I Love Trees

Trees are such awesome individuals. Like us, they begin life from a tiny tiny beginning; a seed and with time grow into large embodiments of the ideas held in that original encased potential.

They grow right where they are.

They don’t seem to particularly long for different conditions though they will definitely lean towards the favorable. They commit to place and get on with their business of living.  They drink when it is offered and dance when the air insists. They slowly compete for sky and as wee youngsters start seeking personal heights immediately.

Their arms hold the homes of birds – nature’s optimists. They may house innumerable species of creatures, big and small and be as full of neighborhoods as a big ol’ city!

You can count on a tree to be there.

They don’t go off to seek their fortunes in distant lands. They quietly create their lives in place – influencing the landscape with their presence, sharing their bounty with their presents:

• seeds
• shade
• sap
• shelter
• shape

There is everything to love about a tree.

Much to admire.

They don’t embarrass easily. They’re tough. Sturdy. Reliable.

They’re interesting too. Like how they can change dramatically to optimize their existence for different seasons:

Sun Gathering – leafed out.

Drought Coping – leaf dropping.

Fall Hope – seeds.

Winter Waiting – bare branched.

Spring Mayhem – flowers!

Their branches draw for us opportunistic paths found all throughout this universe: part pure randomness part perfectly predictable.

Trees are symbols of strength, hope, adaptability. Wherever they are life lived near them is more pleasant. I love trees.

Creative Consideration

Go spend some quality time in the company of trees. Document what you experience in whatever way you like best, photographs, drawings, recording, video, story, list of observations. Anything will do – do what the trees inspire!

Imbolc Day – February 1

Imbolc Day celebrates hope + optimism

Today in the northern hemisphere we are halfway between the winter and spring equinox. In ancient Gaelic times this event was celebrated to mark the end of winter’s grip and the impending joys of spring. It’s a forward thinking very optimistic day indeed!

The root for the word, imbolc, harkens to pregnant ewes who will delivering their lambs soon. To celebrate properly then a little sheep’s milk cheese is offered, greens are collected (as available) and white candles are made ready.

Activity

Take a walk today out in some natural setting (a park, preserve, open field, woodsy nature trail, your back yard – wherever) and see who’s up and out on this fine St. Brigid’s Day (another name for it – honoring the Celtic Goddess of smithcraft, poetry and healing). If you’re a true urban dweller you may find that if there’s a zoo the animals kept there might be showing some signs of being more active. Too, the more common pigeons, tats and dog park attendees might also be showing subtle signs of being ready to turn the corner on this winter season. Take a wander and see what you think.

Creative Consideration

Let’s do the Imbolc Feast!

• Make a salad, baby greens will be most appropriate with toppings of young veggies – whatever you can snag. If you’re lucky enough to live near a cleaning running stream go see if there’s any wild watercress nestled near it to toss on top of your salad. If you’re in the city go to that fancy food store where they tuck in the mini baby vegetables and splurge for some to go with your feast. I’m jealous.
• Have some sheep’s milk cheese. Natural markets carry such stuff – but you know what? Goat’s milk cheese if almost as appropriate – so feta it is!
• Light some white candles. Dinky votives, tall pillars. Doesn’t matter. You’re lighting your shining knowledge that spring is coming — it’s inevitable now. We’re on the downward easy-street slide to it. Finally. Yay!

Remember your local friends!

I’m also going to add seeds (hope) and nuts (ditto) to my salad in honor of all the woodland creatures out there who are making it through the winter on their nut-saving guile. You know what? I’m also going to prepare a little feast for the squirrels and birds today in honor of all of this hope:

• diced apples
• peanuts
• breadcrumbs
• millet
• sunflower seeds

….I’m going to put it out where my dogs won’t bother them and cheer them on as they discover this unexpected windfall.

Finding Unicorns Part 1

Unicorns have been a part of human folklore for many centuries. Their mystique is captivating. From what I know of equine nature, the practicality of a thousand pound creature with a propensity to skedaddle in perhaps unpredictable directions with a saber coming out of his head is questionable from a handler’s point of view.

“Can I pet your unic—AAAARGHGH!” as the startled equine whips his noggin around to get a gander at his now punctured benefactor. A fresh victim to the unicorn’s flighty nature and gold and ivory head piece.

So I give you “Exhibit A”:

We may not actually want to find unicorns.

I think that we’re after, our ‘Holy Grail” of unicorn seeking is the notion that these marvelous animals are enduring symbols of the fantastic in nature and what we actually hope to find is more evidence of that. In this, with the right attitude, we can never fail. Thus we can be and are ever surrounded by unicorns of every size and color. For the so-enlightened they are ubiquitous throughout every landscape. Every ecosystem is lousy with unicorns! Forests, seashores, mountain tops, gardens, yards, parks, trails, rivers, empty lots, moonscapes, underneath rocks — all loaded with unicorns.

For the really clever among us, the well practiced, the open minded, the seekers of joy — unicorns show up in even more places:

• board rooms
• communication exchanges (letters, email, Facebook posts)
• parties
• in books, magazine articles and blogs,
• the shopping mall
• certainly every farmer’s market out there
• artists’ studios
• stages
• in every melody, drum beat and rhythm
• in math equations
• strange conjectures
• good design
• bad design
• menus
• fashion…..

You get the idea. Wherever there is a garden of ideas in various states of growth or dormancy there are potential unicorns.

Perhaps where we're looking is a bit 'off'...

Beginners Guide

To get up and out of our ‘normal’ selves with our ‘regular’ point of view we’re going to have to get up and out of our conventional routines. This will help set the frame of mind necessary to successfully find these unusual beings.

Prep Activity A

De-Routinize the Day

• Eat dinner for breakfast Starting with dessert
• If you shower in the morning — don’t. If you shower at night — do it now.

Outside Influence

• Do you usually log on, link in, check your email/messages/voice mail, etc? Not today.
• Watch or listen to the news? Nope, not today kiddo.

Positive Armor

• Mix up your clothes. Wear that thing you usually save for special occasions; a pair of shoes out of daily rotation, a necklace that usually sits there waiting for its chance to shine. What I’m talking about here are items that you got because you out and out had to have them — not for any practical purposes really, just delightful ones. These are your own ready-made personal power emblems.

You see, this is the perfectly nonsensical thinking that unicorns find so irresistible!

• You are also encouraged to create your own unicorn finding outfit. Special shoes, jeans, earrings, top, tie, belt, socks you catch my drift.

Prep Activity B

Now plop down and write out all the reasons you will NOT find unicorns. You know what I’m talking about. Stuff like:

Because they don’t exist.

No one’s ever seen one.

They’re invisible.

They’re scared of people.

I don’t know what-all. Go ahead be negative. Give it your best shot. Phew! Feel better? Feel all grown up and smart? Right-o. They can’t say you’re crazy now — look how sensible you are with your list.

Prep Activity C

Argue on paper with your sensible list. If you’re with a group doing this activity, shoot holes in everyone’s ‘realistic declarations’. e.g. “No one’s ever seen one.” YET. “They’re invisible.” So are atoms. So is air. You get the gist. If you don’t get it, just call it “Opposite Day” and go with that for now. The ol’ up is down, left is right routine. You get the drill. After all Rome, and it’s zoos full of unicorns, wasn’t built in a day.

On to Finding Unicorns Part 2