There was a change in plans. Ayla and I were suppose to fly to Spokane tomorrow from Oakland. Chris, Rose and Lily were going to continue camping on their way up towards the west coast of Canada. Ayla needs to go home to start rehearsing for a performance she has at the end of July. I need to go home for a performance on the 3rd and 4th, then I am leaving again, making my way to the coast with Michael and leaving Ayla behind with her Nana. Well Ayla and I are still on our way home, but instead of being carried by a plane, we are being carried by our trusty truck and camper. Chris decided he wanted to come home, camp in Canada instead. We decided this last night at Seaside, and are now at the Oregon/California border. Just two States to go!
We were slow getting going this morning, then stopped to fish and swim. We haven’t made a good deal of head way yet. I think Ayla is freaked out we will be late for her rehearsals. The sun is going down, this is when we make consistent progress once the little ones fall asleep.
I have really enjoyed these last 4 days. Wandering round California, house on our backs. I am descendent of many peoples, a proper Heinz 57, but I identify most with my Spanish Gypsy heritage. I am told the term “Gypsy” is not PC, that I should call myself one of the Roma people or the Gadyo people. I am not sure about this, I have always loved the romantic associations of being a Gypsy. I find I am at my most relax when I don’t know where I will be the next day. Nomadic blood runs through these veins.
“What part of your heritage or ancestry do you most relate to?“ is the question in 12 days journal #79
I have been stockpiling journals again, this journal as well as the last two sit in my bag. I am travelling, which is a great time to give them away but haven’t sat still long enough. Our family has been very insular and to ourselves these last few days, I suppose this was the point of this commitment. I am going to make a better effort to leave the journals daily and get out of this new stockpiling habit. Part of this is getting back into the habit of making up the journal each day and not leaving it to be done 3 an 4 journals at a time.
Showing posts with label 12 days journal 77. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 12 days journal 77. Show all posts
July 1, 2009
June 29, 2009
Day 8 One on One- Hear(s)t Castle
If you are a believer in sustainability, simplicity , and subtlety, then the Hearst Castle might be a challenge to enjoy. I am a believer, but today as I walked around the “Enchanted Hill”, I suspended these beliefs in lieu of a deep appreciation for a man who choose to follow his heart. Yes, the castle was an exercise in opulence, indulgence and excess, yet I admit I was in a state of awe when I learned of the years of commitment it took to turn this rugged piece of coastal land into a sight which can not be fully appreciated in pictures. I will let you give it a shot though, here are a few of the pictures we took today (again I have only added a few for ease of loading, the rest can be seen here in an album on facebook )
Ok I fully admit, I am fresh out of the Hearst Castle: Building the Dream IMAX film. I know its spectacular panoramic shots and expertly choreographed score are designed to make me feel the way I am, but I am going with it, because it feels good! It feels good not to get caught up in the poo-pooing of what things cost and how the money could have been spent, which incidentally I agree with, and to focus instead on the generosity of this mans dream. Creating an adult fantasy-land, where billiards, swimming, horseback-riding, eating abundant meals grown and raised on the property, theatrics and play was his heart desire. Not just for himself, but for the many folk, from all walks of life, that he brought to Casa Del Grande. William Hearst came from money, then went on to make his own fortune. His way of following his heart, and making play a priority was certainly lavish, there is no doubt. And this is likely unattainable for most. But the idea of following a dream, and choosing fun, is something that all can do, in their own way, within their own means. When I saw old film reels of what went on at the Hearst Castle, I was reminded of Dance Camp, of all the fun and play that we created, and was created for us by the organizers. I met so many there who were following their hearts desire to find creative expression in play. So I choose to appreciate William Hearts' principles of following his heart, of choosing fun. And I will simply apply my own principles where his don’t work for me.
I realized something today about this commitment. In the beginning the idea was to choose one of my sweet ones, then go spend a chunk of one on one time with her. I have let go of this somewhat contrived way of carving out time. As I walked around helping Rosy with her “treasure hunt” form that was given to her by an exhibit employee, I began to fret a little that I seemed to spend more time with her than the other two, and more time again with Lily than Ayla. I was thinking, ‘ok, tomorrow I better take Lily or Ayla on a special outing’. I realized pretty quickly that this was silly. Rosy is the youngest, the one who still needs her parents most. Ayla, a teen who uses us as home base but satellites out often, making her own way in the world. Lily is naturally somewhere in between the two. So I am going to relax a little with the “one on one” thing. Trust that in following the intention behind the original commitment, which is to focus on my baby girls, free from distractions, that it will be fulfilled. I was following my heart when I chose this commitment and am going to run with that.
“How have you followed your heart?”, is the question in the front cover of 12 days journal #77, or at least it will be once I make it. I can’t believe I have to make journals again!
Ok I fully admit, I am fresh out of the Hearst Castle: Building the Dream IMAX film. I know its spectacular panoramic shots and expertly choreographed score are designed to make me feel the way I am, but I am going with it, because it feels good! It feels good not to get caught up in the poo-pooing of what things cost and how the money could have been spent, which incidentally I agree with, and to focus instead on the generosity of this mans dream. Creating an adult fantasy-land, where billiards, swimming, horseback-riding, eating abundant meals grown and raised on the property, theatrics and play was his heart desire. Not just for himself, but for the many folk, from all walks of life, that he brought to Casa Del Grande. William Hearst came from money, then went on to make his own fortune. His way of following his heart, and making play a priority was certainly lavish, there is no doubt. And this is likely unattainable for most. But the idea of following a dream, and choosing fun, is something that all can do, in their own way, within their own means. When I saw old film reels of what went on at the Hearst Castle, I was reminded of Dance Camp, of all the fun and play that we created, and was created for us by the organizers. I met so many there who were following their hearts desire to find creative expression in play. So I choose to appreciate William Hearts' principles of following his heart, of choosing fun. And I will simply apply my own principles where his don’t work for me.
I realized something today about this commitment. In the beginning the idea was to choose one of my sweet ones, then go spend a chunk of one on one time with her. I have let go of this somewhat contrived way of carving out time. As I walked around helping Rosy with her “treasure hunt” form that was given to her by an exhibit employee, I began to fret a little that I seemed to spend more time with her than the other two, and more time again with Lily than Ayla. I was thinking, ‘ok, tomorrow I better take Lily or Ayla on a special outing’. I realized pretty quickly that this was silly. Rosy is the youngest, the one who still needs her parents most. Ayla, a teen who uses us as home base but satellites out often, making her own way in the world. Lily is naturally somewhere in between the two. So I am going to relax a little with the “one on one” thing. Trust that in following the intention behind the original commitment, which is to focus on my baby girls, free from distractions, that it will be fulfilled. I was following my heart when I chose this commitment and am going to run with that.
“How have you followed your heart?”, is the question in the front cover of 12 days journal #77, or at least it will be once I make it. I can’t believe I have to make journals again!
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