Liberation

Paradox: In isolation we are walking together. There is no us and them, we cannot help others as long as we feel we are different in any way. As long as we blame others and absolve ourselves we are in the wilderness. We are in this together as inhabitants of earth and the only way to stay here is to forget differences, share resources, and build communities that are connected. No one wins, no one loses, we walk together

Jeanne

http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/liberation-and-you-are-aboriginal-land  

The Print Artist: Marie McMahon
'You Are On Aboriginal Land' Screen Print  

The Quote Author: Lilla Watson

'If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. If you have come because your Liberation is bound together with mine, let us walk together'.

Lilla Watson, visual artist, activist and academic is often credited with this quote:

The quote has served as a motto for many activist groups in Australia and elsewhere. A possible origin for the quote is a speech given by Lilla Watson at the 1985 United Nations Decade for Women Conference in Nairobi.

Lilla has said of this quote that she was "not comfortable being credited for something that had been born of a collective process" and prefers that it be credited to "Aboriginal activists group, Queensland, 1970s."

March 19th- quote today about opinion and my opinion on this

You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.
Marcus Aurelius MEDITATIONS, 6.52

From: https://lifehacker.com/opinions-are-optional-1821468158

And now I am going to expound on my opinions lol

As I listen to the news and have conversations with people I am struck by the many, varied opinions there are on the virus crisis we are now in. It seems impossible to tune out the constant feed of information and opinions bombarding us all the time. Yes we have to listen to get updates of how we can do our part to slow the spread of this disease and keep others safe. And ... we can also choose to not let the opinions and contradictions and theories swirling around affect us. We can let them slide away and not give them space in our thoughts and, most effectively, slow their spread by not sharing them!! 

The disease of fear spreads much faster and wider than viral infections because we don't recognize it as a disease. I say fear is a disease because it puts us into fight or flight mode, where we become protective of ourselves to the point of not paying attention to the damage it does outside a certain sphere. When it becomes more important for me to have my own stockpile for tomorrow than to make sure everyone is able to get what they need for today I am feeding that fear, and it spreads like cancer cells. The happiest people are those who share wholeheartedly, which doesn't mean they don't look after themselves, its just that tomorrow is never certain anyways and the bigger the community that shares and looks after each other the more resources are available to look after everyone... Paradoxes make the world go round:)

It seems counter intuitive to not have an opinion or share our opinions when everyone is talking about the same thing... and yet every opinion we have is our judgment of things we hear that we interpret from what we think using our own perspective. This means there are as many opinions as there are people in the world. And we are all infected!  And we don't have to be; we can control what we think.  

There is a antidote for this. Very simple, yet like a vaccination by needle we need to face a little pain for a lot of gain. And I don't know why it is so hard for us to collectively do this... we love hearing about people who are taking action, we can all be these people. I'm not a nurse, I'm not a millionaire, I don't have special skills to share, all I have and all I need to have is a heart that feels the suffering beyond my own. This vaccine is not a cure for what I am giving up, there is no self sacrifice, we are blessed to be able to make someone smile, feel heard or seen or valued and feel part of a community that cares. I am gaining when I take this vaccination ... the vaccine is finding where I can be of service to anyone or thing other than myself in any small way and feeling gratitude that I can do something. I think all of us know this intuitively, it is just far to easy to get caught in the contagiousness of fear of the unknown that breeds the opinions.

We have more abundance in our hearts than we can ever use up, in fact it grows the more we use it to make a positive difference outside ourselves. Inoculating our minds from the infection of spreading opinions and judgement and living with our eyes open to other people suffering where they are is a great place to start. One minute, one day, one step at a time... tomorrow will come regardless of our opinions.

With Love

Jeanne

Day 4 - March 17th - St. Patrick's Day

Day four of what was supposed to be fourteen days straight hiking and there was a group meeting as soon as we all gathered at the car parking morning spot. All Bruce Trail Conservancy organized hikes are cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic until further notice. A difficult call for Ruth (our organizer/leader) to make, this project has been her initiative, and the organization and preparation for an event like this must have been a great deal of work. It was a huge disappointment for all of us, although as each day there were more measures to contain and slow the virus spread so it was not unexpected. So today was our last day of hiking (as an organized group) for now. As we carpooled to the hike's start point I expect we all processed a bit as it seemed like everyone started walking determined to make the most of the day.

