Month: August 2021

Monday Evening Sightings – Day 1023

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Look right along the edge of the tall grass – Photo: L. Weikel

Monday Evening Sightings

Our walk this evening began a little bit later than usual. While I yearned to move my body, I had zero interest in perambulating through air so hot and thick it felt like I was stepping into a steam room. So I waited until the sun was nearly set, hovering just above the horizon, which cooled things off just enough to make the atmosphere breathable and bearable. We still managed to get in some Monday evening sightings.

Lately, when taking our longer route, we’ve not only been encountering the Hounds of the Baskervilles (always a hair-raising treat for Spartacus – literally), we’ve also been treated to the hilarious sight of one of another neighbor’s ducks running home. It doesn’t seem to matter when we’ve walked over the past week or so, though. I’m starting to wonder if we’re their makeshift alarm clock to return home for the night.

The ducks always know we’re coming, no matter what time we happen to be walking by; we can hardly sneak up on them. Heck, the Hounds either bay eerily from their kennels across the field (sensing our passage along their property line) or barrel toward us with bared teeth and snarling invectives. Either way, they trigger the pups that live with the ducks (a few homes down the road) to pick up the greeting and yap at us furiously. (Yes, one’s definitely a Chihuahua and qualifies as a yapper; he’s an incessant – if adorable – yapper, as a matter of fact.)

Tonight, though, I noticed they were not alone as they scampered in their hilarious duck-waddles across the field to the safety of their home. Look closely; you’ll see.

Baby something… – Photo: L. Weikel

Weird Clouds

The clouds tonight were whimsical and evocative. When they billow and fold, reflect tangerine hues among slate gray shadows, and morph before my eyes, it’s hard for me (and my imagination) to simply look upon them and think, “Meh.”

Here’s one that reminded me of a massive stuffed animal sitting in the western sky. It looked like a stuffed Shar-Pei to me, but now that I’ve uploaded the photo I’m thinking it may look more like a baby hippo.

Close beside the stuffed animal cloud, rising up from behind the trees and shifting shape before my eyes was what I’m calling a Menagerie Cloud. The longer I look at this billowing mass of water vapor the more animals I see.

Menagerie Cloud – Photo: L. Weikel

Saving a Few

I’m saving a few of the photos I took today because I suspect the arrival of the remnants of Hurricane Ida may impinge upon my ability to get out and about over the next few days. While I’ll try to squeeze in a quick walk between the raindrops, we’re just going to have to wait and see.

(T-88)

Opportunity – Day 1022

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Shark – Opportunity – The Ocean Oracle by Susan Marte

Opportunity

The cards I drew last night for us as a collective yielded Jellyfish – Hidden Gifts as the primary with Shark – Opportunity as the foundation card.

I’m still pondering the perfection of the Jellyfish card’s message in light of the swirling miasma of events we’re witnessing in the world around us. And yeah…lucky are we if we are, in fact, only ‘witnessing’ any or all of it. Because to be experiencing any of the horror firsthand must feel like your entire world is being ripped out from under you.

It doesn’t matter where we look, in what direction, toward which catastrophe, or in which country, there just seems to be a cascade of awfulness. So the fact that the cards that presented themselves were Hidden Gifts and Opportunity begs reflection.

Conundrum

The whole little vignette relayed by Shark in The Ocean Oracle (set out below) has a vaguely familiar feel to it. Perhaps you’ll recognize in it another story that’s often mentioned when people feel forsaken. And it’s probably safe to say that there are thousands (if not millions) of people who feel forsaken right about now.

And just like last night’s message about Hidden Gifts, neither the Opportunity nor the Hidden Gifts are necessarily obvious as such. In fact, it’s likely they’re not. Who could possibly think that any of the extreme circumstances we’re facing in our country and world today could be considered either gifts or opportunities? And yet…

Shark’s Message

“Shark – OPPORTUNITY

The Story

Once upon a time in the watery depths of a great ocean long ago forgotten, there lived a community of sea creatures. They lived together in peaceful harmony. Their community was abundant and prosperous and provided for all of their needs. One day a neighboring shark came by, telling them of an opportunity that would enhance their lives even more. Since the community could not fathom what else they may need, they let the opportunity pass them by. The shark swam away. Time passed and the community started to hear about other communities, who had taken a chance with the opportunities the shark offered them, and how their communities had become even more abundant and prosperous.

