PS Embrace your face (again!)

A PS required itself. Perhaps this needed attention twice. 

So I wrote, published, and therefore sent out to my list the below post as it stands, but it belatedly struck me that it was missing a little something which is quite key to the point of it. Because much of my spare time for writing occurs in the late evening, I ended up unintentionally taking the photos in “soft light” and therefore actually accidentally somewhat muted the features that are really key to the whole thing that I most enjoy embracing in my own dear “imperfect” face. That being of course my beloved wrinkles, or character lines. These are an important part of what I am talking about when I say our faces hold our stories. So to amend that omission, here I am in broad daylight:

Also, while I’m on the photos, it would have been nice if they had been portraits by another photographer, as opposed to selfies, because, well, selfies can be a bit weird somehow. But sadly I am only one person with not the resources to enlist the assistance of a photographer. ;-) So on that note, I shall lead into the original with this one here that makes me look perhaps a little bit extra kooky (or perhaps that’s just the truth of it hehe) and highlights my interestingly slopy, and in this picture, somewhat blurry, forehead lines. 

And yes, I have spent time admiring each and every individual wrinkle (well perhaps not every single one as my collection does keep growing...). The between the eyebrows ones were perhaps among the hardest to learn to love, but for whatever reason, this became easier once two became four (more or less) and they became more asymmetrical (though symmetry is often preferred...!). Another key moment for loving those particular face creases was admiring someone else's particularly individual ones, which led to me realising that I actually don't usually so much notice these wrinkles on other people, that they can be really interesting, and also realising that mine deserved more positive attention. I also explicitly spent time exploring the emotions and thought processes and facial expressions that contributed to these little darlings, which were not entirely as I expected. This contributed to my crease compassion.

And, with that, I go on to a very special one - this one I prepared earlier for a previous sharing of wrinkle love, because my ultimate aim - which should not go unmentioned - is to join up the smile lines of my eyes, right down my cheeks to my smile lines of my mouth. Getting close hey. :-) It actually somehow wasn't until I took this one and examined it that I discovered I also have a smile "rainbow" on my forehead. Bonus. :-)

And then some more. This one because, my forehead again, and also, baby face - what's not to love there too (despite the lack of wrinkles). :-)

And just for luck, that thinking face, once more. It does get me in trouble sometimes that one... Poor misunderstood thinking face... Questing always for understanding...

And an extra last bonus from younger, bit less wrinkled, more somehow sort of teddy bear-ish days. Because there's nothing like cutting off your hair to make you realise how much you've been hiding your face!! (And yep that’s a school photo, but from my early days as a teacher. Not quite that young! That expression: “oh I wasn’t expecting to have school photos just after giving myself a number 4 cut,” ...embarrassed giggle...)

So embrace those faces. All of them. And most especially your own. Love love love.

Original Embrace your face here. The poem gets to the heart of it.

Embrace your face

So I mentioned a couple of posts ago a long held intention to write on the theme of “embrace your face”. And here and now, unexpectedly, but, it feels, perhaps somehow fittingly, it finds its time and place, and an unexpected form.

In the pagan tradition in the Southern Hemisphere, Samhain has just passed. These seasonal celebrations resonate with me, so I try to make space to honour them, however it fits at the time, without making it another chore of a busy world, so that it is an act of reverence. Samhain marks the Celtic New Year and at this time we are heading into Winter, into darker times, into within. The veil between Life and Death is thin. 

It feels right to be honouring this right now, and also honouring our Ancestors, and the Elements of Nature. I do not live on the land of my ancestors, but the Wadawarrung people of this land honour also their Ancestors and the Elements, so it feels right to honour Ancestors and the Elements here, even if the seasons of this land are different to those celebrated in the pagan tradition - that part honours my ancestry. There are some things about the seasons that are also the same here, and this time feels to me definitely a time of slowing down and going within. And then of course, in these times, even the seasons are changing. This is a time of shifting.

And then these times we are living through right now I feel are calling us all even more strongly to within, through enforced distancing and isolation, through slowing down, being in one place more, by ourselves more, with our selves more, alone or with just those closest to us. These times through many means are calling us to review what is and to reflect on what we value, what is important, what is essential, what is necessary, and what is not. Calling us to choose what it is time to release and what it is time to renew and what it is time to rebirth.

