A little taste of Sunshine
Posted by msterilinn on May 19, 2008
We have experienced a very strange Spring here in Oregon. Just last week, as odd as it seems, we had some truly strong hailstorms which actually covered the ground solid and instantly soaked those caught in the freakiness of it. Luckily we were indoors when it did occur, yet could see some unfortunate folks scrambling for shelter, totally unprepared.
Well, even though it had started to warm up just enough to turn our heat completely off, it took us by suprise to pop on up to 98.5 degrees in no time at all. Usually we get some wonderfully perfect days just above or below 80 degrees this time of year and it is such a lovely time to walk through our sweet little town to the river, enjoying all the Spring blossoms. What a shock to simply wish to drive to the river and cool off. Unfortunately the river was quite swift, and higher than we have ever seen it. The instant meltoff was creating quite the flow, which made it too dangerous to do much more than stick our feet in and experience the coolness of the rivers edge. Actually I felt it was quite beautiful and exciting just to be near one of Natures wondrous life-givers, as rivers are so very special. The energy and power was simply amazing to behold!
Needless to say, we did walk a little, my daughter, grandson and I. We brought our sweet little chihuahua, Canela and walked along the river to enjoy the freshness brought on by the spring run-off. We are quite happy to prepare for a very warm Summer, and will have the air conditioner installed as soon as possible. We love to camp, swim and explore, so we are truly looking forward to our outdoor fun! Meanwhile, I thank Mother Nature for the warning and for giving us a little taste of Sunshine.
Surfs up.. let’s go to Summer Surf Camp!
Posted by msterilinn on Jan 16, 2008
Wow, now here is a camp that is totally appealing to a water girl such as myself. I grew up around some of the most beautiful beaches in the World, and I would have given much to go to a Surf Camp!
I wish to take a few moments to talk about a place called… you got it… Surf Camp! Founded by Rick Civelli in 1995, Surf Camp has been facilitating, safe and exciting learn to surf summer camps. For a week, you will be immersed in the “Sport of Kings” while learning about incredible coastal ecosystems. All summer camps and surf camps have a safe student to instructor ratio of 3:1, and are staffed with certified professional instructors educated in the marine sciences. Why not learn to surf while taking advantage of warm emerald green waters and white sandy beaches, and enjoy a week of fun in the sun at one of these summer camps?
They offer both vacationers and residents alike an ecological surfing experience they will never forget. Whether you are looking at one of the teen summer camps or the adult learn to surf vacations, they offer the summer camp or overnight camp for you. Experience an unforgettable adventure that may just change your life forever.
The founder of Surf Camp, Rick Civelli, has been teaching people how to surf since 1995. He has developed an amazing methodology that will get you up and riding in no time. He also understands that there is so much more to surfing than standing on a board and riding a wave. One must begin to understand several different and important coastal processes. Being a surfer holds responsibilities to other surfers in the water and a dedication to taking care of our coast. That is why in all of our programs we emphasize safety, surfing etiquette, and teach dynamic curriculum about our coastal environment.
So, not only do we get to learn how to surf at these summer camps, one of my favourite aspects of Surf Camp is the fact that they teach you about Mother Ocean as well. Learning about the marine life and the environment is so very important to instill a love of nature and all things natural from early on. What a great way to have fun and learn such important life lessons at the same time!
As mentioned, safety is of the utmost importance. As quoted from the staff at Surf Camp…
“We have a deep knowledge and experience base of both watermen and women. On our staff, we have an Ocean Safety Director, an EMT, and a Wilderness First Responder. All Surf Camp instructors are American Red Cross lifeguard, CPR and First Aid Certified. All surfing lesson instructors are certified in CPR, First Aid, and trained in water safety. Most importantly we also have a burning desire to better ourselves in every aspect of our programs. We utilize consultation and training from Ocean Safety experts outside our organization for continuing education. We value and incorporate feedback from students, staff, and parents as we continually evaluate and better our policies and instruction methodologies.”
I bet, like my daughter, you simply cannot wait for Summr to get here so you can go to camp. Have fun and stay safe!
Thoughts about Spring and the East by my friend Storm
Posted by msterilinn on Apr 2, 2007
As written in her own words, I would like to share… Thanks Storm!!
In just a few scant days and hours, the hoop of life will turn into East, or so it is said by my people. We would have been anxiously checking the marks on the centuries old calendar rock that now sits in a farmer’s field. With excitement and yes, some dread, we wait for that one moment, that click of time, when the creation decisively turns. And when that click happens, we would sing to welcome the sun back from its journey and prepare to sing as well to the first salmon that comes up the river/stream lifeblood of the people.
Now there are just a few scant days and hours left of the time of North; the time of wisdom - the doing time when one uses the knowledge gained during the this last full turn of the circle. Are the nets ready, are the root sticks sharpened, the bark scrapers ready for the baskets and mats and capes to be made? Are we ready with all that we know to face the unknown of the new turn?
East, the time of spirit, the time of renewal, the time of newness and innocence. The time when never more clearly we see the same in a different way. Everything is right before our eyes, if we’ll just take that moment to see it. Outside my front window I see a cherry tree, and, as always, I am astonished as I see this old friend changing before my eyes. Every winter, I fear for it…with limbs so bare and brittle and seemingly lifeless. And I wonder, is this the year it won’t bloom? Is this the year it won’t be able to welcome and feed the winged that always return to it? But now I see the buds breaking from it skin and know those buds for the promise of renewal and newness. Oh, how painful it must be and oh, the struggle it goes through to meet this promise one more time.
Commercials tell us that ‘new’ is better, improved, exciting. I think ‘new’ is scary and disturbing and unsettling. New is when everything is the same, but different. New is when my comfortable, self-satisfied, knowing certainty is rocked. New is when I believe..I dream and I have no knowledge to support that belief or dream…just the surety that anything is possible because that is the way of Creation, and I am, after all, a piece of it. The faith, the hope to give me the courage to face ‘new’ until it too becomes a comfortable warm place for me to rest in.
I don’t know what I don’t know…and the promise of East is that with the willingness to see with the innocence of a trusting child, to look at the same thing in a different way, to allow myself to step out of the comfortable and into the uncertainty, I will see and hear and taste andlearn things I can’t even possibly imagine. And the older I get, the harder it gets to do so. So many winters..so much struggle to gain what little knowledge and wisdom I have…so much loss, heartache…so many questions for so few answers.
And yet, and yet…East stirs my blood and focuses my vision even further outside my window. My woman’s hands long to plunge into the dirt and plant and help my Mother in her birthing pangs. My woman’s heart speeds up to meet the nesting call…time to purify, to clean, to build for the future. And so, if I let the Creation into me..and if I let myself join into it, then East will sweep me along in the hoop and there won’t be room for fear or courage…just the living…facing the new, the different…with the comfort of what was, to face what is, to be ready for what will be.
Hoi, my relations. Just a few scant days and hours and we will be the East, one another, as part of this hoop of life.
Storm
