walking

Magical Day – ND #63

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Barred Owl – Photo: Lehigh Valley Zoo (lvzoo.org)

Magical Day

Between us, Karl and I experienced quite the magical day today. We’re both feeling a bit ‘blissed out’ by it all, to be honest. It’s not that there was any heavy lifting involved. I think sometimes it’s just a matter of expanding our awareness enough to drink it in that can leave us needing to just power down and be still.

Karl began his day with a gorgeous Red Fox crossing in front of his car and then trotting confidently across a field. I wasn’t with him, but it was almost the first thing out of his mouth when he arrived home. He kept marveling at the creature’s robust health and the stunning color and condition of its coat.

Fox can signify a variety of messages, from family matters to creativity to using camouflage to keep oneself and one’s family safe and out of harm’s way. Karl’s trip happened to be all about family and the beauty of the Fox felt like a wonderful omen. His trip ended up being especially loving and sweet.

On his way home, he spotted an enormous Bald Eagle perched in a tree overhanging a road near our house. While we both know they’ve made a powerful resurgence in the area over the years, we never seem to lose our sense of excitement and awe when visited by Eagle.

Recently, most of my sightings have been along the Tohickon or the Lenape Sipu, and almost always when I’ve been alone. (Although I did see two just last Sunday when taking a walk with my friend along the Delaware!) I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen a crestfallen look sweep across Karl’s face when I recount seeing an Eagle.

So it was especially meaningful to have Bald Eagle visit Karl today. He finally felt like he was part of the club. And best of all, the raptor was scoping out potential quarry on a branch close enough to Karl that its markings were unmistakable. A powerful gift from Spirit.

Eagle – Photo: L. Weikel

My Magic

I’d already experienced an afternoon that reinforced for me how unbelievably lucky I am to do what I do. Maybe it’s more accurate to say ‘to witness what I do.’ Because really – I just create the space and watch things unfold. Anyway, it’s hard to describe, which is why I tend to dance around it most of the time, or not even bring it up at all.

Anyway, I knew I needed to walk after the session I had. I needed to ground myself; I needed to make sure I was back in my body. By the time we set out darkness had fallen. The constellations were stunning in spite of the brilliance of the half moon above.

Just short of a mile into our walk, I turned around to untangle myself from Brutus’s leash when a meteor suddenly streaked through the sky, right to left. It was surprisingly low on the horizon and large – burning a brilliant yellow with an outline of crimson. And it crossed the sky slowly (for a meteor) – it wasn’t some little blip. While I yelped out to Karl when I saw it, my gasp and garbled, “Look! Oh! WOW!” didn’t sink in quickly enough for him to see it.

There was something special going on in the cosmos tonight. Like I said, the constellations seemed especially vibrant and obvious. And by that I mean, the patterns seemed emphasized somehow. The sky was filled with stars, as usual, and often I just drink them all in with my eyes wide as possible. But tonight felt different.

Our Shared Magic

Finally, another mile into our walk the call of a Barred Owl echoed through the woods to our left. I could hardly contain my excitement. I don’t remember ever hearing a Barred Owl up here in our environs. The first time I’d ever heard one (and then heard several) was a few years ago in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

I stopped dead in my tracks. “Did you hear that?” I whispered.

Of course he had. It was the only sound in this silent February night. The “Who cooks for youoooooooo” call of the owl was coming from the same vicinity the coyotes had been howling a few nights ago. There must be a lot of action down there along that part of the creek.

The Barred Owl hooted another several times (one of which you can hear, above) giving me a chance to record it on my phone. It’s almost as if it knew when I had because as soon as I was satisfied, it went silent. I can’t explain why, but this encounter, too, felt…different. Magical, if you will.

(T+63)

Puppies Extraordinaire – ND #35

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Staying Warm and Plotting Strategy – Photo: L. Weikel

Puppies Extraordinaire

Karl and I managed to take a brisk walk in this afternoon. Thank goodness we got it in before the sun set! I don’t think the temperature managed to reach 20 degrees today, but I know for sure it dropped as soon as it got dark – and I see it’s 14 degrees out right now. But the two I really want to give a shout out to are Pacha and Brutus. They are puppies extraordinaire.

