Lori Krein
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Two weeks already!

9/28/2017

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The time has gone by kinda slowly, maybe it's the slower pace of life up here! It's great! I feel like I've been here for months.(that's a good thing!) Here's a summary of the past few days.

 Moving to motel, & Interview with Coco (Thursday Sept 28th)
I moved out of the Ashland hostel where I've been for almost two weeks. It was a great place to stay...cheap, ($31 per night) VERY CLEAN! We were instructed to remove our shoes when we entered the house...and it was a house, like a bnb but without the breakfast part. I was in a shared room with 2 bunk beds, but I only had a roommate for 2 of the nights so it was like a private room! The kitchen was well stocked and people left free food on a shared shelf...so I cooked when I could and experimented with things I don't usually cook at home. Like, tomato soup...tomatoes came from someones garden.
Also, on the little dirt road next to the hostel, there was a big plum tree so I gathered yummy plums from the ground the last few days. 

I met Molli at the hostel, she's visiting for 2 weeks from Calgary....and since we both had to move out for the weekend cuz the hostel was booked, we decided to share a motel room for the weekend. 

After I moved out, I interviewed Coco Waddell about her Farm Wench website...Coco is amazing. She never stops moving! She's passionate about sustainability and about helping others get started on growing veggies and composting or whatever small things they can to...her site will provide tips and she's share what she learned from her mistakes. Then we had lunch and then we peeled scallions from her garden...then visited the horses, and collected eggs from the chickens. It was a lovely  morning! ​
Crater Lake, music, and healing (Wednesday, Sept. 27)
I drove out to Crater Lake...it was well worth the two hour drive, which was spectacular too. The lake was amazing...huge and so blue. The thing I noticed most was the QUIET...once I hiked away from the lodge, all I cold hear was a few birds cawing off in the distance...I laid down on the side of the trail for awhile and just enjoyed the silence. It was really cool. 

Enjoyed a bowl of beed stew at a local pub, then watched street musicians, then participated in a Goddess Kirtan chanting event at my favorite place, the Jackson Wellsprings. Inside a yurt. With about 25 other people. POWERFUL!!! (but a bit cold...)
Cowhorn Winery Interview (Tuesday, Sept. 26)
Drove about 45 minutes out to the Cowhorn Winery, to interview Bill Steele for the podcast. Wow, that was so educational and fun! What a beautiful farm they have...they practice biodynamic growing practices...it's very interesting...it's a few steps beyond organic. Listen to the podcast to learn more! (it'll be out in a few more weeks.)
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I've been so busy...

9/24/2017

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It's been a whirlwind of activities: pot lucks, interviews, feeding the homeless...podcast editing (yuck!) and meeting fun and interesting people who are making huge strides to help the environment. I've been attending as many events as possible, and there are many to choose from! Not everything is connected to the podcast, of course...I've also been going on long bike rides, attending yoga classes, and soaking at the hot springs! 

Last night I attended an event and learned about the Pachamama Alliance, a global community that offers people the chance to learn, connect, engage, travel and cherish life for the purpose of creating a sustainable future that works for all.
I also learned about a local group called Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) who offers a ten week Master Climate Protector course, which teaches current information on the status of our climate and current trends and projections that result from the climate pollution we are releasing into our atmosphere.

​Every day I learn more and more about people, community groups, and organizations that are working towards a better future for humanity and the earth. 

More to come!
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Death, Sacred Sexuality, Birth...

9/18/2017

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The experience I had yesterday will be difficult to describe, but I'll try...I attended a High Priestess Convergence ceremony at the Goddess Temple here at the Jackson Wellsprings. I had no idea what to expect...but it was amazing!
First, we were greeted by Graell. We were about to embark on a journey...experiencing Death, Sacred Sexuality, and Birth...the three most significant events in our lives. I was intrigued! I wish I had photos to share, but technology was forbidden...
We walked along the path, towards the Goddess Temple, and entered the first station...