The shark came again to the community, and again offered them an opportunity to enhance their lives. They were hesitant. They knew what they had and they were happy. Could there really be more out there? When the shark came for the third time the community decided to take the opportunity presented to them, this time not letting their fear stop them. Although at first it was scary and there was some hesitation, when the community whole-heartedly embraced the opportunity, they found their community grew and expanded in ways they never dreamed possible.

The Messages

Is opportunity knocking? Be aware it does not knock forever. If you do not take the opportunity it could pass you by. Is this an acceptable option? This card could be a reminder that there are opportunities and you need to grab hold and shape what comes your way and make it yours and make what you will of it. Opportunities may or may not be straight forward. They may be in the murky depths. They may come at dawn or dusk or be just out of vision or tangible reach. Opportunities abound. Take the fullness of the possibility and open up to the potential it holds.”

My Take

While some of us may be lucky enough at this moment in time to be witnessing as opposed to directly experiencing the ravages of Covid or Hurricane Ida or the terror of trying to escape Afghanistan or wildfires or earthquakes, it’s only a matter of time before we all get a taste of direct experience. If nothing else, we all live on and share Mother Earth. Climate change, like a virus, is blind to any of the superficial reasons we may tell ourselves that ‘it can’t happen to us.’

But there are hidden gifts in these tragedies. There are immediate lessons we can learn in each moment. And there are opportunities that demand to be explored and embraced if we – the community of humanity – are to thrive. But we must open our eyes without delay.

(T-89)

Hidden Gifts – Day 1021

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Jellyfish – Hidden Gifts – The Ocean Oracle by Susan Marte

Hidden Gifts

At least tonight drawing a few cards for wisdom and watchwords didn’t feel completely alien. The atmosphere surrounding life itself continues to feel out of sync to me. Things are off. Even the weather seems confused and ill-tempered. The temperature here dropped twenty degrees yesterday, but the humidity seemed to have increased, which seems impossible as everything’s sopping wet already. But could our inclination to withdraw into ourselves to escape lead to the discovery of hidden gifts?

That’s what a quick consultation with The Ocean Oracle would seem to suggest.

Instead of getting fancy, I asked the age-old cop-out question I use when I’m not sure what else to ask: “What do we need to know right now?”

Jellyfish – Hidden Gifts

“The Story

The florescence of the object drew her towards it. It was a jellyfish, washed up on the shore, its whole being spread upside down before her. She realized with some clarity the luck at the jellyfish being reversed. Upright and she would have risked stepping on it, not being able to distinguish its translucent shape with the beach around it. She bent down to study the still creature, noticed how out of its natural environment it instilled awe in her, and not fear. She thought how often we give more power to things through fear, things that out of context are diminished; safe; unalarming. She saw the intricate beauty as the jellyfish was laid bare before her. She was able to study the hidden side of this perceived danger with a sort of reverence – she never realized the beauty which resided in this creature, because she never had the opportunity, or took the time, to look. There were so many hidden gifts to be thankful for.

The Messages

Are you in a situation where you have to look deeper, or beneath, in order to see the hidden gifts before you? Even if you cannot physically remove yourself from the presence of what you perceive to be threatening or harmful, in your mind or heart remove yourself to equal ground. Turn the situation around to see the gifts being offered to you. There is huge fear around how things can hurt you, but do not let this distract from the gifts they offer. Edit the voice which tells us that what appears dangerous and poisonous and harmful we must stay away from or watch out for because it will hurt us. There are gifts in every situation.”

At the Foundation

Underneath the startlingly relevant card described above was the Shark card – Opportunity. The simple fact of Opportunity laying at the foundation of the Hidden Gifts speaks volumes.

For now, however, I leave us all to the ‘opportunity’ to contemplate what hidden gifts might be presenting themselves to each of us right now. Hidden gifts that we might otherwise be afraid of, but which are precisely what we require in the moment.

