Vow of Silence

Well, what a weekend. I did nothing. I did garden naked on Sunday so that must count as something, and actually, I spent Saturday bushwacking for about 10 hours in behind my house in search of a secret river that is apparently full of trout with lollypop trees and gumdrop houses. No sarcasm found here... well, didn't find any of the lollypop trees, but it was certainly a beautiful place and worthy of such acclaim. Lots of oldgrowth with moss knee deep in places. What a gem to find and so close to home! Lots of trout that are heading for the smoker this week, and some great mushrooms for the incredible edibles. The top picture is 'chicken of the woods' by far the tastiest mushroom I've ever had. As for the vow of silence, I've been so busy this year, integrating myself into my new society, I just needed to take some time to myself. It is amazing how well a little note on your door works. That combined with the social event of the year going on down south made for my silence to work out quite well. In all, only 2 short conversations in 48 hours and nothing but natural sounds. I'm a bit of a deer in the headlights today coming into work, but I think the time alone was very theraputic. Gives some time for introspection. And on that note, I got to think a bit about life, the philosophies that surround us 'hippies' or new agers and the dichotomy that we live. I mean, with the 100 mile diet, we are supposed to gather all our food from on island, and granted a great philosophy, but with this should we also adopt the spirituality and guidance from on island as well? Are those that practice eastern medicine controvening this philosophy? Can we follow a mayan shaman, but not eat his bananas? By listening to heavy metal am I saying that I love buddah and satan equally? Granted they have both given great things... peace and love, and of course the woodstock with all the fires. Ahhh satan, the fun you've given us. And the tree-hugging, mother earth loving people that dump their grey water right on their drinking water table??? See where I'm coming from? I know, I know, maybe being alone isn't the best thing to do at times when introspection governs your intellect. None the less, the foundation of a philosophy is through fact gathering and debate, retesting, rinse and repeat. So where from here... Perhaps I should check the identification books of those mushrooms... Well, I think it's official, I'm slightly coo coo, and long overdue for a trip off island and it's coming soon. Booked my flight off this island to... well, another island. Van Island to be exact. Leaving Sept. 16th to Oct. 7th and can't wait. Full of friends, and a little stint of surf on long beach. Looking forward to this excursion. After that, who knows, perhaps a little more introspection... reconnecting with buddah and satan and all the boys.