OnmytriptoKenyawehadtheprivilegeofvisitingaMaasaivillage(boma)andlearningabouttheirtraditions.Beingherders,theyalwaysmovedtheirstocktofreshgrazinggrounds,whichanyfarmerknowsisasbeneficialtothelandastotheanimals.Whilemovingrequiresbuildingnewhouses(manyattas)ofmud,dung,sticks,andthatch,theoldhousesgracefullymeltbackintotheearthwiththeseasonalrains.Comparethattotheresourcesweusetorebuildorremodelbuildingsjustbecausetheyare“dated”.
ManypeoplearehorrifiedtolearnthatthetraditionalMaasaidietismostlymilkandbloodobtainedfromtheircows,sheep,andgoats(withoutharmingthem)alongwithwhattheycanforage.Isn’tthatadefinitionofsustainabilityIammorehorrifiedbythefactthattheUSthrowsawayabout40billionpounds–almost40%oftheUSfoodsupply–everyyear.
Knowinghowcaringyouare,Isuspectthatgotyourattention.ButisittrueWell,sortof.Let’sfact-checkit.Mymedicalchartsays“fallfromhorse”.I’mnotanexpertrider,butnotasincompetentasthatmakesmesound.DidthehorsethrowmeThatimpliesintent.MydearfriendMary’shorseNikkiisagood,sweethorseandwouldneverintentionallyhurtme.Sowhathappened
Fear.Somethinginthewoodsspookedher,andshespun.Iflewoffandlandedhard.Horsesarepreyanimals,survivingbybeinghyperawareoftheirsurroundingsandreactingwithlightningspeed.Sowho’satfaultNo-one.DidIendupatthehospitalYes,afterpassingoutatthepostofficeandhittingmyheadyetagain,thistimewithoutahelmet.TheCTscanshowedagoodhardheadandafracturedlumbarvertebra.
ThemoralofthestoryUnfoundedfearisdangerous.WhateverNikkithoughtshesawcausedfear,whichhadseriousconsequencesforme.Maryalwayswalksherhorsesbackto“factcheck”theterrifyinglog,rock,orsquirrel,alleviatingtheimagineddanger.
SowhythedramaticheadlineToillustratewhatourfear-mongeringpresidentialcandidatewouldhavedone,alongwithmentioningthatthehorsewasblackandvicious,thepostofficewasatfault,andtheERwasspendingyourmoneyonacarelessoldchildlesscatlady–noneofwhichistrue.Well,thehorseisblack(andbeautiful!)andIamachildlesscatlady.Thankgoodness!IhaveLeoandLuckytosnugglewithandfriendstohelpwithchoreswhileIrecover.
I’msorryifIworriedyouforamoment,butIdohopeyouwillcheckthefactsandvoteforhonestyandintegrity.Haitiansarenoteatingourpets.ImmigrantscommitcrimesatasignificantlylowerratethanAmerican-borncitizens.Oureconomywouldcollapseandfoodpriceswouldsoarwithoutimmigrantlabor.ItwasTrumpwhoblockedthebipartisanimmigrationreformbill,onlytohavesomethingtorantabout.Thelastelectionwasnotstolen,yetheincitedadeadlyinsurrectionandrefusedtostopitforseveraltortuoushours.AreyouagainstabortionNoone,ever,willforceyoutohaveone.Butwomenandgirlsaredyingforlackofreproductivehealthcare.Theeconomyisstrong.Themarketsarestrong.Inflationisgoingdown.Wagesaregoingup.
YouthinkTrumpwillhelptheeconomy82NobelPrizewinnersineconomicsandsciencesayhe’sadangertoourcountry.Herescinded100environmentalprotectionswhileinofficeandstillrefusestorecognizetheexistentialthreatofclimatechange.Withdevastatingwarsaroundtheworld,weneedarational,respected,honest,informed,andcompassionateleader.Notaracistconvictedfelonwithsixbankruptcieswhoseownchiefsofstaffand200topRepublicanswarnushownarcissistic,mentallyunstable,anddangerousheis.
Onelastthing:IbelievewithmywholeheartthatChristweepseverytimeconmanTrumpclaimstobeaChristian.
I’dhopedtosharemoreAfricananimalsonthisblog,butfiguredmyfriendswouldwanttoknowaboutmylatestanimalencounter,evenifitwasn’tasmagicalassomeorasterribleastheheadlinemadeitsound.IalsofeelIhavearesponsibilitytopleadwithyoutoVOTE.GiveKamalaHarrisandTimWalzthechancetoprovethattruth,compassion,andjoyaremorepowerfulthanlies,greed,andchaos.
Okay,here’sonegorgeouslionlookingupinpeaceandoptimism.PleasestaytunedforatruestoryaboutthelioninRwandawhosavedawomanfromgenocide.Yes,evenalioncanbepowerfulandcompassionate.
ManythanksagaintoKARE11’sBoydHuppertandChadNelsonfortheiroutstandingproductioncalledGreenieandHolly.Itpremieredin2020andwillrepeattonightonthe10o’clocknewswithanupdate.OfcourseI’mbiased,buttheNationalEdwardR.MurrowJournalismAwardproveshowspecialitis!
ForthoseofyouwonderingwhyGreenie’sbookiscalledGreenieandTheGirlinsteadofGreenieandtheoldlady,here’stheintroductionandanewvideo.
Onceuponatimetherewasalittlegirlwholovedwater.Especiallylakes.Evenbeforeshecouldswim,shewouldstandonadockandgazedownatthemystery,untilonedayhercuriositypulledheralittletoocloseandshefellin.Shedidn’tknowenoughtobeafraidandwasmesmerizedbythebeautifulgoldenshaftsofsunlightstreamingdownthroughthepalegreenwater.Itwasonlyforamoment,butsheknewshewantedtogotothatotherworldagain.Herfatherpulledherout,anddecideditwastimetoteachhertoswimsafely,alwayslandingbackonshore.Thatmadeherlovewaterevenmore.People,evenhermother,sometimescalledherafishoramermaid.Shehadlonghair,butonlywishedforamermaid’stailandtobeabletobreatheunderwater.Shelovedtosing,butshelovedquiet,too.Thathelpedherheartheanimalsandmadethemmorecomfortablecomingaroundher.
Whenshewasgrowingup,mostpeoplethoughtanimalsactedonlyoninstinct,andthatonlyhumanshadthingslikelanguage,tools,art,andemotions.Shealwaysasked,“Howdoweknow”TheGirlgrewuptobeacampcounselor,teacher,librarian,andwriter,andalwayslovedsharingstoriesofanimals.Sheworkedhardandsavedhermoney.Withalittlehelpandluck,shemadeherdreamcometrue.Canyouguesswhatitwas
ShehadlovedlivingbytheMississippiRiver,thentheMinnesotaRiver,butherdreamwastoliveinalittlehouseinalittleforestonalittlelake.Whenshefoundtheperfectspot,shewaiteduntilthelittleoldmanwasreadytosellhislittleoldhouse.Heknewshewouldloveitandcareforit,sotheybothcriedhappytears.Owningahouseinthewoodsmeantalotofwork,whichoftenmadeherdirtyandsweaty,butalsostrong.Jumpingintothespring-fedlakemadeherclean,cool,andhappy.
