QUAIL MUTTERINGS #82.  Our Communities: Intentional or Unintentional? (November 2023)

           I don’t think any of us are in a community or group that is completely intentional. There’s a lot more at play than simply us choosing it. And I think the reasons go much farther back than we realize. Even prior to being born into our family, there were all the previous generations that helped to set our course. Then there are the people who we associate with and what becomes of that. Sometimes, because of our actions, we end up somewhere—like jail; or a certain university due to a scholarship; or we drift into something because of some friend, group, or belief that we simply follow without giving it much thought. We may think we are a self-made person, but that is not the whole truth.

            Anyway, the idea of intentional communities intrigues me. Off and on I’ve felt that we’ve had an evolving one here in our canyon over the years. I like the concept of working together and sharing resources with those around us and I’m drawn to learning more about them.

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            We just returned from the Southeast where we visited friends and family. Also on our itinerary was a stop at Cranmore Meadows Tiny House Intentional Community in Haw River, North Carolina. Nathan graciously showed us around the rural property even though he and his wife, Callie, had just brought their newborn baby home from the hospital the night before. He displayed a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm about the natural habitat of the area and building with sustainable materials. All of it clearly excites him. They’ve hosted workshops where an expert comes in and leads hands-on demonstrations for interested volunteers who learn and assist in the creations. They also try to work with the natural lay of the land to determine how and where to build or not build. I wish all new construction would take this more integrative approach, since it tends to fare better in regards to sustainable living. Making use of natural light with well placed windows, orienting as well as using more earthen materials, can lessen the constant need for heating and cooling, for example.

            For me, a certain kind of joy happens when I can succeed in living more in tune with the natural environment. It can foster creativity which almost always brings a little happiness. Whether it’s picking out our eclectic wardrobe at thrift stores and yard sales or sewing it ourselves; utilizing castoffs found along the side of the road for our yard art or furniture; or getting new ideas from walking around someone else’s neighborhood—it’s pretty fun. And doesn’t the most fun come from the things that more of us can get pleasure from, instead of just ourselves? Including the plants and animals?

            What makes you come alive? What makes you vibrate with life? I love hearing the owls in the predawn hours through my bedroom window. Could it be a lifestyle change? Or saying “yes” to more things which take us outside our comfort zone? Perhaps it’s rocking out in the kitchen to our favorite song… Living in the present as much as we can helps us feel more awake and alive!

            So, I ask: what’s next for you? Or—better yet—what about now?

Chi Varnado has published six books including fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. They are available on www.amazon.com. Her collection of essays, Quail Mutterings, can be found on www.chivarnado.com or www.dancecentrepresents.com.

QUAIL MUTTERINGS #81.  Balance As Art (October 2023)

           My seven-year-old granddaughter and I are having conversations about what constitutes art. As we wander around Balboa Park after her ballet classes, I watch as her mind expands to include other things besides painting or crafts. I point out the architecture of those beautiful old buildings—complete with the ornate sculptures which decorate their facades.

            She’ll ask things like, “You mean, even those plants are art, Granny?”

            I tell her that landscape artists designed their layout and carefully care for them. And that, yes, those folk dancers underneath the huge Moreton Bay Fig Tree are doing art as well. We’ve wandered through the Japanese Friendship Garden, sat beside the Lily Pond, wound our way through the canyon maze… and plan to experience more that this amazing place has to offer.

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           We also branch out our conversation when I mention how one lives their life can also be a form of art. By living creatively and being open to spontaneity can be a much more fulfilling way of life than not being open to new experiences and ideas. You know, like being set in our ways. And then inspiration has a much better chance to come to us if we give it room to appear.

            But it’s also about balance, both internal and external. Changing our behavior enough before things get too out of balance is an important skill, and we must be on the lookout for when we might need to activate a counterbalance. After all, we do have to function in our society as well as be aware of our effects on the natural world.

            When we live in rural places our responsibilities extend beyond what our own preferences might be, as it would if we lived in the city. For instance, we may be proud of our outdoor landscaping and want it to be visible in the dark as well as day. But by lighting up our yards at night we add to the light pollution which gets worse and worse as more people join in the “fun”. The natural night life around us can be negatively affected without our even knowing how or how much. Night sky ordinances or not—let’s be mindful. Perhaps your neighbor wants to go outside and look at the stars that your lights have blocked.

