The Flowing River of the Moon

My teacher the Tibetan Lama H.E. Sakya Jetsun Chimey Luding

Sometimes even life on San Juan Island can be a bit of a rat race. I was glad I set this day aside some time ago to attend the first part of what will for some people be a week long retreat at the Buddhist Center on Mt Dallas. My teacher the Lama Jetsun Kushok or H.E. Sakya Jetsun Chimey Luding, will be in residence here for the week. Today she gave us the White Tara empowerment and permission to do the practice called, The Flowing River of the Moon. I was truly blessed today, saffron water in my mouth and on my hair.

Moon Mandala ~ Oil on Board ~ Peggy Sue McRae

April White ~ At the Whale Museum ~ June 6th

The Whale Museum Presents April White, Killer Whale Woman

Sgaana Jaad: Killer Whale Woman, a book featuring well-known Haida artist April White will be available next week at the Whale Museum. The book features 25-years of White’s art along with accompanying legends and stories. This hardcover collector’s edition features more than 40 paintings and hand-pulled serigraphs. Until now White’s work has only been accessible to the public through gallery showings, museum exhibits and art stores. This book will enable a wider audience to view and appreciate the work of this talented artist.

April White is an award-winning, internationally celebrated artist whose work is on display in collections and galleries around the world. A self-taught artist, she has been painting since the early 1980s. She was born on Haida Gwaii off the coast of Northern British Columbia, and she is descended from a line of powerful Haida chieftains on her father’s side. Her mother has a British-American background, so throughout her life, White has moved fluidly between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal worlds. Her unique perspective is that of a Haida woman who can also stand outside and look into the native world with a fresh view.

April White has been honoured with the name Sgaana Jaad, traditionally a male name, by her Haida elders because of her prominence within the Haida community, as well as her international recognition as an artist.

April White will be signing copies of Sgaana Jaad: Killer Whale Woman at the Whale Museum in Friday Harbour at 7 pm on Friday, June 6.

April White ~ Sgaanajaad ~ Killer Whale Woman

Rande Cook at Arctic Raven

Rande Cook
"Transcending Form"
June 21 ~ July 27
Artist's Reception Saturday, June 21, 2008
Arctic Raven Gallery

Doorway to My World, detail one side ~ by Rande Cook

"Cook's work transcends traditional formline design,
arriving at a place both ancient and innovative."

Further Comments About "Growing Peas"

peas, a former Island industry

I got a comment from Wes on my recent post, Lets Grow Peas. I'm creating a new post and featuring it because I think this is an important discussion for our community to have.

WES SAID: I have a tourism marketing book that talks a lot about the health of local economies. Some tourist economies are very healthy and some are not. The ones that are the most healthy are the ones that have a high "multiplier effect" a high multiplier effect is where the money that comes in from the tourism keeps on getting recycled in the local community and has a very low likelihood of being exported out of the community. If all of our bed and breakfasts and hotels used produce from the Farmer's market and purchased artwork from local artisans and saved their profits into local investments instead of off island banks we would have a much higher multiplier effect. Our islands are definitely turning into a Martha's Vineyard style destination.

Wesley
www.DestiCam.com

PEGGY SUE REPLIES: Thanks for your comment Wes. You make some excellent points. I was thinking more about real estate speculation than tourism in my complaint. I do think there are good kinds of tourism. I think cruise ships are great because they bring an older group of visitors to town without bringing cars onto the Island. These visitors shop and are otherwise low impact. Also, I work at the Whale Museum. People come here from all over the world to learn about Whales and and again tend to shop, eat in local restaurants and are primarily low impact. Elderhostle is another positive form of tourism that provides visitors with enjoyable educational activities without leaving a big footprint.

You are absolutely right about the Martha's Vineyard Syndrome. For some of us it is deeply disheartening to go from a rural fishing and farming economy, not to mention culture and aesthetic, to a yuppie condo bourgeoisie elitist foo foo town. Hence my sentimental recollection of the old pea farms and cannery.

