Interned Gardens

Interned Gardens

To make pretty

times of gold

the pharaohs taught so well

embalm the royals

embalm the rich

to travel onward still

death has it's own

a mask so still

unless the makeup's poured

so putty thick, to look not real

yet life-like, worn and torn

We so avoid the real, and true

it's ugliness at glance

yet quiet

still

and quiet more

not talking, there's no chance

we look upon this

what you think,

a most untimely death

we pass our way

and smile and say

what is it that we'll miss..

We never know, us human drones

our strollings on this earth

when is our time

forever

time

trying,

to make the most

so still he lies, not old, not young

a coffin there he lays

some knew him well, others did not

the stories they all tell

he was so loved, he was so kind

not small, not large, like most..

reception, party

honors,

a life

we do this, but no toast

the one we honor

miss them most

now buried on the hill

his time, our time

where did it go

the ceremony pleads

the family, friends a gathered group

a minister and more

our cries of love, forever now

these moments we will store.

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Thus concludes today's entry of Poetry A Muse In Motion project.

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

Logging On Those Cycling Miles

At 5:30pm this evening, my favorite cyclist is loading up to set out to join the group...

Just how did my husband know, that his new cycling shirt would be the ultimate art experience of my day. When you've been together as long as we have, you just know these things, that's all there is to it.

He told me later that he did 17.5 miles for this evenings ride, excellent I say, such true determination!

What can I say, there's a certain spirit to cycling. Many of us have it seems those special & peaceful moments logged in our minds when riding as a child, we felt a sense of adventure & freedom. To be able to take to the road throughout the cycles of life, is for many of us a very liberating experience, even when there are times, when our own bikes are temporarly put aside, there is still that overall enjoyment in sharing in the experience with others, as the beauty & simplicity of a person on a bike, is a work of living kenetic art.

Enjoy, & to all the peaceful cyclists out there, may you all have fun safe rides!

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

This Turtle Will Sleep Tonight, As These Turtles Glow On...

An evening scene of where this blogger has been known to perch...

The solar lights of these really cool turtles my son gave me for my birthday of a week or so ago, arrived just the other day, & since yesterday the solar lights have gotten a really good charge & are now lighting the way for this turtle in rehab...

I found the cloud pattern on Friday evening to have quite an intersting look, espically since only twenty-four hours earlier a deadly tornado swept through our region only thirty-five miles north of where we live, going through Southbridge, & Sturbridge with the biggest impact in Springfield, Ma. This recent tornado tragically took the lives of four people, & leveled a good section of the city in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The beauty & calmness that water can offer, espically on a lake in the woods...

& though scenes such as these are as old as time, we truly never tire of their captivating views, & all that they offer, espically when they present on the very evening of a dear & special friend's landmark birthday. Yes, gemini is a very busy birthday time of year. A continued Happy & Healthy Birthday season to our dear friend, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Here it is Sunday evening, with a busy week from behind, a lovely weekend just ending, & with the beginning of what appears to be an even busier week ahead, with extended family responsabilites, & my ongoing hip rehab. I really don't have a topic of true focus to expand upon for today's entry other than, the importance of living each & every day with the thankfulness of what is, & reminding one's self of the importance to always be appreciative & aware, of these precious moments, while living in the moment.

I will conclude, with a few scenes of the sweet & simple which for me has recently brought upon the smile factor. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand... , but instead of a lot of words, we'll just take in these simple scenes.

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

Archbishop Desmond Tutu Receives the Courage of Conscience Award, From The Peace Abbey

From time to time, when it is possible I will share with you news from the Peace Abbey, I've enclosed the June 2011 Newsletter. For now I will share my edition, but to receive your very own Peace Abbey Newsletter in your inbox, of which I encourage you to do, as The Peace Abbey is a pure jewel in the crown, of peace loving tolerance, understanding & loving human kindness. *Please contact them at info@peaceabbey.org

Archbishop Desmond Tutu Receives the Courage of Conscience Award
The Peace Abbey Newsletter	June 2011

