Early this morning a raccoon knocked my bird feeder to the ground, and helped himself.
A red-tailed hawk grabbed a squirrel from the largest of my oaks, and flew away.
The resident red fox unearthed a mouse, and ate it in front of my window.
A catbird flew by with a butterfly in its mouth.
An ant carried a dead stink bug over the stone step to my cabin.
Is this called a 'pecking order'?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
White spots make me smile!
I'm in my cabin trying to pound out a short story for the Bethlehem Writer's Group anthology, coming in 2012. I keep hearing noises under my open windows but I've been attributing them to the rustling of dry leaves being pushed around by the gentle breezes of the morning.
But, now I hear a sneeze. Okay, that's not a trick of the wind! Standing slowly and quietly I move to my wall of windows and sneak a peak. Oh my, a fawn! On the ground and nestled in dappled sunlight, he looks up at me with sleep filled eyes. No fear yet, and it seems I present no imminent danger. Perfectly aligned spots cover his back, and are the color of snow.
I fade back and out of sight so he can rest again. And, so can I.
But, now I hear a sneeze. Okay, that's not a trick of the wind! Standing slowly and quietly I move to my wall of windows and sneak a peak. Oh my, a fawn! On the ground and nestled in dappled sunlight, he looks up at me with sleep filled eyes. No fear yet, and it seems I present no imminent danger. Perfectly aligned spots cover his back, and are the color of snow.
I fade back and out of sight so he can rest again. And, so can I.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Compassion....
We do best what our heart tells us.
Gazing out my cabin window this early morning, I feel compassion within. It gathers strength as I watch two fawns frolic in the dappled sunlight, then run through the ferns at the edge of my woods.
As I watch I melt with grace at the beauty of these two babies, and I make a commitment to non-violence in thought, word and action. Compassion is the reason I'm a vegetarian, and I have a difficult time understanding the 'need' to kill anything this beautiful. Or any other life form, for that matter.
This Earth will live on after I leave. The question I ask myself is; have I done my part to sustain or offset other's carelessness or non-caring? If the answer is no, then I must try harder with the life I have left. All living things need our mercy, sympathy, and kindness. I can challenge myself to do better.
Life is a gift. And love? It connects all of us....
Gazing out my cabin window this early morning, I feel compassion within. It gathers strength as I watch two fawns frolic in the dappled sunlight, then run through the ferns at the edge of my woods.
As I watch I melt with grace at the beauty of these two babies, and I make a commitment to non-violence in thought, word and action. Compassion is the reason I'm a vegetarian, and I have a difficult time understanding the 'need' to kill anything this beautiful. Or any other life form, for that matter.
This Earth will live on after I leave. The question I ask myself is; have I done my part to sustain or offset other's carelessness or non-caring? If the answer is no, then I must try harder with the life I have left. All living things need our mercy, sympathy, and kindness. I can challenge myself to do better.
Life is a gift. And love? It connects all of us....
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
A new beginning
Spring is arriving in my woods. Green tips on underbrush, peepers at the creek, and birds singing their songs of love.
At dawn, on the path to my writing cabin, I look up between the oaks to watch two red-tailed hawks circle one another. Soon they'll make their nest high in one of my trees and I can only hope its close enough to watch with my spotting scope.
Spring brings with it the opportunity to start again. You are the master of your own fate, create the space for that reality and stand strong within it. Bring a piece of the light of yourself to everyone you meet. Take responsibility for the space you hold here, and make a difference within that space.
What is real and what is lasting is who you are.
At dawn, on the path to my writing cabin, I look up between the oaks to watch two red-tailed hawks circle one another. Soon they'll make their nest high in one of my trees and I can only hope its close enough to watch with my spotting scope.
Spring brings with it the opportunity to start again. You are the master of your own fate, create the space for that reality and stand strong within it. Bring a piece of the light of yourself to everyone you meet. Take responsibility for the space you hold here, and make a difference within that space.
What is real and what is lasting is who you are.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Quietude
Often I've wondered how the trees, animals, and birds in my woods survive the harsh winters of Pennsylvania. My cabin gives me the best view to watch and learn. Life lessons can be understood, when we take the time to pay attention to them.
I slowed down my frantic behavior during the holiday season, and realized that my life became easier. I had a simple Christmas, and a simpler New Year's Eve. All by watchng the trees, along with the animal/bird habits on my acreage.
