West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Grounding Yourself

Digging in the Garden Can be Healing, Part 1

I found myself digging in the dirt at 6:30am last Sunday morning. For those who know me, morning is not my favorite time of day and to top things off, summer is my least favorite season, so why my sudden enthusiasm for seeing a sunrise? I don’t know. I admire those who actually enjoy the break of dawn and have considered changing my sleeping patterns, but I’m convinced Nature must be involved with these set patterns, so have given up, unless travel dictates setting the clock. But Sunday was different. I couldn’t sleep and gave up trying.

With my office work done for the week, I packed my small, red lucky roller, overnight bag and murmured a brief house-blessing, locking the condo door behind me, then drove twenty miles west to our island house in the Puget Sound of Washington State. I parked in the ferry line for the six-minute crossing to the first small island. Opening the car windows, brisk summer sea breezes exploded in my face and my energy was instantly restored. My eyes took in the magnificent view of huge yachts, whale-watching boats, sailing vessels and other various modes of water travel making their way toward the sea. I leisurely counted sixty-seven “walk-ons,” or visitors who wish to just cross the bay to walk the beaches, indicating tourist season was in full swing. Locals love visitors to spend money, but are relieved when September returns cold winds to the Northwest San Juan Islands, shooing the “summer-birds” back to their homes. The small island’s population swells to over 1200 on these days, giving the full-timer locals of 500 plenty to discuss at the winter soup-suppers!

My husband loves the island home with its huge tall trees and privacy. I love people and isolation. So I commute on most weekends as I still teach art, herbal medicine-making and Feng Shui, and give Feng Shui consultations. My schedule is flexible, and most weekends the grandchildren come to the island to explore the nooks and crannies on our land. The boys live close to the ferry terminal and can come and go as they wish during the summer. My daughter has come for the summer to visit and work a part-time job, so the whole family has been together for several months, going and coming across “the straits.” Last week some of us traveled to Victoria, British Columbia, and next week will be an Alaskan Cruise. All in all it has been a busy summer, fun, but busy.

A lot was on my mind and sleep seemed useless, so I got up and stared out the large windows of the house as day light approached. A huge ship was making its way down the channel, tugboats to the front and sides, guiding the tanker through the waterway. The dark blue water gleamed in the stillness of the early morning, and hawks were swirling above the trees in search of a morning feast. You could vaguely hear the giant ship engines as the vessel cut its way through the mirrored glassy water. “Yes, it is certainly summer’s grace,” I thought looking at the calmness of the sea. In another two months, I will delight seeing a completely different scene. Waves will be crashing over the ferry, spraying salt water on the cargo of cars and county employees whose job it is to run the boat. The crew has become very attached to my grandsons and actually spun the vessel in a complete circle in the middle of a crossing to celebrate one child’s birthday, illegally, I might add. What a surprise to everyone aboard. I doubt he will remember the unique salute to a five-year-old, and I wonder how many children in the world have had that privilege. Maybe none. (Continued next week)

Caroline lives in the Northwest Region of the US, called The Puget Sound in Washington State. She is a Feng Shui Practitioner, writer, author and artist. She gives workshops in Feng Shui, Elements of Art, private mentoring for serious students, lectures and writes for newspapers. She combines teaching and traveling to other locations, here and abroad. Her 2007 schedule includes workshop and classes in the Northwest, Southwest, Midwest and Alaska. She is available speaking, teaching and consultations.

Please consult your physician for physical problems as this article only gives ideas and suggestions. Caroline is not responsible for anyone using these suggested plants or advice for cures or healing any problem either medical or Feng Shui claims. This column and article is for entertainment only. Please seek help from a qualified physician, naturopath, herbalist or other certified person for treatment.

Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com