“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust In the course of my life, I’ve been blessed to travel and spend time in some remarkable, memorable places. The special places are always the ones that leave an indelible mark on us. Perhaps it was a glorious sunset or sunrise, or maybe it was a delicious meal enjoyed at a one-of-a-kind cafe. When one is far away from home, the most beautiful things are not always the scenery; sometimes it is the hospitality of a new found friend. Travel has a way of broadening one’s horizons and opening the soul to a myriad of experiences that otherwise would >>
Strength in Peace
There is always strength in peace, it is just hidden from the general view, yet it is always seen and felt in the heart of the viewer. We live in extraordinary times. Our world is in the midst of many changes, beginning with our level of consciousness. Where can we turn to find peace to soothe us? For me, Mother Nature is a superb tonic. Living surrounded by a forest is something akin to being wrapped in a blanket of green, healing peace. The sound of the nearby waterfall after a hard, soaking rain is therapeutic. Ditto for the chirping of crickets, the croaking of frogs, and the singing of the birds. Oh, and my neighbors one >>
The English Laurel’s Gift
Every day at my home I look outside my big picture window that faces East and overlooks the Plott Balsam mountain range, and gaze upon the very large English Laurel shrub that holds court several feet away. This magnificent evergreen is the gathering place for many birds and animals here in the Nantahala Forest. Cardinals, Towhees, Black-capped Chickadees, Doves, Wrens, Sparrows, Hummingbirds, Brown Thrashers, rabbits, squirrels, the occasional chipmunk, all seek shelter from time to time here, and search for food, too. The bird feeder hangs from the eaves, next to this honored specimen of Nature, and attracts a growing number of feathered friends. In the spring, this lovely bush presents the most delightful gift of sweet smelling, >>
Summer Solstice in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Today is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere of our world. The official time of this Summer Solstice is 5:43 pm Eastern Time. This morning brought the other worldly “green fog” to cover our mountain here in the Appalachians. After the greening up of these forests at the end of April, whenever the fog descends it takes on a pale green hue because of the lovely green trees and bushes. The gentle winds keep little wisps of fog drifting by my window The bird feeder just outside my floor to ceiling windows has been full of activity these past few days, and this morning was no exception. Rabbits and squirrels and chipmunks also visit >>
Greening of Mother Earth
The Divine Feminine Presence of Mother Earth is gladly displaying her verdant colors of green, like the Greensleeves of the Magdalene tradition. The Nantahala Forest is flush with greenery in all the trees, bushes, shrubs and all vegetation. The animal kingdom is thriving, too. The tiny black capped chickadee visits my birdfeeder daily, along with many other birds, and many have not been seen here during previous springs. All of these feathered friends are welcome! The skies are clear and the air is much cleaner. Afternoon rains are almost daily. This time of pandemic is benefitting Mother Earth, and all of her inhabitants, too. Rhododendron royalty has visited and moved to higher elevations. Now the Mountain Laurel reigns >>
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