Why am I talking about my home in KY, and my childhood? I assume this is possibly going on for a lot of American citizens right now. All week long (last week) my daughter was talking about Martin Luther King, she knew he was an important man, but couldn’t remember what happened to him very well. The irony of that strikes me deeply, I mean who really knows what happened to Martin Luther King? And for the sake of my daughter, she just turned seven, but she manages to divine much truth in the way her memory works. I keep reminding her my birthday is on MLK day. Life is strange, I mean death is even stranger when someone’s life is taken, and they are immortalized this way. Don’t get me wrong, I think MLK was a great man! It took guts, intelligence, and passion to live and die for what he stood for. I don’t care about the human side that was whispered after his death. It doesn’t take long to find fault in anyone if you are looking. Nevertheless, what fascinates me in all of this is how MLK has come full circle into this time. He was a prophet, visionary, and a creator. It is quite interesting how his vision has manifested through Barack Obama being elected President of the United States of America. Obviously the play has just begun around the legacy of Barack Obama, however it is a very long running show that has finally righted itself in some way around humanity and equality. What a time to be alive and walking on the face of the earth! This is what has stirred up the conversation about my roots, childhood, and history. It has caused me to look deeper into my views about KY, the south, and racism towards Black people, and Native Americans. It’s like those times have been carried forward into today’s experience. They’ve been unearthed and re-awakened in a good way, in a way of reckoning, I guess.

I was thinking this entry may wrap up some of my digressing, however as I am set to travel back to KY later in the week - AND now that I have figured out how to upload photo’s (prior post) I may just have to post a few more writings and photo’s in the days to come. Who knows, I may just find the names of the men I was talking about in the earlier post. Bye for now, Love, David

OK, continuing on from yesterday…Highway 80 in Western Kentucky (KY) is a historic path of little known celebrity, or importance. It is a simple looking 2-lane country road that seems more windy and narrow every time I return home. My grandfather told me many stories about this old country road with first being an old buffalo trail. He said as long as anyone could remember this had been a trail moving all East to West and vise versa. There are many reasons so much traffic has been coursing these routes. My whole area of Western KY was a rich hunting ground for the Native Americans. Our farmland was inhabited by the Chickasaw Tribe, and the whole area was a sacred hunting ground for the Shawnee Indians. It was an agreed upon pact between various tribes to keep these rich valleys and rolling hills open for the very prolific animal populations that lived and traveled here. Again there were many reasons animals flourished in these parts the rich valleys were fed nutrients from the mighty Mississippi when she overflowed her banks. Winter’s were relatively mild, grasses were abundant, foliage provided much cover and protection, minerals such as salt and limestone (Calcium) were widely available. It was a paradise for deer, buffalo, and smaller game. Where there is food there is a food chain, eventually many found their way to Western KY, including the settlers and those coveting these rich lands. It didn’t take long for the “white folk” to buy this land from the native people. It was considered a real bargain and a great day for civilization, it was known as the Louisiana Purchase orchestrated by Andrew Jackson. Ultimately the Chickasaw tribe in Western KY were supposed to have received a few cents per acre for the lands they lived on. Ironically they were known as one of the civilized tribes and they were rooted out by the more civilized European settlers, who I descend from! Why should I be complaining, huh? Well, I have always had a bad feeling about the way these people were displaced. Once the land was purchased the Indians were ordered to pack up, they were being moved to their new lands in Oklahoma. These people were processioned along this old trail - Highway 80 - in what became known as the Trail of Tears. They walked, and many died, along this route of some 700 miles to the West. Many other tribes throughout the Southeast traveled this trail. That’s one of the early stories my grandfather told me about my home’s highway. Next I will talk about what I remember him telling me about the civil war….maybe later today, or tomorrow. Love, David