Dedicated, with deepest respect, to all of those who have died, and to those who have lost loved ones. Dedicated also to the ways of living that are becoming ways of the past, passing easily, or struggling yet to hold on; to all that is dying, to all that dies, to all that has died. And dedicated also, to all that is birthing; to all that is born; to all that has borne; to all that is being reborn; and to all that lives; to Life.

Birth. Life. Death. Rebirth. The cycle continues. A world dies. A new world begins. This is the true nature of things.

And in our faces, the story of each of our lives, from our birth, to our death. Stories to embrace. And with that...

Embrace your face

I am not beautiful

Or maybe I am

Can you see

The love in my heart

Through my sadness,

My pain,

My concern,

My quest to understand,

My anger,

My grief,

My despair,

My anxiety,

My worry,

My curiosity,

My care,

My calm,

My compassion,

My happiness,

My laughter,

My joy,

My face tells a story.

My face tells a story
Of my spirit

Of my soul
Of my self

Of my life.

My face does not lie.

It reflects the truth of my life

My love

My feelings

My story.

And it reminds me,

Sometimes,

That one day

I will die

And that is ok.

 

All is born

All will die

And between

There is the story of a life

And that is beautiful.

Embrace your face

Show your love

Show your life

Lay bare your truth

To the world.

You are infinitely connected

Never alone

And always yourself.

Love your self

Love your pain

Love your guilt

Love your shame

Love your suffering

Give compassion to your heart,

To your spirit, 

To your soul, 
To your self,

To your mind, 

To your body,

And to your face.

To you, in all your complexity.

Love you, 

truly, madly, deeply, unconditionally

For you are alive

And you are worthy

Find your joy and your love

In your pain

In your sadness that falls like rain

That cleanses your soul, your being

In the heaviness that hangs

Like an ominous cloud

Threatening

Find your light

Ever glowing

Within

Find your centre

Find your stillness

Find your radiance

And shine it out

Brightly, gently, clearly, quietly, courageously

With your life

Show your soul to the world

You are precious

You are needed

You are beautiful

You are you

I am me

We are us

Life is beautiful

Birth is beautiful

Death is beautiful

You are beautiful

I am beautiful

Embrace life

Embrace birth

Embrace death

Embrace failings

Embrace healing

Embrace release

Embrace growth

Embrace change

Embrace it all

Embrace life

Embrace me

Embrace you

Embrace your face

Love

Prelude Returns - My Friends the Birds: Nature, Delight, Joy, Connection, Love

On Friday morning I was outside hanging laundry when a little flock of tiny birds came by. I've seen them round here before, but never quite so close as this time, and I was left with a feeling of absolute pure delight following this visit. One flew right by my face as I stood on our verandah, wet clothes in hand, another perched a moment on the washing line a couple of metres away, and yet another paused just in front of me, amongst the leaves of a climbing vine, and contemplated me directly. The whole crowd continued onwards shortly after - there were perhaps 10 or so of them in the family - flying from the trees in front of the house to the trees round the side. I followed them with my family who had joined me after I had called them outside to see the birds, for some more mutual contemplation before we parted ways.

I think they might be thornbills, these little precious cheeky cutie beauties. They are teeny little, mostly grey birds with speckled chests and tucked away yellow tail feathers that light up in flight. I'm pretty sure also that they are the cousins of some of my dear avian friends from my days in the shed with no walls. So I thought it was time to write some more about those adored little friends of mine.

I'm pretty sure my friends are amongst these little ones or close relatives

These little birds, thornbills or otherwise, are the most curious of the tiny birds that I have met, and seem to be sometimes intrigued by human creatures and their beings and doings and goings about. They are not so shy as some of the others and will also come closer to humans, and they definitely pay attention. They stay mostly higher in the trees, but will fly a little lower between the trees sometimes, especially when zipping past to investigate an interesting human in action.

There are usually many of them together, and often they are accompanied by other kinds of little birds, collecting together loosely as they visit here and then there. I noticed one fantail joining the group here at Halcyon Haven on Friday, and the cloud that flew by regularly at The Wild were usually joined by my beloved sweet and timid red red robin couple, a treecreeper, and sometimes a fantail or two.

So this multi-coloured collection of visitors would come past The Wild every day, roughly the same time, maybe an hour or so after sunrise. I would always notice their arrival of course when I was there, because having no walls meant that there was no separation between myself and visitors passing - a very very special and important thing to have experienced. I wasn't always there every single day, but I was there quite often, and for some of my time living there, I was there more often than not, especially in the mornings. So as I became accustomed to their routine of coming and going, they too were accustomed to me, to us, and our movements.

