Biophilia: The State of Love for Nature and all Living Things

It sounds like an exotic, rare and deadly disease. On the contrary, the root word “philia,” comes from the ancient Greeks, meaning “love.” In 1973, American psychoanalyst, Erich Fromm, described Biophilia as “the passionate love of life and all that is vital.”
In 1984, Edward Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biologist called Biophilia a human being's tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. Living in a fast paced society has caused many of us to lose that precious connection with ourselves and the natural world. However, when we find ourselves living in an environment where living things are growing and thriving, it has a healing effect on our well-being.

Spring is a wonderful reminder of the opportunity of being enlivened by our connection to nature. 
Biophilia implies a deep affection for plants, colorful flowers, trees, pets and other living things. We have a need to interact with the natural world. We do it because if feels good. It makes us healthier, lighter, and happier. In fact, at Rutgers University in my home state of New Jersey, Researchers Jeanette Haviland-Jones, a professor of psychology, and her husband, Terry McGuire, professor of genetics, both at the school of Arts and Sciences, offered convincing evidence that flowers are potent mood elevators and have an immediate impact on our happiness.

From a historical perspective, the remains from the ruins found in Pompeii, in Southern Italy demonstrated that people brought plants into their houses and gardens more than 2000 years ago. Infirmaries, in monastic communities that were the sites of our first hospitals incorporated gardens on their grounds because they supported the healing process.

For me, Biophilia means spending time on the walking trails behind our home, or any of the County Parks like Shoreline, Vasona; and Rancho San Antonio. It is observing the passing cloud formations, feeling the breeze, and smelling the salty air of the ocean when we are on family holiday in Maui each year. Observing the ebb and flow of the ocean waves is very meditative and leaves me feeling relaxed, centered and at peace.

For others, it’s playing golf in some of the most natural and pristine settings. It is skiing, hiking in the forests, tending your garden; nurturing your orchids, playing with your dog, having lunch in the park, tea with a friend, or a bike ride on the sparsely populated scenic back roads.

All of these wondrous experiences that we engage in by ourselves or with family and friends, allows us to connect with the force of energy that surrounds us and is a part of us. We have a symbiotic relationship with "all that is," which is essential to our well being, especially in these turbulent times.

When we allow the business of life to overtake us, when we live inside our heads—worrying, planning, fantasizing, and when we allow our mobile devices to take control of our life in a way that is unhealthy, it is imperative that we remind ourselves and each other to reconnect with the beauty and movement of life that is always present. All we have to do is be mindful of it, change the channel in our minds and tune-in. 

Photos: Taken behind our townhouse at Rinconada Hills, LG, CA

https://enjoyyourlifenow.net

Couples Wedding Shower Honoring Our daughter Michelle & her Husband to Be—Kyle Lewis

The Setting: Home of Kyle’s cousin Lynn and husband Pete Metrulas who graciously hosted the event at their home. A lot of love went into the planning and execution of this party. They went beyond the call of duty.
With the help of Kyle's mom, Kim, stepdad AL and others, They transformed the inside of their historical home dating back to the 1800s into a cozy banquet room for family and friends to celebrate the made-for-each other couple. Cocktails were served in the back yard below which Steven’s Creek literally runs through the back of the homes in the neighborhood. The sound of the rushing water added to the ambience of what turned out to be a fun evening of great food, games like Name That Tune, and gift opening by the future newlyweds. 
Dearest Michelle and Kyle. May you continue to be a gift and a blessing to each other. We can’t wait for the big event in Napa when you officially take your marital vows. We Love You.

Dining at Cafe' Figaro with Jason and Michelle at a Price we Couldn't Refuse

Located on Broadway in downtown Burlingame, this four star rated restaurant serves authentic homemade Italian cuisine. It has a warm and cozy neighborhood feel resembling the ones I frequent when visiting family in New Jersey.

The word Figaro always intrigued me as a kid. It is best known as the name of Mister Geppeto and Pinocchio’s pet cat and refers to a cartoon mouse who incessantly teases the cat by singing “Figaro,” inside the wall. In fact to some, the word Figaro repeated over and over again, means you are “pretending” to sing opera-like I did when I was a kid: “figaro, figaro, fiiiigaaaroh!"

To opera buffs, Figaro is the name of an adroit, scheming, intriguing Spanish barber who appears in in eighteenth-century operas like “The Marriage of Figaro,” by Mozart and the “Barbers of Sevile," by Rossini.

