Month: June 2021

Floss – Day 961

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 2 Comments
Floss – The Offending Material – Photo: L. Weikel

Floss

Tonight’s post is about frustration. Frustration and irritation and the fact that I cannot think of anything beyond the annoying situation unfolding within my own mouth. Mundane, I know. But man, when stuff happens with your teeth or sinuses – virtually anything above the neck – it’s almost by definition ‘in your face,’ and thus nearly impossible to ignore. The unlikely culprit causing my supreme discomfort this evening? Floss.

You wouldn’t think floss would cause an issue, but it has. Actually, technically, floss hasn’t caused the issue – it is the issue.

This seems to be an issue that probably originated in January, when I clenched my teeth long and hard enough to break off a piece of one of my molars. I wrote a post about it back when it happened because, again, it was ‘in my face’ and I could think of nothing else to write about in the moment.

In doing a quick search for that post so I could provide a link to it, I had a slight ‘aha’ moment. I realized there’s a connection between when I broke my tooth back in January and what I’m experiencing now.

The Issue

Oddly enough, I broke a chunk off one of my molars in January a few days after the insurrection on January 6th. As I mentioned above, it was caused by clenching my teeth. I was lucky enough to get an appointment with my dentist right away and she was able to fix it without the necessity of heroic efforts.

This actually led to a situation that I only just today (I swear) mentioned to Karl that I’m going to have to make another appointment with the dentist to address. Specifically, no matter what I put into my mouth to eat, ultimately a piece of it finds itself wedged between the tooth that was repaired and the one beside it. And sadly, it seems like the space between the two teeth is getting larger. (Why does it always feel like any gap or space in our mouth – no matter how small – feels like a veritable cavern when probed with our tongue?) A question for another time, I guess.

Until I make another appointment with the dentist, though, I deal with it by religiously ‘packing floss.’ Indeed, yet again tonight, I had to whip out the floss to remove the offending material. Of course, while I was at it, I decided to floss between the rest of the teeth in my head, since the more’s the merrier. Can’t be too fastidious.

Yeah. Right. Nope.

An Imbalance

I believe an imbalance has occurred in my mouth over the past six months since my broken molar (which actually was mostly a broken filling) was repaired. The gap on one side has grown larger while all the teeth on the other side of my mouth have squished together. The way I know this?

Floss.

Tonight, while flossing all of my pearly whites, the floss I was using got stuck between two molars. Indeed – the very same two molars where the annoying gap is located on the other side of my mouth. Now how weird is that (but not)? The two molars on the other side of my mouth are so tightly clenched together, so to speak, that the stupid floss broke off between them. Now, all I can feel is the pressure it’s causing as it sits there, wedged in where it doesn’t belong.

I’ve tried everything to remove it, from trying to coax it out with a thinner type of another floss to trying to use tweezers to pull out the offensive material. No deal. It’s in there for good.

So I guess I really do need to call the dentist tomorrow. How embarrassing and annoying. But at least maybe I’ll restore dental balance.

(T-150)

Long Sips of Water – Day 960

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Catbird – Photo: L. Weikel

Long Sips of Water

I made a point this morning of making sure the birdbath in our yard was filled with fresh, cold water. While the feeders in our yard were visited only sporadically, the ol’ watering hole attracted more attention than it usually does. I have to admit it made me smile to see so many Goldfinches and Blue Jays luxuriating in taking long sips of water.

One thing I learned today? It’s a sure thing the songbirds are thirsty when they’re at the bird bath and don’t seem to pay a whit of attention to the Red-shouldered Hawk screeching in the field beside the house. (Which also makes me wonder: do hawks stay hydrated by eating plump songbirds? Yikes.)

Beyond taking risks that they rarely dare, it’s clear to me that our feathered friends are feeling the effects of the oppressive heat and humidity. I don’t know about you, but dogs and cats make their discomfort in the heat fairly obvious. Birds generally do not.