And then we went away. My then partner rode his motorbike and I joined our friend in his Troopie running on vegie oil and we all went together on a 6 week Odyssey to South Australia - to the Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre and beyond, and back again, via Alligator Gorge at Mount Remarkable National Park and the wonderful Food Forest in Hillier. (Yet more stories for telling another day.) Eventually, many terrible South Australian potato cakes later (the smell of burning vegie oil will do that to you), we returned.

We arrived late at night and fell into bed, our friend in the caravan below and us on our platform atop the shipping container, in the shed with no walls, with a piece of tin behind our heads and the window frame above glass free - open to the crisp night air. And the next morning, lying there, I think the little guys must have spotted our returned vehicles, as one flew straight up to perch on the flags that fluttered in the breeze coming in through the open window and looked straight down upon us. The little one checking in then excitedly announced to the rest, "Dadaliddle! Dadaliddle!" which I am certain translates as "They're here! They're here!" It (I'm tempted to say he, but I'm not sure) flew out and then others flew in too, perched above our sleepy faces, and looked down to see for themselves.

The open window above the bed (flags not up yet in this picture); and the view out the other way over the caravan

From outside the glass free window, perching flags now included!

Within the week they had checked all the nooks and crannies amongst the eaves just outside that glassless window and decided as one that the best choice for a nest was the spot just most directly outside the window, the very closest to where we slept. And when the little ones hatched, the team of grown ups caring for them busily flew in all directions, back and forward, all day, non stop working to collect food for the hungry little mouths. And so, many times, they flew back and forth through the ever open window, and over me, as I lay, or sat resting, in my bed. They flew so close that I felt the wind of their wings as they passed, and many times, eyes closed, I still knew they were close, by that swift but gentle passing caress.

Nesting spot towards the right of this photo, where the truss meets the roof edge (perch flags above in shadow)

The times were getting tougher for me by then, part of why I was retreating more and more to my own lofty little nest below theirs. As the heaviness descended upon me, happiness was getting harder to find. But the company of those tiny little birds brought companionship and connection to my aloneness, love to my sadness, and joy to my heart, every single day. Bless them, every one, and their little Lal Lal cousins who shone also, with courage, confidence and curiosity, their light of freedom and delight in flight, as they flew near and stopped, for those moments of company and mutual contemplation, as they passed by on their way, on Friday.

Nests from afar

Nests from below

Flight path

Now - All the parts - Responding to Emergencies; Let’s Breathe, and Connect; and Let's Remember - We have Will, Power, Agency, Voices and Choices

This next part in my Now series really covers all the parts...

***
I was kindly invited by the young people of the Ballarat Action Climate Co-op to speak at their Climate Fair on 21 March 2020. I was really looking forward to speaking, though also nervous because I have never spoken in front of a large group of people before.

And then everything in the world was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

So I thought I would make a video instead, another thing I have never done before, to share what I was going to speak about (and more), because these times call for us all to step out of our comfort zone and into the growth zone.

***

I made the video in parts (Part 1 is the above!). I was asked to speak at the Climate Fair as a representative of the Ballarat Climate Action Network, about the imminent Victorian Government decision regarding Emissions Reduction Targets, and I was scheduled to speak for around 5 minutes. Of course I got a little carried away while making videos instead... So if you’re struggling at this time of emergencies on top of emergencies on top of emergencies, check out Part 4 - Let’s Breathe, and get in touch if you'd like ideas for further support (I will be writing more on this too). If you are in Victoria, check out how you can make your voice count right now by watching Part 5 about the Victorian Emissions Reduction Targets. My favourite video is probably the last one, so please check that one out. (Also, an aside... I've been meaning for ages to write a piece called Embrace Your Face, focussing in mostly on how I learned to love every single one of my wrinkles, and associated wider associations around this. I will get to that one day, but meanwhile, having watched myself on these videos, I now see how I created my awesome wrinkles! If you have no better reason to watch these videos, watch them just to check out my forehead in action. It speaks its own language! Especially in the last video where all my emotions come in.)

If you prefer reading to videos, skip to the bottom for transcripts. But the last part needs watching for the special extra at the end (listen for little person cuteness plus check out my absolute lack of technical ability - here's to doing it anyway).

