Thoughts on a Saturday Night.....

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it,
no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason
and your own common sense.”
- Buddha

Visit Planet Calamari

swami dog-ananda

Swami Dog-ananda is the patron of all homeless, flea ridden, hungry dogs. In shelters, devotees of this Master place a biscuit at his image in hopes of finding a new home. Others chant his mantra....Hooome Please find me a Hooooooome. Swami Dog-ananda has promised to stay in embodiment until all dogs find good homes.
Please, go to your local shelter and adopt a dog.
Good DOGma...Good Karma.

Swami Dogananda on tees and fun gifts
Visit The Planet Calamari Store

Pro-Peace tees & groovy stuff for back to school...

Perfect t-shirt for Back to School! Also available in stickers, buttons, tote bags and other groovy stuff!
Back to School sale! Free Shipping on orders over $50 Coupon Code: BTS2006
Click here to see this design on clothing and other peaceful gifts
Visit Planet Calamari

happy birthday e. e. cummings

i carry your heart with me
by e. e. cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

happy birthday ee cummings!

happy birthday e. e. cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town
ee cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did.

Women and men (both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed (but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
with by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men (both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

New design...dog is god spelled backwards

Click to see more of the dog is god design on clothing, gifts and bumperstickers



The Planet Calamari Store

The Secret

Alice chided the Queen..."One can not believe in impossible things."
To which the Queen replied, "I dare say you have not had much practice."

For a mind altering experience watch the THE SECRET dvd. You can watch it online at the website
The Secret

Ganesha, Remover of Obstacles

Ganesha is one of my most favorite Hindu Deities. He is known as the Lord of Good Fortune and the Remover of Obstacles. I always thought of him as the Hindu Santa Claus.

According to the Wikipedia, "It is widely believed that "Wherever there is Ganesh, there is Success and Prosperity" and "Wherever there is Success and Prosperity there is Ganesh". This is why Ganesh is believed to be the harbinger of good fortune, and why he is invoked first at any ritual or ceremony. Whether a new house, a new vehicle, students praying before the exams, or people praying before job interviews, it is Ganesha they pray to, because it is believed that he will come to their aid and grant them success in their endeavor."

You can read more about him by clicking on
Wikipedia

Click here to see the Ganesha design on clothing and gifts

More New Designs for Acupuncturists!

acu-punk on clothing and cool stuff

To see other related designs please visit The Planet Calamari Store

New Acupuncture Design

Acupuncture ...Ancient Solutions design on clothing and gifts
The Planet Calamari Store
Free shipping for orders $25 or more use the code: DOGDAYS

Celebrating the Dog Days of Summer with Free Shipping!

CafePress is offering free shipping on all orders $25 or more! That means you can shop at the Planet Calamari Store! The Planet Calamari Store and get free shipping! Perfect timing for back to school stuff.
Enter the code: DOGDAYS when checking out.

You can also click on the cute moving graphic on the side bar to see more cool CafePress designs on clothing and gifts.

New from Planet Calamari

Click here to see this design on clothing and other PAWSitive gifts

Visit The Planet Calamari Store

Museum of Fine Squids

Enter the Museum here

The Planet Calamari Boutique

Mermaids

Princess Calamari and Carmen Flamingo are best friends forever.

Up-loading this image was difficult. The image printed on clothing and gifts is much clearer. This design is now in the Museum of Fine Squids.
Museum of Fine Squids

Planet Calamari Store

Miracles are to come...

“Miracles are to come.
With you, I leave a remembrance of miracles.
They are by one who can love; who shall be continually reborn; a human being.
They are by one, who when his fingers could no longer hold the brush,
said to those near him, tie it into my hand.”

e.e. cummings

Visit the Planet Calamari Store

The Year of the Dog 2006

See the Year of the Dog design on clothing and other gifts

Gnomes for Peace

Gnomes for Peace is a non-profit organization started by the Gnome Elders in hopes that soon humans stop fighting and just learn to be nice to one another. You can donate to Gnomes for Peace by leaving cake morsels out in the garden for the gnomes, elves and fairies that work so hard to help us save the planet.

Gnomes for Peace on clothing and other peaceful gifts

ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! bliss....

