Photos from second half of Wenatchee trip. The photos and captions tell it all.  Enjoy!

Wenatchee 2008 Pt2

"Those who think-and their name is legion-that they know how the universe could have been better than it is, how it would have been if they had created it, without pain, without sorrow, without time, without life, are unfit for illumination. Or those who think-as do many- "Let me first correct society, then get around to myself" are barred from even the outer gate of the mansion of God's peace. All societies are evil, sorrowful, inequitable, and so they will always be. So if you really want to help this world, what you will have to teach is how to live in it. And that no one can do who has not himself learned how to live in it in the joyful sorrow and sorrowful joy of the knowledge of life as it is." -Joseph Campbell (Myths to Live By)

I've been finding my reading of Joseph Campbell's work engaging and very stimulating. I just read this passage over the weekend and it has continued to stay with me. I think about how depressed I got a couple of years ago after watching Lord of War. Since then I have become a bit more cynical accepting of the fact that the world has it problems and that I can't change them on a grand scale in my life time (or have the wisdom to know what kind of change is needed). But I still hold on to the belief voiced by Gandhi that "you must be the change you wish to see in the word". I feel Joseph Campbell echoes that here in such a beautifully articulate way.

We had a nice turn in the weather this morning. Sun, sun and more sun forecast for the rest of our stay. After an early start seeing James off on his ride up to Mission Ridge, the girls and I returned to our room for a little down time. Being awake past 9pm two nights in a row was starting to tell. The girls were tired, so we spent a mellow morning watching The Sword in the Stone, and then read Merlin and the Making of the King. Thanks to our continued enjoyment of The Magic Tree House books we are now delving into the arthurian legends a little more. While both girls enjoyed the Disney movie, Ashley did say that she thought it a bit "silly".

She was however enthralled by the book this morning which covers the life and death of King Arthur in an extremely condensed version. Ashley shed a few tears in the end, saddened that Arthur died. So far he has been very much alive in the The Magic Tree House series. We spoke a little again about how everyone dies and how different people believe different things about what happens after death. We discussed the belief that Arthur was escorted by the Three Queens from the Other World to the island of Avalon and how it was believed that he would return again, hence King Arthur was referred to as "the once and future king". When I reminded her that Arthur was dead but not forgotten thanks to the myths and stories written about him, she seemed to derive some consolation from that. She asked if someone would write about her after her death so that she would be remembered. I explained to her that I keep a journal and blog of our family so that when her Dad and I eventually die she will have the journal and our photos to remind her of our life. She was initially concerned that she and Caitlin might not be living together as adults. I promised her that she and Caitlin could each have a copy of more journal and she was pleased that she would be able to pass her copy down to her children and her children's children (actually she went on for a few generations more but I think you get the idea!).

After our deep penetration of the realities of life an death we spent the rest of the day enjoying life. We ate lunch and shared ice-creams in Memorial Park listening to live music that is all part of the Apple Blossom Festival, which kicked off yesterday. We spent several glorious hours listening to wonderful singers (especialy 14yr old Brianna Able), dancing, and playing in the sun. Then we checked out the set up of the Carnival. We'll go tomorrow afternoon with James. We rounded off the afternoon with a couple of hours in our swimsuits around the pool and hot tub. When James arrived we walked to a local Italian restaurant for a family dinner and attempted an earlier night for the girls. Caitlin fell asleep around 8pm but Ashley is still lying in bed playing with Teddy as I write. At least she's resting (versus the last two nights of giggly, playful girls). Oh, and I did actually get a moment to upload photos from the last couple of days. Enjoy.

Wenatchee 2008 Pt 1