Little moss tuffets, magical fairy world
fit for St. Paddy's Day!

It was a colder, overcast start. About an hour in there was a bit of rain, enough to put on rain gear, but it didn't last long. The sun came out until just before lunch when the sky darkened and looked threatening (thought we were going to get some snow) but we were lucky it was just cold and damp lol.

It felt like a bonding day, lots of sharing and laughing. At some point Monty Python got air time, Ron and Trevor recited parts of The Holy Grail and reminisced about silly walks and coconuts and there were some giggles. The cultural bonding power of Monty Python for our generation cannot be understated.

We passed wineries, vineyards and mansions, on main roads, side roads and residential streets. Interspersed with the gorgeous ridge sections where we could see for miles and miles across the lake to the skyline of Toronto and the silhouette of the escarpment.

We crossed the boundary bridge marking the end of the Niagara section and start of the Iroquoia section about 1:15pm!!

Boundary Bridge 

Then we carried on. It seemed like for EVER again! The afternoon slogs are tough. Mud and ups and down, on the side of the slope much of the time and more rugged rocky areas (hell on the ankles). 

The wonderful thing about the group is that no one complains. At least not until we finish.  While we are walking it is joking, sharing, philosophizing, observing and keep going. The first couple days I thought I was the only one who was feeling pain, but I saw Cathy's toe after she took her boot off in the car once we stopped for the day and I can't even imagine the pain she must have been in yet she never said a word, and I talked with a couple others later and my niggling ankle seems more manageable.

Moss rock wall
I'd like this for my garden

It was very sad to say goodbye at the end of today's hike. It felt anti climatic that we all got in our individual cars and drove back into our lives, our new realities that include being a part of the rest of the world immersed in the local and global health crisis, the social and economic fallout and the uncertainties for the future. These last four days spent isolated in our small group in nature facing physical challenges and getting to know each have been a unique experience, one I appreciate and feel blessed to have been part of.

Today's cool Signs:

Day 3 - March 16th

Another 25 km day. A very Long 25 km day!! Started at 8:30 am finished at 4:15. Sunny and a colder, it was -2 C and there was frost on the ground when we started but after a few ups and down of the escarpment everyone shed a layer or two. (I'm not sure what made me think that the trail went along the ridge most of the time, turns out that was only wishful thinking)

Nature lessons today: 

Vernal Pool

Vernal pool; a seasonal pond/pool of water that typically fills in the spring and goes dry in the hot summer. One of their benefits is that no fish live in them to prey on the eggs and young of frogs, salamanders and turtles etc. so they are great breeding habitat for these species. 

Walking Fern

Walking fern: ferns with long pointed leaves that grow on moss covered limestone boulders. New ferns grow from the tips of the leaves that touch the ground.

Lunch break was at the Balls Falls Conservation Area

Balls Falls

Photo opp
tub at the falls
(off my feet for a sec)

Fifteen minute lunch break is barely enough time to find a seat, take off back pack, unpack lunch, wolf down food and rub some numbing stuff on ankle. I get that we'll seize up if we sit too long but a few more minutes would be nice sometimes

So far lunch has been half a peanut butter sandwich (on my sourdough bread) and a protein bar. Saving my apple for eating later on the move.
Too tired in the evening to get creative with food ... I'm hoping that will change soon!

Continuing on we saw the spectacular Louth Falls, creeks from high vantages and alongside, crossing them at places on rocks to slippery slopes or wooden bridges, before heading up to higher ground again. At some point (I think it was about 2:30 finding out we still had 9 km to go) life became about putting one foot down after another. For some reason I found myself singing John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt (almost silently), then James James Morrison Morrison Wetherby George Dupree... remembering lots of childhood family memories. The end bit was through quagmires of heavy, slippery, gucky mud! Made it though, with a great feeling of accomplishment having 70 km trail done!

Today's tip: Mullen is Nature's toilet paper (although it doesn't seem to be around when it is needed.

