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Tuesday, September 2, 2008

A Journey To Bus 142

"We shall not cease from exploration,
and the end of our exploring
will be to arrive where we started...
and know the place for the first time."
~T.S. Eliot

Sometimes in life, you just have to make things happen. If we wait too long, opportunities can pass us by. Chris McCandless did not wait for life to start happening to him, and the life he chose to lead has touched me as an artist and a person very profoundly. I needed to visit the place that he spent the four pivotal and final months of his life. I am planning on doing a series of paintings about Chris and I knew that this place would offer insight that nowhere else could. I needed to go to bus 142 as sure as I need to stretch my limbs every morning.

The road sign indicating the turn off to Stampede Road on the George Parks Highway.

Less than 24 hours after I landed in Fairbanks, Alaska I was hurtling down the George Parks Highway towards a very important turn-off, Stampede Road. This is the road and trail that Chris followed as he began the final stage of his two year odyssey that spanned the continent and ended tragically with his death in the wilderness of Alaska in 1992.
Once my friend Ed offered to accompany me on my pilgrimage to Fairbanks Bus 142 on the Stampede Trail I booked my ticket right away. With Ed's company and companionship I knew the adventure could begin in earnest.

It is 20 miles give or take to get to the abandoned bus on the Stampede Trail from the George Parks Highway. Ed and I decided to start out on mountain bikes to shave off a little bit of time. We encountered so much water on the trail though that we ended up walking the bikes for much of the four miles or so that we covered with them. It seemed as though the stream was trying to spite us as so much of the trail was immersed in water!

A typical stretch of the Stampede "Creek" as I renamed it jokingly.

We met two men returning from a failed attempt to reach the bus. They had managed to swim across the swiftly moving Savage River (chest high) but had turned back when they reached the much larger Teklanika River. We informed them that we had a raft to negotiate the waters to which they looked a little surprised. We parted and continued along the trail until we reached the Savage River, the first of two river crossings on the trail. The water was icy cold due to being a glacial river and was steely grey and opaque with silt. It is hard to tell the depth of rivers such as those. We forded the river with Ed's handy Alpacka raft. A short but exiciting crossing! We covered the two miles between the Savage river and Teklanika quickly.

The trail was nice and flat between the two rivers with an old airstrip running parallel to the trail. The clouds were low and the quiet of the brush was intense. This quietness was palpable as I remarked on it to Ed when we first set out on the trail. I had never experienced such absence of sound. It was all around us, pervasive, haunting almost. As we walked down the trail I continually imagined Chris as he walked this same path 16 years before. I imagined the joy in his heart at finally being where he wanted to be, alone, under his own steam, venturing into the unknown.
Ed heading down the trail towards the Teklanika River.

The Teklanika River has been looming in my mind ever since arranging this trip. It is the glacial river that trapped Chris back in the summer of 1992 and I was not looking forward to crossing its fast-moving waters. Little did Chris know that when he crossed the languidly moving, partially frozen river back in April of 1992 that it would have swollen to a raging torrent not four months later. Ed's calm demeanor partially allayed my concern as we inflated the trusty Alpacka. He looked like he was having fun fording the river with our packs! Within 15 minutes our packs, ourselves and the raft were safely on the far side of the Teklanika. Now there were only 9 miles between us and the bus.

The formidable Teklanika River

Ed crossing the Tek

We made quick time covering the final leg of the trek to Fairbanks Bus 142. It seemed that the bus might be around every corner, just beyond every bend in the trail. At one point, an hour or so before we finally made it to the bus a helicopter passed overhead. When we reached the bus there was an entry in the journal in the bus from a man and woman who had visited just before we arrived, the pair who had chartered the helicopter.

The scenery between the Teklanika and the bus was beautiful. The trail ranged from quite overgrown and tangled to open and airy. We saw one fresh bear print and we were careful to periodically yell out to alert any bears in the area and reduce the chance of a nasty encounter.

The distant mountains and low clouds were quite lovely. We saw one caribou off in the distance but relatively little wildlife on the trek in to the bus.

I love this view of the trail as it dips down a bit. The bus was only about a couple of miles beyond this point.

And then, almost surprising us, Fairbanks Bus 142 came into view. Thousands of kilometres by plane, 9 hours by foot and bike and two river crossings later we had reached it. It was quite surreal to be there as the sun started to dip down towards the horizon.

Fading light in the clearing by the bus, August 18, 2008

I had heard that there had been some vandalism done to the bus a few months ago. Despite this knowledge the sight of the bus and its contents dismayed us greatly. Things were everywhere; old shoes that were not Chris', a broken tent and backpack (also not Chris') and garbage everywhere was what greeted us as we stepped inside. We were tired and needed to get our camp set up so we decided to return to the bus the following day to clean up properly.

This is the how the bus looked when we first stepped inside.

We moved a short distance down the trail beyond the bus to a gravel bar where the Sushana River intersects with two other streams. It is a lovely spot, a place that I really connected with, especially with the bus being in such a gloomy state upon our arrival. We set up our camp and realized that we were in for a beautiful sunset. I thought about Chris and how many beautiful sunsets he might have seen. I thought about how he must have spent a good deal of time on and around the gravel bar, washing, gathering wood, hunting and collecting berries. We also wanted to be a distance away from the bus in case others showed up. We didn't want to be in anyone's way. No one ended up appearing. In fact, we encountered no one else at the bus in our entire time there (just less than 24 hours).

Sunlight on a rock face by the gravel bar.

Before the sun disappeared I wanted to do something special. I wanted to collect some blueberries and leave them in the bus in honor of Chris. "Beautiful blueberries" was the last thing that Chris ever wrote in his journal before he passed away on August 18,1992, 16 years earlier. Blueberries were all over the place and I collected some from the bushes that Chris likely also harvested them from too. It was something I will never forget, visiting the bus in the waning light and leaving them there with a little note.

"Beautiful blueberries for Chris"

Having meandered back down to camp where Ed was getting a fire going we settled in and watched the magnificent sunset as the clock rounded 11pm. The gravel bar had a nice supply of wood for a fire and smooth stones so the sleeping was relatively comfortable with our sleeping pads. We found a wolf print in the sand nearby and saw a huge raven but fortunately no bears. As we drifted off I continued to think about where I was and the small pocket of pivotal time that Chris spent in this place so many years before, yet it seemed like only yesterday to me.

Our campfire on the gravel bar just down the trail from Bus 142.

The next morning we got up, had breakfast (oatmeal with some of the wild blueberries growing all around the area) and made our way up to the bus to clean up a bit.

Another view of the gravel bar in the morning. It was a perfect spot to camp.

Many of the windows in the bus have been broken. I would say about half of them are badly damaged. There was glass everywhere. Ed fashioned a make-shift broom out of a spruce bow and it was very effective in sweeping the majority of the dirt and debris out of the bus. We shook the rug out and cleaned the glass off of the mattress at the back, removed trash and placed it behind the bus as neatly as possible and just tried to make it more presentable. We were contemplating burning some trash but decided against it because we were not staying long enough to monitor the fire.

The blue suitcase that Chris' parents brought to the bus in 1993 is still there. Chris' bible from when he was a little boy, along with quite a few journals are also there. Ed and I signed the most recent journal and rewrote a faded note outlining housecleaning tips and suggestions for maintaining a bit of order in the bus. We left this in a plastic sleeve for others to hopefully read while visiting.

Ed tackles the chaos.

The bus post clean-up.

I was pleased to see some of Chris' things still in the bus. Long gone are his shoes and many of his possessions but I did manage to find his spoon from his childhood home, a water bottle and some pots that he used to eat with as well. After we had tidied as much as we could inside and out we took a few shots to remember our time there.

Here is a view of the stream that runs next to the bus that meets up with the Sushana River up at the gravel bar.

The aspens were rustling all the time, the sun was shining and we had lighter hearts at the end of our time there with things looking a bit less disorderly. We packed up the camp and our gear and prepared to head out but I took a few extra minutes to contemplate Chris; the earnest and eager young man with a touch of wilderness in his soul who found this bus at the end of the road he followed for two meandering years. As Thoreau wisely opined "It is life near the bone where it is sweetest" and I believe that Chris knew this for certain.

We head back down the trail towards the Teklanika River, and home.

We made good time on the way back. Our camp was set up just west of the Teklanika so that the rest of the hike out would be shorter the following day. Along the trail we met Wes and Oliver, two young guys on their way to the bus to pay their respects to Chris' memory as well. We chatted with them at their camp in the middle of the Trail for awhile. Turns out they braved the steely cold waters of the Tek where it braided in four sections. Apparently this crossing point is about a mile downstream. I didn't see where they crossed but I am quite impressed that they managed to do that given the speed and frigid temperatures of the relentless Tek. We camped on another gravel bar that night and awoke to yet another gorgeous August day on the trail.

It was a crisp, cool night by the Tek. The river sounded just as cold as it was.

This is the view I want to see every morning.