So it was a little creepy to see some finches and woodpeckers standing on the feeder posts with their beaks open. I assumed this was the closest thing to panting birds do. But it was unsettling. I kept wondering if maybe I’d just never paid close enough attention to my birds in the summer.

Goldfinches – Photo: L. Weikel

Worrisome News

Just as I was talking out loud to my birds (and grudgingly acknowledging the presence of the gray squirrels, red squirrels, and chippies), I came across this unsettling article. It seems birds are dying in record numbers in states all around us as well as further to the south, and scientists have yet to figure out what’s happening.

Sadly, the speculation is that it may either be a disease or perhaps the use of pesticides to kill off the Brood X Cicadas. The thought of that makes me want to scream in frustration. First of all, I cannot understand why anyone would be trying to kill the cicadas. There’s so much literature readily available on the nature of the cicadas and how they benefit virtually every part of the ecosystem.

Second of all, it’s bad enough that people want to kill these red-eyed whirring wonders simply because they’re noisy, or inconvenient, or ‘scary looking.’ But to do it with poison? When people know (or would know if they stopped for even half a second to think about it or read anything on the subject) that other animals eat cicadas? Do they really forget that there’s something called a food chain in healthy ecosystems? Is it really so hard to think beyond our own very personal, very self-centered

Moving Forward

I’m writing about this today not in an effort to shame those people who either don’t care about cicadas or actively dislike them enough to aggressively try to kill them, but rather to alert us all to the need to keep an eye on our birds.

There are some suggestions at the end of the article on what to do if you find a dead bird. Working together perhaps we can be a part of the solution to the crisis.

It seems we’re screwing things up pretty well via climate change. The least we can do is help our fellow creatures out by providing clean fresh water, especially in this searing heat, and taking care not to poison them. A low bar indeed.

Blue Jays are susceptible – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-151)

A New Discovery – Day 959

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Bobolink Closeup (hence a little blurry) – Photo: L. Weikel

A New Discovery

It’s the little things in life that can make my day. And tonight, my day was made because I made a new discovery! I finally took the time to see if I could identify a particular type of bird that’s been actively seeking my attention and which I had a feeling I was misidentifying.

A couple weeks ago I took a bunch of photos of some birds I kept noticing along this one portion of my longer (four mile) walkabout. This is the stretch along which I like to drive at night (and park with my lights out) when I want to watch for meteorites, and it’s also where I spied my Fox kit, and heard coyotes in the distance. The roadway winds its way through pastures that used to field horses, although none have been there in at least a year. It’s a rich haven of diverse, natural encounters.

I’ve noticed these birds along this portion of my walk before (meaning other years). And I’ve had my eye on them a lot over the past month or so, mostly because some evenings I could swear they are actively engaging with me, yammering their melodic song to catch my attention and then flying from one fence post to the next, keeping pace with me as I walk. They seem to be our designated feathered escorts for that leg of our journey.

Red-Winged Blackbirds

Even though, deep down, I knew better, I kept trying to tell myself they were Red-winged Blackbirds. I know Red-winged Blackbirds, for heaven’s sake. I know their call. Their coloring is unmistakable.

Believe it or not, that’s where I tripped myself up. Somehow, in perusing one of my bird apps (yes, I admit to having a few), I convinced myself of a shocking misinterpretation. I told myself that the birds I was seeing were the same as the photos of Red-winged Blackbirds ‘hiding’ the red part of their wings and only showing the yellow.

But those big yellow fluffy feathers on their crowns!? They looked like they were wearing Russian Cossack hats of yellow fur. How could they be Red-winged Blackbirds? Yet I persisted in not following through and doing a little bit more research. (To be honest, I rarely use my phone for anything but taking photos on my walks. It hardly ever occurs to me to look something up on the spot. And inevitably, by the time I got home, I’d long forgotten my desire to identify my feathered friends.)

Feigning Indifference – Bobolink – Photo: L. Weikel

Bobolinks

Well, that lapse in discipline finally came to an end this evening. I remembered to track down the identity of my gregarious little field-dwelling bird friends with the puffy yellow hats and buff-streaked wings.

