how to re-connect people? Is it even possible to create respect for life if it is not considered life? Respect for an inanimate object? Hmmm. But all of the destruction we are doing is already coming back to bite us. We can't destroy the Earth without destroying ourselves in the process since this is our only home. If you haven't yet watched the movie HOME on Youtube, watch it. It is important to see what you may never know without a film like this. We need to change the course humanity is on. Even my beloved Borneo where I grew up will be devoid of jungle in 10 years at the rate it is being logged. For us. The 20% consuming 80% of the resources of the world. Why is this o.k.? Why aren't more people upset about this? It needs to be a MAJORITY that suddenly cares and is motivated to ACT. So how will you answer when asked what you did while the Earth was dying?

Thanks for listening.

ANCIENT ENLIGHTENMENT

Yesterday was the most INCREDIBLE day! I got up early (those who know me are laughing right now), to go to a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony of the land for a new community garden that is opening up in Kilauea. It was PHENOMENAL! The Kumu (teacher) who was leading the ceremony was oozing presence and reverence, and the ceremony was so powerful. She began by saying the Ancient Hawaiians essentially worshiped Nature, and there were specific gods that reigned over the land and water and air. So she was calling for the blessing of those things, so that the ground would be fruitful as it began a new life as a garden to feed many. She did gorgeous chants as others prepared ceremonial beds to plant taro and sweet potato and breadfruit, all essential parts of the life of Ancient Hawaiians. She had created a sacred entrance to the garden with field stones and all were blessed with water that had been sung to as it was being poured into the gourds! Delicious. Even the day itself was auspicious as the Hawaiians had just 2 seasons, dry and wet, and that day marked the transition from one to the other, hence a time for new life and a new planting season.

Ancient Hawaiians, like all aboriginal groups, had SO much respect for the land, and treated it with great sacredness. As she spoke about many of the beliefs, I was so grateful that here was someone who still knew of the Ancient ways and was willing to pass them on to new generations. For a long time Hawaiians were forbidden to practice the "old" ways. I have an Auntie here who is Hawaiian, but is only learning about her culture and language as an adult! When she was a child it was the time of "Westernization" and kids were only allowed to practice "Western" things and learn English. Wow. Of course this happened all over the world with colonization, but here I get to learn about it intimately rather than from books. And the "Western" way was not to treat the land as sacred, but to dominate it. Force it to do what you want in whatever way necessary, rather than work with Nature in a harmonious way. Sadly, that is still what "Western" growing methods are. So it was absolutely gorgeous to hear someone talk about a reverence for the land in growing food. We need to listen to these people that still know how to work with Nature, not fight Her, and re-learn the old wisdom. It gave me hope for a future where the Earth is cared for. Harmony between Nature and humans must become the rule, not the exception.

The space itself is GORGEOUS, nestled in trees with unbelievable views of the mountains and waterfalls. And another thing that gave me hope: the land was donated by a wealthy landowner!!!!!!!!!! YES! Someone who has more than they need giving to others who don't have land. How refreshing! So the plots are being offered to the community for just 35 dollars and then you can plant whatever you want. Amazing. There will be SO many people helped by this land in a time when many are struggling to buy food for their families.

I went from all that power and beauty to my favorite place to do my swim and yoga at Larsens, and there was the most incredible LIGHTENING storm! Talk about power and beauty. I've never seen that at Larsens in a year and 1/2 of going there and it was soooooooooooo spectacular! The storm was out over the sea, and stationary, so I didn't have to run for cover. There was a band of clouds, a gap, and another band higher, with the lightening running up and down the bands sideways like arpeggios on a piano. Then every so often it would jump from one band to the other, sometimes shooting UP from the lower one, sometimes starting at "middle C" and leaping both left and right on the piano simultaneously. I was TRANSFIXED. And I couldn't even do yoga because I kept missing moments when I was upside down so I just stopped and watched. Because it was out over the water it would light up the entire ocean and waves just for a second of brilliant blue and white, and then back to blackness. It went on for more than an hour, before starting to dissipate. WOW! Blessings.

It seemed so appropriate somehow with what I had just experienced at the new garden. Something ancient and powerful enlightening us now if we are willing to stop and learn. And lightening bolts are hard to ignore! It's time to pay attention. Listen. Nature is TALKING.
Thanks for listening.( suddenly a double meaning!)

