ARTICLES
A
Circle Unbroken
The
Feast of Fools
Meditations:
Soapbox of the President
Remembering
Aztlán
Connections
on KVNF March 27: Prospects of peace
9th
Annual Whole Life and Learning Expo
“Gather
the Women” Celebration & Observance
Like
Cures Like: Homeopathy for Animals
What
on Earth can we do?: Recycling in Montrose?
Health
In The Stars: Health Problems Shown by the Moon
All
About Herbs: Demystifying Earth’s Gifts
A Circle Unbroken
Whole Life Network Release
Have you decided to attend The Whole Life and Learning Expo
on Saturday March 8th, yet? The Whole Life Network has taken
this exciting new opportunity to hold their 9th annual event
at BILL HEDDLES Recreation Center in Delta, because Delta
means "Meeting Place". This is especially our intention, to
have such a joyous event that we create a stronger connection
and share true prosperity with everyone in the valley.
You never know what new friends you may meet or what
stimulating conversations you may have with old friends you
haven't seen in a while. Maybe you're just curious and would
like to see some of the new approaches to purifying the air
and water in your home. You've wondered how you could adopt
some different approaches for energy consumption.( like the
simple instructions for building a solar oven) You might like
to simply shop around. This is the perfect place to see some
beautiful hand made crafts such as painted gourds, feathers,
candles, and fairies. There are unique displays of clothing
and jewelry, excellent gifts for friends or yourself.
Many, many people have benefited from exploring new health
care products and experiencing natural health care approaches
that support health as "natural well being." This is a concept
that goes beyond curing illness. It helps us gather
information on balancing our physical, mental and emotional,
and spiritual aspects of our lives, bringing them together and
creating a happy whole healthy person.
One thing that you can bet on is good fellowship and great
learning experiences as there will be speakers hourly on
everything from acupuncture to holistic pet care. There will
be heaps of fun for all ages as there will be music all day by
David and Tamara Hauze and feasting on organic gourmet food
prepared by the Soul Garden.
In conjunction, for the Gather The Women celebration, there
will be story telling, puppets, dancing and poetry as a part
of International Women's Day.
Don't miss this heart lifting, joyous valley event. We will
have a special Whole Life Network table positioned close to
the entry way doors to the fair so you can find out more of
what we are doing and perhaps join our growing family. SEE YOU
THERE!
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The Feast of Fools
By Marilynn Huseby
Things were getting a little stale in my work-a-day world
when I was delighted by a call from a friend of mine from
Paonia. She invited me to the Feast of Fools gathering in
Hotchkiss, Saturday, Jan. 24.
Now, truly, there is nothing better than a pot luck in
Paonia, or, Hotchkiss, as the case may be, as it was, in this
case. Of course, I am really curious about what sorts of
frivolity and adventure could be cooked up from a community
that has observed the tradition of poking fun of the powers
that be for more than 20 years.
Local legend has it that once a year in parts of Europe,
peasants were allowed to make sport of the kings and celebrate
with great feasts. Given current events, the timing was
perfect as groups of local people presented short skits that
poked fun of everyone from President Bush to God.
One skit was an hysterical chorus line production, complete
with original words sung to the well-known song “Strangers in
the Night.” The lyrics were changed to, “Garlic in the night …
it’s so inviting … ” and continued as a commentary on the use
of garlic as a harmless alternative to spraying the pesticide
Malithion to control mosquitoes. The chorus included Zak and
Donna Mann, Lenore Cambria, Lisa Matalon, and Barb
Matteson.
The next skit was “Conversations with God the Fahdder.”
Bernie Hiederman as the Godfahdder, was accompanied by his hit
man, Bob Riggs (courtesy photo, right). They were conducting a
intense investigation from above to determine whether the
humans below were heeding His Ten Commandments. The hit man
would peer over the side of heaven and report back to “Da
Man.”
Godfahder: “Are they still WHACKIN’ people down
there? I told them, clearly, that I was the only one that
could WHACK anyone!”
Hit Man: “Yes, sir, you Da Man, but
they are still WHACKIN’ one another down there.”
They continued to toss the Commandments around and throw
the satire high into the night. The atmosphere at Hotchkiss
Memorial Hall was rich with long, hard laughter.
I will not miss this event next year and if you have a
funny bone in your body, you won’t either - in fact, you may
even want to join me in participating - it is the purest
demonstration of community and our democratic freedoms. Come
enjoy the Feast of Fools!
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Meditations: Soapbox of the President
By Larry Lemser
Did you notice?
