No one can take away your uniqueness.
Like a snowflake, you are the same yet one of a kind.
Y4 – Day 298 – Unique
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Category Archives: Nature
Y4 – Day 281 – Observations from the Streambed
I step lightly and barefoot along the pebbles of the river stream. With glee I watch, listen and touch the gemstones glistening, wet and wild, every color of the rainbow. I also notice the trials, tribulations, the jagged edges of rocks. I pay attention to slippery, mossy, tricky stones. I am wary of the currents. I look out for wild animals. I try to avoid being bitten by mosquitos, snakes and venomous creatures if possible. The cool, clean and clear freshwater flows and laps on my toes as I dip them in. The water washes and swirls around my ankles.
I am alert to the power of water. I can’t just be admiring the smoothness, the colors and the perching arch of rocky promontories. Boulders are stacked and scattered and I need to be conscious of sharp protrusions where I can be cut, where I may fall.
I cannot just revel in the beauty of the entire scene around me, underfoot, behind me, above me. I am cautious, I consider my choices of where to step, each footprint forward. I keep a keen eagle eye for any and all discrepancies or danger.
That is the balance in nature. Nothing is all good, nor all bad.
There are pearls and jewels laid out for us. Do we pick them up and carry their beauty with us? Or do we walk right on by? Do we even see them? Or are we stepping on them, crushing opportunities?
We are given our six senses for a reason. I want to see these things. Yet, I have the free will to ignore it all.
I choose to own my will power, I choose to align it with nature, Goddess and the flow. I opt to move as effortlessly as possible through my life in peace.
Y4 – Day 265 – Rhythm of Nature
I hear the birds repeat the rhythm and tempo of coyotes calling each other to dinner after a kill. A dog is in trouble and then another dog down the street echoes its distress.
I just learned that hens give their chicks SOS signal lessons. When they fall into any misfortune, they remember the phrase, chirp it and momma comes a runnin’.
I heard a canine bark out a melody, then I heard a bird repeat the same tones and beat, and then, I heard the sound returned back from another, different canine.
If you listen, the animals speak to each other and not within just one species. Perhaps, “Help!”, other warnings and observations are recognizable in all languages.
I’m not a scientist but I always wanted to be a linguist and study etymology, the study of word origins, not entomology, the study of insects.
When you pay attention, you discern and differentiate the beautiful language of the wild.
Y4 – Day 257 – Expression
Whatever your need for expressing yourself creatively, do it.
It is not frivolous or selfish to write, draw, color, make music, paint, sculpt, cook, garden, make origami swans or re decorate for the seasons – it is a deep need we all have.
We are all creative because we all have souls. Animals have souls too – I have been watching them.
You see it too. Don’t you?
Y4 – Day 232 – Day before Thanks Living
Gifted with the life of a gorgeous female turkey, V saved a sentient being in my name.
Beatrice was spared at an early age from a commercial turkey farm. After an eventful span of caretakers where one woman said Beatrice followed her around like a rescued, grateful dog, warranting and loving attention, she was sent to the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in upstate N.Y.
Beatrice is an individual – someone like your pet dog or cat, with feelings, a personality and a beautiful being. She loves to be petted like your furry family. Her affectionate disposition has converted many volunteers to becoming vegan, seeing her as the staff knows well, as a friend, not food.
I am a lucky mama today. I feel so blessed. My two daughters arrived safely and together. We are creating a Thanks Living Holiday in unison!
Y4 – Day 226 – my revelation
After spending the day in wild nature with M, my great friend from way back when who volunteers at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, I realized I stopped writing. “Writer’s Block,” she said.
This is exactly what I had. And it is the weirdest feeling. It’s the feeling of not wanting to write, not knowing why and not writing, pretty much on purpose, without regret, remorse or even remembering that that is who I am, a self professed writer. It’s like when you are depressed and don’t even realize it. Someone has to care enough to point it out. And thanks to one reader, M, I got it. As I was suggesting she pick up her watercoloring again because she had a unique view (which is soft, gentle yet soulful depictions), it became evident I must have been revealing my own clues to my directionless past few weeks.
I may be other things besides a writer but I felt so unfocused I mentioned it to K the other day when she called to chat on her long commute. “What ever happened to that thing you were working on?” she asked, nonchalantly. Yea, what did happen? No wonder I feel I am not getting anything done anywhere. But I have a ton to do. “I always fill up my platter with activity when I don’t want to look at something,” she shared. That’s true, I have been willy nilly and accomplishing little because I was having a bit of a tantrum. Writing is a lot of work if you want to do it right and I was tired of the rules and all the advice out there. But what is right? and why can’t I break the rules? and who cares? Look at the election.
And there lies the key.
The answer was always in me.
I am done with feeling I need an Eng. Lit. degree, an Amazon author’s page or a twitter account. I just want to write whatever comes out of my head and it seems M knew exactly where I left off (E’s bday), K wondered where I was at and I myself have been questioning my lack of identity. And it was here all along. My lonesome blog waited for me to pull it together and give it some attention. “Here I am, Here I am!”
I don’t need more things to do, more projects, items, TV shows to watch or lists to accomplish. I have everything I could possibly want and more right here, right now and I couldn’t be more grateful to the Californian natives that reminded me of that today. That is a little nod to M, K, the native plants that spread their branching energy around me, sending me spiritual relief via plant healing today and all the people that volunteer, educate, create, build, water and enjoy 88 acres of entrusted land, thank you. “Wake up!” Remember the Goddess that you are! Remember who you are and why you are here!