By arrangements with Travelzoo, Cafe’ Figaro gave us a deal we couldn’t refuse. Dinner for four was priced at $115, or 50% off their regular price. If interested the offer is good thru September 2017. It included a glass of wine each; two shared appetizers up to $18.95; 4 entrees up to $34.95 each and two shared desserts up to $16.95.

We began our meal with crusty bread with herb infused balsamic and olive oil dipping sauce; Mussels steamed in garlic, wine, fresh tomato and basil; and the Antipasto Misto. For our main course we enjoyed Spaghetti alla Bolognese; Chicken Parmesan, Gamberi alla Mediterranea, and the fresh fish of day. Last but not least we enjoyed two shared desserts: Flourless decadent chocolate cake and Bread Pudding with maple brandy sauce and creme anglaise.

The waiters were delightful and engaging, the service was impeccable and the food was deliciously good. John Walters said: The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating.” Or as my late beloved Sicilian mother used to say before every meal: Buon Appetito!

Beggars & Panhandlers: To Give or Not to Give to, that is the Question?

As I've grown older I give mindfully and more often, leading with my heart rather than the judgmental mind, knowing that it's a 50/50 proposition whether the person I encounter has a genuine or legitimate need. That being said, I understand why people are hesitant to give.

We've all seen the soggy side of a cardboard sign with the scrawled message that reads,” Hungry and Homeless, Anything Helps,” or "Kindness is Karma, please help!" There's even a phrase for it, “Flying a sign.” The message is often creative, poignant, heart-rending, inspirational, and sometimes downright funny enough to part you from your money. It is done quickly, silently and without transgressing any local statutes against agressive
panhandling. The intent is to make us feel guilty and uncomfortable, reminding us,“ But for the grace of God go I.”

When Cecile and I were in SF recently, we came across two such people. The first one was a young woman and her well groomed cat that was entertaining pedestrians by doing a downward facing cat yoga pose—on the fly, balancing itself on it's owner's head and shoulder. Since we were both walking briskly in opposite directions, I hadn’t noticed she was clutching a tightly rolled-up wad of cash in her left hand until after I saw the photo.
The other was a strung out crack addict with all her front teeth missing sitting in the doorway of an abandoned buildling with an innocent dog sleeping on her nap. I didn’t take her photo as it seemed too exploitive, but this one pulled on our heartstrings so we gave her some cash.

For some people who encounter this situation it creates sympathy for the homeless and for others a total lack of empathy. The ACLU has advocated for the rights of sign-flyers across the country. Their argument is that “we the public,” can choose to give to the beggars and pandhandlers or not. On a good day they can make a daily wage of $30-$40 a day, not exactly a windfall, but enough to get by.

But windfalls are possible. A few years ago a reporter for the New York Post wrote about a guy in the second photo who called himself Noah (aka Joseph Ramos, 64 at the time)—because he set up a miniature Noah’s Ark on the upper East Side of NYC to draw in patrons. He invited them to take photos. He had two cats, two dogs, and three guinea pigs and was raking in $40-$50 an hour. Yes, an hour—this is no typo! After having been addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine for 16 years, he claimed to have found God. ASPCA spokesmen said agents invesitgating complaints by some passersbye found no evidence of cruelty or abuse and after inspecting the pets, deemed them to be healthy.

Most panhandlers or beggars like Noah clearly have issues: a history of drugs and alcohol abuse and/or mental illness. Some are just scam artists who don’t want to work a 9 to 5 job.
You can’t always tell who is trully needy, so what does one do?

Last February Pope Francis was asked by a reporter for the Catholic News Service if giving money to beggars was proper since they may spend it on alcohol or drugs. His response was that we should ask ourselves what we “do on the sly?” What happiness do we “seek in secret.” The Holy Father added: “giving to someone in need, “is always right,” and should be done with respect and compassion. In the end, everyone must work out this moral dilemma for themselves. 
credits: 
1-Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service, February 28, 2017
2-NY Post Metro section by Kate Briquelet June 10, 2012

If a Tree Falls And No One Is Around To Hear It, Does It Make A Sound?—A True Story

While at my computer this past Wednesday morning at around 8 AM, I heard a loud crash and boom sound. My first thought was “wow,” the landscape maintenance crew at our 100 plus acre gated community at Rinconada Hills were really noisy today. Then I went back to what I was doing. Cecile had taken our son’s dog Daisy for a walk earlier. She said a tree had fallen and it was blocking the walking trails. “That was the sound I heard earlier,” I said. She looked surprised. But, I wasn't. You see my home office overlooks the walking trails of this unusually quiet refuge.