Maybe your subconscious mind caught the change in the
Connections banner. We have added the word "new" in front of
our name, The Whole Life Network. Oh yes, "new" was there last
month and , look, "new" is there again.
The adjective "new" seems really appropriate in 2003 for
The Whole Life Network.
We are undergoing many new experiences and creating a new
paradigm. Some of the changes are usual first of the year
stuff like a new Board of Directors and new officers, but also
there is more profound stuff like a revitalized web site, new
partnerships, new focus and a renewed pledge to serve and give
back to our community.
Our founders are asked to forgive our brashness in
proclaiming ourselves as "new." It's not that the original
Whole Life Network was lacking in some way. Since our birth
almost 15 years ago, the world has changed and current
conditions demand renewal.
This renewal of focus and spirit is apparent in our Board
meetings. If you haven't attended a Board Meeting for years,
we invite you to come and feel the new spirit, feel the
compassion, feel the zeal, and feel the love.
By the way, you could also see our new office and the
lending library.
The list of former members of The Whole Life Network is a
virtual "Who's Who" of Cultural Creatives on the Western
Slope. If the reader is on this list of former members, it is
presumed that The Whole Life Network didn't fulfill your
expectations. How about a second chance?
The New Whole Life Network is a vital force in our
community and you can help. Join or rejoin today!
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Remembering Aztlán
By Art Goodtimes
Welcome to a Western Slope column on the poetry arts and
culture of this unique part of the country. Where the Colorado
Plateau meets the Southern Rockies. My little piece of it at
Cloud Acre on Wright’s Mesa near Norwood, looking south to
Lone Cone, was once, in the 1850s, part of Iron County in
Brigham Young’s State of Deseret, and then in 1860 part of
Utah Territory before becoming the western half of Colorado
Territory in 1861. The Mexicans claimed it before that. And
it’s been the ancestral homeland of the Nooch “the people”,
whom we call the Utes, for generations, some of whom still
live here among us or in nearby reservations. Ancestral
Puebloan peoples farmed here before that. And there are
ancient habitation sites in the region going back 8000 years
or so.
So, in writing about the spoken and written word
discipline, I want to honor our ancestors in this place. And
as a descendant of Italian and Spanish settlers, let me start
by remembering Aztlán - which my poet friend Trinidad Sánchez,
Jr., has called “a state of mind” as much as any physical
place, although it has been long associated with the Four
Corners region. As a designation it is a recognition that this
country has been associated in the mind of many Chicanos with
the legendary homeland of the Aztecs, those Nahuatl-speaking
folks who share a common linguistic ancestry with the Utes.
And the many Spanish names in the area remind us that we
European- Americans are but the latest in the many waves of
peoples who have moved through this great land. Just as the
Navajos are an Athapascan people who migrated down from the
north, and became native to the place, establishing their four
sacred mountains to the south of us. So, the Spanish-speaking
peoples from the south came into this land and settled much of
it, before the Americans took it as a spoil of the Mexican War
of 1846-48. So, as we begin, we honor all those who loved this
place before us.
If there’s a primer for poetry on the Western Slope, one
would have to turn to the seminal anthology -- The Geography
of Hope: Poets of Colorado’s Western Slope. Edited by David
Rothman and published by his Conundrum Press of Gunnison
(1998), the book has catalyzed a Western Slope community of
writers, who continue to work and perform together. Certainly
Colorado Book Award-winner Jim Tipton of Fruita and Luis Lopez
of Grand Junction, sometimes with Carol Bell of Silt, have
carried the torch in the Grand Valley, organizing regular
readings and bringing new voices to town. Lopez has also
established his own Farolito Press in Grand Junction. Karen
Chamberlain of Glenwood Springs has gone on to become poetry
editor for the Mountain Gazette, and has published a wide
assortment of Western Slope poets in her feature, “A Range of
Words: Poetry from the Mountains.” Her good friend and
renaissance poet/writer Bruce Berger continues to dazzle us
with great work from his rustic cabin in pricey Aspen. The
Gunnison community continues to display its diverse range of
poetry with the inimitable Joe Lothamer, cowboy poet John
Nelson, Rothman himself, active professor Mark Todd and
retired professor John Cope. In San Miguel County Rosemerry
Wahtola Trommer, head of the successful Telluride Writers
Guild, and myself have teamed up with Elle Metrick, recently
moved from Durango to Norwood, to form a performance poetry
ensemble called EARS. Our first performance was at SPARROWS,
Colorado’s performance poetry festival, which held its quite
successful third year event in Salida in early February,
thanks in large part to poet Jude Janett and friends.
