nature

Red Squirrel Therapy

Posted by Barbara Techel

This darling little red squirrel came to visit yesterday. Perhaps he has been around these parts before, but it’s the first time I’ve seen him.

I stopped what I was doing to watch him. I mean, how could I not, right?

I’ve been in a funk for the last two weeks with concerns about Gidget, of which I’m still working through.

Watching Mr. Red Squirrel I found my mood lightening up a bit and a smile came to my face.

After dining on a few kernels of corn he scampered down the side of the deck railing, and skittered here, there, and everywhere on the deck, making me laugh out loud. Then into Mr. Tree he ran (formerly our Christmas tree) who is now lying on his side on our deck. If you missed my post about Mr. Tree, who created a special memory, you can read about it here.

For a few weeks Mr. Tree was upright in the corner where I was able to enjoy him just a wee bit longer, gazing at him through the patio door often when sitting in my big red chair in my living room. But his needles are quickly drying as the sun moves closer to the earth everyday now, along with some windy days we’ve had.

I’ve felt bad that Mr. Tree can no longer stand and is moving through this transition. But as Mr. Red Squirrel scampered in-between the branches having fun jumping all around, I realized how sweet that Mr. Tree, even though now frail, had a new purpose.

Those few moments of pausing and reflecting with Mr. Red Squirrel as my animal allie with was just the therapy I needed. Reminding me that change is always present. Accepting this is key to living a life with less suffering. Perhaps I’ll have this challenge mastered before I leave this earthly plane, but for now, I thank Mr. Red Squirrel and Mr. Tree for the needed reflection.

Mr. Red Squirrel also reminded me to not take life too seriously and to be sure to have fun… and yup…even when life feels challenging.

I’ve not seen Mr. Red Squirrel today as of yet, but see that Hank, the grey squirrel has returned. So perhaps Mr. Red Squirrel feels I got the message and may not appear until I need another reminder…and rest assured, I likely will. So best keep a cob of corn on the deck for him. 🙂

XO,

Barbara

Hawk Medicine

Posted by Barbara Techel

Hawk Medicine

Welcome! I knew you could do it. 

This is what I heard a hawk convey to me, just as I entered the small woods near my home yesterday. I saw him high in a tree, and then as he gracefully lifted off taking flight. After hearing this message, I said out loud, ” Oh yes! This was so worth it. So worth it!”

As I wrote yesterday, I was in a funk. The voice inside that knows what is best for me had been nudging me for quite a few weeks to get outside. But we’ve been having below zero temps made even colder with bite-to-the bone wind chills so that voice was being drowned out by the wee little nagging voice that complained it was too cold out.

This isn’t the actual hawk I saw but a photo I found online. It was zero degrees yesterday and I was bundled up in many layers so I could have never gotten my two pair of gloves off fast enough to get a picture.

But it does not matter because seeing that hawk and hearing his message made my heart soar! I have no doubt what-so-ever he was just waiting for me to confirm that I was right where I needed to be, taking that walk on such a chilly day.

The sun was brilliant, the skies an icy blue, and the winds calm, along with Hawk, it was just the medicine I needed to adjust my attitude which I sorely needed.

There is truly nothing like nature to remind you of how grand life is if we can take our focus off our silly little worries for a time being. And you know what? Just that half hour in nature had me feeling as if I could fly, just like Hawk!

After sharing this post, I heard from my 80 something year old friend, Jerry who wrote, “It’s true that I can’t tolerate the cold outside as well as I did even ten years ago, I have goose down, and I have my old-fart’s hat with the insulation and ear flaps. We went out for an early dinner on New Year’s Eve, and it’s the first time I’ve sat in an upscale restaurant with thermal longjohns under my good clothes, but old age brings many firsts. So try to enjoy it.” 

Point taken my friend, point taken. And a lovely quote he shared with me from T.S. Elliot, in “The Wasteland.” 

Winter kept us warm, covering

Earth in forgetful snow, feeding

A little life with dried tubers.

Pays to have wise old friends to keep us in check and I take this advice, tuck it under my fuzzy hood on my coat, and will carry with me.

And since my dear friend, Jerry isn’t on Facebook (of which I think is very wise of him at times, too) I share some pictures from my walk yesterday and today… and I hope it will inspire you, along with Jerry’s sage advice, to partake in the magic of nature…

Made it up the first hill after seeing Hawk and the cold was no longer a factor!
Hello trees! Oh, how I’ve missed you!
So pretty!
Interesting art in nature!
Right before heading out of the woods I came across the very busy bunny trail crossing!
Me and my shadow plus a walking stick friend I picked up along the way. The stick now awaits me for next time as I left at the edge of the woods. Can’t wait to see him and maybe Hawk again!

Sunday morning walk photos below.

I decided to walk earlier today with the intention that I hoped I’d see some deer. Lucky me, but also proof for me that we are truly connected and one with nature, the animals, and the universe…because as I walked down one part of the trail that is steep, I looked up just in time to see four deer run across the path about fifteen feet in front of me! Oh yes, so dang worth it. So worth it!!

First on the trail this morning!
What was and the promise of what will be again.
There’s a trio of trees like this, all with wooden fences around them, as we live in a part of the Kettle Moraine area. Fascinating how the landscape is, I think.
My walking stick friend which I leave to rest here after my walk. See you again soon!

It’s in the Air

Posted by Barbara Techel
It's in the Air.
photo credit: Mary Kohls Blanke

How does nature do it? This subtle shift that begins to take place with the changing of seasons.

The light dances early in the morning in my Zen writing cottage with a different rhythm than earlier this summer. It almost looks as if it is a soft ripple of a wave cascading over my hardwood floor. I want to swim in its magic!

This photo above I saw on Facebook this morning, by one of my favorite local photographers Mary, and it made me catch my breath. Another indication that we are moving ever-so-gently toward autumn.

Fall…my most favorite time of the year! I truly wish there was a place on earth that was fall all year-long. Ah, but as I write this, it would likely take away the magic and the anticipation -two things I’m not willing to sacrifice.

Autumnal season…It conjures up in me the most delightful feeling – one I find hard to express in words – because fall is all about emotion for me.

I find myself wanting to listen to piano music. I want to declutter and organize and am thrilled to say my walk-in closet, plus jewelry and make-up has been freed of its staleness and the letting go of what no longer sparked joy. Many clothes and shoes I have tired of are headed to St. Vincent De Paul this week…to be loved by another. I wish them well.

I want to immerse myself in nature more with walks. My heart melts into a welcome slowing down around our chiminea as the geese have returned and begun their nightly honking and fly-overs.

This summer has been much about letting go for me and a time of embracing new possibilities. Opening and expanding which isn’t always easy work, but serving as a beautiful response in how I feel about my life.

And just like nature, we must allow our lives to flow without trying to control it, knowing that each season brings with it just what we need.

It’s in the air…and I welcome it all.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.