Halloween

Ho Ho Ho!
No, that's the wrong holiday, Silly! This is Halloween.
Oh. You're right. BOOOO!
Not that we look scary. Mom and Dad couldn't find any Halloween outfits for us in Sahagún.
Guess they don't celebrate 'Trick or Treat" here.
Guess not. It's more of a religious thing here. Tomorrow is Nov. 1 and that's a big day--All Saints' Day--and people go to the graveyard and decorate the tombs with flowers. Even though you'd think they'd do that on All Souls' Day, which is Nov. 2. It gets confusing. But then, I'm not Catholic.
One of Mom's Spanish friends said her mother-in-law had been visiting her father's grave for weeks.
Gee, what on earth did she do?
She washed and scrubbed it, that's what.
Oh. That's nice, I guess.... Humans are kinda weird.
You said it, Princess.
And they even eat "bones of the saints"--I guess they're like marzapan--
There's no accounting for taste.
I guess not.
You know, humans just have a weird relationship with death.
Not like us! We're not afraid! But then of course, we can't die....
Let's change the subject. Today in Sahagún is the Fería de San Simón. It's kinda an agricultural fair, with tractors and food tastings. Used to sell turkeys on the street, but the EU did away with that. Something about health regulations.
I tell you, it gets really weird around here sometimes.
Better to be fuzzy kids, don't you think?
I think! I tell you what, Brown Bear. I really like it when you play the bagpipes! So please, 'play it again, Sam'...
I'm not Sam.
I know. It's just an expression.
Okay. Here goes....

Brrr....It's fall!

Fall has come to Sahagún, all of a sudden!
Yes, just a few days ago I was still wearing my bathing suit--but now I'm dressed for cold.
It's all relative, of course. 'Cold' is 40° in the early morning, warming up to 60°.
Well, it feels cold. And the poor trees!
This year we've seen the entire cycle of what happens to the plane trees. Starting in spring, the trees branch out and spread to shade the plaza. Sometimes they even connect from one tree to another.
It's amazing how many big green leaves there are!
And then, when autumn comes, the workmen come along and cut them back, all at once.
They told Mom and Dad that this saves them from having to sweep up leaves. And it keeps the trees from blocking the view. But it seems pretty cruel to us. Poor trees.
But maybe they don't mind.
Really, Brown Bear! If you were a tree, wouldn't you mind being amputated every year for someone else's convenience?
Guess you're right, HB. Didn't realize you could be so empathetic.
I can be. Especially since our pilgrimage into the heart with Ferran. I've learned a lot about gratitude and appreciation of others.
Thanks, Ferran!

Back from the Camino

Hi, our patient and adoring public! We've just returned from an amazing journey with Ferran on the Camino de Santiago. We got lots of attention, and there were lots Chi Gong and 'natural geometry' drawing and meditation practices....
I can see it hasn't affected you too much, though, Honey Bunny. You're still the same old Honey Bunny.
Effusive, you mean?
Hmmmm. Since I've been learning about formlessness and original mind, and space, clarity, and well-being, I think it best not to reply.
Oh. You know, I was puzzled by the 8 Treasures practices. I kept looking for treasure but couldn't find any! Anyway, even so it was great.
It was. Walking in the Pyrenees on an old Roman Road that was the original Camino de Santiago over the mountains--not us, but Mom and Dad. We couldn't have made it. Our legs are too short.
And up into the mountains to Aguas Tuertas--oh my oh my! Mom showed us the photos.
And up steep hills to hermits' caves.... and stargazing and meditation and energy exercises. And purification practices. And visiting old churches along the way and learning the Inner Teachings. Or at least trying to. I've got a long way to go, being a bear and all....
Best of all, we got to ride in front ALL the time, on our "throne"--Ferran's backpack. When we weren't there right away, people even missed us and asked for us. I DO like to be adored!
It was a good trip. Reminded me of the Camino journey with Ferran and Mom last year--and with Lynn. Just want to say Hi, Lynn. I missed you! Hope you'll come next year with your fuzzy kid....
A new friend? What fun! I can hardly wait!
Dad's busy doing a DVD of the journey so they can share it with others. Gotta go now. Besides, I want to go meditate for a while. Feels good, you know, to smile down into the earth....
And Ferran taught us a practice that he says is like a mini facelift. That's MY kind of practice! Oh--Dad's going to post some of Mom's photos (she's getting really good!) of us. You see us sitting on the window ledge at the casa rural in Barbadelo, staring out the window, longing to go for a walk....
You are SO dramatic, Honey Bunny. And there are two photos of us with Dad and the group at the Playa del Rostro, where we looked formlessness in the face! (That's kind of an inside joke...Rostro is 'face' in Spanish....)
You are SO intelligent, Brown Bear. You stun me sometimes....
Thanks,I think. And guess what--they're going to go again next year with Ferran. I think in late May early June. If enough other people sign up.
Boy, they never stop, do they? Glad we get to go with them. They sure have an adventurous time! Bye for now----