now is who-do-you-trust time. when i have to make a decision, to whom do i listen? if i need information, to whom do i turn to give me unbiased data that i can interpret for myself? i tend to be skeptical of most advice, knowing that my own is often coloured by my own biases and agendas. i am learning to trust myself more, to realize that 63 years of experience with myself is a very good guide indeed. if i need more then i do focused meditations, write and re-read and usually call someone who knows me and can help me sort through my confusion to see the core of truth that is already there. i trust me. i trust spirit-in-me to let me know about the deeper issues and my body to tell me what it needs. i trust LOVE and not whatever the latest post on facebook might be. or the ama. or any political party.or even my teacher, though i do revere that wisdom. s/he tells me to listen to me. so i guess i will. happy 2017,namaste,goldenrod 

now is the last moment. tonight jesus is born into the world, the son of god, the bringer of a new day for all people. tomorrow everything will be different:  the child inside of us all will be honored by the birth of one special child. the message that the messiah brings is not one of peace but of chaos and change. all the old laws are now defunct and the message is that there is a new law that supersedes all others "love one another." dear christian brothers and sister, can we start there? namaste,goldenrod

now is waking up afraid. what is this future in this new america?how will i continue to travel and feel included in a place that does not respect my lifestyle, spiritual path or hairstyle? should i hide better(and where)? should i scream louder(as my cards say i should)? should i just keep on dancing as best i can, looking at this perfect moment in this warm room surrounded by the love of my chosen family? i will not run away today. i will not give in to anger or fear, but will continue to welcome those who would call themselves my enemies to join me at a table set with love and compassion for all beings. namaste,goldenrod

now is sunset into the ocean. how does that orangepink blob affect my heart? i know that i am moving around that sun but it always fools me for just one second into thinking that it is going away. luckily, the moon is just to the east, above me, reassuring me that all is well. how can i not worship nature in all her glory? how is it that words and promises by other humans do not give me the satisfaction, the security of just fifteen minutes on the shore looking at the blue sky following the sun longing for the moon? i am content in this paganism. blessed be. 

now--11/18(for my beloveds Jim and David)so how to love when hate rules the airwaves;how much to tell when truth brings danger?/no cave deep enough to hide the glitter, no gun powerful enough to kill all bigotry./ so why not give in to sensibility, turn off the dance music and resign to shrinking back into slavery, running up that hill to reach nowhere?/ so we are only sure of this existence--we act as if eternity is a given: no time like the present to return to the past, no blanket thick enough to cut the chill./ evidently we are too dumb to survive, too caught up in figuring it all out, rapt in expectation of rapture(taking that tour through the sewer)./ so love just sits there beaming, disco queens paint up to party; rulers measure only straight lines, fear rolls off spandex in motion./ how much to trust in balancing, how little to suffer from ignorance? namaste,goldenrod

now for L. Russell--hank, oh hank, oh pound them ivories/shake your head of snow-white wisdom, and get my ass on the dancefloor/ throw up hands in wonder and kiss some pretty strange soldiers./ asylum indeed, resting in madness/ eating salty candy all night long/ no wonder you stole my bay's thighs, no wonder i ate acid with you on the hit.
hank, oh hank, it's getting dark/clouds of ignorance harshin' our buzz, so i'll get up from here right now, put on my stetson and butt stompers, and go to lawton, oklahoma/ dare you to meet me there, old man, old wild wailing mystic and prophet, taking us back to the island again./ hank, oh hank, i wrote a song:  can i sit on your lap and sing it to you?namaste,brooks l.

now is day 7--strategy(from Starhawk)--oh man there is a battle of man-to-man-to-demon, and oh there is blood spilling, bad blood from ancient struggles. who will wear the laurel, who bow to kiss the victors; why tear up lives and dreamscapes, why not just reach out?/ oh man there is a hunger for touch and taste of honey; and there is joy waiting, pure joy from broken shackles. who will lead the tara, who rise to meet the lovers; why hurt to follow freedom, why not just be love?/ oh man i am an elder, worn wise and strangely stupid, and oh i do want holding, warm lips and strong emotion. who said youth is wasted, who dances, only slower,stronger? namaste,goldenrod