Bee-side Our Window

Last Spring we noticed that we had bees flying near our front door. They seemed interested in the bushes by our front windows. One bee in particular seemed to be the most aggressive – to other bees, not to us, thank goodness. I had even named it as I watched it flitter around. It was chasing away any other bees that came by.

Well, the bushes are beginning to flower again and Bebe is back! It seems to have even more energy than last year. It is there when I open the door but it isn’t threatening. It keeps its distance as I watch it discourage any other bees that seem interested in the bushes. The strange thing is that I don’t see any nest in the bushes. What is it protecting? Last year we checked the gutters but they were clean, as they are this year.

By now I expect to see Bebe greeting me in the morning. The buzz gets a smile as I open the front door – a delightful way to start the day!

A Natural Path

There are so many natural paths close to where I live. Some are township properties, others are privately owned but open to the public. They often include waterways that add a peaceful element to the surrounding walkways.

As Winter changes to Spring, the colors start to emerge and plants blossom to make a walk even more delightful. Others seemed to be enjoying the path we recently discovered as well. We took a gentle walk on this pleasant day and let nature embrace us with beauty and peace.

I find this activity so simple and calming that I like to do it often during the nice weather. And each season nature invites us to share in the changes, to see the variety that exists naturally. I hope that everyone has access to a calming place, a space to take a deep breath and let go of any worries.    

 

Our Senses

                                                         Our Senses

It might only be February but I am already feeling the coming of Spring. My five senses are being awakened by nature. I see the pigeons gathering in flocks on wires, trees and roofs. I hear the squirrels stamping across the roof when I awaken early in the morning. I smell skunks as I drive through my neighborhood and pass a couple charging across the street. I am delighted by the gentle feel of the buds on the plants starting to open their flowers. And I can almost taste the mint that grows automatically in my tiny vegetable garden.

But I discovered that we might have more senses than we know. We are attuned to our world in many ways. We interact even when we aren’t aware that we’re doing it. Perhaps if we understand that we are connected with everything, we will be more careful with how we live.

There seems to be other senses as well:

https://medium.com/the-philipendium/the-5-senses-or-maybe-7-probably-9-perhaps-11-f9e6c54f76f0

The Holidays Are Here

 

The Holidays Are Here

So much has been happening through this year that it is often hard to get into the holiday spirit. But, fortunately, that doesn’t stop many of our neighbors from lighting up their homes to help lighten our emotional load. 

The lights don’t have to be flashing or overly elaborate to be appealing. One house in our neighborhood offers a simple light tree, which shines brightly as we pass on our walk. It helps to remind us to allow light into our lives and imagination.

I hope that this season brings joy to everyone.

Dandelion Landing

 

Dandelion Landing

It was a pleasant afternoon, sunny but not too hot. Just right for being out back on the patio reading a book. But then something took my attention away from what I was reading, a puffy seed flipping over my legs. I reached out for it but it slipped off my palm and hurried off. Then I noticed other seeds frolicking over the lawn, all determined to be on their way.

I scooped one up as it was flying over me and brought it inside where I could examine it more closely. How delicate it was and yet I knew it wasn’t fragile. It was a dandelion seed that would plant itself with the others and they would overtake the lawn if allowed to land.  

I heard of someone who was considering planting dandelion seeds instead of grass. No doubt it would be lovely to look out but not consistent with what is considered a proper lawn. Maybe it will start a fad and change our perspective about lawns. After all, there are many positives to dandelions, including vitamins.

Check this out:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324083#what-is-dandelion

 

    

 Butterfly on a Sunflower

Taking a walk in a local nature center om a hot day. It was pleasant walking along the dirt paths in the cool shade of the trees on another 90-degree day. Each step brought something else to observe. The birds were out in numbers, chirping and flitting from tree to tree. The leaves were starting to cover the walkway, adding crunch to our footsteps. The water from the creek was the lowest it has ever been; the hot summer and lack of rain was condensing its flow.  There were still some flowers blooming which added color to the scene.

Then we saw them – Monarch Butterflies flitting from flower to flower. They loved the sunflowers and we loved watching them. They like to winter in warmer places like Mexico and California but I wonder if that will change as our temperature rises. Maybe they’ll end up staying in my backyard. Meanwhile, they are appreciated whenever they appear and I wish them a safe trip to warmer climes.

https://monarchconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/MBF-Fun-Facts-Feb-21.FINAL_.pdf

 

 

Fireworks Galore!

We went to a neighboring town last night to see some pre-4th fireworks. Dusk came and the sky lit up with color! Everyone cheered. A little kid behind us kept pointing to one particular burst saying “That’s my favorite!”

I remember when I was a little kid, my mother and aunt took me, my sister and cousins to Coney Island to see the Fourth of July fireworks. We stood on the boardwalk eagerly waiting for the first burst to brighten up the sky.  It was something I looked forward to. I loved it. I still do.

These fireworks were on the early side. Tonight there will be more in a different local town. And then on the actual 4^th, we’ll be able to see the official colorful celebration. I hope that this is all a reminder of the freedom that our country stands for. May politics be put aside. Let’s see all Americans, regardless of our differences, as one people. And may we all enjoy the brilliance of light and color and connectedness in America.