I just made the mistake of reading someone’s else’s blog before writing mine. Not that that is totally a bad thing. It’s just that it influences my thinking till I can process it and get it filed away somewhere in the nooks and crannies. And I don’t read a lot of blogs but the one that comes in the most with quality and quantity is old Richard Rohr’s (Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation). I am sure I have mentioned this before but he has got a brain lock on me at the moment so you will have to put up with it.

This is relevant to what we do here because he is currently writing about “liminal” space and this lines up one of our favorite topics here of, “What the heck did happen to me/us on the Camino anyway?” Or in other words, “How come I had such a hard time reentering my old life afterward?”. There are seriously a lot of blogposts on this back in this blog’s archives. And the ghosts of these questions linger on. This was powerful stuff that we encountered and we can’t really ignore it or we can ignore it but at our own peril.

Liminal comes from the Latin “limen” which means threshold. So Father Richard uses liminal to describe the space that a person is in when they are on the threshold of something new and different. They are outside of their usual space, their usual routine, their usual way, there rut, their usual usual. We find ourselves there in this new place because of some shock that knocks us out of our old patterns. Could be death of a loved one, divorce or a bad diagnosis, for instance.

But without that, going on pilgrimage is in itself the act of getting out of one’s patterns. It is letting oneself be the stranger, to be outside one’s normal. This in itself is putting one in liminal space. And so many pilgrims are of the age where they have been touched by tragedies that may be unresolved. This combination can be a starting place for real growth that comes out of being brave and crossing that threshold into liminal space.

We remember vividly the space we were in after our Caminos where we felt like we had been run over by a truck, which is how I can remember describing it. It is that space that Father Richard talks about, that space that is so pregnant with potential. That may be the space that great people are in for the most part or perhaps continually.

OK, well, there you have it for today. The sun is out and my archers are avidly awaiting. Thanks for being here, love you spaciously, Felipe.

Well I didn’t have to walk 5 km to get my cafe con leche this morning but sitting outside with my breakfast and coffee is bringing back memories of those times. Still there is not a day that goes by that I don’t have some memory of my Camino in Spain come rushing back. Still think that it was a vision of heaven.

The overcast is breaking up and patches of blue sky are appearing overhead. I am off to archery camp again to make that happen. Wiley and I got things started yesterday and always glad to be past that as there is always a lot of organizational stuff to get out of the way. Now we can get on to the fun stuff!

Annie sent in a bunch of news on the film and various events surrounding it on the pervious blog post. So, if you missed that just scroll down. Right now she is packing our schedule with events for our end of the month California visit. We are going to have showings of Phil’s Camino, of course. But beyond that we have fundraisers, a wedding, a panel discussion, meetings, parties, a Padre’s baseball game and who knows what else. We don’t like dull moments, obviously.

Well, have a splendid day. Let yourself be inspired,love, Felipe.

(Here is the latest in on things Phil Camino the Film. Later this month My Rebecca and I are off to California to be with Annie doing events from LA to San Diego. Then in September there is the Port Townsend Film Festival up here in the Seattle area which we all will be at. So join us if you can, always fun! Felipe)

