Spirituality in Bloom

I invited you here to an old blog of mine because it seems like an easy place for us to begin together. I will post something for us to look at together and then invite your comments through a group chat. Once a week or bi-weekly, we’ll talk on Zoom to continue the discussion were we can see each other.

I almost called this group off because I could not figure out how to start. After a lot of soul searching and remembering some teaching and reading old spiritual books. it seems to me that the underlying, unifying aspect of most spirituality is LOVE.

The problem with that is that the word is used so often and co-opted in so many ways that its hard to know what we are talking about. Rumi is one of the most prolific poets on love. The most popular poet in America, though he lived in the 12th century. Most of us don’t understand his work and put quotes of his on cards. Even though most of the posts about him have some hookey music and illustrations, I’m posting a couple here for you to listen to: https://youtu.be/d7iu_mwx_8Q  and this one done to “Simon and Garfunkle”s”The Sound of Silence,” still can give us a glimpse. Sound of Silence. 

A bit more concrete is the word:COMPASSION. Matthew Fox in his most popular work, Original Blessing says: Compassion is about justice making as much as it is about celebration for the same reason, that, “What happens to another happens to me whether it be joy or sorrow happens to me.” No wonder we feel the collective greif that is gripping our world right now.  The Christian Bible declares that, “God is Love.” Just before that, “ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

I’ll leave you with that much for us to chew on. I will send this out to you in a text that you can use to have a text discussion of this first post. Thank you all for participating. I know your input will enhance my life and my understanding of what Love is.

Jude

 

 

 

My First Veterans’s Day

My wife is a Veteran. I’ve always stayed clear of the military as much as I could, although I spent a lot of time with returning Vietnam Vets in my early twenties. It seemed then that most of my male contemporaries were gone to war or returning ragged and unable to cope much with life back home.

I danced with them on Maine summer nights away from college, watched them get drunk driving me home and felt helpless to make anything right for them or for myself. I married a guy with a high lottery number after a three year college deferment. That was after I was asked to join the revolution by a guy who was interviewing me for a job in social services. I was a bit of a radical working in the ghetto of Newark, New Jersey, but I wasn’t ready for anarchy.

Do you feel like big brother is watching you? Sometimes when I write about myself, I wonder if some government agency will pick up on words I write and show up to question me now that our basic citizen rights have been terminated. My father is one of the few remaining WWII veterans. He has a purple heart and taking him to Applebees today for a free meal was a sweet experience today. My mother turned 90 yesterday and my father is on his way to 92. That they live together in their house, drive a four wheel drive car and pretty much take care of themselves is some kind of miracle. They spent their lives as Christian missionaries and ministers. Their faith is deep and all encompasing. Their longevity may have something to do with that sense of pupose they carry.

Moving to rural Maine is like moving to another planet. People here work hard, at least those who can find work. There is a deep bone poverty here. Many natives seem isolated from the rest of the country. I observed a lot of respect for veterans today, the kind

Boston, Sam the Six Year Old Spiritual Teacher and The Kingdom of Heaven

 

Sam about a year ago.
In case you need a visual for how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven

It feels like everything is in a huge wave of change. like I’m in a parallel universe and moving between planes. That’s Sam our grandboy. More about him later.

I made oatmeal cookies, kind of healthy with old fashioned oats and coconut sugar. They were chewy and delicious. Think I’ll brew another cup of coffee and eat another one. The chew is fairly grounding.  I know, these pictures as obnoxious as a new mother showing you her baby. I’ll go to something else.

Babies are growing about half and inch a day some days.

We went to Boston on Sunday and visited the Christain Science complex there. The history of Mary Baker Eddy and the rise of a religion is really interesting. We parked in the underground parking there and attended the church service. After that the parking was free all day. The highlight of the service was the ginormous organ and the performance at the end.

I love spirituality, but religion often gets my goat! So awful boring and pretentious, an arrogance of we know more than you do, that’s why we have it so good. Come in here and be like us and you can have it too. Truth is truth, but often groups like to claim to have the right version. To me the test is always love. It’s how I test myself and my actions too. Often I need revising. I love a god who speaks and has me listening mostly.

Sam, in the above photo, is totally unschooled in religion, but since he was tiny he has been giving us lessons on praying and meditation. The other day he said that God likes short prayers, but allows long ones sometimes for angels’ benefit since after all He created them. He is six now but still goes into the lotus position to pray, and he is always silent, listening.

“I tell you the truth, uless you change and become as little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven, ” said Jesus.  I can see that from listening to Sam.

 

A Recipe for You for Pumpkin Pie & I’m A Believer In Our Little Ones/ Hope for the Future

My grand girl a few years ago. She is amazing.

The twins I fell in love with at the Fryeburg Fair.

 

 

 

 

The babies are growing.

