July in White Bear Lake

In late June, I attended a marvelous conference entitled Creating A Compassionate Democracy, with Ashok Gangadean, PhD. Anne Picard, who I met earlier this year at the Nonviolent Communication workshop, told me about the conference, and I rode with her.

Here I am with Ashok:















I will quote one sentence, which sums up the conference: If you can, dare to stand with the other in their space.

Ashok is a co-convener or the World Commission on Global Consciousness and Spirituality, which gathers world leaders to cultivate global vision and wisdom for the new millenium. The 23 member group includes the Dalai Lama, Archbishopo Desmond Tutu, and Dr. Jane Goodall. Here are the key websites related to Ashok and the teachings of the conference:
http://www.awakeningmind.org/, http://global-dialogue.com/, and http://global-dialogue.com/sevenstages.htm

and: http://homepage.mac.com/rickbernardo/Spirit-Road/FileSharing8.html for mp3 files on his presentation in St. Paul

I felt delighted and grateful to learn that the Exhibition "Design for the Other 90%" was in Minneapolis the same time as I was. I had read about it on the Internet, and now was able to see it in person! http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/
This exhibit showcases the great ideas people have come up with for the 90% of the population that has no access to the products and services those of us in wealthy countries take for granted.

Here is a simple double layered ceramic bowl that keeps vegetables cool by evaporation of water in the outer layer of sand.













Here is a solar powered hearing aid batter charger.

















The exhibition will be at the Walker Art Center through Sept 7, the day I fly back to New Zealand. Here is one of my favorite statues at the Walker: Hare on Bell:













I spent most of July on Manitou Island in White Bear Lake, with my friends Ellen and Tom.http://www.ci.white-bear-lake.mn.us/city%20history_files/city_history.htm

Here are some photos from the island and nearby.



I made some flower arrangements during my stay. Ellen has a beautiful garden, full of flowers to choose from.

A great blue heron would show up nearly every morning and afternoon and stand on their dock. It would fly away at the least movement, so I was lucky to get this one shot of it.









The island is a haven for birds. Every evening I would hear the loons call. No other bird sounds like they do. Click here if you would like to hear one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiXjCifQn0w

There was even a bald eagle's nest on the island. I wasn't able to get very close, but you can make out the nest in the tree, and the adult eagle sitting on the edge.



























There is a private guard on duty at the entrance to Manitou Island. Kurt. I would often stop and chat on my bike during my comings and goings. Kurt is a wildlife photographer and airline pilot, and I just might be able to take a flight with him when I return to White Bear Lake briefly in September.




















Kurt is also a photographer. He sent this photo of the island's bald eagle to me. Great, eh? Thanks, Kurt!!




One of the main projects I worked on during this time was setting up the Excel database of funders and contacts for the MEND Trust, http://www.mend.org.nz/ . Rob Buchanan is currently in Kashmir helping disabled children and adults, and dodging bombs and gunfire, from what I read. I will meet up with him in New Zealand when he returns in October.
One of MEND's projects has been selected as a finalist in the BBC World Challenge. Rob said the guys from BBC came and filmed this week. Once the footage is online, I will let you know so you can consider voting.

Another area I have been active in is Emotional Freedom Technique, EFT. http://www.emofree.com/ Here is an introductory video, which can explain far more than I can what this is about.

As I travel, I share this technique with people. And I am getting to the point that I can help people who have tried it on their own, be more effective with it if I sit with them and help them get in touch with their issues and past memories, so we can tap together on them. So I am letting you know, in case you would like me to help you. I can call you from New Zealand or the US, or we can do it via chatting on the Internet. I would like more practice. So if you have tried the technique, and would like to try it with me helping, just let me know. We'll work out some way to connect.



Before leaving the Twin Cities by bike for Iowa, I had a chance to stop by Al's Breakfast in Dinkytown. What a place! Doug, the proprieter, is still there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al

One of the many features of this unique place is the condiment containers. All ceramic, and they take some getting used to.

Al's is near the University of Minnesota, and the yellow papers you see on the bottom shelf in this photo are coupon books. Often parents buy them for their children going to school at the U.

Doug used to juggle on occasion for the customers. I was there one morning when he juggled a bottle of catsup, a raw egg, and a pancake. He didn't realize it, but the top of the catsup bottle came off during his performance. He thought the shouts and screams from the customers were for his juggling, not because they were being sprayed with catsup!