EARTH LAUGHTER

The other day I was given one of the most beautiful gifts of my life, in the form of a true story read to me over the phone by my sister. I simply had to put an excerpt here to share with all of you. The article was written by a doctor about to meet a new patient, a 9 year old boy with a softball sized cancerous tumor on his face. Both his eyes had been removed, followed by multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. "I was about to meet wisdom and knowledge in the form of a blind nine year old boy with terminal cancer. He should have died months ago, slipped into unconsciousness, or have been in the throes of excruciating pain. Yet, he defied all the odds.

"I am Dr. Lerma. Welcome. You must be Matthew", I said, intentionally directing my salutation to Matthew's sister, who was sitting directly opposite from him. When she started to laugh, Matthew protested loudly,"No, silly, I'm Matthew." Amazingly, he knew I had addressed her instead of him, considering he had been blind for more than a year. He smiled a magical crooked smile and began an animated attempt to make me laugh. "Dr. Lerma, I want to introduce you to Regina, my tumor. The doctors call her retinoblastoma and tell me she is a bad tumor, but I consider her my friend. You see, Dr. Lerma, Regina is going to help my family and other children who are sick."
"How is that possible" I asked.
"Well God's the only One that knows that, but all I have to do is accept her."

One day I asked Matthew how he had lived so long with all that he had endured. He cocked his head as if listening to someone talk, and then he said simply and matter-of -factly, "Okay, I'll, tell him. Well, doc, it was a gift from God's angels." I was a little surprised by this revelation, but sometimes patients did mention angels, and I usually just ignored it as a side effect of the medications or the hallucinations of the dying mind. But this felt different somehow, as Matthew was very lucid and had refused all medications since his admission. Matthew looked at me as though he could see me, and said, "Okay, let's talk about the angels. Ask me some questions. I can feel your heart, and it has questions, so shoot."
"Are there any angels with us today Matthew?"
"Oh yes, they are here."
"How many angels do you see?"
"Three."
"What color are they?"
"They are bright gold."
"How tall are they?"
"They are a little taller than my favorite basketball player, David Robinson."
"Do they come to you when you are sleeping or when you are awake?"
"Both ways. They come in my dreams, and we all go swimming with the dolphins, seals, and penguins. It's a lot of fun. When I'm awake, they teach me things about the earth and people."
"Can you tell me what they teach you about the earth and people?"
"Yes. They tell me that the earth is sick like I am, and that the people have to learn to make it feel better so that everybody can be healthy and happy. Sometimes when I'm swimming with the dolphins and playing with Gabby, I can hear the earth crying because it is sick and is sad. It makes all of us sad. But Gabby has shown me what makes the earth laugh."
"And what makes the earth laugh, Matthew?"
"You make it laugh by swimming with the dolphins, seals, penguins, fish and a bunch of other animals, and saying thank you to God for the water, plants, and all that stuff."

A day or two later, our conversation continued.
"How often do you see the angels, Matthew?"
"Every few days, mostly on Fridays, I think."
"Why do you think they come on Fridays?"
"Because that's when I had my chemotherapy, and they want to help me feel better."
"Do they talk to you?"
"Sometimes."
"What do they say?"
"They ask me if I'm feeling okay."
"What do you tell them?"
"I tell them the truth-that sometimes I feel sick. They tell me they'll make me feel better whenever I feel bad. That's why I don't have any pain like you always think I should have."
"How do they make you feel better?"
"They show me blue water with dolphins and let me ride on them, and after that I feel better than before."

Matthew hugged me and whispered in my ear,"The angels are going to pick me up on Monday. Will I get to see you before then?"
"Of course," I assured him."I wouldn't miss it for the world, Matthew."

I made my visit to Matthew early Monday around seven in the morning, because that is when he said the angels would visit. He knew the moment I arrived and said, "Hello again,"as if he could see. I started to ask if the angels were in the room, but before I could get the words out, he boldly spoke up. "Dr. Lerma, do you know there are about twenty angels in the room with us right now?"
"Really? Anyone else?"
"Yep, all my friends from the beach. They're all laughing, and the angels are so bright and gold that the light makes everyone in the room look gold, too."
Matthew then gifted me with his final words: "I'll see you later." The little boy nodded his head as if he was sharing a special secret that only I would understand.

Matthew passed away peacefully at six in the evening with his family at his bedside. I could feel his spirit still around, no longer in the worn out body. I knew that this world was a better place for Matthew having been here, even if only for a few years."

