On Vernal Equinox 2018

13 years ago today I sat with my almost two-year-old son Mictla, under the stars of the Mesoamerican sky in one of the Plazas in the great city of Teotihuacan. We sat up all night by the fire watching the stars and listening to the ladies share stories, trying to keep warm, it was chilly up there in the hilly countryside of central Mexico. We danced at sunset and deep into the night. And at sunrise we got up and journeyed into the ancient city to the plaza at the base of a 5000 year old building now known as the temple of the moon.

There we prepared to meet tribal members of the great Hopi nation who had come running from their home territory to this ancient capital of Mesoamerica, bringing with them the memories that their grandparents held of a great connection that had been lost for over 500 years. A migration that had once occurred on a regular basis in order to account for the counting of time and to ensure that balance continues on our continent and among all our people.

Without any sleep and in the dry heat of the Sierra Madre mountains, it was very hard to dance that day. But it was a beautiful, epic moment. One of those moments that you know marks time for all of humanity. And so I just wanted to remember on this sunrise on the morning of March 20th, 2018. I  wanted to take a few moments to remember and reflect on this amazing event that took place 13 years ago. And to honor the beauty that that memory has for me and to do what I can to pass that on...

Ometeotl.

 Here's the link directly to this spot in the video :) we were watching the H2OPI Eagle dancers, then after, we shared our version of the Eagle dance.
https://youtu.be/aoEY8XYJUyY?t=3457

 Spring Equinox sunset at #MiramarPinelandPark 2018

And finally, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has volunteered, shared, supported, fed and hired me this year. A special recognition to Broward Cultural Division, Puffin Foundation West, Inc. and the Broward Chapter of the United Nations Association for the support you all have provided this past year, without the encouragement, it would be difficult to get through the rough times!

Join me this Friday for a pop up celebration of #WorldWaterDay at #FTLhistory on the banks of the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The newcomer returns, again.

This morning, in answer to a call from a young mother, I packed up my water bundle and headed out across the street to the recently restored wetlands, the only mixed use conservation area in our county. It was only 9 am and already one of those long days when you have to make a whole bunch of decisions regarding what path to follow, whether to stick to the plan, or if not, which options to follow in pursuit of a day full of meaning, growth, commitment, love, community and wellness. Another of those many days when one walks a precarious path to that distant and elusive goal: balance…

At every turn the questions bubble, push or pull, stay or leave, come or go… in which cases I tend to throw logic to the wind and do my best to follow whatever instinct I can muster. So was this day, even at its earliest point.

So I left the kids in bed, packed up the water bundle, and headed out on the epic journey across the street. As soon as I arrived, I was surprised at the park entry fee, which is only collected on holidays and weekends, and of course I’d forgotten that today is in fact the beginning of a long weekend.  So I doled out my buck fifty, and proceeded to find a spot in the nearly empty human half of the conservation park area.

It was a minimalist type of bundle – water, water vessel, cloth, a bit of Cuban cigar tobacco, and that’s about it. I did grow some tobacco this summer, but it was so hot, my plants all got baked before they bore any flowers! I’ll plant again now that #FloridaWinter’s arrived and it’s a bit cooler…

As I troddled down the paved sidewalk that links the park entry way with the wetland trail for humans, I was met immediately by an incredibly beautiful mature bald eagle swooping around just above the over water bridge trail. What a welcome greeting!  I somewhat sheepishly did my best to capture the moment on cell video and then put away the phone and enjoyed the swoops and circles the eagle made before heading out to the north.

Such a beautiful greeting this morning! #FloridaWinter #waterprotector #migizi #iztlicuauhtli #aguilablanca

A video posted by Tara Chadwick (@bawshkeengwabigun) on Dec 31, 2016 at 8:19am PST

Pleased that my intentions seem to have already been received, I continued down the path until I reached the westernmost edge of the eastern lagoon. Such a gorgeous mix of native water plants, grasses, sedges, trees and wildflowers! Terry the ranger says that this waterway running alongside the Florida Turnpike was once part of the canoe trail into the everglades.  I love the way that this field has been converted – restored to its original topography – a wetland, lagoon, pineland and live oak hammock. 

