I’m guessing that this solid walnut frog (flower arranger mechanical) has been sitting at the back of a shelf for at least ten years.  I vaguely remember unpacking it from a box of old stuff I bought at an estate auction several years ago.

I cleaned it up then polished all the surfaces with “Pledge” out of the blue pump spray bottle. I then grabbed my bag of silk Gerbera Daisies and my wire cutters.  I shuffled the blooms around and fussed a little bit until I was happy with the overall shape and color blend of this simple arrangement.

One of my Filipino Facebook friends shared a photo of a miniature Buddha statue nestled inside of a candle holder with some glass beads as a base and accent.  I fell in love with the image and wanted to have something similar for my home. I knew there was a cube shaped glass flower vase on my shelves.  I dusted it off, lined it with some earthy moss, placed a bamboo and seed accent in place with some golden glass chunks.  A miniature, hand painted Hotai statue was the finishing touch for an inspirational accessory.

A vintage faux bamboo design planter is just the foundation for a small tropical themed arrangement.  The elements are low key, of various textures, and work well together. This is a somewhat small arrangement that can fit into many different decorative schemes at home or office.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness recommends that when inspiration strikes, follow through on it as soon as possible, regardless of your favorite creative outlet.

This month, the YMCA organization (Young Men’s Christian Association) in this town turned 100 years old.  The original Norfolk YMCA opened on May 15, 1913. It was constructed at a cost of slightly less than $19,000. In its day, the local organization sponsored bus trips for boys to attend summer camps in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Boys were encouraged to participate in popular sports and gymnastic activities.

At the time, community leaders encouraged the establishment of the local YMCA as a safe environment for youth. There was some preaching and distribution of religious tracts. The organized activities were seen as a positive alternative to the troublemaking and consumption of alcohol that often happens with unoccupied kids.

Because of the small size of Norfolk, there is no YWCA so the YMCA here is coeducational in nature. In its early years, girls were only involved in a few areas.  The most popular activities for girls were volleyball and basketball teams.

The first major effort to expand the local gym was the 1959 project to add on an indoor swimming pool. The 75 feet by 28 feet pool cost $127,000 to construct. By that time, girls and women shared in more activities and sports than ever before at the Norfolk location.

In May of 1981, the current building opened for use.  At that time, community involvement and membership skyrocketed in number. Total current membership is about 8,500 people. In addition to the traditional sports and gymnastic activities, there are youth team sports and about 100 adult fitness classes offered every week.  My friends and I take advantage of the upstairs fitness center for weight training and cardio exercise.  Sometimes we hit the water in the olympic size swimming pool downstairs.

The Norfolk Y has been affiliated with the international organization that was founded in London, England in 1844 that is now headquartered in Switzerland. This is accomplished through membership in the U.S. organization, which, in turn, is a member of the World Alliance of YMCAs.

I can look forward to my 30th year of membership at the Norfolk Y in just a few more years if I remain in town.  Meantime, everyday is a fresh, healthy start as I begin each day at the Y.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness often hears the Village People singing about the YMCA in his mental jukebox.

Most of us think of Harvey Milk as a freedom fighter and activist for the LGBTQ community.  We forget, however, that Milk deeply felt and advocated on the side of all disenfranchised human beings.  He demonstrated that fact during his short term as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

While Harvey Milk understood the power of the political slogan, he realized that a public servant had to live up to and surpass the implied promises of slogans and mottos. He lived his life and worked as a representative of the people of his city knowing that sound bytes are only superficial things.

In a public statement, Milk said, in part, “Two days after I was elected I got a phone call and the voice was quite young. It was from Altoona, Pennsylvania. And the person said, “Thanks”. And you’ve got to elect gay people, so that thousand upon thousands like that child know that there is hope for a better world; there is hope for a better tomorrow.  Without hope, not only gays, but those who are blacks, the Asians, the disabled, the seniors, the us’s: without hope the us’s give up. I know that you can’t live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you, and you, and you, and you have got to give them hope.”

