Warm Up Exercises

Its cold. It's really, really cold. This isn't something I am used to so early in the season. It's not even officially winter, but It's been snowing and hailing and the roads have been icy since last week. And oh, that toilet seat! Brrrrr. It took me ten minutes to scrape the ice off my windshield this morning. I almost slipped on a frozen deck in Brooke trails on Saturday night. The tip of my nose has been red for days and lots of friends and family are dealing with colds, mild flu, and coughs.

I am distracted by the cold, thinking about what I can do to get warm. Of course, right off the bat, there's all the delicious Thanksgiving coffee we have to choose from, fair trade, roasted and brewed locally, Yes mamma!. There's the traditional cup of hot tea, something with cinnamon, ginger or chai with it's exotic flavors of cardamon, cloves and pepper. Then, there's the more medicinal cocktail of hot water, cayenne and lemon which will happily devour nasty bacterium and viruses in your throat on contact. Try a little brandy with that too. Another really great warmer upper is making a boiling pot of water and throwing in some fresh cedar, eucalyptus, or pine needles, steam, put a towel over your head and inhale. Aaaaah.

Of course there's the logical layering of clothing. A set of thermal underwear, jeans, wool sweaters and socks, boots, felt hats, and furry gloves sometimes even while your sitting in your living room. And then there's the hearth. I find myself spending a lot more time in the kitchen when I'm cold. I want soup, don't you? There's a ton of canned and boxed soup on sale right now, get some for your self and throw in a couple extra for a food bank donation. and then there's the home made, left overs from Thanksgiving, mmm, turkey noodle soup, or a hefty beef or buffalo stew, or something vegetarian Hot, sour, spicy. Get out your cookbooks and crockpots! It's time for baking brownies, cookies, and breads and oh don't forget the pies. It's time for butter and biscuits, scones and chestnuts.

Go out for some Thai or Japanese food from some of the great local haunts like, Happy Garden in Clearlake, Oco time in Ukiah, or Viraporn or Off the Hook in Fort Bragg get yourself a hot curry or a lump of wasabi, a big bowl of Soba and some hot sake, Yum.

There's the fabulous option of climbing into bed when the sun goes down with a Heating pad, a pillow case full of warmed sea salt, or a brick warmed in the oven at 350 for an hour and then put under your quilt. It will radiate warmth long into the night. Cozy up with with a good book.(Check out some of KZYX"S Tony Miksaks' Words on Books recommendations) I recommend the collections of Paulo Cuehlo, The Witch of Portabello, The Alchemist, the Fifth Mountain and more Cuehlo is profoundly dramatic, and far reaching in his imagination and spirituality.

You can simmer yourself in the local cauldrons of indulgence of, Wilbur, Orr Hot Springs, Bamboo Gardens, Sweetwater Spa, the hot tubs and sauna not only warm you up, but clean out your lymph system (a crucial component of the immune system)

Use your muscles, that's an instant rise in temperature. Stretch, jump up and down, Doing yoga or dancing to gypsy music will bring you to a salty sweat. "An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day" according to Henry David Thoreau. It really warms my bones especially when followed by a very hot shower and then turning the cold water on for 5 seconds sending all the blood back to my core where it will do it's best to keep me toasty inside.

Getting into bed with a lover is a super good idea. I find holding my wife very close and rubbing our feet together is very effective. Then if you like turn up the heat, friction is fun and sets the kundalini fires. Hot cha!

Then there's the heart warming. There are a lot of people in this world who are suffering beyond our comprehension. Whether it is from war, poverty, natural disasters like the constantly unfolding one in Haiti. Acts of charity, in this holiday season, are immensely comforting. I'm a huge supporter of Heifer international. They are the ones who, with our modest donations, provide livestock for families all over the world to help them become self sufficient in an ever collapsing international economies.

Take some time to write a letter to someone in prison, someone fighting abroad, or send a box of books, or toys to an orphanage in Afghanistan you will experience and immeasurable warmth. Or simply write a letter to an elder in your family. It's very rare to get a real letter these days, Remember, lots of older folks still haven't mastered the internet, (my mom never could do Facebook) and getting a letter with your name written on the envelope is truly Heart warming gift.