Asyearswentby,thegoldinherhairturnedtosilver,butshekeptitlongandnaturalforsimplicityandfrugality.Wrinklesappeared,buttheyweremostlysmilelines,soshedidn’tcare.Asshegrewintoanelder,otherthingschangedinherbodyandmind,butshestillswamnearlyeverysummerdayandwalkedinthewoodsnearlyeverywinterday,keepingherheartyoung.Asalways,MotherNatureremindedherthatchangewasthewayofallthings,butifshekepthersenseofwonder,shecouldalwaysbeTheGirl.
Onceuponatimealittlegreensunfishhatchedfromalittleegginalittlenestinalittlelake–thesamelittlelakeTheGirlswamin.Hewasjustoneofthousandsofeggs,buttherewassomethingveryspecialabouthim.First,hehadtobespecialjusttomakeitoutofthenest.Therearemanyhungrycrittersinalake,andeggsaredelicious.Ifyouwereafishegg,otherfish,turtles,andevendragonflynymphsmightsnatchyouupforlunch.Eventhoughhisfatherguardedthenestandallhisbrothersandsisters,manyofthemdisappearedbeforehegottoknowthem.Thelittlegreensunfishandhisfriendswereluckytohavelogsandrocksandlotsofplantstohidein.Butitwasasmalllake,andeverybodyknewthattherewouldnotbeenoughroomorfoodforallofthem,sosomeoftheeggsweremeanttobefoodforothercritters.Youhadtohavesomelucktosurvive.
Asthelittlegreensunfishgrew,hegotbiggerandsmarter–butsodidthepredators.Beingacold-bloodedanimal,(yes,hewascold-blooded,butwarmhearted!)helovedtoswimintheshallowwater,wherethenestswere,warmedbythesun.Buttherewereheronsandegretsthere,standingsostillyouwouldn’tnoticethemuntil–theystruckwiththoselong,powerfulbeaksandswallowedyouwhole.
Likeallfish,thelittlegreensunfishknewhebelongedinthewater,buthissuperpowerpolarizedvisionhelpedhimtoseeabovethesurface,andhewasfascinated.Onedayhesawanolderfishjumpingoutofthewaterandcomingbackwithatastymosquito.Ittooksomepracticeandstrengtheninghistailtogethisheadabovethesurface,buthedid,anddiscoveredawholenewworldupthere.Itwasonlyforamoment,butheknewhewantedtogothereagain.Hisfatherdecideditwastimetoteachhimtojumpsafely,alwayslandingbackinthewater.Thatmadehimlovejumpingevenmore,especiallywhenthousandsofmayflieshatched.Yum!
Helovedexploringthebeautifullittlelake,racingthroughthewaterliliesandplayingwithhisfriends.Ashegrew,helearnedtousehisspeedtoavoidsnappingturtlesandhisstealthtosneakupondragonflylarvaandeatthembeforetheyatehistinybrothersandsisters.Thatwasn’thard.Buttheoccasionalscaryottersorminkshadsuperstealthandspeedandbigteeth.Escapingthemtookallhissmartsandskill!
Afterafewyearsofplaying,growing,andlearning,itwastimeforthelittlegreensunfishtomakehisownnestandstartafamily.Heusedhismouthtopullweedsandhisfinstosweepawaythemudandsilt,leavingalovelydishofsand,pebbles,andshells.Surelythatwouldhelphimattractamatewhowouldbehappytolayhereggsforhimtofertilizeandguard.Whenitwascleanedandready,thesunfishwentouttosearchthelakeforasuitablemate.Perhapsitwashisconfidentapproach,orhishealthyblue,orange,andgoldglow,ormaybeameetingoftheeyesShefollowedhimbacktotheshallows,wherethetwofishdancedinacircleabovethenestuntilitwasfullofthousandsoftinyeggs.
Andthisiswhereourstoryofanextraordinaryfriendshipbegins.TheGirlknewitwasspecial,soshewroteaboutitinherjournal.Thesunfishknewitwasspecial,sohetoldhisfriendsandchildrenaboutit.I’llletthemtellyounow.
FISH!ThegreatnewsisthatGreeniesurprisedandthrilledmeyesterday,returningforthe9thsummer!Thatmeanshe’satleast11or12yearsold–quiteanaccomplishmentforagreensunfishinasmallprivatelakefullofpredators!Hegavemelotsoffishkisses,seemedtorelishmypettinghim,tookabitofoatmealfrommyhand,andjumpedforalittletilapia.Thenwehadarefreshingswimtogether.Thoseofyouwhoknowhimwillrecognizehisgoldbellyfinsinthisnewvideo.Clickonthepicturetoplayit.
ELEPHANT!Ifyou’vereadmybookyouknowI’vebeenblessedbyspecialencounterswithbirds,dogs,andhorsesaswellasfish.ButIdoubtedAfricananimalswouldhaveanyinterestinme–justanothertourist.YetwhenofferedtheopportunitytopettheincrediblyadorablebabyelephantsatSheldrickElephantOrphanage,Ichosefirsttokneeldownandholdoutmyopenhand.Ialwayspreferitifachildoranimalcomestome.Oneofthesmallerbabiesreachedouthertrunkandtouchedmyhand.Therewasnothinginitbutmyloveandwishforhertofeelit.Ibecameagigglingchildandpettedthatbeingwhohasmoreincommonwithusthanwehaveeverrecognized.
LION!ThismagnificentlionwasdrinkingfromthelakealongwayoffwhenIsilentlyaskedhimtocomecloser.Hestoppedtocombhisroyalmaneonthelongthornsofanacaciatreebeforewalkingstraighttowardourvan.Ialwaysacknowledgethatitcouldbecoincidence,butthelookinhiseyesandtheaweinmyheartfeltlikeananswertomyrequest.AshewalkedinchesfromthesideofthevanwhereIstood,mynewfriendSue’sphonepickedupthewordsIhadtowhisper,“Iloveyou.Thankyouforcoming.”
TITMOUSE!OfcourseI’mnottheonlyonewhoexperiencesthesegiftsfromcritters.Yesterday,whileIwasrelishingattentionfromGreenie,mydearfriendCarolGillenhadanevenmoresurprisingvisitfromawildbird–atuftedtitmouse.Inherwords:
Wowisright!Butclearly,thatlittlebirdsensedthatCarolhadthespecialkindofheartthatwouldcherishanexperiencethatmighthorrifyothers.Luckybird,luckyCarol.