To people of all persuasions struggling to achieve their utmost, positive goals of dignity, liberty, and equality,  Milk’s legacy continues in the “Harvey Milk Foundation”. In 2009, Harvey Milk Day received official sanction in the State of California as a day of special significance in that state. Furthermore, Harvey Milk Day is celebrated each year on Milk’s birthday, May 22nd, by the LGBTQ Community and their allies around the world.

Milk’s dedication to public education and free discussion was his legacy as a civil rights leader.  His vision was for all people to envision and actively live life to manifest a better world. He often spoke of the fact that gay rights are human rights.  If anyone cannot live free and enjoy equal rights, all of humanity is at risk of losing freedom and liberty.

Harvey Milk was also fully aware that many people not only oppose LGBTQ civil rights but actively harm lesbians and gay men.  He knew that because he openly worked for universal civil liberties that some people hated him and that his life was in danger every day.  He knew that he was at dire risk of becoming a martyr for his causes.  During one of his speeches, Milk stated, “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet also destroy every closet door in the country.”

That fateful day did arrive when he was shot execution style, by ex-Supervisor Dan White.  Milk and San Francisco mayor George Moscone were murdered on November 27, 1978. The victims were the targets of extreme homophobia and a premeditated plot to kill them and two other members of the Board of Supervisors.  By a stroke of luck, Carol Ruth Silver and Willie Brown were saved by being out of the building at the time of the murders.

It is on Harvey Milk Day that he is remembered for his warmth and human goodness that endeared him to the citizens of the Castro neighborhood and all of San Francisco then eventually to fair-minded people in the entire world.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness hopes you understand the inate instinct for freedom and liberty within all of us, regardless of political or religious opinions.

As far as I know, the festival began at Rome’s Regia with the sacrifice of a female goat dedicated to curry favor with Vejovis. The Rex Sacrificulus (presiding priest) invoked  the well being of all Roman territories.

The festival was not likely one of parties and merriment.  Instead, a religious procession was made to the Qurinal Hill which reputedly was the most ancient location of the Regia. The drinking of wine and the saying of invocations to Vejovis were likely the high points of the celebration.

There were two other Vejovis Festivals. One was on the 11th of December, the other on the 9th of Januarius (January). The celebrations in honor of Vejovis coincided with those of other archaic deities.

Vejovis is usually depicted as a younger man holding arrows or lightning bolts. He is often accompanied by a goat. Some historians claim that Vejovis could, variously, have been a younger version of Apollo or even the youthful Jupiter. Some speculation identifies him as the Anti-Jupiter or the counterpart of the Jupiter of the underworld.  In the anti-Jupiter aspect, he was identified with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

As time passed, the Romans revised their version of Vejovis. Some legends depict him as an escapee from Hades struggling to join the light of the heavenly Gods. In his latest form, many citizens claimed that Vejovis was the guardian God of persecuted peoples and victims of injustice and unfair treatment by the majority.  He represented the fighters and soldiers of the vindication of the oppressed.

In effect, Vejovis was the protector of right causes who gave pain and frustration to the oppressors and enemies of people suffering as a result of prejudice and injustice.  Again, the truth of this representation is poor and unclear. The best interpretation, at present, is still that Vejovis was a refugee from the netherworld and the domain of the God Vulcan.

I will be spending part of the Springtime celebration of Vejovis contemplating the plight of the oppressed peoples of earth. I will be honoring the concept of the nature of Vejovis, even though I am agnostic about his actual existance.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness likes that Vejovis has been thought of as a sort of guardian angel.

During the 19th Century, the U.S. government had purchased the Louisiana territory from the Napoleon regime of France.  There were further acquisitions of land in California and the southwest areas in present day USA.  By mid century, officials and special interests believed the time had come to encourage settlement of the new territories.

