Cloud Beings

Not Alone – ND #92

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Cloud Peeper – Photo: L. Weikel

Not Alone

It’s getting harder and harder to watch the news or even read headlines anymore. The world certainly does appear to be coming apart at the seams. From war to plague to cataclysmic climate change, the temptation to just retreat into my own close circle of nature and people and books is almost irresistible. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that feeling.

I vacillate between feeling it’s my responsibility to pay attention (just like I feel with respect to domestic politics and witnessing the alarming rise of autocracy and fascism in the Republican party) and wondering just how much difference my attention makes.

I cannot in good conscience pretend that the brutality inflicted on Ukraine and its people by Putin isn’t happening. And I do believe it’s only escalating – which begs the question of how this can possibly end well. Even thinking about putting myself in the shoes of everyday Ukrainian people, my mind balks at the prospect. Would I stay and fight? Would I leave, determined to make a new life and help my country from an ostensibly safer place?

These questions are impossible to answer until we’re personally faced with the harsh reality of circumstances we can no longer avoid. We can imagine how we’d react – but truly, we have no idea until we’re in the thick of it.

No Walk Today

At least some of my unsettled feelings are probably stemming from the fact that I didn’t walk today. The weather was utterly miserable – the worst kind of cold, wet, and nasty that Spring can hurl at us – and that season hasn’t even arrived yet, technically. It seemed to be raining, drizzling, sleeting, or spitting snow globs at us all day. I know this influenced my imagining of the plight of the Ukrainian refugees because temperatures have plummeted there, too.

I’m hopeful I’ll manage to get a walk in tomorrow and perhaps receive a new perspective on the travails of our time.

In the meantime I’m offering you a photo from yesterday. The clouds were so swirly and beautiful, I just had to capture them. So it’s amusing to see a Cloud Peeper so prominently singing. I would’ve missed him entirely had I not taken this picture with the intention of simply sharing something beautiful with all of you.

(T+92)

Blanket of Warm – ND #89

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Rabbit and Schnauzer Cloud Beings – Photo: L. Weikel

Blanket of Warm

Wow, was it warm out today. Holy cow. I thought I’d looked at the weather forecast a day or so ago and I could’ve sworn it wasn’t supposed to warm up significantly until a day or two from now. Apparently I was mistaken. The shock of walking out the door and expecting it to be a bit chilly, only to be whapped in the face by a blanket of warm, bordering-on-hot, air, was unsettling.

Perhaps I would’ve embraced the warmth today a little bit more had I been expecting it. Geesh, that makes me sound rigid. And perhaps even petulant.

Nevertheless, the warmth of the day inspired me to get outside and get things moving. I cleared the yard of a bunch of sticks and broken tree limbs. I tell myself they’re fodder for the next fire we have, hoping having kindling at the ready will encourage more of them.

Even the Clouds

Even the clouds got in on the act today. I was delighted to see a very obvious gigantic and ferocious rabbit bantering playfully with a puppy right before my eyes. Indeed – to my eye – the puppy might even be a Schnauzer.

By the time I got ‘round to Princess, Middle, and Liddle this evening, they’d apparently bedded down for the night. It was dark out and not a snuffle nor a snort was heard emanating from their enclosure. Guess I’ll have to catch them tomorrow.

The Best Part

But by far the best part of tonight’s walk was the magnificent chorus of tree frogs and peepers. They’re definitely erupting from the mud early this year – in fact, I’m pretty sure they first started singing on the last day of February! That just seems way too early.

I sometimes think the ones that are my favorite are not the ones that sound brave or never, ever tire. The peepers I like the best are the ones that have extremely deep and gravelly voices. I’ve conjured images of them in my mind that undoubtedly have nothing in common with what they actually look like.

They do seem to be getting louder and louder each night, though. They were nearly deafening tonight and could be heard at least a half mile away.

I wonder if they have peepers in Ukraine?  If they do, do they know enough to be quiet at critical moments? Or are they simply blasted out by the overwhelming noise of war?

I saw a terribly sad story of a young woman who was killed last night. She was helping deliver supplies to a dog shelter.

All these heartrending stories of lives disrupted as a result of a deranged man who wants what he wants and is willing to tell lies and sacrifice the lives of millions to get it. I can’t go there tonight.

