Western Canada!

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by chai~

I only see young people too, I think us "older and more worldly" folks hang out at home with our cats!

I just posted on a thread the other day how I miss a "mad thunderstorm", only to be found in the prairies!!!!

Welcome!

That made me laugh...its either cats or dogs. I often ponder the phenomena of "dykes and their dogs" When I go to the lesbian dances here, the older ones are usually coupled, and the younger ones are looking for coupling... I am just looking to dance.

I lived in Vancouver for a good number of years, right in the West End. Loved it. But I did not want to raise my kids in Van. I had no support and my marriage was ending. But... that is not the point of my story... the point was the two things I missed the most were Thunderstorms and the sound of snow crunching under my feet.

I went to a witches camp just outside of Whistler this summer and was able to fill my heart with the love of the west coast forests. I may have moved back to Alberta, but my heart will never leave the WC Forests.

[Tye]

Im in Alberta!! Its a great province,lived here now for awhile.Dont care much for the cold snaps we get in winter but other then that I like it.

[Stitch]

I am also a Vancouver boi.
I live on Commerical Dr. and everything.

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by A's-prince

Im in Alberta!! Its a great province,lived here now for awhile.Dont care much for the cold snaps we get in winter but other then that I like it.

Hail and Hello to a fellow Albertan!!

[chai~]

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

That made me laugh...its either cats or dogs. I often ponder the phenomena of "dykes and their dogs" When I go to the lesbian dances here, the older ones are usually coupled, and the younger ones are looking for coupling... I am just looking to dance.

I lived in Vancouver for a good number of years, right in the West End. Loved it. But I did not want to raise my kids in Van. I had no support and my marriage was ending. But... that is not the point of my story... the point was the two things I missed the most were Thunderstorms and the sound of snow crunching under my feet.

I went to a witches camp just outside of Whistler this summer and was able to fill my heart with the love of the west coast forests. I may have moved back to Alberta, but my heart will never leave the WC Forests.

I lived in Regina for about 100 years, my sister currently lives there, and my dad lives in Regina Beach. I went home for a visit a few years ago, and I was just dazzled with how little traffic there was and how slow everything moves!!! I guess I had been in Vancouver for a few years and really noticed the difference!
It was fall, the wheat fields were tall and golden, the sunsets were gorgeous and the weather was hot and dry.
Perfect for a thunderstorm!!!!

I DO NOT miss the winters though!!!! I have done my share of -40, plugged in vehicle, remote car starter, and freezing breath caught in my lungs!

What was the witches camp called? Sounds interesting!
I've found on one of the islands, there is a "silent retreat", and I would love to go someday. I know you can't take a book with you to read, but I think a journal is allowed to record thoughts and ideas, but it is a retreat with meditation, etc, but NO TALKING!!!! I love that!!!! Just to "be" and listen to one's self guilt free for 3 or 4 days! Pure bliss!

Oh how I miss the prairies!!! *never thought I would ever feel that way*

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by chai~

What was the witches camp called? Sounds interesting!
I've found on one of the islands, there is a "silent retreat", and I would love to go someday. I know you can't take a book with you to read, but I think a journal is allowed to record thoughts and ideas, but it is a retreat with meditation, etc, but NO TALKING!!!! I love that!!!! Just to "be" and listen to one's self guilt free for 3 or 4 days! Pure bliss!

Oh how I miss the prairies!!! *never thought I would ever feel that way*

It is simply called the BC Witches camp. I had heard such good things about it from friends of mine who had gone. I thought it was great. It is in line with the Reclaiming Tradition and is led by some long time wonderful witches. Very different from the way I practice and teach. I enjoy stretching my mind to embrace other beliefs, traditions and ways of doing things. It is in Alice Lake country. The forest is protected and quite well preserved. Lots of animals and birds. And the trees... sigh of beauty.

I have done silent retreats, they are very intense. You wouldn't think that, but we are such a 'dialed in' society we have a very hard time NOT occupying our minds with something, anything, outside of ourselves. Silence is one of the most difficult things for us to do. Internal silence...yikes!!!

