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Gorgeous sunset, wanting to celebrate life with just my hubby, remembering my brother on the 22nd anniversary of his death. A simple feel good skydive, just the two of us: that’s what I wanted. I was kinda thrown by the spot … we were in freefall over Lake Erie, and for me, quite the eery feeling to be skirting the shores edge, the drop zone at least 3 miles away. The winds had been super strong all day and I had chosen to stand down because of it, grateful to have survived an injury in too windy conditions 4 years ago — lessons learned. However, thinking that at the end of the day, the uppers would have died down was a silly assumption to make for our skydive. Under canopy at 5000 feet, savouring the gorgeous sunset, I wasn’t too concerned about my positioning, other than facing in to the wind with lots of clear space and open fields behind me to make it back. At 3000 feet I realized how far east I had been blown, off the wind line, and in an attempt to make it back too soon, was blown over the dense trees below, going ‘Oh shit, better start looking for an alternate landing area amidst those trees’. Each field and backyard kept disappearing below me as I continued to be pushed backwards.
At a 1.2 wing loading (exit weight vs load-bearing ratio to my canopy), I wasn’t having much luck in gaining any forward drive. Dang, trees, trees everywhere. Not good. Winds + trees = turbulence at best. But luckily, closer to the ground, the wind slowed and I was able to ‘hook’ a 180 degree turn at tree top level in to a small postage stamp area (can you say 200 by 200 feet with 70 foot trees all around?). Within the confines of the trees, there was no wind which made for much forward movement. Having at least been on top of my game for this, I landed mid-field. I could have been the lone hero, ready to run it out, if necessary, but instead decided to slide it in gently, not wanting to injure myself for the long anticipated walk back. One never knows what holes etc lie there amidst the grassy knolls. Landing out in the middle of a forest isn’t the smartest thing in the world. One, had I been seriously injured, the chances of someone finding me before dark would have been next to nil. Two, if a helicopter had to fly in to airlift me out, that would have been tricky trying in such a small area plus to find me with no clear markers anywhere, stupid. Three, I got caught behind the power curve and didn’t anticipate the forces of Mother Nature. Silly, silly, lucky girl.
After 10 minutes of meandering through fields which I hoped to take me to a road somewhere, I ended up crawling over a barbed wire fence, leading me to a cemetery and thus a road. Go figure! Was this a sign or what? My dear brother had certainly been looking out for me, alongside me the whole jump, from exit to landing and beyond. Walking between the graves with my canopy slung over my shoulder had me seriously thinking about spirit and life and the choices we make. Whether they be stupid not well-thought out decisions or meticulously planned intentions, life doesn’t always go as one expects or hopes much of the time. Having a backup Plan B, C and D is always a good idea, and going with the flow when none of the above options are available is what life is all about. Hopefully in instances like this, I can walk away without injury and head held high, knowing that I have to live with the consequences, even in the face of death and reality. Makes for an exciting day and valuable lessons learned. Next time, I hope to make better choices. Thankfully, there will be a next time!
With each passing day dear brother I miss you more and more.
Has it really been 22 years since I lost you to the wings of the hereafter, the wings of flight?
You would have made an amazing skydiver … and each jump I make, you’re right there in spirit, freeflying circles around me, shining and smiling knowing that we have only this moment and this is what we breath for.
Freedom, flight and the joy of living.
I ♥ and miss you Kenny.
 A gorgeous day outside … the wind is silent apart from the Airstream awning’s billowing sporadic song. I sit here on our comfy plush couch, watching my beloved nap, witnessing a lonely Twin Otter and Cessna sunbathing in the quiet sunStream. Not even a whisper of life exists on this lakeside beautiful drop zone, as witnessed from the panoramic view of our trailer, or so it seems. We’re tucked away quietly, secluded yet available for those who come to seek and be entertained with yogaFLIGHT.