#MyBlock#LoveWaterNotOil#Water #WaterIsLife #ItsRightHereInMiramar pic.twitter.com/G2eMLqKhXT

— Tara Chadwick (@wabigun) January 1, 2017

After making my offerings of tobacco and songs, I spent a moment wishing my boys were by my side rather than still tucked into bed, so, in honor of the little one’s “thunderbird boy” creation earlier this month, I left a “thunderbird woman” on the snow white sand for all to see, until the next rain drops dance by to scoop her up for a whirl.

#heart #water #earth #creativity #love #sand #thunderbirdwoman #geology #history #future #waterislife

A photo posted by Tara Chadwick (@bawshkeengwabigun) on Dec 31, 2016 at 4:28pm PST

As I snapped the last documentary pics, and wrapped up my bundle to head back for my big babies, I was met by another incredible surprise, the eagle was back, this time, circling over the east side of the park, which is also the area where we live. This time, I felt like a happy little human, skipping along, playing with the eagle, opening my wings and pretending to fly.

I am so grateful for the work of all who are intentionally and strategically building our communities, by sharing our histories, our personal journeys, our goals, our triumphs. It is truly an honor to witness and participate in putting together a path that will serve as a road, a guide, a map for ourselves, our neighbors and our children in the inevitable times of both tragedy and triumph that await just beyond the horizon…

For all those who celebrate this day as their New Year – happy 2017 – and for absolutely everyone – let’s build!

Sister Power! On International Museum Day

I hereby declare May sister brag month. I have two biological sisters. My first baby sis, the one who made me into a big sister, is actually way bigger, badder, bolder and cooler than I. She was born on a freezing February morning in the bedroom of a modest east end apartment overlooking the immeasurable geologic beauty of the Scarborough Bluffs. Yes, we are Scarberians... strange creatures who emerged from the cave of life at the far eastern corner of what they call the GTA. Used to be a day long Greyhound trip here from downtown Tdot, aka Cabbagetown. Not anymore though, unless you take the 401, then it may still take a you a day to traverse the 12 miles.

My baby sis was born three weeks ahead of schedule into the able bodied, yet completely unprepared hands of my aunt and grandmother. From day number one, she required innovation from every person around her! No nose squeezy thing? Find the straws and clear out those passageways so this baby can breathe!  As she grew, she exuded creativity and confidence in every aspect of her life. From where she determined it was best to keep her toys (on the floor), to where she preferred to consume her self assigned snack (under the table).

One of her first jobs was as my fundraising assistant - official escort of the Saint Catharines Museum IMP (Important Museum Person) aka full-bodied papier-mache gargoyle capital campaign mascot, created by Diane Sharpe, and animated by yours truly.  Thirty years later, my little sister has now become my consultant and mentor in art and museum development, education, programming and management.

Hats off to sister power! I remain honored that Adrienne chose to follow my footsteps into the world of museums and humbled that my sister continues to share her time, knowledge and experience with me as we work to extend the passion and power of culture and art into the lifelong learning routine of as many people as possible.

You can find Adrienne's daily photo journal at https://www.instagram.com/adriennechadwick/

To view the art of Adrienne Chadwick visit AdrienneChadwick.com

The Magical Month of March: Whiz... Blurrr... Wheee...!

Watching the spiral of the seasons change fly by at gale force speed; reflecting on thirty years of work in the field of museums, education and community building; ten years since the water forum in Mexico; feeling gleeful and daunted by that double four approaching just one equinox away...

The struggle of life is a good one, seems that we're always headed up hill, but that's how it is when you're engaged in the process of building, constructing, however, wherever it's possible to carve out a little space for equity, dignity, dialogue and learning.

It's tough at times, intentionally participating in this collaborative venture to prevent oblivion with the few hundred ties we have to other members of this human species we proudly belong to...

