A walk in December to reset a frazzled mind December 13 2016, 0 Comments

It's mid-December. A time of busyness and the typical swirl of emotions that come with the holidays. And the overlay of the transition in the political arena this year adds undercurrents of uncertainty and dis-ease.  

So this week, even though you're too busy, or too tired, or too anything, take yourself outside and walk around the block. Once you're out you may wander further. Cast your gaze up and catch a shooting star and make a wish. Set an intention for one beautiful gesture. One moment of ease. One thought of a loved one or someone who needs a little extra dollop of love. Perhaps it's you.  When you return to your warm house I hope you feel refreshed and inspired. 

The Geminid meteors are doing their dance, peaking on the 12th and 13th. I love these meteors because at this time of year, there's a crystalline quality to the air. This December though, there will be a full moon lighting your way so it may be very difficult to see them. If you do, count yourself blessed. 

Happy Holidays and much love to you.

The Gift of the Geminids December 12 2015, 0 Comments

Over the next several nights our paths cross with the Geminids. We are blessed with a New Moon and a long night — perfect meteor-viewing aspects. I always hope for breaks in the clouds to see these winter meteors. 

I first saw them on a crisp cold December beach walk. Our beach walks typically amble north, to the point, which is where to look in the sky for this shower. I didn't know at the time this was one of the nights for the shower.

Surprised by a long bright shooting star that caught the corner of my eye. Was it? Look there's one. As we continued along out to the dragon and back, we saw a scant few. The exertion had warmed us enough, we decided to sit at the lookout couch just above the beach until we had seen five more.

This time with my son home from college was so treasured. Even if I became chilled, I'd not break the spell of time with him. No distractions from a wandering conversation about life and the mysteries it lays before us, while we looked up for a fleeting bit of magic in the sky.

Look there's one!

. . . . .. . . . .. . . . ...  . . . .   ...

The Geminids peak Sunday evening this year. Bundle up and find a beautiful dark place to enjoy them.

The moonwater movement & "Friluftsliv" March 13 2015, 0 Comments

The moonwater movement is about getting outside and looking up. Disconnecting from technology and engaging with nature. Taking a moment to breathe in and take note of the wonder surrounding you. Not only nature, also the people in your world.

It's as simple as putting your phone in your pocket as you walk out for lunch and noticing the impossibly varied faces of the people you pass by on the sidewalk.

Or looking up just a bit more to the embellishments on the facades of old buildings you pass every day and hadn't noticed until now.

Or taking the longer view to the horizon or sky at the end of the block.

Or in the evening tearing yourself away from the screen to simply walk around the block to enjoy the night sky, quietly attend to the different sounds of the neighborhood at night.

Or stay out even longer, with enough time to let your eyes adjust to the dark, hold still and see what animals might come back out.

Witness the wind pushing the clouds along illuminated from below by the lights of the city. Feel the hush, cool, dark of the night infuse your cells with nourishment before bed. 

Even if you live in the city or suburbs, these small moments allow you to have a small taste of "friluftsliv". A wonderful Norwegian concept that is loosely translated "fresh air life"

Finding Friluftsliv // a documentary from Charlotte Workman on Vimeo.

 I'll be writing more about this lovely Norwegian concept in future blog posts.

Comet trash is night sky treasure Friday, May 23rd May 23 2014, 0 Comments

What good fortune that the first night of a holiday weekend — Memorial Day weekend, no less — we are blessed with a new meteor shower. The nearly unpronouncable Camelopardalid meteor shower. 

Predicted but not certain, astronomers guardedly optimistic. The good news is that those of us in North America have the best chance of catching it Friday evening and early Saturday morning . We'll pass through comet debris and with luck comet trash will be turned into night sky watcher's treasure.

So get outside tonight and witness a new star gazing event. Look toward the North Star. Here's a short video from NASA.

As for me, I'll be kayaking and pausing to look up. Dark waters and waning crescent moon allow for the good contrast of a dark sky to showcase any shooting stars.

Sending blessings and love to those who are skipping on the stars this weekend.

Super Moon Lights Longest Night June 21 2013, 0 Comments

 This year spring and summer we have three Super Moons where the full moon coincides with the moon at Perigee. June's Full Moon is the most supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Why? It's when the moon is closest to the earth in the Northern Hemisphere and it's so close to the summer solstice. Following the summer solstice, the full moon lands on Sunday, June 23rd.

On the 23rd, the moon rises at around 9:30pm just after the sun sets in the Pacific Northwest and it sets just after sunrise. We'll be able to enjoy such well lit nights this weekend, I hope you'll stay up late and play in the moonshine.

PS. Help Support PhotoCenter NW

I'll be participating in Long Shot event put on by the Photo Center NW. A full day starting at 6pm Friday the 21st to 6pm Saturday the 22nd to photograph your world and participate in an exhibition at the Photo Center in July all the while benefiting and supporting this incredible organization. If you'd like to support me or other photographers, make a donation. And come to the Photo Center in July to see the exhibit.

Tonight's Full Moon is Super May 25 2013, 0 Comments

Today's Full Moon is a Super Moon. This is a recently coined term meaning the full moon is near or at Perigee, when the moon is closest to the Earth. Here's wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend with opportunities for no flashlight night walks and beautiful sails as the moon's reflection paints a path across the water.

Equinox light and energy returns March 26 2013, 0 Comments

Last week March 20th was the Vernal Equinox, when day and night are equal in both hemispheres. We celebrate the Spring Equinox at our cabin on the beach with friends as close as family.The gibbous moon timed perfectly this weekend to light the night sky so no flashlights were needed. The trees still unadorned with spring leaves allow the moon light in, casting long shadows even on paths normally shadowed by foliage. We walk the beach both day and night. Our tight knit community helps raise our kids in nature. We care for each other with respect, humor and kindness.

Our daughter was not there this year. She is sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Summer in the Southern hemisphere, just crossing the Equator at the equinox into Spring again in the North. 

This winter was a dark one. And we have emerged full of hope and light. Renewal and rebirth. With the earlier morning light and later dusk, our energy returns and we're inspired once again to build, create and make meaningful connections. 

So too with Moonwater. Happy Spring.

Walks at night, an exciting delight November 24 2012, 0 Comments