THEANSWER!Tellingthesestories,IoftenfearthatImaybeperceivedasarrogant.YetIknowthatthespecialpowersarenotinme,butintheanimals–alltheanimals.Everyanimalthathassurvivedandevolvedhasdonesobyreadingthebodylanguage–includingscents–ofotheranimals–includingus.Itshouldnotbesurprisingthattheyknowwhensomeonemeansthemnoharm,isunafraidofthem,andrespects,orevenlovesthem.
IsharethesestoriesinhopesthattheymightdiminishfearandinspirecuriosityandloveforourfellowcitizensofplanetEarth.Perhapsyou’vehadaspecialencounterCometotheartcrawlonSaturday,meetCarolthetuftedtitmousewhisperer,seethatshe’snotbald,andshareyourspecialencounterwithus!PhoenixHallEventCenter,20732HoltAve,Lakeville,MN55044Sat,May11,noonto5
UncommonAsunsetisdoubledwhenreflectedinalakeSo,too,aglowingmoonButoh,toseethatsacredartInthemagicalmirroroftherubyredeyeOfthemysticalcommonloonMaythewondersofMotherNaturedecorateyourheartandyourholidayswithbeauty,light,andloveWhilesearchingmyphotosforaholidaypicture,thisonesuggestedaredtreeornamentreflectingcandlelight.Butit’snatural,whichisalwaysmypreference.Iwasdelightedtophotographaloonclosetomycanoe.Discoveringthesunsetwhileeditingthepicturewasoneofthosehappysurprises.
Anotherwasbeingaskedtodothreephoto/poemexhibitsin2023.Itkeptmebusy,butIwashonoredtobeabletosharemywork.Manythankstoallwhoencouragedmeinsomanyways.IwillbetakingmyexhibitatBurnhavenLibrarydownthisSunday,andthisisonethatwillgobackuponmywallwhileI’mmissingthesnow.
ThetotallyopenwateronmylakethisDecemberisasurprise,butnotahappyone.Iwouldbeselfishtocomplainwhenothersaroundtheworldsufferdevastatingeffectsofclimatechangeandwar.YetIcan’thelpbutwonderhowitisaffectingmyfishfriends–Greenie,Slim,andothers.Iswamnearlyeverydaylastsummer,oftenwiththem,andtooklotsofunderwatervideo.I’mmakingprogressonGreenie’schapterbookaboutoureightsummerstogether.WilltherebeaninthIsurehopeso.
DoyourememberthePozo-SecoSingerslamenting“Time,oh,time,wheredidyougo”It’seasytofeelthatwayassummerends,especiallywhenitdropsfromthe90stothe50ssoquickly!Itmakesmereflectontimeitself–spending,saving,wasting,sharing,andsavoringit.
Icouldwritemoreonthat,butIdon’thavetime!Sofornow,I’lljustshareacoupleofinvitationsandpictures.
I’mexcitedtohavebeeninvitedtodoaphoto/poetryexhibitattheBurnhavenLibraryallofNovemberandDecember!Pleasejoinmefortheall-agesreception,whereI’llsharestoriesaboutmyuniquefriendshipswithwildanimalslikeGreeniethesunfishandanswerquestionsaboutmyart,poetry,andmyaward-winningbook,Enchanted–ReflectionsfromaJoyfullyGreenandFrugallyRichLife.I’mhopingsomeofmyworkwillgettobegiftsandgracethehandsandhomesofstrangersandfriendsfortheholidays.
Sunday,November5,20231:30to4:30pmcst
BurnhavenLibrary1101WCountyRoad42Burnsville,MN55306
Firstandforemost,Iwanttothankallthosewhocametomyphoto/poetryexhibits.IlearnedalotandamlookingforwardtoexhibitingattheBurnhavenLibraryinBurnsvilleallofNovemberandDecember.Maybemyartandbookswillhavethethrillofbeingwrappedupandopenedasgiftsfortheholidays!
I’vebeensobusycreating,communing,andcelebratingthatIdidn’teventhinkofthatothercword,cancer,ornoticethefirstanniversaryofmylumpectomyslippingbyonApril8th.ButImustsharewithyouthatmyannualmammogramshowednosignofit–Hallelujah!Thetinybitofcancerremainsgone,butnotwhatitawakened.Aswithmostdarkclouds,therewasasilverlining.I’vealwaysbelievedI’dlivealonglife,andIstilldo.ButI’mnowmorecommittedthanevernottowastethemostpreciousofgifts–time.I’mmorepassionateaboutsharingwhatgiftsIhavewiththeworld.ButIalsofeelthegloryinembracingthejoysoflife,whetheraquietmomentofaweorthelaughteroffriends.Iamoverwhelmedwithgratitudeformymanyblessings,especiallygoodfriends,gooddocs,andgoodhealth.
MyexhibitwillbeattheSteepleCenterthisweekandnext.YouarewelcometovisitthereMondaythroughThursday8to3:30andFridayuntilnoon.Pleasecontactmeifyou’dlikemetomeetyouthereforawalk-throughortobuyart,books,orcards.ThecenterwillalsobeopentheafternoonandeveningofSaturday,April29thfortwoperformancesof“ShenanigansattheBluePelicanInn”performedbytheSecondActPlayers.Iwillbetheretotakemyexhibitdownthatevening.14375RobertTrail(CR3)Rosemount.Parkinginfrontandback.
Onthehomefront,theicejustwentoutonthelake,soI’llbewatchingforGreenie&Slimassoonasthewaterwarmsup.(True,Iwasinitthedayafterice-out,butnotforlong!)Hearingthehappysongsofbirdsandfrogsdelightsme!Redisnowsleepingoutsidemywindowonlyonverycoldnights–heandPinkaliciousarenestingsomewhereagain!Isawhimfeedingheryesterday,preparingforbabies.Poopsieisbackfromthesouthandsleepingonthevineovermytreehousedeck.Thecrocusesareblooming,lilacsarebudding,anddayliliesareburstingthroughthemattedleaves.Lifewasthereunderthesnowallthewhile.
Artist’sStatement
Idon’thavethetechnicalskillI’dlike,butIdohavespecialrelationshipswithMotherNatureandherchildren.Whethersillyorserious,mygoalinlife,art,andwritingissimplicityratherthansophistication,andconnectionratherthanperfection.IlovewhenIcancatchaninterestingexpressionorpose.IreallylovewhenthereisasurpriseinthephotothatIdidn’tseeinthefield!AttimesIfindthateditinganimperfectphotocanevokesomethingclosertotheemotionIfeltinthewild.Myhopeisthatviewerswhoaredrawninbyabitofmystery(“IsthisrealIsthisapaintingWereyouthatcloseWhatwasthatcritterthinking”)mightalsobedrawntoexplorenature’swondersontheirown.Lookingthrougheyesofloveateverywildthingcancreatemagic.