Got Stress? Got Pain? Try acupuncture....
Click here to see this design on groovy clothing and gifts

Heal This Planet Please!

Ah... the lore of the Sunday paper. I have not really read any of the bad news in it for the past two weeks. Last week i read the sales, comics and the art section. Could not bear to read the front page. But there it was this morning...in bed ... with my coffee that i peaked and then peaked somemore. Bad idea. All bad, sad news. Nothing is changed. In fact i am sure things have gotten worse. Is that possible? HOW is that possible?

So we are cancelling the Sunday paper. Ignorance is bliss. I have been a happier person since i have let go of being addicted to the news. My worrying about the stupidity of our world leaders does not help anyone. On some level i am sure it makes it worse. Maybe if we all ignore them they will go away. Instead of Impeach Bush bumper stickers we could have Ignore Bush.

There is one reality that none of us can ignore. This planet needs healing. Maybe i will add a Visualize World Healing design soon! Meanwhile here is one that is appropriate.

Healing the Planet design

Artists for Peace

It has been almost 2 weeks since I have watched or read news. So nice not to be bombarded with images of things blowing up and flames raging in the background of Wolf Blitzer's head.

However today while at the laundra-mat, MSNBC was blaring in the background. Wow... the Middle East is fighting again... shocker.... and Tucker Carlson screaming from somewhere over there was not even wearing his bow-tie.... so it must be war! Ok...I do admit i peaked... however I was not tempted to go home and watch more.

This past weekend I watched a very interesting dvd called THE SECRET. It had to do with the power of creating a world you choose to live in. It's message was to focus on the positive. So if you are against war then be Pro-peace. If you are focused on being against the war or poverty or crime you only give it more power. (Sort of like the War on Terror isn't really doing very well.)

You can watch the dvd on the website The Secret
Please note that the website is very slow and takes a long time to load. It is worth the wait! I am hoping soon that the library will have it.

Artists for Peace on clothing and gifts

got chi?

got chi?
If not do some Tai Chi.. Qi Gong.. Yoga... Try Acupuncture... Shiatsu... Take your vitamins...
Eat your veggies ....

got chi? on other fun gifts

Visit the Planet Calamari Store to see more designs!
Planet Calamari Store

Crayola Warfare

I am still on my kick to start a revolution with crayons. Wouldn't it be nice if all we had to worry about was what color crayons were in our kid's backpacks?

Maybe Donald Rumsfeld didn't have crayolas as a kid. Could it be that giving your kid a box of crayolas now is a way to prevent him or her from starting the next world war?

Should we send a few boxes over to the UN? ....the Pentagon?...Middle East?

Crayons Not Guns design on clothing and other revolutionary gifts.

Send in the Crayons

On the way home from a most peaceful weekend in the mountains we were forced to stop on the Mass Turnpike for gas. The only option was a huge Exxon complex with a McDonalds, Ben and Jerry's and a Donut chain. To use the restrooms one is forced to walk through this mall of sugar and grease. Wouldn't you know that there were TVs posted all around simultaneously playing non other than...... FOX NEWS rambling on about the Middle East blowing up.
Could someone please send those guys some crayons and change the station?

click here to see the Crayons Not War design on clothing and gifts

The Monks and their Dogs of New Skete

A proverb in the time of Saint Bernard
Who loves me will love my dog also.--Sermo Primus.

I have just returned from a visit with the Monks of New Skete and their German Shepherds. It was such an inspiration to watch the Monks with their dogs. There is such a mutual bond of love and respect between them. The dogs are happy....very happy. The monks are down to earth men who seem to be able to balance living in this world and the spiritual side of it. It was amazing to experience it. So refreshing to see a religious group walk their talk and at the same time just be normal folks.

Their monastery is located in the mountains of NY and while there I felt as if I were in a remote European village. It was quiet, peaceful and only the sound of birds and the occasional bark. I was fortunate to be able to watch Brother Christopher train a few dogs. All i can say is....WOW! Anyone who has a dog or is thinking about getting a dog should read their books. For more info check out their website.
The Monks of New Skete
As I write this the monks are doing their nightly Vesper service. I have a feeling the dogs are too.