"Come on! Let’s go take a look,” I said. It was only a few hundred feet down the path. We were blown away by what we saw. A thirty foot Aleppo Pine tree was leveled to the ground leaving a fractured, rotted 5 foot high stump. It was only a matter of timing and fate that Cecile and Daisy as well as other residents were spared serious injury or worse. I felt a deep sense of relief and gratitude that they were safe.

This wasn’t the first tree I had seen a tree uprooted. While at Vasona County Park last Saturday I saw an even a bigger tree that had toppled to the ground as seen in the first photo. It too, was completely blocking a path where a public fundraising event: Walk with Compassion to End International Child Poverty was taking place. 

I couldn’t help but think of something philosopher, George Berkley, postulated in the early 1700s. When he said, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” This would later become a paradoxical Zen koan used to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning since there are many ways to answer. In my case, it became a moot issue, since I actually heard the sound–at least the one behind our town home.

Like us humans, all trees have the potential to keel over. There are many reasons a tree dies and falls: wind, ice, snow, flood waters, and disease-like fungus induced wood decay. But most tree experts say the main reason is a phenomenon called “‘windthrow” that causes a tree to uproot. It’s like we learned in physics class. The tree trunk acts as a lever arm and when force is applied to the roots and the trunk, it begins to reach a literal “tipping point,” and is seconds crashes to the ground.

After returning home I thought further about these acts of Mother Nature. The shapes of the felled tree looked almost-human like. Twisted and severed limbs. It really made me wonder if trees feel pain when falling to earth. Many from the scientific community say no. But over 40 years ago, scientists noticed an interesting phenomenon on the African savanah. Giraffes were feeding on umbrella thorn acacias, and the trees resisted the attack. Within minutes they began pumping toxic substances into their leaves. The giraffes got the message and moved on to other acacia trees. Eventually they had to abandon their efforts as the trees whose leaves were being eaten sent out a signal—via an emission of ethylene gas—to members of their own species warning them of an impending crisis. All the forewarned trees prepared themselves by pumping toxins into their leaves and the crisis was averted. 

Reference: Do Trees Have Feelings Too? One Expert Says they Do. Peter Wohlleben, The Telegraph, September 2016

We Found Our Favorite HeARTS ❤️❤️ in San Francisco & Showy Flowers Too

After Cecile returned a dress at Nordstrom's and we had lunch at the Cafe Bistro, we strolled in and around Union Square. We saw the ever present cable cars, colorful flowers like the showy Yellow Trumpet Vine. We also saw the Heart Sculpture exhibit in Union Square Park, including Tony Bennet's America's "Greatest City By The Bay." HEARTS in SF is an annual public art installation that began in 2004 by the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. The choice of hearts was inspired by the Tony Bennet* song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Each year these sculptures are painted by different artists at various locations around the city including Union Square. They are then auctioned off at the end of the year. As of 2013, Ten million dollars had been raised for the foundation. The one with the Asian motif was our favorite. We feel so blessed to be only 60 miles away from one of the most colorful cities in the world.

*Postscript: Born Antonio Dominick Benedetto, Tony Bennett is a national treasure. He is not only one of the great legends in Jazz and popular music who served his country during the Second World War, but is an accomplished artist. A man of great humility, he admits to having made "mistakes," in his life. He lives joyously in the present and is revered by a younger generation of performers. Cecile and I had the pleasure of seeing him perform in New York after his book: Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennet was published in 2012. We have an autographed copy.

Celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary at the Plumed Horse Restaurant

Last evening we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary at The Plumed Horse, on Big Basin Way, nestled in the Santa Cruz foothills in Saratoga, CA that has been in existence since 1952. When Cecile and I were younger we used to take our son Jason and daughter Michelle to this well known dining establishment to celebrate special family events. Around 2007 a group of new owners injected ten million dollars worth of renovations. Since that time it has transformed itself into a Michelin star rated restaurant for its attentive staff, elegant contemporary decor, outsized three story wine cellar with glass floor, arched barrel ceiling with shimmering Venetian plaster, and impressive sumptuous California-inspired cuisine. They have an IPAD wine list, Chihuly-like fiberoptic chandeliers that change colors and the ambiance, and comfortable seating. Patrons get a glimpse of the white-coated cooks bustling about the modern kitchen framed in by doors inset with glass. There is even a chef’s table of eight where diners can view them in action as if you were on the TV set of Top Chef.