So, in the middle of the American Civil War, in 1862, the Congress passed legislation to enable settlers to acquire land.  The bill was named the Homestead Act.  On May 20, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Act into law.

Basically the Homestead Act stated, “Any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could claim 160 acres of surveyed government land. Claimants were required to improve the plot by building a dwelling and cultivating the land. After 5 years on the land, the original filer was entitled to the property, free and clear, except for a small registration fee. Title could also be acquired after only a 6-month residency and trivial improvements, provided the claimant paid the government $1.25 per acre.”

The legislation was very progressive in nature.  The law enabled many types of people, including minorities and women, opportunities to acquire land.  The right to own the land for African Americans and women predate the times when they could enjoy other legal and civil rights. Also, of note, is the fact that many Europeans, such as Russians, Irish, and Scandinavians were attracted to the United States by the promise of free real estate.  I can trace my own family history back to the homesteading days when my German and Swedish relatives settled in America.

While the Homestead Act was well intended, it was not a guarantee that settlers would be lifted out of poverty.  The usual substantial costs of farming had to be figured into a decision to farm the land.  In order to fulfill the requirements for land ownership, tools were needed, seed and livestock had to be purchased.

Mother Nature provided many other obstacles to the new farmers in the form of frequent droughts and insect plagues.  There were also violent conflicts with cattle ranchers. Native Americans proved resistant to the intrusion of newcomers onto their traditional tribal lands.  The genocide of the Indian people and culture culminated during the homesteading historical events.

Another problem with the Homestead Act was its ambiguous wording. Most of the free land ended up in the possession of real estate speculators, cattlemen, lumber interests, mining tycoons, and the railroad companies.  Out of 500,000,000 acres to be dispersed by the Land Office, only 80,000,000 acres actually went to bonafide settlers in the 19th Century. It wasn’t until the early 20th Century that small family farmers overtook corporate interests as far as total land ownership is concerned.

So the measure that went into effect on this date in 1862 triggered the lion’s share of territorial events that shaped the land and institutions for much of the United States.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness recommends the Mari Sandoz book Old Jules if you want to read an authentic account about the life and times of the homesteading pioneers of America.

Not how society or my guru expects me to feel.  Not a self-idealized way I wish to feel.  If I knew that I would never feast my eyes on him or anything else again, how would I honestly feel?  Just imagining the scenario brings physical symptoms of a racing heart, a blush to the skin, and a tear to my eye.

The practice of imagining the loss of ones sight, or hearing, or feeling is a useful practice.  It is meant to scare us out of complacency with life.  It is a realization about how little time we have on earth and how precious human life really is.  It can trigger feelings of anxiety.  It can reawaken your existential crisis that you thought you’d already dealt with.

The exercise reminds us that we have some real living left to experience. All of this, together, can possibly trigger a bout of anxiety.

I’ve come out of more than a few closets during my journey through life.  The thoughts I’ve imagined about other people’s reactions and opinions kept me submissive and worried within each closet.  It was at such a point that the need for sunshine and honesty built up to near panic levels.

It was then that I’d batter down the closet door.

When I realized that life pretty much continued the same as before, I understood that worry is self destructive.  The anxiety I felt over how people would react was a red herring. The people who wouldn’t like me if they really knew me, disowned me.  My true friends understood and always knew the real me anyway. Those people stayed by my side.  Many of my acquaintances knew the true me before I found myself. The freedom of leaving a closet behind is liberating and joyful.

The last closet I left is the anxiety closet.  Most folks in my circle of acquaintances think of me as a laid back, mellow guy.  They don’t realize that I share everybody’s tendency to overreact to certain situations. Like many people, there are situations that are subjectively menacing.  If we are really honest with ourselves, we know that all of us are prone to mentally overrespond to perceived threats.