***

Videos

Part 1 - Intro (as written above)

 

See: Ballarat Action Climate Co-op

Part 2 - Representing

See: Ballarat Climate Action Network (or facebook)

Hepburn Relocalisation Network (or facebook)

You Tell Our Kids

Part 3 - Emergencies

Part 4 - Let's Breathe

See: Australian Psychological Society
Psychology for a Safe Climate
Good Grief Network 
Info about Good Grief Groups I am running locally (for now online)

Part 5 - Victorian Emissions Reduction Targets

See: Ballarat Climate Action Network (or facebook)
Act on Climate Vic (or facebook)
Environment Victoria info graphic comparing 1.5°C and 2°C of warming
Article in The Courier

Part 6a - Que Sera, Sera

(Note re Que Sera: Oops! I checked the original words belatedly and I got it wrong in the video. The original first verse words are 'Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?' and the third verse words are 'Will I be handsome? Will I be rich?' Some other minor differences, but same story still applies anyway...!)
See: How social 'tipping points' could limit global warming
Joel Pett's Climate Summit cartoon

Part 6b - Que Sera, Sera - What Will We Will Into Being?

See: The World As We Know It Is Ending - So Now What?

See also the very bottom of this post for an addition to the image that I didn't manage to magically animate into the above video with accompanying soundtrack. Also a pic of my ridiculous technology set up used to make this last video, just for a laugh at my ineptitude... :-) (You might need to turn up the volume...)

Transcripts

Part 2 - Representing

I am a representative of the Ballarat Climate Action Network and I will be speaking today about the upcoming Victorian Government decision regarding the Emissions Reduction Targets for 2025 and 2030. I will also talk about further action for climate, and action generally that is good for our future, particularly within this current situation.

I thought I would wear a t shirt from my days working with the Hepburn Relocalisation Network around a decade ago, because Relocalisation is one of the key things that the world really needs, right now. Relocalisation is all about the many ways to build connected and resilient local communities and systems that support everyday life in a wonderful way, and that are strong in the face of any emergency. What better to put efforts towards right now. Look up the Hepburn Relocalisation Network to find out more about the many diverse things that are part of this. 

I also represent Living Lightly With Love, my very own organisation, so named because that’s what I aim to do, to share, to be, and to bring more of into the world, day by day, to the best of my ever growing abilities, in everything that I do, from my personal choices, to my life work, to my climate activism.

And, as a mum of small children, almost 2 and almost 4 years old, I represent them also, and I have also joined a movement of mothers called You Tell Our Kids.

Part III - Emergencies

So here we are, in a climate emergency, with a pandemic emergency thrown in on top of it, just as we are at the very beginning of the recovery from an unprecedented summer of bushfire emergencies. It is worth noting, at this point, that while this pandemic has not been caused by the climate crisis (though it's possibly true to say it has been exacerbated by a globalisation crisis), the science says that just as climate change will cause, or rather is already causing, an increase in the frequency and severity of bushfires, so too will it cause an increase in deadly disease outbreaks and pandemics. So with that in mind, why don't we do our all to reverse this right now, by working back to the causal factors, and meanwhile working to build stronger and more resilient communities and systems. The good news is we have already loads of ideas out there about how to do all this, all we need to do is get on with it. With gusto.

Part IV - Let’s Breathe

Let’s start with a deep, slow breath in, and a long, slow breath out.

When our bodies respond physiologically to emergencies, our system gets flooded with cortisol and adrenaline, and our brains start to work differently. When we are faced with an immediate threat, this is what helps us to fight, or to flee. But when the threat is longer term, or more distant, it's important to take the time to calm our nervous systems, however we can, so that our bodies don't burn out, and so that we can think more clearly. Spending time in nature, relaxing, meditating, practising mindfulness - particularly with self-compassion, having a laugh with our friends and families, having a dance, playing some music. Whatever allows us to slow down the sense of panic and reduce the feelings of overwhelm, and allow us to think more clearly about what to do right now, and the steps to take towards the future. On this note, there are many resources on the internet to aid us in dealing with and responding to our emotional reactions to these emergencies. The Australian Psychological Society, Psychology for a Safe Climate and the Good Grief Network, to list just a few places to find these resources. I am also running local (now online) Good Grief Groups, so get in touch if you would like to find out more. This work is important.

