Hill-Blog

(The following is an all staff email that I had to send out this morning. I hope it amuses you all.) 

The Office was pillaged last night. So either that deadline was more than Jill could take…. Cali was ticked off that no one fed her… or that very cute looking coon we saw the other day decided to find out what a cat door is all about. It left no area unscathed… if there was food in an office, or interesting trash…. It had a look see… and ate it.

I’m having this VERY FUNNY vision of a stressed out Jill tearing through the office… but I think that’s definitely a figment of my imagination. I picked up the mess… but it opened drawers…. dumped over the basket of food on the microwave cart… tossed around Jill’s garbage… ransacked my office… somehow managed to open a jar of peanut butter… and ATE one of Jolene’s prize saltine cracker packets (teach her to leave it unattended!).

I can say without fear of error that the coon DOES NOT like the taste of dried papaya or uncooked oatmeal. It tore into those items and left them be. It had enough respect for the value of its own hide and DID NOT eat Margo’s microwave popcorn….

And while I am sorry for anyone’s losses… (believe me mine were the worst… bugger stole two chocolate chip cookies I was looking forward to)….. but I threw away items he/she tore into that were food. You just don’t know where those paws have been.

Well I’m going to go vacuum now…

Victrinia

I only just ran into this link while trying to find a cancer retreat designed for children. It was a piece done in early 2007 (so it was prior to my start here at the Hill). But if you have someone who wants an outside testimonial to what it’s like here at Harmony Hill… this would be a nice link to send them.

http://www.king5.com/health/specials/cancer/stories/NW_032306HEKlivingwcancer_harmonyhillEL.2fb84f58.html

Kindest regards,

Victrinia

 Dear friends of the Hill…

 http://www.king5.com/health/specials/stories/NW_060407HEKpreventcancer_mainSW.8398cc.html

I was sent this link by my program manager, who thought it would be good to share it with you all. I personally found the list very interesting. Beyond the normal things we can all do for our own good, I was happy to see the suggestion of CHOCOLATE. But maybe even more than that… I was happy to see that it suggested participating in clinical trials. My partner works for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Even though he is not a cancer patient or survivor, beyond the work he does to forward their research, he volunteers for their studies. It was even interesting to me to find out that they do random phone calls to ask people if they would be interested in participating in studies.

So if you ever get one of those calls…. or you have the opportunity to participate in a study or trial… I invite you to consider it. For yourself… and every other person who may find themselves living with cancer.

Warmest regards,

Victrinia

It may be a little late… but it’s still vividly in my mind… so I’ll share about that day.

What a morning that was…. most of us started out as strangers, a little unsure about what was about to happen. What happened was a beautiful experience, where life was found to be more joyful, and compassion deeper. Tai Ji was made into a story based on the strokes which comprise the beautiful characters that represent it in Chinese calligraphy. We laughed and smiled, and moved with almost no grace at all. But we didn’t need grace… because the compassion which was extended to each other started within ourselves. Traditional slow movements filled with meditation and purpose, became a rollicking dance of joy and happiness.

With a soft voice… warm gentle smile… and marvelous wit… Chungliang Al Huang taught us more about our selves,  the need for us to embrace this life, and leave joy in our wake.

In the end… we were strangers no more… again discovering the simple truth, that we are one community, connected… and joyful to find ourselves so.
With kindness,

Victrinia

The Tao of Health: Moving with Change
with Chungliang Al Huang

Monday, February 11, 2008
workshop from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Optional lunch immediately following workshop
This half-day workshop with Tai Ji master Chungliang Al Huang explores the Tao of Health through movement, music, poetic imagery, calligraphy and insightful discussions of the wisdom of the East. Chungliang will guide students through Tai Ji to move more gently and fluidly, improve balance and concentration, experience renewed energy and vitality, and approach life with fresh perspectives. No prior experience with Tai Ji (taichi) is needed.
A lunch option is available for a limited number of registrants, featuring Harmony Hill’s acclaimed whole foods vegetarian cuisine.
About Chungliang Al Huang :  Living Tao Foundation President-founder Chungliang Al Huang is a highly regarded and internationally respected Tai Ji master and authority of East-West cultural synthesis. His unique approach to Tai Ji allows students to first experience the joy of physical awareness and Tai Ji’s natural principles, before engaging in its determinant components.
He is the author and co-author of numerous books on Tai Ji, mind-body-spirit integration, and Taoism as it relates to business, performance and daily life, including the best-selling classic, Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain: The Essence of Tai Ji, which has celebrated its 30th anniversary and been translated into twelve languages.
He is a research fellow at the Academia Sinica, a member of the World Academy of Art and Science, and recipient of the Republic of China’s Gold Medal of Education.
TUITION:       
·          Workshop Only - $35 General Admission; $20 Student Admission
·          Workshop including Harmony Hill Lunch - $50 General Admission; $35 Student         
Note:  Lunch option limited to #38 registrants
TO REGISTER: 
·          Register online at http://www.harmonyhill.org/retreats/registermail.html or call Victrinia at 360-898-2363.   
·          You can also pay online at http://www.harmonyhill.org/retreats/paypalpmt.html  or call in your credit card number or mail a check.  Payment is required to confirm your reservation. This program requires full payment of the retreat fee to confirm your reservation.