By carefully observing the trees I noticed how they pulled inward conserving their energy, by staying dormant. Or vice versa!
All are focusing their attention on only one thing. Survival.
Some birds eat the seed I put in my feeders, and peck at the tiny dirt from the shingles on my shed's roof. Other birds eat only insects and/or berries, and have their fill here. Barberry bush berries, and insects within my stacked winter's wood, give them the food they need.
My animals are content with the few remaining green shoots hiding under the fallen leaves, along with left over nutrients from brushwood, hemlock, and other green goodies. I also supplement their diets with cracked corn that I leave on my feeding stations each day.
My lesson? Quiet yourself. Slow down, observe nature, and learn. Animals, and birds stay out of the harshness of winter by finding warmth in areas where the wind does not hit them. They eat less because they are not nesting or giving birth. And lastly, they conserve energy for their survival.
We can do the very same thing by enjoying the quietude of this season. It is a time of healing, and starting over.
Happy New Year!
I slowed down my frantic behavior during the holiday season, and realized that my life became easier. I had a simple Christmas, and a simpler New Year's Eve. All by watchng the trees, along with the animal/bird habits on my acreage.
By carefully observing the trees I noticed how they pulled inward conserving their energy, by staying dormant. Or vice versa!
All are focusing their attention on only one thing. Survival.
Some birds eat the seed I put in my feeders, and peck at the tiny dirt from the shingles on my shed's roof. Other birds eat only insects and/or berries, and have their fill here. Barberry bush berries, and insects within my stacked winter's wood, give them the food they need.
My animals are content with the few remaining green shoots hiding under the fallen leaves, along with left over nutrients from brushwood, hemlock, and other green goodies. I also supplement their diets with cracked corn that I leave on my feeding stations each day.
My lesson? Quiet yourself. Slow down, observe nature, and learn. Animals, and birds stay out of the harshness of winter by finding warmth in areas where the wind does not hit them. They eat less because they are not nesting or giving birth. And lastly, they conserve energy for their survival.
We can do the very same thing by enjoying the quietude of this season. It is a time of healing, and starting over.
Happy New Year!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Gifts
Sometimes we are given a gift, and are blessed beyond our knowing. I found that to be true as I walked to my writing cabin this early Friday morning. Dawdling along, with my laptop under one arm, I noticed a tiny heart-shaped leaf sitting on a flat stone alongside the path. It took my attention first because it was red. Then, as I stooped to pick it up, the leaf felt warm in my hand and I lifted to my cheek. No doubt the sun had shed its rays upon this treasure, so I carried it inside my cabin.
As it sits here beside me I realize that it is a gift from the nature that surrounds me. It's as if the trees, birds, and animals know that my heart is filled with love as I spend the last day of my week here in my hide-away.
Sunday I will travel to Long Island, to be with my oldest son's family. My granddaughter will be undergoing a kidney transplant on Monday, and we all feel blessed by the donor. A family friend turned out to be a perfect match, and is donating a part of himself to her, so she may live on in this world.
The love from all our hearts will live on forever within this treasure of a man. He is showing all of us, by his example, what it means to be giving.
Thank you for your gift of love.
As it sits here beside me I realize that it is a gift from the nature that surrounds me. It's as if the trees, birds, and animals know that my heart is filled with love as I spend the last day of my week here in my hide-away.
Sunday I will travel to Long Island, to be with my oldest son's family. My granddaughter will be undergoing a kidney transplant on Monday, and we all feel blessed by the donor. A family friend turned out to be a perfect match, and is donating a part of himself to her, so she may live on in this world.
The love from all our hearts will live on forever within this treasure of a man. He is showing all of us, by his example, what it means to be giving.
Thank you for your gift of love.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Feeling blessed:
On the day before another 9/11/2001 anniversary I want to share my love for the safety of my family, my home, my friends, and my land. I am grateful for the nature that surrounds me, and for the lack of fear as I work in my writing/meditation cabin.
In this time of poor economy, I feel wealthy. The gifts I receive are from the trees, animals, and birds. As I walk my woods, I feel blessed.
When any one of my eight grandchildren give me a hug, it is the finest gift of all. Thank you God for our freedom.
In this time of poor economy, I feel wealthy. The gifts I receive are from the trees, animals, and birds. As I walk my woods, I feel blessed.
When any one of my eight grandchildren give me a hug, it is the finest gift of all. Thank you God for our freedom.
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