And Finally, there's the warmth of a friend. We are so fortunate to live in deeply familiar communities where we have the pleasure of running into friends and neighbors on our daily journey. Stop a moment give them a hug, rub their back and take off the chill.

Armchair Quarterback

We all know The reason the Democrats controlled all three branches of government for the last 18 months was because the people of this nation had a mandate. In November 2008, We said, "No more republicans in charge, end the war, and deal with climate change. It was crystal clear and it was our moment of triumph after eight years of torture, literal and figurative.

Alas, the last 18 months have been occasionally uplifting, but for the most part, deeply disturbing and while I am the the first to say, "Hey this administration came into a nightmare economic scenario, two wars and an embarrassing international posture", the decisions made on high have left me in a state of confusion and deep disappointment.

There are three major elements that I allude to number one is the housing crisis, 2: the escalation of war and 3: the failure to address global warming. These major ongoing catastrophes are the the nails in the casket of change, because it is the earth, the animals, the people, the families scarred and ruined that I care about. There are tens of thousands of dead casualities of war and millions of people who are, unemployed, scared, suicidal, homeless and hopeless.

They are not the "middle class" that we hear about ad infinitum, they are simply Americans who bought in and believed in the system. The impact of these events on Americans and the rest of the world may turn out to be ultimate reason we descend into utter chaos and permanent war.

Today is the first day of the Lame Duck Congress. Do we accept this declaration of stagnation. Do we allow our government to grind to a complete halt while the democrats are still in power, or do we demand they "man up" and make things happen. We've got seven weeks until the new republican congress takes power. that's 49 days. How dare they surrender? They just had ten days off since the election. Let's make them work. Call them at 202-225-3121 and make your voice heard. I did. I demanded they pass The dream act which provides a path to citizenship for immigrant students,t hen repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, Extend unemployment benefits for laid off workers, and do not extend the Bush tax cuts. If they address one bill a week, they can pass at least five laws to protect the people, like the food safety act.

I do not accept the excuse of lame duck, because it's just, lame. I will not accept it because to do so would be to accept defeat and there is too much at stake and there is no time to waste.

In this last Sunday's edition in the New York Times Week in Review section, there is an invitation to Balance the National budget. There is an interactive graphic grid and options for Spending cuts and Tax increases and you take your number two pencil and go to work. It's truly exciting fun and easy to Cancel or delay weapons programs and save $20 billion dollars, or cut 250,000 gov't contractors and save $15 billion. You can opt to raise taxes on banks weighted by size and riskiness of holdings collecting $105 billion dollars or tax carbon emission and raise $70 billion. Strangely, they didn't include legalizing Marijuana and Hemp which would also raise considerable tax revenue. You can go to New York times Week in Review and experience the thrill of doing what needs to be done. Balancing the Federal budget before breakfast. I can do it, why can't they?

You remember the phrase arm-chair quarterback. It's comes from the act of sitting in your living room and shouting at the quarterback on TV to play the game the way you would. I have this feeling frequently especially when it comes to running the government. So I guess I am an arm-chair President. Yeah, Put me in coach. Here's the plan. Withdraw all troops from Iraq and Afghanstan, that'll save a bundle for sure. Let's tax all big oil companies. Let's call it a global warming tax and transfer all the revenue into alternative energy. Okay, then there's the banks, let's invite them to pay at least %35 in taxes and really plump the economy. Put an immediate moratorium on all foreclosures and reduce mortgage interest rates to 4 1/4 and watch everyone pay their mortgages on time and use that money to lend to families trying to find homes after they were immorally and illegally removed from their homes. And I concur with 500 economists who agree that legalizing marijuana and hemp would generate billions in tax revenues.

I know a lot of us have this feeling and it really does feel so easy to second guess the Prez especially after the disastrous mid-term election. Those of us who are managing to somehow navigate this treacherous social and economic tight rope are acutely aware of the next bold moves the government is about to impose on our already stressed out existence.

Mr President I do want to tell you how to do your job, I want you to lead according to our original mandate, not republicans. Do not compromise on not extending Tax cuts for the rich Do not compromise anymore. Americans would really appreciate that. Because we're on the 9th yard line, it's 3rd down, are you gonna punt? Because with all do respect sir, we really need a touchdown.