As Ed ferried us across the Tek I took this mid-crossing shot, hence the odd angle.

We continued on and crossed the Savage River with no problem and retrieved our bikes where we had left them in the brush by the side of the trail. Much of the trail near the truck was uphill so that made for an interesting ride. A couple of miles from the truck we spotted another helicopter beelining straight for the bus. It turns out that was the two men we crossed paths with on our way in to the bus two days before. Evidently they had chartered a chopper to get them out there. Wes and Oliver, the nice guys by the Tek ran into them at the bus. The number of resolute people determined to get to the bus was evident just from this short period of time that Ed and I were on the trail.

Ed and I at the start of the Stampede Trail and at the end of our journey.

Throughout the entire duration of the trek in to the bus and back out I continually thought about Chris and what he must have been thinking and experiencing all of those years previously as he made his way out along the broken line of the Stampede Trail. Granted it would have been very cold and snowy when he went into the bush, conditions would have been similar to ours when he tried to leave. My heart was heavy after we successfully crossed the Teklanika and continued on along the trail. Chris tried to leave but couldn't, the Tek stood in his way and prevented him from continuing his journey, wherever that might have lead him. We can only speculate about what he might have done following his "Final And Greatest Adventure". Tragically, we will never know.

"Bus 142", 2008, oil on panel, 30"x 24"

"Diary Of A Supertramp (study)", oil on panel, 8"x10" This is a small study for a larger painting that I will complete of Chris' entire belt that chronicles his many adventures.

Fairbanks Bus 142 has become a memorial to Chris' life and tragic death in the quiet beauty of that little pocket of wilderness near Denali National Park. And though Chris may be gone his memory and his influence continue to affect countless people to this day. Clearly he had an indomitable spirit that was beyond compare. I can only hope to infuse a little bit of the energy that I felt on the trail into my paintings about him. Hopefully others respect the bus and its history when they visit and try to preserve it for as long as possible. I will write another post soon about a second trip that I made to the bus the following week.

UPDATE, April 2010: I am co-producing a book of Chris's photographs and my paintings that I have done based on his photographs. This book will be published within the next year. It is very exciting! These photographs are a collection of images taken from over 300 pictures that Chris took on his terminal odyssey from 1990-1992. I am helping to produce this book in conjunction with Walt and Billie, Chris's parents, as well as a small group of devoted creatives and friends. From the first time that I laid eyes on these images, I knew there was a story there that had to be told: Chris's story through his own eyes. I will post updates regarding the book as I find out further details! Thank-you for taking the time to read my blog here and have a beautiful, magical day...

"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it." ~Buddha

VeganCowGirl said...

a beautiful and inspiring post heather. thank you for sharing all of your photos. the experience must have left something unreal inside you, that I look forward to understanding, if only marginally, through your future works. You claim painter, but, perhaps you might want to add author/poet - you made me cry with your words.

Be well.

ovulus_ said...

Oh wow, these are beautiful! I need to find my own bus in the middle of nowhere.

I can see why your art works so well.

Lee Wadiun said...

I saw your link on the facebook page and I just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing this story.You are both great people for taking the time and effort to clean up the bus and showing so much respect for the place, it's a shame more people are not like you. I hope you had the best time and I am sure it was an experience that you will never forget. I look forward to seeing your Chris inspired paintings :)

cathy peng said...

You are a brave soul! I'm glad your trip was safe and that you were able to visit the bus. I loved reading your account of it all. Looking forward to seeing the new paintings as well.

Take care,

Cathy :)

Salva said...

amazing post!!! greetings from spain!

Kerry F. said...

Thanks so much for this post. I recently just found out about Chris' story and have decided that I want to make a trip as well. I' am artist too, actually. Thanks for the post!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your respect towards the bus.. it saddens me so much that people would just have so much disrespect towards Chris and that old haven. Hopefully it will withstand the tests time has already put on it.

Josh The Squash said...

Thanks for sharing your story - and for cleaning up the bus.

Take care,

leslie said...

it took me forever to get back to this post and read it all, what a great trip and thank you for writing about it in such detail. i still hope to have a portrait of my girls painted by you, heather you are such an amazing artist and person!

Anonymous said...

Your painting, your words and your photographs are all gorgeous. Thanks so very much for sharing. One question: I've read that during the summer the mosquitoes travel in herds. Was that your experience?

Avrosh said...

This is one of the most devoted journeys I've heard or read of.
You are an amazing artist. Your pictures portray your devotion towards Chris.
Love them!

variableparticle said...

grovarta said...

oh!!! really thank you for the links!!! when i saw your post, i HAD to share this with my friends!!! you are fantastic and pretty lucky for having been there. thanks for sharing your trip to there to the world.

Anonymous said...

Fair play to you. It 's a journey That everyone has the right to made. But show respect. You did an important & great job. Francesco

KLR said...

Great post, Heather!
What a wonderful adventure that must have been and what a mark it must have left with you. I am just beginning to get to know Chris's story and hope to find out more.
Thanks for your findings and sharing your talents!

Annabel said...

Goodness, just amazing! I watched the Movie last night and am doing some research as it has so inspired me. I'm so pleased I stumbled across this - well done!

Annabel said...

Goodness, what an absolutely fantastic adventure! I watched the Movie last night and am just researching a little as I was really moved by it - your story, and photographs are amazing. Well done!

John said...

Very nice. this story is so inspiring. I hope to make the journey myself early next year.

b3rtnay said...

Props. the trail to the bus is quite the journey (emotionally and physically). we did it in two days, all by hiking - 12 hours there & about 13 back. All of the people we talked to before told us it was impossible. Blogs like yours helped inspired us.

Anonymous said...

You guys did a great job of cleaning up the bus. Just in case I ever go there thanks in advance ;)

Anonymous said...

Very intersting experience, and nice initiative to clean the bus.
Thanks you from France to sharing this story !
Long life !

avva said...

Thank you for cleaning the bus and for the blueberrys for Chris.
There should be more people like you!

Heather Horton said...

Thank-you everyone for your feedback! As for cleaning the bus, there was simply no other way. It is a place of refuge as much as of respect to an extraordinary man and Ed and I were compelled to act! So away we went and his makeshift "broom" out of a tree branch was perfect, and still is in the bus today I believe!

I will be heading back to the bus next year as well as to many other places Chris traveled and will post those pictures/paintings and musings as well.

Take care and share some happiness today...

Keith said...

Where did you get a picture of the belt? My understanding is that it is a remarkable piece of artwork. I would love to see the entire length of it

Heather Horton said...

Good evening Keith.

Chris' parents were gracious enough to let me use reference of the entire belt..I am planning on doing a painting of the whole belt...the belt is beautiful to see and hold, a true work of art. Stay tuned :)

MyNameIsSamm said...

This is so inspiring. I literally JUST finished reading about Chris' story in Into The Wild a couple of minutes ago and your blog was the first thing that popped up. It was so coincidental because I was just thinking about going to see the bus and see the condition it was in. It was really good to see pictures of the site because it was nothing like I had pictured.

His story was really inspirational to me because I'm still so young (16) and he taught me to just go for it. Reading this just reinforced his lesson. Thank you.

Very good paintings, by the way.

Nina said...

Beautiful post. Your words and your artwork is stunning. Thank you for sharing this.

arnaud said...

Very interesting trip, deeper, stronger.
Your blog is very very good.

Angelo Gabriel said...

Great post, great journey and great paintings! I just loved that and I kind of envy you for that, but a good-kind of envy.

Congratulations from Brazil.

Heather Horton said...

Thank-you all so much for your positive feedback! I am so excited to visit the bus again this year. I will be sure to clean it up if it is in disarray again....stay tuned for photos and writings about this very special place....

Jonathan said...

What a wonderful journey you took. The words and photos gave me chills! Love your paintings and this forthcoming book sounds fantastic.

Anonymous said...

i'm from brazil and i like very much the chris story, and this blog is a criative way to show me that the story of chris is true, never forget of post your adventures on the bus =)

Anonymous said...

hi heather
it's amazing that you went to alaska to see where chris spend his last 4 months.i read the book and saw the movie and of course i have only positive words for chris.i'm not from any country near alaska but i would like to go there someday soon.unfortunately i don't know some things that i need to know.

i would be most grateful if u could send me an e mail in your free time.i want to ask you some questions about the trip and some other thngs that are not for public.

thank you in advance :)

Bernardo said...

Beautiful work Heather! I read the book too and it has touched me a lot.

McGon said...

Beautiful blog. Thank you Heather.

Den said...

Nicely done Heather.
All the best,
Melbourne, Australia.


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16 May 2001

Helena Josefsson is a bandstarter too (XVI): The Good Mornings - Live

The Good Mornings, the Swedish band leaded by Dan Bornemark and Helena Josefsson, have had some gigs this year after releasing their first album in late 2000.

