The beginning of Summer and I should be happy and enjoying the beautiful air and the bright blue sky. The Beach calls to me, but I hesitate to visit. I feel a connection to the Gulf Coast and sympathize with their plight. How can I lay on our prisitine white sand and bathe in the clear salt water, while others dig oil from blacked shores in boots and haz mat suits? I feed the blue jays and the finches and tell the crows to send love to their southern cousins.
Yesterday the cap was knocked off the well casing at the Deepwater Horizon by a robot that quite possible was spraying the dispersant Corexit 9500. The EPA has told BP to stop using it, but they merely said they would not stop. The government has made no effort to dissuade this additional toxic element from invading the water and poisoning the plants and creatures of the Gulf. This chemical brew will stay in the water for years, though there is no real research on use in such quantities or long term effects. It's a big science experiment we are told...
This is the first time I've had the house to myself for several hours of quiet me time. I should be outside playing in the garden, but I'm in here dwelling on the tradgedy enfolding in the Gulf and wishing and praying that we did not have to go throught this horror. Apparently we don't learn easily though. Sigh.
The Chicks are 2 weeks old and doing well. Lucy is trying to fly out of the box and yesterdayI gave them some little plastic cat balls with bells inside to play with. I hung a little bell and a perch for them too, though they really just want to eat and chase worms and scratch and peck.
I'm off to plant last minute Cauliflour and some Green Beans. I'm not driving my car today either.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Summer Vacation
The last day of school has come and gone and summer has officially arrived. The days begin to grow shorter now and the light will fade as the wheel turns towards the Winter Solstice, on December 21. Time seems to go faster these last few years and I don't know if it's actually me or if in fact, time is really speeding up. I don't suppose we would know if time went faster, as everything according to time is relative. I'll have to spend some time thinking about that...
The chicks are growing and learning to look forward to my voice and the little worms they so love. How they run and cheep and fight over the little wiggly critters! I wish I loved my food that much, though I would not be much fun to eat with at elegant restaurants.
My 5 year old neighbor, Page is spending the day with me and another 5 year old is visiting too. I forget how boys are so much louder and rougher than girls. We've played with the cats, the dogs, the fish, the cockatiels and the chicks.
Then we explored the pond and petted the bull frogs. The frogs actually were patient and let their backs be stroked. We saw huge tadpoles that must be bull frogs too. I have never seen such large tadpoles before in this pond. I thought there weren't any this year, but they are just good at disguising themselves. We saw little salamander nymphs and watched the dragon flies catch mosquitos. How can I bottle this feeling and take it out and play with it whenever I feel too self important?
The children are now full of strawberry cake and whipped cream, so it may be time for another walk.
I'll breath deep and soak up the sun as I remember to smile and thank The Mother for her blessings and life.
The chicks are growing and learning to look forward to my voice and the little worms they so love. How they run and cheep and fight over the little wiggly critters! I wish I loved my food that much, though I would not be much fun to eat with at elegant restaurants.
My 5 year old neighbor, Page is spending the day with me and another 5 year old is visiting too. I forget how boys are so much louder and rougher than girls. We've played with the cats, the dogs, the fish, the cockatiels and the chicks.
Then we explored the pond and petted the bull frogs. The frogs actually were patient and let their backs be stroked. We saw huge tadpoles that must be bull frogs too. I have never seen such large tadpoles before in this pond. I thought there weren't any this year, but they are just good at disguising themselves. We saw little salamander nymphs and watched the dragon flies catch mosquitos. How can I bottle this feeling and take it out and play with it whenever I feel too self important?
The children are now full of strawberry cake and whipped cream, so it may be time for another walk.
I'll breath deep and soak up the sun as I remember to smile and thank The Mother for her blessings and life.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Chicks Are Us
Tweety - whose loud voice saved her life and Lucy, named for a gentle bird that left us too soon.
Bird Lady or Chick Mamma?
