It's My PrimeTime~Life Begins At 43!

 

In My Prime At 43!

 I truly believe Douglas Adams when he declared in his book that the answer to the question of life, the universe, and everything is 42 for it was in that year of my life that I fully feel I became an adult, basically came into myself and figured out this whole being a grown up business.   Yesterday, I had another day celebrating yet another year rotating around the sun on this blue and green marble we call Planet Earth, another birthday coming once a year as they are wont to do.  With that, I'd like to share my most impacting lessons from the year previous as I move forward into 43:

***The best & only way to be a grown-up is to view the nature of 'adulting' through the adventurous and wonderment of a child.  Each day, even that which is seemingly dull and mundane, can thus be seen as an adventure to behold.

***Set intentions, not goals.  The difference being merely that there is a less definitive time stamp as to when intentions are reached, thus the pathway to accomplishment free flows with the tides of life.

***A little done each day is the most important than getting it all done in one day! This is crucial when it comes to minimizing stress and even more so truly enjoying the gift of life in all its abundance.

***Create for the sole purpose of creation, be not worried about the outcome.  Those that are meant to view will and are in your life.

***Being ethically minded is more important than personal labels of every kind.

***Focus on love, eliminate the toxic.

Announcement: Catherine Hansen Video Production

 

Catherine Hansen Video Production 

Catherine Hansen was an actress, singer, writer, and most importantly, a good friend.  In 2021, she lost her long hard fought battle with cancer.  Among many facets of Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc, Catherine spear-headed the mock movie trailer genre with her Dreamcast at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCM1EZgh9X0&list=PLGOU8yQsa5RFs01_4JHsBQ-BpB97YoLod&index=4&t=14s

As Catherine was a faithful friend and ally, this facet of Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc is forever forward named in her honor.  In this, the Catherine Hansen Video Production teams up with local artists to promote their artistic vision, product, or business.  For example, featured in this playlist is Catherine Hansen's Dreamcast starring Ella Rose Shaeffer and Ruth Wire's The Nightbirds Sing starring Brittany Bosworth. Cost is $100 day per production, including all pre-planning, production, and post-production.  Most importantly, 50% of the profits will go towards Breastcancer.org, to help fund research for the cure.  For more information, go to: https://www.breastcancer.org

Contact cafegirlproductions@gmail.com if interested in creating a video for your business. 

Short Film

Watch Short Film This Sunday! The Final Episode of Season Three! 7 pm Premiere!

Flying My Tello Drone!

For Our Rani, A Tribute to Catherine Hansen

Ashley Watches Youtube! A special cross over episode!

In this week's episode, Ashley decides to see what her other youtube creators are doing. Supporting other artists is cool!

Created by Asela Lee Kemper & Lia Rose Dugal Starring: Lizzey Stephenson as Ashley Leigh Directed by: Michael Meyer & West Christy Also starring: Lia Rose Dugal Anastasia Juliet Eismann Erin Jennifer Rose Subscribe! Like! Share! Support! Check out more of Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc at: www.cafegirlproductionsinc.com www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions Find out more about writer, Asela Lee Kemper at: https://www.facebook.com/thesakuraink https://linktr.ee/Aselaleek @AselaLeeK on Twitter @thesakuraink on Instagram Follow Explore With Ashley Leigh on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram! https://www.facebook.com/ashleyleighexplores https://twitter.com/AshleyL71 https://www.instagram.com/ashleyleighexplores/ The soundtrack for Nate & Laura & How They Met Season Two is released for purchase for download & streaming. Here is the website: https://natelauras2.hearnow.com/ Features artists: Rowyn D'Agostino aka Rowyn Lucca, Jen Ambrose, & Delphi Ravens

DJ Michael J Hearne - Hitchhiker (My Original Biography Video)

A message from my friend, DJ Michael J. Hearne! 

Why I will always *heart* Ashland, then & now

 

“Towns are like people. Old ones often have character, the new ones are interchangeable.”