Video by Mauricio Picasso

They played in the Stockholm Live Day 2001, on 13th May. The band included:
  • Helena Josefsson: lead vocals
  • Dan Bornemark - keyboards, vocals, music
  • Jens Ståhlstierna - gitarr, vocals
  • Rasmus Kihlberg - drums
  • Mauricio Picasso - bass

Other former members of "The Good Mornings" include:
  • Figge von Wachenfeldt - keyboards, vocals
  • Bosse Håkansson - percussion
  • Björn Gustavsson - bass

Svenska said...

Some people talk about The Good Mornings in this Swedish forum: http://vstforum.clubcubase.net/viewtopic.php?t=727&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start

LJdM said...

These are the answers of Helena Josefsson (HJ) and Mauricio Picasso (MP) in an interview to Le Journal des Mouches (Q) last February 2010. I never published the answers in an article because I keep on waiting for the answers from other members, Dan Bornemark and Jens Ståhlstierna for months. This could be considered the lost interview with "The Good Mornings". Enjoy it!

*** Q1 - "The Good Mornings" was a Swedish band a few years ago. Who were the members and how and when did it start as a band?
***HJ1: I have a very bad memory and I hope some of the other guys are better. I met Dan the first time when I was competing with my band Snooze at "Musik Direkt" , I think I was around 20. After the show he came up to me and then we started collaborating! I met Jens through Dan, and we have kept working since. Mauricio is my oldest friend of the three, whom I met at "Violeta Para", my very first rehearsal place. On drums we had both my good friend Per Blomgren (Sandy Mouche) and jazz legend Rasmus Kihlberg.
***MP1 - You should ask one of the initial members about the beginnings of the band. Dan Bornemark knows the details. It was Helena Josefsson who talked to me about the band, threw out the previous bassist and chose me as bass-player in April 2000. I am Uruguayan, from Paysandu, son of political exiled that ended in Sweden. I met Helena in Lund, where we both were living, and had previously attempted to initiate several projects together before without success. After several years, I contacted her to make commercial productions with Swedish producers and then she offered me start playing with his band, The Good Mornings .

***Q2 - How would you define the style and music of "The Good Mornings"? What influences from other artists did you take? Who composed the songs?
***MP2: The themes were composed by Helena Josefsson and Dan Bornemark, I think Jens Ståhlstierna composed some songs too. I'm pretty ignorant about bands and so on. For me everything in 4 / 4 is rock!
***HJ2: It is hard to describe the music- it was many styles in fusion- like:a bit of power ballad and symphony rock and acoustic guitar-based pop and a little folkmusic somehow! It was me, Dan and Jens who composed!

***Q3 - How was "The Good Mornings"’s live sound? Did you have many gigs in Sweden?
***MP3 - We sounded good live since we were all -more or less- professional musicians with great stage experience. Helena was the youngest of the group with her twenty-something and then I with almost 30 and the rest in their 40s. On facebook you can see a live recording of a concert in Stockholm in May 2000, just a couple of weeks after I started playing with them
***HJ3: There was not many live gigs. Most of them were just Dan and me. I remember one especially, at a restaurant in Mölle. Outside. It was summer. Mmmmm!

LJdM said...

***Q4 – Did “The Good Mornings” record any songs in the studio?
***MP4: They recorded something before I came and then we recorded four songs together.
***HJ4: Yes we recorded a lot. That´s mainly what we did. Maybe we could spread them somehow so you can hear! Dan has it all in his computer I think! Dan Bornemark has a studio in his house, so I used to go there by bus and we worked for 24 hours at the time, and he and his wife cooked so great food, and I got to be with them and their dogs. It was really nice! And I tasted Haloumi cheese for the first time. I remember sleeping in their guest-room, it was cold and nice and the sheets were always so crisp somehow. Dan could work really late, ´til three at night but my eyeballs start rolling in my head at midnight. I would sit/lie there in the sofa trying to stay awake while he had most his energy then. (Actually it is the same when I work with Per:o) I remember that we had a lot of fun and it was the first time my voice could be heard really well in a production.

***Q5 - How long did the project "The Good Mornings" last? How and when did it finish?
***MP5: I have no idea of dates but all finishes around 2001. Helena started a new band, Sandy Mouche, together with Per Blomgren, the latest drummer in The Good Mornings. Unfortunately our band, The Good Mornings, did not work, as we were in different stages of life. Personally I was planing a family with my wife and tired of performing live for many years. The other musicians are the best ones in Sweden, tremendous and well-known musicians but maybe they were pretty tired of rushing around. Helena Josefsson’s project was younger, the rest of us didn’t fit in the pictures.

***Q6 - Do you still have contact with the members of the band? What did you do after "The Good Mornings"?
***MP6: We do not keep in touch, I met them through Helena Josefsson and we got along with each other. Now some of us are friends on Facebook and that’s all, but since 2002 I have got three children ... so there is not much time to meet anyone. Nowadays I make a living as a musician, but not playing. I decided to study something else and ended up studying Economics for the music market. And now I am working as Head of Music in a night school (Medborgarskolan in Lund).
***HJ6: Dan is very good at producing among other things. Jens makes music for commercials and I have sung on plenty of them, among other TV-shop! :o) Mauricio is a very funny guy and I haven´t met him for a long time, but I think about him and his family much, and smile. Mauricio has taught me very useful things, and told me stories of when he grew up in Uruguay. Among others, why he is a lipstick-fobic. :o)

LJdM said...

***Q7 - In particular, what do you think about Helena Josefsson projects after "The Good Mornings"?
***MP7: Obviously, "The Good Mornings" was the best band ever (laughs). Helena was looking for her personal sound and has developed it in her following projects. But it's hard when you have to take into account a backing band. Sandy Mouche includes her husband, Martin, and Per Blomgren, who are people very close to her, but I do not know if it helps or works against you, it depends. Helena is a very good musician! She has always bright ideas. I had some gigs with Helena, Martin and Per playing covers of other bands and she did fantastic interpretations. I have great memories playing with her.

***Q8 - How do you remember working with Helena Josefsson? What was she like?
***MP8: Dan and she often came with all recorded on the computer and we played what was there. As there was no space to improvisation (thank god). I do not look for artistic recognition. The “architects” of the band were Helena, Dan and Jens ... I was like a good bricklayer! Helena is a person with great dignity and warmth.

***Q9 - Do you remember any anecdotes of your time with "The Good Mornings"?
***MP9: “The Good Mornings” was not a “discrased” band (I have played with that kind of bands). Usually the bad stories in the bands happen when mad members believe they are the "myth of the rock!. “The Good Mornings” was a lovely gentle group, not self-centered.

***Q10 – Releasing the second album of Helena Josefsson with a record label is giving her a lot of trouble. What do you think about the world of music nowadays? Is it more difficult now to make a living as a musician?
***MP10: Make a living as a musician can be done in several ways. Helena Josefsson sings so good and her voice has such a personal character that she can work as backing vocalist, accompanying Per Gessle for example. Nonetheless, Helena as a solo artist is a product that needs an specific audience willing to buy your product. Getting your own audience is really complicated. Helena is known in Sweden as a singer thanks to Per Gessle. It seems her music does not fit the Swedish market, since nobody wants to distribute it in Sweden. Maybe in France they have a more diverse music market, but it is not easy to be successful anywhere. This is the reality of all the artists.


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Friday, January 29

New Photo Shoot

You may remember this post about the Photo Shoot we did last Year.
Well it is finally going to be published. If you live in Ireland look out for it in this Sunday's, Sunday Independant Newspaper.
Here is a sneak preview of the final images.

all clothing by Helen James
photo by E J Carr

Full Shoot coming here on Mon.

Wednesday, January 27

Florica delivery

Off to Dublin today. We will be uploading all the amazing donations for Talent for Haiti and the auction will start in the next few days.
While I am up in Dublin I will be delivering these 2 Florica pieces.

They are for 2 very different but equally glamorous ladies, and I hope they like them.

Both are hand made silk flowers with feathers and are on hair combs

in boxes with labels

I will be doing more items similar to these for the Florica shop next week.

Saturday, January 23

Cake Sale

carrot cupcakes just out of the oven
Yesterday we organised a bake sale in my house with the Mums from my kids school.
So, after a busy week, I returned from Dublin on Thursday and turned my Kitchen into a Cupcake factory.

Magnolia bakery Vanilla Cupcakes (back) and Martha Stewart Carrot Cupcakes (front)

Then yesterday morning I dusted off the china teasets and set the table.

magnolia cafe vanilla cupcakes on cake stand

Everyone brought something

I was too slow to snag Vanessa's Lemon cake.......... but I did manage to grab some of these yummy chocolate goodies.