Today is the dream most skydiver’s delight in … blue skies, succulent temperatures, a shining twin turbine with a backup plan, just in case. So where are they? It’s Friday and no one is here to play? A few dropped in for a quick adrenaline fix this morning, with slaDE securing another two jumps of experience under his growing belt of tandem worldliness, but the afternoon brings peace in our corner of the universe. I’ve yet to make the leap from the Cessna here at Burnaby. Other tasks at hand have priority over my whimsical freefall rustlings. But soon, soon, I shall gift lift to my wings. Until then, I wait patiently, fervently daydreaming, and breathing gratitude for the glorious weather upon us.
Come out, come out, wherever you are. Skydivers dream of days like this! Come dance and fly whilst Mother Nature basks in her beauty, like a Peacock parading its feathers for all to see!
I’m certain the weekend will bring out the skyjumpers in droves. Just surprised by the idle quiet of a gorgeous Friday afternoon.
Afternote: The Cessna 182 just fired up … seems the jumpers have come out to jump after all!
 Yoga is such a powerful tool, offering so many benefits beyond the physical and mental. For example, stress and anxiety relief. I love to center myself through focussed yogic breathing, slowing down my heartbeat, especially in situations where anxiousness does not serve me (such as when climbing to altitude in a jump plane, about to catapult out into the big blue unknown ~ aka skydiving).  When I teach yoga, I love to see the reactions of those both new to the practise and those who flourished through time and dedication. Especially in teaching yogaFLIGHT workshops or even offering demos for the first time, the experience for most is unlike anything they’ve ever had, literally turning their world upside down. The rewards for offering play and light into our daily life can be joy-enhancing and life-changing. It can evoke imagination, generate curiosity, foster empathy, and of significant importance to us, it can build community. Often when we approach older adults about the benefits of yoga and the joys of yogaFLIGHT, we’ll hear such reactions as: “I’m too old for that”, “I’m not flexible enough.”, “I’m too heavy”, “I don’t think I can trust my partner (base) that much.”. Our challenge lies in teaching those with resistance to play that the joys of yoga and yogaFLIGHT is for all people, at all ages, at all times, regardless of body type, condition or age. For everybody and EVERY body (lovingly dubbed by our yoga mentor and quadriplegic friend Mary-Jo).
Dr. Stuart Brown, the founder and president of the National Institute for Play states that “When one really doesn’t play at all or very little in adulthood, there are consequences: rigidities, depression, no irony — things that are pretty important, that enable us to cope in a world of many demands.” He suggests that play helps us learn empathy, trust, and problem solving, and also enables us to develop our talents and character over our entire lifespan.
As play is woven into the fabric of social practices, we will dramatically transform our personal health, our relationships, the education we provide our children and the capacity of our corporations to innovate.
Here’s to playing more in our daily lives, creating an attitude of self-expression and pleasure that permeates everything we do, breathing joy and bliss in to an enhanced existence, living and playing with 100% of our being and essence.
** For those interested in learning more about yogaFLIGHT and our yoga classes, please feel free to . slaDE and I are more than willing to offer our passion for play and skilled instruction to those willing to take the leap in to the unknown, flying beyond the boundaries of keeping ones feet on the ground.
 Presence. Being in the moment. Today was a time for breathing, stretching, yoga love and making the space available for new friends.  And so shifted my normal state of focus from my work at hand to a glorious walk on the beach, chasing shadows and capturing the essence of life and death.
We only have the now. Kick it, love it, live it. Breath it all in. One breath, one life, one moment. My present, my future, all coming back to the breath of now. 
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides,
that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
An emotional day of new beginnings, spontaneous road trips, closure and endings. Today we were exactly where we needed to be. Offering support and aid when nothing else could be said or done. When a family member in our skydiving community passes from the surly bonds of this earth, we all grieve, knowing that for those left behind, the pain is greatest. For the dearly departed, their spirit is free and they’ve been granted eternal wings.
Rest in Peace David. Thank you for the breathtakingly beautiful sunset tonight.
High Flight
by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
- Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
- And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
- Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
- of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
- You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
- High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
- I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
- My eager craft through footless halls of air….
- Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
- I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
- Where never lark nor even eagle flew—
- And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
- The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
- Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
 What a fabulous weekend!
Catching up with girlfriends and friends of old, settling a hockey wager victory (go Team Canada, gO!) at Red Lobster with fast-fingered Lisa (crab cracker extraordinaire), and returning to Canada with no muss or fuss, bellies and hearts full, made for the ultimate culmination of a two week US journey where dreams were fortified and strengthened. We are so blessed with the life that we lead, travelling the world on a whim and a prayer, navigating through the pages of a book not yet written, building a future constantly evolving and shifting. It’s spectacular to witness the story unfold, sailing the path of a road never travelled, praying that the life lessons we learn along the way help to build us up as both individuals and as partners open to sharing our gifts, joys, love and laughter with those around uS. So far the journey has been pretty cool, and with each new friend and relationship built along the way, we are growing and expanding in ways that I could never have imagined. It’s a pretty cool calling, this yogic skydiving lifestyle. Fortunate indeed we are.
 I love Friday evening weddings. They remind me of when slaDE and I got married, Friday August 22, 2008. With Lisa and Mike having their ceremony at the very beginning of the weekend, the entire two days are opened up to possibility and adventure.
We were very blessed to have glorious weather for the whole day surrounding the Maly wedding. The icing on the cake? slaDE~ and I are extremely happy that we managed to make it in our travels to celebrate the union of two of our dearest friends.
The wedding was spectacular, the bride breathtakingly beautiful and the company of friends and family, outstanding. It’s hard to believe we haven’t seen some of closest friends for 4+ years, back in the day when we spent every weekend driving down from Kitchener Ontario Canada to jump out of planes at Frontier Skydivers, just east of Buffalo New York. Amazing how time flies! So good to catch up and have our skydiving family back together, even if just for an evening.
 Two days and two nights at Freefall Oz / Oz Homestay Bed & Breakfast was absolutely delightful.
Seeing our old friends Ash and Celeine was an incredible treat, especially with the skilled cooking talents of Australian Ash and the shiny bright smiles & hugs from Celeine.
Ash may not be classified as a chef, but I can certainly contend that he’s one of the best cooks around, with skillful cre8tive flair and wonderful food presentation. And to be treated to the luxuries of the ‘Cherry Room’ was divine (1 of the 4 unique B&B bedrooms), especially after living the life we’ve had over the past 7 nomadic months in our Airstream. I must admit, despite the rainy weather, which precluded any skydiving scenic aerial views of the area, I was not disappointed in our visit; the hospitality and countless rounds of hot tubbing fun (both morning and night) made up for my desire to jump out of a plane.
 Come mid-day, it was time to think about making our way towards Buffalo, home of my girlfriend Lisa and lovely family. Lisa and Mike, who have been dating for the past 17 years, are finally getting hitched tomorrow, and I very much wanted to be there in advance for her wedding prep. I had the luxury of driving our trailer for a couple of hours through the scenic backcountry. slaDE has done much of the driving on this trip, but it’s good for me to get behind the wheel and respectfully maneuver our way across New York state. It gives me confidence in towing and handling such a long trailer (35.5 feet to be exact with the Hensley hitch).
Upon arriving in Cheektowaga, slaDE slid the Airstream neatly and in one shot into the narrow grass alley beside M&L’s house. What a man  .
The flower-making procession was in full swing and well under control. Before we knew it, the day had slipped by and I fell into a deep sleep quickly and sweetly.
Here’s more photos from Oz Homestay Bed & Breakfast / Skydive Oz that I hope you enjoy. A gorgeous farm just outside of Ceres New York well worth checking out!
