Ted Grady passed away

Ted Grady passed away over hte weekend. He was 83 and a long time devotee of Yogananda and village resident for past 14 years. I would frequently encounter him at the Expanding Light where he lived and served for many years. We would have lunch and talk.

I didn't get a chance to talk with him recently because I was out of town last week in bay area for training. I had just heard of his terminal illness and vowed to contact him this week. Then, the day after I returned, he passed.

An astral ascension was held last night at Hansa, attended by many community members and family. He was part of our greater spiritual family, and a fellow gurubai. I will miss his smile, sense of humor and grace. He is with the Master now. OM, Peace, Amen

Will it ever stop raining?

Not for nothing, but I spent most of my adult life in Seattle area which has quite a reputation for rain. Actually, our annual rainfall (55) is more than Seattle (33 or so), but it mostly arrives between November and March then dry for 6 months. I just found this cool site, weather underground (www.wunderground.com) which has a weather station near us on the San Juan Ridge. The total rainfall for past 6 months is 41 inches, with March contributing 12 inches.

So far in April we have logged 2.5 inches but it feels more like 4 inches. And it keeps on coming wiht forecast of rain for next 10-14 days. The daffodils are having fun and lasting longer than usual and we have a couple of tulips coming up.

Everyone around here is ready for sunshine again. Some of us are scrounging for firewood because we have run out. We were out last weekend cutting dead madrona trees to bring in more heat into the house. Not too bad.

Spring Cleaning at Ananda

April 2 normally has 65 degree temperatures, however today we will be lucky if it gets above 45. Nevertheless, Swami Kriyananda is coming in 3.5 weeks so we need, as a community, need to get out and clean up our community. Today we are working at the Expanding Light and Crystal Hermitage areas. I awakened this morning to light rain showers, which is much better than the downpour I experienced last night, when I returned from a bay area computer training class. Being "yogis' and living in our spine we tend to great these days with. "Oh Joy!!" Despite the long week in bay area and rather long drive home, I look forward to celebrating our community with this work day. We gather for a morning circle then disburse to our various areas. Time to bundle up now and head out.....

First, (well at least after a cup of coffee for some of us) we have a prayer circle where we chant and meditate.

Gyandevi is dressed for the rain

Some worked in the gardens, others of us took chain saws and went out to clear dead limbs. Yours truly picked up and stacked dead wood so Prakash could come along and pick it up later


Some of us just try to tear the trees down by hand.

After 4 hours of cleaning we stopped to meditate and have lunch. I went home and took some ibuprofen.