Like all closets, sometimes you unknowingly reenter one.  Such is the anxiety closet.  In July of 1989, I was returning to my Nebraska home from a Toronto vacation.  It was during a boring stretch of South Dakota freeway that I began to think about my unresolved personal and professional conflicts. I had just entered the passing lane of the highway and was beginning to overtake a large semi-truck.  I suddenly felt over stimulated and consumed by a fear of imminent death. The fear cycled upon itself. I felt my heart racing, my breath became shallow.  I thought I was going to pass out. It was like a runaway nuclear reaction of the mind.

I slowed the car, allowed the truck to pass, then I pulled to the shoulder of the road, started the four-way hazard blinkers and switched off the engine.  I indulged in a micro-mini meditation and some slow deep breathing.  I promised myself to visit my physician the next day.  Only after the promise, could I resume my highway trip home.

My doctor gave me a clean bill of health and told me that I was as healthy as a physically fit man ten years my junior. He then explained that I had displayed the classic symptoms of a panic attack.  I was told to practice relaxation techniques and to increase my meditation sessions.  He also told me to not take myself so seriously.  His advice was spot on.  Anxiety and panic were no longer present in my life.

Until just a few years ago.

The severe illness and death of my stepmother was the first of several events that shocked me to the core.  The loss of my livelihood came next. Then the loss of my brother to a heart attack and the declining health of my father took away more of my energy.  All of this happened in less than a year. The anxiety, but not the panic attacks, returned.

The difference this time is that I have not allowed myself the delaying tactic of reentering any of my closets.  Most importantly, I have resisted the temptation to suppress my anxieties.  The condition has become a subject for contemplation and meditation.  It has become less severe with honesty and frankness as tools in dealing with it.

I can even be on friendly terms with it.  I can even laugh with it as I have found it to be a challenge, rather than a threat. I can even write a blog post about it.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness hopes you can relate to some of this story and derive some benefit from it, too.

The solar system’s most famous comet is the one named after British astronomer Edmond Halley.  He analyzed historical accounts of comets in the vicinity of Earth in 1531, 1607, and 1682.  Halley stated that the reports bore witness to one comet in particular.  He further calculated that the particular comet would arrive once again in 1758.  Edmond Halley died before the comet passed by Earth that year. However, his colleagues named the comet after him. His math proved that many comets were in orbit around the sun.

It is generally thought that this same comet, long before it was named, is mentioned in historical legends.  One of the earliest passes of this comet is recorded in 239 BCE according to China’s Shih Chi and Wen Hsien Thug Khao Chronicles. Ancient Babylonian documents state the comet appeared in 164 BCE and in 87 BCE.

An especially noteworthy story of the comet says that William the Conquerer claimed that the comet predicted his success in the 1066 invasion of England. What was good for King William was not good for the conquered peoples. This continued the belief that the appearance of a comet is inauspicious.  Before the times of Halley, traditional astronomers had not connected the dots.  They saw each appearance of Halley’s Comet to be an isolated event.

In 1705, Halley published his “Synopsis of the Astronomy of Comets”.  This work catalogued the historical accounts of 24 comets’ appearances between 1337 to 1698.  Three appearances seemed to display similar parameters and orbital paths. Halley deduced that the object was the same comet and that it will again, repeatedly, appear in the Earth’s vicinity.

One of the most noteworthy returns of Halley’s Comet was in 1910. The transit of the comet was particularly close to us. It’s appearance was eagerly awaited by the general public. On May 19th, the Earth came in contact with the end of the comet’s 24 million mile long tail for six hours.

The arrival of Halley’s Comet was the target of much hype and promotion. Hotels booked patrons for sightseeing packages that included rooftop viewings through telescopes. President Taft observed the comet at the Naval Observatory.  Sales of telescopes to the public reached a new level.

Even Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) found special significance with Halley’s Comet. He made a famous prediction, in 1909, about his own demise. “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it… The Almighty has said, no doubt: ‘Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.’” On April 20, 1910 Halley’s Comet reached perihelion.  The next day, Clemens passed away.