I’d rather listen to peepers and see Cloud Beings masquerading as rabbits and puppies.

(T+89)

Angels’ Wings – ND # 75

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Angels’ Wings Etched In The Sky – Photo: L. Weikel

Angels’ Wings

Today was an exquisite winter day. Bright sunlight reflected off the choppy, muddy waves of the Lenape Sipu as it flowed toward the freedom of the Atlantic, while wisps of clouds that reminded me of angels’ wings inscribed the azure sky above with a fine-tipped nib.

The weird thing is, I’m not one to see angelic forms all that often. Most of you probably know me well enough to appreciate I’m more of a person who sees animals in the clouds than anything else. Angels, not so much.

I could kick myself now because I flirted with stopping in the middle of the road when I first spotted the wispy figures, but thought better of it. While the road I was on was deserted in that moment, there was nowhere for me to pull off safely. It didn’t feel like a wise move to try to get a good shot of those angels’ wings. I would’ve had to get out of the car to get a clear photo of them without telephone poles or wires marring the image.

Shared Perfection

My delight in walking along the bank of my beloved Delaware River was heightened by the fact that I was in the company of dear friends not seen in person in a very long time.

The funny thing was, as we walked and talked and caught up on each others’ lives, even more wispy hints of angelic forms appeared above our heads. Already regretting my choice not to stop and take a couple photos of the sky earlier, I did manage to snag one photo as we walked.

I didn’t want to take my phone out of my pocket – even to take photos. I just wanted us to be together without any electronic devices distracting or disturbing us. As a result, I only have the single photo, above, to share with you tonight.

Must Be Something to It

But I have to say, for all my resistance, there must have been something ‘angelic’ going on. Not only did I see them on my way to meet my friends, but also, as the photo above attests, they continued showing up in the sky above as we walked.

The final moment causing me to surrender and say, “OK, angels are definitely present and watching over us today,” came when we entered a rock and gem shop at the conclusion of our visit. One of my friends took me to see a type of stone that was persistently calling her name. And there they were again – angels’ wings. The crystalline structure was precisely reminiscent of angels’ wings; and yet I hesitated to state the obvious. (Because, again, angels aren’t usually my ‘thing.’)

But there it was, even written in the description of the stone itself.  Seraphinite. Seraphim.

Exquisite.

It seems only right to accept that our visit was smiled upon and watched over by the angelic realm. I call upon that realm every single time I open Sacred Space. Why wouldn’t they generously bless a reunion of friends?

(T+75)

Walk Without a Jacket – ND #66

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Fox or Hyena? I pick Hyena – Photo: L. Weikel

Walk Without a Jacket

Deep down, I didn’t believe them. The prognosticators promised today would be even more brilliant than yesterday, but it sounded too good to be true. And yet the prediction was so accurate, I was actually able to take a walk without a jacket. In February.

Even better, though, were the clouds. Oh my goodness. It feels like it’s been ages since the clouds came out to play. Wispy feathers of clouds were the instrument of choice in today’s sky.

The one I loved the most was the one I placed at the beginning of this post. Is it a visitation by Fox or Hyena? At first I was confident the creature prancing across the expanse of sky was Fox. But now that I’m looking at it here at home, I’m getting a much stronger Hyena vibe.

I’m pretty sure it’s the ears. As weird as it sounds, they remind me of the ears of the hyenas in one of my favorite Disney films, Lion King.

Of course, we all know someone else I hold near and dear who has huge ears. Yes, I’m looking at you, Pacha.

Pacha Pup Playing Coy – Photo: L. Weikel

Daffodils

As I wrote last night, I noticed the daffodils breaking out of the ground during my walk yesterday but declined to take their photo. Well, they beckoned to me when I passed them again today and this time I couldn’t resist.

I know full well the daffodils (and croci, for that matter) will handle a return to winter weather in stride. But still. I hate to see their hopeful stretches toward the sun turn brown.

Phoenix?

Perhaps a tad less obvious than the hyena was the glimmer of a phoenix rising on the horizon. Hey, with even just the barest tangential tracking of the news lately, it only seems right to look for hope wherever we can find it. And Phoenix energy, rising from its ashes as it does, is a decent cloak for a Cloud Being to don.

I almost lost my head today simply reveling in the freedom of walking without a jacket. Believe it or not, I came perilously close to skipping. Good grief, what a sight that would’ve been!

