Double Eagles

There I was lounging on the deck immersed in a good book.  I looked up from the mystery to see these two bald eagles perched in the tree above me.

It is at this point, I decide it would be prudent to move around a bit just in case they were discussing whether or not I would make a good meal.

Local Artist

A robin made this beautiful work of art, right in my backyard.  

The structural design, use of materials and intricate weave of this nest are astonishing.  

Especially if you consider, this mother bird doesn't even have hands!

What Will You Risk?

"I do not care what you do for a living.  

All I want to know is what you ache for, 

and if you dare to dream of achieving your heart's desires.

I do not care how old you are.  

I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, 

for your dreams,

for the adventure of being alive."

The Invitation by Oriah

A Face You Can't Resist

Grumbling through my early morning walk, this little face made me break into a full grin. 
I stepped a little lighter after that.

Mermaid Lessons

I wasn't the first mermaid in the family, that honor goes to my grandmother.  Grandma Mimi loved swimming, floating, wading and pretty much any excuse for being in the water. 

She would wade out in the Columbia River and toes up, start floating downstream.  The huge smile on her face could be seen from the shore.  She waved at me as she drifted away.  I knew right then, I wanted to be just like her.  From time to time, she would worry my grandfather as he would lose sight of her.  She always came swimming back up river though, without a care in the world.  Water makes me feel that way too.

I still have her beach bag, it is packed just as she left it, ready for an outing.  It's funny the things you hang on to, the things that remind you of loved ones, the things you will never part with.  How lucky I am to have a mermaid's bag full of treasure.

 

Joyful Planet

People from a planet without flowers would think 

we must be mad with joy the whole time

to have such things about us.

--Iris Murdoch

Overheard, But Not Seen

“I have a dragon…I suppose you want one too?” the little girl asked.

“Of course,” exclaimed the little boy.  “I have always wanted a dragon.”

Unable to resist temptation, the evil witch (me from a window above) called out, 

“I want a dragon too!” 

Hearing my voice, they ran away shrieking still unseen among the trees.  A while later they wandered back within earshot and the conversation between the two resumed…

“How did you find me?” she wondered.

“You are standing right here,” he was getting quite annoyed.

“But how did you see me?”  her tone very perplexed.

“Because you are standing right here!”

“You can’t see me,  I am invisible.”

I didn’t interrupt this time, I just smiled to myself as I stroked my new dragon.

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.

I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light.

For a time I rest in the grace of the world,

and I am free.

--Wendell Barry