Well, what do you know I made it back today. One of my favorite stories about Highway 80 happened during the civil war. The reason why it is known as the true Mason-Dixon Line is because families on the North side of the road tended to align with the North, and those on the South side of the road tended to align with that direction. Families fought against each other, many played both sides of the fence. Apparently there was a band of renegades who were very skilled at aligning with any opportunity to create commerce, and there were tunnels, caves, and very special hiding places that provided much security for these locals. My granddad said there were some houses in the area that they would ride their horses right into to escape pursuers and they never got caught. A little further down the road was the civil war site of Columbus/Belmont battleground. This was a Confederate campsite made infamous by a large chain and anchor that was stretched across the Mississippi River. The chain created a blockade across the river stopping the flow of Union ships. Eventually a battle ensued to eliminate the obstacle so the Northern supplies could be moved on down, and they did just that. I remember as a kid playing on this huge anchor with chain links the size of basketballs, and running through all the trenches and berms that obviously had experienced lots of bloodshed. It’s like you could still feel the excitement that went on there long ago, and as kids we naturally played war games. To be continued…

How are you doing this morning? I am finally feeling my energy return in a healthy new way. I primarily can attribute it to getting some exercise, getting some really good exercise riding my mountain bike to the top of the Verdugo Mountains - specifically up La Tuna Canyon and back down. It is one of the easier trails, however since I have not been exercising it’s a good ride for me. This morning will be my fourth day in a row, I am looking forward to it as I will head out soon. It’s strange for me not to exercise because it does wonders for me on so many levels…anyway, I am back in the saddle and it feels good!

I have to say that the inauguration yesterday was very inspiring too. I certainly feel the hope and inspiration Barack Obama has infused into many people in this country and the world. I just pray he has the support to work towards his vision. He will achieve unprecedented status if he pulls this thing off. It certainly will be an interesting four years!

And my birthday, January 19th, is always celebrated in unison with Martin Luther King day. I have always known what an important figure MLK has been in the history of our country, but I have felt it more than ever this year. Growing up in Kentucky, basically living on the Mason Dixon line I grappled with the idea that we as humans are all equal. It would shock me when I would experience bigotry and racism. I remember one time when I was eighteen, I was working for one of my dad’s friends building a barn during my summer break from school. There were three of us hired to do this job, a black carpenter, his son, and me. The black man and his son, with the exact same name, were deeply religious people. I didn’t think anything of it as I was working with them. It was a job and I enjoyed working. I enjoyed their stories, I enjoyed the way these men lived their life. (I’m doing my best to remember their names!) The father looked at me one day and he said we are Masons. I remembered laughing and saying, “You can build anything.” I learned about the philosophy, and realized these men were even more wise, aware, and sensitive than I could imagine. I liked them a lot. One day for our lunch break I decided to run down to the country store to get some drinks. Ironically they always brought enough food for me too. This day it was particularly hot and I wanted to spring for some Turner’s Lemonade. The son (Jr) rode with me. When we got to the store, Shorty, the local delivery man for Turner’s was parking his delivery truck. I joked and said, “Shorty you got any lemonade today?” He smiled recognizing me from school, where he delivered milk every few days. He said, “Yeah, I got a fresh jug right here!” And he handed me a gallon jug. Then he looked in my car and saw the black boy. He mimicked,”You’re not going to drink it with him are you?” I just looked at him. He motioned for me to wait and he grabbed another jug and shook his head “no”. Basically meaning do not drink after him. I took the second jug and handed it to Jr (I’m going to remember his name today!). I thanked Shorty and went on about my way, but it was confusing to me. I didn’t feel any better than these people. I would have shared the gallon jug with him. I mean I would have wiped off the neck of the jug after each drink, mine or his, just as I used to do with my brother and sister’s. I didn’t feel any different about Jr, or his dad because they were black. Racism is a funny thing you know. It has to be taught before it is perpetrated. I never really understood it.

My grandfather told me many stories about Highway 80 (the true Mason Dixon line, the Trail of Tears) in Western Kentucky. It is a fascinating trail steeped with much history and folklore. I will write about it when I return from my bike ride. The sun is coming up now and it is time for me to get my exercise. Love, David

Well, I have been taking a writing break for the last week or so, I needed a little down time. Now it is time to move forward with my writing, expression, and creativity. Today is also the day that our writer’s group starts back with our conference calls, so the green light is on. It’s time to write!