M reminded me today about Victor Frankel’s account of his time in the concentration camps during the holocaust and the conclusion that the meaning of life is the meaning you give it, basically. I am simplifying. There is no need to write Gone with the Wind or Harry Potter, I just need to write daily on this blog because obviously, it keeps me sane.
As I post tonight, I think, how will tomorrow be different? The clue is right below.
Y4 – Day 224 – Still Have Peppers!!
“If you are going to do anything artistically – even if it’s cooking a meal – you’re opening yourself up to criticism.” – Mike Woolf, musician when free, health consultant by day. And – “Don’t let anybody tell you you’re not worth it, and it’s a waste of time.”
We still have peppers, cherry tomatoes and basil. My garden keeps on delivering.
I am still creating seven to nine home cooked meals a week due to my vegan life and my husband’s non-vegan lifestyle.
We have used and abused this kitchen over the years. It is not huge and yet it is still one of the easiest, most functional spaces I have ever cooked in. I have used it to cater, entertain, teach and grow a family. My kids have used it as an experimental lab while testing out their skills and now to make delicious snacks and new meals for us.
I am so grateful for this life I live and this wonderful home we get to house our dreams and play in.
Maintaining a positive outlook spreads hope!
I cannot wait to make a vegan fudge cake today!
The right time is any time that one is still so lucky as to have. – Henry James
Y4 – Day 223 – Naturally
The best portion of a man’s life are his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. – William Wordsworth
Nature is everywhere. It tells you to hope, dream, conquer debilities and flaws. Earth’s narrative teaches us to rise forth, reach, be willing, embrace, share, shine, be yourselves, grow, spread beauty and be flexible. Gardening exemplifies this story line. A rose doesn’t want to be a daisy and from beginning to end, a nut, bulb or seed spurts out its best self, without complaint, comparison or compromise. A tree learns to bend with the wind or break. Every blade of grass leans and reaches for the sun. The planet is wild, primitive, organic and simple. It speaks to you.
“Maintain your authenticity and dignity,” beckons the cosmos.
Listen. Be willing to be vulnerable and humble. Hear the call of our habitat.
Y4 – Day 215 – Mystery Bulbs
One day, I noticed this stem just appeared and shot right out in the front yard. Oh yeah, I plant bulbs all the time and then forget about them. Spring for summer, summer for fall, fall for winter and winter for spring blooms.
Six days later, delicate, whispery and pure white, fragrant flowers appeared.
I am one forgetful but lucky gardener. I am grateful I noticed.
Y4 – Day 198 – 5 Indoor Air Cleansers
Houseplants help adorn, uplift and clean your environment. Certain types are more effective than others. Many studies show that just viewing gardens, vegetation and natural plants relax and heal you both emotionally and physically. Here are five stars in the plant world that add greenery and renewable breath to your home.
- Peace Lily – this beautiful white flowered upright plant has dark, shiny leaves. It is decorative and easy to grow. It also removes acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde from your home. Get one for every room and/or your office, especially if you have wall to wall carpet or new furniture. My husband has one now for twenty years in the lobby of his front office. We have one I divided and repotted from that same plant on our living room mantel.
- Corn Plant – also known as Dracaena Fragrant. If you need an effortless, attractive plant, look no further than this species. It’s leaves are variegated with centered, yellowish stripes that rise and then curve down in a waterfall shape. It can grow to over four feet and looks great in corners, hallways and as a standout piece. In addition, it can save your life. It purifies benzene and cigarette smoke. I have one in the bedroom that I recently moved in from the top of the stairs hallway. Placed in a lightweight pot, they are a cinch to move around.
- Aloe vera – a true succulent every kitchen should have. Its sharp edged leaves are full of healing sap. Cut off a thick portion close to the center core and squeeze the gel on your skin for minor burns. It soothes sunburn. It can be taken internally to boost your immune system. It also vacuums out the formaldehyde in your environment. We have six huge aloes lining an edge of our yard because in S. California we don’t have to worry about frost. I trudge over and cut a leaf frequently whenever I accidentally burn myself. By the way, metaphysically, we burn ourselves when we are angry and lo and behold when I get a burn, I remember that and realize it is true. I was irritated at the time.
- Dwarf Date Palm – also known as Phoenix roebelenii. This slow growing palm likes to have regular water maintenance. They also need to stay away from too much heat, light and any drafts in the home. Rinse their fronds by placing them out in the rain or bringing them into the shower to keep pests away. They might be a little needy but they also help eradicate gaseous poisons (xylene) released by paints. Rather than mollycoddle one indoors anymore, we have one in our front yard that originally lived inside our home. It is a very slow grower.
- Spider plant – one of the best plants that survive neglect pretty well and so they make great first plants for the budding new gardener. They love to propagate like crazy and falling spider plant babies make it a stunning hanging plant with variegated white and light green blade like leaves. I had an emerging jungle, sprouting from one plant, hanging all over my first apartment. They are perfect for a talkative family since they absorb carbon monoxide. Just take an outgrowing baby from an arched stem, cut it off and stick it in dirt or even a cup of water. It will develop roots within a week. They reproduce rapidly and are a wonderful gardening teaching tool.
I hope you find an incentive to embellish your indoor rooms with relatively undemanding living beauty that also cleans your atmosphere.