Joining us in the celebration were Jason, Michelle, her fiance’ Kyle, his mom Kim and stepdad AL who have become dear friends. When I retired many years ago we pretty much gave up on fancy restaurants except for very special occasions, mostly due to the strict dress code back in the day that including a jacket and tie. Those restrictions have since been lifted and smart casual is now in vogue. 

As it turns out, the very capable and affable waiter assigned to our table was Joseph Karakas, the son of a former Matre Di of the Plumed Horse, Mark Karakas who used to serve us before he moved on to run the Mountain Winery and then partnering with a friend on other ventures.
All good things must come to an end, and after three hours of gastronomic bliss, decadent desserts including a banana and cream anniversary cake from the popular Icing on the Cake bakery, compliments of Kim and Al, we all hugged and said our goodbyes. As we were about to make our exit from this storybook setting, a couple at a nearby table got our attention and congratulated Cecile and I on reaching our 40th year milestone. They told us they were celebrating 7 years of marriage, and the couple next to them said they were celebrating 11 years. “Hmmm 7 and 11,” I thought. What are their odds? They looked happy, hopeful and after meeting us, perhaps inspired about the prospects of a long and happy marriage. We wished them well and left the Plumed Horse contented as we approach the final stretch.

Happy 40th Anniversary to my Beloved Cecile-A Modern Day Love Story!

Every married couple has a story to tell about how they first met. In 1972 I was employed at a local supermarket while attending medical school in Chicago and an elder teacher who came in for groceries encouraged me to attend a student party. Cecile and her sister Sherry attended the same party accompanied by blind dates. After a full day of classes, five hours of weighing produce and mopping the floors until 9 PM, this was the “last” place I wanted to be—until I met my future bride. My first impression of Cecile was that I had met someone very special. We spoke of our love for Italy and relived the old world charm of the towns we had visited, the people, my Sicilian relatives, the open air cafes, the pasta and of course the Italian gelato. We held each others gaze the entire evening as if we were the only ones in the room. We agreed to meet for dinner one evening and over time a warm and deep relationship developed between us. She was there for me when I had nothing but a burning ambition to become a successful doctor. Her love and faith in our relationship had been strong enough to leave her job as a teacher and close family ties in Chicago to join me in moving to California in 1975. Two years later we were married. They say marriage is a point of no return, but if I could turn the back the clock, I would still choose to love and marry her in a heartbeat. After 45 years of being together and 40 years of marriage, I am happy to say I love her more than ever and am grateful to still have her by my side.

Cecile, I know we will never forget the day our 300 pound safe was stolen from our last place of residence. As you know three of the many prized possesions that were taken were our 18 karat gold wedding bands and a Tanzanite ring I brought back for you during my travels to East Africa. It was quite a loss but we still had each other, our wonderful children Jason and Michelle and our little Maltese-Lily.

And, as far as losses go, Rumi, the great 13th century mystic once said, “Anything you lose comes back around in another form.” With this in mind, I bought you a new Tanzanite ring to commemorate our 40th anniversary and the renewal of our wedding vows. With this ring I thee wed.❤️

Postscript: Tanzanite is a rare gem discovered by a Masai tribesman deep in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

P.S. Dearest Jason and Michelle, thanks so much for the beautiful photo of your mom and me that was taken in 1974 by a friend that you had stylized, enlarged and framed. It would have otherwise been lost in the family archives. We love you.

Eating at True Food Kitchen, a New Full-service Restaurant is an Affirmation for Healthy Eating That Tastes Good

My wife Cecile, daughter Michelle and her fiancé Kyle, on my right; and our niece Annabel, a senior at U of M in Ann Arbor, MI hooked up with Michelle and Kyle's friends Kacy and fiance’ Noel on my left at this trendy, spacious eatery in Palo Alto last evening. This concept restaurant that is being rolled out around the country was inspired by celebrity doctor, Andrew Weil, the “guru” of alternative holistic health and integrative medicine.