And that’s only scratching the Aztlán surface in our search
for the lyric valuables. More to come next month. Stay
attuned.
© 2003 Art Goodtimes one-time use rights only,
all other
rights remain the author’s.
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Connections on KVNF March 27: Prospects of peace
By Joshua Hayward
These are troubled times in which we live. The threat of
war is as real as cancer, and literally millions of concerned
folk from diverse walks of life have been protesting in the
streets of cities all over the world. On the March edition of
the "Connections" radio program host Joshua Hayward will
interview peace activists Anne Hill and Bill Duckworth about
the "Prospects of Peace."
Hoping to generate awareness concerning alternatives to
violence and war, the Whole Life Network will be dedicating
this month's and next month's programs to the subject. Be sure
to tune in to KVNF's Midday Edition on March 27 at noon when
Joshua Hayward will keep you connected with the "Prospects of
Peace."
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9th Annual Whole Life and Learning Expo
News & Event Guide: March 8, 2003, Bill Heddles
Recreation Center Delta, Colorado
Free Presentations
10:30 AM: Laurel Ann dePontbriand FAA, C.Ht,CAC Medical
Astrology
11:15 AM: Ronald Quinn Natural Building Science with Sacred
Geometry
NOON: Diane Henney-Clark DVM, CVA Acupuncture, Botanicals,
Chiropractic - the new ABC's in Veterinary Medicine
12:45 PM: Rev. Alan McAllister Ph.D. Reclaiming our play
space: Owning our spiritual Essence
1:30 PM: Edith Johnson Ph.D. Coaching and Life Goals
2:15 PM: Tom Clark CMT Fascial Meridans - The body's
Holistic Web
3 PM: Debra Loberger Diet and Health
3:45 PM: Elizabeth Roscoe, Somatic Counselor International
Partnerships: African Network -Young women in Africa
sponsorship program
4:30 PM: Josh Hayward Astrology for Peace
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“Gather the Women” Celebration & Observance
By Heidi Comstock
Three simple words - gather, the, women. Never before have
common words captured my attention so. I am female. My heart
recognizes these words at once. They resonate from a place so
deep and so sure… something heard before but only as a whisper
across time. Now the message washes over me. Like a wave
rolling in from the farthest reaches of the Universe. Here at
last ! The words ring true, “Gather the Women.” It is
time.
It is a momentous time in history ! Women worldwide are
hearing the Call. Intuitively we know it is time for Women to
lead the way to a more peaceful and sustainable planet. It is
time for women to demonstrate the feminine face of leadership
- leadership based on principles of harmony, peace, balance,
partnership and cooperation. It is time to bring the masculine
and feminine energies on the planet into balance. Women have
always held the priceless gifts of vision, wisdom, intention
and love. And now, as with the “Hundredth Monkey”, with
collective hearts and focused minds, we may reclaim and
harness our power.
“Gather the Women” is an opportunity to launch a global
movement . Matthew Arnold, British Poet, 1822-1888, once said,
“If ever the world sees a time when women shall come together
purely and simply for the benefit of mankind, it will be a
power such as the world has never known!”
March 8th is International Women's Day - as declared by the
United Nations. Worldwide, more than one billion women of all
ages, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds will be coming
together. Like me, these women have awakened to the Call
through their deep knowingness and dreams. Others through
invitation and many through a whirl-wind of e-mails heralding
“Gather the Women” and it’s website, www.gatherthewomen.org.
All will participate in their own way. Some will gather in
quiet prayer in the context of their faith. Others will gather
in large rallies to hear speeches and music. Some will express
their concern in public forums. Some will gather for silent
vigils in quiet contemplation. Throughout the world in
thousands of unique events celebrating our true worth, we will
begin anew, expressing shared concern for our human family;
creating and supporting actions that will enable humanity to
live together in a world based on life-affirming values. These
will be joyous yet solemn occasions.
On Saturday, March 8, all women of Western Colorado are
invited to “Gather” at the Bill Heddles Recreation Center in
Delta for scheduled circles of prayer, meditation, music,
song, dance, poetry, sharing and creating:
8 am: Prayer & Meditation
10 am: Introspection and
Reflection
11 am: Healing and Forgiveness;
1 pm:
Connecting and Visioning
2 pm: Purposeful Action
3 pm:
Gathering and Celebration;
4 pm: Gratitude and New
Beginnings.
One may also explore the Whole Life Network’s 9th Annual
Whole Life and Learning Expo concurrently hosted at the
Center.