Referendum Shmeferendum

I'm sitting at my office on the Albion Headlands gazing at the great blue Pacific ocean. The Albion river runs east as I look over my right shoulder. The sun is shining, after a weekend of nurturing rain. I am eating delicious Indian samosas and parmesan stuffed mushrooms from the Albion Store and a cup chai of tea, From the Mendocino Tea company with whom I share the office space. Blessed doesn't' really describe my position in life. It is truly a treasure and I am fully aware of my privilege to be here. I am a free woman in paradise.

I daily exercise and fight for my rights and for those less fortunate than I, because With privilege comes responsibility to make the world a better place. At least that's my moral imperative.

I was, as you know, optimistic about the elections, thinking that the progressives were laying in wait to jump out of the election day cake and yell "Surprise! We are here, we are sane, we are patient and we are voting". But alas, I was wrong. Really wrong. I wanted to wake up Wednesday and say "Good morning, Marijuana and hemp legalized in California" But no. I know it wasn't a perfect proposition, but I truly believed it was a step forward.I thought it was for the good of all and the idea that we would pay taxes, no one would go to jail for reasonable cultivation and transportation and the cops couldn't touch seed, nor stalk was exciting to me.

The only county the majority voted for prop 19 was San Francisco, Here in Mendocino county only 47% wow. San Francisco is more progressive than we are. What's happening just doesn't makes sense to me. And all the election hoopla! The unprecedented spending of $four billion dollars on mean and nasty campaign ads. Glad that's over. They called it a referendum on the Obama Presidency, but I can pretty much guarantee that much of America's electorate wouldn't be able to define referendum. Here, let me. referendum is "a vote" Yes indeed that surely was a referendum.

I wanted to see a positive change from this election. sensical, logical, progressive solutions. Nothing much changed in terms of going forward, but a whole hell of a lot happened in reverse.

Am I alone in this? Well I may not be alone, but I am certainly in the minority. Yes, and as far as minorities are concerned this was a devastating election. Minorities who are the majority didn't turn out in large numbers to vote. And the new bosses are not concerned with the general welfare of this nation. So sad, so sad, The Democrats lost because they had no respect for the people who brought President Obama to the White House. They and He remained a staunch ally of the Banks, Corporations and the people felt disposable. If President Obama had just listened to me, when I told him to bail out the homeowners and not the banks, we could have stabilized the entire economy. If he had been more vocal and active on withdrawing troops and making those accountable who went to war under false circumstances. I say there would have been a groundswell of support and reelection, but most people I know, felt abandoned and apparently have answered in kind.

Oh well, republicans are already gloating, mouths watering at the opportunity to dismantle the health care reform, terrorize immigrant workers, take away a women's right to choose, destroy Same sex, marriage. Yes, it's all on the chopping block. A giant step backwards. The country has turned a disturbing shade of red with the republican sweep of the election I have an eerie chill running down my spine. I hear the sinister laugh of Eric Cantor and Mitch McConnell in my ear. Mwa ha ha. It's the The culmination of, racism, colonialism, despotism, nepotism and capitalism, ism, ism, ism. It's a corporate capitalistic coup.

We hear that the major issue in this election is jobs and the economy and the failure of the Obama admin to do something about it. Like he could pull jobs out of a hat. Yet the republican agenda, like that of Rand Paul, elected in Kentucky, supports the tea party's major initiative to cut the federal workforce and it's wages by %10 and freeze hiring. That sounds counter productive to me as opposed to Obama's job stimulus bill and tax cuts for new small businesses, which I myself will take advantage of.

You know what would really stimulate the economy? Ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and making 2/3 of American Corps who don't pay taxes, like Exxon and Citibank, do so. Think of the net savings from both and then reinvesting in Alternative energy, conservation and education. Then we'd legalize marijuana and hemp and voila! A fat and happy economy for all! To me, that would be logical, sensical and responsible. Gosh, maybe by 2012 we'll get the progressive agenda together just in time for a happy ending.