And then there are times just like this moment, when in the process of making new connections, you come to realize how delicious it is to enjoy the tattered, frayed imperfection of those old and older relationships that have been there all along.

This month as I attended the annual Baron Bliss Day (aka Heroes and Benefactors Day) gathering of the Belize Association of Florida, I watched the older heads come in, with their grown kids, grand kids and great grands... and I watched my kids play with them the same way I used to play in my day... and suddenly I remembered my spot on the living room floor, folding letters and stuffing envelopes at just about the same age my pre-teen son is now. The memory was so sudden and vivid and it brought back a host of others... of floats & banners, buttons & beads...

The next day I checked the database... 30 years it's been since that moment! The Belize Association has been an active part of the South Florida community and the Belizean Diaspora for thirty years this year. That's my formative training. Do what you must to build something. Make the time. Find the resources. Keep it going. Make it happen. I am so glad that I happened to be here this year. To remember. To appreciate. To mark the anniversary of this work that my mom, dad and their friends did to build something for our community.

Of course, now... the question is... "what will I do..."  #laluchasigue

News Reel on Baron Bliss Day at Belize Association of Florida (minute 1:12 - 1:34)

On Preservation & Restoration

Just a few short words this month - early for a change - because they want to be said now. Here's what happened today at work. I was there a bit earlier than usual - it was my first day of tour listening and we knew we'd have a sizeable group to prep for. After a bit of running to and fro, a glint caught my eye and to my dismay, I saw a beautiful irridescent spotted butterfly fall to the ground just outside the replica of Fort Lauderdale's first school house. I froze in my tracks - worried that I'd inadvertently squished it. However, as my internal frames-per-second slowed down, I took the time to see what was happening in the micro habitat of this hopefully-not-squished butterfly.

To my relief and delight, the swish of my skirt had not squished the butterfly's guts out, but had knocked a recently hatched atala and its chrysalis - to which it was clinging - off the coontie plant that is their home. Upon further observation of the tiny neighborhood - I was treated to a beautiful surprise. What I had stumbled across was an urban neighborhood of #atala butterflies in both pre and post hatching phases of their life cycle.

These butterflies I knew were special because I had heard about them last year and how they are making a remarkable recovery from the brink of human - induced extinction. For anyone who's read my past work, interest in insects should come as no surprise. But to see a whole microcosm of atala life... with their beautiful sparkly wing spots and that remarkable red thorax... just a most incredible gift to witness. And I am so thankful!

Then after the noon day sun began to recede, I realized my second incredible  gift of the day. I was standing on the boardwalk overlooking the wetland trail at Miramar Pinelands. As the soft shell turtles swam over and the waxing moon tipped over the shallows... I remembered that this too was an ecosystem in regeneration - restored to its historical contours and hydrological morphology as closely as possible. By returning the land to the way it was at the time of the first European settlements, the ecosystem has been able to regenerate itself - naturally returning turtles, fish, frogs, foxes, ospreys, even an eagle and untold numbers of insects... (See my Miramar Pinelands media set on facebook)

These two distinct yet comparable success stories in human conservation and restoration practices are just what the doctor ordered in my current, not-so-stress-free analysis of what we need to do to get back to basic respect of each other and this beautiful garden we have the luxury and responsibility to live in and care for. No matter how many cool space travel pics NASA releases, as humans, we are still bound to this earth in a trust relationship with our future generations that we need to seriously reflect on and start acting like responsible adults. 

We may move slowly at times - but it is truly wondrous to see the fruit of an unfulfilled childhood dream come to life before your eyes - that is the miracle we call life unfolding around us each and every moment - if we just slow down enough to notice.

That's it for 2015!

Each cycle is a transition... and life is a series of cycles... birth, growth, expansion, contraction, transition... and repeat...

Here's an oldie but goodie:
"Reflections on the Reef"
from Tobacco Caye
back in 1998...

Thinking about that possibility of a multiverse - not the TV or satellite or gaming cube... but the mathematical, astrophysical, scientific concept of infinite universes...