(T-90)

In For a Landing – Day 1020

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Snowy Owl Coming In For a Landing – Photo: L. Weikel

In For a Landing

A line of thunderstorms came through our area just as the sun was contemplating setting. Besides billowing harbingers of potential mayhem and torrential downpours, one scenario depicted in the sky was a snowy owl coming in for a landing.

I’d actually just completed closing Sacred Space following a session with a client when a deep and prolonged rumble of thunder rippled out across the sky. Stepping outside, I got goosebumps when I took in the scenario unfolding above my head.

Sometimes it doesn’t matter whether anyone else can see what you see. Not if the magic of a moment infuses with you awe. Or hope. Or maybe even the tiniest sliver of a sense of being part of something much greater than the superficial illusions that we normally chase and often cherish.

Besides these clouds, there were a few rainbow moments that, oddly, appeared to be less a rainbow and more a multicolored bar. I couldn’t manage to get a photo of it fast enough, but the traditional colors of a rainbow made a brief appearance in the sky sporting the sharp, clean, rectangular edges of…a flag. Or a banner. It seemed more a statement than a wish.

I was so frustrated that I missed the shot.

Speaking the Truth – Photo: L. Weikel

An Evening Chorus

The last several nights have been deathly silent as I wrote my posts. Those moments when the rain wasn’t falling and tink, tink, tinking on the metal casing of our window air conditioner, the air was still and close. The atmosphere was super-saturated (my skin’s assessment, not a meteorologically defined status statement) and no self-respecting insect, plant, or animal wanted to exert an ounce of unnecessary energy in pursuit of movement or song.

But tonight is different. Perhaps this shift will last and the weight of fearing to embrace change will lift from our psyches. It’s up to us to give our true selves permission to sing, just as the voices of the katydids, crickets, and annual cicadas are nearly deafening this evening.

We’re being pushed to question the way we’ve been doing a lot in our lives. What beliefs do we hold onto until our fingers bleed? Where do we place our faith? How do we know what’s true? What approaches to life are we so sure about that we’re willing to build our reputations on them?

What principles do we believe in so passionately that we’re finally going to risk finding our voice and speaking out?

Conversations – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-91)

Gilded With Sadness – Day 1019

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So much potential – Photo: L. Weikel

Gilded With Sadness

I’ve been sitting here feeling a similar sense of that ‘stuck in waiting’ I mentioned last night, only tonight’s is gilded with sadness. I’m speaking, of course, of the suicide bombings at Kabul Airport targeting our evacuation efforts. It was only a matter of time before awful people made a desperate situation exponentially worse. And speaking of worse, the reactions of those in the insurrectionist party back here in the U.S. are simply disgusting.

But I don’t want to go down this road, especially since there’s nothing I can do to make the situation better. I guess I bring this latest tragedy up at all because it’s part of our shared reality and it’s impacting each and every one of us, whether we want to admit it or not.

I’d rather focus my (and hence our) attention on higher vibrational subjects – things that make us lean toward smiling rather than scowling (or weeping) (or collapsing in a rage).

Glissando of Life and Color – Photo: L.Weikel

Sense of Humor

I’m sharing some photos of a lovely pink wildflower that caught my attention the other day. I couldn’t shake the feeling that these blossoms (and the buds so tantalizingly close to bursting forth all along the stem like some quivering glissando of potential) were a symbol of the potential still available all around us.

I’m sure I’ve seen these flowers before but for the life of me I had no idea what they were called.

But sure enough, Mr. Google came through yet again and I believe – saucily enough, Universe! – this is called an Obedient Plant.

Hmm. Yeah. That’s not what I was expecting. But it did make me laugh.

And boy did it feel good to at least feel a chuckle.

Am I the last person to hear of an Obedient Plant? Probably. And I suspect Karl will be clamoring to plant them in abundance around our property. He can dream all he wants – and plant them, too! I find them to be absolutely lovely.

Obedient Plant buds closeup, with an ant making a cameo – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-92)

Stuck in Waiting – Day 1018

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Cletus – Right foreleg backwards – Photo: L. Weikel

Stuck in Waiting

I’ve been feeling a weird vibe over the past few days. It’s been most noticeable when I sit down to write my nightly post. The best way I can describe it is that I feel like I’m stuck in waiting.