― Wallace Stegner, Angle of Repose

I was born in a small town

No I cannot forget where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be

I'm old enough now to have the "I remember when" conversations several times over.  Now, I don't mean to imply here that I am old, because I feel nowhere near old or even what that means or rather when in fact I will be old.  However, what I do mean is that I have personal history with several places, and especially that of the town I currently reside, my beloved Ashland, Oregon.  Oh, what history I have!

My life in Ashland and Southern Oregon has been varied, I have lived life as a college student, a single working person, a married woman, a divorcee, gone through each title of Miss, Mrs, Ms, lived the life of a Jesus freak, the struggling actor's life, fallen in love several times over and quite a few crushes, had my heartbroken, drank way more coffee than alcoholic beverages, and finally, realized the true lesson of Ashland, Oregon that being, finding my calling and, more importantly, my true sense of self. 

I'll never leave this
Small town girl behind
The place where I come from
Is with me all the time

My Little Town

Recently this article, It's Impossible Not To Love The Most Eccentric Town In Oregon, Ashland, made its rounds on social media sparking conversations of near outrage of many in my community who like me can say "I remember when" with an utmost degree of fortitude.  For their part, I can relate and reminisce about what Ashland was and am in agreement that, yes, in fact has changed.   

In recent years, I have bemoaned publicly and privately the rising cost of living and rental prices, the loss of the plethora of hippie lounging in Lithia Park, the increase in the traffic brought on by now the yearlong tourism that used to only span from March through November, maybe, and the reality that I no longer refer to Ashland as a little college town but now as a retirement community 'with a college'.  

Yes, it is known by the adjacent cities that Ashland is known more for being on the wealthy end, albeit sometimes referred to as snobby, or perhaps even liberal elitist, rather than eccentric.

Yet, in my present state of mind, I view all of this with a different perspective.  For change is inevitable in life, it's how we adapt that defines our enjoyment and endurance in life.  And, as I look out at this, my darling little Ashland, as I interact with the new breed of citizen, especially within the last year in the time of Covid, I now see that whether what may have occurred outward the true heart's blood of Ashland's core remains at its essence.  

Through one of my 'normie' jobs, I have the luxury of coming into contact with this new breed of Ashlanders, the retired folk above the boulevard, as it were, and from my time with them, I sense only an increasing heart's connection with this town as they spend more time within its confines, falling more and more in love with it as truly their home.  Truthfully, I love watching the newer resident's excitement over the little joys of Ashland I have become accustomed to, the love in their lives as they recount their 'how they came to live here' stories, which always seem to reflect some sort of spiritual guidance, of sorts, and the thrill over the variety of activity to enjoy in this town.  

The point of it is, no matter how it may look now, how the eccentricity of Ashland may have transformed, it still remains the little, funky, artsy-fartsy, weird town, it is now in a new phase of life.  As humans have different seasons, cycles, and phases they pass through, so to a town with its collections of a variety of humans all living and colliding within each others' spaces, has its seasons, cycles, and phases to pass through.  

For my part, I cherish the "I remember when" stories I have, the memory of what Ashland used to look like, remember when that building used to look like that or remember when that building was there but now they tore it down, remember when I lived there, remember, remember, remember...but as I hold dear those memories, the lessons of Ashland's true significance as the parental guiding figure becomes more visible and  I find within the ability to move onwards, embracing that which is new, the new faces to meet whose stories will affect mine, teaching myself and Ashland as a whole the lessons to be learned in growth and expansion.

In years of recent, I felt a desire to move beyond this little town, but what that reflected was a restlessness and a true lack of connection to home within.  But, truth be told, now at last I have found that home within knowing that it is truly where my heart is, that of, my beloved little town, Ashland. 

This Town

We all know the chosen toys

Of catty girls and pretty boys

Make up that face

Jump in the race

Life's a kick in this town

Life's a kick in this town

This town is our town

It is so glamorous

Bet you'd live here if you could

And be one of us

Swipe Right!

