I was happy to have the company of my husband on the two and a half hour drive to Ashland, Oregon, yesterday to hear Jean Houston speak, a woman whose works I've not read in depth (only in online skimming or listening to short recordings) yet who piques my curiosity as someone many consider to be a "great" woman, a genius, and world traveler (who's lived and worked with Margaret Mead and many other folk, famous in their fields, including presidents and their wives). I wanted to see what it felt like to be in her presence. Besides being a benefit for a local counseling center, the drive and the views getting there are always more than worthwhile.
Dr. Houston (who lives part of the year in Ashland, part in NYC) had just returned from speaking at the United Nations, and everyone in the audience (including Jon and I) seemed glued to her every word. Some of what she said I'd heard before (as she has a message she's trying to spread, consciousness to raise), but even so, she's a wonderful storyteller, using her melodious voice and skills at mimicry to mesmerize us.
I don't seem to be able to get enough of storytelling, and she reminded us all of the importance of doing this (and whatever arts we participate in) face-to-face, not only to visualize our various projects (as we dream them) but also to "embody" them through all our senses in order to give them greater potential.
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| A flooded Smith River |
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| Same spot (see prior post), flooded and a different color now. . . |
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| Ashland Springs Hotel |