Its real estate developers that I consider the most destructive. Real Estate speculation does not improve life on the Island for anyone but the speculator. As property speculators "make a killing" the cost of living goes up for those of us on limited incomes. Real Estate speculation caters to people who do not live here yet on the backs of the people who do.

National Park Opportunities ~ May 31st

Saturday May 31st the National Park Service
offers some excellent opportunities to learn and enjoy Island history.

Dr. Julie Stein at South Beach ~ NPS Photo

Lecture: Pre-History of San Juan Island: Saturday, May 31st, 10:00am. University of Washington archaeologist, Dr. Julie Stein, traces ancient habitation of San Juan Island in this guided walk on the American Camp prairie, San Juan Island National Historical Park. For information call 360.378.2240, or visit http:/www.nps.gov/sajh.

Pig War Story Tour: Saturday, May 31, 11:30am, American Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park. Rangers and volunteers describe events leading up to and including the Pig War and the peaceful joint occupation of San Juan Island by British and American troops. For information call 360.378.2240, or visit http:/www.nps.gov/sajh.

Life during the Joint Occupation of San Juan Island: Saturday, May 31, 12:30pm – 3:30pm, English Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park. Rangers and volunteers recreate military and civilian life during the island's early pioneer period. Activities include blacksmithing, coopering, weaving, needlework and exhibitions of military equipment and skills. For more information call 360.378.2240 or go to http://www.nps.gov/sajh.

Pioneer Ladies at American Camp ~ NPS Photo

Meet Iditarod Racer Laura Daugereau

San Juan Island Library
Saturday, June 7th at 7:00pm

Laura Daugereau Mushing the Iditarod

Laura Daugereau, Washington's first woman to compete in the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, is coming to San Juan Island for a presentation about her rookie run this year. She will be speaking and showing slides at the San Juan Island Library on Saturday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m.

This amazing race stretches from Anchorage, through central Alaska, along the western Bering Sea Coast, and finishes 1049 miles later under the great burled arch in downtown Nome. It is wrought with awesome beauty and grave dangers, and it forever changes those few who have finished it.

The presentation at the library is a rare opportunity to meet a seasoned musher, and see first hand her love for her dogs and their love for her. The slide show will feature education about dog care, equipment used, the sport of mushing, and the historic 1,049 mile Iditarod Trail.

Please come meet Washington's Iditarod representative from Port Gamble, and congratulate her on this amazing accomplishment. Don't miss the chance to be inspired!

This fascinating presentation on "The Last Great Race" is co-sponsored by Kim and Mike Bertrand and Friends of the Library and is free and open to adults and families.

From the San Juan Island Library
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Helstien 360-378-2798

Lets Grow Peas

At Home Magazine ~ May 2008

There’s a slick real estate magazine called At Home that between the real estate ads features human-interest stories or nature articles that are usually pretty informative and fun to read. So why do I always feel a little queasy when I read it? I guess its stuff like this that gets to me…

“Shielded from storms by three mighty mountain ranges and almost completely protected against rough ocean waves, San Juan County is the Northwest's gem where a softer winter comes later and spring arrives earlier."

Hmmm, guess they weren’t around here the last time a Nor’easter ripped the roofs off. Or maybe they just didn’t feel like mentioning it. Naturally they want to paint a rosy picture of something they are trying to sell. Myself, I love a good power outage.

When Chief Seattle said that the earth does not belong to us I don’t think he meant that it belongs to real estate developers and rich people from somewhere else. This is not an economy that benefits everyone. I know the fishing industry is dead but couldn’t we go back to growing peas or something?

Memorial Day ~ Consider Diplomacy

San Juan Island National Historical Park ~ Photo, Stuart Goodin

While we honor our war dead today with parades, poppies and speeches lets remember the legacy of our very own history. The Pig War, a border dispute between the United States and Britain that lasted for ten years and never came to violence. We like to joke about our little war where the only casualty was the pig. Two armies faced each other and could have easily come to bloodshed. Why didn't they? Diplomacy works. We should try it more often.