So let’s take another little pause. Release the tension in your bodies, let your shoulders drop away from your ears, wriggle around a little bit, whatever feels good. You can also think of something in your life or in the world that brings you joy, peace or calm and focus on that with a sense of deep gratitude. And let's breathe, deep and slow.

So now let's try to keep our brains set to using our control centres, instead of just our panic stations. And remember to keep returning to practices that help you restore calm, as needed. Take time to relax, enjoy nature, meditate, dance, play and laugh, in amongst all the craziness. And remember that the more you practice, the easier this becomes.

Part V - Victorian Emissions Reduction Targets (ERTs)

Now let’s focus in, on one key thing that is happening right now, in the world of climate action, right here, in Victoria. Despite all that is going on in the world right now, in each of our lives right now; amongst the chaos, this is important.

The Victorian Government is currently in the final days of deciding Emissions Reduction Targets for 2025 and 2030, towards reaching the target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions already legislated for 2050. Check out ballaratclimate.com or go to Ballarat Climate Action Network on facebook, to find out more of the details on this, and, most importantly, how you can help. It is important that the Victorian Government hears from us at this time, that they know that we are still watching, listening and waiting for this decision. It is important that they know that we want our government to set strong, bold and ambitious targets, in line with the best science and in line with keeping global warming to less than 1.5 degrees C. This is crucial to ensure a safer future for all.

We need to be clear with the Government that targets in line with keeping warming to 2 degrees are not enough. According to the 2008 Garnaut review, by 2050 the irrigated agricultural output from the Murray Darling Basin would be halved, and by the end of the century the Basin would no longer be home to agriculture – this is a clear indicator that our food security would be seriously impacted. 2 degrees also means no more Great Barrier Reef. Environment Victoria has a very clear info graphic comparing the impacts of 1.5°C and 2°C, including the loss of plant and insect species, extreme heat exposure and the disappearance of Arctic sea-ice. Here in Australia we are already seeing unprecedented bushfires; droughts and floods will only increase. Pandemics will increase. The next decade is crucial. These 2025 and 2030 targets are crucial. We must do all we can to mitigate the greater, more all-pervasive, dangerous and deadly emergency that is the climate emergency.

At the start of March Ballarat Climate Action Network sent out a call to our community, asking for support for climate action. We received rapid responses from local community leaders, the Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council, and environmental groups, who were all keen to broadcast their support for targets in line with keeping warming to less than 1.5°C. We have sent the statement of community support, along with a letter urging action, to the Premier Daniel Andrews, the Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio and to our local Members of Parliament. 

The Courier reported on the support of the Ballarat region for ambitious targets, referencing this statement, and also the support of local state MPs Michaela Settle and Juliana Addison, who after meeting with local community members, have committed to “lead the drive for less than 1.5°C.” The Courier report also included comments in support of 1.5°C targets from Cr Belinda Coates, Deputy Mayor of Ballarat, who also referred to council support for strong targets across Victoria.

It is imperative that the Government knows the Victorian people are watching, and that the community calls for ambitious targets that will build on the climate leadership the Victorian Government has previously shown and drive the action that is needed for a safer climate. They need to know that we want less emissions, not more; that we want them to restore the ban on gas drilling recently lifted; that we need all movement away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner sources of energy; and changes in systems to work towards limiting warming to less than 1.5°C. Let the Government hear your voice by calling or writing to the Premier and Minister Lily D’Ambrosio. Let them know the Ballarat region wants Climate Action Now! Go to ballaratclimate.com for all the info on how to do this. Thank you.

(See also Act on Climate Vic, or facebook.)

Part VI - Que Sera

To continue, if you'll indulge me by listening a little longer, a personal story.

As I said earlier, I’m a mum of two small children, who are almost 2 and almost 4 years old. In the year 2050, they will turn 32 and 34, and I will turn 71. I have long been concerned about the destruction of our natural world – the extinction of species, the loss of wilderness, the changing climate… All this has caused me much grief and despair over the years. But to be honest, I don't think I ever thought that it would come to this, to this point at which we now find ourselves. And it is hard sometimes not to feel frightened, even terrified at the lack of wider action going on. For me, the truth dawned slowly, then more rapidly, as I learned more about our situation around a decade ago, and at that time it hit me hard. Since then I have worked hard to keep building my personal resilience, alongside continuing to do the work that I can do towards the change we need for a better future.