DEATH
​Insence tickled my nose...and I felt somber immediately...we all sat on pillows, and gazed upon our guide who sat cross-legged, wearing black, in the front of the tent. Two priestesses, dressed in shrouds, were seated behind a black, sheer curtain. 
After a short meditation, we were instructed to write, on a small paper, what part of our lives we were ready to part with...what no longer served us? Next, we took turns approaching the priestesses behind the curtain...we embraced, and let go of whatever we needed to let go of. After handing her the paper, we exited the tent, and contemplated how the death of this thing would affect our lives. 
​
What did I write on the paper? I would like to discard "living my life based on what's expected of me" 
Instead, I want to live my life based on what is true FOR ME and what feeds MY HEART...without worrying about what I"m "supposed to do" or what people might think. 
Some of you might be surprised to hear this...I am, after all, spending a month up in Oregon, alone! Isn't that a pretty good example of living my life by my own rules? YES! and that's what was so profound about this experience...its like I'm living my life according to ME already! 

It gets better...

SACRED SEXUALITY
The next station was my favorite. We entered the yurt. On the floor were mats for us to lie on, positioned like the pedals of a flower. In the center, were various items...feathers, a bowl of peaches, stones, flowers...we were instructed to lie on the mats, head towards the center, face up. Oh, did I mention we were to put on a blindfold? 
I think you can imagine what happened next...we were treated to 20 minutes of pure sensory pleasure. Feathers ticked my arms...my mouth was treated to a sweet peach...smooth stones placed in the palms of my hands...gentle fingers caressed my face. All the while, I heard bells, and chimes and drumming...all my senses were activated! I was smiling the entire time! I didn't want it to end. 

BIRTH
The last station was outside in the gardens. Two rows of 10 priestesses were lined up, facing each other, to create the womb that we would each be birthed from. Our guides chanted and undulated...as I approached, I was filled with anticipation...I began my rebirth...I was caressed, soothed, hugged, massaged...slowly I moved through the womb, through the birth canal and out into the world...it was a beautiful experience I will never forget. 

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The Wellsprings

9/16/2017

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Morning Walk

After a somewhat restless night (it was cold, and my sleeping pad sprung a leak!) I took a walk around the grounds and found some very cool stuff around here! 
The best thing was a few wooden swings hanging from a weeping willow tree. I can't remember the last time I was on a swing! Wheee!!

They have an incredible garden here...and further down the path, I came across a few more interesting things. Pictures speak louder then words sometimes...

Then I walked out towards the road, and met two women selling soap made from goats milk! You;; hear more from them later, I'm going to visit their farm this week and interview them for the podcast, as well as two other women selling semi-organic flowers. This dream is starting to come true. 

After my walk, I came back to the Wellsprings and had the most enjoyable experience! I ventured into the steam room. A few more people came in, and someone started chanting. Then another person...then everyone followed along! We were all chanting together in this tiny space, in the steam we could barely see each other...but we made beautiful music! WOW! Then I spent two hours in the mineral baths...the sun came out...

Now I'm sitting in the tea room enjoying a cheese and pastrami burrito and home made apricot bar...and I met this guy. 
I'm looking forward to an evening of more music and chanting and dancing! More to come. 

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Arrived in Ashland

9/15/2017

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First, a word of thanks and prayers
Before I share about the drive up here, I need to give a shout out to Patty and Peter...I stopped in Novato last night to visit them, and I was treated to a yummy dinner of Pete's coveted risotto balls! And, for dessert, a banana cream pie with meringue on top! Wish I had a photo of that...they also gave me two bottle of really good red wine, and other libations...Patty and I were roommates in college and have been to more Springsteen shows than I can count...so it's always super fun to visit and reminisce and watch an episode of MTM!! Thanks for the hospitality...I was well fed in mind, body and spirit...and ready for the long drive up to Ashland!
Next, I'd like to send out lots of love and prayers to all of my friends and family down in Florida...I know this is a tough time for you and your communities...I hope you are all safe and get your power back soon. 
THE DRIVE
I left Novato around 10:45 this morning...the drive was really beautiful! lots of hills, mountains, lakes...no traffic to speak of. Took me about 5 hours to get here...arrived around 4:00. Jackson Wellsprings is awesome! Everyone is super friendly. It's hard to describe...there's random places to camp...basically two little fields with trees...so I set up my tent (without any mishaps this time!) and went over to the huge mineral spring pool...they also have a sauna and steam room and hot tub! There's a little tea room, snacks for purchase, bathrooms, showers...a community room, and a meditation space! I love it! 