American Camp 1859 ~ Photo, Provincial Archives, Victoria, B.C.

No Smoking Gun Here

San Juan Historical Museum Postcard

Now that Eurovision Song Contest is over we can resume the history of the Island and get back to serious subject matter like, just what kind of gun did Lyman Cutlar use to shoot the Pig that started the Pig War? According to the Postcard above, a postcard that I picked up at the San Juan Historical Museum recently, this is the shotgun that dispatched the swine in question. But not so fast. My historian friend Mike Vouri* claims there is no conclusive evidence to suggest such a thing and besides, Cutlar may have owned pistols as well.

*Vouri is author of Standoff at Griffin Bay: The Pig War

And the Winner is....... Russia!

Dima Bilan accompanied by a violinist and a figure skater won this years Eurovision Song Contest today in Belgrade. Here is Dima Bilan singing Believe.

Russia Eurovision 2008 Winner

Dima Bilan ~ Believe

Sí Se Puede Cambiar ~ Yes We Can

A little closer to home but still commanding an international audience is "Sí Se Puede Cambiar" (“Yes, We Can Change”), a song written and preformed by Andres Useche.

The music video was originally intended to influence Spanish-speaking voters in the Texas democratic primary to support Sen. Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. The video has now been watched in 193 countries and versions of it with subtitles in German, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Arabic can be found on YouTube.

Sí Se Puede Cambiar ~ Andres Useche

This video was directed by Eric Byler and Warren Fu and
has no official ties to the Obama campaign.

Eurovision 2008 - Second Semi Finals

We are almost there. The Eurovision Song Contest Final competition is tomorrow. These are the countries that preformed in the Second Semi Final and have qualified for the Final: Ukraine, Croatia, Albania, Iceland, Georgia, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Turkey and Portugal. Portugal and Croatia are my favorites.

Here is Ani Lorak singing Shady Lady for Ukraine recorded live during the Eurovision 2008 Semi Finals on stage in Belgrade yesterday.

Ukraine Eurovision 2008 Second Semi Finals
Ani Lorak ~ Shady Lady

Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day Parade and Commemoration
Monday, May 26, 10am.

Memorial Day Parade 2006 ~ Photo Sharon Kivisto

For over 80 years, Hacket Larson Post 163 of the American Legion and town citizens have commemorated those who have died in war for the nation, with a parade and waterfront ceremony at the town’s Memorial Park. This annual event hasn’t changed much over time. The town and island visitors turn out to watch as Veterans of World War II, the Korean and Viet Nam wars, and others more recently returned from the Middle East; Pig War re-enactors from the San Juan Island National Historical Park’s Company D; and local Boy Scouts and school children—all participate to create a touching and authentic memorial event. The parade takes places along the first two blocks of Spring Street, but the best viewing locations are on the waterfront at Memorial Park, the first monument erected in Washington to honor those who died in WWI. For more information about this event call 360.378.5705.

Link to: American Legion Hackett Larson Post 163
Link to: More photos by Sharon Kivisto on San Juan Islander

Art & Nature Festival Saturday

Westcott Bay Institute's Sculpture Park Celebrates
7th Annual Art & Nature Festival
Saturday May 24, from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m

Aphrodite's Rest ~ Marble ~ Gary McWilliams

Music: Three Corner Boys (Bill Copper and Jeff Seitz), original folk; Bill Coopers and Jim Nollman, nature music; The David Messmer Trio, with Thor Hanson on bass and Dan Gillespie on drums; and Martin Lund and Gene Nery, classical Brazilian.

Family Art Day: Painting Miniature Furniture with Rebecca Barnard.

Artists In Action: with Lavelle Foos, Ruth Mueseler, Sam Connery, Matt Dollahite and Rick Thibodeau.

Food: Gourmet sausages and hot dogs with all the fixin's, hors d'oeuvres, cookies, chips, more! Wine from San Juan Vineyards.

Suggested entry donation: $5, kids under 12, free.