Kinda makes sense, logically. And really puts a focus on how much our actions, choices and impacts really boil down to:  what is it that is so important to me that I can make no other decision other than to take this path right here.

Subjective, yes perhaps.  Lacking critical analysis... maybe.  Considered rebellious by the mainstream population... most likely.  But if we are careful to include continual critical analysis in our daily life habits, then the points at which we have the opportunity to take action will necessarily reflect an ongoing critical perspective.

Wellness is a state of balance that is constantly in motion... wobbling, either perceptively or not, between the range of possible extremes.

And so, we vow to continue on... and jump in to another cycle, with reverie, resoultions and respect for our own self discovery as individuals in relationship with families, communities, organizations and other individuals all over this beautiful land and infinite interspace...


Tara's Year in Review

Cheers!

The Season....

Photo credit: Jeff Holmes

It is upon us again... that time of year that comes with the official end and beginning of all things transformative in the subtropical paradise we know as south eastern Florida. Folks from the mid latitudes tend to think of this place as the South... little do they realize that perched on the edge of this peninsula... the trading happens in over 60 languages, across all seven continents, and if they were to look at their own achievement, health and equity gaps... they'd realize that the North is way more southern than south eastern Florida.

Photo credit: Yours truly

Nope we're more of a portal. The northern most tropical port in an interconnected continental divide that is rooted in 100,000 years of genetic memory carrying biological migration patterns that awaken in us like hormones in the endocrine system of a healthy young 12 year old. Like the karst and marine atoll topography thirstily absorbing minerals flowing south through the rivers, rivers of grass filtering out nitrogen, bringing in the memories of an ancient and distant volcano... if we sit for a moment and ponder... we realize we will never forget. Who we are. Who's come by. How we are related. What we must do.

Like every ant, beetle and spider, our ever so humble task:
Pass the torch. Continue the spark. Remember. Understand. Learn. Keep going.

No matter what, keep going.

So that is what we must do.

That is what we will do.

What I will do.

Keep going.

Photo credit: Adrienne Chadwick

Full circle, once again

This is me at Lovitt's Point, a half-acre park at the edge of the Scarborough Bluffs donated by Mr. and Mrs. Lovitt after their 1940's post-WWII home "went over."  I had no idea these trees were so little back then.  The Point, as it came to be known, was my forest, my solace, my destination.  This was the wilderness I could access on my own, even when as a youngling, my freedom to wander was limited.  The Point was my static datum point from which I observed the changes and cycles of nature.  It was the place from which I developed and processed my ever-changing self-realization.  It remains the place to which I am forever connected as the geographic point on the surface of our Mother Earth from which my own mother opened her doorway of life for the first time, and allowed me a safe passage here to the realm of the living.

It was here that I watched the moon rise and set. Here that I witnessed the monarchs roost. And here that I learned I could climb whatever mountain I choose with careful planning, balance and strategy.  The black-eyed susans and milkweed flowers that filled the summer fields with sweetness and beauty are some of the very same species that belong here, at this very southern most tip of our North Eastern seabord. Not surprising since our bird relatives make their way back and forth along their natural fly ways.  I do miss seeing those beautiful warrior hummers and that field full of honey-scented milkweed, buzzing with bees and red with lady bugs by day; dotted with fireflies by night.


This week, though, we saw the bald eagle again, fishing at the restored Miramar Pinelands Lake.  Now this is my forest. My wilderness. My place to walk and process and plan the next phases of my life. This beautifully restored ecosystem, billions of years in the making, so I could walk through and introduce my little one to his first memorable glimpse of our country's emblem and protector.

Seasons and cycles are ever changing, but some things will always remain.

Assigning Value

Jam-packed, chaos-filled building from the ground up...

Making something from nothing on two very different projects; both unexpectedly challenged my own internal assumptions about value.  Particularly, negotiating that delicate balance between self assessment and the expectations of others.

So many factors come into play! Self esteem, self worth, the racism, sexism and classism that we know influences the value the others assign to our work, and which we ourselves have also internalized.