The Soul of Money with Lynne Twist

Presented by Pacific Integral

Saturday, March 1, 2008, 10:00am – 4:30pm
$135 by January 31st, 2008; $175 on or after February 1st
Includes lunch

NOTE: This is the only Soul of Money workshop being presented in 2008 by the renowned author and activist, Lynne Twist! Take advantage of this rare opportunity to transform your relationship with money at this one-day event!

In The Soul of Money workshop, author and international change agent Lynne Twist facilitates a liberating and compelling exploration of the connection between money and leading a fulfilling life. In this full day workshop, Lynne will guide us in examining our own attitudes toward money–earning it, spending it, and giving it away–to bring surprising insight into our lives, our values, and the essence of prosperity.

Lynne is the Founder and President of the Soul of Money Institute headquartered in San Francisco and co-founder of The Pachamama Alliance with her husband Bill Twist. The Pachamama Alliance aims to preserve the rain forest by empowering indigenous people and contributes to the creation of an equitable and sustainable global community.

An original staff member of The Hunger Project, an organization started in 1977 to end world hunger, Lynne served as a leader of this global initiative for 20 years. During those years she created and managed the worldwide fundraising operations.

As she traveled the world learning how to work in a multitude of different cultures, Lynne developed profound wisdom about our relationship to money and the way it governs, dominates, and stresses our lives. The compelling stories and insights gained from her experiences inspire Lynne’s keynotes and workshops, and are the foundation for her best selling, award winning book, The Soul of Money.

• Experience a new sense of freedom and joy in your relationship with money.
• Discover more wholesome and empowering ways to earn, save, spend and contribute money.
• Gain a sense of inherent completeness and success.

Register now. Workshop registration for this event is through Pacific Integral. Contact Kari Mays at Pacific Integral, kari@pacificintegral.com or 1-888-713-7773 Ext. 8.

Harmony Hill is offering a special overnight rate for participants. Advance purchase is recommended because rooms are likely to fill quickly. Contact Anna Cartwright, Guest Services at anna@harmonyhill.org or 360-898-2363 to purchase overnight lodging at beautiful Harmony Hill. Information regarding overnight stays is included at the bottom of this post.

Space permits only 120 participants. Register early to ensure your place in this exclusive 2008 event!

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT HARMONY HILL: Limited accommodations are available Harmony Hill before and/or after the Lynne Twist workshop. Cost is $75 per person per night, double occupancy (2 people per room), or $125 for a private room. This rate includes continental breakfast. Space is limited to 25 guests - please call or email early to reserve a room. Check-in time is 4-6pm, check-out is noon. Contact Anna Cartwright at anna@harmonyhill.org or 360-898-2363 to reserve accommodations.

Dinner option: Depending on interest, there may be the option to have dinner after the workshop Saturday night at the Hill. Cost would be $16 per person. Email anna@harmonyhill.org no later than Feb. 20 if you are interested in this option.

OPTIONAL WORKSHOP ADD-ON: Join us on Sunday March 2 for Ann Lovejoy’s Sustainable Gardening: Kitchen Garden Workshop for just $90, 10am-4pm, includes lunch. Details & registration

A very pretty shot from the Hill yesterday. It’s always a joy to me when the clouds roll back and reveal the range in all its glory.

Kindest regards,

Victrinia

Dear friends and family…   

I am happy to share with you that I received a very encouraging report from the PET/CT scan that I had on Wednesday, December 12. It showed that all of the lymph node disease within my neck and abdomen have completely resolved. The subcutaneous disease shows a partial response— so the overall impression is that there has been substantial improvement! I may still need to continue a smaller more infrequent Rx with Rituxan, but it is all positive in terms of progress toward recovery. I see my doctor at the end of this month, and will have more details after that visit. 

I truly believe that these dramatic results are due to the prayers and profound support which has surrounded me at every turn, cellular meditation, the Rituxan treatments I have had, and integrated resources that included medicinal doses of turkey tail mushroom. 

I feel uplifted by this news and wished to share it with you. In this time of year when precious gifts are given, I want to thank you all for the gift of your encouragement and support. It has meant more to me than I can say. 

Warm blessings, 

Gretchen   

Dear friends and family, 

I thank you, for coming to check out our Hill Blog. I will be spending time here, as this journey through cancer that I find myself on continues, to give you updates and share the insights I am gaining.

As with so many things, this first post is a humble but heartfelt begining. I have felt the warmth and compassion of so many wonderful people, who have expressed their concern for me, and wished to be kept updated on how I am doing. I am glad to have this place to share my thoughts with you, and give each of you a chance to share in this journey with me. 

Since so much has gone on already, I will try and share what has been going on up to this point, over the next couple of days. With the severe storm we recently had, much of our time has been focused on dealing with immediate needs on the Hill. But check back again by the end of the week, as I will be sharing more posts with you all.

Again I thank you, and send you my deep appreciation for the concern you have shown by choosing to read this blog.

Warm blessings,

Gretchen 

Bud was very sad the other day when he discovered that the American Menopause Society is not open to men. As a man with advanced, metastacized prostrate cancer, Bud is experiencing all the joys of aging womanhood; weight gain, noun loss, and above all, hot flashes. Welcome to my world, dear. The side effects of hormone therapy are numerous and none of them are a lot of fun.

 Luckily, Bud has a robust sense of humor. Equally luckily, I do too. As we spend the night tossing and trading blankets and changing soaking pillow cases, we have to chuckle…or we might cry. One great image he’s come up with to make the hot flashes less stressful is this: Imagine the hot sweat is soaking the cancer off my bones. Then say, Thank You!