Three Frogs and an Otter ~ Bronze ~ Georgia Gerber

Eurovision 2008 Semi-finals

I couldn't believe Miodio of San Marino did not make it to the finals at the Eurovision Semi-final Song Contest televised yesterday from Belgrade. I like Miodio. Oh well, here are the ten songs chosen by a process employing judges and televoting. They will perform in the final contest Saturday.

"The following countries have qualified for the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest (in order of announcement): Greece, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Poland, and Norway".

Link to: Eurovision

Here is Norway's Song Hold on Be Strong sung by Maria on the stage in Belgrade.

Norway Eurovision 2008 Semi-finals
Maria ~ Hold On Be Strong

She Works Hard For The Money

This morning I received the survey Ask a Working Woman in my email. Usually stuff like that that goes straight to my trash but I had something to say to Working America and the AFL-CIO. They say they will report the results of the survey to congress.

I've spent almost all of my working life on San Juan Island. Like many people in rural communities and especially women with childcare issues I work part time. In fact I've never had a full time job though I have often worked more than one part time job. I've worked in restaurants, the Convalescent Center and the fish cannery. I've taught Pre-School, worked in a bookstore and worked at the Whale Museum. I've painted silk, framed photography and taught drawing classes. I've washed dishes, steered boats, and oh yes, I have put my hand into other peoples toilets and picked up their used dental floss. Because I work part time I get less pay. I have no retirement, no health insurance and no sick pay. If all of this sounds familiar please fill out the survey. Let Working America, the AFL-CIO and congress know what you think.

Link to: Working Women's Survey
Link to: Working America

Link to: AFL-CIO

Portland turns out for Obama

Barack Obama

I know, I know, it seems like the whole world it falling apart at the seams, cyclones, earthquakes, global warming, military juntas, the Bush administration, I admit, its really bad. I think that is why, while we hold our collective breath waiting for the Bush administration to be over, I'm nearly paralyzed by psychic numbing and distracting myself and any readers I haven't lost with pop music from Europe's fun song contest. The rest of the news is just too scary to watch! But, folks turned out yesterday in Portland for Barack Obama in a big way. Hopefully this part of the election process will be over soon and we can focus on defeating the evil ones who have been holding a throat grip on our nation for the last almost eight years. Will the Oregon primary do it? Please Mother Goddess, let it be so. Hope can be a scary place. I want confirmation.

Portland Turns Out For Obama

The Most Serene Republic of San Marino

Here is another Geo-Quiz band. Or at least I had to look up the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, home to the band Miodio, to figure out where it was. According to Wikipedia, "San Marino claims to be the oldest constitutional republic in the world, founded in 301 by Marinus of Rab, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian." Representing San Marino, Miodio will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 1st Semi-Finals on Tuesday with the song Complice.

Link to: Google Map of San Marino (zoom out to place San Marino on the Italian Peninsula).

San Marino Eurovision 2008

Miodio ~ Complice

"Miodio’s music is a fusion of state-of-the-art instruments, cutting-edge technology, pushy but always refined electronic sounds". Eurovision Bio

Tonight ~ Island Museum of Art

Reception tonight for Orcas Artists Show

at Island Museum of Art
4:30 p.m. May 16

Farmhouse With Poplars (c) ~ David Ridgway

Artists include Caroline Buchanan, Diane Kasparek, Jacqueline Kempfer, Tracey Levine, David Ridgway, Tom Rierden, and Susan Slapin. The show includes many of the best 2-D artists working on Orcas today. Works by David Ridgway and Tom Rierden are shown courtesy of Waterworks Gallery.

For more information: 360-370-5050 or www.westcottbay.org.
The museum is open Tues-Sat, 11-5.

the Westcott Bay Institute

Geography Lessons ~ Moldova

It is amazing how ignorant we Americans are when it comes to geography. I include myself in that statement. With an MFA I consider myself well educated in the liberal arts yet this morning I had to ask myself, "Where the heck is Moldova?" My guess was somewhere in the former Soviet Union. But how long ago now did the Soviet Union break up? Isn't it time we got with the program? Moldova is smack dab between the Ukraine and Romania. The not-so-funny joke goes that Americans only learn where other counties are when we invade or bomb them. Why not enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest instead and make that our geography lesson?