Ican’tresistsharingwhatcomestomindwhenanimagespeakstome.Sometimesit’sapoem,sometimesamemoryoralaugh.I’dlovetoknowwhatmypicturessaytoyou.WhatdoyouseeThinkWonderFeelIhopeyou’llleaveacommentortwo.
Youmaynoticeawidevarietyofframesandtechniques.Why1)Thoughit’sachallengeandalotofworktodressaphotoinwhatbringsoutitspersonality,it’smorefunthandoingthemallthesame.2)Ifyouknowmeormybook,Enchanted,youknowthatreuseisacorepartofmyJoyfullyGreenandFrugallyRichLife.3)Givinganoldframeanewliferatherthanfillinglandfillsandextractingmoreoftheearth’sresourcesisoneofmanywaystorespectandpreserveourenvironment.
WithGratitude
IamdeeplygratefultotheIzaakWaltonLeagueforinvitingmetopresentmyveryfirstphotographyexhibitattheKoubaGallery.I’mevenmoregratefulfortheLeague’scenturyofconservationinitiatives.Clearlyourheartsandmindsareinthesameplace–passionateaboutlovingandpreservingthenaturalworld.Perhapsyou’lljoinandbecomeanIkewithme.SpecialthankstoJosephBarisonziforencouragingmeasIsometimescoloroutsidethelines.
WhatAnotherfishypicturefortheholidaysYup,Icouldn’tresistthisoneofSlimandGreeniedancinginthemoonlight.YoumayhavereadthepoemitinspiredwhenIposteditonFacebook.Butintruth,itwasn’tthemoonlightgivingthemthatmagicalglow.ForsevensummersI’dbeenlamentingeveningswhenitwasjusttoodarktogetadecentphotoofmyunderwaterfriends.Thenitstruckme.Ihaveaflash!Duh.SuddenlyIhadanewwayintotheirtwilightworld.Alittleeditingbroughtouttheirsmilesandthemagicofthisuniquecouple.Sowhatitsaystometodayisthis:rememberwhatresourcesyouhaveand“Shinealight!”We’vebeenthroughdarktimesandsurelyfacemore.Howoftendowehavesomethingathandthatcanbrightenamoment,anhour,ayear,alifeBlessthestrokeofluckthatopensoureyestoit.
Myfishfriendsareundertheicenow,butmycardinalfriendRedisbackonthevineoutsidemywindowandmydeerfriendsvisitoften.Mytrailcamsshowshyervisitors–beaver,opossum,raccoon,fox,coyote,andmore.MycatsLuckyandLeoaregreatcompanywiththeirsnugglesandantics.Ihavedeeplyenjoyedconnectingwithhumanfriends,too,aswesharebumpsandbreezes,laughterandmusic,onthispreciousroadoflife.Butthebrightestlightshinesfromthenewbabyinthefamily!MynieceKymhadalittleboy,knownasSprout,whoisalreadyanathletic,outdoorsy,adorablewonder,likehisparents.
Iwishyoualltheverybestaswestepinto2023.Maytheholidayshelpyoutodiscoverthe“flash”youneedtolighttheworldaroundyouinthetwilightmoments.Mayyourestwellinthedarkness,andwaketothemiracleofanotherday.
PeaceandJoy,Holly
Greenie,Slim,andtheirkidshavegonedeepinthelakeandslowedtheirmetabolism,enablingthemtorestandsurvivewithlittlefoodorsunlightastheicecoversthelake.Imissthem,ofcourse,buthavebeguntovisittheMinnesotaZoomoreoftenformy“fishfix”andtolearnmoreabouttheseamazingcreatures.GazingatthediversecommunitiesinDiscoveryBay,I’mmesmerizedbytheapparenttranquilityoftheswimmers.
Speakingofstress,Ihearthatholidayshoppingcanfeellikeasharkatyourback,especiallywithlaborshortages,supplychaindisruptions,andhigherprices.
AnotherblackFridayhaspassedwhileIstayedhome.CyberMondaywilllikelypasswithoutmyorderinganythingonline.IguessIamatypical,sincethisweekendisalreadybreakingholidayshoppingrecords.Yet,asthesunroseonSmallBusinessSaturday,IwasremindedthatIhaveasmallbusiness.Verysmall.Sellingisnotoneofmytalents.Butafriendrecentlyreadmybookandwasstruckbytheline“Wecanrestgratefullyinthebosomofsufficiency.”HisquotingitremindedmeofwhyIwrotethebook.AndwhyI’vebeenspeakingon“SavingMoney,thePlanet,andyourSanity”since2005.Andwhy,exactlythreeyearsago,Iwroteabout“TurningBlackFridayGreen”inmyblog.Gobacktothatifyou’relookingforideasonalternativegift-giving–ideasthatsavemoneyandtheenvironment.
Orordermybook.Itdoesmakeagreatgift.Youcanorderfrommywebsiteoremailme.Letmeknowifyouwantmetosignit,andtowhom.I’llevengiftwrapitandsenditdirectlytoyourgifteeifyoulike.Iamdesigningmy2023calendarsnowandwillupdatemywebsitesoon.Inthemeantime,emailmefordetailsandwithyourcalendarrequests.
IhopeyourThanksgivingwasassatisfyingasmine,feelingdeeplygratefulforfriendsandfamily,fishandfun.
Lastfall,asthewaterwasgettingcolder,thefishcamelessfrequently,asusual,butIstilllookedforthemmostdays.OneeveningIwentdowntothelakeandfoundtheheadofasunfishonthedock.Ididn’tpanic.Itcouldbeanyone,halfeatenbyanyofthepredatorswhofrequentedourlake.ButthenIsawtheheadofabass.SlimwastheonlybassI’dseenbythedock.MyheartsankasIreasonedthatthebasswasSlim,and,sincetheywerealwaystogether,thesunfishcouldverywellbeGreenie.Iimaginedaminkorottercatchingoneofthemandthesurroundingfishscatteringinterror,exceptforthemateofthevictim.
IknewsomedayIwouldlosemyfriendGreenie,butneverpicturedthis.Coulditreallybethattheuniverseorfateorsomestrangepowerleftthesetwoheadsonmydockas...whatAgood-byeAsignthattheywouldnotbebackItrulymarveledthatGreeniecouldhavesuchalife–livingfreeandlong,touchingtheheartsofthousandsofpeople,thendyingwiththeonehelovedwhilegivinglifetoanotherofGod’screaturesIshouldbesolucky!YetIcriedandgrieveddeeply,aswealldoatthelossofonewelove,betheyhumanoranotheranimal.
Itoldjustafewfriends.Theywereshockedandverysad,butagreeditseemedlikelythatitwasGreenieandSlimthatIfoundthatnight.IwentdowntothelakeeverydayinhopesthatIwaswrong.OnlyonegreensunfishshowedupanddidnotcomeuptomethewayGreeniealwaysdid,soIhadlittlehopetoclingto.IdecidedthenthatIwouldnotsharethesadpossibilitywithanyoneelse.Afterall,Icouldn’tknowforsureitwasthem.Iftheywerenothereinthespring,I’dhavetodecidewhethertorevealmysuspicionsabouttheirdemise–aviolentyetnecessarypartofthecircleoflife–ortoassumetheydidn’tmakeitthroughthewinter.Greeniewas,afterall,atleastnineyearsold.EverythingI’dreadputagreensunfish’slifespanattenyearsmax.