Certified Sane

When we arrived in Washington DC last Friday, we immediately went to the Congressional and Senate buildings. We visited a number of offices of those elected officials who we have been spouting angry, racist, homophobic and irrational rhetoric from, Jim Demint to John Boehner, to ask them to please, mind their manners and show some respect to each other and to our President. Now, none of them were at the office, They only work four days a week and they had lit out of town because of the election this Tuesday. Their aides were polite, a bit frightened by our Northern Californina Lesbian Grandmother Presence, but we are civil,intelligent, loving people and we left them with our message, a smile and our integrity in tact.

It was a perfect precursor for participation for the Rally to Restore Sanity and or Keep Fear Alive that took place on the National Mall on October 30th. I must say, without a single doubt it was the most uplifting, restorative,powerful political rally I have ever been to for so many reasons. The company, the weather, the demographics, the signs, the comedy, the vocabulary, the heart and especially the inclusive nature of the event. For Mr. Stewart and Colbert invited everyone to the table and the program of performers from The Roots of Philadelphia, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, The Myth Busters, Kid Rock, Mavis Staples, the Ojays, Kareem Abdul Jabar, the Jet Blue flight attendant, Tony Bennett, a seven year old girl, Ozzy Osborne and Cat Steven proves my point.

To be among 300,000 people who were polite, friendly, willing to all jump at the same time to measure our impact or create the "stadium" wave to measure the distance from the stage to the back of the crowd was not only educational, but exhilarating as well. To be with so many different people who may not agree on every issue but do agree that it is time for intelligent, political discourse without hysterics, to keep a sense of humor and clean up after one's self was significant in these times when all the media is foaming at the mouth and the political rhetoric from all sides is mean, ugly and cruel was truly healing.

We met folks from Sacramento, Dallas, Seattle, LA, Minnesota, Kentucky, Florida. The older man who wanted to stand on our soap box so he could find his wife. There were the The African American women with signs that said, "Fired up and ready to vote". The white seven year old boy sitting next to us with his mother. The Iranian family who asked us to take their picture, the Asian lady who used our soapbox to stand on because she couldn't see. The Elderly couple who sat in their little camp chairs tapping their feet to the Ojays, And then we saw the signs like; "I get my comedy on Fox TV, I get my news on Comedy Central", "Babies will take our jobs in twenty years". "I masturbate and I vote", "Does this sign make my ass look big?" "No one is Hitler, but Hitler" "If my sign is blocking your view please tell me" "This sign is spelled correctly" "God hates people who write what God hates on signs". Funny, I tell you.

This rally was actually effective. When was the last time the Star Spangled Banner made you cry? Hearing actual soldiers sing it did it for me. When have you been at a really where people were quiet when someone singing or speaking on stage? Truly listening. When have you been at a rally when there was no trash left on the ground. Amazing!!

We were touched, we were deeply moved and we laughed till we cried. People all who had come to show the world that Americans are good, logical,educated and very funny people and In the end Mr. Stewart held this truth to be self evident by narrating a Jumbotron video of drivers merging into the Lincoln Tunnel. He imagined the diverses passengers inside, taking turns to drive through the 34 ft wide tunnel under a mighty river, you go then I'll go, you go then I'll go. It's a basic principle of humanity to take turns and then theirs a jerk who speeds up on the shoulder and cuts everybody off, but he's the exception. the metaphor was visual and visceral. He said we can, do and will work together to get through. He said these are hard times, not end times and sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is only New Jersey. Sanity plus wit is so comforting.

The fact that the Stewart Colbert Rally was twice the size of Glenn Becks' Rally gives me hope for tomorrow's election. We personally witnessed an American consciousness we've never seen in such huge numbers before and we are proud. This is the most important mid-term election of my life. The polls say that the the extreme right is going to take the country by storm tomorrow, but I think the pollsters featured on mainstream TV, on NPR and the New York Times, some who boycotted the rally, are stalled in the 20th century and their demographics can only be reached on land lines. Well, from what I saw this weekend in DC on the Mall, we have a new and exciting party in American Politics one you would never expect to upset an election because their so moderate, funny and sane. Ladies and Gentlemen, Make way for the surprise party. And oh yeah. Go Giants.