Oops, I did it again! (Madonna's got nothing on me!) Actually, the exact quote from the hubby was - "This time you've really done it!" I don't know what made me do it... Perhaps it was the early Spring? Or was it the sounds of nesting and mating birds that compelled me to act? I could blame my neighbors that were accomplices to my dirty deed, though they really weren't a factor, merely the excuse that I was looking for.
I have actually threatened this for years, and I can't believe it was so easy in the end... Fate, perhaps, or a longing for love that could be denied no longer. Yes, I like that explanation! I did it for love! And for the fresh eggs... I brought home baby chicks, you see. Barred Rock, 3 day old, fuzzy little black and tan balls of fluff and spunk. Ahh - I'm a mother at last!
I ran into Michael and Susan at Ames Hardware in Wiscasset as they were picking up their preordered birds. I merely asked if there were any birds without homes and the next thing I knew, I was headed out the door with a cheeping box and a bag of chick food. Syncrocicity at its best!
The three chicks quickly became two chicks as one was weak and apparently had some kind of intestinal blockage. I decided not to replace the chick and my two litttle babies are doing well.
Even after the play date with the cat. It really wasn't Merlin's fault. He did what all cats would do in a similar situation. When faced with a slightly open door into a room with cheeping noises... I rescued the tiny screaming bird in the middle of a dinner party as I was steaming asparagus. Then I screamed and cried a bit myself, then I took a couple deep breaths and served scallops and shrimp over rice to 7 people. For my next trick... well, you'll have to keep reading and see!
I have actually threatened this for years, and I can't believe it was so easy in the end... Fate, perhaps, or a longing for love that could be denied no longer. Yes, I like that explanation! I did it for love! And for the fresh eggs... I brought home baby chicks, you see. Barred Rock, 3 day old, fuzzy little black and tan balls of fluff and spunk. Ahh - I'm a mother at last!
I ran into Michael and Susan at Ames Hardware in Wiscasset as they were picking up their preordered birds. I merely asked if there were any birds without homes and the next thing I knew, I was headed out the door with a cheeping box and a bag of chick food. Syncrocicity at its best!
The three chicks quickly became two chicks as one was weak and apparently had some kind of intestinal blockage. I decided not to replace the chick and my two litttle babies are doing well.
Even after the play date with the cat. It really wasn't Merlin's fault. He did what all cats would do in a similar situation. When faced with a slightly open door into a room with cheeping noises... I rescued the tiny screaming bird in the middle of a dinner party as I was steaming asparagus. Then I screamed and cried a bit myself, then I took a couple deep breaths and served scallops and shrimp over rice to 7 people. For my next trick... well, you'll have to keep reading and see!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
What To Do?
The puffy clouds drift lazily across the crystal blue sky, as the breeze rufffles the new green leaves. The air carries the salt scent of the rocky shoreline from the inlet of the bay, just a short walk through the woods from here. It's quiet as the birds are still nesting and dealing with their young.
Oil still gushes into the Gulf of Mexico and the horror of the disaster continues to unfold. The nation and the world watch as our ocean and our pride are ruined. Even if the oil stops this very minute, the damage has been done and will never go away. Not in our lifetimes or our grandchildrens' lifetimes. Humpty Dumpty has fallen. Pandora's Box has been opened. The apple has been eaten. The plane has struck the building. It feels like that. Only worse. Because this time, I let this happen. So did you. We all stood around and let this happen.
Now what do we do? First we must stop the oil flow. I can't help with that, but I can pray everyday for the strength and knowledge to reach those that CAN stop it. Then we must regulate and oversee this kind of work. Our government must protect our health and our rights as citizens and land owners. We must demand it. Our water and our air must be kept clean. We can't eat money and we can't drink oil.