Latin for Dog Lovers design at the Planet Calamari Store

We miss you Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo
7-6- 1907 to 7-13-1954

"I hope the leaving is joyful and I hope never to return."

In Memory of Frida who flew away 52 years ago....
Art Never Dies.

The Blessing Moon and Festival of Tara

Happy Full Moon!

In the Buddhist tradition, this Full Moon marks the Festival of Tara, the female deity of compassion.

7/7 to 7/14: Mahayana Buddhist festival of Tara/Kuan Yin/Kannon, Supreme Goddess of Nature and Perfect Buddha of many emanations; celebrates Her enlightenment and Her vow to help all sentient beings. [Buddhists act daily on their vows to help all sentient beings.] [6th Chinese month, 12th to 19th days]

* 7/11: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day, 15th day, UT Full Moon day]

May the Compassion of Tara, Kuan Yin and Amitabha pour down onto this planet.

To see this design on clothing and other gifts click here

Tazza Del Mundo!

Gli Italiani hanno vinto la tazza del mondo!
È un miracolo
Ravioli for all tonight!

Yin Yang Ba Gua

The concept of Yin and Yang and the Ba Gua according to Wikipedia:

Everything can be described as both yin and yang.

1. Yin and yang are opposites.

Everything has its opposite—although this is never absolute, only relative. No one thing is completely yin or completely yang. Each contains the seed of its opposite. For example, winter can turn into summer; "what goes up must come down".

2. Yin and yang are interdependent.

One cannot exist without the other. For example, day cannot exist without night. Light cannot exist without darkness.

3. Yin and yang can be further subdivided into yin and yang.

Any yin or yang aspect can be further subdivided into yin and yang. For example, temperature can be seen as either hot or cold. However, hot can be further divided into warm or burning; cold into cool or icy. Within each spectrum, there is a smaller spectrum; every beginning is a moment in time, and has a beginning and end, just as every hour has a beginning and end.Click here for the rest of this Wikipedia entry on Yin and Yang

Click here to see this design on clothing and other fun gifts at the Planet Calamari Store

Still Celebrating Frida Kahlo's Birthday!

Frida Calamari
Click here to see Frida Calamari on fun stuff at the Planet Calamari Store

Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo! Viva the Uni-brow!

Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907 -July 13, 1954)

I finally got it...this is the way things are and the rest is just window dressing"
-Frida Kahlo

Frida is one of my favorite artists and such an inspiration.
Her art lives on and on.
So today in honor of Frida, go ahead... wear a uni-brow...
put on some red lipstick and have a few margaritas!

Click to see more of this Viva Frida design at the Planet Calamari store

Happy Birthday to His Holiness the Dalai Lama!

Happy Birthday to His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso

Born July 6, 1935

"All of us human beings want freedom and the right to determine our own destiny as individuals and as peoples."

- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

There's No Place Like OM

Just Say Om!

With 4th of July around the corner I thought it best not to post anything political that would only make us sad or angry. Instead here is the Word OM and Symbol for it. May this holiday be filled with the compassion and love expressed by this.

Just say Om!

Click here to see this design on clothing and other gifts

There is so much to explain concerning the word Om and the symbol that I thought it best to have this link to Wikipedia which explains it much better than I could.

Click here for the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia article

Aum (also Om, ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, symbolizing the infinite Brahman and the entire Universe. This syllable is sometimes called the "Udgitha" or "pranava mantra" (primordial mantra), because it is considered to be the primal sound, and because most mantras begin with it. It first came to light in the Vedic Tradition. As a seed syllable (bija), it is also considered holy in Esoteric Buddhism.

The Aum symbol is a ligature of Devanagari ओ+ँ (oṃ, encoded in Unicode at U+0950 ॐ, the Tibetan script variant ༀ at U+0F00).

The Magician

So many magicians, so little time!

Merlin, Gandalf, Obi Wan Kenobi, Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter....

The Magician represents a focused individual who uses the power of creativity, with imagination, willpower and determination. He reminds us that we already have everything we need to create the life we want for ourselves. We can accomplish anything if we keep focused on what our heart desires.

Walt Disney who believed in magic, faeries and wizards
made his staff say the following mantra every morning.
"My Imagination Creates My Reality."

