'Make a record, create a myth' Medicine Stories

Explanations don't always reach the heart. I think it may be because the heart does not listen in straight lines or logical progression. I think the heart loves a good story best of all. I was raised by two very talented storytellers with a gift for gab that I would only much later appreciate. When I began writing for a living it was the straight and narrow language of training manuals that earned me dollars and an early comfort with making connections. Later, life would change and the narrow translations along with a regular paycheck lost their meanings for me. I would explore the deep water of the imagery world of 'what ifs' and turned my real life into a version slightly off-key, slightly fictional, mostly mythic and largely magical. 

But always, the stories are born from a 'symptom' either physical or spiritual calling for some exquisite expression a remedy beyond a prescription's reach.

Some of these stories read smooth and easy;others dig and wander; some question and descend, deepening the revelation, mushing metaphors, leaving magic as complex as electricity; there are openings, unexpected windows and forgotten memories; some are incomplete, messy stuff; and then there are the joyful everyday making of cinnamon-rich apple pie, and the smells of a good chicken soup topped with chopped green onions. 

I am reminded and encouraged to keep at the myth-making and the weaving of medicine stories in this Keynote Address by Dr. Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele at the 'Aha Wahine 2012. In this rambling presentation I am rewarded with gems of humor, wisdom, irreverent pun-making and serious infusions into my consciousness. Among those gems of oratory Pualani is adamant: "Women need to be the conscious center all the time." Taking her message to heart, I recommit to the writing and sharing of myth through these stories. 

In the order in which I wrote them find the stories as Gathered Magic .

January 15, 2017

An odd and lovely thing is happening this winter. After having written at least one medicine story each winter for the past five years I created this new place, this website (that looks suspiciously like a blog). Collecting all my writing here, I thought this might be a winter writing break. Rather than write, I am rereading stories I had forgotten about. Because I spent time collecting all those precious pieces here like limu, they are here to hold, open, hear again; remembering how each one collected into the medicine.

"Your stories have really gotten us through these years." Pete was driving us north for a daytime escape and beach adventures, a Sunday drive. I'd been telling him about my experience rereading the story Spider Season. He didn't remember what it was about. I started to recap saying "It's the story that finds Pale (the Border Witch first introduced in The Safety Pin Cafe) making a very significant sacrifice one that draws many of the characters from nearly every other story I'd written. 

"It's some powerful dictation I was doing with these stories honey." That's what it feels like to reread these stories while I give myself a winter break from story writing, and reflect on what variation of medicine might be necessary to keep life vibrant at this stage.

"I can't say I won't write a story this winter, I might." Pete hadn't asked about a new story.

"Could you recap the old stories, and give your audience some clues to draw them, make some connections between them?" Pete asked.

"I'll give that some thought." We were headed for our first, and newest favorite beach overlooking the Salish Sea facing west. Driftwood Park where the steep slopes of smooth stones make one of my favorite sounds. The Sun was bright and reflecting a corridor of bright light warming us from the freezing temperatures. Pete ate his pastrami and havarti sandwich.  And I have been thinking of how the stories string together ... 

January 17, 2017 

"In spite of the woman's promise, the Muse, used the dreams to uncork remedies and scents designed to create ... even in the harshest of winters." Bending the rules, and giving myself some room to just let off some steam, a new medicine story began today. It's called Banana Skin and Ginger.

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