Meanwhile, most nights, I sing to my little girls, and one of the songs I usually sing is Que Sera, because my mum sang it to me when I was small. Perhaps you know the song.

The first verse and chorus usually runs:

When I was just a little girl,

I asked my mother ‘What will I be?’

Will I be famous? Will I be rich?’

Here’s what she said to me.

‘Que sera, sera

Whatever will be, will be

The future’s not ours to see

Que sera, sera.’

(Note: I belatedly checked and oops, the first verse words are usually 'Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?' Same story applies anyway... See below)

In the second verse, the little girl grows up, falls in love, and asks her sweetheart ‘What lies ahead? Will there be rainbows, day after day?’ I've actually decided to sing about rainbows for all three verses, because being rich or famous doesn’t matter to me, but rainbows are one of Nature’s miracles, and the rain and sunshine that make them happen are two of the miraculous elements of Nature that make Life on Earth possible, and these elements are what we truly must hold sacred.

The Que sera clincher comes in verse 3. Some weeks I read a lot of stories that help me hold some hope for the future. Good news stories about action that is happening, decisions that have been made; sometimes ironic reductions in emissions due to pandemics; ways we can make change happen for a better future; the social tipping points - that we are actually very close to - such as revealing the morally harmful nature of fossil fuels, and divesting from those fossil fuels, that could work together, to actually limit warming... Other weeks I read too much of the science about what will happen if we don’t make changes, massive changes, urgently, right now; or about what is already happening, now, no matter what we do. And in those weeks, when I sing the third verse to my little girls, it makes me cry. Because we have already lost so much. All the species that have gone extinct. Forests burned that will not regenerate because they already suffered die off from drought and temperature increases. And that's just the beginning.

Now I have children of my own

They ask their mother

‘What lies ahead?’…

But. 

The chorus continues, like the first verses…

Que sera, sera

Whatever will be, will be

But.

It is not just “Que sera, sera. What will be, will be.”

Because we have will. We have power. We have agency. We have our voices. And we have choices.

And we can choose change. We can choose the change we want. And we can use our voices, our agency, our power, and our will, to make it happen.

I read some wise words about change about 7 years ago, when I was going through a lot of internal, personal change, and these words have stuck with me as important words to remember.

"Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up."

And right now what we have to gain is absolutely everything.

Like my favourite climate cartoon by Joel Pett. Set at a Climate Summit, an audience member asks “What if it’s a big hoax and we create a better world for nothing?” while on screen a list includes just some of the things that we have to gain:

-       Energy independence

-       Preserve rainforests

-       Sustainability

-       Green jobs

-       Livable cities

-       Renewables

-       Clean water, and air

-       Healthy children

-       Etc. etc.

It’s not all gone, yet.

But we have to make this happen.

And that’s maybe a little scary too. Because it means letting go of elements of the life we have now, and the future we thought we were going to have, and stepping into the unknown. Stepping out of our comfort zones and into our growth zones.

But if we give ourselves a push, ask for help if we need it, and take that first step, the whole world opens up and becomes brighter.

We connect to our deeper, better, higher selves – strong and vulnerable, afraid and courageous, always learning what it is we do not yet know, and finding at the same time what we have always truly known already.

We find strong, deeper connections with our communities, and with the whole world around us.

We work with our passions, following our hearts and our souls and living our dreams. All for the highest and greatest good of all.

We have work to do, and together we can do it. 

So remember:

You have will; you have power; you have agency. You have choice, and you have your voice. 

Say it with me:
I have will. I have power. I have agency. I have choice. And I have my voice.

Let’s make our choices consciously and intentionally, and let our voices be heard. Let’s build this new world together.

Thank you. Thanks for listening. (Or reading!)

So, you can see how, ultimately, all the parts I'm working on, came into this story...! And I'm just going to keep writing more about all of these parts as I go. As on we go, from Now, to the Future, growing all that is Good! Together.

And in celebration of my amazing technological solutions... The set up I used to make the last video, plus my phone not pictured because I was using it to take the picture, but which also recorded the original sound - at bedtime - which I transferred to my computer to play through the old stereo so I could record it as a soundtrack while videoing my picture of 'How Now to the Future?' It didn't come out exactly as it was in my mind somehow. I know, it's a surprise considering my amazing set up. But the essence is there anyway...