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe for pie on yesterday’s blog:

For those of you who love pumpkin pie, I’d like to give you my recipe. I’m a great cook because I just love it. So, what I have gleaned about pumpkin pie is this: Many people who love it suffer from heartburn/indigestion after they eat it. I’m one of those so here is my way for Indigestion Free Pumpkin Pie:

1 can of pumpkin or a cup of fresh mashed

1 cup of evaporated milk or what I prefer:

1 Cup of 1/2 and 1/2 and two tablespoon of sweatened condensed milk(just don’t do both.)

3 Eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla

1/4 Cup of agave and 1/4 cup of brown sugar

3tsp. Cinnamon

Cook in a crust of your choice. Mine is Trader Joes already made, but graham cracker is good too.

Bake for 35 min. to 45 min. at 350. You can put foil over the top of the crust if you don’t like it too brown.

I’m trying to learn not to be grouchy when I’m tired. I hate being grouchy, but notice that I often am. I lost one little baby tomato plant today. Felt bad, but grateful for all the healthy siblings.

Hopefully I’ll get the lights in a permanant hanging position today. I’m feeling hopeful about being able to survive in the world today. How about you?

 

Still Trusting the Seeds

The only tomato brought in from outside. We will see how it goes.

Today, I’m re-evaluating, planning on transpanting the seed tomato plants into big pots and replanting lettuce. I’m looking at homemade rooting hormones and have discovered some interesting options: 1) Asprin 2) Willow tea 3) Aloe Vera Juice. They all have a rooting enhancing compound known as Salicylic acid . In addition I’m going to get some Hydrogen Peroxide to keep the watering balance and prevent root rot. Click on the article to check out the details.

Ox Pulls at the Fryeburg Fair

Will probably be spending the day at Maine’s Fryeburg Fair, which is fairly famous around here. Every farmer and a lot of wanna be’s like me will be watching the horse pulls, the skillet tosses and eating carnival food while we smell the manure and enjoy the beautiful fall day. That’s because Troy, our guy from Barbedos got here last night. He’s already out taking pictures of our lake. I’ll have to try to get some up here, but he usually takes months to get them into the shape he wants them, so meanwhile they will just be my phone photos. Happy Harvest.

It’s a good thing it was a big pie.

God, we live in a gorgeous place. Frigid today. 42 degrees when I woke up, but the sun is out over the lake warming us and the pumpkin pie I invented yesterday was delicous for dessert last night and breakfast this morning.

Early morning Lake, Sun Coming

 

Jack Frost

Inside and Out.

 

Today it is real. Scraped the windshield this morning. The garlic bulbs that are getting cold before planting had to be brought onto the enclosed porch for the last two nights. They should not really get below the low forties. I still didn’t fix my grow light to get it closer to my plants or get the reflective material in place, but inspite of that the gorgeous seeds are becoming small plants, reaching up for the light.

Photos are hastey this morning. Our friend from Barbedos arrives today, so I have to clean and cook and leave the plants for the most part. They just keep smiling and growing unless I forget something. It’s almost time to transplant the little tomatoes into bigger pots I think, but for today they will grow some more where they are.

I woke up around 3:30 this morning thinking about too many things. In conclusion I decided that All Is Well All Is Well All Is Well, so now I’m really sleepy. The tranquility of the lake in Maine, the warmth inside, a long term love relationship and living close by to my 90 year old parents are great gifts.

I’m going back to plain water and waiting for a week or two before more fertilizer. I guess plants don’t eat like we do. Time to bake and get the house clean. Wish these things paid better. I’m looking at ways to make money doing the things I know best. Always looking, trying to overcome the barriers of this system that appears to have taken everything over, but in truth is just a collective leviathan giving benefit to very few.

Here’s a long and worthwhile speach by Bernie Sanders if you have a mind to listen.

Just want to say, this growing is helping me to fall in love with everything including you. Hope you are enjoying the read. JJ Kalush

Day One

A Pie Almost in the Making

The leaves are turning quickly to reds and oranges. Maine apples are abundant and tonight we will have a pie. We have gone from hot days and cool nights to cool nights and constant rain. October reminds me to pick the last tomatoes, cover what needs winter protection and plant the garlic. It’s probably the rebel in me, but I decided a few days ago to spend the winter experimenting with gardening indoors. Here is a list of what I have been researching. Will maybe go indepth in later posts as things progress.