In her book titled, “A Woman’s Worth”, author, Marianne
Williamson reminds us, “The mother of any species is loving
and tender toward her young but fiercely protective whenever
they are threatened. What has happened to the female of our
species ? Do we not see the dangers that hover ?” It takes
courage to leave old conformities behind. But we can and must
usher in a new paradigm.
We open our hearts and feel our oneness with all women
around the globe, and from that place of oneness, envision a
world where all life is held sacred. It is time to start being
the change we wish to see in the world. We hear the Calling.
The time is now.
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Like Cures Like
Homeopathy for Animals
When a volunteer delivers a stunned falcon to Morningstar,
Dr. Bettye Hooley administers a quick dose of Arnica to stave
off the shock of both injury and capture. A puppy with his
nose swollen after an encounter with an angry wasp receives
eight white pellets of Ledum and soon returns to normal. A
male cat with a small abscess that won’t "come to a head"
finally begins to heal after treatment with the remedy
Silicea, while a Chihuahua with a sensitivity to vaccines
handles her distemper booster without a problem when
administered Thuja. In the hands of a trained homeopath, tiny
amounts of substances derived from herbs, poisonous plants and
even venoms and toxins can lead to a gentle healing by the
animal’s own system.
About two hundred years ago, the
inquiring mind of a German doctor led to the discovery of
homeopathy. Why, Samuel Hahnemann wondered, does malaria
respond to quinine? Curiosity inspired the healthy doctor to
dose himself with the medicine, which temporarily produced the
disease’s unpleasant side effects yet in a malaria patient,
quinine was a curative.
Dr. Hahnemann’s fascination led to the understanding that
"like cures like," a basic tenet of homeopathic medicine.
Instead of trying to counteract symptoms (as in traditional
allopathic medicine), homeopathy aims to strengthen the
patient’s own defenses and stimulate the healing process by
giving a tiny amount of a substance that nudges the body in
the direction of the disease itself and mildly reproduces its
symptoms. Painstaking study over the centuries has given
homeopathic doctors for humans and animals hundreds of these
substances, carefully produced and diluted, shown to have
unique effects on the body, mind, and emotions.
Common uses for homeopathy in animals include bite wounds,
bleeding, collapse/heat stroke, food poisoning, insect stings,
open wounds and trauma. Often a single dose achieves the
required effect in these acute situations. Chronic cases may
respond to homeopathic treatment where traditional medicine
has proven unsuccessful. Because our companion animals don*t
communicate with words, both owner and veterinarian must
become discerning observers. Does your ailing cat seek warm or
cold places to sleep? Is your dog fearful of loud noises?
Frequently drinking small amounts of water? Just as a tiny
amount of the right substance can make all the difference, a
subtle variation in behavior or physical condition may provide
the clue that leads to a cure.
(Morningstar Veterinary Clinic is located at 717 N. Cascade
Ave. in Montrose. The phone number is 970/249-8022 or email http://wholelifenet.org/newsletters/morningstar@montrose.net
Dr. Bettye Hooley and Dr. Diane Clark)
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What on Earth can we do?
Recycling in Montrose?
A community task force was convened in August 1998 by the
city and county of Montrose with the Uncompaghre Valley Assn.
to address citizen concerns about the local recycle center and
future area recycling. The task force is comprised of
representatives from the City of Montrose, school district,
local businesses, and members at-large.
The task force has been very busy in the years since it’s
inception. They conducted a study of other Colorado community
recycling programs, conducted a local survey of citizens,
developed long term area recycle goals, hosted several Earth
Day celebrations, provided community recycling and waste
minimization education programs, conducted a pilot curbside
recycling program, and helped initiate a core downtown
business cardboard recycle collection program. Most recently,
the task force is working with the City of Montrose and local
recycle providers to develop a curbside collection program for
residents within the city.
Unfortunately, the downturn in the US economy has affected
the City of Montrose. This winter, after careful consideration
of several proposals for curbside collection services, the
city council has decided to "table indefinitely" the idea of a
citywide curbside collection program. While this turn of
events is disappointing, it is not the end of the task force’s
work. This spring, the task force will be hosting several
classes on backyard composting, and mulching.
If you are wondering how to recycle in the Montrose area,
contact us for a recycle directory. Also, the recycle drop-off
center located just North of San Juan Ave. on 64.50 Road is
open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They take glass,
newspaper, corrugated cardboard, magazines and catalogs, #1
and #2 plastic screw top containers, aluminum and steel cans,
and used office paper.