We drank Tea and ate cake for 3 hours!

and we managed to raise €346 for Haiti...........  I cannot think of a nicer way to do so,

Oh! ......Just in case any of you were wondering what a 10 month old looks like with a mouth full of cake, here is some photographic evidence

For the Magnolia Bakery recipe you can go Here
For the BEST Carrot Cupcakes go Here.......I highly recommend these....
PS: I halve the quantity of icing/frosting in both recipes

all photographs by Helen James

Tuesday, January 19

Samantha Everton

The Talent for Haiti project has taken over our lives! Everyone is being so generous and supportive. Yesterday was very busy, but worth it.
Anyway what I need is a little respite, so I offer it here with these incredible underwater photographs by Australian  Fine Art Photographer Samantha Everton.

all images Samantha

To read an article about this shoot go Here

Saturday, January 16

Are you talented?

You have, no doubt, heard of the awful tragedy in Haiti.
Myself and some other Irish designers are organising an online auction to raise funds.

We have lots of ideas and some amazing things already donated, but thought I would ask you my talented readers for input, any original thoughts ?.
Donations will be accepted in Bow boutique, Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin 2 (you can post them too) up until
Tue, Jan 26th

Auction will be live
Thurs Jan 28th (I'll post when it's up with a link)

We have set up a Facebook page called Talent for Haiti with details and updates.

You can contact me with any questions either here, in the comments section, or email me at
If you could pass on the word we would really appreciate it.

picture of Shirley Temple from tvtropes

Thursday, January 14

Magnon Gignoux

Where Fashion and Art collide............

The studio and work of French Createur Magnon Gignoux

Tuesday, January 12

Slow Food, Westmeath

Here in Westmeath we have set up a local convivium of the Slow Food movement, last Saturday was our inaugural event.
A Hunter's Luncheon for 17 people.
We decided we wanted to keep the first event small and intimate so that a) we could handle it and b) we could meet local food producers in a relaxed and informal way.
The Lunch took place here in Coolure House, thanks to John and Una (both commitee members) for providing the picturesque venue.

John did an incredible job of setting the table

Each place setting had an individual Menu.
The Menu was designed by us with the intention of using as much local and seasonal produce as possible.

John Rogans Smoked Trout
Therese Gilsenan's Inny Eel Pate
Baby Leaves
Helen James' Crusty Bread
Wild Pheasant Consomme
Butter wrapped Greg Potterton Venison
Red Cabbage with Orange and Juniper
Mary Kelly's Moonshine Cheese Gratin of Potatoes
Helen Kelly's Elderberry Jelly
Local Cheese Plate
Morag's Oatcakes
Kilbeggan Whiskey and local Honey homemade Ice Cream
Helen Kelly's Mincepies

We cooked everything ourselves,
I made Bread

Other members brought their homemede Oatcakes, Mince pies and Elderberry jelly but most of lunch was cooked (by us) in the Kitchen at Coolure

Including the MOST delicious Consomme, now I wouldn't have thought Consomme to be the most exciting thing in the world but in Una's hands this was pure clear golden nectar.

The taste was so delicate and complex. It was made using a method where you add eggwhite to the broth which clarifies it and then the whole concoction is strained through muslin cloths and I can tell you it was purely sublime.

The Venison was cooked for 12 hours...............

 The fire was Lit

Candles were Lit

Conversation and good wines flowed.

Wines were carefully selected and provided by Winesdirect, and Paddy the owner gave a very eloquent history to each one as it was served.
The ethos of Slow Food is about Local, Seasonal food and knowing where your food has come from. Personally getting involved for me, is about that, but also about meeting local people who are interested in food, bringing us all together and becoming involved in my community.
We will be hosting more events throughout the year and are planning some exciting adventures on a larger scale.
To find out more about Slow Food you can go to the website or if you are in Ireland the irish website
To find out more about the local producers we used click on the links in the MENU.

All photographs by Helen James

Monday, January 11

Tweet Tweet

As part of my ongoing struggle to become technically savvy and up to date I have opened a twitter account.
Do you Tweet? I have avoided it up until now but feel it calling, some things just don't warrant a full post but are still worth saying.
So let me know if you are a Twitter tweeter
You can click on twitter icon in sidebar to find me

Miller Harris perfume

Yesterday a birthday present for a special friend arrived, it was an engraved bottle of Miller Harris perfume.
I fell in love with MIller Harris products when I showed my collection in The Soho Hotel in London and Miller Harris supplied the bathroom products.
The packaging is sublime each bottle is engraved with the signature pattern and the perfume is simply exquisite.

Founded by Lynn Harris in 2000 who wanted to bring together "the finest raw materials with the instinct of a true perfumer".
There are four groups of perfumes to choose from
Wood, Floral

Citrus and Oriental,

I like the sound of Terre de Bois, Fleur Oriental and Vetiver Bourbon, I have always preferred scents with a woody undertone. I would Love to order from their bespoke service where you get to create your own personal scent, how decadent is that!!

They also do incredible candles.
There are 3 Miller Harris shops in London and one in Paris, they are also stocked in a lot of the bigger department stores and luckily you can order online too either from their UK site or their US one.

all images from Miller Harris
just in case any of you are wondering I post about things I love and don't receive any incentives to do so  x

Thursday, January 7

Helen James Inspiration

image US Vogue Oct 2003 via MOODBOARD
Head over to Moodboard today to see a post about the US Vogue editorial that was part of the original inspiration for this Helen James shoot.

To see more images from this shoot and read more about it go HERE
Photographer David Timmons
All clothing and accessories by Helen James

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Milestone provides $230M Secured Debt Facility to Bristow Group

Milestone provides $230M Secured Debt Facility to Bristow Group 3 Feb, 17, Source: Milestone

Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), a GE Capital Aviation Services (“GECAS”) company and the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today a commitment letter with Bristow Group Inc. (“Bristow”), a leading provider of global industrial aviation services. Under the agreement, Milestone is providing a $230 million secured term loan facility to a subsidiary of Bristow, secured by a pool of Bristow’s helicopter assets. As part of the agreement, Bristow will extend select Sikorsky S-92 leases with Milestone, and Milestone will also defer lease rentals on select Airbus H225 assets on lease to Bristow.

“Bristow is a world leader in industrial aviation and our long-time partner, and this funding agreement symbolizes GE and Milestone’s confidence in the Bristow strategy and management team,” said Milestone President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Rosenthal. “We take great pride in our ability to create innovative solutions to best serve the operators we work with, and as part of GE, we are very pleased that we can continue to be a key contributor of capital to helicopter operators. We understand the challenges that exist in the current environment, and we look forward to continuing to ensure the long-term success of the global helicopter industry.”

“Milestone has been our primary lessor since 2012, and this agreement is another example of the continued strength of their commitment to Bristow Group,” said Jonathan Baliff, Bristow President and Chief Executive Officer. “Throughout our relationship, they have worked creatively and flexibly to structure lease solutions best suited for our business, and with the backing of GE they now have the capability to support our business objectives by providing us with significant financial flexibility, as an important alternative to traditional banking capital.”

Related Posts


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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Hi. Week 20. ooooh.

So random things I never got around to sharing, or forgot...

  • a lot of the people just wear swimsuits (really the guys) because its that hot
  • there is graffiti everywhere. and i really mean every little nook and crany. its actually quite impressive.
  • i am back to having one compañera (my original Hna. Martinez)..have been for a couple weeks now haha
  • HERMANA SEKONA IS IN MEXICO. in case you forgot, my companion in the MTC. we didnt take a picture which is kind of sad, but the moment was beautiful. it was like seeing someone from home :)
  • someone who drove by us in the streets (or so im assuming) chose to toss some chili salsa concoction at me.. it was lovely. happened so fast haha at least its not rocks, like some areas with the Elders.
  • i saw the mexican Zac Efron!!!!! not joking. my companion saw too and said the exact same thing in the exact moment. lolz.
  • so apparently this part of mexico really is hot. im lucky ive just gotten used to it. someone visiting from a different part of mexico said Torreon is literally an infernó.
  • someone gave me zapatos (shoes) that are literally the best and my new favorites :)
  • as we started one of our lessons with a hymn the dad and daughter that were with us were just listening, but then all of the sudden the wife joined in from the outhouse..she was taking a showering and accompanying us in the himno :) haha
  • last sunday was a sunday of success (more than usual ;). we had four investigators attend church (one was a surprise!) and 4 less active members. im so happy they all showed their faith and followed the promptings from the Spirit and were able to be spiritually strengthened from church! (its also a big deal for me because people have to attend church at least 5 times before they can be baptized and become an active member-for the less actives)
  • there are so many less active members here. there’s like 20ish that we know and teach and 50 that no one in the ward knows. we really do randomly meet people that just say "oh yeah. i was baptized into that religion years ago."
  • i know God directs us to prepared people. we were searching for someone and i had a feeling to knock on a different door, so we did. we met Carlos who is just grand :) we is so kind and happy and we found out he too is a member of about 8 years. but stopped going after 2 months because he thought the church believes Jose Smith is Jesus Christ. im so happy we were able to meet him and clarify the one doubt he had! because obviously that’s not the truth. this was also one of the first days his family has been living in the house because they are in the middle of moving. crazy.
  • there are some "horror" stories of the mission from 3 or 4 years ago. in the mission itself with the missionaries and also in the area with the people. i wont share specifics. but i have a very good feeling that a lot of the change and better state everyone is in now, has to do with President Flores. this became a strict obedience mission and i believe it had an effect on the people too.
  • there is a flavor here of things called Nuez (i think its just a nutty flavor, not sure) but im pretty hooked.
  • i am in the state of Coahila, in the southern part. the state borders America. its funny because when people ask me about the states they always ask if i live close to El Paso. because there affiliation is mostly with texas.
  • there were many times with week where people answered doors or saw us and said "¡Que milagro!" haha like what a miracle. because it has been some time since we have seen them or the perfect time. it just helps me see how much they really do care and love our work with them :)
  • so i really do think i live in a ghetto area. the people always say "out in the calle" or "in the calle" and i just realized that they are basically referring to what we know as "the streets"
  • i also bet if i was just here for some random reason on my own, and not a representative of Jesus Christ i would probably feel a tad unsafe.
  • a lot of people this week couldn’t get over the fact they don’t know our first names or that we can say them. haha in a lesson with a member he responded to one of them "its because angels don’t have names". i thought it was cute :)

well that was long and random.
thanks for the love and the support.
i hope everyone is living their faith enough to feel the love that God has for you.
its real.
i feel it for his children every day.