We couldn’t ask for better companions. They jauntily trot along with us no matter how cold it is. While I do think they might balk if we asked them to walk in unplowed snowfall (umm, who wouldn’t?), they reliably overcome their inevitable initial misgivings each and every day.

Yes, they adopt hangdog expressions and their body language broadcasts long, plaintive, “Noooooooo!”s when we suit them up with their harnesses and coats. But who can blame them? Almost inevitably, we’re waking them from cozy cuddling and snuggly slumber. It’s a harsh transition, I’ll admit. It is for us, too, to be honest.

Frozen Ground

The freezing temperatures have a big impact on our ability to blow off steam. And let me tell you, five month old puppies build up a lot of steam. (And yes, the chewing – oh my – probably warrants a whole post on its own.) Before the ground froze, we were still able to take a break and get outside in the late morning to play with toys. (I’m a sucker for ‘fetch’ – I’m in it for the long haul as long as they keep bringing it back to me!) But that joyful activity lost some of its appeal when they realized just how much it hurts to skid across the grass when the ground underneath no longer ‘gives.’ It only took a few yelps to squash their enthusiasm.

Which brings me back to the necessity of our walks, even if they are on the chilly side.

I’m pretty sure Sheila and Spartacus charged these pups with the sacred responsibility of keeping us moving. Or maybe it’s Karl who encourages them to be such great walkers. They sometimes conspire with one of his emissaries…

Definitely Plotting – Photo: L. Weikel

One thing all four of us agree on: it’s utterly delicious (and absolutely indulgent) to come home from a walk in the crisp winter air and snuggle in front of a fire. We’re incredibly fortunate and I’m so grateful for our lives together.

(T+35)

Short and Sweet – Day 1101

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“Petting needs to commence,” says Cletus – Photo: L. Weikel

Short and Sweet

Since last night’s missive was dramatically longer than my usual posts, I’m thinking you guys might enjoy something short and sweet tonight. That is a rather self-serving cop-out, of course. I’m only suggesting I write a shorter post because I’m flailing about for something interesting to write about.

I must be getting old. Let me rephrase that, since none of us are getting any younger. Perhaps a better observation is: I’m definitely noticing the cold – and that’s making me feel old(er). It’s always been tougher to stick to the discipline of walking every night when late fall and winter approach. I’d say “this year is no exception,” except it is. I feel colder this year. Already. And I honestly think it’s me – not a case of the temperature being unseasonably cold.

Karl and I have had to cajole (or is it goad?) each other to move our bones the last few days. The worst part about the loss of Daylight Savings Time is that the sun sets way too early now. The good news is that we’ve actually managed to log some miles together for the first time in quite a while.

Venus in the cold November sky – Photo: L. Weikel

Quick Puppy Update

And why not? If I’m resorting to commenting about walks and weather, I might as well give you an update on the pups. They’re doing great.

At our vet appointment last week (for their 3rd set of shots), we discovered they’ve more than doubled in weight since we brought them home. They both managed to gain over three pounds each in the last month!

Pacha and Brutus, although initially tending to engage in some (literal) foot-dragging at the outset of every walk, are now becoming remarkably enthusiastic walking companions. I say that they’re doing great on our walks, and it is true, but it’s also true that the pups look at us with only thinly-veiled, “This is puppy abuse,” expressions when I start suiting them up. I imagine we’ll have a full-on puppy strike when the snow falls.

Tonight was just a lazy, snuggly night. I’m off my soapbox. For now.

Brutus and Pacha snoozing on Dad – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-10)

The Big Dipper – Day 1093

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The Big Dipper in the early evening sky – Photo: L. Weikel

The Big Dipper

I managed to get in a long walk this evening. I refer to it as evening, but in reality it was closer to 5:30 p.m. or so. The joy and peace feeling that settled into my heart as I watched the stars becoming brighter and brighter was just what I needed. The Big Dipper took up such a huge swath of sky, I just had to take a photo of it.

