Month: July 2012

Pathways

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This past weekend, I picked up a 100% Natural Trail Mix, a coastal berry blend.   I loved the tag line – “real food for real people.”  I give the marketing team top marks for their branding message. I turned over the package to read the fine print (i.e. how many calories).  And that is where I found the perfect quote to end our remarkable month of July.

“Sometimes getting lost is the best way to find yourself.”

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By the way, in my experience – sometimes the pathways are just as exciting.  And there are benches along the way…

A Poet’s Inspiration

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When I think of a poet’s capacity to synthesize complex concepts into a single sentence or a few words, I am curious about where their insight comes from. When you dig into the poet’s background there is always a source of inspiration.

Theodore Roethke (1908-1963) was awarded the 1954 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for The Waking.  Twice, he was the recipient of the National Book Award for Poetry: 1959 for Words for the Wind and posthumously in 1965 for The Far Field.

Theodore Roethke grew up in Saginaw, Michigan.  His Father and Uncle were market-gardeners, who owned a large 25 acre greenhouse.  The use of natural images in Theodore Roethke’s poetry was inspired by the many years that he spent tending the plants. He affirmed the greenhouse “is my symbol for the whole of life, a womb, a heaven-on-earth.”   His ability to convey profound emotions was rooted in the tragic deaths of those he loved. In 1923, when he was only 15, his father died from cancer and his uncle, from suicide.

“Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light.”
Theodore Roethke

When you arise

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“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”

Marcus Aurelius

A Vancouver Sunrise

Interest in the Future

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Thomas Edison (1847-1931) held 1,093 U.S. patents in his name, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera and the most famous of all – electric light bulb.  Thirty years after his birth, another famous inventor, engineer and businessman came along – Charles Franklin Kettering (1876-1958).  He held 186 patents.  Although he does not have the “household name” familiarity of Thomas Edison, we are benefiting from his efforts.  Even though poor eyesight stymied his progress in grade school, he continued to believe that anything was possible.  Continue reading →

Rainforest, Art & the End of the World

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January 2012, I travelled back to Belize.  My last visit, over 30 years ago, was to British Honduras.  The name may have changed, but the beauty remains.  Our Mayan guide assured us that everyone had misunderstood the Apocalypse prophecy.  The world would not come to an end in December – they were planning a massive celebration and inviting the world to come.

“Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal.”
Edward O. Wilson

Lamanai Mayan ruins. “Lamanai” comes from the Maya expression for “submerged crocodile”.

The Waterfall Building

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“Buildings, too, are children of Earth and Sun.”
Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect

It is known as the Waterfall Building – another architectural landmark designed by our Arthur Erickson. Every time I pass by, I stop for a few moments just to enjoy the sounds of water, before I move on…