His philosophy of an “Anti-Inflammatory Diet,” is built on a base of vegetables and fruits (though tropical fruits are minimized), fish and whole grains. Cooked Asian mushrooms, dairy and spices are encouraged. Many scientific studies agree that an inflammatory diet helps counteract inflammation, the root cause of many serious illnesses. Even the cocktails are healthy—in moderation of course:-). I had a Ginger Margarita, but there are many healthy non-alcoholic drinks to choose from.

The general consensus was that the appetizer we had: Edamame Dumplings and Kale Guacamole with pink grapefruit, cilantro, jalapeno, sunflower seeds and pita chips were “to die for,” was the general consensus.

Some of the main dishes our table ordered were: the Ancient Grains rice bowl; Scottish Steelhead Salmon with chopped kale, Lasagne Bolognese, to name a few. I had a curried Cauliflower soup with Ginger, Grilled Fish Tacos with avocado, greek yogurt, cilantro, pickled onion, Anasazi beans, and cotija cheese.

We had a team of one waiter and three servers. We highly recommend this place for healthy eating advocates and discriminating foodies alike.

Yoga on the Hudson in my home town of Hoboken, NJ

Marvin J. Ashton once said: “Home should be an anchor, a port in a storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell.” For me, yoga studios are a sanctuary of peace—a home away from home.

I come to the yoga mat not to compete, but to breathe, to let go of the annoyances of the day, the chaos on the national and International scene, and remind myself how to be fully present, for whatever comes up in my life. I do yoga to appreciate and nurture my body and become aware of the mental chatter the mind creates, make peace with who I am; and to feel alive, open, and free.

In January, I was in my home town of Hoboken, NJ, to attend my dad’s 100th birthday party. The studio I most frequent while there is Devotion Yoga, located on the second floor of the old Trust Company of New Jersey bank building that overlooks the Hudson River and the NYC sky line. I consider Devotion Yoga to be the East Coast counterpart of Breathe Together yoga studio on the West Coast that I attend, co-founded by friend and teacher, Jennifer Prugh.

In life many people will come across your path. Some will use you, some will test you, some will judge you, but the ones that are truly important are the ones that facilitate bringing out the best in you. A dedicated and compassionate yoga teacher fits the bill. There are many capable teachers at Devotion Yoga, now in its 17th year. One of a few I have become acquainted with over the years is Tam Terry, one of the studio's founding members. As someone who has practiced yoga for 30 years, and as a former yoga teacher in my own community of Los Gatos, CA, I have come to recognize the qualities, skill sets, and signature styles of many yoga teachers.

Tam has a welcoming presence that makes everyone feel like they belong; has a calming effect on students; creates a peaceful and fun environment, is energetic, focused and kind, and her joyful love for yoga and her students is clearly palpable. While the class was in play, a winter snow storm was quietly setting in covering everything in sight. On my way back to the W Hotel, where my wife Cecile and I were staying, I spotted a Temple-top like hut in Frank Sinatra Park draped in snow. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day. Namaste'

Postcript: Devotional Yoga, Breathe Together and other yoga studios around the country offer a selection of classes and exceptional teachers for beginners and advanced students alike. It will change your life.

Visiting A Serene Vietnamese Monk Under House Arrest at his Temple In Ho Chi Minh City

Anthony Bourdain of the CNN hit travelogue series, “Parts Unknown” said, “going to Vietnam the first time was life-changing for sure; maybe because it was all so new and different to my life before and the world I grew up in. The food, culture, landscape and smell; they’re all inseparable.” I share Bourdain’s view. Vietnam is an extraordinary place to visit and it’s people welcoming. But there is a dark underbelly that few travelers are aware of—the continuous persecution and oppression of certain monks.

When I went to Vietnam in 2004 with my son Jason, I visited the Venerable Thich Vien Dinh, the brother of a real estate broker named Truman, with whom I once had some real estate business dealings. Truman left Vietnam in 1984. His brother, whom he hasn’t seen in 32 years is the Superior Buddhist monk of two temples. One, in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and, the other—a large 800 year old temple in Binh Dinh province in the countryside surrounded by farmland in the middle of Vietnam. During the Buddhist “Renaissance” movement in the 1920s, it was one of the most important training centers for monks and nuns.

When I visited him in his temple in Saigon as seen in the photo, he was under house arrest, but you wouldn’t know it by his calm and serene demeanor. His only crime was that he belonged to the United Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) and not the Vietnam Buddhist Church (VBC) under control of the Communist Party. I later learned that I was being watched; followed back to my Hotel; and copies of the photos I sent back to Dinh were confiscated. They also asked him how much money I donated to the Temple. While there I was introduced to Truman’s sister who he also hasn’t seen for 32 years. She cooked for the 40 monks who resided there including a secret mole spying on behalf of government officials.