IMPORTANT NEWS Boston Vegetarian Annual Event- June 12th 1-5:30PM Council on Aging Picnic at The Peace Abbey National Registry at DePaul University The Peace Abbey Serves the Community The Life Experience School Jimmy Tingle performs in a Benefit for the Peace Abbey Sunday, June 26th, 2011 4-7PM Our good friend, satirist and comedian Jimmy Tingle, is donating his much-acclaimed comedic talents in a benefit concert at the Peace Abbey Coffeehouse. "There isn't a lot of sense out there these days. Jimmy Tingle's sense, and sense of humor, is indeed uncommon" New York Times Opening will be The T & A Jazz Band featuring Ted Powers, Andy Celley, Dan Dick, and surprise guests. Tickets are limited: $75 donation 4-5PM Drinks and hors d'oeuvres Cost of War to the United States While Congress continues to plan for hundreds of billions in cuts and states are closing parks and educational programs, we continue to gush billions on three wars. This fiscal year alone the cost of just Afghanistan will be $113 billion. Just this year. Just for Afghanistan. We continue expend lives and billions in a country where polls show the majority of citizens want the United States out and are hostile to our presence. Afghan leaders repeatedly have called for us to leave the country. The corrupt president of the country has repeatedly called the West an enemy, stripped women of protections, expressed a desire to be with the Taliban, and sought to tax even the aid to his country and charge for war damage. Jonathan Turley Cost of War in Iraq $787,725,647,368 Cost of War in Afghanistan $400,894,124,478 May 31, 2011 American soldiers killed in Iraq 4454 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan 1566 Quick Links... Peace Abbey Website Blog by Abbey Guest BVS Jagatjoti Heyokha Khalsa Pakistan and Afghanistan Journey of Hope Grandmother Love more information STONEWALK 1999-2007 pictures and information Quick Links A Wonderful NEW video about Emily and Vegan lifestyle Quick Links The Life Experience School Our Website For contact useabbeypeace@aol.com ordwalsh@peaceabbey.org Our Website Products Services More About Us Quick Links... Our Website More About Us