Wow. So that is what we do to make the Earth feel better; we make her laugh! By giving thanks for all the gifts of Nature, and by playing in Nature with all of her magnificent creatures. After my sister read me the story she pronounced that my most important job each day was to GO SWIMMING! This is a job I can do. I need to make the Earth laugh! I always thought I went to the water to receive joy. Apparently I can also give joy too. Thank you, Matthew.

This is a much shorter version than the complete story which has a beautiful part about Matthew's family and what he did for them. If you want to read the entire thing, it is from the latest issue of Light of Consciousness magazine.

So let's go make the Earth laugh people. We need to give back.
Thanks for listening.

FLYING HOME

I was sitting on the cliff today watching sunset over the water at Larsens; orange, pink and yellow clouds behind dark purple stormy ones with a back drop of baby blue, spread over the dark water swells with puffs of white waves. All that colour punctuated now and then by flocks of Boobies flying home (sorry, that's their name). They are black and white seabirds that nest in the trees of a bird sanctuary just up the coast, and every day at sunset they fly home after a day of fishing. And it occured to me that we have lost our sense of "home". I was reflecting on that word because I had just seen a film about our Earth and what is being done to her that is the most unbelievable, astounding, stunning, important film. It is called HOME, and is on Youtube. The photography is National Geographic quality, and it tours the globe showing the state of air, water and food in hundreds of Nations. It will blow your mind. EVERYONE needs to see this film so we all know what we are facing. The images of Nature are so GORGEOUS, and the statistics are staggering. Please, please watch it.

Today was one of those big swell days when TONS of garbage is washed up that is floating around in the ocean. Too much for me to pick up in one day, but I got some of it. I always feel relieved that at least that much won't wash back out with the next high tide. There were people there that came to "use" the beach for the day, spread out their towels or beach chairs right beside the trash washed up, and then left without picking up a single thing. Why? They have lost a sense of the Earth being home. If someone had dumped trash on their bed and they didn't know who did it, would they lay down on it or clean it up? Of course they would clean it up. Even more alarming is the people who come to the beach and bring trash that they leave behind. Do they butt out their cigarette butts on their living room carpet and just leave them there? Again, of course not. It is home. But they do it every single day down at the beach.

We have lost a connection to the Earth as home. And yet the Earth is inside us! We are all made up of the air, water and soil of this planet. If we don't have air, we die. If we don't have water, we die. If we don't have food from the soil, we die. You have air, water, and soil inside you right this moment as you read this. It doesn't get more connected than that! People say to me they aren't as connected to the Earth as I am. Yes, you are. We ALL have it inside us, equally. We all take it in every single day. But it is not a conscious connection. If it were, we would act very differently. No-one would dump trash in their own home and then lay down in it. When they are at the beach they don't think they are "home".

Anderson Cooper aired a documentary on t.v. called Planet in Peril that highlights a few of the things happening to our Earth. One of the segments was on human-made chemicals that are now inside us. As we have been pouring these chemicals into the air and water and soil, we are pouring them into ourselves. Only recently have we been discovering that they are not just poisoning the Earth, they are poisoning us. There are roughly 82,000 chemicals not found in Nature that have been created for use by us. Guess how many have been tested for safety. Go on, guess. I'll give you a moment.......200!!!!!!!!! Those zeros are correct. Not 20,000. Not even 2,000. And of those 200 the ones that are proven to be hazardous are banned. Like DDT. And yet they are still finding DDT in our bodies because it gets stored. What about the other 81,800 that have not yet been tested? Why are we waiting until they are? What we are doing to this Earth we are doing to ourselves. We are connected whether it is conscious or not. When someone proves it is toxic, it's too late.

So we have got to come back to a sense of home. A planet that is so connected to us she is inside us every moment of every day, and what we do to her we immediately do to ourselves. And it has to happen swiftly. We don't have time to crawl home or even walk. We need to FLY home. Just like the Boobies, every single day.
Thanks for listening.