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Cooking dinner on the camp stove...pre-made soup from home! That's my tent in the background. No, not the bog teepee...the little orange one! 

Shakespeare Festival
In case you didn't know this, Ashland hosts the Shakespeare festival...and unbeknownst to me, it's happening while I'm here! Good news is, I like theater so I'm excited to be able to go see some plays. The bad news is, it will be more crowded around here for the next couple of weeks! 
I already met a couple of people who gave me the scoop on things to do in town, there's an art center, food co-op, yoga classes...and a few other places they recommended I visit. 
Well, I'm off to check out the entertainment for tonight...local singer supposed to be good...
​More to come!
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The Countdown begins

9/13/2017

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Going with the Flow
So, Costa Rica fell through. Basically, the other 3 artists that were supposed to be there at the same time as me, had to reschedule, and I didn't want to be there by myself. Part of the fun was collaborating! Good news is I got a total refund on my plane tx. 
So, I regrouped and decided to head north to Ashland, OR instead, and create my own Artist Retreat!

The NEW PLAN
The new plan is to drive up to Ashland this week, camp out for a few nights at Jackson Welsprings, then stay at the Ashland Hostel for a couple of weeks, and then camp at Emmigrant Lake for a weekend.
I was supposed to leave today! But, I inured my eye the other night as I was testing out my new tent in the living room, and when I was taking it down, the pole snapped up and hit me in the eye! Wow did that hurt and it was so scary! Bruce took me to the ER and they said it was ok but I should see a specialist if symptoms didn't subside. 
I spent yesterday in bed with eyes closed, and have an appointment today to see the eye doc. It feels ok but I can tell something's not right. Hoping they tell me it will just take some time, and I'll be on the road tomorrow!

PREPARATION
Since I decided to drive up to OR and camp for a few nights, I've had to bring a lot more stuff. Food, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking supplies...yes, I could get by on much less as if I were backpacking, but since I'll have the car I'm not gunna sweat it. I'm also bringing my bike...another thing to prepare. So, I've been making hard boiled eggs, soup, and smoothies, and banana bread...and freezing everything to  make it easier when I"m there. I'm also not sure about the weather, it looks like warm days and cool nights...so, I'll bring layers. Need swim wear for the hot springs...and pool if there is one. 

WHY am I doing this?
As I mentioned in my last post, I want time to focus on starting my podcast. Too many distractions at home. And, I also need time to just follow my nose without having to consult someone else about things, like where/when should we stop and eat? What do you want to do today? i need to follow my own inner compass for a bit, remember what it was like to depend on myself, make my own decisions...get my center back. Being a mom and a wife has been great...and now that the kids are out of the house, I need to remember who I was before all that. Having a family has brought me more joy then i could have imagined...but, now it's time for ME. bruce has been so supportive in all of this...and although he might not like the idea, maybe it will be good for him too. 

My plan is to write about my travels...the people I meet, the things I do (or don't do) and it will be fun to document the process of following my own heart. 
​More to come! -Lori

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  • Home
  • Reiki, Reflexology, Yoga Nidra
  • Artwork
  • Art Classes
  • Books
  • Photography
  • Press
  • Scuba Adventures
  • Environment
  • Meditation Recordings
  • Hilda's Story
  • Meet The Healers
  • Corporate work 1
  • Videos