On the evening of May 23, 2011, at St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, MA, Peace Abbey Chaplain Dot Walsh and St. John's alumnus Bill Heuer made the presentation after the Archbishop spoke to Saint John's faculty, students, alumni and guests. Archbishop Tutu was moved with the Courage of Conscience Award statue, exclaiming, "Oh this is so beautiful!" Dot Walsh explained that the hands represented his hands that prayed for the suffering in the world due to oppression, poverty and war and the dove arising from the hands was the healing and reconciliation he brought to South Africa and to the world. In his talk, Archbishop Tutu spoke about the connections of all people. He explained the African concept of ubuntu, that we can only achieve our full humanity through recognition of the humanity in all people, remarking to the audience, "You are all Africans." As he was leaving many people exclaimed, "Ubuntu!" **************************************** We are still looking to either attract a potential investor or sell one of the buildings to an organization with similar values and goals. Please keep us in your prayers and together we will maintain our peace and serenity and belief in the goodness of all humankind. Thank you for the donations received and the kindness so many have expressed in notes and cards. Dot Walsh Boston Vegetarian Annual Event- June 12th 1-5:30PM The following was written in the BVS newsletter by Evelyn Kimber BVS' annual event at the PEACE ABBEY in Sherborn (next to Natick) is a highlight event of our year. Soak in the beauty and "good vibes" of this unique place, meet the animals in the small sanctuary for rescued farm animals, stroll the grounds and view the Pacifist Memorial and Gandhi statue, the magnificent Emily the Sacred Cow Animal Rights Memorial, and explore the Abbey and its artifacts from around the world. ALL WELCOME! We encourage you to bring your friends and family, *especially non-vegetarians*. We would love them to experience the inspiration of this gathering and our speaker. 1 PM VEGAN POTLUCK Share delicious vegan cuisine. Bring a favorite dish to share that is free of meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey. Dishes should be ready to serve, and please include serving implements (labeled with your name). A card with ingredients/recipe is appreciated. A dish serving 8-10 per person attending is suggested. Need recipe ideas? See our page: http://www.bostonveg.org/go_veggie.html#recipes Special treat: The Like No Udder vegan soft serve ice cream truck will be with us, serving up softies, milkshakes, and more! 3 PM SPEAKER PRESENTATION - PAUL WALDAU We'll use the church next to the Peace Abbey for the speaker program. It seats 350, so we'll have plenty of seats! This year we are honored to have scholar, professor, author, and vegan Paul Waldau. Paul has a masters from Stanford, a doctorate from Oxford, and a Juris Doctor degree from UCLA Law. He has taught ethics at Tufts Univ. Veterinary School, where he was also Director of the Center for Animals and Public Policy. He teaches Animal Law at Harvard Law School, Boston College and Suffolk Univ. Law Schools, and has directed the Yale Law School "Animal Law Reading Group" as well as lectured at Yale's Center for Bioethics. Paul's writings have been published widely. His latest book, "Animal Rights: What Everyone Needs to Know" (Oxford University Press, 2011) will be available for sale and signing. His next book to be published in the coming year is "The Animal Invitation: Religion, Law, Science and Ethics in a More-Than-Human World." ABOUT THE PEACE ABBEY: The Peace Abbey is a center which encourages non-violence, peacemaking, social justice, and compassionate living. Beyond that, it is safe to say there is no place like it in the world. Peace and justice advocates from around the globe have come here, including Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama. It was home, until her death in 2003, to Emily the Cow, who gained worldwide celebrity with her dramatic slaughterhouse escape, and became spokescow for veg living. The Peace Abbey Two North Main Street Sherborn, MA (next to Natick) Where Route 27 and Route 16 overlap The Peace Abbey NOTE: Event is free with your potluck offering; *donation requested for the Peace Abbey.* Rain or shine. The event is wheelchair accessible; *please contact BVS in advance for details on wheelchair access.* Council on Aging Picnic at The Peace Abbey June 23rd, 2011 12 Noon This is our opportunity to invite all our neighbors and friends from the community for a medley of veggie food and lots of good conversation. National Registry at DePaul University Several years back we offered a week of immersion in the study of peace and social justice for a group of students from DePaul University in Chicago. One of the students, Katie DeSalvo stayed in contact with us and this year made arrangments for The National Registry to be created for the University at a special peace event held in May. Sometimes we plant the seeds and don't see the fruit and other times we get all the blessings! The Peace Abbey Serves the Community We offer a sacred space for weddings, baby blessings, memorial services and spiritual guidance. Peace Chaplains facilitate retreats and make home visits. Please call the office for more information. 508-655-2143 The Life Experience School The Life Experience Program is wrapping up its 39th year with the following special events!* 6/2: Lizzy's R.E.M. Cabaret at Emily's Roadhouse featuring special guests. 6/3: Annual Yoga Garden Workshop and Luncheon courtesy of Nancy Gialardi 6/10: Field Day hosted by Amy Lussier of Deloitte, Boston * 6/14: 3rd Annual John H. McGuire Memorial Mini Golf Tournament * 6/17: Family and Friends End-Of-Year cookout at The Peace Abbey featuring "open mic" entertainment * please join us for these events! The Peace Abbey Gift Shop Palestinian Olive Oil, peace calendars and calendars with the Prayers for Peace. We have books with copies of the long version of The Prayers for Peace, dvd's with the prayers in English and Spanish and copies of the quotes from the Pacifist Memorial along with jewelry items. Please come and visit! The Peace Abbey Gift Shop Tours, Weddings, Conferences A wonderful way to be introduced to the memorials on the grounds and the buildings at The Peace Abbey is to schedule a group tour. We have retreats for individuals and groups. Schools and colleges, church groups, community organizations and other groups are welcomed. For wedding and conference information, please call the office: (508) 655- 2143 $100 Donation for Tours Opportunities Exist to Underwrite the Courage of Conscience Award and the Gandhi Exhibit We are interested in having a family foundation, a business organization or individuals underwrite the Courage of Conscience Awards. Please call the office if you have suggestions. Thank You!