love you all with all my heart :) (and i mean it)
hermana johnson

i couldnt help but sing sara bareilles in my head (it says brave)

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Semana 19.

Oh time flies and there is never enough of it. That is why every moment counts and every moment is precious. Its like that saying "live like youre dying". I never want to have to learn that from experience. I hope to live my life in every moment and never have regrets. Every experience I learn from. And I always have something to be grateful for.
God lives. Jesus Christ lived and died and lives again, so we can too. I know it. I know it and Im doing my best to live it.

Find you faith. Find your testimony, and then live it.

Well thats enough of being "inspirational" and sappy. haha

So you want to know what life in Mexico is like? indescribable. you have to experience. But i will do my best to describe it haha

bikes everywhere. and always with two or more people. it is possible people.
babies having babies (as whitney says). but literally. (for example, a 16 year old wife and 30 year old husband with 2 kids and one on the way..had her first at 12. real life)

the family is very important here, just needs some strengthening.

i really cant generalize the "mexican life" haha
fiestas, tortillas, coke a cola, venders, taxis, dogs, babies, sun, loud music, drunkards, policia, desert, dirt, beautiful trees, lots of smiles, lots of "mexican mamas", giving, spirituality, love for God, hope, hard workers, food on food on food.

i have never been good and being able to describe exactly what is in my mind. but just know that i love the people and this place with all my heart.

i find hope through theirs :)

sorry for a short email.

strive to bring some good to someone elses life this week :) find your happiness through someone elses!

love you all,
hermana johnson

PS- friends. if you actually read my emails..go to my house sunday night at 5:30 for home cooking and to check up on mama jay and daddy roger for me!!! missionaries just like me will be there to explain a little about what we do and answers and type of questions you have about what ever. it should be a grand old time. so go. for me :) love you all. write me. thanks.

¡Semana Seventeen!

These last two weeks with a companionship of three and a HUGE area was awesome. I met a lot more people to love, walked off a bunch of weight, and learned a ton about myself. Me and my companion have decided that we are just exactly the same person, and at times that makes it hard haha we are both pretty independent, ¨get it done¨, and at times kinda proud people. I mean pride is pretty much the downfall of the human race. It definitely took our sweet third companion these last two weeks to help us learn a lesson of being more ¨light hearted¨. We’re lucky we´ve never had huge problems with each other, it’s just the little things that become bigger. (Alma 37:6-7) That’s true for good things and bad things. Well since we are practically the same person we just straight out talked about it like normal and have completely and pleasantly agreed that the natural man is not a friend (mosiah 3:19). We know that these next 4 or 6 weeks we have together (in was not transferred fyi..whoot whoot) is like our second chance in this area. We know that we have to change and better ourselves to become worthy of helping and changing the people in our area :) we are off to a good start. No worries.

I invite everyone to read ¨Let your faith show¨ by elder Russell M. Nelson. I read this talk this morning and just love it. So many good things and thoughts. Here’s what i have.....

I truly believe, of the many reasons I went on a mission, one was to truly learn about myself. To change myself and my perspective. i would have never gained as great and grand of a perspective on life and my priorities as i have here.

It is all about LIVING the gospel. LIVING your religion. SHOWING your faith. What good is faith and love if you don’t show it? If you BELIEVE in Christ and KNOW that He lives, you will know that He spent His life, and He sacrificed it for YOU to FOLLOW Him. He is THE example. He is THE way.

It is for us to overcome the natural man and follow and LIVE what we truly believe. Who is in control of you? The world or yourself.

Do we want what´s easy or do we want what´s right? The right and truth has never been easy. D and C 19:18, Luke 22:42, John 16:33

It is for us to learn how to live in the world, but not be of the world. Life is hard at times, but Christ overcame it all. All we have to do it go to HIM, and we will find rest.
3 Nephi 5:13. This is me. This is what i am doing. This is why i am here.
i know my life is a gift. i only hope to strive to live it in a way of giving back to the one i am forever indebted to.
love you all lots,
hermana johnson

Week 18. What.

Where to begin. The week went by so fast but look back seems like more time than a week! Lots happened. sorry if i leave you in suspense because i dont explain everything haha

Overall, my companion and I really did see a lot of progression individually and as a companionship. Our lessons were better, my contacting, our planning, how we act and show amor (love) :) You could see the difference in the progression of our investigators and in the new people that we met, and that I know God had prepared for us :)
Randoms stories....

With one family that we teach, the wife is about my age, they have two kids, and live in a place thats kinda torn up and not kept. I decide I wanted to try and help her out, so we swept and shoveled some things up (i literally used a shovel to shovel up garbage into bags). As i was shoveling hundreds..and im not exagerating...hundreds of cocroaches came out of the piles and scattered EVERYWHERE. (incase i havent told you, torreon is infested and known for its ants and cocroaches). My companion was kinda freaking out and i tried to help her not to show it. In this moment i honestly wasnt scared or disgusted. I actually remebered how mom told me about a time dad was helping to clean out a house and removed something from the wall and a bunch of cocroaches crawled up his arms but he did everything calmly and just moved on. When youre really doing something for the purpose and out of love, thats all that really shines. This cute girl  said shes not used to this (getting help or service) but definitely appreciated it..even though a few cocraoches fell into the dinner she was making. haha true story.

This opportunity we had to help out this person was an opportunity to show our love we have for her in a different way. I know we did that and built more confidence with her.
Ok, another quick crazy story.

We went to the home of Marina and Rogelio (a family i contacted and weve been teaching since we got here and who is very close to our hearts) a couple times this week. But one time as we entered the door was left open to let air is because its just so darn hot. as we were standing there inside i started to help her sweep, and all of the sudden we just hear a loud mans voice. but we recognized who it was right away (some man we have contacted that is not very kind and very into his catholic religion. which is good for him, respect you know.) right away he starts aggressively talking to Hna. Marina about how she cant accept us and that we are dangerous and she cant be in his church if she does. It was a moment where i wanted to laugh out of the ridiculousness of the man and cry out of fear and his misunderstanding. Well good thing Marina is a woman of God and knows us and our intentions. Everything if fine with her, but the man works in the park that is in the center of our area and the following days he made it a point to watch where we were going and who we were talking to.

Everything is fine. dont be worried. i am safe. Just an interesting experience aside from the wonderful one i try to share :)

every experience grows you. i pray for the mans heart. literally.

Its amazing to think about how i was called here when they looked at my picture. They looked into my eyes and saw my heart. I know that I am finding my heart each day and with each experience I have here.

I hope everyone is well and happy :)

Know that i am too :)

Hermana Johnson

Oh one of the grandsons of an investigator was wearing a red white and blue basketball jersey that just said eljay..exactly how i spell it in all lowercase...i coveted it. hahaha

Oh, and dont worry mom and dad. You guys asked me before i left for the mission how i would survive without someone to eat the rest of my food...well God blessed me with the perfect companion! haha im always full, shes always hungry, the people dont see when i plop some of my food on her plate. win, win, win.

PS - MOTABs "How Firm a Foundation", surprisingly easy to jam to. Try it.
there may be some fist bumping opportunities..

1 & 2-this little lady Rosie just lit up my life :))

3-Hna. Mirna we contacted and have been teaching and helping her family through a lot since ive been here :) yes mom i wore my red white and blue. (dont you just want to pinch this babys cheeks :)))) (that hair though haha)

4-Maria at curch :)

1 & 2-i love the fruit trees here. (probabaly my first mission selfie.)

3-this dog followed me to comida de hora (lunch-we eat in members homes) and literally whined at the door and kept escaping inside. i kinda felt bad haha but it was funny. another missionary tried to take a picture with her after me but the dog walked away toward me hahaha!!! i named her nancy. (so regal)

4-MY PACKAGE. thanks mom. the crosses definitely blessed it to arrive in safe travel :)

Week Sixteen :))

Hola mis amores.