I’ve been awake since 3am, a familiar time for me when spirit is pushing, wondering if I should get up and get started with my day. I was a little torn about getting more rest because I have been doing my best to distract a cold from setting in. It has been doing it’s damn-dest to lay me down for a few days, nevertheless I am too busy to get sick. It’s a Capricorn thing, I guess. I mean colds are fine and they serve their purpose, but I really am too busy to be sick right now. I have a few days left in NM and I want to make the most of them. Lots of juicy projects I am working on. I am putting in a small greenhouse that will give luscious leafy greens through the winter, also a smokehouse to start curing my own meats. No, I am not a vegetarian! I have been from time to time, nevertheless I am a meat eater right now. It was the way I was raised, and I have been having an increasing appetite for less domesticated animals such as elk, buffalo, and venison, as well I have been guided to start preserving more and more foods the old way - salting, smoking, drying, canning, etc. I am excited about all of these new (old) ventures. This is all part of the preparation that the universe is pushing me to do. I am not saying this is necessary, or that this would work for you. All I am saying is to check in, see what your intuition is saying to you. If you are restless and anxious during these times then do something. Maybe it is time to buy a few more canned goods, or a water filter. If you live in LA maybe it is time you actually put together an earthquake kit, if you live in tornado alley maybe you would feel more calm if cleaned out your basement and bought a small generator, if you live in high fire region maybe it is time you actually complied with the fire department about brush clearing. I don’t know the answers for you, all I can say is I am being guided to prepare for the changes the universe has in store for me. More and more it is clear I am not going to be spending the majority of my time in the cities (LA in particular). I am meant to be out on the land growing my own food and communing with nature. Strangely enough I find myself returning to the stories of my grandfather’s youth - skipping a couple of generations backwards. Figuring out how to work with the weather, how to store the appropriate amount of food and energy for winter, how to bound with nature and live off the “fat of the land”. I’m even looking at my property differently now. Could it sustain a few animals? How many people could live comfortably here? How much magic could be cultivated, grown, and harvested here? How much instinct in me can be re-awakened to become one with all that is? The path to contentment and enlightenment (for me) is the path of attunement and aligment with nature and mother earth. She will show the way. Ah-ho! Love, David

The New Mexico New Year’s retreat is complete. It has been a wonderful time, and 2009 has been opened on a very successful note for me, and I think for those who spent this time with me. How was your New Year? I hope it was good for you!
Some realizations I have had the last few days…

I am experiencing many changes happening in my life, and much instinct about changes happening all around me. I have found it very interesting that a few men I know are having very similar intuitions about the preparing for the times ahead. I am seeing them deal with their own preparation, I am talking about the preparation with them, and believe it or not, I have seen the women lagging with their intuition. AND, I generally consider women to be a bit more instinctively based than the men folk – of course I am speaking in general terms! However, if you are reading this how are you dealing with what is deeply stirring inside of you? Is there a need for some sort of preparation, shift, or change within you? Is it physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual? Are you contracting, tightening down from a place of fear, and survival? Or are you expanding into the opportunity that we human’s have created for ourselves? If you have been following this blog remember I may be talking metaphorically, or I may be speaking practically on common sense terms. Nevertheless, I am speaking on spiritual terms without a doubt! We are in a transitional, transmutational time of change. It is not the depression of the 1930’s, it is the opportunity of 2009 and beyond. What will you do to help other’s find their way through this time? What choice will you make: contract, or expand? Are you having a spiritual revolution with yourself because of doubting you are a leader, healer, and guide for other’s? Are you being pushed into this experience, and have you been pushed into this experience for many years now? Has the universe been preparing you for this time? Is there an instinctual migration happening inside of you? A migration to your soul, your spirit, and the part of your essence that is starlight, stardust, and heavenly body. It is an interesting time we are in. There is equal opportunity to flourish, or contract, the choice is up to you. If you seize this moment and let your spirit lead you, I am confident this journey will be what you incarnated for this lifetime. Find the fun, the joy, and the inspiration in it and share this with others. Then you will become the pioneer who you have always desired to be. Let’s go! The time to be energized is now. Enjoy the ride. Love, David