I can’t even begin to describe what I’m waiting for, which in some sense makes this feeling even weirder. If you were a fly on the wall in my living room (I’d probably go after you with a swatter) – but besides that lamentable aggression, you’d see me on the prowl. I’m looking for something that feels worthy of sharing with you and I keep coming up empty-handed.

Current Events

Let’s face it; aren’t most of us just fed up to here with the world? It’s a mess on so many levels. And for the most part, unless we’re health care professionals or active-duty military people, we probably can’t actually do a lot to pro-actively tackle the problems. Of course I’m exaggerating. There are actually lots of other people doing ‘front-line’ work addressing the societal woes that go beyond ‘just’ the delta variant or Afghanistan. Firefighters. Teachers.

Pretty much everywhere we are, we’re doing our best to keep ourselves together and life progressing. I’m reminded by circumstances I see in friends and family how nearly impossible it is to secure mental health support. How tragic in these monumentally stressful times.

Neither Oracles Nor Astrology

Nothing I read or look at right now feels like it lends itself to a post. To be honest, I feel like this is the calm before the storm. But I’m also not wanting to try to pin anything down right now. It’s hard to describe, but the best I can say is that nothing feels like it wants to be defined or addressed in this moment. Everything’s in flux. Another word might be chaos, but that feels a little too strong. Chaos could be coming; but right now, we’re just sort of stewing.

Most of us are hoping for the best. Whatever that may be…

Cletus – left foreleg backwards – Photo: L. Weikel

A Cletus Puzzle

So I’ll leave you with these two photos of Cletus. They were taken within five minutes or so of each other. In one, his right foreleg and paw are splayed out backwards, behind him, in what appears to be an extremely unnatural position. In the other, his left foreleg and paw are extended in a similar extremely vulnerable position.

I may have written about this before as it freaks me out when he does it. I suspect he slept like this in the womb, shifting and tucking his little legs to make room for his kitten siblings.

Nevertheless, he’s such a weird cat. And that’s the thing I find most pleasing to write about tonight.

(T-93)

Timing – Day 1017

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Fallen Limb – Photo: L. Weikel

Timing

Timing – and the little choices we make from moment to moment – often has a profound influence on our life. Every day we have opportunities to make choices that have the potential to make a huge impact upon us. Sometimes we don’t even make a choice, one way or another. (Which is its own brand of choice.) And what’s even weirder is that most of the time we don’t even realize we’re making choices that could alter our destiny.

I was thinking about this as I took a walk earlier this evening. I’d come across an extremely thick and heavy chunk of a tree limb that had fallen onto the dirt and gravel roadway in the state park. I was grateful that I’d not been walking with Spartacus at the moment that chunk fell down.

Obviously the branch fell directly on the road, so neither other cars nor bicyclists were harmed. But it does make a person wonder – how close did I – or any of us frequenting this road at this time come to potential injury or death?

Bumblebee Exiting Peony Tree Blossom – Photo: L. Weikel

Another Perspective

Another way to appreciate the vagaries (or perhaps they’re hidden blessings?) of timing is the photo above. What are the chances that I could catch that bumblebee exiting the tree peony blossom at such an auspicious moment?

Of course, truth be told, they’re higher now than they ever were before (at least in my case) because of my iPhone. This exact frame of the photo I took of the bumblebee is the one that showed up in my photo feed. But even if it hadn’t, I technically would’ve been able to ‘freeze’ this single frame of the ‘live’ photo.

I find that to be amazing. In a sense, we don’t even have to be as talented or lucky as we used to be. This technology actually stretches time, giving us the opportunity to point to the concept of ‘timing’ with a knowing nod, but an ace up our sleeve.

Nevertheless, I’m still delighted by the fact that I can post a photo I took of a bumblebee literally midflight as it hauls ass out of a flower.

All of This to Say…

Don’t sweat any of it. The big stuff we worry about probably has less likelihood of messing up our lives than the little decisions we make every single minute of the day.