1. Grow Lights. There are a lot of fairly ignorant posts on the internet. Many contradict each other. I think I have found a cheaper solution. Hardware and farm stores around here look at me like I must be growing pot. It has become a somewhat legal cottage industry in Maine, so the production is flourishing mostly as hydroponic growing. So in the Paris Farmer’s Union store I found a sign that said if you are a marijuana grower, don’t bring your product into this store! Actually, the local hardware chain has the best option for me. Today I’m picking up a regular shop light fixture, on sale for $17.00. It is 4 feet and holds two bulbs. They also carry grow bulbs that fit into that fixture for around $11.00 each, so I will have a 4 foot set-up for about $40.00 plus tax. Most of those I found as grow lights were about $100+, double that for 4 foot set-ups versus 2 foot.
2. Homemade Fertilizer. Would you belive asprin, epsom salts and egg shells?
3. What to Grow Indoors in Winter. The list is long, but haven’t seen peas on it so I planted a pot full just to see what happens. The other sprouts are basil,  lettuces, spinach, and a pot of ginger that is resting in the dark.

   

   Rebel Pea Sprouts

4. How to Grow Indoors. I have tomoatos from seed, cloned and one plant brought in from outside.

   

   Tomato Clones

   
   

5. Potting soil mixes. I found a cheap one that shouldn’t have been on sale, but it had coconut husk to keep the moisture balanced and I added another organic one with worm castings. I also got a block of coconut husk, but I haven’t had time yet to soak it into the form to add it to the soil.

There are so many ways to grow, even for an old woman. I let myself learn to trust this exquisite Life that constantly comes to me new. I wake each morning now, cold and ready to see these small miracles burst forth and grow like crazy. I’m in love with this process, trusting more, feeling myself part of every grain and branch and person. I kiss this journey and plant myself inside for a while, excited to see how I grow.

Metamorphosis Alternate Plan B!

That phase is over. We only raised $250. 00 minus the fees for Indiegogo. The truth is, I’m not ready to quit yet, just

beginning to learn the ropes. Some of the wonderful women who contributed also gave me some great ideas for moving on.

I’m going to work hard and keep you posted here and on Facebook.  I’m exicited to begin to articulate better and start small to show, not tell what we are up to. I hope that I have some followers who will give me input as well as help me find other strategic partners who will get this great concept into a concrete and operating business.

Any ideas greatly appreciated. For now, I’m going to re-invent my illustrations, create a new simple video and put up a site that illustrates what I’m talking about. Time for cocoons and butterflies.

Only 15 Days Left!

If you want what visible reality

can give, you’re an employee.

If you want the unseen world,

you’re not living your truth.

Both wishes are foolish,

but you’ll be forgiven for forgetting

that what you really want is

love’s confusing joy.

From Essential Rumi

by Coleman Barks

I’m working on staying upbeat, but we have only raised 2% of our goal and there are only 15 days left. Can you help? Here is the Indiegogo site. Just Connections. I want to give you a few reasons to join us.

1. Seven million Americans are stuck in poverty from part-time jobs. Corporate America is making mega millions off the backs of both the educated and uneducated poor by offering lousy low-paying part-time work keep their costs low and putting many into poverty. If you are still in a great full-time position you are in the minority. Part-time job poverty. Even worse is the following fact.

2.Many older Americans have lost all hope of retirement because of pensions dissappering and the stock market stealing all their former wealth, but the possiblity of getting a job if you are over 50 is horrible and over 62 almost impossible. Older Americans are unable to get work.

3. Young college graduates for the past several years have no hope of employment. Recent college graduates are unemployed.

We have no hope for a good life based on our current economic model. We need an alternative that is not based on greed but on the love of life, each other and sharing. It is possible, but we have to start now, we need to join together to make it happen. Our power is great, the possibility unique the opportunity timely, Please think about it.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for caring. Thanks for jumping in!

Just the Facts, Ma’am, Just the Facts (Working on a simple clear picture.)

What are we crowdfunding for? Indiegogo Campaign

Phase I

Develop an online platform to deliver workshops, classes, and information. Producer members will have a website that will make it easy to deliver their content to their customers. This will be outsourced to New Media One for development. Cost for this is between 8 and 10 thousand dollars. Customer members will have a platform that will make it easy to get the content they want and need.

Phase II

Gather a collection of small businesses to be accessable on the same mega site. Develop this grand shopping place that consists of many small businesses joined together for one-stop shopping and located in the same space as the platform we develop in Phase I. Again outsourced to New Media One.Cost for this is between 7 and 9 thousand dollars.

Gather a huge and ongoing membership brought through the members who join initially and through spreading the word through Permaculture groups, Fair Trade sellers, Poets and Writers and other Artists, and many others who make up the 99% of people left out of the mega companies who dominate our current economy. We hope to begin this as part of our crowdfunding campaign and then launch a campaign to get our brand known and recognized. Cost for this between 2 and 5 thousand dollars.

Long-term…Create an internal crowdfunding, instruction and support system for start-up businesses that will become part of our site. We will fund this by taking a small amount from each sale and each class or workshop to set aside to develop new businesses.