Geta Burlacu studied Jazz at the Chisinau Conservatoire in Moldova and opened for the well known Cuban Buena Vista Social Club at the National Theatre in Bucharest, and the Opera in Cluj, Romania. Last year she participated in International Ethno Jazz Festival “Trigon”, in Chisinau and she will be in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade on Tuesday, 20th of May.

Link to: Google Maps Europe

Moldova Eurovision 2008
Geta Burlacu ~ A Century Of Love

Peace Will Come ~ Diana Gurtskaya

Entering Eurovision song contest for only the second time the Republic of Georgia (not to be confused with Georgia State USA) will be represented by Diana Gurtskaya performing the song Peace Will Come.

Diana Gurtskaya knows something about war, due to armed conflict her family was forced to move from their native town to a camp for refugees. Later, at a boarding school in Russia Diane, who was blind from birth, excelled in music and with hard work and talent she went on to establish a worldwide career. Besides her vocal talent she is known for her work on behalf of blind and handicapped children. She will compete in the Second Semi-final on May 22nd.

Republic of Georgia Eurovision 2008

Diana Gurtskaya ~ Peace Will Come

Bloggers United for Human Rights

Today Bloggers United asks us to focus our attention on human rights. In recent times the Internet has become an essential tool in the fight for human rights. Through the Internet information manages to seep out in spite of the harshest regime crackdowns.

A case in point and in the news today is the military dictatorship of Myanmar (Burma). Even as the dictatorship tries to control information about the recent cyclone by restricting the freedom of journalists, citizens and relief workers are posting messages and photos by email, text messaging and on the popular social website facebook. As circumspect as these communications may be they are not without risk.

"If the junta finds someone who is corresponding information with any foreign entities, those individuals face 10 to 15 years in prison, torture, with their families' lives at risk," says Sophie Lwin, director of Burma Global Action Network and a Burmese native who lives in the United States. According to Lwin, any foreigners caught sending photos abroad would be "blacklisted, deported immediately and will never be allowed back in the country, fined and have their media related items confiscated."*

Link to: Amnesty International ~ Learn About Human Rights

Wake up ~ Lo-Star

The Burma Campaign UK

The song Wake-Up by Lo Star is available to purchase on itunes.
Proceeds support the UK Campaign for Burma.

*Quotes from Sophie Lwin were gleaned from an article by Kristina Wong,
ABC news: Risky Business Sneaking Cyclone News to Facebook

Belarus Prepares for Performance

Back to Eurovision 2008, this week contestants are rehearsing on the stage in Belgrade where they will be performing for the live telecast. Ruslan Alehno from Belarus rehearsed “Remarkably, Ruslan's busy choreography did not affect his vocal efforts at all!” says Marco Brey on the official Eurovision website. The Belarus delegation told a story about the recording of the official video clip: “which took place in Kyiv, Ukraine. A part of the video had to be recorded at night, when it was raining - which was not exactly a pleasure for Ruslan, as this was done in February, at six o'clock in the morning. Ruslan illustrated his feelings back at that time by chattering his teeth during the press conference.”

Belarus Eurovision 2008

Ruslan Alehno ~ Hasta la Vista

Lordi Breaks the Mold

If Eurovision tends to have a lightweight pop song reputation the Finnish rock band Lordi broke that mold. Lordi also broke a long losing streak. After 45 years of entering without winning Lordi brought Finland a landslide victory in 2006 with the song Hard Rock Hallelujah. The end of this video, which was made to open last year's contest in Helsinki, shows Lordi in their winning televised stage performance in Athens.

