Blackberries

 Today I read this poem by Mary Oliver:

Blueberries

I’m living in a warm place now, where you can purchase fresh blueberries allyear long. Labor free. From variouscountries in South America. They’reas sweet as any, and compared with theberries I used to pick in the fieldsoutside Provincetown, they’reenormous. But berries are berries. Theydon’t speak any language I can’tunderstand. Neither do I find ticks orsmall spiders crawling among them. So,generally speaking, I’m very satisfied.

There are limits, however. What theydon’t have is the field. The field theybelonged to and through the years I began to feel I belonged to. Well,there’s life, and then there’s later. Maybe it’s myself that I miss. Thefield, and the sparrow singing at the edge of the woods. And the doe that one morning came upon me unaware, all tense and gorgeous. She stamped her hoof as you would to any intruder. Then gave me a long look, as if to say, Okay, you stay in your patch, I’ll stay in mine. Which is what we did. Try packing that up, South America.

I will say it was June 1994

When I woke on an overcast morning 

In the mountains

And I pulled on leggings and a floppy sweater

And walked up the road

To an empty lot that hosted a boulder

Perfectly formed for sitting

Perfectly placed for a view of the river

Yet a bit hidden from view

I sat and said my morning prayers

Then I thought “I’m hungry”

I had left the cabin without eating anything

And then I noticed the blackberry bush

Nestled up next to the rock where I sat

And it was full of juicy blackberries

Which I eagerly picked and enjoyed

A true delight on that summer morning

Unexpected, yet not

When a small need was met by nature 

The Secret of Life (1/18/25)

Today I read a Regina Brett essay called “The secret of life is not a secret. It’s sprinkled all over your life.”

She explains that the “secret” is always available, and for at least 4 pages she lists everyday moves and thoughts that add to life. No spiritual coaches needed. Everything is right in front of us.

Here is the list I made in my journal after reading her essay:

Walking Bunche Beach before 8 a.m.

Lectio Divina

Reading books by my favorite authors

Discovering new favorite authors

Inspiring creative writers

Bluegrass festivals

Neighbors I can count on

My old vinyl records—lots of memories in those grooves

Plenty of food in the fridge

Edye’s mint chocolate chip ice cream

Accomplishing new tasks around my home

Pleasant afternoons on the lanai, reading and napping

New music releases

Finding old music releases I never paid attention to

Discovering a new orchid bloom

Chris and Dua to the Rescue

A couple of days ago I saw a meme on social media that said something about nothing is better for our spirits than driving in your car with the music loud and singing along.

I thought to myself, I haven’t done that in a while. I will sing along, but I don’t necessarily play it loudly.

Today changed that!

I was leaving Publix for my short drive home, and the song “Think I’m in Love With You” had just started on the Chris Stapleton station. I absolutely adore this performance, and I love when he plays it on the radio for us to enjoy. I found myself cranking it up and singing along, remembering the meme and thinking…DAMN RIGHT!

The song was long enough to get me home. It felt so good!

I don’t mean to overwhelm my readers with Chris, but this is one memorable performance. And it made me fall in love with Dua Lipa.

More of this, please!

Angel Flying on a Wednesday Evening

I never thought I’d agree with Howard Stern about much of anything.

But then I found this video, and it begins with Howard saying this is his favorite Willie Nelson song.

It’s mine as well. The song is called “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.”  Chris slides into this song like putting on a pair of his favorite old boots. 

And he isn’t even wearing his trademark hat!

A Chris performance and a Willie song equal an unbeatable combination  I’m posting here tonight so I can revisit any time.

Sit back and enjoy.

The Light Found Me

 

I read a while back that a good practice to stay calm and focused is to notice where there is light, especially small bits of light that might be overlooked. It’s a reminder of faith and trust and knowing we are never alone.

I haven’t been practicing this. But yesterday it found me.

On the way home from lunch at a friend’s house, I was on Daniel’s Parkway waiting to turn left onto Six Mile Cypress, an inordinately long process. My attention turned to my left and the woods of the Slough. In the midafternoon light, the trees had gentle light filtering around them. A few leaves were brightly lit diamonds in the indirect sun. I couldn’t take my eyes off the scene. I just kept looking and enjoying and feeling centered and blessed.

That evening I had yet to close my blinds when suddenly a brilliantly peach-colored full moon jumped into my vision before some clouds covered it again. It seemed to be playing hide and go seek, or peek-a-boo. I thought again how the light had come to me, and I said hello and goodbye to the moon for the night, as I closed the blinds. 

I will keep seeking the light, as well as allowing it to reach out to me. It’s such an easy practice and has huge payoffs to the heart and soul. Perhaps the easiest way to remember that all will be well.