This was a really busy but really good week as a trio and with two areas combined. Me and my companions laugh and say that President received revelation that we all need to loose weight haha because we are just spending most of our time walking from one place and one house to the next!

So some special and specific moments from the week..

Started teaching a wonderful woman, Maria de Concepcion. She is in her thirties, has two kids, her husband died unexpectedly a couple of months ago, and she has cancer. She is the definition of a strong person, spiritually and physically. I am so blessed to know her just for the fact that shes an example to me. Every time we teach i want to cry for her, but i haven't because i know we need to be strong for her. Just as strong as she is for herself. in the second lesson she had cut all of her hair because it started falling out, since she started chemo this week. We have been teaching the Plan of Salvation and read a scrip i cant look up right now but somewhere in Nephi (verse 14 i remember) about how our bodies and spirits will be reunited in perfect form after the resurrection, and it specifically says every hair on our head. it was a perfect moment for her. In our next lesson we had a member with us who bore her testimony and it was the first time i had seen maria cry. she shared with us that for the first time she has hope and feels the light in our messages and from us when we teach her. I asked her if she believes that these feelings are the holy ghost and if she believes the holy ghost testifies of truth. the moment was so special and beautiful as you can see someone of such need, being converted to something of such hope and truth. she knows baptism is a part of the "camino" (the "way"/"path") in life and we have a baptism goal for the 2nd of august. I pray she will have strength as she is just starting chemo and things get harder as it goes.

I am so blessed to be meeting that people i know god has prepared me to meet. i am so blessed to be a part of showing them the light and truth in this life. they are my examples and my heroes.   i am so blessed to be where i am and only hope to progress more and continue in this amazing and literally life changing experience :)
sorry it was fast. i only hope you can feel a part of the tender and special feelings i am grateful and blessed to feel every day :)

con mucho amor,

hermana lauren johnson

Alma 29:2-9

I have prayed to be an instrument in gods hands almost every day of my life before my mission..i know he is answering my prayers everyday here.

1-i saved this puppy!! we were visiting a family and his head was stuck in a fence in the sun and they had tried to get him out that morning but couldn't. when i got him out he just slept on my lap during the lesson :)

2-this is Familia Olivas. They are less active members, and just wonderful. As we were leaving someone from a political party came by and gave Hermano Olivas a wheelchair! it was cute because he just uses a lawn chair as a walker to get around, but sad at the same time because the people were kinda using them for the campaign. I was just touched to see his excited face :)

3-We said goodbye to President Flores! He and his family really are amazing. i was lucky to get to know them and be advised by him. He changed this mission ALOT from the stories I have heard of before. But It will be fun to meet President Ramos this week!

4-me and hermana martinez

5-me and hermana decker (couldnt get all three of us because no one was around haha)

semana 15. yupp.

so we had our exchanges today and me and hermana martinez are still in the same area, but we have a thrid companion hermana decker! its going to be real interesting but im excited. we have all been in the same ward this whole time so we know each other really well, we just now added the area she and her old companion had, so we have an even bigger area with more people, investigators, walking, everything. challenge accepted. i just hope we have time to visit everyone!! i love them all so much. i know God will help guide us to the people that are prepared and needing us at the right times.

i have gotten better at using different scriptures in the moment, like if i sense something from someone (aka the holy ghost tells me) or someone mentions a trial they are going through, i find a scripture for them to read and they relate perfectly to it. i was funny because i actually had a specific exp this week where a woman, well she shared many things, but she said how it was dififuclt for her to go to church on sundays because she works saturday nights, but shes really religious and wants to change some of her ways for her and her kids (the word of wisdom-smoking). so i had her read matt 6:31-3 (also in 3 nephi 13) and she was so shoked and kept saying how i understood her perfectly. haha she felt the spirit. thats what matters. the spirit taught her an important life lesson, individual to her. i m just blessed that im living worthily enough to be able to be a vessel of the spirit and help people with their indiviual needs. i also have a funny experience with a man (less active member of many years) who is very political and confused about life because he believes in god and like religion but cant stop talking and worrying about politics..so i shared the "when they are learned they think they are wise" scripture and my companion just looked at me trying not to laugh. haha i didnt think in that moment, i just did. and it worked out how it was supposed to. he told us that he wants to practice religion again and that if he does it will be with our chruch, because he is a very "learned man" (studies a lot) and knows that the doctrine is true. So i guess im starting to learn how to be bold. definitely feeling "the wrath" of god at moments when he wants to teach some of his children lessons. when you do things out of sincere love, and for me i know i feel the love that god has for each of his children, then things work out as they should. its literally helping people reaturn to our father in heaven. i know that thats the purpose of this life. once you realize this life is not yours (its a gift from god at the price of jesus christ), thats when you really start living. i think "real living" is living for others. for our brothers and sisters. yeah "you only live once", but you live with the consequences for eternity. i want my "consequences" to be good, and effective. a line from one of my favotire church songs "while He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free". Jesus Christ has given us the opportunity at this life, and the path to return to our Heavenly Father. How will you live today, and everyday to be able to recive this gift and show your gratitude to the One we are all endebted to?

i LOVE you all and appreciate the love im recieveing :)

con mi todo corazon,

hermana johnson

so i found my heart in mexico. didnt know i lost it. but seriously. this. puppy. mi corazon. i died. dont worry it was alive just sound asleep en mi brazos :)))))

 cute kids playing in this tub thing in the street with the water. they also got creative with crates to walk over.

way to rep it america. this is what they think our food it...haha not ashamed.

zoom in on the truck full of men...yeah this is normal. "mexi pack" is a real thing, not racist.

so it rained a lot this week. and mexico doesnt have a very good sewage system. needless to say it was interesting. haha and gross. there were parts we walked through up to our knees haha it was fun.

ummm olvide.

So i think im living ON the equator. although i have watched many other things in the street melt and fry up, im very surprised i havent! but then again, i have the Lord helping me not to get dehydrated, sun burnt, sun poison, and whatever else. it really is a blessing and a miricle. (forgot how to spell that..). we literally cant look at the sun...its pratically impossible. ive tried. i think id go blind(er) if i did. so this weee was awesome. another good one in the books :) muchos personas y muchos historias. y no mucho tiempo. haha so hows the world cup? its funny because as we walk down the street literally every house has it on. hah one morning there was a big group of men around a little shake (kind of like a handy-man shop) with a little tv all shouting...goal..goal..GOAL!!! it was chistoso.

i have gotten really good and reading peoples eyes and getting a feel of what they are truly feeling. i know the holy ghost helps me to sense their happiness, saddness, fear, lonliness, love, anger, and pretty much a lot of other stuff. the big one is fear. its sad but ive been able to watch and help people grow stronger in confidence and trust in their selves, the spirit, and the Lord. this messagae of truth literally tranforms lives. including my own.

i am so grateful for everything i am doing and experiencing, the good and bad, the easy and hard.

i know i was meant to meet and help things people. this is the purpose of life and i am blessed to be living and preaching it.

sorry this was short and probabaly random. i was doing a lot of things at once.

love to all, and seriously thank you to EVERYONE for the emails. sorry i dont respond. i do care and appreciate everything :)

con mucho amor.,

hermana lauren johnson
my comp thought this car was funny so we took a pic.

Saw both ends of a rainbow trying to do some laundry this morning. it was grand :)

my comp swipped a pic of me helping an investigador clean..hah not sure why. oh thats my agenda in my mouth

Took a sneaky pic of a man reading the plan of salvacion folleto we gave him. i thought it was pretty cute haha

Week 14. 3 MONTHS.

Hi fam. Bye fam.

This will be a short one.

Gracias everybody for your love and support and prayers. It is felt and it is more than appreciated. :)
Not much to report, or that I can report really haha

We almost got torn apart by a dog. hahaha its actually funny to think about. The first time we"ve had a problem and the perro came out of no where! My companion jumped back real fast and took off her bag at the same time to swing at him hahaha it was great. and scary. but we"re alive. and that story is really the least of my worries.
Um we met a woman on the street who asked if we were Christians and wanted us to talk to and teach her daughter. She has twins that are 20 and one went to a Satanas del Mundo  iglesia in Novemeber and was apparently baptized for the devil. It was interesting needless to say. I shall keep you updated on that one.
But many other different lessons this week.

There is one familiy (Familia Ramierez) who has a 15 year old daughter with disabilities who I just love. We started teaching them the Plan of Salvation and I had a moment of dejavu while I was about to ask the mom a question and just felt the spirit so strong that I needed to ask something specific. She was having problems beliving that we will be resurrected like Christ with a perfect body. I asked her if she believed that all of her children would have a body perfected after this life..she looked inside the house at her daughter and knew I was refering to her. We shared some scriptures and explained more but She felt the Spirit so strong and I could see more hope in her eyes.