Cave of Forgotten Dreams Discovered on Memorial Day Weekend

This past Sunday during the Memorial Day Weekend, my husband, & I met our son in Boston, for a mini fam* visit, as I hadn't been able to get into the city since before my bike mishap, & the film Cave of Forgotten Dreams was playing at the Coolidge Theatre. It was my birthday, & there would be no better time then then to test out the status of the healing mode of my hip, which proved wonderful. Most definitely it is the simple things, that bring forth some of life's finest pleasures; to walk, once again in the city, though still not necessarily up to speed, but nonetheless out there mulling about with everyone on a perfect day in May. A quick jaunt into the Booksmith one of the finest independent books stores in the east, lunch at Michael's Deli, & then of course off to the theatre to see a movie, that can only be described as a must see, for any one who loves the lure & mystery of prehistoric art, of which is 24,000-40,000 years old, hidden in a cave in France, & only just discovered in 1994.

What a wonderful way to celebrate any individual's time here on earth, viewing & giving honor to the ancient talents of those who lived here, when we can only image what this planet must have been like, & also remembering & honoring our veterans from the past, & to the present. Yes time marches on, but let us take heed from the marvelous past histories we are still unearthing, & learn from it all, in a meaningful, kind & useful way.

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

Memorial Day 2011

Every year on May 30th here in the United States we honor & remember all our Veterans, of all wars, & God knows we have had more than many of us have counted. As a person who was born on Memorial Day Weekend, way back when, please know, that for always, we as individuals, & as citizens of this dynamic country, support our military veterans always, with prayers in our hearts, & our votes in the ballot box, that there may some day, be no more wars that ever a person may need to fight in, or to speak out against, but until that day comes we will continue to put forth our voices to our politically elected, to please always remember to continue to fund properly all the necessary supportive services our veterans, & the families of our veterans need presently, & will continue to need, for our military veterans have all gone, & continue to go beyond the call, of who are & have been our own family members, friends & members of the communities of which we live.

Please help us God.

Amen


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The above photo was taken at the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, where our flag has always been know to fly at half mast.

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CommonDreams.org

"On Memorial Day, America Should Honor Her Troops by Bringing Them Home..."
www.commondreams.org

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

The Art of Gemini

The Gemini Twins above remind me of the Russian nesting dolls, & what about the next two characters..

These next two bring to mind an act from the circus, & isn't that life at times, it can feel like a high wire, yet ultimately all heart!

Of a childhood's imagination perhaps, Tinkerbells or are they

Thumbalina Twins in the family of Gemini...

Stardust guys of course, with a photo below of the Constellation Gemini of which has inspired this season, of many of our lives...

We are full into Gemini now, & being that's my sign, have been thinking about my Gemini friends. Every May I wonder, if only I could find just the right Gemini card, but I have yet to find one with just the right image. Well being I've been side lined & laying low a bit, as it's now three weeks since my ordeal on the bike, & I haven't built up strong enough tolerance yet for bopping around, but I have been able to be out & about; do errands, connect with friends, & am even catching up with my commitment of doing outreach in the community for our area's interfaith organization known as, the Greater Putnam Interfaith Council of which we are involved in & sponsoring our fourth annual United Nations International Day of Peace 2011 event, which will be held on Sunday September 18th in Putnam, Ct.

Yesterday, I connected with three school systems, & one library, & today one more library, in regards to this year's first ever Community Art Show, in conjunction with our UN Peace Day event. When I'm out & about meeting new & interesting people discussing the possibility of art work to be done by children & all the various ages of people of our community, it really does em passion me with a true sense of excitement & purpose. It's what I love to do, to talk about & to live, truly viva la art, of which I never ever tire, no matter what...

And speaking of what & what I'm up to, my never tiring passion for my love; of the art I love, & the art I do, viola I solved my Gemini card delima, & have decided to make my own. I have a few designs & styles in mind, & once I get started, I will substitute Yogi Beria's saying instead of "It ain't over till it's over." With my art projects mantra, "It ain't done till it's done!"

A Healthy & Happy Gemini One & All, & enjoy this ever so fleeting spring!

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden