“Yoga is stilling the fluctuations of the mind”
This, borrowed directly from a beautiful relation’s blog post this morning.
Several events unfolded yesterday that were totally out of my control. These events did NOT happen to me, but happened to two of my children. As every mother knows, when things spin out of control for a child, it is a natural outcome to want to swoop in and save them from the experience and the outcome. Even at not intervening yesterday, I was thrown into a ‘spazz’, as Alyssa writes. I haven’t learned in life to ‘still the fluctuations of my mind’…but as I read these bits this morning, I certainly can see the value in doing so.
So, thank you for the words and as this morning feels full of calm, it is easier for me to look back over yesterday, with a clear perspective. I am thankful for conversations with Adrienne and with Karen. I am grateful for the engaged presence of Shawn. I am thankful for a full night of sleep. It is a celebration that I rolled over and looked at my clock lit up in the darkness of morning, to discover that indeed, I had slept until 6:30, instead of a week-long frustration of 2:00 am wake ups. I apologize that I went a little off grid yesterday and was a grumpy-pants with some of the peeps in my life. Today is a new day. And I hope that when, next time, there are circumstances beyond our/my control, that I will climb up onto that strong branch and look down upon the situation, with a degree of separation.
The Bald Eagles have left their typical routines at the edge of the Bow River and both juveniles are absent. It is very quiet as autumn approaches. Here are the last photographs of Mr. who after a summer of raising two juveniles on his own, is remarkable and held, by me, in high regard. Here are the last photographs of the juvenile that really resisted leaving his home, the nest and its territory.
Mornings are darker and the sun fades earlier. I am experiencing some loss of the rich sights and sounds of summer. With the full moon, I feel that I am entering the next season and I am assured that it, also, will be beautiful.
I’ve received some recent e mails from my friend that fill me to the brim with the love of nature. It is interesting and I do contend that one needn’t go very far in order to enter into the mysteries of the natural world. And so, I share these words, without permission to illustrate that point. (sorry, friend)
One day. “You would have liked the view from my kitchen window. As I unloaded my groceries I thought of you. Blue jays came calling. Flying among the shrubs and trees. Perhaps finishing off the few apples, raspberries and saskatoons that are still on the branches. If i took pictures there could have been some good ones.”
Another. “So, I cleaned bathrooms, quick vacuum, suppers ready and now im going to watch tennis. But this morning there were lots of robins. Don’t they leave, shouldn’t they be gone. And a couple of flickers eating ants in my lawn, good thing, but they do stir up the roots, not so good.”
And finally. “Went out to my gardens today with the intentions of moving some lilies around. My tiger lilies in front are too tall and some Asiatic in the back get hidden. Planted them with good planning at the time, i thought, but the ways of gardening you need to change things. However, the ground was a bit too wet. Did pick mushrooms, again, in my lawn. Heard Mr. Hole the other day say mushrooms in the lawn are a good thing!
Deadheaded a few perennials and cut down most of my delphiniums as the leaves have now turned brown.
Lots of perennials still in bloom, fall asters beginning to blossom. Sending a couple of pics. My primula is back in bloom again. It is one crazy plant, blooms for about 3 months in spring, rests for a couple and then starts again. None of my other primulas do this. So, don’t know if its location or variety and of course haven’t the tag anymore. Even with the summer blooms gone there is still so many shades of green to enjoy.
And, wished you were here to identify a bird that was out the whole time with me. Googled and think it was a downy woodpecker. Cant say I’ve ever seen one in my yard like that before. White breast, black and white feathers and no everyone is was not a magpie. Rat a tat tat on my bamboo stakes the whole time. Bamboo is strong, I would have thought its beak would get sore.
Still lots of robins and blue jays in the gardens. And everyday a lone flicker comes to eat the ants. Wonder if it is the same one and why doesn’t it tell its friends to come feast at my place. So, I have put up with ants and aphids in hopes that the birds can live without my use of pesticides.”
I feel blessed with the beauty of these descriptions of ordinary moments, that truly ARE extraordinary! Thank you, friend, for taking me to the peaceful sanctuary of your garden through words.
Now, I’m posting just a couple of your photographs, without permission. Get back to me if you wish me to remove any/all of your creative material. I’m celebrating your connection with nature and the beauty of your garden this morning.
Photo Credit PT
Photo Credit: PT
Today, I’m going to try to be more mindful. I’m going to demonstrate calm. I hope that I can be here, in a healthy capacity, for those who need me.