Finland 2006 Eurovision Winners

Lordi ~ Hard Rock Hallelujah

Eurovision Song Contest

In case you are wondering, “What’s with all this Eurovision stuff on a blog about San Juan Island?” I’ll tell you, it is just for fun. As the date approaches for the semi-finals and finals I will be posting a few more Eurovision videos. Most songs from participating countries can be found on YouTube.

Here is a little history of the contest: The Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956 as a technological experiment in live television. It was a success and ever since then countries belonging to the European Broadcasting Union compete by bringing new songs from their respective countries to the host country, the previous years winner, for a live television broadcast. Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most watched non-sport events with audiences of up to 600 million. The pop band Abba won for Sweden with the song Waterloo. Here they on Dutch Television during the Eurovision Song Contest of 1974.

Sweden 1974 Eurovision Winners

Abba ~ Waterloo

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day!

photo: Margaret Bell

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.
~ Jewish Proverb

That's All Right Mama ~ Elvis Presley

Rural Architecture in Friday Harbor

Rural Architecture in Friday Harbor

Wednesday, May 14, 7:00pm-9:00pm

The Mullis House

The Town of Friday Harbor and the San Juan Historical Museum present a history talk by local historian and preservation architect, Boyd Pratt, entitled Paying Attention to the Ordinary: Friday Harbor’s Rural Architecture. This event takes place in the research center of the San Juan Historical Museum, 405 Price Street.

For more information go to: Historic Friday Harbor
email: sstrehlou@fridayharbor.org.
or call: 360.378.2810

Still More Things to do in Friday Harbor

Spring Street ~ Friday Harbor

I took my car in this morning for a tune up and ended up having time on my hands in town. Even without my list of 100 things to do in Friday Harbor I remained confident that I could figure out what to do. I had enough time to get a haircut, go bowling or even go up to the fitness club and go for a swim but I wasn't feeling quite that ambitious. It was a beautiful morning so first I went to the new bakery, Demeter's, on Nichols Street. If you have not been there yet I highly recommend it. I got a coffee and a cheesy pastry and sat outside on the porch. The baked goods are great, service friendly and with paintings by Joe Miller and ceramics by Paula West the artwork is the best.

Demeter's Cafe on Nichol's Street

Next, I decided to check out the new public restroom in Sunshine Alley. It is nice. It's roomy and clean. My only complaint, and it isn't much of a complaint, is that it would be really hard to wash your hair in those sinks. I notice things like that because when I lived on Lopez without running water and took the early boat to Friday Harbor to work I often washed my hair in the restroom on the ferry boat. The ferry handicap sink has a nice high spout which is perfect to stick your head under. The Sunshine alley restrooms have those heated blow driers. If you were homeless and it was cold out this would be the place to go. Plus, these restrooms are historic. The building was originally made out of Boede Cement blocks from the old Boede Pipe and Cement Company an early Island industry.

Sunshine Alley Public Restrooms

Next I bought an Elizabeth Gaskell novel and some cards at Griffin Bay Bookstore, some Amber Essence oil and a small hand mirror at Softwear and then I dropped into the Whale Museum. At the Whale Museum the big news is that J Pod is back. J pod appeared briefly after their winter migration but then they disappeared again. They are back and apparently they have a lot to say too. We have speakers at the Museum tuned into the underwater microphones on the west side. You can hear them too by linking to: Salish Sea hydrophone network. Also, the Center for Whale Research now has an Orcacam set up, link here: Orcacam. By the time I picked up my car J-Pod had moved on but it is good to know that they are back in the neighborhood.

J-14 Samish "my" whale ~ Whale Museum Photo

Jim McRae ~ 1920 -1975

Today is my Dad’s birthday. James Cameron McRae was born in Wolf Springs, Montana and moved with his family to San Juan Island in 1927. My Dad loved the Scottish poet Robert Burns, because of that, and because the poem fits him so well, I like to remember him with this Epitath by Burns.

