“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
― Mary Oliver
I've been listening to this CD in the car...a lot! We have a history together. The song "Flowers" is a real favorite because it has such deep, meaningful teaching memories for me.
When I worked with Kindergarten students, they had a 'required' rest time. They didn't sleep... ever. So, I had the daily opportunity to introduce them to all kinds of music. Music they most likely would not have heard otherwise. I played a wide variety of music and particular artists that were more on the 'listen while resting' side of things. This CD was most loved, but we listened to Carlos Nakai flute music and the greatest hits of Louis Armstrong - where "What a Wonderful World" was beloved - they were often inspired to draw rainbows after their introduction to this song 🙂. There were many others, but you get the point.
This song, "Flowers" has such fond memories for me...I even played it for J. on the way to City Park the other day. haha It got stuck in his head and I have heard little Ah-Ha's! escape.
My kindergarten students would lay on their mats in the darkened Childcare Building...resting. When this song played, I would hear tiny 5 year old voices popping up around the room - singing Ah-Ha! I could see their little bodies wiggle with the joy of this song (so much for resting, eh?! haha) and then came another round of Ah-Ha's! I can still picture this scene.
I loved teaching. Being with the children (of all ages) brought me just as much joy over the years. Joy and connections in our shared experiences. Some of those run so deep that my old co-workers (really friends at this point) still talk about them. The ability to be present and make such meaning is a value beyond words.
As I've listened, I've thought a lot about Deb, as a fellow teacher and about Marti as a dance lover (track #9)! And...so many grandchildren for all.
You can listen to "Flowers" HERE (the words are there too)
Upon arrival, arms thrown wide, she exclaims, "Ahh...Hello Bridge!" It had been too many days away.
What we'd thought was merely moss covered rocks may have been more complicated than that. Today we saw a man and a boy - pants rolled up - using long sticks to push moss clumps downriver...watching them float away. I wonder what gave them the idea to do this? But, what a splendid thing to do on a lovely 82° summer day. Perhaps the moss clumps were catching on rocks or other debris in the water. I won't know unless I climb down there. I will most likely not be doing that. But, they gave me a good idea. More on that coming up.
I discovered this watercolor video, which really captured my attention. Imagine... 1) having a grandma who was so talented & adventuresome. 2) being a talented artist yourself. 3) having the idea, ways & means to go on a journey like this. What an imaginative and delightful life!
We noticed the Preying Mantis egg crate again and caught sight of a two lizard fence post, which is unusual.
We've been seeing SO MANY large yellow butterflies recently. In trying to do research, I realize that I really haven't gotten a close look (they are rarely still) and for sure - no photos. Today we decided that we'd start doing a "Butterfly Count" on our return walk at the bridge, noting the large yellow, tiny pale yellow and tiny white ones we see there each time.
One Turkey Vulture circling and two small birds perched momentarily on a fence post.
I am still wishing for more zoom, wide shot, depth perception & clarity in my photos, even with the new camera. Oh well, now viewers can use their imagination along with me 🙂
I have a new understanding of elder feet. I've been reflecting on the grandmas and my mom and others and their elder feet...from pains - crossed over toes - desired coolness - wanting 100% cotton socks - wanting super lightweight shoes and so on...ah, yes...aging feet "ain't for sissies", as Michelle in NYC taught me about aging in general. 🙂 I tried out these sandals on the paved, asphalt path. Worked fine. I am grateful.
So, after seeing the floating moss clumps getting pushed downstream...I got an idea. I picked up what was left (that I could see) of my offerings (did someone take the tiny white rock or is it lost in the dirt below - oh well, no matter) - so...two sticks I found interesting (one from Mentryville and one from Emma Wood), but no one else seemed to be captured as I had been! haha and one 'green' rock that looked super cool up in the San Fransisquito riverbed...
I took them back with me to the bridge on my return trip, so I could play "Poohsticks" in the flowing water and rock tossing too. One by one, I tossed in a stick and ran (well, walked quickly - wink, wink) to the other side where J. was waiting for them. We saw them both come through and travel down towards the clump of greenery growing at the waters edge (upper left of pic). What fun!
Last, J. gave his best try at throwing the green rock. His hard throw had it hit the bridge (in two places) with a loud DING and land in the water with a plink. It landed near the big sitting rock, but quite close to the bridge. I was hoping it would land where it could be found since it looks so beautiful when wet. Maybe it will be seen by some future river-wader.
When looking for the rock to land, we took note of the gathering of sticks near the brick-block. That brick-block has been moved around the general area for weeks now.
How do you feel getting back to a much loved place after time away?
Thanks go out to Margery of trickstershoard for the sharing of this piece of writing that had come her way. I honor her gift by sharing it myself, here with all of you.
I found it so timely. My Power Words list included "stay strong"...and now, how this writing fleshes out that idea even further...what strong can look like.
Days around here call for strength...whatever kind of strength one can muster and that includes the "sitting with" kind. Some tummy troubles this week give me time to think and stitch. I am grateful.
Anyway, now I consider how those Power Words can mean so many different things depending on the reader or the situation or the moment.
Isn't that wonderful?
I added the last phrase 'May You Claim Your Power!' onto the cloth today. I'm ready to make more. I also added an edging of green stitching around the Metta Kindness Meditation scroll.
The early morning and early evening sky is filled with the calls of Hawk. She sits in this tall tree and calls...screams out and exits the tree, slow and low through the still air. I stand in awe.