IknewIowedittoGreenietowriteachildren’sbookaboutourfriendship,butitwasevenharderthanIexpected.Gleaningsixyearsofmydiaries,Ipulledout70pagesofnotesrelatedtohimandourotherwildfriends.Ihadstudiedthebestofchildren’sbooksandknewthathardtruths–betheydanger,fear,orsadness–wereoftenvitalelementsofatreasuredstory.ButcouldIreallyendthebookwithtwoheadsonthedock
That’swhereIwasstuckwhentheicefinallywentoutthisspring.Peoplewereasking“IsGreenieback”Icheckedthelakeeveryday,puttingmyhandinforanyonetheretosmell,butnotreallyspeculatingonthechances.
CancerOh,yeah.Ihadalittlebitofbreastcancer,butit’sgone.Ididn’ttellalotofpeoplebecauseIknewI’dbeokayanddidn’twantyoutoworry.Itwasa6mmspotonamammogramandIhadcompleteconfidenceinmydocsatMayo.Fromdiagnosisthroughsurgerytoendofradiationwaslessthantwomonths–allmadelessscarybythesupportofcaringfriends.Myheartgoesouttosomanywhosestoriesarenotsoeasy.I’msharingminenowjusttoremindusofthepowerofearlydetection.
ThereallyfascinatingpartofmystoryisthatGreeniemayactuallyhavesmelledmycancerbeforeIknewIhadit,likedogsandcatsandpigeonscan!ThatwillbeinGreenie’sbook.Butevenifyouhaveacrittertosniffyouout,pleaseconsideradoctor.Mylittlecancerroadtripcouldhavebecomeacancerjourneyhaditnotbeenforregularmammograms.Andmen,pleasegetwhatevertestsyourdocsrecommend,too!
Thepicturesbelowareproofthatthereisbeautyaroundus,evenduringchallengingtimes,ifwecandryourtearsandopenoureyes.
LastDecemberIwrotethatIwashappytobefinishingupmyshedrebuildingproject.InAprilIwrote“FarewelltotheWinterofCovid”.Well,theshedprojecttooklongerandturnedouttobemorechallengingthanexpected.Sohascovid.
Isuspectweareallfeelingthesameabouttheproblemsinourworld.Likemyshed,it’smoreofamessthanwerealized.Thesolution,ofcourse,istodiginandworktogetherforthegoodofall.ILOVEmy“new”shedandcampfirespot.Thedeerand‘possumhavevisited,andI’vewarmedmybodyandsoulbythefire.Thestoryistoldbelowinpictures.Doyouseeanysimilaritieswithwhatwe’vebeengoingthrough
2021meantlettinggoofthingsandwantsandnegativitiesthatnolongerfeltimportanttome.Isloweddown,thoughtaboutpersonalandglobalissues,wrote,andstudiedscenesIcapturedwithmycamera.Withtheblessingofvaccination,Ilovedgettingbacktoenjoyingoutdoorconcertsandothersafeactivitieswithfriends.
Butmydailyswimswerewhatkeptmehappyintheunprecedentedheat.WhentheicewentoutandGreenieshowedupforasixthwonderfulsummerwithme,IhadtobuyanunderwatercameratoobserveallIcouldabouthim.Especiallyexcitingwasrecordingthesoundshemade,andhisichthyologistPeter’sconclusionthattheywerecourtingsounds!Iplantousethiswintertolearnmore,isolatepicturesfromthevideos,andusethemtowriteachildren’sbookaboutGreenieandhisfriends.Itwarmsmyhearttobeoneofthem!SothisyearmyholidaypictureisofGreenieandme.Itwasnoteasytotake,butsorewardingtohave,especiallywiththatmagicalrayofsunlightingthedaisy.Itfollowstheshedpictures,alongwithmywishforyou.
Inayearofmanyemotions,theonethatoverwhelmsmeisgratitude.Itreasuremyhealth,thelittlehomethatIlove,andfriendsandfamily,ifonlyfromadistance.Imissthehugsbutamcontentwithmytwosnugglycatsfornow.
Thecancellationofmyspeakinggigsmeantnotsellingmanybooksorcards,butalsomoretimeforprojects.Rebuildingmyricketyolddockwasabigtask,butthenew,largeroneenhancedmydailyswimsandcameinhandywhenGreeniesuddenlybecameastar.WhataprivilegeithasbeentosharemyspecialfriendinhopesthatotherswillfindtheirownwaystolockeyeswithMotherNature.
Thenext,biggerchallengewasdisassembling,moving,andrebuildingmyancientgardenshed,completewithskylightforviewingthestars!(Anoldslidingglassdoor,ofcourse.)Bigthankstothemanyfriendswhohelpedmakethathappen.Thebestpartisthenewlyopenedviewwherethesaggingshedusedtostand.Icannowfeastmyeyesonthestretchofquietwoodsandshorewherethedeerandeaglesoftencometorest.
Doyouseedistantsnow-coveredtreesrisingfromawind-sweptearthandreachingforthesunOrperhapswhitecapsonadark,angryseaAnewperspectivecanchangeeverything.
2020turnedalotofthingsupside-down.Myhearthasachedfortheearth,forthehungryandlonely,andforthosewholongforshelter,health,andjustice.Yetwehavegainedanewperspective,aclearerviewofinequitiesthathavealwaysbeenthere.That’sagoodthing.Wehavethoughtabitmoreaboutwhatandwhoisessential.Iamoptimisticthattruthandcompassionhavebeensparked.Thatthenewlyopenedviewwillleadtomoreopenheartsandabetterworld.
Iwishyoubrightrisingsunsandshiningstars
atthisholidayseasonandalways.
DoyourememberthatsongWatchthenewvideoattheendofthispost.Howmanyofthepeopledoyourecognize
BeforeImoveontoothertopics,ImustfollowupmylastpostwithKare11’svideoofGreenieandmeforposterityandthosewhomisseditonTV.Ialsowanttothank,again,BoydHuppertandChadNelsonfortheincrediblejobtheydidrecordingandwritingthestory.I’mstillflabbergastedattheresponse–thousandsofreactions,shares,andre-publicationsaroundthecountryandevenoverseas–andhundredsofcomments.AllofthisatteststotheexceptionalsensitivityandskillofChadandBoyd.Herearejustafewsamplesofthecommentsfloodingin.Therewereevenafewwhohadknownofsimilarfriendships.Maybeyoucanhaveone,too!