This summer I am rough camping in the Queen Charolettes, solely for the silent retreat aspect.

[chai~]

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

It is simply called the BC Witches camp. I had heard such good things about it from friends of mine who had gone. I thought it was great. It is in line with the Reclaiming Tradition and is led by some long time wonderful witches. Very different from the way I practice and teach. I enjoy stretching my mind to embrace other beliefs, traditions and ways of doing things. It is in Alice Lake country. The forest is protected and quite well preserved. Lots of animals and birds. And the trees... sigh of beauty.

I have done silent retreats, they are very intense. You wouldn't think that, but we are such a 'dialed in' society we have a very hard time NOT occupying our minds with something, anything, outside of ourselves. Silence is one of the most difficult things for us to do. Internal silence...yikes!!!

This summer I am rough camping in the Queen Charolettes, solely for the silent retreat aspect.

Where did you do the silent retreats?
I have absolutely no problem going for days without talking, but without music, family members making demands, and just "life" being a distraction, I would welcome the inner journey.

I can only imagine the intensity, and would welcome it! I'm not as dialed in as most, I don't even have a cell phone!

I am reading a book on women's spirituality, and how it used to be a "woman's world". There is a lot written about witches also.

Roughing it in the Queen Charlottes sounds divine!!!!!

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by chai~

Where did you do the silent retreats?
I have absolutely no problem going for days without talking, but without music, family members making demands, and just "life" being a distraction, I would welcome the inner journey.

I can only imagine the intensity, and would welcome it! I'm not as dialed in as most, I don't even have a cell phone!

I am reading a book on women's spirituality, and how it used to be a "woman's world". There is a lot written about witches also.

Roughing it in the Queen Charlottes sounds divine!!!!!

Believe it or not a small Alberta town Villenueve. There is a very active Buddist community in Edmonton, as I am sure there are many everywhere, that hold it. I have done it twice. I have not done one in probably 10 years. But well worth going and doing.

What is the book you are reading? I read quite a bit, primarily non-fiction. The remains of former societies do point to matriarchal structures.

I am really looking forward to my camping trip this summer.

[StrongButch]

I am in Seattle you ladies can come visit us Im rather fond of canadian women myself

[chai~]

Originally Posted by StrongButch

I am in Seattle you ladies can come visit us Im rather fond of canadian women myself

"Fond of Canadian women?"!!!
We are just so damn polite!

[chai~]

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

Believe it or not a small Alberta town Villenueve. There is a very active Buddist community in Edmonton, as I am sure there are many everywhere, that hold it. I have done it twice. I have not done one in probably 10 years. But well worth going and doing.

What is the book you are reading? I read quite a bit, primarily non-fiction. The remains of former societies do point to matriarchal structures.

I am really looking forward to my camping trip this summer.

The book I am reading is just one of those silly ones,_____ for dummies, so, It's Women Spirituality for dummies.

It has a log of info, and is an easy and quick read.

I am going to look into doing a retreat this year, I have never done one before!

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by chai~

The book I am reading is just one of those silly ones,_____ for dummies, so, It's Women Spirituality for dummies.

It has a log of info, and is an easy and quick read.

I am going to look into doing a retreat this year, I have never done one before!

I hope you do a silent retreat. I often have patients who complain of not being able to shut off their brains. Or not being able to relax. A monk I studied with once told me..."how do people know they will not like chanting for an hour if they have never tried it"... I try to apply that to all things to quiet my mind. I believed i was one of those who could never quiet my mind, what I didn't know, was that I wasn't really trying.

When I first started yoga, I had a helluva time staying in my body. I was ssssoooo used to being outside my body, I had no idea what it meant to be in my body. Disassociation was a way of life for me. And when I first heard... when your muscle is tight breathe into it. I was all like....wwwhhhaaaatttt... now I am all like...ooohh that hurts...oh wait (deep breath).

I won't at all criticize you for reading Dummies books. I have yet to find one that does not have some interesting tidbits of information and tips. Read on girl.... read on.