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----

Off for Another Adventure

Here we are ready to go on our new adventure to Barcelona and the Camino de Santiago.

Yes, and Mom found some new clothes for us to wear, so I'm happy.

You are pretty high maintenance aren't you HB?

Well, a girl always has to look her best you know.

How about "come as you are?"

Come as you are is not nearly good enough!

Whatever you say, HB.

And you didn't even notice Mom's spiffy new Celtic shirt, did you BB?

Ahem, . . .Well, of course I did. Pretty shirt, Mom. (Nice save, aye?)

Back for a Breather

Well,, it is about time! Our loyal fans have been waiting too long!
Now, Honey Bunny--you know how busy Mom and Dad have been. First Scotland. Then Catalunya.
Isn't that spelled Catalonia?
Depends on if you're Catalan or English...
Oh.
As I was saying--Catalunya—
But you're not Catalan. That's pretentious!
No it isn't. I'm trying to honor the Catalans. PULEESE let me continue.
Okay.
Catalunya, and then Galicia, and then Barcelona for a weekend Chi Gong intensive with Ferran, and now they're home, recuperating.
Yeah, Dad says that they forget they're just old fogies with young minds.
Which really burns Mom up! SHE says that you're as young as you feel--well, up to a point....
So back to us, Brown Bear. And the photos.
Right. The photos are us having a picnic of salmon cream cheese and an empanada near the holy well at San Andrés de Teixido in Galicia.
"Where if you don't go while you're alive, your soul will have to make the journey when you're dead!"
Yeah--as a bug or something. So nobody squashes bugs en route to San Andrés.
Humans sure do have weird beliefs, don't they, Brown Bear?
You said it, Honey Bunny.
Well, it was nice to get out and see the sights at San Andrés. We usually get stuck in the hotel room.
They let us out of the bag in the train, don't forget.
But what a train ride! It about did Mom in, taking the night train twice. Smells, noise, lots of movement--she was exhausted. Even though they had a private first-class compartment.
I heard her tell Dad, "Never again. Nunca jamás."
You said it.
No, she said it.
Whatever.
Well, all I can say is I'm glad we're getting a chance to catch up and rest for awhile. But not for long--Thursday they take off for Barcelona and then back on the Camino on a special esoteric study trip.
Walking?
No, Silly. With their friend Ferran and 3 other people, in a minivan.
Great! We'll get lots of attention, don't you think?
I think so. Dibs on riding in front!
Brown Bear!

Terror in the Night

"Oh dear oh dear! Last night was SO scary! I'm still all atremble."
"You're not kidding, Princess."
"I don't know what I would have done without you, Brown Bear. You're my hero."
"Well, I'm glad I've been practicing with my knife so I was able to draw it really fast."
"When those beasts came at us--I thought I would die!"
"Good thing we can't, Princess, or we might have."
"They were so big and ugly and fast--"
"And hungry. Don't forget that."
"It gives me the shivers to remember! I think I'll faint. If I could. I'm in your debt forever, Brown Bear."
"Thanks, Princess. Glad to be of service. And I'm also glad that Dad woke up and wondered what all the noise was about."
Dad: "Indeed I did. Around 4 a.m., I heard something really strange in the living room, like nails scratching on the wooden floor. I got up to check it out and two furry creatures dashed down the hallway, through the bedroom, and out the open window in the sunroom."
Mom: "Then I woke up and wondered what all the noise was about."
Dad: "It was cats. Two cats who had decided to explore our home."
Mom: "And the first thing I said was, 'Oh no--are the kids okay?!'"
Dad: "And then you ran out to the living room and they were just fine."
"That's because I defended us with my knife. They didn't dare get close!"
Dad: "I'm sure that's the case, Brown Bear."
"I felt so traumatized!"
Mom: "From now on, we'll only open the window at the top. Otherwise, who knows what else might decide to pay us a visit!"

Home from Scotland

Here we are back home from Scotland. I'm so happy to have my knife back! We left it behind because our parental units were afraid it would be confiscated by Airport Security. It is hot here in Spain so we had to strip down a little bit.

Yes, BB, I like your new summer kilt. It shows just enough leg and the bare (bear, get it?) top is most becoming.

I was a little embarrassed by all that skin showing, but I'm getting used to it.

You aren't showing skin, silly, we're fuzzy kids, remember?

Oh, I forgot for a moment. Speaking of showing it all, your sequined bikini is really sexy.

Do you think so, BB?

Well, I like your summer look. It is quite becoming. We do make a handsome, if somewhat mixed metaphor, couple don't you think?

What has meta . . . whatever it is have to do with it? You sometimes use pretty big words, BB.

Metaphor. That's like . . . well, its like . . . oh, never mind.

You explain things so well, BB.

Really? I thought I was at a loss for words.

Well, I'm never at a loss for words--even if I don't always know what they mean. Use it three times and it's yours--that's my motto.

Well, I'll leave it at that. We have to get ready to go to Barcelona tomorrow. The parental units just can't stay in one place for any length of time. Still, its going to be a great adventure.

And we'll be traveling with Boulder Anne. She is a good friend and understands us completely.

So its bon voyage all over again.

Oh, my heart goes pitter pat when you speak in French, BB.

Hmm, well, yes indeed. Ahem. Uh.... By the way, Feelie McCool, we are missing you! Send us a photo or a comment!