Um i don't know too much of what else to say...

we had a wonderful conference with president and he asked me to bear my testimony on the gift of tounges..it was a great moment. I really do believe in the Gift of Tounges and that because I am called and set apart with power from on high, I am able to use that power to understand and communicate with people of a totally different langugae. Needless to say My testimony of the power of the Spirit has grown now more than ever.

I have also been helping my companion more this week on her English, because president stressed  that its not only for the Americans but the GIft of Tounges is for all missionaries to experience on their mission. It has really helped with use feeling more "equal" and with her understanding how difficult it is for me haha

So all is well. Living life and loving it.

Living a life with CHRIST and loving it :)

ok. paz.

no time for pics.

otra semana.


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Saturday, July 23, 2005

laptop party!

dear all constituents of the grigg's place laptop party,

do any of you have a version of tiger (os 10.4) that i could borrow?

sadly.. I only have OS 10.3.5
I have a herpes zoster shingles site/blog. It pretty much covers herpes zoster shingles related stuff.

Come and check it out if you get time :-)
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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Say What You Mean Convention

Homeschool Group Leader has the privilege of being an official sponsor of the Say What You Mean Convention 2010.

The theme this year is Three Flavors of Communication, and for the fifth year in a row, JoJo Tabares has scheduled an incredible lineup of speakers and workshops. JoJo does everything with excellence and this convention will be no exception.

Her heart's desire is to provide tons of great information in a FUN and FREE way to all of us, to help us be better communicators--in our marriages, families, friendships, and working relationships.

Here's the scoop on this year's SWYM convention:

When: February 3rd beginning at 8am PST/11am EST

Where: Right from the comfort of YOUR OWN HOME…COMPUTER!

What…to expect: LOTS!

Keynote Speakers: Christian Comedian, Micheal Jr. interview on Faith and Humor! AND…Talk-A-Latte’s Cindy Rushton’s seminar on Marriage!

Live Seminars: Most of the live seminars will also be recorded for later, but if you’re listening in live, you can win bonus gifts. Plus, you won’t want to miss the Michael Jr. live interview, which will NOT be recorded at all.

8am PST/11am EST ~ Interview with Christian comedian Michael Jr. on Faith and Humor
10am PST/1pm EST ~ JoJo Tabares of Art of Eloquence “The Three Flavors of Communication: Writing, Speech, and Conversation”
12pm PST/3pm EST ~ Cindy Rushton of Talk-a-Latte ”Building a Passionate, Forever, Happier, and Happier-Ever-After Marriage”
2pm PST/5pm EST ~ Joan Rudder-Ward of Girl Nurture “The Heat is On: Techniques to Protect You and Your Daughter from Becoming Culture War Casualties.”
4pm PST/7pm EST ~ Kim Kautzer of WriteShop “Writing Skills: More Important than Ever!”
6pm PST/9pm EST ~ Prayer Chat (this is a highlight of every SWYM Convention and will not be recorded)

Pre-recorded Audios: Read the descriptions of each talk here.

• How to Tailor Your Writing for Effectiveness
• The Lazy Student: What’s a Mom to Do?
• What Good Is a Speech Course If Your Kids Won’t Use It?
• How to Write a Speech
• Conversation: The Most Important Communication
• Speak the Truth in Love
• What Most Apologetics Courses Don’t Teach You
• Talking vs. Communicating
• Listening: THE Most Important Communication Skill
• Humor: A Powerful Communication Tool
• Avoiding, Reducing and Healing Conflicts
• What It Takes to Be a Great Communicator

Even More FUN!
• Free Admission
• Visit the Say What You Mean Convention for more details.

JoJo invites you to be a part of the great prize giveaways being awarded all during the February 3rd convention:
Don’t forget to sign up for our drawings on the home page of the convention site! We will draw a name to win a prize at EACH LIVE event! You don’t have to be present to win, but you do have to enter by signing up! If you are present in the live event and your name is called, you will win TWO PRIZES!
We plan to be there. Won't you join us?

Becoming better communicators,
Kristen & Denise

Learn how to communicate with moms, dads, teens and more within your homeschool group and get them fired up and involved. GO!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Spring is Coming

The drive leading to our local gym is beautifully manicured. As I was driving my kids to their homeschool PE class, we passed by a double row of crape myrtles. There must be 20-30 crapes in that one median, and I've passed them dozens of times before. Cattle were grazing peacefully in the pasture to the right, but those crape myrtles strangely captured my attention.

For seemingly the first time, I noticed that the crapes had been pruned. In the few seconds it took for me to drive past them, God used those shrubs to pour spiritual truth into my leader heart.

1. The cuts were dramatic. There were no blooms whatsoever. The trunks stood courageously bare against the January sun. In their barrenness, they were still so beautiful.

2. Each shrub had been prepped for the spring. Red mounds of mulch piled around the base of each crape myrtle, polishing its presentation and protecting its roots.

3. The pruning had clearly been done by a skilled gardener. The one who'd made the cuts knew exactly what he was doing and was purposeful in it.

As I drove on up the road leading to the gym, I commented to my daughter what the Lord was showing me.

* Pruning hurts and can leave you feeling exposed and barren.

* The Lord is a skilled gardener. He doesn't make a cut that won't bring growth in the spring.

* He makes the cuts to bring growth.

* And, probably the realization that struck me the most was that it is January. The green buds won't be seen for another couple of months.

This gave me hope. Hope that when the Lord prunes me as a person and as a leader, it is to bring stunning growth and "fruit," and to help me be more like Christ. The pain comes and then the eternally-long wait. The green growth is not seen right away.

The crape myrtle is known to be one of the longest blooming shrubs. Hmmm . . . pruning, the wait, and then growth that lasts a long time. How is my growth; is it enduring?

"Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So, let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

James 1:2-4, New Living Translation

Learning lessons like this from God's creation helps me as a leader--a leader within my family, at church, and within the homeschool community. Being aware that the pruning has a purpose for my good and shapes me into a kinder, humbler, more effective leader supplants me and encourages me on.

Keep Moving Forward,

Need some more motivation during the winter months?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Support Group Leadership Seminar in Houston, TX

Support Group Leadership Seminar
SETHSA will be sponsoring a leadership training workshop for all Support Group Leaders on

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
9:30am - 3:30pm
Lunch provided
Parkway Fellowship which is located at
13414 Briar Forest Dr, Houston.

Hank Tate has been very active in the homeschool community since the founding of SETHSA in the mid-80s, has developed a seminar that specifically targets the various areas in which leaders are confronted. Hank will encourage each participant regarding ways to meet the needs of the families that comprise your group. He will help you learn the skills needed to become a better leader.

Please RSVP to with a list of those leaders who plan to attend by January 22nd.
Note: Lunch will be provided for those leaders who have been enrolled. There is no child care available. If you need to bring your children please provide quiet activities for them and a lunch.

This seminar will be a great opportunity for renewal for every support group leader.

The seminar schedule is:
9:30--Burnout in Leadership
An encouraging review of the realities of leadership - challenges, frustrations, heartaches, and over work. This session will lift your heart and remind you of the foundational reasons that you are investing yourself in helping families start and succeed in homeschooling. You will come out refreshed and renewed.
10:45--Foundations of Leadership
Surrounding yourself with helpers and future leaders is critical to long-term success for any organization. We will discover together, and discuss as a group, a variety of ways to identify and train future leaders within your group.
1:00--Dealing with Conflict
Conflict is inevitable for anyone in leadership. It is impossible to make everyone happy, but for those who care it is often painful to deal with conflict effectively. We will discuss the realities of conflict, types of conflict, and real-life experiences that demonstrate key principles for dealing with conflict. This workshop will build your confidence to face conflict wisely and will encourage you with insights on how to address the emotions that arise through conflict.

We will have an open Question & Answer session to address the issues and challenges on your heart. Hank & Jeannie Tate will share experiences from their 25 years of service to homeschoolers and everyone will be encouraged to share discoveries on how to handle issues successfully. Come prepared to share where you are struggling and need help.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Free CPA Workshop This Week!

Our friend, Carol Topp, Homeschool CPA, is giving you a ton of timely information this week in a live workshop. Her knowledge and experience with homeschool groups can soothe your tax-time concerns and give you the confidence you need to face the federal requirements. Register today for this one-time, on-line seminar set up especially for you, a homeschool group leader:

Paying Workers in a Homeschool Organization

Friday, January 15, 2010
at 4 pm EST/3 pm CST/2 pm MT/1 pm PST

  • Volunteers. Can you pay a volunteer? How to reward volunteers.

  • Independent Contractors. What are they? What IRS forms need to be filed?

  • Employees. How are they different from Independent Contractors? What forms does the IRS require?

The call will last about one hour, and there will be time for your questions.

There is no cost for the workshop but you should register to receive the call in information, a handout and reminders.