I walked an extra loop tonight because the weather was simply too perfect. Karl and I took the pups on the initial two mile walk around, but then I did some separate hoofing because it I needed more contemplative time.

I have to hand it to the puppies. Yet again, they walked all the way around all by themselves. Lately, Brutie’s been balking at the whole concept of a walk, dragging his heels in a most hilarious manner

Moon and Venus – Photo: L. Weikel

Moon and Venus

It was hard to keep my eyes off the sky tonight, to be honest. The moon, even though she’s only just past fingernail status, is a brilliant beacon. And lining up with Venus, it really was hard to tear my eyes away from the utter clarity of these celestial beings.

Jupiter and Saturn were also joining the lineup, with the four heavenly bodies lining up in a most dramatic arc across the southwestern sky.

There was something deep and quiet about tonight’s walk. The temperature outside was incredibly pleasant. It almost felt as though I was cheating somehow – being able to immerse myself in such loveliness on the 8th of November.

Walking at Night

It occurred to me as I was walking in the dark, illuminated only by the crescent moon and burgeoning starlight, that I’m not afraid to walk in this way. I’d hear deer scrambling in the brush beside the road, or perhaps a fox or opossum scurrying across the road.

I realized that I am not afraid of Nature as I walk by myself. The only thing that really engenders fear in me is the prospect of encountering other humans.

That truth made me sad. But I guess it’s not surprising.

Crescent Moon through the Trees – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-18)

Sprinkle – Day 1068

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 2 Comments
Work of Sky Art – Photo: L. Weikel

Sprinkle

Falling asleep again at my keyboard tonight. I hate it when I do that. Maybe it’s to be expected, though, when you don’t turn off your bedside light until 2:00 a.m. Then toss in a few mornings (including today’s) of sleepy, face-licking puppies needing to be taken out to sprinkle the yard.

I’ve been trying to be a zealot over taking the pups outside to do their thing. And yet…there just seems to be something not connecting with them. We’ve tried rewarding with praise and coaxing with trainer treats. If we pick them up and take them outside, they’ll go willingly enough. It’s the independent realization that they need to go – and they need to go outside – that we’re still waiting to have click into place.

We tried putting a puppy pad down when we first brought them home. Brutus shredded that sucker faster than you could say, “Go pee-pee!”

Perhaps we’ll rent a carpet cleaner this weekend and ‘start fresh.’ That might end up being the best option.

Keep your fingers crossed for us that we get this resolved relatively quickly.

Easter egg colors – Photo: L. Weikel

Return to the Sky

While the pups have taken a number of walks already (short spurts for them, then getting carried most of the way), I managed to take a walk by myself today. I have to marvel at the difference it makes to have to literally carry an extra six pounds (or 12 if I’m carrying both of them) any distance. If that isn’t incentive to lose that extra ten pounds of Covid weight, I don’t know what is.

I hope everyone got a chance to spend at least a chunk of time outside today. It was definitely one of ‘those’ days. You know: the type that makes you swear God(dess) must wear a beret and clench a paintbrush between her teeth. (Between her teeth?) The artistry and flair I witnessed tonight was breathtaking.

The striations of pink, purple, and chartreuse in these clouds were not your normal rainbow. And the evolution of the clouds as they formed and reformed today told stories upon stories, if only I could decipher them.

I’ve missed encountering clouds that are blog-worthy.

Here’s a PachaPig fix – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-43)

Tomorrow’s Equinox – Day 1045

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They’ll Always Lead the Way – Photo: L.Weikel

Tomorrow’s Equinox

Well, when I mentioned last week that I suspected yesterday’s full moon and tomorrow’s equinox would be some powerful aspects to contend with, I guess I wasn’t messing around. And those are only the more obvious transits happening this week.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am emotionally cooked. In spite of my hopes and exhaustion, I didn’t sleep well last night. I tossed, turned, and was acutely aware of the absence of Spartacus in/on my bed. That boy slept in the small of my back for 13 years. So stringing the words together tonight is like walking through quicksand. I keep sinking into pockets of random thoughts and then jerk awake, finding I’ve been stuck on the same sentence for twenty minutes.

