No Batman, but a Robin

Yes, I saw a robin as I was taking Boxer for a walk. He looked mighty cold, as he was all fluffed up, but he was definitely a robin. Can spring be far behind? I have my seeds for my garden, can't wait to get started. I've never had a vegetable garden before, so it should be interesting. Also found a pile of--excuse me--droppings in my backyard and I couldn't figure out what kind of animal they were from, then my neighbor told me she had twice seen four deer walking down our street. Another neighbor told me a coyote had been seen in the neighborhood. Yes, there is wildlife everywhere, if you just look for it. I've been hearing more birdsong lately as well. Spring will be here before you know it. Tomorrow is Groundhog Day--I think I know what his prediction will be. Hope you had a great January, and happy Valentine's Day in advance. Oh, and I know the picture of Boxer has nothing to do with spring, but he looks so contented.

Radically Amazing

If you've never read the book, Radical Amazement, by Judy Cannato, you're missing out on something that is radically amazing. She combines spirituality with "lessons from black holes, supernovas, and other wonders of the universe". I first read this book several years ago and recently picked it up again. Of particular interest to me is the subject of wholes and holons. A holon is something that is part of a whole--every human being is a holon, each cell in our bodies is a holon, the Earth is a holon, our solar system is a holon--you get the picture. The theory of holons argues that everything in the universe--from each atom to each human to each star--is connected, and that to change one holon changes every holon above it. Likewise, to destroy one holon destroys every holon above it. For this reason, and this is what truly amazes me--how can humans continue to destroy other humans and not expect to be destroyed themselves in the process? Call it karma or whatever, but what you do to others, you do to yourself. Perhaps this is why Jesus exhorts us to "Love your neighbor as you love yourself".
There is much more covered in this book than I can talk about here. Only that I find in nature, and the whole cosmos, the mind and workings of God just as surely as I do reading the Bible. Reading this book does require an open mind--a mind that is open to the nuances of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit can't fill a mind that is closed. Or a heart that is closed. I encourage you to read this book and contemplate it for a while, and see if it doesn't color your mind and fill your spirit with wonder.

Books of the year

Here is my list of favorite books that I read (or finished reading) this year:

1) A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

2) Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

3) Celtic Benediction by J. Philip Newell

4) Eating Mindfully by Susan Albers

5) Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

There are others I also enjoyed reading, but these had the most impact on me.

Christmas thoughts

OK, I admit--I enjoy listening to some of the Christmas songs that are played 24/7 in the weeks before Christmas. I always enjoy the classic version of "The Little Drummer Boy" and the instrumental version of LeRoy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" (which may have a lot to do with memories of high school band). There are other songs that I'd just as soon never hear again-- "The Christmas Shoes", the Hippopotamus song, and thankfully, I never once heard "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer" this Christmas season. My favorites, though, are the traditional carols, particularly those reflecting the spiritual essence of Christmas. I didn't go to Church this year to celebrate the birth of Christ, as I've come to find most Christmas services to be dry and lifeless. I wonder sometimes if anyone really comprehends what the birth of Jesus was like. It was a desperate situation--no room at the inn, taking shelter in a cave/stable, and Mary and Joseph wondering what on Earth God was up to. I, too, wonder sometimes what on Earth God is up to, when I look at my life and the way it's been up to this point. I know God is working in my life, but I don't understand His plans. I know He's working because I received the gift of healing several months ago at a Catholic healing service. My arm had been sore, numb and tingling, for several weeks. Some people prayed over me at this service, and by the time I left, my arm felt normal again. And it's been fine ever since. I don't feel disappointed in God, but I'm very weary of listening to leaders of the Catholic Church make decisions about things based on fear and an inability to see any viewpoint but their own. There has to be a better way out there, but I haven't found it yet. I'm finding a lot of inspiration in exploring a Celtic understanding of Christianity. But I have yet to meet anyone following a similar path so for now, I'll go it alone. In the meantime, I hope you had a blessed Christmas and may the angels be with you always.

Christmas scenes

Just a few pics of my Christmas decorations and a very bored boxer. enjoy!

Why didn't I try this sooner?

Sometimes a little thing can make all the difference in the world. For more than a year, I've been having trouble with pain in my feet, brought on by (I believe) a cheap pair of shoes and a lot of walking on the job. the soles of my feet became inflamed, and if you've never experienced it, it hurts. Like tiny arrows digging into your feet all day long. I bought new shoes, got some Dr. Scholl inserts, and even took a narcotic-strength pain reliever, but the pain persisted in my left heel. Finally I tried something simple: I took any anti-inflamatory medicine and WooHoo! For the first time in over a year, I can walk without pain in my feet! It's amazing how much this one little change has improved my mood. I feel like ME again. I've been so down on myself over the past year, never making the connection between how I felt emotionally and the physical pain that I felt. Heck, I'm ready to take up jogging I feel so much better.
OK, you get the picture. sometimes when just one little thing is out of whack, it throws off everything else. Take care of the tiny little detail and watch everything else fall neatly into place. Have you ever experienced this type of situation? I had a great day, hope yours was great too.

Now I am a...

Master Naturalist intern. Yes, I did it--I officially "graduated" yesterday and now need to work on a project to meet the volunteer requirement. We learned so much since the beginning of September. We could easily have spent weeks on each chapter. Really, we only scratched the surface of what makes up the flora and fauna (and a few other categories) of this state of Illinois. I never knew that karsts could be so fascinating or that hill prairies are so endangered. I'll never look at an insect the same way again. I'm thinking that I'd like to do a project dealing with the urban environment. Do you think the neighbors would mind if I turned my yard into a prairie? I've also been asked to run for a position on the executive committee of our Sierra Club chapter, but I'm hesitant to bite off more than I can chew. Oh well, the holidays are fast approaching so I'm going to put everything on the back burner till January. I've worked hard to earn that title; now i need to rest a little. I have all the materials to build two raised bed garden plots so I'll probably work on that this weekend. Then I need to order some seed catalogs. I also want to extend my little prairie garden next spring so I need to think about that. Aw, November--the beginning of next year's plans and aspirations. Maybe that's what winter is for--to dream of spring. Happy dreaming.