Click here to sign up.

or visit Carol's website

Many blessings,

Denise & Kristen

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A Review for You: The Language of Leadership

I have yet to meet JoJo Tabares face to face, but I can't wait to meet her. JoJo's heart for leaders comes through crystal clear in everything she does.

A couple of years ago, JoJo--who is the founder of the Art of Eloquence--and I met through a Yahoo group for Christian self-publishers, and I liked her style right away. Her advice to the other group members was balanced, humorous and kind.

A couple of months ago, Denise and I had the privilege of being interviewed by JoJo on her TalkShoe Radio, discussing the topic of motivating members in a homeschool group. We had a blast working with her and knew that we had made a virtual forever-friend.

Now we have the privilege of introducing you to our friend as well as to her wonderful resource for leaders--Say What You Mean: The Language of Leadership. Written in JoJo's signature style, this downloadable book is over 50 pages, packed with real-life examples, Scriptures, and leadership assignments that JoJo uses to teach us leaders how to hone our skills to meet the challenges of leadership for the Kingdom of God.

I like that. JoJo casts a vision of how the Lord can use us to communicate our message well to others. . . and listen well to theirs.

My absolute favorite part of the e-book is the "About the Author" section right at the beginning. Here JoJo shares her amazing story of growing up as a "shy child raised by two loving Athiests of Jewish heritage" and how God used that experience to draw her to Him and to draw out her natural talents for speaking to leaders using her love for both the Bible and humor.

Eighteen easy-to-read chapters cover such communication topics as: what a leader isn't, how to "unbossy" yourself, leading your children and even the secret leader handshake. Almost every chapter ends with a link to at least one of JoJo's communication articles (that's my second absolute favorite part of the e-book).

Every homeschool group leader, regardless of position, can benefit from Say What You Mean: The Language of Leadership. It's in my own library and I'd recommend it to any homeschool group leader. You can pick up your copy at Art of Eloquence. . . and, hey, be sure to tell JoJo that her friend HGLeader sent you!

Happy Reading!


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Sunday, June 4, 2017

Owls as moderators in a debate!

presiding over the debate
A woman named Linda contacted me with a wonderful story. She's an experiencer and she had this to say about owls.
There was a correlation between the owls and some of the contact experiences. For instance, I'd be reading, suddenly think of the ET's and one of the owls would start hooting right over the house. Or I'd feel the ET presence outside, walk out the door and the owls would call to me from another part of the property. These events were so frequent in the beginning of my experiences that I have no doubt as to the synchronicity. It's been proven in my mind, so I'm was a believer in owls as ET's or messengers of the ET's before I ran into your work.
While in college Linda was engaged to a brilliant scientist named Ed. They eventually broke it off and went their separate ways. 30 years later they met up again, and Ed ended up moving in with Linda while looking for an apartment in her area. During this time they would sit together behind her house in a small meadow surrounded by longleaf pines and mature oaks. This was also a spot frequented by owls.

Linda said that Ed was heavily invested in the materialistic sciences. If something wasn't proven with scientific instruments, it didn't exist.

She said of their time in that meadow, “As you might expect there were quite a few very interesting 'discussions' between Ed and I. We were evenly matched in intellect, but I was right and I was well versed and had done my homework, so I was slowly but surely winning this battle. What follows is one day where the owls got the last word in one of our debates.”

Ed and Linda were in the back field arguing about the difference between proof and belief. She said, “It was getting heated as Ed and I could easily be described as intense when we got into this stuff. We were both convinced of our absolute ownership of 'the truth' as fact."

Linda wrote:

Ed and I were arguing about the existence of extraterrestrials. That was the crux of the belief vs proof debate. As an experiencer I of course believe, as a scientist Ed felt there had to be physical proof that had been examined by scientists and released to at least the scientific community.

He said that belief without scientific proof was as invalid as religion. You must be able to spit out the word religion with a significant amount of disdain to get the full import of his intent. For my part, I was frustrated with my ability to describe how once you've experienced the things that I had, belief wasn't something someone told me about or something I believed because another person recounted or duplicated an experiment, it was a reality.

I was becoming exhausted from the effort and after what seemed forever I finally found the words that hit the nail square on the head, I blurted, “Belief doesn't appear out of someone else's proof, Ed.”
I spoke the next line very emphatically, “Experience is belief!”
There was a microsecond of silence after my statement, but only a microsecond. Then a chorus of owls directly over our heads went into simultaneous tumult!

Up until then we had NO idea they were even in the vicinity. Four, maybe all five family members were perched on top of us and in that instant they all shouted together. Now, these great horned owls, and as you probably know, they're very large birds and very loud. We never saw them even though it was broad daylight, as they exploded in obvious agreement and applause to my concluding argument.

I didn't say another word, I didn't have to, choosing instead to let the experience stand on it's own. Adding anything to that stunningly synchronistic goose pimple moment couldn't have served any purpose.

I just looked at Ed and he looked at me. Neither one of us uttered a sound, we got up and left the field, walking silently toward the house. We never spoke of this event or had this discussion again.

That time the Owls got the last word! And with Ed and I that was pretty darn hard to do.
I love this story! It's playful and the punchline is perfect. Owls as the moderators in a debate between an experiencer and a scientist. Right on for those owls!
minimal editing of Linda's letter for clarity

Dennis said...

Synchromystic for sure! Hoot-Hoot-hoo 87

Uriah said...

Actually experience is the opposite of belief. Our system calls indoctrination education. You will notice this is because our education system is modelled off of the church. Anyone as I have who goes to ghost towns will notice the schooling took place right inside the church. This is why school houses today have a bell, give books/reference/biased opinion(ideology and controlled information), has desks laid out like pews, has a pastor stand in front of a seated unquestioning congregation, because like the church their job is to demonize experience and dumb you down and control you with opinion. Lies, belief, faith and opinion in place of master apprentice real world experience. Which you will notice you still have to have even after 8 years and a childhood spent schooling. Its called a waste of life. Real learning is experiencing, you have no requirement for things like belief and faith when you have had experience.

I've tried to figure out why I am so different from EVERYBODY around me and you know I have never had faith and don't worship authority. Maybe this is why my experiences are good. They who ever they are know they don't have to convince me humanity is !@#$ and our system is nothing but a tyrannical play ground. Our system exists to purge individuality to make individuals join groups that use leadership to syphon hopes, dreams, effect, our future. Our society makes people think something's wrong with them for not fitting in. The truth is the group leader is syphoning your power does a leader fit in? No he uses your belief and faith for control. And the congregation of followers are all traitors of the self fake, lying, mass hysterical sellouts. My whole life has been exposing all the humans around me as the frauds they are. And I wondered how could this be? The great philosophers gave me my answer. Freud is a complete fraud is name is one letter away. this is the man for which we get the term ego I sickly hear mentioned on every tv and podcast show. Read Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and you will notice something. these great thinkers had already proven the symptoms of weak ego are the required functioning for a normal person in a democracy. People do not understand what democracy is. Hell I'm the only person I know who read the whole constitution and went there's no democracy not one time written into it? So I went to the index, doesn't exist in our law of our land? Then I went a and researched what the forefathers thought, 2 wolfs and a sheep deciding who gets eaten, when 51% of the population takes away the rights of the 49% mob rule? How did our system fall so far? Education, the new church with the ecclesiastic academic papacy.

I don't mind when people who have never experienced the paranormal don't believe in it because that is how it should be. You shouldn't believe because humanity as I have experienced my whole life is one big lying organism. Maybe that's the metaphor of the old trees of life. Once your rooted in bull@##$ reality can't be digested.


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The next generation of Motive speakers from Neat Acoustics, the SX series, will be demonstrated for the first time in Neat_motive_SxAtrium Room 422 of the Denver Marriott Tech Center Hotel at RMAF.

The first and most obvious change from original to SX is to the tweeter. A newly designed, aluminium dome that is black anodised for added stiffness has replaced the original titanium dome, which Neat say  now delivers a more natural and cleaner tonal balance.

The simple three-element crossover has been revised using Mundorf components, more akin to those used in Neat’s more upmarket models. The SXs will be single wired as standard but bi-amp terminals are available as a chargeable option on order.

The internal bracing and damping have been upgraded and the LF tuning optimised and the HF units now operate in their own enclosures to minimise driver crosstalk.

The Motive SX series comprises three models: the SX1, a two and a half way floorstander; the SX2, a two-way floorstander and the SX3, a two-way stand mount. The bass reflex port on the two floorstanders is fitted to the bottom panel of the cabinet and is vented through an outlet in the MDF plinth.

A matching centre channel the Motive SXC will be available in black oak finish only.

The Motive SX will be available in four finishes and prices are as follows:

Motive SX1: $2,995.00 per pair

Motive SX2: $2,395.00 per pair

Motive SX3: $1,795.00 per pair

Motive SXC: $1,195.00

Motive SX1: £1885.00 per pair

Motive SX2: £1395.00 per pair

Motive SX3: £1085.00 per pair

Motive SXC: £705.00

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