Mullen

Louth Falls

Sadly Bogey did not appear
I really appreciated the sign though

Day 2 - March 15th

Gorgeous sunny day!! Cooler than yesterday; high of 2 C, windy in exposed areas and hot in sheltered sunny areas.
Reflections of the day: Exhilarating!! 25.3 km of mud, mud, mud with spectacular hikes through hardwood forests, trees and shadows an array of vertical majesty, along creeks in the woods, and a hydro damn and lake with a sandbar in the middle and gulls squawking, two waterfalls. We hiked on city streets, country roads and along side the Welland Canal. We lunched at the First Nations Peace Monument by friendsoflaurasecord.com... (those of us on the sunny side were warm, the rest froze) There were several bridges, one of them the "Laura Secord Bridge" and some impromptu history lessons which I've already forgotten...
Uneven terrain made my ankles ache, same as yesterday but since they eased off after some stretching, cbd ointment and tlc I think they'll be better every day:-)

March 14th - Day 1

Day 1 Bruce Trail

We met at Queenston Heights Park, South Cairn, the Niagara end of the trail. It was a relief to actually get started, with all of the event cancellations due to the Corona virus it would not have been a big surprise if this adventure got cancelled as well although we all agreed that being out in nature hiking on the trail is the best place to be to stay physically and mentally healthy.

We carpooled in 4 cars to our start point for the day and then hiked back to the Queenston Heights Cairn mark.

Great weather, a sun cloud mix, it warmed up to about 6 C during the day. Started hiking at 8:25 and finished around 1:40. Almost 20 km (a little longer than planned because of a BT reroute.)

 There were some cool sights along the way, the old Welland Canal, crumbling in places and so narrow it is hard to believe it could have been used as a shipping route. There was an ancient rusted out car nose dived into the canal. A tree with all kinds of shoes nailed up its trunk. Skates, ski boots and other sports footwear.... Why??? We hiked through a creek that was running through the “screaming tunnel” a cement culvert underpass of the Grand Trunk Railway. Apparently part of the Dead Zone movie was filmed there. It was kind of creepy, glad it was daylight and it was also stinky, like there may have been some sewer/septic?? Runoff in the boot high water. We could walk along the edge without getting soakers.

The trail was quite muddy in parts, very happy to have the gators, and poles cause it did get a little slimy slippery on hills. There were hills for sure, apparently these were nothing compared to the northern part of the trail but more than enough for me on the first day.

Early in the day we spotted an antique green metal lampshade lying a few meters off the trail. Most of us thought it was junk, but one lady said it was just what she was looking for so she carried it the rest of the way, about 15 km. (When we did get to the parking lot at the end a couple in a car stopped and asked her if it was for sale…)

In a particularly goopy muddy area we passed through one of the men ahead came back looking for his glasses. Miraculously they were found, Marie picked them out of the mud where only about an inch of one arm was sticking up. Not sure how many of us trod on them, they will need quite a repair job.

We stopped for lunch on some stairs overlooking a beautiful small lake. Not a sign of ice on it, a fisherman was prepping to try his luck and we saw a Turtle swimming!! March 14th … go figure!

At the foot of the biggest hill we had to climb, on a log were 4 women and a dog, drinking wine in
silver goblets (not the dog) and snacking. I’ll just say that we didn’t have wine and some of us may
have been a little envious as we scrambled up a very long steep slope.

On a fallen tree trunk there were hundreds of little puff balls, the size of a thumbnail, and that poofed
out green dust when you squeezed them. 

Very happy to see the parking lot and the little blue car at the far side. Can’t wait for tomorrow, h
ope my legs feel the same way in the morning!

Bruce trail End to End Fundraiser and hike information

Bruce Trail E2E 2020

We're hiking the entire Bruce Trail in 2020 AND raising money for the future of the Bruce Trail.

This event is being hosted by three Bruce Trail Club hike leaders:

• Ruth Moffatt – Niagara & Iroquoia Bruce Trail Clubs
• Jacqueline VanDyke – Toronto Bruce Trail Club
• Sandra Green – Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club

17 participants are invited to join us as we hike the Bruce Trail in 3 stages, from south to north:

• March 14-27, 2020
• April 14-27, 2020 and
• May 2-15, 2020

We'll hike approximately 20-25 km each day to complete the 900+km trail.

Link for my fundraising page:

https://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=2035&AID=4058&PID=720211

Guest Hikers

If one of your sponsors would like to join us on a hike or a section of trail, we feel that a donation of $20 per day would be acceptable. If they’ve already sponsored you for this amount or more then they are good to go. Please let them know that they will need to sign the waiver and they need to let you, and I, know in advance. They will need to keep pace and to carry all the mandatory things in their back pack. Please provide them with the list that was previously provided to you.  If they want to join us for 3 or more days they will also go into the carpool rotation. 

