A Tale of Two Loves

  This is a Brown Headed Nuthatch.

They are tiny, very fast and Squeaky!

In fact, they sound like a baby's or a dog's
squeaky toy!

They have been around on and off for a few
years now.

One year they branch they were nesting in came down in a storm.  They have held a special place in my heart ever since!

  I was SO happy to see this the other day--->

Both the male and female were excavating
the cavity.

I can't tell them apart, but there were two of them
doing the work, taking turns.

Acrobatic and adorable. Squeaking while they worked.

  Doing what Nuthatches do, hanging upside down and excavating a nest cavity with their tiny little beaks.  Spitting sawdust chunks everywhere!














  And then along came THIS guy!--->

He saw a perfect place to build his nest cavity
by enlarging an already started hole!

He is a Red Bellied Woodpecker and is at least three times the size of my Nutty little friends.

  But HOW could you be mad at this sweet face?

He began calling for a mate to come and join him in his Tree Palace.

There has been a female hanging around all winter.

I hope they don't pass like two ships in the night.

And so he waits.  And calls to her, and waits some more.







 Nature is funny that way.

It's hard to know who to route for.

I just love them all.

~Naturegirl55

Fall

Watching the leaves come tumbling down,

I'm tempted to give in to sadness, and frown.

Summer's eternal (in recent recall)

But there's no denying the arrival of Fall.

Missing the sweet scents and blooms of July,

Fruits in my garden, a bright blue clear sky.

The shifting of Seasons, wild rain clouds and wind,

Herald replacement of days that have been.

The fragrance of apples and dry, leaves of brown

Surround trips to farm stands just outside of town. 

Cinnamon, pumpkins, sweet cider and mums

Are replacing the Summertime treats one by one.

Well, ready or not this Autumn is here!

I'd rather just smile than to shed bitter tears.

After all, It is only a number of days

Before Winter's cold breath will blow Fall away!

A Rainbow of Precious Gems

How rich we are! How fortunate and blessed!

To be endowed with the opportunity to revel in the opulence and silky, sultriness of a warm Summer afternoon. 

Breathe deeply the warm scents of cedar and pine in the richly woven fabric of the woods. They glow with beams of amber light as the golden sunset fades.

What joy bursts forth from the heart when rare flying jewels come by to be admired and treasured!

A rainbow of precious gems are ours to savor.  A wealth of beauty
right before our eyes!

How prosperous is a life flush with these luxuries to appreciate,
to cherish.  Be grateful.

Music Lessons

    ♫  Dance to the Rhythm of Well Being
     ♪ Sing a song from your Soul
    ♫  Breathe in and out the Renewal and Release of Re-awakening
     ♪ Return to the ancient roots of your Spirit
    ♫  Hum along with the Music of the Spheres
     ♪ Tune to the Frequency of the Source
    ♫  Sway with the Natural order of the Universe...
     ♪ and you will become a Virtuoso of your Instrument

My Chapel of Choice

   This Sunday morning my cathedral is beneath the tall spires of the trees.

   Brown crispy angels are descending from Heaven; spiraling, floating, some in coats of many colors.   The incense of  autumn leaves and earth is setting an air of reverence.  Stained glass leaves of gold, red and green against a clear blue sky are my sanctuary.  A dome of bending branches are like an old time outdoor canopy revival meeting.  Wind whispering and whistling through the pines, as if it were a pipe organ, revives my spirit.

   The congregation of creatures is gathering.  A fellowship of feathered friends, a choir of crickets and a hidden harmony of tree frogs are ready to begin.  There is silence for reflection,  a birdbath for baptism and the sacred, ancient music of birdsong to stir the soul.  A synagogue of devotion to the Source of all things great and small.  One can feel the bless-ed presence of the Pastor in the air.

   There is symbolism here to ponder.  The dogwood tree, the sparrows and what is left of the lily stalks are an inherent reminder of the sacred secrets Nature holds and the divinity and sanctity in all life.  After all, the "Good Book", Torah and scrolls of our ancestors were all made of trees.

Contemplation

I think I'd like to sit amongst the trees for awhile,
And leave behind my hectic, distraction filled lifestyle.
No one's in a hurry out here in the yard,
No one's rushing, no ones pushing hard.