Ashley attempts to set her friend, Laura. See what happens! Created by Asela Lee Kemper & Lia Rose Dugal Starring: Lizzey Stephenson as Ashley Leigh Directed by: Michael Meyer & West Christy Also starring: Lia Rose Dugal Anastasia Juliet Eismann Erin Jennifer Rose Subscribe! Like! Share! Support! Check out more of Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc at: www.cafegirlproductionsinc.com www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions Find out more about writer, Asela Lee Kemper at: https://www.facebook.com/thesakuraink​ Follow Explore With Ashley Leigh on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram! https://www.facebook.com/ashleyleighe...​ https://twitter.com/AshleyL71​ https://www.instagram.com/ashleyleigh...​ The soundtrack for Nate & Laura & How They Met Season Two is released for purchase for download & streaming. Here is the website: https://natelauras2.hearnow.com/​ Features artists: Rowyn D'Agostino aka Rowyn Lucca, Jen Ambrose, & Delphi Ravens

Hot Stuff: A Tribe of Awesome Coffee & Tea People

 Hot Stuff Espresso

Connie McGonagle has been a thriving business owner of Hot Stuff Espresso for nearly two decades, this April 20, 2021 will see their 19 year anniversary.  In a new series examining the local cafes and how they relate to Café-Girl Productions, Inc, I sat down with Connie to discuss her view of the café culture and community that she has seen and developed throughout the years.   

Bama relaxes in the sun

Connie began her career in the coffee shop world at a small Dutch Bros coffee shack, the first of its kind, in Shady Cove, Oregon in her sophomore year of high school.  Taught by her beloved friend, Steve, she was brought into the world of all things coffee and café, which led her to pursue this passion in the years that followed.  

Cafe-Girl Sophie helps Customer Bama

In addition to the taste of coffee and tea, Connie mostly loves the social dynamic of a café, which she believes brings much good just by being available.  In previous years, cafes were a place to plan and hold events and to make life long friendships.  In this time of Covid19, when the majority of us have found ourselves deprived from social connection and interaction, the value has increased by cafes providing a safe place to gather, to come back together after isolation, and to connect.

Bama enjoys the view

The cafe culture, in the viewpoint of Connie and Hot Stuff Espresso, is filled with a myriad of awesome coffee and tea people forming a close knit family of the "Coffee Tribe", who come alongside one another to support and uplift during the highs and lows of life.

Bama & Hot Stuff

Hot Stuff Espresso is located at 515 Clover Lane, Ashland, Oregon.  Hours of operation are 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.  In addition, to a wonderful array of coffee and tea drinks, Hot Stuff has wonderful baked goods for sale as well as a beautiful new gazebo for socialization and relaxation.  Find out more about Hot Stuff on Facebook and Instagram. 

Life In A Coffee Shop

Hot Stuff Espresso

Explore With Ashley Leigh Episode Two: The Time I f**ked my bestie's crush

This Sunday at 7 Pm! Hit Reminder!

Episode Two: The time I f**ked my bestie's crush Ashley shares a dark secret, her personal walk of shame. Created by Asela Lee Kemper & Lia Rose Dugal Starring: Lizzey Stephenson as Ashley Leigh Directed by: Michael Meyer & West Christy Also starring: Lia Rose Dugal Anastasia Juliet Eismann Erin Jennifer Rose Subscribe! Like! Share! Support! Check out more of Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc at: www.cafegirlproductionsinc.com www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions Find out more about writer, Asela Lee Kemper at: https://www.facebook.com/thesakuraink​ Follow Explore With Ashley Leigh on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram! https://www.facebook.com/ashleyleighe...​ https://twitter.com/AshleyL71369789​ https://www.instagram.com/ashleyliexp...