Jim McRae at the Barnacle

On My Ever Honoured Father

O ye whose cheek the tear of pity stains,
Draw near with pious rev'rence, and attend!
Here lie the loving husband's dear remains,
The tender father, and the gen'rous friend;
The pitying heart that felt for human woe,
The dauntless heart that fear'd no human pride;
The friend of man-to vice alone a foe;
For 'ev'n his failings lean'd to virtue's side.

Robert Burns ~ 1784

Lady of the Sea ~ Portugal

And what a perfect segue to go from Marine Naturalist Training to this years Eurovision entry from Portugal? No one sings more passionately of love and tragedy and the sea than the Portuguese. So lets go back out to sea with Vania Fernades and Senhora do Mar/Lady of the Sea.

Portugal 2008 Eurovision

Vania Fernandes ~ Senhora do Mar

Lyrics English/Lady of the sea

Lady of the sea
Before you, I’m fallen
Who comes and takes half of life and peace
From this table, from this house, now lost?
Love, what’s happened with you?

Before you, my soul is empty
Who comes and takes what is mine?
Oh high sea, bring me
My endless love

Ah, black waters, waves of sorrow
They froze the fire in my eyes (Lady of the sea)
He’s not sailing anymore (He’s not sailing anymore)
And nobody sees you crying
Lady of the sea

Who comes and takes half of life and peace
From this table, from this house, now lost?
Love, what’s happened with you?

Ah, black waters, waves of sorrow
They froze the fire in my eyes (Lady of the sea)
Salty wounds, prayers in vane (Prayers in vane)
Let his heart (Let his heart)
Beat next to me (Beat next to me)

Ah, black waters, waves of sorrow
They froze the fire in my eyes (Lady of the sea)
He’s not sailing anymore (He’s not sailing anymore)
And nobody sees you crying (And nobody sees you crying)
Lady of the sea (Lady of the sea)

Marine Naturalists Aboard the Western Prince

Congratulations Everybody!

Marine Naturalists Aboard the Western Prince

The Marine Naturalist Training Program took its celebratory cruise on the Western Prince this morning. It was glorious on the water as we cruised North out of Friday Harbor passed Spieden and Stuart Islands. We saw Harbor and Dalls Porpoise, Harbor Seals, a Stellar Sea Lion, Bald Eagles and Purple Starfish. No whales were spotted, they have not been around lately, still I know I hardly minded. It was enough to be out on the water.

After the cruise we met at the Whale Museum for our graduation ceremony and I only regret that I neglected to get a photo of another one of Jenny's fabulous cakes. This one had blue frosting with the Orca Ruffles, aka J1, Spyhopping out of it. Congratulations everybody!

Purple Starfish on Stuart Island

Appendix: Here is the cake!

Jenny's Spyhop Cake

Week 5: Marine Naturalist Training

California Sea Lions

Today we completed our last Marine Naturalist Training day for the season. Starting off at the high school Amy Traxler gave an overview on Pinnipeds and how to tell the difference between sea lions and seals. I’m usually doing pretty good if I can tell a sea lion or a seal from a hunk of wood but I managed to identify my friend at South Beach as a California Sea Lion from the color and head shape something like a very big Chocolate Lab.

Tibetan Ancestors of Salish Woolly Dogs

Russel Barsh talked about pre-European agriculture in the Islands including Camas growing and processing and the development of reef net fishing. He touched on a favorite subject of mine, the Salish Woolly dogs. Last I knew they were thought to be extinct. According to genetic testing on Salish wool it turns out the Salish Woolly dogs are direct descendants of Tibetan Terriers and genetic cousins to Japanese Shiba Inu dogs and Alaskan Eskimo dogs.

Val Viers and Marine Naturalists in Training at the Lighthouse

After lunch we trekked out to the lighthouse at Lime Kiln Park where Val Viers played us samples of Orca Acoustics and Jeanne Hyde talked about Southern Resident Orca family groups. In the lighthouse we could hear the sounds of boat traffic through underwater microphones. It was like hearing a chainsaw every time a boat went by. At least with our opposable thumbs and a volume knob we could turn it down. Jeanne showed us family photos of our local Orca pods. We hope we might see them tomorrow when we go out on the boat to celebrate the completion of this Spring's Marine Naturalist Training for 2008.

