Bird Language is one of the 6 core studies that we are learning at Wilderness Awareness School.
November 24, 2009
Awakening Old Powers Within
Bird Language is one of the 6 core studies that we are learning at Wilderness Awareness School.
November 02, 2009
Where You Are
A poem that was read to us during our orienteering class.
It is entitled "Lost" by David Wagoner
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
It is entitled "Lost" by David Wagoner
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
October 27, 2009
Mad Crazy Adventures
Just a list of the things I've experienced with WAS (which has a new website to check out!):
- made a bow drill kit from materials harvested off the land (yes, I have gotten coals)
- learned the 5 voices of the birds
- learned the different shapes of bird alarms
- tracked some great mammals that aren't present in the Midwest
- spent a week at the Oregon Dunes for a tracking expedition
- trailed a raccoon for almost 2 miles!
- bushwhacked on my hands and knees for nearly an hour
- saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time
- learned plant taxonomy and herbal & medicinal uses
- made or tasted Oregon grape, rose hip and western red cedar medicinal tinctures
- spent a day harvesting wild edibles
- spent a day learning to prepare and cook the edibles we harvested
- made some mullein tea that kept me from getting bronchitis
- bashing rocks and primitive stone tool working
- sword tossing and Jedi mind tricks (awareness activities)
- skinned a raccoon
- made a primitive fishing spear
- having a secret spot that is all my own that I visit up to 5 times a week
- made a great network of friends and folks affiliated with WAS and a ton of other things that I am forgetting or are too deep to get into right now
We are halfway through the first semester and it looks to be an epic second half as well.... not to mention the fact that I get to spend time with my beautiful wife!!
- made a bow drill kit from materials harvested off the land (yes, I have gotten coals)
- learned the 5 voices of the birds
- learned the different shapes of bird alarms
- tracked some great mammals that aren't present in the Midwest
- spent a week at the Oregon Dunes for a tracking expedition
- trailed a raccoon for almost 2 miles!
- bushwhacked on my hands and knees for nearly an hour
- saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time
- learned plant taxonomy and herbal & medicinal uses
- made or tasted Oregon grape, rose hip and western red cedar medicinal tinctures
- spent a day harvesting wild edibles
- spent a day learning to prepare and cook the edibles we harvested
- made some mullein tea that kept me from getting bronchitis
- bashing rocks and primitive stone tool working
- sword tossing and Jedi mind tricks (awareness activities)
- skinned a raccoon
- made a primitive fishing spear
- having a secret spot that is all my own that I visit up to 5 times a week
- made a great network of friends and folks affiliated with WAS and a ton of other things that I am forgetting or are too deep to get into right now
We are halfway through the first semester and it looks to be an epic second half as well.... not to mention the fact that I get to spend time with my beautiful wife!!
September 27, 2009
Living Life Alive!!!
Hey everyone! It's been awhile since I posted but wanted to let you know that I plan to start posting more now that I'm settling in here in the Pacific North West. Look for cool posts, reflections and thoughts as I am mentored into a deeper relationship with the natural world and the awesome community that I am forming out here at Wilderness Awareness School!!!