I did want to mention that tomorrow (Wednesday 22 September 2021) is going to be a powerful day on a number of fronts. The most obvious is the fall equinox, which will occur at 3:21 p.m. EDT. This marks the balance between light and dark and heralds the gradual shortening of our days (in the Northern Hemisphere) and the time of harvesting (on a variety of levels). Once again, this is a powerful time to begin taking action on making the changes in our lives that are in alignment and support of our dreams. Here is a perspective you might find interesting.

Spart’s Rainbow & Heart – Photo: L. Weikel

A Chaotic Day

Besides today being the aftermath of yesterday (how’s that for profundity?!), I also had set up an appointment last week for Precious to be seen by our vet. She’s been a hot mess for a long, long time and I finally made up my mind to have her examined and tested.

This is a bigger deal than you might at first think. She’s paranoid as all get out and of course she hid under the bed in my son’s old bedroom, howling (and yes, I do mean howling) in distress that Karl and I were trying to pick her up. (She bolted upstairs as soon as I looked at her about 45 minutes before her appointment. Damn cat is too psychic for her own good.)

We managed to double team her and not only put her in a pillowcase, which is my preferred method of transporting our cats to the vet, but for good measure also put her (while still in the pillowcase) into the cat carrier.

Long story short, she acted like her hair was on fire or as though we were plotting to slowly butcher her. Once I got to the vet’s office, she actually needed to be sedated (gassed) in her carrier so the doctor (who was still feeling anguish over Spartacus) could examine her.

While we are still waiting for the blood tests to come back tomorrow (to see if she has anything else going on in her old age), it turns out she has an autoimmune disorder, eosinophilic syndrome. She received a long-acting shot of steroids that could make her feel better than she has in a very long time indeed. I hope so, because her extreme anxiety wore me out, especially after yesterday.

Spart’s Feather – Photo: L. Weikel

Walking Hurt Today

It was excruciating taking a walk today. For all the joy being out in nature brings me, it was hard to appreciate anything in the realization over and over today that Spartacus and I would never walk together again.

Surprisingly, I did witness some magic, even though I was pretty sure my perspective was too sad to do so. A rainbow dog appeared in the sky and the cloud formation beside it reminded me of a broken heart. Not in a sad way, though. It felt more like an acknowledgment from Karl and Spartacus (and Sheila) that they feel my sadness and know how much I miss them.

Further along on my walk, I found this feather.

It’s a little bit of magic that I wasn’t expecting. In my need for sleep and desire to wake up and find this was all a bad dream, I’ll gratefully accept these gifts from Spirit.

(T-66)

Centering Post – Day 1037

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The Littlest Woolly Bear – Photo: L. Weikel

Centering Post

As much as it may sound like an exaggeration, I honestly wonder where I would be if I didn’t have the ability to be outside as often as I am. Being in nature is my joy; it’s my centering post. Every once in a while I find myself marveling at just how much time I spend on my porch. From April (late March if I’m lucky) through parts of November (again, if I’m lucky), I’m able to write, correspond, and meet with clients, for at least some of the services I provide, surrounded by my beloved trees, birds, and other creatures, both wild and domesticated.

Beyond the time I spend on my porch, my daily walks immerse me in a world that urges me to forget – at least momentarily – my despair over the behavior of humans. Even just writing that sentence feels ridiculous because we all know how our leaders’ refusal to take the urgent action needed to address climate change is sinister and selfish indeed.

Listening to the insects inundate us with their raucous chirrups and zig-zaggy mating calls (I’m talkin’ ‘bout you, katydids!) as we walk through the darkness of a tree tunnel fills me with a sense of both mystery and calm.

Gifts That Delight

During our walk yesterday, I found the cutest little teeny tiny ‘woolly bear’ caterpillar rippling its way across the road. It made all the other wooly bears I’ve ever seen look like hulking gargantuans in comparison.