Iamsounbelievablymovedbythis,thatithasbroughtmetotears....SolovelythatyourspecialfriendshipwithGreenieisseenasnewsworthy....Inthemidstofsomuchbadnews,it’sgreattoseethisbrightspot....Thisstorymademesmiletoday!...Itcertainlychangedmyperspectiveaboutfish...Theyhandledthesubjectveryrespectfully.Hooray....Whatahappy,upliftingstory....Yourpoemwasespeciallypoignant!...thismademyday...Awesomestory...Ajoyful,calming,andheartwarmingstory...Lovedit...Itwassotouching...Thisissoooosweet!...Sofun!...Adorable!...Verypreciousandinspiring...Iamabeliever!...Socool!...Incredible!...amarvel!...Beautifulfish....Thisgivesnewmeaningtothewords“fishstory”...Wonderfulstory.LOVEDit!!!...Thishasbeenthemosttouchingstoryof2020.
Clearly,wearehungryforpositivity.Forgentleness,friendship,respect,trust,sweetness.IwilldefinitelycontinuetotuneintoKARE11formoreinspiringstoriesfromBoydandChad.
AndIwilldefinitelyvoteearlyandblue–notonlyfortheenvironmentalprotectionsthatyouandIandallouranimalfriendsdesperatelyneed–butalsoforcivility.Forthecalm,honest,respectfulconnectionsthatevenafishiscapableof,butthatsomeinourcountryhaveabandoned.
ClicktojoinGreenieandmeforsomefun.
Bonustreat!LoveSweetLove!
Greenie,myGreenSunfishfriendhasalwaysbeenspecial,buthe’sabouttobecome,well,famous!OnWednesdayhewillbethesubjectofBoydHuppert’s“Landof10,000Stories”ontheKARE11news,10pmCDT.I’mexcitedtoseetheunderwatervideoandwhattheychosefortheshortsegment.Hereisabitmoreofhisstory.
Itwas2016whenInoticedhiminhisnestbymydock.Themalesarenotoriousforguardingtheirnests,buttherewassomethingverydifferentaboutthewayhelookedatme.Soonhewasrubbingagainstmyleglikeacatandlettingmepethim.Whenheshowedupthenextyearandactedthesame,IofferedhimtheJapanesebeetlesIpulledoffmyflowers.Hewassoexcitedhisorangehighlightsalmostglowed.Thatseemedtocementthefriendship.InamedhimGreeniesoI’drememberhisspecies,sinceIneverknewmuchaboutfish.In2018,therewasasmallerfishwithhimwhowasjustasfriendly.HisoffspringInoticedheusedonlyhisleftpectoralfin.Eventuallytherightonehealedandhadascar.Thatmadepositiveidentificationeasy,butit’susuallybehaviorthathelpsmetelloneanimalfromanother.
Iunderstandwhypeoplemightbeskeptical,andthinkthisisjustafishstory.Irememberhearing,asachild,thatfishcouldn’tfeelpain,muchlessanythingelse.AtfirstIwonderedifIwasjustthe“humanatthedock”andthiswastheirterritory.ThatchangedthedayItookmydailyswimanddecidedtositonalogattheotherendofthelaketowatchthesunset.Itwaslovely.ThenIlookeddownandsawsomeonelookingupatme.SpotReallyIputmyhandinandhecameandnuzzledit,andIsawthewhitescarthatproveditwashim.Oh,mygoodness.Greeniehasdonethesame,sometimesfollowingmetotheotherendofthelakeortosomeoneelse’sdock,surprisingthemaswellasme.Thisyear,Ianxiouslyawaitediceout.Icouldn’thelpbutwonderiftheywondered,asIdidaboutthem,“Didmyfriendmakeitthroughthewinter”Theretheywere–thefirsttwofishtoshowup.Iwasdelighted,andevenmoremotivatedtoswimeveryday,anxioustoseewhowasoutthere.
Theadvantagesofawildpetareobvious:nowalking,litterbox,orvetbills.Butbewarned.Ithurtsyourheartwhenyourfriendshowsupwithatornlip.That’shappenedtwiceovertheyearswithGreenie.Thesecondtime,hestaredatmealongtimebeforehedaredcomeclose.Ittookabeetletreattoregainhistrust.Butthattrustwascrucialthisyear,whenhecametothedockwithahookinhismouth.Oh,no!Amazingly,hedidn’twiggleafinasIheldhimandcarefullyremovedthehook.Puttinghimbackinthelakeandwatchinghimdisappear,IwonderedifI’dseehimagain,orifhewouldfearme.Anhourlater,Iwentformyswimandreturnedtofindhimwaitingforme,welcomingmypetting.ThankgoodnessheknewIwashelpinghim.Thenextdayheprovedhewasfinebyjumpingclearoutofthewaterforatreat.Idon’tliketopreach,butfeltthepictureI’dtakenofGreeniewiththehookinhismouthwasworthsharing,especiallywiththedelightfulvideoI’dgottenofhimjumping.TheresponsefromGreenie’sfanswasheartwarming.SurprisingwasthemessagefromKARE11askingiftheycoulddoastoryonhim.Sure,aslongasyoudon’trevealourlocation.
Footnote:(orfin-note!)Thecurrentadministrationhasrolledback100environmentalprotections,endangeringourair,water,andallspecies,includingourown.Greeniewouldvoteblueifhecould.Willyoudoitforhim
TheBlackNationalAnthembeginswith“Lifteveryvoice.”Sowhilelisteningtosomanyvoicesthatneedtobeheard,Ibegantosharemyphotosandtheshortpoemstheyinspired.Itmeansalottomewhenpeoplesaytheyareliftedbythem.I’mincludingafewhereforthosewhomissedthemonmyFacebookpageorwanttoforwardthemtofriends.Followingthethreepicture/poemsaresomethoughtsIhopeyouwilltakejustafewminutestoconsider.
SunriseHardtimessometimesMakedayfeellikenightSorrowandconfusionStealherdreamsofflightShesummonsthestrengthtogrieveAndcouragetowearherheartonhersleeve‘TilonherwingasundoesriseThatdarestobringthetruthtolightAndchasetheshadowsfromoureyesSoshecansingwithallhermight
TheMovementTheycalledyouawormAsyouclimbedthemountainInchbyinchDayafterdayButacaterpillarIswhatyouwereWithadreaminyourheartAndwingsontheway
DiversityTohaveafriendWho’snotlikemeIstoswimintheskyAndflyinthesea
Yesterday,thousandsgatheredattheLincolnMemorialtocommemorateandrenewMLK’scallforracialequality,madethere57yearsago.Itwasalsothe65thanniversaryofthemurderofEmmetTill.