The interesting thing is, looking at the first several photos of Bobolinks, I’d be inclined to say, “Nope.” But then, continuing to scroll through the photos, I saw one that looked exactly like my supremely handsome friends with the massive Cossack hats.

I think I was moved to look them up tonight because I was bowled over by their incessant conversations and extended post-to-post accompaniment this evening. There were so many of them! Between the Bobolinks and the Bluebirds, I felt celebrated and welcomed back by my Best Birds. (I’ve not managed a walk along that specific leg of my walkabout in several days. It did almost seem like they’d missed me.) And yes, Bluebirds figured prominently this evening as well. At least four of them flew back and forth across my path from one field to the other, seeming to deliberately seek my attention.

It’s the little things in life. Feeling seen (and recognized!) by birds I see almost every day. And positively identifying a few of my new best friends in the avian world: Bobolinks.

Two Bobolink Guys Just Chatting – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-152)

Plausible Explanation – Day 958

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Photo: L. Weikel

Plausible Explanation

Ever have one of those days when you wake up with a headache? That’s never a good sign – particularly if there’s no ‘good’ reason to do so. Not that imbibing the night before is a good reason. But it’s at least a plausible explanation, albeit one that calls into question your choices.

The only explanation I can come up with for my headache, which sadly has persisted all day and is actually getting worse again now, is the sudden onslaught of excessive heat and humidity.

Really, though? Yeah, it’s unpleasant here in eastern PA at the moment. But it’s nothing like the hell Portland, Oregon is living through. Portland broke its heat record today by reaching 108 degrees. That’s gross no matter where you live. But in the Pacific Northwest. What!?

And tomorrow they’re looking at a predicted high of 115 degrees. We’re not talking Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, folks. This is not good.

Walked Anyway

In spite of my headache I still managed to get a walk in today. I waited longer than usual to set out; so long, in fact, that Spartacus was almost begging me to go himself.

Naturally, as soon as we set out a squall appeared on the horizon. It bore down on us remarkably quickly and I made the executive decision to stay the course.

It poured for approximately a minute. Just enough to cool us both down. We didn’t even get drenched, as we were sheltered enough by some trees to only get hit by about half the drops raining down upon us.

At least we were rewarded with a rainbow. It’s the first one I’ve seen in a couple months.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow’s supposed to be hotter here, too. Not as hot as Portland, but hot for June 27th.

If we’re paying attention, it sure seems the dominoes are starting to fall. You know, the climate change dominoes that most people in power have been paid by special interests for decades to ignore.

Pretty soon it will be too late. I hope it isn’t already.

(T-153)

Stone People – Day 957

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You See a Cascade – I See Two Stone Beings- Photo: L. Weikel

Stone People

Oh how I love my Stone People. In some ways, I think I love them even more than all the Cloud Beings. And we all know how much I love – and relish discovering – them, especially on our walks.

There’s something much more substantial about Stone People, though. Don’t roll your eyes. I mean beyond the obvious – although there is a truth to the whole granite vs. water vapor comparison.

I think what I love most about Stone People is their staying power. First of all, it often takes a substantial chunk of time to create a decent Stone Being. Granted (it took all I had not to write “Granite”), a Stone Being could be created or revealed in one fell swoop of an event. But usually they’re molded and created by sustained bombardment by the elements over vast swaths of time. That’s why they are most often considered (or should be) Elders of the planet.

What Gives Can Take Away

As I write this, I’m reminded of the Old Man of the Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire. The famous profile was created by erosion, with water freezing and contracting within cracks, etc., over the past 12,000 years. His presence over Franconia Notch was obvious; and it was a presence that endured for probably thousands of years. I find it somewhat offensive to note that in the Wikipedia entry I linked to, above, the ‘official’ recognition of his existence only dates back to 1805, which of course was the first written acknowledgment of him by colonizers.