I read this article from The Old Farmer’s Almanac stating once again the lore of woolly bears’ predictive abilities when it comes to winter weather. As you can read here, the greater proportion of black on their bodies corresponds to the harder the winter. While this little guy looks fairly evenly proportioned, I have seen some larger specimens that definitely had more black than orange. Perhaps I’ll take an informal survey if the ‘many legged’ cooperate.

Another discovery I made yesterday was this moth, pictured below. The wings are so exquisitely defined and rich in color, they look like works of art to me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a moth like this one before.

Moth Artistry – Photo: L. Weikel

Little Things

It never ceases to amaze me how much I’m transformed each afternoon or evening by the simple act of noticing the beauty of the weeds – I mean wildflowers – that jostle for my attention as I walk. Or how the bats zooming around snagging mosquitos mid-air make me involuntarily shriek when they buzz me a little too close for comfort. Playfully? (I hope. At least I tell myself they’re messing with me.)

Deer look up expectantly as we pass them grazing in the fields, some of them stamping their feet in an act of failed intimidation. And the frogs yerp and screet as they plop! plop! plop! from their perches into their puddles and ponds, billowing clouds of mud revealing where they’ve burrowed.

I feel a need to urge us all to make a point of being in nature this week. Don’t worry about the length of time or the mileage you walk. Just be. Give yourself five minutes to breathe in the scent of fall approaching. Listen to the wind in the trees as well as the voices of the birds and the crickets. Pay attention to and remember the little things that delight your senses and make your heart just a little bit lighter. That little bit of communion with Mother Nature brings so much into greater perspective.

(T-74)

Uncomfortably Highlighted – Day 943

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Drowned Fire Pit – Photo: L. Weikel

Uncomfortably Highlighted

Man, I have to tell you, these days of interrupted walking are devastating to my 1111 Devotion. My reliance on my walks for inspiration, usually photographic but sometimes simply related to the creatures I encounter or the images I see in the sky, is uncomfortably highlighted. I need my walks – both on the physical and the creative side.

Today’s weather frustrated me. Initially I sat outside on our porch to do my work. It was chilly out first thing, but the cool breeze was refreshing and a welcome reprieve from the gross heat that felt inescapable the past few days. But the temperature barely got over 60 degrees today!

I realize now I should’ve walked early in the morning. But that window of opportunity slammed shut way earlier than I expected. I checked my weather app and thought I had sufficient time to take a quick walk after an early afternoon appointment. Sadly for both my weekly walking average and me, the rain arrived earlier than predicted and lingered far longer than expected.

Spartacus is unamused – Photo: L. Weikel

Time to Go Inside

I tried gutting it out. In fact, at first the cool air was legitimately refreshing. At least I told myself it was. The temperature was at least 30 degrees cooler than it was only a day or two ago – but then the dim, overcast clouds decided to drop a steady, relentless, chilled, and soaking rain on us (Spartacus was ever at my side). It was time to go inside.

Speaking of Spartacus, he was not amused. But as I mentioned, he never left my side. As long as I kept the blankets piled on top of him, he was content to gut it out in a state of slumber.

My only consolation as far as my walking goes is that I mowed the lawn yesterday. In doing so, I managed to walk the equivalent of 1.8 miles. Thank goodness I did! Because today I could practically see the grass growing with my naked eye.

Elk Reversed

I’m going to leave you with some of the clouds that began rolling in late yesterday afternoon. They heralded a massive thunderstorm that just brushed past us.

This is the best I can muster, folks. Not sure why I’m feeling especially tired this evening. It doesn’t make a lot of sense; but maybe sometimes we just need to listen to our bodies. And since I chose Elk reversed squared today, it’s probably best if I just all it a night and hit the sheets.

(Elk’s keyword is stamina. And when it’s upside down, it’s usually taken as a warning that you’re stretching yourself so thin that you just might snap.)

I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

(T-168)

Stormy Weather – Day 906

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Stormy Weather Approaching – Photo: L. Weikel

Stormy Weather

There’s nothing like some stormy weather to bring sky visions that make me want to swoon. Actually, instead of falling away in a faint, I simply find myself stopping every several yards to gape in wonder at the magnificence unfolding across the aerial landscape.