Editors Note: We dedicate this space on a monthly basis for
ideas submitted by readers on events and projects benefiting
our world community. Co-Creators meetings are being held twice
a month. Interest has been expressed in forming new groups. If
these thoughts resonate with you, please contact Larry Lemser,
240-0234 or Marilynn Huseby, 252-1040.
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Health In The Stars
Health Problems Shown by the Moon
By Laurel Ann de Pontbriand
In the past it was common for doctors and astrologers to
consult the natal astrological chart to determine questions of
health. It is believed that parts of the human anatomy, along
with the mind, are influenced by corresponding planets and
aspects to those planets. The pathogenic effects of signs and
planets have long been used in recognizing health problems and
determining medical healing remedies.
The body’s ability to function is ruled by the moon. The
biological material we inherit at birth is dealt with by the
sun, but how well it all works is the moon’s department. The
sign the moon occupies at birth will always be important in
health considerations and its aspects will tell us much about
what can go wrong-and why. When one attempts to list a few of
the health concerns of any sign, it is with the understanding
that the moon does not operate alone in the birth pattern. The
sun sign can greatly modify or redirect ailments, as it shows
the general vitality of the individual. The sixth house is
extremely significant for all of us. In addition, there is the
reciprocity found between signs of the same quadruplicity.
Judgment of any chart is a blending of the various
elements. The moon is only one element, though a vital and
important one.
This is in addition to any information we can obtain
through the study of the person’s ascendant, first and sixth
houses and their rulers.
As a general rule, the Moon has greater influence over
women and deals with the entire female reproductive function,
pregnancy, nursing and menopause. It is the primary indicator
of fertility and tells the astrologer whether the woman will
bear children and about how many. In a man’s chart, however,
the moon points to the same areas of the body that it does in
the female; the breasts, stomach and abdomen. It also has
influence over the endocrine system in both sexes although it
does not carry sole rulership in that area. Swelling and fluid
retention belong to the moon, as well as sweating (too much or
too little).
The individual Moon signs and their physical associations
will be continued next time.
(Laurel Ann de Pontbriand may
be contacted at Visionary Counseling, (970) 240-3627)
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All About Herbs: Demystifying Earth’s Gifts
Herbal Formulas for Injuries
By Alan Joel
In last month’s article I promised to give some Barefoot
Doctor’s formulas as alternatives to the Western approach to
icing injuries. Let’s start with an overall approach and
appropriate steps to take when dealing with an injury. The
very first thing to do is to take Rescue Remedy, a Bach Flower
vibrational remedy easily purchased at your health food store,
and an item one should never leave home without. Carry it on
you at all times! Take four drops under the tongue and repeat
frequently until there is improvement.
With the following herbal formulas, if you make these up
with tinctures (prepackaged alcohol infusions that you also
can get at your health food store) mix up equal parts in one
or two ounce dropper bottles. You can start taking these right
away. The amount you should take will vary according to your
sensitivity and the quality of the injury, but let’s say
between a quarter of a dropper-full to a dropper-full of the
mixture. You also can make these up for people who do not wish
to stock all the single herbs. You can also use this as reason
to get your family together and make these up in a “communal”
sort of way.
1. General heat clearing (internal use): Equal parts of
Echinacea, Comfrey Root, Boneset, St. John’s Wort, Lobelia,
Goldenseal, White Willow Bark, Yellow Dock, Spearmint, and
Myrrh.
2. Promote circulation to prevent stagnate blood and
bruising (internal use): Equal parts of Prickly Ash Bark,
Valerian, Stoneroot, Passion Flower, Dandelion Root, Burdock
Root, Ginger Root, Licorice Root, Hawthorne Berries, Osha
Root, Yarrow, and Echinacea.
3. For open wounds, after the bleeding has stopped
(external use): Even though there are many salves and
poultices that can be used (I will give some next month), my
most favorite of all, which seems to heal wounds quickly, even
overnight in most cases, is the Alpha Sun formulation of Super
Blue Green Algae - just open a capsule and sprinkle the wound
with the algae in its dry state, then put a bandage over
it!
Even though these formulas have a fair number of herbs in
them, they will work well when one is unable to get every
herb. There is enough action available that the omission of
one or two will not render it ineffective.
I personally never “wash” a wound with alcohol, however
when it seems essential to clean out a wound and apply an
antiseptic, I prefer an Edgar Cayce product called Atomidine,
which has always worked for me and my patients to prevent
blood poisoning. Apply a few drops with a cotton swab or even
a paper napkin.
Need more info? Contact me at 323-9631 or email http://wholelifenet.org/newsletters/ravenwindstar@earthlink.net
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