(T-94)

Fire-Breathing Dragons – Day 1016

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Kind of looks like a Teenage Ninja Turtle – Photo: L. Weikel

Fire-Breathing Dragons

There was a lot of cloud action going on today during my walk, from portals to Beings to fire-breathing dragons. When I first started out, I saw a distinctively rectangular shaped ‘hole’ in a massive cloud bank immediately in front of me. I stopped to photograph it because it sort of defied the look of most cloud portals (doorways into other realms). While portals are definitely not limited to simply round holes in the sky, it could be argued that classic portals are often either round holes or rectangles that resemble doorways.

Thus, the sideways rectangle that initially caught my attention felt odd. It was, one could argue, a doorway on its side. But it looked and felt different. Unique. Perhaps it was the clearly defined right angles that, for whatever reason, felt distinctive and a bit out of place.

So I decided to take a photograph of this oblong hole in the clouds. Once I did, though, I couldn’t unsee the huge face of a Cloud Being that revealed itself to me. How could I have missed the mirth-filled face smiling down upon me?

Dragon Rising! – Photo: L. Weikel

An Hour Later

Nearly an hour later, I encountered more clouds that refused to be ignored.

Hardest to ignore was a dragon with upward extended bat-like wings that caught my eye. It was clear this dragon was scorching the air with its fiery breath as it rose to gain a better vantage point over the countryside.

But when I zoomed in to take a closer photo of the head of this fire-breathing dragon, I noticed that it, too (like the giant cloud being, above), appeared to be…happy.

Laughter and smiles from the two most prominent cloud beings appearing in the sky today. With all the ominous and threatening, billowing and dangerous storm clouds and thunderheads that have been frequenting us lately, I have to admit these harbingers of happiness were an unexpected and most welcome surprise, especially given my cranky attitude at the outset of my journey.

Their smiles were contagious, both then and now. I’m grateful for the laughter I see in both.

Close-up of (laughing) fire-breathing dragon – Photo: L.Weikel

(T-95)

Thistle – Day 1015

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Baby Bud and Mommy Thistle – Photo: L. Weikel

Thistle

I didn’t get a chance to walk yesterday. We went to the powwow and by the time we got home, a walk simply wasn’t going to happen. So I was determined to log some miles today. In fact, I walked both the long and the short routes (walk about and walk around). And the upshot of both was that thistle was demanding my attention.

If I’d known I was going to write about it this evening, I would’ve taken even more photos of this phenomenal beauty. Thistle is blooming in most fields and along the roadside all along both of my usual circuits. The stunning lavender-leaning-toward-pink blossoms kept grabbing my attention the entire afternoon.

Spiny, almost weapon-like leaves appear on some of the plants, appearing like fireworks splaying out in a manner that yells, “Get back!” And yet other plants seem to shyly downplay those very same needle-like weapons, toning them down and making a point of calling all our attention to each stage of their floral explosion.

Something to Think About

Most times when something, be it flora or fauna, persistently insists on catching my attention, I take it to mean that it’s bringing me a message of some sort. I honestly didn’t feel that today.

Every time I took one of the photos that are accompanying this post, I had a conversation with the plant itself, thanking it for sharing its particularly lovely self with me today. It almost felt like the Spirit of Thistle was showing me herself in every aspect of her blossoming, encouraging me to appreciate each stage for its particular loveliness.

When I realized I was getting the nudge to share these photos tonight, I wondered if perhaps the Spirit of Thistle wanted to reach out and speak with one of you. It’s possible some of you aren’t getting outside enough or frequenting venues where Thistle can get your attention, and this is a way to get the message across. I’m not saying the attributes of Thistle don’t have application in my life. I’m just saying they don’t feel as personal to me as many other ‘messages’ I receive on my walks.

Teenager Thistle – Knows it all; Photo: L.Weikel

Keynote

In checking with Nature Speak* by Ted Andrews, I discovered that Thistle’s keynotes are ‘keep a sense of pride; and protect yourself against criticisms of others.’ In reading the actual discussion of the plant, I got a sense that Thistle is best known and most respected as an aid to the function of our liver. It sounds as though Thistle can be used to both cleanse and tone one’s liver. (Again, as I mentioned in this post, always use the utmost care when working with the medicinal qualities herbs. They are every bit as potent as prescription medications and should not be used carelessly or cavalierly. Ideally, you should seek the input of a trained herbalist.)