When I have to walk alone (I should clarify: when only Spartacus and I are on a walk) I find myself snapping impatiently at the poor pup, who only wants to keep moving to the next scent station while I insist on taking yet another photo. I can almost hear him whining “But Mommy, you just took three photos. We need to keep mooooviiiing.” And so he tugs on his leash, which jerks my arms and jiggles my phone, and causes me to mess up the photo.

But the shifting clouds and sunlight, the shapes transforming before my eyes, the shafts of light creating elevators to the Hanaqpacha (Upper World) beckon irresistibly. I know first-hand: if you blink your eyes they’re gone. And just because the sky is full of mysterious permutations at the moment does not mean they’ll be here tomorrow. Far from it. They may not be here five minutes from now. Thus, I must seize the moment, puppy impatience be damned.

Soften your gaze – North Wind – Photo: L. Weikel

North Wind

Much to Spartacus’s chagrin, I couldn’t stop stopping today. The magic was relentless. I was simply happy we were managing to get a walk in at all. Just as my ‘work’ day was coming to a close, the aforementioned stormy weather really kicked in and I started to doubt. But the wind and rain only lasted for an hour or so, and Spart and I soon decided to risk it.

Look at the above cloud bank. Soften your gaze. Do you see the face within the great blue grayness? It’s reminiscent, to me at least, of the bronzed face of Harrison Ford (as Han Solo) in the second Star Wars movie. I didn’t see that face until I got home. I took the photo for the simple purpose of capturing the power aloft.

Good Boy

Maybe ten minutes later at the most, I couldn’t allow the exquisite beauty unfolding before my eyes to go unrecorded one more moment. “Spart! Hang on! Come ‘ere!” My commands punctuated the shushing of the wind as it worked to unfurl the newly budded leaves of the ash, sycamore, and maples behind me. The setting sun illuminating wisps of clouds in peach colored garb wouldn’t wait.

He listened – for the most part. Well enough to deserve two treats after Mommy took her dumb photos. What a good boy.

(T-205)

Lull – Day 776

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 2 Comments
What? – Photo: L. Weikel

Lull

The week between Christmas and New Years is a classic opportunity for most of us to step back and experience the lull. Sadly, it’s a safe bet there will be exponentially more angst and uncertainty this coming week than normal.

Normal. What a quaint and impossible to define concept, especially this year. Which makes indulging the lull even more of a responsibility.

Comforting Routine

Karl and I managed to take a walk today. It was normal, for all intents and purposes. Uneventful. An attempt to re-engage with our routine.

I only took a few photos. None of them screamed, “This merits a post!” But I’ll include a couple anyway.

It felt comforting to take a walk after having missed the last three days (at least). This was quite a long stretch to go without our daily immersion in nature. I was feeling it, feeling the disconnection.

As much as walking is sacred to me, I’m curious at how easy it is to fall out of the habit. Even worse is how insidiously easy it is to then talk myself out of resuming that which keeps me grounded and balanced.

Why do I do that to myself? It’s the same with my writing. And reading for pleasure. It’s almost as if it’s a sin against nature to allow myself to stop thinking about all the things I ‘should’ be doing for a moment and just be. Just read. Just write in my journal.

Really? – Photo: L. Weikel

I Know Better

Intellectually, I know better. Of course I do! I know the value – the necessity – of taking care of our own needs and keeping ourselves nourished and nurtured. I also know how much better I feel when I walk, when I give myself an opportunity to listen to a flock of geese and feel the thrill of having a chat with a doe.

My habit of resisting what’s best for my heart and soul when I need it the most is tedious. I see it and recognize it, but I’m not going to indulge it. It’s based in an old set of beliefs that don’t work anymore, and frankly, never did.

I intend to indulge – and enjoy – the lull tomorrow. Perhaps you’ll join me and we can maybe even commit to extending the lull right up to the official conclusion of this cataclysmic year.

And there’s that gentleness showing up again, calling my name. Yours too, I bet.

Talk to the Tail – Photo: L. Weikel

 

(T-335)