Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Trees Are My Brothers




"More fir trees of great tallness was on either side of the road--they did stretch out their great arms to welcome us.  I so do love trees.  I have thinks I was once a tree, growing in the forest.  Now all the trees are my brothers."

--Opal Whiteley's Diary at age 5, 1902

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Mas Moss

photo of trees in the Oregon Coast Range by Nancy Zavada

A man in Austin, Texas, asked me, "Is it true, in Oregon, moss grows everywhere?  I have heard that it even grows on sidewalks.  Does that really happen?"

True?  Yes, moss grows on sidewalks, on cars, on fences, on buildings, and well, pretty much anything left outside. This time of year, when there hasn't been much sun for over four months and the rain/drizzle/mist is constant, the moss is at its thickest.

It's damp, green beauty blankets everything with inches of soft fur and the leafless trees keep warm in their moss stoles.

photo of moss dripping from a tree by Nancy Zavada

Yes, sir,  it is not only true, it is magnificent!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Door of My Soul

photo of water lily at Rockaway Beach Oregon by Nancy Zavada

Since I learned how to love you,
the door of my soul has been left wide open
to the winds of the four directions.

--Thich Nhat Hanh

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Can You Smell Color?

When I recently saw a photo of a piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum, I immediately tasted its flavor.  How strange.  Then as I watched, my other senses were triggered right down to feeling the "dust" on the gum after it was unwrapped (if you are a child of the 50s or 60s, you know what I am talking about).

How amazing is this human body that can have such an sensory experience from just a visual?  How lucky we are to have such a complex tool to explore our world.  There is not a piece of technology invented that can match it. 

Since then, I have been playing with colors in the same way and thought you might want to play along.

Close your eyes and visualize the color green.  Once you have it in mind, smell it, taste it, touch it.  Marvel at the sensations. 

This is where my mind goes each time I think green.  I can smell the dark green of the Earth, feel the softness of the moss, experience the strong taste of plants, and hear the quiet of the forest.


Take some time to explore other colors as well...

Blue
Purple
Yellow
Red 
Pink

Even white is a fascinating exploration as I can smell the fresh linen sheets, feel their warmth from hanging outside in the sun.  My taste sensation goes directly to the crisp white frosting that topped the cakes when I was a child.

I give thanks for this incredible experience called Life.


Sunday, February 10, 2013

Designed by Nature


A winter's walk took me past this old tree where the intricate pattern of the bark was stunning.  I think the fairies have been braiding it as it grew.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Spell Has Been Cast



The sea,
once it casts its spell,
holds one in its net of wonder forever.

--Jacques Yves Cousteau