 
   
ie
Lest we forget, our oceans have no borders, boundaries or barrier walls. I’m of the belief that powerful ocean currents could potentially make this an epic global catastrophe, especially with the ominous hurricane season threatening the deep south. Additionally, 20-60% of crude oil evaporates. Tell me that this won’t settle on to our crops, in to our water system, dispersed in the air we breath. MILLION of GALLONS. Gasp ….. This is has gone on far too long. 51 days to be exact. I want to provide you with a few excellent links to further educate yourself on the oil spills devastating effects:
A pictorial of the BP Oil Disaster … Forgive Us. http://www.greaterfool.ca/2010/06/04/forgive-us
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Mote’s Response http://www.mote.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Gulf%20of%20Mexico%20Oil%20Spill&category=Marine%20Policy%20Institute
A link for visualizing the BP Oil Disatser http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com
What happens to the oil when a hurricane strikes? http://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-to-the-oil-when-a-hurricane-strikes-2010-6
Oil on the Water: The Physics of Oil Spills http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37517080/ns/disaster_in_the_gulf
 © Clemente, Francesco - Neo-Expressionismo How many more days will this continue?? And what can I do in the here and now? Where does my personal responsibility lie? Is it time for a reset on the way that we live? Where can we make better choices in reducing our consumption of fuel, plastics and energy?
Examining the life we lead, slaDE~ and I currently tow our Airstream, our home, behind us as we pursue our dreams. I’m grateful for the relatively good fuel mileage that we get at approximately 15-17 mpg when towing the trailer, 22-25 mpg with the truck on its own. The question is, how can we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels? I’m seriously invested in finding a solution to alternative fuels, such as bio-diesel, to fuel our diesel truck. I would love to see the production of algae and kelp as an alternative fuel source. I wonder if kelp could be grown in the Gulf (kelp grows at astonishingly quick speeds), feeding on the hydrocarbons for energy in the spilled oil? We could go farther in living a cleaner greener more respectful energy efficient lifestyle … and solar power is one of the most attractive sustainable options that I’d love to add to the Airstream (our current solar panel is dysfunctional). Additionally, a solar oven perhaps? Continuing to use our solar water heater (a black plastic camp shower bag that heats up the water for washing dishes, etc) is a proactive solution which I enjoy. Eating locally grown organic food is a positive step to the greater good. Reducing (and recycling where necessary) our use of plastics is a biggie, especially as plastics originate from fossil fuels. Composting any organic matter (think digging holes across America), and recycling our belongings, allows us to keep our disposables out of the landfill … an incredible bonus. Any other ideas out there for maintaining a environmentally friendly lifestyle on the road?
As a side-note, jumping out of planes for recreation has me torn … a guilty passion which uses huge amounts of fuel. Not sure how to address this one without giving up on my dream of flight??!
Mea maxima culpa …. Collectively WE are responsible for Nature and Mother Earth. Where would we be if we lived on an empty planet, void of the green and beauty of nature? What if the rainbows of colour didn’t exist for us to to paint our dreams around, fashioning and moulding a kaleidoscopic canvas of beautiful vision? What kind of future would we hope for, dream for, breath in?
Alone we must survive, but why not make it a better place for all? Nature helps us to thrive, be alive and blossom. The call is strong and alive, present in every media angle we may subscribe to. Stop pollution where you can, be vital, function beyond the extraordinary, make a difference and be an advocate and champion for our environment, our planet, our Mother Earth. Step by step, breath by breath, one by one, we CAN make a difference.
Our spirit may soar free,
but why live life just for me!
With time, I will stagnate and die.
But can I do this before merging with the sky?
Can I learn the lessons before crashing and burning?
Or will I offer to others a bittersweet yearning …
For comfort, for joy, for simple pleasures found in Nature.
Spreading my happiness at being one with my Mother,
she that giveth plenty and to which I shall one day return.
From dust to ashes I will bequeath my final responsibility.
Returning to the Earth, to my roots, to my ancestors.
The ultimate score. The life’s lessons, visions, touchings and inspirations which I may have left behind, fostered for future generations. Let your spirit soar in the least destructive way you know.
Be kind to your Mother.
For one day, you shall return.
Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
~ © Katherine sKY:: Weishar
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