           Lately, I’ve been reading The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life by Thomas Moore. He’s a psychotherapist who also has a Ph.D. in religion. The book is full of inspirational as well as educational information. One of the many paragraphs that resonated with me, probably because of my own personal life mode, follows:

            In the third book of the Republic, Plato poses a question about education: Is it right to think of gymnastics as training for the body and music for the soul? His answer would surprise some readers: Both, he says, are for the soul. Gymnastics, he says, derives from the “high-spirited element in our nature,” and if it is carried out in conjunction with music, it educates a person in courage. But if music is lacking, gymnastics makes a person hard and harsh. On the other hand, if you learn music but not gymnastics, you become too soft, you “melt and liquefy until your spirit dissolves away.”

           Beginning in early childhood, I gravitated to dance and gymnastics because then I wouldn’t have to choose between physical activity and music. I studied both for many years. The blending of these disciplines, plus diving in with heart and soul, was a necessary fusion for me, providing a balance which I’ve always considered extremely important to my wellbeing. I can’t speak for others specifically, but I do feel that embracing a broad spectrum of existence can help provide one with both a groundedness and an openness to serendipity.

            Anyway, regardless of what we are doing with our time and energy, why not try to enjoy our life as an art form—continually growing and changing? And who knows what might happen next?

Chi Varnado has published six books including fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. They are available on www.amazon.com. Her collection of essays, Quail Mutterings, can be found on www.chivarnado.com or www.dancecentrepresents.com.

QUAIL MUTTERINGS #80.  Changes on the Horizon (August 2023)

          Of course, we all know that change is inevitable and that most of it (in the big scheme of things) is beyond our petty control. Dead skin cells continually slough off our bodies, making way for new growth beneath. Each season fades into the next, every year turns over anew, our bodies erode – as do landscapes, and new ideas channel ahead. Sometimes we adapt gracefully, but not always.

            Personally, I’ve been given the challenge of practicing patience as I recover from rotator-cuff surgery—for the third time. Not fun. Sleeping in a recliner, making do with one functioning arm while the other sweats in a sling, continuously trying to accept all the things that I can’t do (for now, or perhaps ever), can tax my resolve. Everything is impermanent, I remind myself.

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          Since the Cedar Fire in 2003 came through and claimed everything here, Kent and I have gotten accustomed to the way things have been for the past twenty years. But now, progress is being made further up the canyon where the last quarter mile of our country dirt road has been paved over. To each his own, I suppose. Each one of us is entitled to our own preferences, but deep down I know that’s all they are: our own take on things.

            The arts, trails, winery and music scenes are blossoming here in our beautiful valley of the sun. I feel that this mingling has been an organic type of growth and evolution that fits our community well. It blends with our natural habitat in a way that conventional development would not. And, they all depend on acceptance and comradery in order to flourish, which also deeply benefits every one of us. We all like to feel included. The ripple effect of every little thing reaches farther than we can possibly know. So, when negativity, through uncompassionate comments or actions, are put forth publicly then the harmony of our whole is compromised. When we try to force our rigidly held beliefs on others, everyone pays. It’s just not the right thing to do. Let’s be better and hold ourselves to a higher standard where love and compassion is held foremost.

            Instead of reverting back to our own fixed stance on things, how about opening ourselves to some fresh air outside in nature? If we stop our incessant thought patterns and just look up into the trees, who knows what new thoughts might appear? Among other things, we might find ourselves reconsidering our long-held judgements of others. It’s always worth a try.

            And when did sheer functionality and convenience become more important than beauty? They really don’t enrich our souls. As a kid, our kitchen table had gargoyles intricately carved into the legs. After the Cedar Fire, I went to an antique shop to replace our manual coffee mill grinder, and mortar and pestle. Beautiful craftsmanship is ageless and adds beauty to our lives while also providing purpose. I’d rather combine both instead of letting go of heart and soul for the strict functionality of Ikea-type surroundings. The farther we remove ourselves from beauty and nature, the less connected we become to everything. All things are part of the bigger whole, as are we.               

            Clinging to a set of beliefs limits our capacity for noticing magic. Magic, inspiration, synchronicity, whatever we’d like to call it; usually arrives when we least expect it. It’s like when those song lyrics come floating by and we’re aware enough to accept the gift. Or in my case, for years I’ve been trying to work out the challenges of running our property, always with the same goals in mind; and then, all of a sudden it becomes clear. Just let it go. There may be a different way to look at this that I’m not seeing. Therefore, I’m letting it go to make room for another approach—whatever that might be.   

            Smile, breathe, look into the trees and be grateful… for my heart and soul shall open and be more accepting and patient. That’s the plan, anyway. For now, though, I think I’ll sit on this rock and listen to the quail mutter and scuttle through the bushes.

Chi Varnado has published six books including fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. They are available on www.amazon.com. Her collection of essays, Quail Mutterings, can be found on www.chivarnado.com or www.dancecentrepresents.com.