Reclaiming The Easter Holiday Weekend

 

And I never thought I'd feel this way

And as far as I'm concerned

I'm glad I got the chance to say

That I do believe, I love you

A heartfelt expression of concern and support for those, who like myself, have experienced, escaped, and recovered from fundamentalism mainstream Christianity toxicity and abuse.  Today's holiday of Good Friday as well as Sunday's Easter may be a bit of an emotional trigger, bringing up old memories of past trauma, at times feeling trapped in the shoulds of control of Christian fundamentalism.  I know it has been such for me and is somewhat at present, although has been more in past years.  Because of this, I invite you as well as myself to find ways to heal and reclaim this weekend for our own joy, so that we can move forward with our lives, honoring the memories both pleasant and negative as vital lessons in our evolution, but releasing in order that we may become whole and complete within ourselves.

For that reason, I decided to give a brief run-down of other ancient religious beliefs and practices surrounding the history of this weekend.  Perhaps, it can help give a healthy new perspective and bring some clarity, insight, and possible forgiveness for those that wounded, whether intentional or not.

According to the New Unger’s Bible Dictionary: “The word Easter is of Saxon origin, Eastra, the goddess of spring, in whose honour sacrifices were offered about Passover time each year. By the eighth century Anglo–Saxons had adopted the name to designate the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.”

Tammuz & Ishtar

The story of Tammuz and Ishtar, also known as Damuzi and Inanna, is perhaps the true origin of the Easter story, a Sumerian legend dating back to 2100 BC, details the suffering of Ishtar, after the passing of her beloved Tammuz, which results in her descending into hell to return to him. Through her journey, she travels through seven gates, is stripped bare, left naked and bowed low, and finally is judged, killed, and hung on display.  Because of her absence, the earth becomes infertile, crops cease to grow, animals no longer reproduce, thus without some form of interceding, the earth will die.

After three days of this suffering, Ishtar's assistant, Enki, creates two creatures to carry the plant of life and water of life down to the underworld to sprinkle upon Tammuz and Ishtar, resurrecting them, bringing them back to earth for a period of 6 months of revival and new growth.  After that 6 months, Tammuz returned to the underworld and Ishtar once again followed him, until the two creatures were again sent.  Thus, the cycles of winter death and spring life were explained.

Eostre

Similar to the origin story of Tammuz & Ishtar, it is believed that the word "Easter" stems from the celebration of the Goddess of Spring, Eostre, otherwise known as Ostara, Austra, and Eastre, highlighting the theme of renewal.  Ostara, or Eostre, is commonly celebrated on the Spring Equinox, the day of the year where both light and dark are equal.  As the bringer of light after the long winter of darkness, Eostre is often featured with a hare, representing the arrival of spring and fertility.  

It has also been told that Eostre found a wounded bird in the woods and healed it by transforming it to a hare.  However, still partially a bird it continued to lay eggs for gifts to the goddess as a token of gratitude.  The egg is also a symbol of fertility.

The Encyclopedia Britannica clearly explains the pagan traditions associated with the egg: “The egg as a symbol of fertility and of renewed life goes back to the ancient Egyptians and Persians, who had also the custom of colouring and eating eggs during their spring festival.” In ancient Egypt, an egg symbolised the sun, while for the Babylonians, the egg represents the hatching of the Venus Ishtar, who fell from heaven to the Euphrates.

I hope the above historical stories of the origin of spring and Easter help to bring healing to any lingering traumatic memories surrounding this weekend.  I know that studying these stories has helped bring clarity, a fresh perspective even on the Jesus story, and thus healing and release.  I hope the same for you.

Be well, my friend, and be at peace.  Embrace the arrival of spring, the abundance of new life it will present, and continue forward on your journey towards your wholeness and evolution.   Know that our deconstruction of our faith, the heart-break of leaving behind something we were so assured would be eternal, tragedy of losing close friends and family who once proclaimed love unconditional, the darkness, anger, despair of being on the outside, that is our suffering and crucifixion, our dying to self...yet know this even more, through death comes rebirth and through the journey towards healing, we have now our Easter morning, full of new life of fertility and growth, abundance and joy.