What else can I do? I won't drive my car today and try to use a little less energy. Do I need a 10 minute shower or will a cold water splash do? I turn off the lights and cook out on the grill. I eat lettuce from my garden, not trucked from California. My sweater is wool and not a plastic synthetic. I put my leftovers in glass bowls and carry cloth bags to the store. I buy in bulk and if I can do without it, I do. If I need an item that had to be manufactured, I always wonder if I can get it at the Thrift Store or a yard sale. It's amazing what you can find. It's cheaper too! It's a form of recycling. It's easy to sort and save paper, glass and metal for the recyle bin. It's easy and it helps to save oil.
We all CAN help with this disaster. We CAN change the world. Demand alternative energy NOW! If everyone made even small changes to their lives, it will make a difference. You'll see. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Oil still gushes into the Gulf of Mexico and the horror of the disaster continues to unfold. The nation and the world watch as our ocean and our pride are ruined. Even if the oil stops this very minute, the damage has been done and will never go away. Not in our lifetimes or our grandchildrens' lifetimes. Humpty Dumpty has fallen. Pandora's Box has been opened. The apple has been eaten. The plane has struck the building. It feels like that. Only worse. Because this time, I let this happen. So did you. We all stood around and let this happen.
Now what do we do? First we must stop the oil flow. I can't help with that, but I can pray everyday for the strength and knowledge to reach those that CAN stop it. Then we must regulate and oversee this kind of work. Our government must protect our health and our rights as citizens and land owners. We must demand it. Our water and our air must be kept clean. We can't eat money and we can't drink oil.
What else can I do? I won't drive my car today and try to use a little less energy. Do I need a 10 minute shower or will a cold water splash do? I turn off the lights and cook out on the grill. I eat lettuce from my garden, not trucked from California. My sweater is wool and not a plastic synthetic. I put my leftovers in glass bowls and carry cloth bags to the store. I buy in bulk and if I can do without it, I do. If I need an item that had to be manufactured, I always wonder if I can get it at the Thrift Store or a yard sale. It's amazing what you can find. It's cheaper too! It's a form of recycling. It's easy to sort and save paper, glass and metal for the recyle bin. It's easy and it helps to save oil.
We all CAN help with this disaster. We CAN change the world. Demand alternative energy NOW! If everyone made even small changes to their lives, it will make a difference. You'll see. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Scent of the Soul
Can it be June so soon?
May passed like the blooms
of the Lily of the Valley,
so sweet and never more
than a sighed breath.
The dejavu of Spring and the feelings that replay
and absorb.
A memory of the same smell,
of the same hand,
over how many damp May mornings?,
holding the same frond
of glimmering white bells,
in perfect balance
and touched with lace...
Then the scent,
it fills my nose
and mind
and circles the sense of time
and touches the soul of Spring
for me.
And yet,
I smell again
and inhale the music of my heart,
and die a little inside.
For never can the World
ever be as sweet
again,
as the first waft of perfume,
from the lovely little bells
that sing and sparkle
and bring tears of joy to my eyes.
The flowers leave too quickly
as they travel the Wheel of Life,
to return again
one morning in mid May,
to my hand
and to my soul,
sweet, soft scents
of Spring's long gone,
Love is lost and then is found.
Blessed Be!
May passed like the blooms
of the Lily of the Valley,
so sweet and never more
than a sighed breath.
The dejavu of Spring and the feelings that replay
and absorb.
A memory of the same smell,
of the same hand,
over how many damp May mornings?,
holding the same frond
of glimmering white bells,
in perfect balance
and touched with lace...
Then the scent,
it fills my nose
and mind
and circles the sense of time
and touches the soul of Spring
for me.
And yet,
I smell again
and inhale the music of my heart,
and die a little inside.
For never can the World
ever be as sweet
again,
as the first waft of perfume,
from the lovely little bells
that sing and sparkle
and bring tears of joy to my eyes.
The flowers leave too quickly
as they travel the Wheel of Life,
to return again
one morning in mid May,
to my hand
and to my soul,
sweet, soft scents
of Spring's long gone,
Love is lost and then is found.
Blessed Be!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