Even if they didn’t have written language, I cannot imagine the indigenous people who lived in the area (and still do) for thousands of years before Europeans arrived on this continent failed to recognize the profile jutting into the air above them. It seems extraordinarily unlikely that there are no myths or stories about this Stone Being among the tribes of New England.

My point in referencing the Old Man of the Mountain, though, was actually how he was an example of how quickly Stone Beings can disappear, in spite of the length of time it usually takes for them to be created. Perhaps not with the puff of a good gust of wind (although who’s to say what ultimately is the final straw?), which is the usual destroyer of Cloud Beings, but for all their resilience, they can indeed be here one moment and gone the next. (And in truth, they can be created as instantly as well.)

Stone Eel or Stone ALIEN? – Photo: L. Weikel

Stone Beings In the Tohickon

As you might’ve guessed, I noticed some Stone Beings in the Tohickon the other day and wanted to share them with you. I can’t really call them both Stone People, as one of them reminds me more of either a massive stone eel or – perhaps more menacingly (for people of a certain age) – a Tohickon version of the alien in the movie Alien.

Both of these Stone Beings were overseeing the rush of a cascade along one side of the creek. And while the one creature does look like an eel or alien, the other without a doubt resembles an Ancient Elder.

When I saw that face, I absolutely had to acknowledge his presence. He reminds me of those carvings on Easter Island. And to be honest, he kind of looks like a more humanoid alien…

I simply love the magic that surrounds us. We’re not alone; of that I’m certain.

Stone Elder – or also a Stone Alien? – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-154)

Word Saturation – Day 956

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Wide Angle of Tohickon – Photo: L. Weikel

Word Saturation

I’ve been noticing something odd about myself lately. I tend to be pretty self-reflective by nature. And by that I mean I revel in contemplating the bigger questions in life. And I treasure those occasions when I have the time and space to explore in my journal the musings that bubble up from deep within. Lately, though? I believe I’ve developed an acute case of word saturation.

That’s the best way I can think to describe it. I’ve noticed that when provided with opportunities to sit beside a roaring fire (or sometimes better yet, a fire that’s settled into itself, its embers practically begging contemplation), or plunked in the midst of a forest cacophony of cicadas, my mind almost involuntarily slips into neutral.

It’s as if the words are just too much anymore.

What words?

All of them.

This is a little disconcerting for someone who thinks of herself at least tangentially as a writer. But this word saturation is real. And I’ll be honest: it’s a little scary. Am I just tired? Is this a result of having to come up with words every single night for the past 956 days?

Contemplation Station – Photo: L. Weikel

Looking Ahead

Maybe I’m noticing this a bit more lately because I’ve felt circumstances prodding me to give serious thought to ‘What’s next?’ You know; I ask myself the same questions I pose here in these posts, such as ‘What do I want my life to look like or to include 19 years from now?’

Or a more short-term version: ‘What do I need to release and what do I want to cultivate in my life in the next six months?’

When I contemplate these questions, some of the usual suspects pop up in what I might consider to be a reflexive response. Good grief, some of those things I’d like to manifest I’ve been talking about for twenty years. Maybe I need to let them go for good?

Maybe I do.

So if I let them go, what’s left? Well. That demands some contemplation. And – aha. That’s when the word saturation sets in.

There’s a vast Universe out there. A lot of what I’ve been thinking seems…small. Perhaps silence is better.

Looking Up From the Fire – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-155)

Blissed Out – Day 955

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Prehistoric Monster – Photo: L. Weikel

Blissed Out

I engaged in some adventures today, and to be honest, I’m feeling sort of blissed out at the moment.

While I know from experience how essential it is to disentangle ourselves from our devices and the news and the every day concerns that comprise the lives of so many of us, it always feels amazing to actually do it.

Today I found myself delighting in little things, such as the seemingly ginormous beetle traversing an old log lush with a carpet of moss. Close up it looked like it could be something out of Jurassic Park.