So, my friend, as you ponder this weekend, the memories that may arise, remember this and with me proclaim proudly:

I AM RISEN!
I AM RISEN INDEED!

That's What Friends Are For

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
Cause I tell you, that's what friends are for
Whoa, good times and the bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

Punky Power & Me

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAiYcyyhAw

On this start of April, the day of foolishness and games, I am mindful to reminisce, backwards in time to college and then further back to my carefree days of childhood.  Starting with childhood, one of my earliest loves of eighties TV shows was that of Punky Brewster and until very recently I did not know just how much that show and its titular character, Punky, had such an influence on me through and through.  One April Fools Day in my college experience, my best friends and I crashed a free box and adorned ourselves with all matter of crazy assortment of outfit, then happily skipped down the street for pizza, laughingly nicknaming ourselves the "April Fools".  

The storyline of Punky Brewster was of a very young girl, abandoned by her mother, forced to survive on her own until rescued and adopted by the loveable old miser yet doting, Henry.  In Tuesday's entry, Pop Culture & Les Miserables, I compared Punky to the character of Cosette in that Punky's original sense of self, boldness to be her and pursue her best life was emboldened by the stability from the great love of those who cared for and helped raise her.  Thus, the foundation of love was such that made her character strong enough to be truly herself, without fear of judgment or reprisal, wherein she was able to truly embody to the fullest her "Punky Power".  

For women of my age, Punky Brewster was an icon, yet even more than that.  During the month of March 2021, Punky Brewster was rebooted with Soliel Moon Frye reprising her iconic role as well as with other familiar faces.  

Along with the reboot, Soliel Moon Frye released a documentary, Kid90, which featured all the footage she shot while growing up an adolescent, teenager, and twenty something in the nineties, with images of more recent times in the final scenes as Soliel brought about the conclusion.

Having not had a chance to watch the reboot of Punky Brewster yet, I did watch Kid90 twice.  As I watched this, taking in all who Soliel had been after she wrapped Punky Brewster as a child, hearing her story of the awkwardness of growing into adulthood and trying to assert herself as Soliel and not Punky, a sense of calm and peace washed over me.  

Here was the woman I had followed as a young child, the woman who had seemingly disappeared from the media focus for some time, and here she was back again as if she never left.  

No one could play Punky but Soliel for she is Punky, but even more so, because of how she portrayed Punky, there is a Punky Brewster in all fans of the beloved show.  Punky Brewster showed us it was okay for us to be us, she showed us we were worthy of love, indeed it was not selfish to love oneself and ask for it from others.  Rather, that the stable foundation of unconditional love is the true facet in being fully oneself and embracing one's own personal Punky Power.

All of my life, I've had an original sense of style, humor, interests, and creative pursuits.  Until the return of Soliel, I did not realize how much my girlhood fandom had gone inward, never left, and truly influenced me.  The college age me was no doubt expressing the Punky Brewster influence as she dumpster dived through the free box of clothing.  Furthermore, no matter all the hardships I have experienced throughout my life, the mad mad Bipolar years, battling PTSD from damaging relations a plenty, the crazy years of being manipulated in a mainstream cult, and so much more, I have survived because of two little words taught to me in my tender years: Punky Power!  I had it then, throughout all the struggles, trials, and even the joys, and I still have it now.

As I watched Kid90, as Soliel laid bare all of her goings on throughout the years, as if showing her fans what she had been dealing with, how she had occupied her life since, a smile of gratitude traveled across my face.

After all we have been through in recent years, my friends, rest assured that 2021 is gonna be more than all right for, 

Punky Brewster is back.

Every 80's kid gotta have it!

A Big Thank You from all of us at Explore With Ashley Leigh!