FLIGHTS OF FANCY

This is a picture of my favorite Hawaiian forest bird. The I'iwi. Gorgeous. Seeing them in the wild is so incredible. The colours are fantastic. And look at that bill!!!! Because they are so rare many people have never seen one except in a picture, including people who live here, since the Native birds fled to the high mountains as the lowland forests were cut down. If you have read my post about Old Growth forests, then you know that I began hiking with botanists when I first moved to Oahu. Besides seeing beautiful really rare plants, I started learning about the Hawaiian birds. All the forest birds seen at lower levels are "imports" from somewhere else because the Hawaiian species couldn't live on the introduced plants, and they had no immunity to mosquito viruses so they died in massive numbers. There were no mosquitoes here before people brought them. Can you imagine? (What a good idea to bring those with us!) So just like with the plants, you can come to Hawaii and never see a Hawaiian bird. Ayah. And when I discovered how few Hawaiian bird species were left in the high mountains I began a "quest" to see all the ones that still exist before any more go extinct. Sadly, another one did go extinct just a few years after I moved here and I never got to see it. It was called the Po'ouli, and lived in the remote mountains of Maui. There was only one bird left that researchers knew of, and then it died. Sigh.

My search started on Oahu with the help of a wonderful woman who knew the calls of the birds, so even if we couldn't see them she would say "oohh there is an Apapane singing over there in those trees". Then I'd scramble like crazy to try and SEE it. It was always worth it. They are so magical and beautiful! Because they are elusive and rare, it makes it even more exciting when you do get blessed with a sighting. As with the plants, some birds had evolved on each of the main islands that never made the flight to another island, so were endemic just to one place. Wow. After I'd seen the species still surviving on Oahu, I started doing "birding" trips to the other islands. During one of those trips here on Kauai I met a really generous man who took the time to tell me where to find the most rare endemics on Kauai, Maui and Big Isle. He even drew me maps!!!! Sweet. I could never have completed my quest without this gift.

So off I went with my new-found knowledge and over the course of several years and many blissful trips into the forests, I DID manage to see all the ones that are still alive. There are some phenomenal birds here! The very last on my list was on Maui, a bird called the Akohekohe, black and white speckled with a spectacular disheveled red hair piece. I was in a remote area, sitting in the dense vegetation dressed in green, doing my best imitation of a bush, and watching a huge Ohia tree covered in blossoms, their favorite food. I'd been to this area on many trips and never seen the rarest of the rare. Suddenly there it was, about 40 feet in front of me on the tree. I was freaking out (quietly) because I was so EXCITED that I finally got a glimpse, when it turned and looked at me! For a moment I thought, no it couldn't possibly see me because I am one with this bush. The bush that's shaking with excitement maybe. Well then I got my answer. IT FLEW STRAIGHT AT ME! I had to put down my binoculars because it got so close I thought it was going to land on me. Instead it landed on a branch of the bush I thought I was part of, and just stared at me. It was the sweetest moment. I couldn't breathe. Then it flew off and I burst out laughing. But wait. IT CAME BACK! And this time brought a mate!!!! Probably saying "what do you think this is???" So they both stared at me for awhile and chattered to each other before flying away. Gosh if only I could understand "bird". A brilliant final sighting to complete my quest. Now when I am hiking and see the rare ones it is like old dear friends I haven't seen in a long time.

Out of 75 forest bird species documented in the islands in the past, there are now only 8 species left on Kauai. Yes, EIGHT. Some are extremely rare and hardly ever seen, and there is a captive breeding program to try and bring back numbers on some of the ones that are the most depleted. But because the forests where they survive are still being ravaged who knows if we can save them from extinction. On Oahu there are 2 species that have begun to develop some immunity to mosquitoes since the little biters are now through all the forests there so the birds can't escape any more. For awhile the really high mountains on other islands were spared, but now new skeeter breeds are showing up even in the bird sanctuary at 6000 feet on Big Isle.

So what can we do? A really easy way to help endangered species is right in front of you on your computer. There are sights online where you just have to click and sponsors pay donations to different organizations. Free for you and you get to help! What could be better. If you think you don't have enough time, it literally takes 30 seconds to donate (o.k. 90 with a slow connection...). My favorite is called Care2.com. There is a link on the side of this blog page. Click to Donate is the section to go to, but if you are interested, there are also amazing articles on this site. Fantastic organizations will benefit from your clicks like Nature Conservancy, Oceana, Jane Goodall Institute, and more. I have a link that comes right to my email so it's really convenient. There are other causes on the same page if you want to donate to them all, and you can do it every day. I'm sure the birds will thank you. Happy clicking!

Thanks for listening.

OLD GROWTH

I have been neglecting the mountains!!!! I'm writing so much about the ocean, it's about time the mountain forests get some air time.