The comet’s most recent flyby was in 1986. Even though the comet was not a spectacular sight to Earthbound observers, this was the first opportunity for spacecraft to intercept the comet. Several craft travelled to the comet as a group, unofficially known as the “Halley Armada”.  The crafts brought back data and photos from their efforts.

The next scheduled appearance near Earth will be in 2061 with a brighter appearance than we had in 1986.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness notes that Halley’s Comet fragments appear twice each year during meteor showers. The May shower is the Eta Aquanids, The October display is the Orionid shower.

Thanks to NASA for technical data and Encyclopedia Britannica for historical anecdotes.

Today, I just felt like letting my subconscious run amok and to let the petals fall where they may.  I simply grabbed containers at random.  Then I raided my flower supply with the attitude of letting instinct rule.  The results are first tries.  There was no going back to reconsider anything.  Nothing was tweaked at all.  Each of the arrangements works in its own quirky way.

The red Japanese vase was constructed of turned tropical wood and finished in red lacquer.  I could only see red for this piece, but reds of different shades and textures would do.

Another Japanese vase, this one is stoneware, came into play. The raw, earthiness called for warmth of color and sensuous shapes to bring a masculine-yang balance to the feminine-yin glaze. The result is an energetic, yet calming composition.

The light blue geometric dish made by Red Wing pottery is pure 1960s moderne.  Just looking at the empty container made me feel nostalgic for the forward-thinking space-age designs of that decade. I pictured something that would be at home in a conference room at NASA.

The oversized handles on the small yellow urn bring an impish grin to my face everytime I see the vase.  Hence, the gregarious, happy flowers are right at home here.

I hope these images have inspired your creativity in some way today.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness knows that a free imagination often leads to cutting edge thinking.

However, the nickel is a relative newcomer in the world of coinage.  The first five-cent coin was actually the half dime.  The first half dimes were struck in 1792 with around 1,500 of them minted. The face of the coins depicted Lady Liberty in an unflattering Caesar resembling profile. The reverse featured a scrawny looking eagle.

The initial design was unpopular with early Americans who expected a more flattering depiction of one of the new nation’s primary values.  The next design of the half dime featured a more sumptuous Lady Liberty known as the “draped bust”. The newer Lady Liberty was more handsome with more orderly hair and curls.  The reverse side’s eagle grew in proportion and was also of a more pleasing design.

The federal government took an hiatus on half dime minting from 1805 to 1829. When minting of the coins resumed, Lady Liberty faced towards the left and sported an attractive hat. The coins were manufactured from a blend of copper and silver with a weight of approximately 1.35 grams.

As you might imagine, half dime coins are probably fairly valuable to collectors.  At the time of the writing of this blog post, I checked values.  Depending upon the style and rarity of the particular design along with year of issue and condition of the coin, the going rates for the half dimes can vary greatly. An 1872 half dime in fair condition was rated at around $13. Meantime a mint condition half dime struck in 1794 could bring $16,880.

The beginning of the end of the half dime took place on May 16, 1866.  Congress voted to phase out the half dime and to begin minting the five cent coin we know as the nickel.  The first U.S. nickels were minted from 1866 to 1883 as the “shield nickel”. At the time of its introduction, the United States had two other forms of five-cent denominations.  The previously mentioned half dime plus a paper currency five cent note.  Officials didn’t consider the currency version as reliable or useful, so the nickel was introduced.

In 1883, the Liberty Head nickel was introduced. Then, in 1913, in the campaign to enhance American coinage’s appearance, the Indian Head or Buffalo nickel was minted. It featured the likeness of a native American on the front with a bison on the reverse.  Another change came in 1938, when the Jefferson nickel was minted. The Jefferson nickel is the one that Americans receive in change today.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness notes that one of the rarest American coins are two 1870 half dimes with a San Francisco mint marking. Allegedly, government records show that no half dimes were minted in San Francisco that year. One coin sold at auction in 2004 for $661,250.