What to bring and tips

Bruce Trail End to End 2020 - 

What to Bring & Tips & Useful Information 

Mandatory Items:  Backpack  At least 1.5-2.0 litres of water (more if it is a hot day and/or there will be a lot of hills)  Food/snacks (some hikers have a snack every hour but this is an individual thing)  Crampons or traction devices (often called icers)  Suitable footwear for rugged terrain and appropriate socks  Suitable clothing dependent on the forecasted weather – please check the forecast every day.  Medication/small first aid kit/tick remover(tweezers)/EpiPen if you require it  Whistle (Protocol: 1 blast: Attention, 2 blasts: Come here, 3 blasts: Emergency)  Health card/ID/Emergency Contact/Cash/Credit Card  Map of the Bruce Trail or Bruce Trail App – these are helpful to find the designated route/parking/distances etc.  Plastic bag for muddy boots/gaiters/icers. You may also wish to bring extra socks and shoes to change into for the drive home at the end of the day. Optional items:  Poles if you use them (recommended)  Bug spray  Hand sanitizer/lip balm/over the counter medication  Kleenex  Hat/sunscreen/sunglasses  Closed cell foam seat cushion or pad  Tensor  Camera  Gaiters (because there will be mud…)  Cellphone 100% charged and extra charger if necessary. It’s a good idea to register Emergency contact details on your phone which can be accessed without a password.  Extra socks/extra shirt/rain gear regardless of the weather forecast. 

Tips: Different things work for different people. These tips are some of the things that have worked for many hikers but is in no way an exhaustive list.  Do not wear cotton anything (many people wear Merino wool or synthetics)  Leuko Tape works for many people who may get hot spots and also for preventing blisters  If you’re getting blisters, it’s possible you have the wrong socks  Size up when buying hiking boots and make sure your boots are broken-in  Stretch at the end of the day  Epson salt bath or an ice bath for sore muscles and feet  Rest, lots of rest and eat healthily Useful Information  https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/how-to-choose-hiking-boots-or-shoes  https://www.outdoors.org/articles/three-common-hiking-bootfails?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-organic&utm_campaign=pubpacklist-2020&fbclid=IwAR2SkVjWV7- IOTwdPjijcVMxK1TiErR9V5nK4fGv7sPd6V_daHS_bIfV2lo  https://www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease

Bruce Trail Warm up Saturday March 7th

Hike at Hilton Falls side trails Saturday March 7th coordinated by Bruce Trail hike leader and our End to End fundraiser coordinator.

Hilton Falls March 7th, 2020

Beautiful day, sunny and about 5 C. Trail was super icy in many places so wore the icers/crampons the whole hike.

Good news for the coming weeks is that I hiked 20.8 k!! I will not say that it was easy, the part after half way brief lunch break had a challenging component where I had to focus on each step and some positive mental talk, but I got through it and loved every minute even the hard parts:-)

Learning: Stretch before the drive home... I could hardly climb out of the car when I got home, so grateful for the hot tub

Bee sting vs Cricket bat

"See, that's called perspective, Eli. A bee sting smarts like a bitch until someone clubs you with a cricket bat.”
Trent Dalton  

In this crazy making world perspective like this makes a lot of sense to me. 

I highly recommend the book by Trent Dalton "Boy Swallows Universe", lots more pearls in it plus a really great read.

Cheers

Jeanne

Fitting in paradox

“What I realized much later, paradoxically, is that by trying to fit in, I was strengthening the culture that made me feel like I didn’t fit in.”

― Melinda Gates, The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World 

Well this quote hit me like a ton of bricks!! As we go deeper into the onion I feel there is going to be infinite more paradoxes like this. 

Crap, it may not be good enough to just be weird and accept being the only one who thinks like me... there may be more to do to empower people to move beyond  "this is the way it is"  in our world. I just finished Melinda Gates book and it is an eye opener.  

Cheers

Jeanne

“Being yourself sounds like a saccharin prescription for how to make it in an aggressive culture but it's not as sweet as it sounds. It means not acting in a way that is false just to fit in. It's expressing your talent, values, and opinions in your style, defending your rights, and never sacrificing yourself respect. That is power.”

― Melinda Gates, The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World