If you haven’t had a chance to revel in the weather these past two days, you have one more day. Be your own sweetie and treat yourself to the bliss of turning your face to the sky and soaking in Vitamin D from the Source.

Who knows what’s in store for us in the days ahead. Nurture yourself now.

Daffodils in February – Photo: L. Weikel

(T+66)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Natural Sistine Chapel – Day 872

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Photo: L. Weikel

Natural Sistine Chapel

It’s been a while since I’ve written about the clouds on our walk. At least, it seems as though the clouds themselves have been rather tame, yielding their creativity to sunsets and lunar appearances. This afternoon, though, my sense was that the long cloud drought is over. The piles and platters and weird shapes and colors are moving in for the season. And kicking things off? When I took these photos earlier this afternoon, I felt a vague sense of déjà vu and a sense that I was walking in a natural Sistine Chapel.

I know my interpretations of clouds are sometimes ‘out there.’ And I guess that’s part of what I’m trying to bring into our collective awareness: our imagination’s power to see and embrace magic. Oftentimes this ‘magic’ is simply the process of giving ourselves permission to play with patterns and associations our brains and subconscious minds might make that actually point to pieces of a larger puzzle that is our life.

The photo above, as I said, reminds me of the Sistine Chapel – yes, the iconic work on the ceiling.

When I looked at these clouds today, I could feel the potential of conveying the spark of life. I could sense the reaching out, the effort to make a connection between one being and another.

Photo – L. Weikel

Close-up

Oddly enough, to my mind at least, I found the close-up of the ‘hands,’ so to speak, were almost upstaged by the splash of pure, brilliant white that seemed entirely out of place.

I’m not exactly sure what I make of the close-up. Or the splash of white.

But I do know I’m delighted to welcome back into our everyday experience more appearances by the Cloud Beings.

They are like pilates for my imagination. And imagination and creativity are the stuff – the spark – of life.

On second thought, maybe I’m seeing something from Monty Python?

(T-239)

Cloud Conclave – Day 712

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Photo: L. Weikel

Cloud Conclave

About halfway into our walk-around this evening, we became aware of a Gathering of Cloud Beings assembling in the west just after the sun dipped below the horizon. All of a sudden, great billowy Beings resembling the Michelin Tire man – or maybe more accurately, the massive billowy guy in the original Ghostbusters movie – started morphing and distinguishing themselves. Yup. The longer we walked, the more obvious it became: we were witnessing a Cloud Conclave.

To be honest, it didn’t look like it was a meeting of dire seriousness. Just a cursory glance at the participants lent the distinct impression that this was a first-time event for some of the Cloud Beings. Indeed, it almost felt as if several attendees were parents bringing their young ones to their first CC.

Witnesses to The Force – Photo: L. Weikel

A Bigger Deal Than We Realize

Perhaps all the activity we’re engaging in, the disturbance in The Force that’s occurring as people all over the country line up to cast their votes, is creating ‘must see human activity’ for the Cloud Beings. It’s possible they’re gathering now in order to get a sense of what, if anything, we’ll need on the final official day of this ‘season’ that’s capturing the attention of this particular flavor of human being. Or maybe it’s just entertaining for them to witness us masking up and social distancing, just for the opportunity to drop our envelope into a box.*

Certainly the Cloud Beings are aware that this type of reaction to an election – they are at least some of those we might consider to be Watchers, after all. And this fierce determination to make sure that each and every vote is counted probably hasn’t been anywhere near as intense for generations of human lives in the United States.

It is indeed a sight to behold. Just look at that: the citizens of the country renowned throughout the world as a light of democracy and a guardian of free and fair elections are finally, maybe, in the final days of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, going to finally get it through their heads just exactly how precious their single vote is.

Conclave from afar – Photo: L. Weikel

It’s Sacred

It’s exciting. It’s sacred. It’s both a right and a responsibility.

No wonder the Cloud Elders are bringing the Cloud Youngsters to a Conclave. The realization of just how precious each one of our votes is deserves recognition and celebration.

* I voted today: placed my ballot in its security envelope, placed that in the bigger envelope, then signed, sealed, and hand-delivered that to the drop off box at the old courthouse. Aaah.

Doylestown, PA – lines to cast ballots; Photo: L. Weikel

(T-399)