Eurovision: a Jaunty Number From Denmark

Denmark 2008 Eurovision

Simon Mathew ~ All Night Long

A Postcard From Bulgaria

Bulgaria 2008 Eurovision

Deep Zone & Balthazar ~ DJ Take Me Away

What Ever Happened to "Island Time"?

The Relentless Clock in the Heart of Friday Harbor

The other day at work Barbara mentioned a list of 100 things to do in Friday Harbor. I said, “Oh, will you please send that to me. I don’t have enough to do.” Of course, as one of my employers, she knew I was kidding. Like most people who live here I have the required 3 jobs and more than plenty to do. I looked up the list anyway.

#1. Take a deep breath and feel the change in pace... you are now on "Island Time”.

Island time? What the heck ever happened to "Island Time"? I have observed that when volunteers are being sought, people who say “I have to go to the mainland that day” can get out of anything, no questions asked. As I mentioned in previous posts I rarely leave the Island but I will confess I have used the “I have to go to the mainland” or because I'm not a very good liar, "I think I might have to go to the mainland" (which works just as well) excuse just to stay home, unplug everything and dig into some quality “Island Time”.

Historic Opportunities

National Preservation Month—May 2008

Friday Harbor's Oldest Residence the DeStaffany House ~ Drawing by Tina Rose

In Friday Harbor and elsewhere on San Juan Island during Preservation Month, we open doors, view the streetscape and shoreline, and otherwise bring interesting, hard-scrabble historic characters and events to life. Partnering in this year’s activities are the Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan Historical Museum, San Juan Island National Historical Park, Hacket Larson Post 163 of the American Legion, and the maritime research vessel, the Pacific Catalyst II. For such a small island, a whole lot of history happened here!

Historic District Walking Tours: Every Saturday in May, 9:00am-10:00am, the Town of Friday Harbor’s Historic Preservation Review Board is giving free, guided walking tours of the downtown historic district. Rain or shine. Space is limited and reservations are required. To register and receive more information, go to www.historicfridayharbor.org or call 360.378.2810 during regular business hours.

Silver Tea at the James King House Museum: Saturday, May 3rd, 2-4pm the good china comes out, cookies are baked and tea served by Museum volunteers dressed in period clothing at the San Juan Historical Museum’s James King House. The Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 405 Price Street. For more information go to www.sjmuseum.org or call 360.378.3949.

Heritage Vessel Open House: Sunday, May 4th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Come aboard the historic Pacific Catalyst, a restored 1932 wooden vessel. Her maiden voyage was up the Inside Passage and across the Gulf of Alaska, beginning her oceanographic research for the University of Washington’s, Friday Harbor Labs, and the marine sciences community. The Catalyst has been thoroughly and richly restored, and now takes visitors on marine adventures in the Salish Sea and north into Alaska and Canada. Friday Harbor is her home base, and on this day you will find her moored in the Friday Harbor Marina. For more information call 360.378.7123 or visit http://www.pacificcatalyst.com/index.htm.

Rural Architecture in Friday Harbor: On Wednesday, May 14, 7:00pm-9:00pm, the Town of Friday Harbor and the San Juan Historical Museum present a history talk by local historian and preservation architect, Boyd Pratt, entitled Paying Attention to the Ordinary: Friday Harbor’s Rural Architecture. This event takes place in the research center of the San Juan Historical Museum, 405 Price Street. For more information go to www.historicfridayharbor.org, call or email to 360.378.2810 or sstrehlou@fridayharbor.org.

From Sandy Strehlou HPRB co-ordinator

Happy May Day!

Modern Druids Celebrate May Day

Whether you celebrate May Day by dancing around a May Pole or marching your new rocket through the town square, May Day is a celebration of fertility in the form of masculine virility originating in the Pre-Christian European rituals of Beltane. Bathing in May Day dew is said to prolong youth.