Click here to see The Magician on clothing and other magical gifts

Zen and the Universe

The Universe
by Zen Abbott Sengai Gibon (1750-1838)

Circle, Triangle and Square represent the primary shapes of the universe.
This is one of my favorite designs. It is so simple and has such a calming effect.



Click here to see this design on clothing and other items.

The Tao of Dog

The Tao of Dog

One of the most popular designs at Planet Calamari!

Still celebrating the Year of the Dog!

Click here to see this design on t-shirts and other fun gifts

To learn more about Acupuncture for Dogs visit the Four Paws Acupuncture site
FourPawsAcupuncture.com

Taoist Master of Longevity, Peaches & John Prine!

It is Peach Season!

The Taoist Master of Longevity holds a peach, a symbol for abundance and good health.

One of my favorite John Prine Songs is "Spanish Pipedream" which is about blowing up your tv and eating lots of peaches...
Don't you think that is probably is the key to longevity?

Spanish Pipedream (AKA Blow Up Your TV)
© John Prine

She was a level-headed dancer on the road to alcohol
And I was just a soldier on my way to Montreal
Well she pressed her chest against me
About the time the juke box broke
Yeah, she gave me a peck on the back of the neck
And these are the words she spoke

Chorus:
Blow up your TV throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches
Try an find Jesus on your own

Well, I sat there at the table and I acted real naive
For I knew that topless lady had something up her sleeve
Well, she danced around the bar room and she did the hoochy-coo
Yeah she sang her song all night long, tellin' me what to do

Repeat chorus:

Well, I was young and hungry and about to leave that place
When just as I was leavin', well she looked me in the face
I said "You must know the answer."
"She said, "No but I'll give it a try."
And to this very day we've been livin' our way
And here is the reason why

We blew up our TV threw away our paper
Went to the country, built us a home
Had a lot of children, fed 'em on peaches
They all found Jesus on their own

If you like the John Prine lyrics I recommend that you blow up your tv and order a few cds before peach season is over.

Click here for OhBoy.com

Click to see this Taoist design on clothing and gifts

Happy Summer Solstice!

Happy Summer Solstice.

This is celebrated as a time of new beginnings and life-enriching endings. On this day the sun reaches it's peak of power and begins the season of shorter days that eventually bring with them autumn's chills.

Celebrate the Sun while it is here! Winter will be upon us before we know it.

Happy Summer from Planet Calamari!

Click here to see The Sun design on clothing and other summer gifts

Gnomes for Peace

Gnomes for Peace is a non-profit organization started by the Gnome Elders in hopes that soon humans stop fighting and just learn to be nice to one another. You can donate to Gnomes for Peace by leaving cake morsels out in the garden for the gnomes, elves and fairies that work so hard to help us save the planet.


Click here to see this design on t-shirts, children's clothing and other fun gifts!

Visit the Planet Calamari Store for more Gnome Designs

Help Save the Internet from the Dark Side!

You can help save the internet before it is too late. Call your Senators now! It takes just a few minutes and it is a great way to let off some steam. Remember YOU are paying them to work for you! Click on the pic above to sign the petition.

Where else can you learn if Karl Rove is indicted..... or Not? ...or maybe? Do you think the MSM will tell you if a house from a Blue State is dropped on Ann Coulter? Or if aliens are running the show in Washington? Don't let the internet be taken over by the Dark Side.
Calling all Cyber-Jedis. It is time to take action. May the Force be with you.

Click here for the Save the Internet Song!

acupuncture is groovy!

Ahhhh...... relax... breath.... acupuncture does the body, mind and soul GOOD!

Click to see on t-shirts and other fun stuff
Click here for other cool designs

Gnome on the Range

Just another typical day at Yellowstone National Park....These Range Gnomes are very good natured and seem to have a symbiotic relationship with the buffalo. When visiting the park please do not feed the Gnomes, bears or torment the buffalo.

click here to see this design on t-shirts, baby clothing and other fun stuff.
Visit the Planet Calamari online Store for other Gnome designs.