Hey there Felipe-
I am excited to write to you this morning. We had a wonderful screening yesterday, so it feels like I have something wonderful to share! A year ago, the Church of Santiago de Compostela — yes, only the second church with that name, the first being the Cathedral which is the traditional end to the Camino de Santiago — hosted a beautiful event. An amazing and dynamic woman there named Ann-Marie Blaney wanted to offer her church a retreat: we screened Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago, had a Q&A and lunch, then I showed them some clips from the upcoming, work-in-progress film called Phil’s Camino. Wow! We then had a procession from the room where we screened to the outdoor fountain where we dropped rocks at a Galician cross, sent by their sister church in Spain, to symbolize the Cruz de Fero ritual along the Camino. That is where pilgrims drop rocks that symbolize releasing a resentment, or care, or worry they have ben holding on to. It was beautiful. So you can imagine how meaningful it was to return there on Saturday with the finished film, Phil’s Camino. Beautiful!
In addition to the screening, Ann-Marie organized an Interfaith Panel to follow the film, with religious leaders all talking about how pilgrimage is part of their faiths. It was magnificent. Ann-Marie had been at the first Interfaith Panel I hosted, back in February, and was inspired to include a panel as part of Saturday’s retreat. I am so glad that she did, because it feels like getting to know, to chat with, to break bread with people who are different from us is more important today than ever. In fact, I listened to the President giving his speech on the way down to the event. I have felt so helpless as I watch events unfold that indicate that our country is in the middle of tough times. In such a divisive climate, it felt even more significant to bring together a Catholic priest, a Muslim Imam, and a Jewish cantor to talk about pilgrimage. I think the audience was as rapt as I was to hear eat of them speak about pilgrimage, and their rituals. Although we learned that Judaism does not really have pilgrimage as part of its rituals, there is strong symbolism about how each day, and our entire lives, are a journey, a pilgrimage that we undertake and can walk as best we can. The Imam had everyone’s attention as he talked about the Haj, the Pilgrimage that each Muslim hopes to take during their lifetime. There are a lot of things that they do before hand to make themselves ready, knowing that they are embarking on a transformational experience: they clear up any debts, they make right any wrongs that they have committed, and other preparations of the soul. Of course, we also spoke of how the Pope has suggested pilgrimage as one of the rituals Catholics can do in this year of Mercy. Caminoheads, it was beautiful! We did some filming, so I hope that I can put something together for you at some point. Stay tuned for that one!
The other big news is that we will be screening in Los Angeles! Yay! We will have a special Los Angeles Premiere on Thursday July 28, with special guest Felipe himself in attendance! Then we will screen at 12 Noon for one week, from Friday July 29 – Thursday August 4. Noon every day. There will be some panels following the screenings on Saturday and Sunday. More details to follow. If anyone feels called to help, I could use some help for these screenings. You can contact me through my personal email, [email protected]
Of course, we are have also started taking reservations to stay at Ft. Worden during the Port Townsend Film Festival. They have set aside 16 rooms for Team Phil’s Camino. I think there are about 5 also ready spoken for, so that leaves 11 rooms. It is an old army barracks, so it is dormitory style living, but I have heard that the setting is quite lovely, with walking paths, and beautiful views. It is a flat rate of $125 for the entire weekend, so if you are interested, please let me know ASAP.
Lots of wonderful things shaking with Phil’s Camino, don’t you think, Egg Man?!?! I think it is absolutely wonderfully and ridiculously fantastic! We just can’t help ourselves!
Lots of love, lots of peace-
Annie
PS I am about to send you a picture of the panel.

Annie O Neil
Director/Producer: Phil’s Camino www.philscamino.com

Co-producer and Pilgrim: Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago www.caminodocumentary.org

Author: Everyday Camino with Annie www.everydaycaminowithannie.com

310-403-4228

OK, made it through my treatment week and my Pyrenees weekend. This is part of the grind of chemotherapy that needs attention, no way around it. But here I am on the start of my “off” week, hurray! Big week starting this afternoon with archery camp. We have eleven kids, eight to twelve years old every afternoon for the week. This is part of Kid’s Camp at the Vashon Sportsmen’s Club.

I am so fortunate that I have my son Wiley available to help me with this. He is a terrific archer, better than he knows and way better than me. And just in general whenever we have time together it is a good thing.

I had an hour with Sister Joyce yesterday. What a blessing she is. She retired here the first of this month. But she never quits, like the Energizer Bunny. She is just moving from one office to another is all the difference I’m seeing. Retire isn’t in her toolbox really.

Then we have Reverend Bonnie Barnard in for the coming weekend to spend a few days with us and preach at Burton Community Church. This is Festival Weekend too when Vashon will be hopping with tourists. Most of the locals hide out for this one.

Well, that’s what it looks like from here at 8 AM. Best to you on this week.
Alperfect all the time, love, Felipe.

We are moving along here at Phil’s Camino and 14 km west of the city of Leon. Our summer has been wetter than normal and the trail is in great shape. Most years by this time the area starts to look brown and burnt from the lack of rain but not so now.