Leaves descending, floating down toward the ground.
The breeze assists the process, otherwise, not a sound.
A few bird tweets remind me, that I could be more detached
From tv, devices and voices, email, tweets and fax.

A long deep breath in and I am once again renewed!
It only takes a moment to refresh and restore my mood.
Silky clouds drifting over my busy head.
Let go, let God, relax and breathe instead.

Take a Minute

Look up.  Look out and over those temporal things, those troubling things.  Look above those things that are of this world; earthly things, worldly possessions.  Look past the stuff of living, the stuff that needs cleaning and insuring and maintenance and moving about.

Take a moment to appreciate that which is free and free flowing. The beautiful, the unlimited, that which is abundant and always available.

 Look toward the sky.  Appreciate the air and the wind and the colors and the rain.  Recognize the expansive nature of the universe.  Note the consistency of days, of  seasons, of moons.

Feel the stream of consciousness that breathes in you and lives in you and loves through you.  Feel the emotion of well-being that wells up in you and spills over into your world, into all that you care about.

 Know that, this Life-force is there with us, within us,  available to us, ready to pour out upon those we hold dear and wash over situations and the troubling stuff of life.  Always available.  Always.

Listen

I took my troubles to the woods to find some solace there.

With heavy heart I asked for words to comfort my despair.

I heard no sound except the wind blowing through the pines.

I sadly felt ignored and even worse since they declined.

Oh, Nature spirits, can you send some sweet relief my way?

All I noticed was the scent of blossoms warmed by day.


I wished I had someone to stroke my cheek and say they care,

When all at once a breeze caressed my face and tossed my hair.


I sat upon a sturdy limb and leaned against the trunk

While dreaming of a warm embrace to wrest me from my funk.


I searched my mind for melodies upon which I could depend,

To lift me out of doldrums and to lightheartedness again.


But I could not concentrate on songs, with all the noise above!

So many birds were singing! Chirping wrens and cooing doves!


Nature's answers are discreet and subtle by design.

You have to pay attention, your ears and eyes incline.


She whispers comfort and relief, imparts with peace Her joy,

If we but pause to linger there until we hear her voice.

Mystery

The beauty of a dragonfly sparkling in the sun,

Dashing, dancing, darting, having dragonfly fun.

Trill of birdsong, scent of rose, glowing sunset view…

Each a tribute to the One who enlivens me and you.

Can we begin to understand the consciousness that was birthed

In each and every being on this magnificent earth?

If caterpillars’ chrysalis and birds’ migration awes,

Then Infinite Intelligence inspires Nature’s laws.

And what if there’s much more to know?  Imagine, do we dare?

That mountains, trees and waterfalls are similarly aware.

The mystery and majesty of a butterfly’s intent

Remains a veiled intimacy we behold, but can’t comprehend.

Changing of the seasons, ebb and flow of tide…

There’s eternity embedded in us, interconnected from the inside.

Aspire To Be Unencumbered

I am unencumbered, I am free.
I float through my days like a leaf on a breeze.
I spew nor retain any malice debris.
I blow through my life as wind in the trees.

I am unencumbered, I let myself dream.
I joyously harbor no wrath.
I merrily dance on life's energy stream.
I carry no excess along my path.


I am unencumbered, I bear no ill will.
Light as a feather I fly.
I no longer labor by travelling uphill.
I'm a wisp of a cloud in a bright blue sky.


I am unencumbered, a bird on the wing.
I roll and I flow like a brook o'er a glade.
My Soul swells to the song that I sing,
while I march my own Happy Parade.

I am unencumbered, I choose my own way.
I tweak and adjust as I go.
I feel my way through every part of my day,
Alert and aware of the flow.

I am unencumbered, and I am in charge
of what seems to be happenstance, fate.
I relax and I know my Source is at large
and with It I will Co-Create.

Unencumbered and free is a possible state.
Letting go of what troubles us, key.
Put aside the crippling myth of "Fate",
Captain you ship and be free!

The Candle

There is a tiny candle glowing deep within my soul.

It speaks to me and lights the darkened corners I behold.

To some its music, others brushstroke.  For authors it is prose.

But when we recognize it, its flicker grows and glows.

The pen, the brush, the instrument - utensils of the light.