Another wonder that caught my eye was the rainbow spider web. The exquisitely cool breeze made it dance in the wind and no matter which way it bounced, it never lost its multi-colored shimmer.

Day Lily – Photo: L. Weikel

 

Day Lilies to Creek Bubbles

During my walk today I realized all sorts of lilies are blooming in a surge of life force. Their beauty makes me catch my breath – I’m such a sucker for the vibrant colors and masses of buds just waiting to burst forth.

After my walk delivered me to the creek’s edge I was yet again fascinated by something simple. Bubbles clamoring to make their way through a gap in some rocks reminded me of people rushing to an exit, when all they really need to do is find another way around. Or out.

Photo: L. Weikel

Fires and the Moon Never Disappoint

Ending my day, I sat with a fire and talked to the flames as they transformed from sharp and voraciously hungry to mellow and satisfied. We became comfortable with each other and I felt an intimacy with the element that almost, actually quite distinctly, felt like love.

As the fire dwindled to a bed of glowing embers, the brilliance of the moon – which will be full (and a ‘super moon,’ to boot) in Capricorn tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 2:40 p.m. – transformed the night. Lightning bugs tried to compete for my attention, but it was almost as if they decided to save their juice for a few nights from now. As the moon wanes, they’ll get their chance. Tonight they graciously stepped aside and allowed Mama Killa to be star of the show.

Photo: L. Weikel

(T-156)

Emerald Cocoon – Day 954

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After the Rain – Photo: L. Weikel

Emerald Cocoon

After the heat and humidity of the past several days, today’s rain felt delicious. The dripping emerald cocoon that wrapped itself around us for most of the day was restorative and nourishing. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Time wore a different outfit today. It donned a duster from an old Western and seemed in absolutely no hurry to ‘move along.’ In fact, it almost felt like this afternoon stopped and still hasn’t resumed.

It’s hard to explain what I mean. I think it was how dark it got when the cold front finally moved in. Our living room took on the lighting of midwinter, with the increase in summer solstice sunlight substantially compromised by the dense leaves of the trees just outside most of our windows. Yes, come to think of it. The house was cloaked in a profound darkness.

A New Day

Eventually, the sky began to clear. Sunset from the vantage point of my place of soul replenishment was profound and lovely. The lightning bugs weren’t happy, though. Neither were the cicadas. Everyone was quiet, even after the rain stopped.

It was as if they all needed to stay in bed today. And by the time better weather moved in, they said, “Bag it. We’ll take up with life tomorrow.”

The Watcher – Photo: L. Weikel

A Watcher

Taking advantage of the clearing skies, I sat outside and began writing in my journal. After several minutes, I felt eyes upon me. I glanced around. No beasts. No wildlife.

But then my gaze settled upon a knot in a 2 x 4 not very far away from where I was sitting. Yep. That was it.

Clearly I’m not alone, I concluded. Where have I been that I hadn’t noticed this guy before? Is he a Wood Dragon? Not sure. But he sure has a set of very sharp teeth.

Nevertheless, the smirk doesn’t feel dangerous. A showing of teeth; but not a baring of teeth. It’s critical to make these distinctions.

Sharp Teeth – But Not a Bite? – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-157)

Two Amazing Sightings – Day 953

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Not the One From Today – Photo: L. Weikel

Two Amazing Sightings

I experienced two amazing sightings today – and I’m chagrined to admit I have not a single photo to prove either one of them took place. It makes me want to cry.

The first one occurred while I was sitting outside on my porch having a conversation with a client. I was lost in thought, focused on my client’s side of the conversation. I was barely aware of what was in front of my face.

Suddenly, bursting into my awareness like a shot from across the road, a burnt orange splash of fur tears toward me from across the road, traverses my driveway, and streaks into my neighbors’ back yard. I’m sure the coincidence of their chicken coop in the back yard had nothing to do with the direction this sniper was headed.