Ihadreadaboutthefourteen-yearoldboy,butitreallytoreatmyheartwhenIheardthestoryfromB.B.King.(Thoseofyouwho’vereadmybookknowIhadthegoodfortuneofafriendshipwithMr.Kingfrom1978untilhisdeath.Iwroteaboutotherstorieshetold,butnotthisone.Ithinkhewouldwantmetoshareitnow.)EmmettTillwasvisitingfromChicagoin1955whenhewasfalselyaccusedoftouchingawhitewoman,brutallytortured,andmurdered.ThatwasinMoney,Mississippi,just19milesfromIttaBena,whereB.B.Kingwasborn.Kingwas29andatravelingmusicianbythen,butwastraumatizedbythemurder,knowingitcouldhavehappenedtohimoranyofhisfamilyorfriends.HowdoIknowKingwasastar,KingoftheBlues,lovedandrespectedaroundtheworldbythetimeIknewhim,decadesaftertheincident.YetIcouldseefearinhiseyesandhearpaininhisvoicewhenhespokeofit.Nomatterhowsuccessfulonebecomes,thewoundsfromthatkindoftraumanevercompletelyheal.B.B.wassomehowabletoresistbitternessandtodirecthispainintoaproductivelife.Othersarenotsolucky,withfearandlossturningintoangeranddestructiveness,towardthemselvesandothers.
Yes,itcouldeasilyhavebeenyoungKingwhowasliedaboutandlosthislife–thelifethatwentontoblessandchangetheworldwithhismusic,warmth,andgrace.Whatwewillneverknowisthis–whatmightEmmettTillhavebecomeandgiventheworldifhehadbeenallowedtolive
I’vehadtheprivilegeofknowing,teaching,andlovingmanychildren–ofmanycolors.I’veseenthepotentialineverychild,andsometimesfeltthejoyofseeingthatpotentialfulfilledortheprofoundsadnessofseeingitlost.Joyorsadnessnotjustforthechild,butformyself,foryou,foroursociety.Perhapsthat’swhythisvideotugsmyheartstringsinsomanydirections.
ThemenwhocommittedtheheinouscrimeofkillingEmmettTillwereneverbroughttojustice,eventhoughitwasclearwhotheywereandwhattheydid.ItwasthetremendouscourageofEmmett’smother,insistingtheworldseeherdeadson,brutalizedbeyondrecognition,andthosewhodaredreportit,andthosewhodidnotaverttheireyesfromthehorror,whosparkedthecivilrightsmovementthateventuallybroughtaboutrealchange.
Sixty-fiveyearslater,weinnorthernstatescannolongerclaiminnocenceandlookdownonthestoriesofracismintheSouth.ThecoldstareofthecopwhokneltonGeorgeFloyd’sneckfornearlyeightminuteswasawake-upcall.We,thepublic,havethepowertomakethatimageandsomanyotherscatalystsforchange,asMamieTilldidwithherson’s.
Thepresidentistryinghardtoscareyouintoforgettingwhattheongoingprotestsareabout.Heisthearsonistwhowantstoraceintoputoutthefireandclaimtobeahero.
Iadmirethecourageofthosewhomarch,especiallyinthistimeofpandemic,knowingtherearethosewhowouldinjectviolenceintoprotests.Ichoosetospeakandwrite.Othersmaychooseonlytovote,butthatwillmakeallthedifference.Itisveryclearthatthepartyinpowernowhasnotthewillnorthecouragetodowhatweallknowisright–toconfrontthecomplexsystemicandpersonalracismthatissodestructivetoindividualsandoursociety.
Ifyouareinclinedtounsubscribefrommyblog,wantingtoavoidanythingpolitical,Ihopeyouwillhanginherewithme.Mynextletter/blogwillbeaboutmysunfishfriendGreenie,andwillannouncehistelevisiondebut!
OurneighborhoodSt.Patrick’sDaydinnerwascancelled.We’donlybeenhomeboundafewdays,butthatwasenoughtoremindmethatImustgetoutsideandgetmovingifIamtomaintainanythingclosetoasunnydisposition.SoIheadedoutforaparkwithpavedtrailstoavoidthemud.ButIdroveslowlyontheway,keepingmyeyeopenforanythingthatmightenchantme.Justadaybefore,twoswanshadtrumpetedastheyflewrightoverme–surelyaninvitationtofollowthem!
AdotofwhiteattheedgeofapondfaracrossafieldofcornstubblecaughtmyeyeandinsistedIpullover.Ihopedwhoeverownedthefieldwouldn’tmindasItrekkedthroughthemudI’dthoughttoavoid.(Footnote-wearenowfriends!)
ThepicturesIgotwerewellworththemuddyboots.Theswanwassobusypreeningandshakingherfeathersthatshedidn’tseemtonoticeme.
SheputonsuchashowthatIalmostmissedalovingmomentbetweengeeseafewyardsfromher.I’malwaysthrilledtocaptureoneofthose!
WhenIarrivedatthepark,Oh,mygoodness!Swans!Theremusthavebeenfifty.Arestingspotontheirmigration.Whatasight.
Lotsofchattingwithgeeseandducks.Whatstoriesweretold
Abovethem,aneaglecircledoverhernesthighinatree.AsMomusedtosay,earlyspringmaybegray,butyoucanseesomuchmorebeforetheleavescomeout.
Isatonatreeoveropenwater–aperfectplacetoreflect.Summerreallyiscoming!
Whenthecloudsthickenedoverthesettingsunandthewindpickedup,Istartedbacktowardtheparkinglot,butwasstoppedbyafeather.Wasitfromaswan,orMom
Backinmycar,classicalmusicpouredouttoliftmyspiritsevenhigherasIcameuponpastoralscenes.
Fuzzyfriendsnibbledonthefirstspringgreens.
Elderlymaplesdonatedtheirsweetsap.
Sleepyfieldslayreadytospringtolife.
Ifelt...exhilaration.Ireallyhadn’tfeltdeprivedofanythingathome,buttherewassomuchmoreouthere–openspace,crispair,critters,andfreedom.Placestostretchmylegs,eyes,andmind.
Wecancloseoureyesandhangourheads.Or...
Wecanpreensomeofthosecornerswe’vebeenmeaningtogetto,and...
findnewwaysandplacestospreadourwings.
Perhapshavingwildfriendshastaughtmetoliveinthepresent.TostopandmakeeyecontactwithanotherlivingbeingeverychanceIget.Toappreciateeverytimeacreaturetrustsme.Toknowthateveryrelationshipistemporary,andprecious.
ThentherearetheonesIseeonlybriefly,butamluckyenoughtocapturewithmycamera,allowingmetosharethemagicwithyou.IhopeyoufeelsomeofthejoyIfeltwhenthisbuckgiftedmewiththisimage,andlaterwiththewordsthatseemedtoflowfromthatnightandbecomerealityonsolstice.Lovefromthebuckandthenightskyandmyhearttoyours,thisChristmas,Hanukkah,NewYear,andalways.Holly
Iamtrulythankfulforallofyou,andsincerelywishyouaHappyThanksgiving...andahappyBlackFriday...thoughI’venevershoppedone,sowhatdoIknowNotmuch.True,I’vebeensellingmybooks,cards,andcalendars,andIlovedtheGreenGiftsFair,whereallofushome-grown,small-scalevendorssoldoureco-friendlygifts.ButI’veheardthatBlackFridaycanbestressful,soI’dliketoshareafewthoughtsongifts,adaptedfromchapter19ofmybook,Enchanted.