Now, 13 years later on the Festival of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), Truman informed me that his brother is still under house arrest by the government but is permitted to live in his countryside temple, where he is very happy and peaceful. Through peaceful resistance and sheer political will, he is still leader of the United Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV).

Visiting Three Baby Cheetahs during an Unplanned Camera Safari at the Living Desert in Palm Desert

While China celebrated the Year of the Rooster, The Living Desert (TLD) is celebrating the year of the Cheetah. These elegant, agile cats can sprint up to 75 mph within seconds. They are currently extinct in 20 countries. There are only 7500 living cheetahs in the wild and they could become extinct within 20 years. TLD is undergoing conservation efforts to protect them.
One project that The Living Desert team is focused on three adorable two year old cheetah sisters, Sudi, Bela, and Kali. The first two graced an audience of men, women and children with their presence. A third sister, Kali, played hard to get and remained out of view. Of course, they needed a little coaxing. To accomplish this, the animal trainers hidden on one side of the long running path blew a high pitched whistle to announce their feeding time. The Bill of Fare was a favored dish of my Italian ancestors-Meatballs:-). Having gone on camera safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa over the years, The The Living Desert outing was an unexpected pleasure. We also visited: Giraffes, Greater Kudu from the Gazelle species, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill bird, Zebras, Smiling Goats, Warthogs, and Ankole Longhorn steers.

Postscript: On this day millions of people were tuned into a live cam feed of a Giraffe named April about to give birth at the Animal Adventure Park in NY.

Playing Hide and Seek with A Praying Mantis (Mantis Religiosa)

While sitting out on our lanai on the 8th floor at the Wailea Marriott Resort overlooking the ocean in Maui, I noticed a Praying Mantis, measuring approximately five inches long. It had positioned itself upside down on the handrail of the glass enclosure like a shadow of itself. It was sitting as still as a Buddhist monk in meditation. I got closer to photograph it. Its’ patience and one pointed focus was amazing. Though sitting motionless, it slowly turned its alien like head keeping me directly in its’ gaze. The praying hands of a Praying Mantis have little to do with religiosity, and more to do with the rows of sharp spines at the end of its front legs that shoot out to grasp its’ prey (tiny insects). 

I expected this interesting looking creature to be gone by morning. But, there it sat, this time right side up on a ledge below focusing on obtaining its next meal just like our primitive ancestors who roamed the Earth.

These amazing creatures are known to detect movement from 60 feet away and its head can turn 360 degrees like Linda Blair in the exorcist:-). There are 22,000 species in the world. In all the years we have been coming to Maui I never saw one up so close and personal. I remember as a young kid seeing one on the sidewalk in my home town of Hoboken, NJ. I have to admit being a bit frightened by it as I had never seen anything like it before. The rumor is the Praying Mantis was a protected insect and if killed carried a $50 fine. Though considered a beneficial insect, the rumor proved false. They are usually born in the spring and have a short life span—living only one season. The female praying mantis has earned a reputation of being a cannibalistic femme fatale. Men think fatal attraction here! She lures males with her pheromones, and when one approaches, the prospective mate engages in a courtship dance. If the male mantis is deemed worthy he is allowed to mount the back of the larger female mantis and commence fertilization. At this point the female mantis begins chewing off her partner’s head (no joke), which increases the success and duration of copulation. Perhaps her next date will be wise to take her out to dinner and not be her dinner:-) 

A Peaceful Sanctuary in and Unlikely Place

We arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday at 5:30 PM and checked into the MGM Grand to celebrate my birthday which officially is August 26. 

We took a walk toward Caesar's Palace. I wasn’t quite ready yet for the frenetic pace Vegas is known for. We ate a light dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and afterwards my wife Cecile suggested we go to Serendipity 3 for their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate dessert we first encountered many years ago at Serendipity’s in NYC. It is such a coveted guilty pleasure that even the late Jackie Kennedy asked the creator for the recipe for a White House function.
But it is here where the story takes an unexpected twist. While Cecile was placing our order I turned around and spotted a Brahma Shrine tucked away in an unlikely place, between the Roman Plaza and Serendipity 3. It is a replica of the Brahman Shrine at the Erawan Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, similar to those I had seen during my many travels & meditation retreats in Southeast Asia. In fact this extraordinary four sided shrine was actually created in Thailand and installed under the supervision of Buddhist monks. The shrine is “renowned throughout the Far East to people of all faiths as a place of prayer.”