Totally Different

Today’s Foxy encounter was substantially different than the one I had with the adorable little kit pictured above. (I may not have been quick enough to get a photo of the teenager I saw today, but it is a good excuse to post kit’s photo again.) That time, the cutie seemed oblivious to me as it meandered unselfconsciously near the culvert at the side of the road.

It was as if the fox that crossed my path today was fired out of a cannon. It streaked across my field of vision, tail straight out behind it. For once, I had a momentary (extremely momentary) appreciation for the excitement of fox hunting. (Seriously – I loathe this so-called sport.) But watching this sleak, gorgeous animal hurdle seamlessly over obstacles and run with such adroit finesse and speed, I could see why trying to catch one is so difficult. It doesn’t excuse it; but it sort of helps me understand why it might be considered a challenge to outsmart one.

Also Not the One From Today – Photo: L. Weikel

Number Two

The second sighting I made today was of an Eagle. The Bald Eagle I saw flying up the Tohickon Creek was just a little bit above eye level with me. The nonchalance of its power and dominion over the wildlife on the Tohickon was stunning. This raptor has nothing to prove to anyone.

The slow, audible flap of its wings was the antithesis of desperation – or even of hunger. I got the distinct sense that the Blue Jays losing their minds as it flew past their nests were screeching from painful past experience. Lucky for them, neither petite Blue Jay tartare nor Blue Jay omelettes were on the menu.

Come Back

At least in our area, it’s obvious the Bald Eagle population is making a comeback, which is outstanding. But I have to admit – no matter how pedestrian an Eagle sighting may become due to the success of conservation efforts, it will always be an utterly thrilling experience for me.

An Eagle sighting, to me, represents the potential for contact with the Divine. Eagle feathers are treasured spiritual tools for native North Americans. They are a direct connection with Great Spirit.

And honestly? I remember when they were endangered. I was 31 years old and all the way up in Maine before I even caught a glimpse of an Eagle for the first time – and even then, I barely saw some tail feathers. Nevertheless, the experience will remain a treasure in my heart forever. A girl never forgets her first Eagle.

Who knew I’d be so lucky when I was twice that age to have them virtually in my own back yard. It feels absolutely miraculous.

(T-158)

The Tiniest Green Frog – Day 952

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The Star of Our Post – Photo: L. Weikel

The Tiniest Green Frog

On our walk today, Spartacus and I met the next star of her own storybook. Meet the tiniest green frog in Tinicum Township.

It was a fluke that I even noticed her. Hanging out at the edge of the road, I’m not sure what she was contemplating. Why didn’t she just go the extra jump and put herself back into the swampy roadside gloop created by last night’s rainstorm? Were there bullies among the slimy bubbles?

What possessed her to risk it all when we approached, holding still while the Two-legged Giant and Four-legged Sniffer got closer and closer? It’s clear she had the advantage of surprise, yet she didn’t use it. Instead the tiny tadger permitted photographs and comparisons, musings and speculations.

Perhaps she was trying to break out of the mold of her foremothers and forefathers. Strike out on a different career path than the ancestors before her. Prove to herself that she wouldn’t be pigeon-holed by The Man’s ideas of what Green Frogs are capable of achieving.

Smaller Than a Thumbdrive – Photo: L. Weikel

We’ll Never Know

She held her tongue. Little Miss Green Frog was as tight-lipped as she was tiny. Indeed, she was trying to pass as a Bullfrog, which made me laugh, but not impolitely. (Spartacus snickered but stopped when I gave him the Look.)

The thing is, see, she didn’t realize that I cannot be fooled. I have access to Pennsylvania’s finest herpetological sleuthing tool, PA Herp Identification. And I’m dedicated. I compared Bullfrogs to Green Frogs and her glandular folds were the tell that told the tale. At least they told part of the story.

Where she was going and why – being far and away the tiniest Green Frog in Tinicum Township – is a mystery that will have to be solved another day.

In the meantime, take a look at just how teeny tiny – yet perfectly formed, and without even the hint of a juvenile tail to boot – this princess was.

Not a Fearful Bone in Her Body – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-159)