DoyourememberyourfavoritechildhoodgiftsMyfirstonesweredollsandthecuteclothesMommadeforthem.WhileotherkidshadteddybearsandBarbieDolls,mybedwasadornedwithaplushoctopus.AtChristmas,Ilovedmynewpajamas.Icouldn’twaittocurlupunderthetreeinthem,theflannelassoftastheglowofthemulticoloredlights,itsfreshscentwaftingwiththatofbalsamfir.
MostofmygiftswerechosenormadebyMom.Butlater,whenIwaslivinginmylogcabinandlovingmystonefireplace,Dadboughtmeagreatlittlebowsaw.Hesharpenedanoldaxblade,painteditred,andputanewwoodenhandleonit.Thenhemadeasimplelittlesawhorse.Istillusethesetocutandsplitmyfirewood,andIgetawarmfeelingeverytimeIdo.It’snotjustthebodyheatofhardwork,buttheheartwarmingknowledgethatDadknewmebetterthanIthoughthedidandadmiredmystrengthandindependence.Thetrickofgreatgiftingistolistentothepersonyou’rebuyingformorethanthepeopleyou’rebuyingfrom.
Americanstendtohavegenerousspirits,andIdon’twanttocriticizegenerosity.ButIwillexposeasadtruth—I’vefoundsooomanyunusedtreasuresatrummagesales,secondhandstores,andinthetrashthatIjustknowmusthavebeengifts.Itseemstomethatgift-givinghasbecomethevine,plantedwithgoodintentions,thatovergrowsthehouseandkeepsoutthelight.Ithelpstorememberthatgenerosityandfrugalityarenotmutuallyexclusive.Norareaffluenceandprudence.Sometimesthebestgiftisnogift.
DoIevergivesecondhandgiftsor,heavenforbid,giftsfromtheCurbsideBoutiqueYup,occasionally,andespeciallywhenIfindthingsintheoriginalboxorwiththetagstillon.Iftheyareappropriate,andifIbelievetherecipientwilllikeitandwouldnotbeshockedtoknowitssource.(Mostofmyfriendswouldn’t.)
I’vebeensurprisedmorethanoncewhensomeonehassaid,“Yougivethebestgifts!”Well,sometimestheyareunique.JustrecentlyIhadnoideawhattogetafriendforherbirthday,untilamutualfriendtoldmeshelovedpigs.Ihadabeautifulwoodencurioboxfulloftinypigs,madeofvariousstone,metals,andglass,sittinginmygarage.I’dfounditonthecurbandplannedtosellitatanantiqueshop.ButNicki’ssquealsofdelightassheunwrappedeachadorablepigletmadeitclearthatsomehowithadbeenmeantformetofindandgivetoher.Idon’talwaysrevealmysources,butIknowdoingsomightbeanadditionalgift—permissionforthemtodothesame.MostofmyfriendsknowthatIusuallyprefersomethingusedtosomethingthatusesmoreoftheearth’sresources.
Thentherearethegiftsthatdon’trequiremoney.Myfamilyhaslonggivencouponsforthingslikehousecleaningandbackrubs.Oneyear,IpromisedtomakeDad’sbagluncheswheneverIwasattheirhouseonaweeknight.ThatpleasedhimandMom.MynieceKymgaveusahandmadecookbookfullofherscrumptiousrecipes.Yum.Asweage,itbecomesevermoreclearthattimeandanopenheartareourmostpreciousgifts.Iknowitcanbereallyhardtoresistgivinggifts,especiallytokids.Considergivingexperiencesinsteadofthings—giftsthatwillmakethemmoreinquisitive,ratherthanacquisitive.Outingstomuseumsorfarmsorcampingtripsdon’thavetocostalot,butmaygivethemmemoriesthatlastalifetime.
Whetherbuyingforourselvesorothers,wehaveplentyofreasonstoconsciouslysay“Whoa!”tothecultofaccumulationand“Aah,yes!”tosimplicityandsustainability.Wehaveanopportunitytobecomemoretrulyourselves,ratherthancogsinthewheelsofconsumptionandwaste.Wecanrestgratefullyinthebosomofsufficiency.Wecangiveandreceivelovewithoutenrichingcorporatebillionairesoraddingtotheplasticmonster*thatthreatensourhomesandplanet.WecanturnBlackFridayalittle,oralot,moreGreen,whilekeepingalittle.oralot,moregreeninourpockets.
*WatchThePlasticProblemTONIGHT(Wed,11/27/19)onPBS9pmcentraltimeorfinditonline.
MarvelousMermaids
WhenmyfriendJulieinvitedmetoshareherFloridavacation,Ijumpedatthechance.Justrelaxingandspendingtimewithmydearlog-cabin-daysfriendandherdaughter,Laura,wouldbeenough,butIalwayshopetoexperienceanewanimalortwowhenItravel.SowhenmycousinTammyinvitedusuptoCrystalRivertosnorkelwithmanatees,wecouldn’tpassupthechancetoseethesegentlegiants.Thoughtheirnumbershaveincreasedinrecentyears,theyarestillathreatenedspecies.
Sincetheyareprotected,wegotstrictordersfromourcaptainsaboutenteringthewaterquietlyandnotapproachingthemanatees,buttojustfollowourguideinhopesofseeingone.Idid,andwasdelightedtoseemyfirsthugemanateeupclose.Thenanother.Butwantingotherstoalsogetthechance,Ikeptalittledistance,watchingthroughmygogglesandsendinggoodthoughtshisorherway.“Thankyou,”“Iloveyou,”and“I’msorryaboutthepropellerscarsonyourback.”Ihopedpeoplewouldlearntoslowdownandbemorecarefulastheynavigatedtheriversandbays.ThenIwentoffonmyownandjustfloated,contenttobreathethroughthesnorkelandwatchthebottomoftheshallowriver.
Thenextday,wewenttoFiestaBeach,whereIjoyouslydoveintotheoceanandmetaveryfriendlynine-year-oldgirlwithlongblackhair.ShewasasdelightedplayinginthecoldwavesasIwas.Withinminutes,outoftheblue,sheaskedme“Aretherereallymermaids”Ihadtohesitatebeforeanswering.Itoldheraboutthemanatee,andthattheywereoriginallymistakenformermaids.IaddedthatIhadoftenbeencalledamermaid,becauseIfeelsoathomeandenchantedinthewater,somaybeshewasone,tooSeeingamanatee,it’seasytoassumethoseearlysailorshadtobelove-starvedandsun-strokedtomistakethemforprettywomen.Butsurelytheirgentledispositionwarrantsabitoffondnessandfantasy.