Come and walk with us. If you don’t know where we are located, comment on this post and I can talk you in via email. Here is the schedule:

Monday 0900-1000
Tuesday 1600-1700
Thursday 0900-1000
Sunday 1600-1700

Yup, it’s all easy peasy, love, Felipe.x

We will be walking under unsure skies later today at 1600. The Camino calls. Two small groups are coming to be with us. How great that we get to do this. How great that the Camino calls.

It was our second Sunday with Father David at the helm at St John Vianney’s this morning. The padre preached on the Good Samaritan theme. Who is our neighbor and how do we relate to him/her? He talked a lot about Mr. Rogers of TV fame. Maybe someone doesn’t know who he was. He had a show for years and years geared toward kid’s that stressed respect toward one’s self and one’s neighbor. Matter of fact the show was called Mr Roger’s Neighborhood. Fred Roger’s was a Presbyterian Minister and this was his calling.

Wimbledon tennis is on the Tube, speaking of Television. Prince Somebody is there watching in the stands. Sorry, I should know who that is. But the important thing is that they are playing doubles which really looks like fun. Maybe if I come back in another life I could do that, just a thought.

OK, need to keep moving. You are the best! Love, Felipe.

It’s Saturday and who doesn’t have a lot to do on their list, including me. This that and the other thing and they all seem important. But last night I received a phone call that gave me the news that my closest cousin had just passed away. It’s taken the wind out of my sails.

Just had an email in from Commando Bill and he has received a similar message with the news of a death of a friend. Let me quote Bill,”this stuff shakes up the normalcy of life pretty much.” Yea.

Will be back to you tomorrow, love, Felipe.

What fun! A little different scene today. My portable pump had a malfunction four hours before the contents were supposed to run out so I came in early. Now I sit waiting to see what Dr Gold wants to do. And the best part is the ambience that I brought along. I’m always bringing in treats for the staff. Got strawberries today and pound of them are setting on the little table next to me and they are smelling up the place, how wonderful!

What else is happening here? Well I occasionally steal a magazine from the waiting room and today I brought one back. Wednesday I took a National Geographic and today I brought a Western Washington Destination magazine that was free on the ferry. I no longer set it down than a lady snatched it up and said to her husband, look how great is this. So, obviously I could help spruce up the waiting room with some better reading.

Well, that mag did have the dates wrong for the Port Townsend Film Festival. The dates for 2016 off the website are September 23-25. Start planning now. OK, nappy time, love, Felipe.x

Thursday today, the day in between my hospital appointments. Had fun yesterday at my all dayer. Had fun yesterday mainly because I met Harry. I broke in on a conversation between him and his daughter when they were talking Vashon. Then we laughed and giggled through the afternoon till I had to go sit in the corner. No, that didn’t happen, the corner thing, but it is always hanging over my head. Sometimes we are too loud, like the Italians on the Camino. In some places they give you an award for enthusiasm I hear.

Anyway, Harry has a Vashon connection and I expect to see him out here walking on on Phil’s Camino. He will be a good addition and we can talk as loud as we want. Speaking of which I am walking momentarily and I never know who will show up. Sometimes it’s a crowd and sometimes I’m with Mother Mary alone.

Alperfect all the time, love you, Felipe.x

Today is my big treatment day and made it to the waiting room with extra time. Never know how the traffic is going to go so I have to allow extra time. My Rebecca came in today with me.

The traffic being so light we didn’t have the opportunity to dawdle at the flower project along the freeway entrance, we just caught a glimpse of THE flower. Yea, and the good news is it is 10-12 inches high and looking like something! In another two weeks maybe there will be a bloom. Until then it is getting sunshine and above average rainfall on it’s little head.

So, it’s Jennifer’s flower really. And it is a statement in it’s amazing singularly. We threw, literally hundreds of flower seeds at those three mounds of soil. It is kind of a junkyard of gardens but stuff grows occasionally apparently. A little magic in the wasteland.

My name is going to be called any second now to go and talk to Dr Gold. Have a great day, make the most of it! Love, Felipe.