Silly Goose

The love dog awaiting pack hike in Kennedy Park this morning.

Lemon Water, Lotusland, Hello

Hello, Imaginary Friends --

As I type this entry, a wildfire rages in Santa Barbara and my thoughts are with Lotusland, an extraordinary garden that seems to be in the fire's path. I took Dave there for his birthday years ago. It would be sad to lose this historic treasure. If it survives and you haven't visited, I suggest you book a trip there pronto.

I spent the week at an organic juice purification retreat at Kripalu doing research for an article. I'd never fasted before and it was...challenging. I found that the detoxification process made me queasy (a symptom that, according to the instructor, meant my gallbladder was purging). My sense of smell became so acute, I couldn't stomach the potassium-rich root vegetable broth or the enzyme-laden green juice spiked with spirulina. Even the ginger tea didn't sit well. I mostly stuck to lemon water, Emergen-C, and millet. After four days, I emerged radiant, five pounds slimmer, and a little loopy, craving yams and chicken soup.

While the experience was interesting, I can't imagine wanting to repeat it...except for the lemon water part, which I've vowed to keep drinking every day. I'm quite convinced that it, salsa music, and walking Goose in the woods, are key to my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

I hope you all are well. Thanks for stopping by.

Love,
Gina

UPDATE - November 17, 2008
Good news posted on the Lotusland website:

"We are relieved to let you know that Lotusland has survived the devastating Tea fire. We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the brave firefighters, police, sheriff, and all departments involved in the heroic effort to save lives and property. For further information please check www.montecitofire.com."

Duncan Sheik to Perform at the Mahaiwe

Next Saturday, November 15, singer-songwriter-composer Duncan Sheik will perform selections from his hit musical, Spring Awakening (which won eight Tony Awards in 2007 ), along with other original material, at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington. Spring Awakening original cast member Lauren Pritchard will join him for the concert. How fun is that? Be there!

And please consider joining me as a friend of the Mahaiwe, which just lost $150,000 of its funding due to state budget cuts. We are so lucky to have this gem of a venue in our little town.

Ben Hillman's Victory Video

O to Joy from Ben Hillman on Vimeo.

Yes We Did

Zilly Rosen of Zillycakes in Buffalo, New York, built a likeness of our now President-Elect Barack Obama using 1,240 cupcakes. Click here to read an interview with the artist-baker.

I feel proud to be an American this morning.

Metal Mouth No More

I'm posting these photos with the grudging permission of my daughter. For the record according to her: I am the most annoying blogging mother e-v-e-r. But isn't she cute?

Dave and Annalena in Provincetown last summer.

Look out, world. Baby's got contacts and a metal-free smile. We celebrated the unveiling of her straight teeth this morning with hot chocolate at Haven in Lenox.

Happy Day of the Dead

"There is more time than life."

-- Mexican proverb

"Day of the Dead celebrates the intimate, continuing relationship between the living and the dead. Like the celebration of a birthday, it reconfirms annually the love, goodwill, and generosity that the beloved can count on, no matter that they are dead."

-- Juanita Garciagodoy

"Day of the Dead altars give tangible form to our feelings of loyalty, affection, and longing for those who have passed away. The holiday isn't about ghosts and goblins; it's about the strength of family ties and enduring love. The Mexican mix of stoicism, wit, and reverence teaches us that death is a natural extension of life. By honoring our loved ones' spirits in living color, and sharing their legacies with our children and community, we nourish a sense of continuity. We are all much less alone."

-- Me

Candles to light the way for the spirits of our loved ones to find their way home, water to quench their thirst after the long journey, salt to represent the spice of life, and flowers to symbolize its ephemeral loveliness. Our Day of the Dead altar now stretches six feet across a window sill.

Chester, the guinea pig. A coconut mask kitty stands in for Etta-pus. We substituted mini pumpkins for marigolds.

My brother, Jan, and the blue bird of happiness he gave Annalena, along with polished stones that he tumbled himself.

My dad, Dave's dad.

Dave's brother, Pete. (The photo is his passport.)

My brother, Charlie, and grandmother, Mae.