Did you know you can come to Hawaii and never see a Hawaiian tree? I grew up on the island of Borneo, and when I came to Hawaii for the first time and saw the coconut trees, plumeria, mango, and banana trees, it felt like "home". The very first week after I moved to Oahu I met 2 botanists who had just started a weekly hiking group to go into the forest looking for rare endangered plants. Being the Nature boy that I am it couldn't have been more perfect. So the first hike I am excitedly asking questions about the plants and trees I am seeing and was sent reeling. No, that's not Hawaiian, or that, or that or that... so what IS? Oh not until you get really high into the mountains. Pretty much everything down at sea level was brought here from somewhere else. WHAT???? Good grief. What looked like "home" to me didn't actually belong in these islands! So as we hiked higher and they began pointing out the actual Hawaiian plants and trees, I got really sad. Why are there so few and why are they only in these remote places where most people would never see them unless they climb a 2000 foot mountain? Well I learned a lot over the next 2 years hiking with that group, and saw some AMAZING wonders that very few ever get to see.

Hawaii has the dubious honour of having the largest number of endangered plants in the U.S.. Aren't we lucky? Because the islands are so remote many things evolved here that live no-where else in the world. And now because of the way we have stripped the islands and re-planted with species from other places, the endemics are dying out very quickly. Since I have been living here there are several species that the last known plant died. So unless one is hiding somewhere, that species won't ever recover from what we have done, unless it evolves again over the next 10 million years. Why are we not paying attention to this? How many people come to Hawaii and know they have not seen a Hawaiian plant? Once I discovered where they were I had to go visit them every week. I'd rush through the lowland scary alien forest, and then ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...there it is...the Old Growth. Original Hawaiian forest that has never been cut or altered. There is nothing like it on earth. And I have found in other Old Growth forests as well, like in the Cascades of Washington State, there is a feeling that is so different in a forest that has never been cut down or altered. It is POWERFUL. All forest is beautiful. But there is something about this that defies description. You feel it in your soul. They are soooooooo spectacular. Many of the Hawaiian trees are covered in flowers! After living here a few years and hiking in the Native forest every week I was back in Minnesota visiting my sister and while driving around I kept thinking "why does this look so unusual?" Then I realized, none of the trees had flowers!!!!!!!! Ah Hawaii. (don't get all uppity, Minnesota is gorgeous too...just different!)

When the Polynesians first arrived in the islands there were no fruit trees and very few edible plants. For humans anyway. The birds seemed to be doing fine! So they started planting trees like the coconuts and mangoes, and clearing areas to grow taro and other crops. I have read that the first people here had a belief that the high forests were Wao Akua, the realm of the Gods. So they left them alone and just cut down the lowland forests. But then trade began and Sandalwood was discovered in the mountains which brought a great price. This blew my mind: they BURNED the forests to get it out more easily because only the heartwood was used and it wasn't damaged by burning the outer bark. WOW. So entire forests were burned and then only the Sandalwood pulled out. Why is this o.k.? Oh ya, money. Yikes. The areas were re-planted with fast growing trees from other places because the Hawaiian trees grow too slowly! Ayah. And so the Hawaiian forests shrank. And STILL when there is a landslide in the mountains or some place that needs to be re-planted it is done with alien plants, not native. We haven't yet learned. Sigh. Then animal ranching was introduced and more forests were cut, and STILL ARE being cut. Enough already.

On the island of Kauai you can actually get to Old Growth without hiking up 2000 feet. You can drive! So if you ever visit, go up Waimea Canyon. Most people do anyway because it is so spectacular. The Hawaiian Grand Canyon. There are beautiful lookouts on the way up, so look and ohh ahhh, but keep going. Then there is the lodge at 4000 feet where they planted PINE TREES. Why, why, why. Keep going. Drive to the very end of the road, and look to the right. Close your eyes and BREATHE. This is Old Growth Hawaiian forest. Never been altered. Spine tingling. Magnificent. Plants that live no-where else on earth. Some even just on Kauai! They never made the jump to the other islands nearby. If you are a hiker there are great trails to take you deep into it's beauty.

So how do we preserve what is left of Old Growth? If you read a previous blog about animal agriculture you already know that is the biggest contributor to forests being cut down. But there are many other reasons as well, so here is another thing you can do: buy re-cycled paper everything. I have read that there is enough paper already in the world that we never need to cut another tree again EVER. Wouldn't that be EXCITING???!!!! Can you imagine no more forests threatened EVER? Wow. That is if we are willing to use what is already in circulation. It means putting paper products in the recycling instead of the garbage, ALL of them, and then when you buy, look for re-cycled. They have everything now made from paper already in circulation, you just have to look. Paper napkins, plates, towels, toilet paper, office paper, the whole shebang. (is that a word?) If you can't get to a health food store pretty much all the major chains carry re-cycled products now. Usually just one brand in a sea of "new trees cut down" brands, but they are starting. Supply and demand. The more people that buy re-cycled the more they will supply. So be one of the people to create a demand for re-using paper! And when you visit Old Growth you can know you did your part to help keep it alive. YES!
Thanks for listening.

LOVE SONG

Three love moments with Nature, and a song...

I was diving out in Waimea bay on Oahu one day and heard this LOUD haunting sound. Popped up to the surface to look around for what might be causing it. Didn't see anything. Dove again, there it is again. Popped up a second time. Still no-one nearby. Dove a third time and suddenly the gates of perception opened: WHALE SONG!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh My Word. How can I describe the thrill that ran through my blood to every corner of my body? I couldn't hold my breath long enough to stay down and listen for the hours I wanted to. (I was free diving without a tank) Scientists don't know why they sing. WHO CARES??? Because they CAN! And it will transform anyone who gets to feel it in their bloodstream. That's why they do it. They are healing the underwater world with sound.

One rainy day with no-one on the beach I was getting into the water, and there was a sweet honu (Hawaiian sea turtle) in just knee deep water looking at me. I thanked it for saying hello, but it just sat there looking at me, and then suddenly turned in the water to "show" me a huge hook in it's left shoulder with a line trailing about 2 feet long. AYAH! "Do you want me to try and get it out?" It just sat there. ( I like to think animals can understand me...) "I've never done this before. It's going to hurt." So I took hold of the hook to see how deeply embedded it was and it wouldn't budge. PAIN. It looked at me as if to say "you really don't know what you are doing, do you", and swam off. Right in that moment a jet ski came by. There are NO jet skis in this area ever! On the side is written: Ocean Rescue. Are you kidding me? So I flag him down and tell him about the turtle with the hook and he says normally he travels with pliers to cut them out but didn't have them with him, and drives off. What? Not ready to give up I get out of the water and call Turtle Rescue. Yes that really is their name. You know what they told me? "We don't do IN WATER rescue".!!!! WHAT??? These are "in water" creatures! Good grief. The hook, she says, will work it's way out, but the line is the danger because it can tangle on coral and they drown because they are air breathers. And she warns me, you mustn't try to help it because they can bite your finger off. Ayah. This turtle wants help. So I go home and get my wire cutters, all the time sending it thoughts that I am coming back and I will be prepared. Heaven smiled and said yes. I went back and it came to me in the exact same spot! Just looking at me. I showed it the pliers and said "SEE! This time I'm ready!!!". It turned and put it's shoulder right in front of me just like before and, clip. The line is cut off at the base. YES! I was so over the moon excited! "I know the hook feels horrible, but it will eventually be expelled, and that I couldn't do without ripping your shoulder." It looked at me one last time, and swam gently away. I still have the fishing line.

The other night I was doing yoga on the beach at night under the stars (ahhhhhhhhhhhh), and as my gaze fell upon the water there were....fireflies? In the water? I rushed to the waters edge, and no, I am not imagining this. There it is again. And again. Gorgeous little luminescent flashes under water! There is some small creature that flashes light like a firefly. No idea what they are. So I sat down in the water's edge and suddenly had bursts of light on my thighs, my stomach, my arms. Squeals of delight. From me that is. Nature always has some new thrill. May she continue to bless us.

I believe the Earth can heal
Hear its cry both far and near
I believe that we must feel
In our hearts, the call so clear

Heal the Earth
Bring back the Sacred
Feel the Earth
In all you do
Heal the Earth
What God created
A sense of Holy
We must renew

I believe we need a way
To bring back love for all God made
I believe it's time to say
Let's change the price that Nature's paid

In our lives we've moved away
From feeling pain as Nature fades
In our lives, with each new day
Choose to restore and not degrade

Heal the Earth
Bring back the Sacred
Feel the Earth
In all you do
Heal the Earth
What God created
A sense of Holy
We must renew.

Thanks for listening.