But also there is guidance that lets your mind take flight.

Brilliance hides beneath the fearsome, shadowed cloak of night.

Illumined inspiration flows from tiny sparks made bright.

The candle’s waiting, ever present, ever out of view.

For centuries its light has been there, lit for those who knew.

This secret flame is in you too.  I’m certain this is true.

And if you give attention to it, it will guide you too.

Enchanted

     A spell comes over me as I enter through the garden arch.  The trumpet vine is allowed to grow through the top of the trellis intentionally so that a commensurate bow is required.  This in deference to the Life/lives of those who dwell within.
     The tinkling of chimes and the rustling of the breeze through leaves of all shades begin to set the scene.  What new colors have bloomed since last I passed this way?  Who has hatched, emerged, began life in this garden?  Tweets and chirps, whistles and caws accompany me as I make my way through my enchanted wonderland.
     A friendly bunny greets me with soft half closed eyes as a precocious little catbird swoops in dressed in his finest grey suit and black cap.  The swish of his wings so close would have startled me if I weren't already under Mother Nature's spell.
     Enchanted.  Grinning like the Cheshire Cat of Alice in Wonderland fame I drift through the grass and boughs, listening, observing, taking it all in.  The scent of rosemary rises up, wafting through the moisture laden morning air.  Further along the heady perfume of pink Mimosa tree puffs intoxicates me and lifts the Spirit even more.
     The sweet Summer sunshine is drawing dappled patterns of light and shade upon the glistening dewdrops of a morning lawn.  Bewitched by the movement and flow of leafy shadows and the warmth of this day my awareness shifts to a butterfly sipping on Bee Balm and then the mating song of a romantic cardinal.
     Insects launch from the old stump wafting upward in a cloud of gossamer wings to become breakfast for the Purple Martins and Barn Swallows performing aerial acrobatics above.  Diving through the sky, closer and closer to me dozens of winged wonders delight in the feast, never even coming near to colliding.  Some force keeps them safe.  Perhaps they are enjoying enchantment as well.
     I know there are Faeries dancing on the dandelions.  I can feel the gaze of Elfin beings from the dark recesses of the meditation area though I cannot see either of them.  Yet.
     What magick enlivens this place?  Is there some vortex of energy swirling through the ethers and focusing here?  Perhaps it is the continuing ever-present stream of consciousness that passes from generation to generation, the continuity of all Life.  Birds, blooms, insects, shrubs, animals and unseen beings too, feel it and rejoice in it.  For now, I think I will join them.      

There's a Lot Going On Out There!

 Ospreys and vultures are all part of the culture
in the peaceful confines of my yard.

 When I'm feeling low, I know just where to go,
to the quiet repose of the yard.

 There's a graceful Blue Heron, in my piece of Heaven
in the stream that defines the backyard.

 He fishes at will, using just his sharp bill
like a spear as he stabs at them hard.


I sit with the birds, not a harsh word is heard,
just whistles and peeps and the wind.

 They don't care if I cry or just sit and sigh
they've forgiven me all of my sins.

 My social network, each have a quirk,
be it feather, scale, fur, shell or fin.

 In the morning or eve, I can laugh, sing or grieve,
no matter, I'll still fit right in.


 Blue Jays have nested, time and care they've invested
fighting crows off,  protecting their eggs.

 Turtles are sunning, I can hear the geese coming,
like a rowdy teen party with kegs!

 Tiny Bullet the Bunny, shoots by -very funny
as he tries out his brand new fast legs.

 Like a step back in time, and the words that I rhyme
of a simpler life, this scene begs.


 I'll always advise... "just go outside",
when your feeling a touch of the blues.

 Some they will drink, in the depths they still sink,
and some buy a new pair of shoes.

 Still others deny, while their whole life goes by,
wasting time having a snooze.

 For me its the trees, flowers and bees,
bugs, frogs and snakes are my muse.


 If you're feeling forlorn, take the bull by the horns
and go visit the chattering throng.

 Investigate spaces; dark, cool, shady places
where humans don't seem to belong.

 Follow the sounds, put your phone down!
You'll discover the Chickadee's song.

 And whatever you do, be apart of the "crew".
Your Spirit will lift before long.







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