A jolly looking man with bushy white hair and a Santa like belly all wrapped up in hippie tie-dye and an impish sense of humor is what you get if you meet Wavy Gravy.  For around half a century he’s been sprouting smiles on everybody who passes his way.

“Sure, I could of done it different… put my clown in a closet and dressed up in straight clothing. I could of compromised my essence, and swallowed my soul.”–Wavy Gravy

Wavy’s moniker came from B.B. King during the Texas International Pop Festival in 1969. Hugh Romney had reclined onto the stage from exhaustion after hours of convincing audience members to put their clothing back on. When B.B. King came on stage for his set, Hugh Romney started to get up.  King’s hand rested on Romney’s shoulder.  King asked, “Are you wavy gravy?” Romney affirmed the question. King then replied, “It’s OK, I can work arond you.” The clown thought that this was a mystical happening.  Soon he legally changed his name to “Wavy Gravy”.

People are amazed at Wavy’s commitment to bettering our world. He wows us with humor and doesn’t display any self-importance.  At every turn, people are inspired to help improve the world because of Wavy Gravy. Maybe you are familiar with the health and food charity called the “Seva Foundation”. Ram Dass, health expert Dr. Larry Brilliant and Wavy Gravy founded the organization as a realistic way to improve health and prosperity in much of the third world.  Wavy continues to serve on the board of directors of Seva. He also hosts fund raising concerts that feature compassionate minded artists.

“I became a clown when these docs came to the house in Berkeley and asked me to come cheer up kids. I’d just had my third spinal fusion and I was looking for something to take my mind off the pain I was in.”

Wavy’s life was star studded from the beginning.  As a youngster, he accompanied Albert Einstein on walks around the block.  Later in life, his career was managed by Lenny Bruce. Wavy was one of the earliest New York friends of Bob Dylan. One of Dylan’s girlfriends, Bonnie Beecher eventually married Wavy in 1965.  Later, during his “Hog Farm” days, he worked with the Gratefuld Dead, Eric Clapton and Cream as well as Jimi Hendrix.  The Hog Farm collective was hired as a group of extras for the movie “Skidoo” by Otto Preminger.

Wavy Gravy solidified his public persona in his connection with the Woodstock Festival when he was brought on board to help with preparations.  His team was dubbed the “Please Force”.  They used non-intrusive techniques to keep order. When the press asked Wavy about his enforcement tools to keep order, he replied that the clown props, cream pies and seltzer bottles would work wonders.

“To let the people know there was life beyond Shirley Dean, we decided to focus on voter registration; each day I set up my card table somewhere in the district, signed people up, and passed out noses.”

Wavy is also famous for his Nobody’s Business venture reminiscent of his “Nobody for President” faux campaign. On November 4, 1980, the campaign held a political rally near the White House to promote the idea of “none of the above” on official ballots.  The committee criticized Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and independent John Anderson. Their supposed candidate was Nobody.  They quipped: “Nobody makes apple pie better than mom.  Nobody will love you when you’re down and out.” Wavy adapted an old Betty Boop gag to the national election.  “Nobody keeps all promises. Nobody should have that much power.”  Wavy noted, “What a rush it was to plunge into the bin of official decision and cast a ballot in favor of FUN.”

In addition to his work with the Seva Foundation, Wavy is co-founder of the performing arts organization, “Camp Winnarainbow” near the Hog Farm in Laytonville, California.

He’s also a recognized collage artist. He has presented some of his collages in honor of celebrities in the San Francisco Bay Area. His work in collage art predates his clowning career.

Wavy has written two books. The Hog Farm and Friends and Something Good for a Change: Random Notes on Peace Thru Living.  He has also appeared in recordings, movies, and radio.

He’s not only busy with grown up activities, Wavy enjoys traditional clown work, too. Among his favorites are joke telling, magic tricks, and delighting kids.

“Keep your sense of humor, my friend; if you don’t have a sense of humor it just isn’t funny anymore.”

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness wishes Wavy Gravy a happy 77th birthday today.