Disappearing Road

Gloomy day, feeling a bit bluesy, decided to color a picture and write a poem. Creativity should help, right?

The balancing act continues

Between getting things done and self-care.

Last night I dreamt of former students

Saw faces and some talked to me

I woke and for the first time I said

I miss teaching

But I mostly miss the relationships

And watching them grow

And accepting all they had to give.

This picture of the winding road through the trees

Feels appropriate for me right now

I can only see a few days ahead

My mood fluctuates, my grief changes

Cathartic moments erupt and waylay my plans

I know it’s okay

It’s going over the edge where the road disappears.

Off in the distance there are mountains

Something solid and real

For now, I rest on the road of trees

Take with gratitude all I do have

Shelter. Food. Friends. Faith.

Eagle Trifecta

I’ve had three eagle sightings in a month.

The first was December 15th. I was on my way to Crystal Bowl Meditation, had just turned on to A & W Bulb Road when an eagle, her white head brilliant in the sun, flew over the road ahead of me.

The second one was last Friday. I was driving up Summerlin, and an eagle with prey in his talons flew over the road ahead of me and into Lakes Park.

Today it was on Tamiami Trail as I was leaving my massage therapist. The eagle was just drifting around with the breezes above, not in any hurry to go anywhere, her white head and tail announcing her spirit.

In Native American Medicine, eagles represent Spirit. Their feathers are the most sacred.

Given this highly unusual chain of events in less than a month, I’m proclaiming Eagle Medicine as mine for 2025. I read about Eagle, and this part really spoke to me, given the year I’ve had:

Eagle represents a state of grace achieved through hard work, understanding, and a completion of the tests of initiation which result in the taking of personal power.

Eagle brings illumination. Look higher and love the shadow as well as the light. See the beauty in both, and you will take flight with Eagle.

And this will go on my 2025 Playlist:

This Morning

My friend Pam gave me a book of Mary Oliver poetry called Devotions, and now that I’m done with Regina’s book, I’ve started reading one of Mary’s every morning.

The poem today made an impact:

This Morning

This morning the redbirds’ eggs
have hatched and already the chicks
are chirping for food. They don’t
know where it’s coming from, they
just keep shouting, “More! More!”
As to anything else, they haven’t
had a single thought. Their eyes
haven’t yet opened, they know nothing
about the sky that’s waiting. Or
the thousands, the millions of trees.
They don’t even know they have wings.

And just like that, like a simple
neighborhood event, a miracle is
taking place.

As I wrote in my journal, I kept going back to the line:

They don’t even know they have wings.

I feel there is a personal meaning for me in that line. Where are the wings I don’t know I have?

Admittedly, I was nervous about January coming. I felt that it meant getting into the fray again.

But Thursday was a peaceful day. There were things to figure out, and I did. I stayed calm, enjoyed everything I did, used my resources, asked questions, asked for help. Yes, all the things I reminded my student to do over the years.

I woke today feeling great. Ready. Strong. My eyes were open. I can allow miracles.

And on the way to an appointment, an eagle flew over Summerlin Road right in front of me, and on into Lakes Park, prey hanging from his talons. It is the second eagle I’ve seen in a month. It reminds me that Spirit is with me always. This morning. This afternoon. While I take out the garbage. While I cook dinner. While I sleep.

A new year is upon us. We all have wings. May they lift us high over the next 12 months.

The Word for 2025: RELEASE

Don’t look now…here comes 2025! 😊

Yesterday I wrote about my word of the year for 2024. Today I bring you my new one.

It came to me when reading a prayer poem with my Lectio Divina group. The text is called "When I'm grieving a goodbye" by Arianna Braithwaite Lehn. Here is the part that brought me the word:

When I'm asked to

open my hands and

release what I've held --

held tightly --

place your peace

between the fingers.

I couldn't stop thinking and writing about the word release. 

What I have come to love about it is that it can be activated in any moment needed. I found myself already using it once I committed to it. It is now written on a magnet displayed on my refrigerator for me to see when I come in the room. 

Today in my journal I made a list of release statements. There will certainly be more. But I'm off to a good start.

Here's to 2025 where I will...

Release fear of the future.

Release money concerns.

Release anxiety caused by inaction.

Release things that aren't coming back.

Release the need to know the future.

Release frustrations when they arise.

Release everything I can't control.

Release anger about stuff left behind I have to deal with.

Release wondering.

Release any frozen feeling -- release into the melting spirit of love, faith, and trust.

Release the need to know -- I don't know!

Release all the stuff here that does not serve me.

I leave you with "Here Comes the Sun," because I know "It's all right!"