Tonight I will experience 24 hours of total darkness with no speaking, no food, no sleeping along with my teacher Debra, my good friends Thee and Christine. Although this isnt a Vision Quest that will be in the out of doors- for our first experience we decided to have it indoors and for only 24 hours.

I have completed my prayer ties and am now packing a small bag with only a pillow and a blanket...we will be on the floor, a rope guiding us to the bathroom.

We will be Hanblecheyapi "crying for a vision" in the Lakota Indian fashion.... asking that Spirit visits us and provides us a vision of our life--- much like the Sweat Lodge suffering -- the Vision Quest relys on discomfort--

I am excited about this new experience and will be writing more after it is completed--

WOW well 02/20 found me turning 65!!! gosh i dont know where the time has gone??? i sure dont feel 65 whatever that is supposed to feel like?!?!?! i have applied for Medicare-- YIKES that is scarey for sure-- senior discounts-- i just hope i dont have to wear one of those call buttons around my neck!

My friends Thee, Christine, Pam threw an awesome party for me-- all my wonderful, caring, loving friends attended-- and i received incredible gifts!

I am sure people are over getting gifts for me -- what with the Croning Ceremony and the Minister Ordination!!

I am extremely blessed to have the family and friends I have in my life-- thanks to all of you who enrich my days, and touch my heart in oh so many ways-- i cant imagine what i would do with out you!!!

Well 2008 is gone-- don't ask me where it disappeared to - i don't have a clue.

I know that there were amazing new adventures for me -- life changing experiences-- and i am now a different person than i was a year ago!!!

It began with the Munay-Ki Rites...then participation in the next phase of the Shamanic Path- the Mesa Classes... walking the medicine wheel-- starting in the South where we shed our past like the serpent sheds it skin. A DIFFICULT time- but also rewarding and releasing and filled with forgiveness. My load is lighter...my heart more open... my perspective different.

Now in the West where we experience our own death...are visited by ancestors...face our fears-- again -- my perspective changes and my heart is lighter. Next is the North which will be here soon-- the end of March.

I had some significant health problems in '08..very scarey-- but i am doing very well now and have totally gotten off my blood pressure medication... am taking REAL thyroid not sythenetic -- and my blood sugar levels are back to normal--- i can thank Linnette Beck of Beck Natural Medicine for saving my life.

I also experienced my first sweat lodge on New Year's Eve at midnight. I have to admit i was really afraid-- i had been a helper at the previous Lodge last summer and saw the heat of the fire and the rocks and the suffering of those inside the Lodge. I asked the "Grandfathers" to be gentle with me and emailed my friends to ask that they hold space for me. The experience was amazing and again life changing. i am anxiously awaiting the next Lodge.

I received my Spiritual Name shortly after the Lodge--in a Pipe Ceremony with Debra--- "Sweetwater Mountain Woman" ... awesome !!!

The beginning of January my best friend Thea and I were initiated as sa Crone... a beautiful ceremony performed by my friend John Moore-- yes unusual for a man to preside over a croning ceremony but John has been around a long time and he knew the importance of the ceremony.

Another important ceremony the week after the Croning was the Ordination! I was Ordained as a Minister in the United Brotherhood Movement ...my good friends Janet and Gerald Finnegan presided. It was an emotional and beautiful ceremony.

What lies ahead are more exciting times-- our woman's drumming group has now reorganzied and come back together after a year of not playing together. We have an opportunity to do a recording and hope to get into the studio the first part of March!!! Surcular Souls.... seven woman who play djemes, doumbeks, frame drums, bongos, and assorted percussion instruments! We are so excited about this new adventure!

February 20th I will turn 65! i can believe it --

The end of February will find me participating in a sensory depravation experience-- 24 hours of total darkness, no speaking....... who knows what this will bring up. It will be held at Center for Healing Arts where i am taking my shaman classes.. and my shaman Debra Kruljac-- Willowfire Woman will be in charge

In April and May we will be going to Peru to study with mounrtain Shamans... how exciting is that? we are in the planning stages of the trip now--

So this year looks to be another one of new and exciting adventures-- i am looking forward to all the new paths i will walk and the changes that i will make--