As I lit the incense stick to make an offering at the altar of the shrine, the pleasant scent brought me to a peaceful meditative state and suddenly all the noise of the Las Vegas strip vanished. 

A Lesson in Beauty & Stillness at the Lake behind our Home

Here in the light, filtering through perfect forms, arranging itself in lovely patterns for those who perceive beauty—Roy J. Cook.

I was so captivated by this pose of the Cormorant, I moved about to capture this moment while trying not to disturb its private reverie.

It's been said that birds spread their wings to dry their feathers and regulate their body temperature, but it could very well be that they sun themselves in this fashion simply because it feels good. Then again how to do you measure the intention and mood of a bird?

Imagine being free as a turtle where everything you own is on your back-the shell that houses your body.

I imagine it saying: "SPEED DOESN’T MATTER, travel at your own pace, you’ll arrive to your destination soon enough. Be like me—at ease in your own shell."

Being led along the way where the land kisses the shore, that place between movement and stillness, carrying all It needs at all times—wherever It goes. Poking its head out when it wants to eat or moving and drawing it back-in when he wants to chill and relax.

Like Life, a Waterfall is Always on the Move and There is Always an Uneven Flow to it

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Powerful rain storms continued to wallop Northern California this week, increasing water storage levels in our reservoirs not seen in many years, and forcing dam operators to release water to reduce flood risk. There were flash flood warnings in low lying areas and power outages two nights in a row in the gated community where we live.

Awhile back, some of you who live locally took my advice to visit the Vasona Dam Spillway when the cascading waterfalls surged 10 feet high. Yesterday, the surge was over 20 feet height and 30 feet wide. Before I realized it, a vaporous veil of mist overtook me. I was drenched from head to toe—and loving it. The roar of the turbulent waters was so great I could feel its powerful vibration. Like life, a waterfall is always on the move and there is always an uneven flow to it. I met a Vietnamese immigrant who barely spoke English but we had no problem communicating, agreeing to take each others photo while celebrating this graceful moment in time and space with a fellow human being.

Today, at long last, the sun came out. I took our niece Annabel, a University of Michigan senior student, visiting us from Ann Arbor, MI to 8 AM yoga class. Afterward, sharing the experience of the waterfall with her. The fury and intensity of the surge had eased, but was more accessible, less perilous and still amazing to witness.

Teaching Yoga to 12 year old Middle School Children

Long time friend and a much beloved and dedicated school teacher, Elizabeth Sharkey, invited me to teach a yoga class for her 25 students who at the time were studying Indian History at Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos, CA. Though I don't formerly teach yoga anymore I accepted the challenge. After all, it's been a passion of mine for over 30 years. I spoke about the benefits of yoga; led a breathing, meditation, and visualization exercise; and Elizabeth and I demonstrated a few partner poses that her students creatively and joyfully improvised upon. They were wonderful, and I was honored for the opportunity to be of service and rediscover the inner child within me.😃

Though I hadn't expected it, a week later I received 25 heartfelt thank you letters from the students.

See below photo album link of the kids in action!

https://goo.gl/photos/cwDxUMwMSj4nkrAXA

The Oldest Living Marathon Man and his Secret for a Healthy Life

The 105 year old, Fauja Singh, an Indian born Sikh and British citizen, ran his first marathon at the age of 89 to overcome depression after the loss of his wife and son.

On October 16 2011, at the age of 100, Singh also known as the 'Turbaned Tornado' became the oldest man to run a full marathon on the Toronto Waterfront.

Singh received a letter from Queen Elisabeth ll congratulating him on his 100th birthday.
Between ages 89 and 100 Fauja Singh had run seven marathons. He retired from competition in 2013, just shy of his 102nd birthday.

After he announced his retirement he indicated he would continue to run for pleasure, health and charitable events.

But, in 2016 he ran the Mubai Marathon as seen here.

When asked by various media outlets, what his secret for a long and healthy life, he said:

• Live a stress-free life
• Be grateful for everything you have 
• Stay away from negative people
• Eat healthy and light (he’s a vegetarian)
• Be charitable
• Stay smiling and keep running