Our liver does a ton of work inside our body, cleansing our blood and helping us eliminate toxins. The toxins it confronts are not always on the physical level, either. Our liver can suffer from exhaustion or toxicity from prolonged exposure to anger, rage, criticism, and other ‘negative’ emotions. It stands to reason that sometimes our liver needs a rest, a chance to catch its breath (metaphorically) and recover its mojo. Thistle can help with that.

Scottish Connection

Thistle is the national flower of Scotland. It’s said that a Danish marauder was trying to sneak up on a Scottish camp and stepped on a thistle, causing him to shriek out in pain. This served to warn the Scots that an attack was imminent and permitted them to defend themselves appropriately.

It’s plausible that Thistle’s appearance in our life is suggesting that we may need to protect ourselves. It may be appropriate at this time to express our upset at the way we’re being treated by others.

It occurs to me that we’re hearing a lot about how so many people are in each other’s faces about this, that, and the other thing, but primarily (lately) about masks, vaccinations, and our responsibilities to ourselves and each other. From my observation, the most vociferous declarations seem to be made by those who feel they owe no one any deference; that the only righteous concern is adherence to their own beliefs and choices for themselves.

Maybe It’s Not OK

Crone Thistles – They’ve seen it all; Photo: L.Weikel

I’m wondering if perhaps Thistle is suggesting that it’s ok to stand up for the collective. It’s ok for people to express some of the anger they’ve been swallowing. Many have patiently waited for those demanding respect for their personal space and ‘freedom’ to realize there are other people sharing this planet with them, and sometimes we have to do uncomfortable things or sacrifice a bit for the benefit of us all.

And when the hoped-for epiphany regarding generosity of spirit and sacrifice never arrives? Maybe it’s time to express some righteous anger. Perhaps in as beautiful a manner as possible, but express it nonetheless (before it poisons us all).

*affiliate link

(T-96)

Ears of Corn – Day 1014

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Eagle Flute – Photo: L. Weikel

Ears of Corn

Although I haven’t yet this season, I do intend to buy some local ‘salt and sugar’ ears of corn before the season ends. That’s a late summer delicacy that’s hard to top. Rolled in butter and perhaps dusted with a little salt (or not – my preference), I’ve always found the cobs packed with both white and yellow kernels to be the most delectable.

But I want to write about a wonderful opportunity to experience a local gathering of indigenous people that’s taking place this weekend. The Roasting Ears of Corn Festival is taking place on the grounds of the Museum of Indian Culture in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This weekend is the Museum’s 40th annual festival/fundraiser.

Sunflower Dancer – Photo: L. Weikel

Powwow

I don’t know if this event is technically considered to be a powwow. I have a feeling that powwows technically have dance competitions, whereas it appeared that the dancing that took place at this festival was demonstrative as opposed to competitive.

I’m pretty sure it’s been 30 years since Karl and I last attended a powwow. There’s something mesmerizing about the beat of the huge drum around which five or six men arrange themselves. As soon as I heard the piercing songs of these men, my eyes filled with tears. It’s an involuntary response I’ve had ever since the first time I attended a powwow and witnessed first-hand the Native American traditions of this land.

Every single time, tears roll down my cheeks and my heart leaps into my throat.

This strange reaction doesn’t last long. It’s not as if I attended these events in the past (or even this afternoon) weeping uncontrollably. I can only surmise that the distinctive calls of the men, the beat of the drum, and the jingles on the garb of both the men and the women speak to something deep within my soul.

Intertribal Dancer – Photo: L. Weikel

Weather May Not Permit

Although the brush with Hurricane Henri may wash out the second day of the Roasting Ears of Corn Festival, consider attending tomorrow. If there’s a break in the rain and you yearn to experience the joy of watching (and perhaps participating in) native ‘social’ dancing (as opposed to ceremonial dancing, which is usually only done within the tribes), this gathering was intimate and lovely.

Intertribal Dancers – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-97)