It is such an act of will and bravery to even attempt to proceed through these murky waters, fraught with emotional reaction to these points of lifelong sensitivity!

Perhaps it's just easier to let others assign their value and just go with that...

But no, not for me... I had to be the child of a rebel mom - challenging every possible notion of mediocrity, status-quo and assumptions wherever possible.

And so, I inherited the obligation to continually learn how to stand up for myself... to be proud of who I am... and to teach the value of what I do... the value of what we all do, when we bring our whole, complete selves to the table.


Our future is inextricably linked to our past and sharing with each other who we are is not only valuable but invaluable to the success of our collective future.

 

Earn to Learn

Miramar monarch

Bromeliad ecosystem

Beautiful banana

In my current relationship with the world in which we live, I haven't quite disentangled the basic elements of my life: food, shelter, clothing - from the overarching socio-economic system that permeates and dominates every aspect of life here in the good ol' USA.

Garden lizard

Try as I might to liberate my mind and body, and those of my family, to develop a healthy spirit of in- & inter- dependence, autonomy and self reliance...

Pineland cocoplum

Tiny beauty

The road to recovering and reclaiming our ancestral indigenous systems of economics, governance, health, education, housing and food distribution seems as difficult today as a journey to mars... and yet we know there are many among us who are choosing and treading that path.

Valentines 4 change

"The Distribution of Food"

What would it mean were we all to follow our dream?

In the free market economy 

will we truly succeed

through

the

test

of

time

?

In this buying power system where everything is bought and sold 

- from food to body image, hair to headgear, makeup to multivitamins - 

We are losing our intrinsic systems of accountability, apprenticeship 

and appreciation for the learning journey.

With everything in the world available at our fingertips,

the process and discipline of earning the right 

to acquire knowledge, skill or materials is quickly becoming a lost art.

Earning to learn is a values based approach to traditional knowledge acquisition that has transcended millenia of wars, genocide and systematic targeting and elimination of knowledge keepers.

As we move toward solving the perennial question of how best to ensure inter-generational transfer of knowledge, we would do well to bear in mind that our process is at least as important as our outcomes.  In fact, a little self-paced sweat equity may be just the infusion of sanity that our US public education system is lacking here in the 21st century.

Just another sunset

Standing firmly for our future

When you look at me…
What do you see?

Do you form boxes or pyramids or spheres
Around your experience of my existence?

Do you label, tag and file
Your perception of my experience?

Do you interact intending to
Listen and learn, hear and teach to or with me?

When you look at me…
Do you see my endless transformations,
Translations of time, space and place?

Do you see my endless imperfections,
Perfectly timed choices to bridge the next leap?

Do you see me changing?
Because life and time are motion!

Do you see me listening, hearing and learning
With you?

We are
Inside and out – outside and in

We are
WE ARE
Together & Apart

We are
Wrong and Right

WE ARE
I am because WE ARE
WE ARE
WE ARE Finding a Path
To the Future
In Balance
Together

We ARE exploring the
Basics of life
In Balance

We ARE asking the critical questions
Of why and how and what and who

We are
Together
Finding our way
Through the chaos
Of uncertainty
To the firm footing in the bedrock of
Our unshakeable foundation of
Core values

We belong to the Earth and Sky
Our duty here, on our brief stay, is to remember
And act accordingly.

The Earth is our Mother
We must each learn again
How to live a life
Of Respect
And Integrity

We begin NOW
(And again every day)

Let us respect our Mother
(and each other)

We begin from within our hearts and homes
Cleaning, clearing, cutting loose and letting go
Of those thoughts and patterns that no longer need
Space in our surroundings…

Within that most sacred of spaces we call “home”
Is where the truth of our existence dwells…

Our struggles there reflect those of our family,
Community and nation.
Our battles won and lost is the stuff of our life journey.

The love that is shared – or absent – here is our best answer
To how to survive, to live, to thrive and to restore
The health and balance between us humans
And the rest of the plant, animal, animate and inanimate beings
On this water drop spark in the universe…