Sister Mary Calamari Patron of Starving Artists, Nerds and Geeks

On June 4, 1960 Our Lady of Perpetual Squids appeared to Sister Mary Calamari. Promising hence forth, that all artists, nerds and geeks would be respected and honored, as well as paid more than the lawyers on the planet.

She is now the patron of all starving artists, computer nerds and geeks. Each year on Planet Calamari this holy day is celebrated with a lavish procession and the Squid Gospel Choir singing the traditional hymn, Ave Sepia.

May Our Lady of Perpetual Squids bless you with an abundance of art and nerdy friends that know how to navigate a computer. Amen


Click here to support the Sister Mary Calamari Foundation

Invoking the Goddess of Compassion on this Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, I thought perhaps I would write on that outrage I have been feeling about the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and the possible attack on Iran soon. Trying to think of a way to express it without being disrespectful to those who have given their lives in the name of freedom was a challenge.

As I searched through the designs I have created down the years for Planet Calamari it occured to me that perhaps it would be best to focus my attention this year on Compassion for those who have been the victims of these wars.....not the outrage I have been feeling towards those who seemd to have caused it.

The Chinese Buddhist pray to the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Kuan Yin (also know as Quan Shi Yin and Kwan Yin.) It is said her name means "She who hears the cries of the world." Some Tibetan Buddhist have a similar Diety and refer to her as Tara. She has always been a favorite of mine. Pehaps she is just a Chinese version of the Virgin Mary that Catholics adore. Although there are many variations on her name and origin, for all she represents Compassion.

Her mantra is 'Om Mani Padme Hum.' (that is, 'Hail the Jewel -or pearl- in the Lotus.') Many believe that she is the female representation of Avalokitesvara, who is the Tibetan and Nepalese God of Compassion. In Asia, statues of Kuan Yin can be found in front of, or on the grounds of, many Buddhist temples.

On this Memorial Day take a moment and ask who ever you believe in to send Compassion for those who need it most during these trying times, and please say a prayer that perhaps soon in the future we will elect a government of people who rule with compassion, integrity and common sense.

For more info on Kuan Yin and how she is represented in other countries click on to wikipedia Kuan Yin


To see the above image of Kuan Yin/ Tara on t-shrits and gifts
please visit Planet Calamari Tara

Acupuncture....Healing the Planet

Would a few strategically placed needles save this planet?


Hoping everyone makes time to see Al Gore's new documentary An Inconvenient Truth.

To bad our fearless leader George W Bush can't make the time to watch it and learn about the effects of global warming. Could it be that he will be attending a 12 Step Program for his addiction to oil instead? Perhaps we could suggest a few points to needle on Mr. Bush.

If you like this design you can find it on t-shirts and other fun products at the Planet Calamari Store. The link is on the sidebar. I don't have the chi to remember the html!

SAVE THE INTERNET FROM AT&T

Time to take action!

Please click on and sign the petition.

Bug your congressmen.... remember they work for us...we pay them.

Pass this info to your friends.

We can stop Orwell's 1984 from becoming a reality. But we must all act now before it is too late!

Steven Colbert cracks the da Vinci Code!

"Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence."

Leonardo da Vinci

Planet Calamari would like to thank Steven Colbert who had the moxie to crack the code of silence which has plagued this country for the past 5 years. With mockery and gusto for all at the White House Correspondents Dinner, those 32% who base their reality soley on what Fox News reports were blasted with their very first dose of Truthiness.

The Emperor has no clothes and the Main Stream Media has no huevos. Please speak slowly so that the NSA can hear you through your wine glass. It's ok to leak a lie to start a war or out a CIA agent but please do not leak the truth...or you will be fired and maybe tortured. Mission accomplished and God Bless.

Thank you Mr. Colbert. You are a hero. From henceforth April 29th shall be known as National Truthiness Day. We shall hold a ticker tape parade in your honor every year on Planet Calamari. A flock of Eagles shall spell your name out across the sky as happy children sing the Steven Colbert Truthiness Anthem, in English and Spanish!

May the legend of Steven Cobert inspire others to speak out and break the code of silence.

The lastest design added to the Make Art not War series was inspired by
Leonardo da Vinci and Steven Colbert.

Click here to see more!

Thank you Steven Colbert site