Is there anything more perfect in nature than a spider’s web? It simply amazes me. How can a tiny being create something so perfect ?! Without plans, without blueprints. It boggles the mind. A perfect web, many times larger than the spider’s own little body. Simply amazing! I go out of my way to save spiders when I find them inside the house or office, although they do sometimes creep me out. They are beneficial. Besides, anything that can make…
friendly garden snakes
May 11, 2016When we first moved to this property, we very quickly noticed that there were snakes a plenty…in the pond, in the garden, on the driveway. Luckily, they have been on the small side and it’s not too often that I encounter one. In addition to the real live ones, we found rubber toy ones too, just lying around near the house. My husband thought it a good idea to set them on my potting bench to help me get used…
one sunny day
May 7, 2016vibrant morsels
April 25, 2016Today in Simple Abundance, Sarah reminds us to look at the blue sky, hear the grass growing beneath our feet and inhale the scent of spring. She quotes naturalist Diane Ackerman, who says “The senses don’t just make sense of life in bold or subtle acts of clarity, they tear reality apart into vibrant morsels and reassemble them into a meaningful pattern.” I love the phrase “vibrant morsels.” Don’t you think these plants might be considered vibrant morsels, assembled to the…
st. francis of assisi
April 18, 2016St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, was born in Italy around 1181 or 1182. After a wild youth and a brief career as a soldier, Francis had a conversion experience that inspired him to renounce his family’s wealth and devote his life to God. He is well known for his love of animals, the environment, and his desire for peace. According to www.humanesociety.org, in 1979, Pope John Paul II paid tribute to Francis’ love for creation by declaring…
unfazed
April 14, 2016The tulips have survived all the temperature dips, frosts and freezes, that we’ve had over the past week. They are one of only a handful of flowers to otherwise survive at our place without human intervention, in the way of fences or deer repellent. I am glad the weather didn’t take them. It is nice to have some color.…
a little further south
April 4, 2016While spring is just arriving here, we enjoyed the greenery and blooming trees this weekend during a visit with my family, who are a bit south of us. Ah, nothing like spring flowers! I believe that this particular tree is called a Redbud; however, if anyone knows differently, please do share in the comments. We were so fortunate to see such a beautiful day.…
a valiant fight
March 21, 2016I came across these feathers yesterday during my afternoon walk through the woods with the dogs. What might have defeated this beautiful bird…a hawk or an owl, perhaps. Odd thing to me, one bird hunting the other. A Trace of Blue, from PacificMelody’s Blog: Sunlight strikes The Blue Jay’s wings Flashing shards of Brilliant blue Shamelessly flaunting His sheer perfection He lights on a branch Of a nearby tree Sings a few notes Then disappears Leaving in his Departing wake…
stillness
March 15, 2016Today’s message in the Simple Abundance book is about self-nurturing. Sarah Ban Breathnach asks us to consider simple acts of taking good care of ourselves. She asks “How much sleep are you getting? Are you walking often or getting enough exercise? Have you given meditation a fair chance?” I’ve recently begun spending one minute outside first thing each morning, listening to the birds as they start their day. This was so difficult at first – one whole minute during the…
the first flowers
March 14, 2016Daffodils are the first flowers to show their pretty faces in our “garden” – in fact, one of the very few flowers we see here, with the bunnies and deer so rampant. They are wild and crop up here and there throughout the woods. It is so nice to see them, and today it was sad to see their little faces drooping due to all the rain we’ve received, although they need the rain just as we do… Let the…
