Soul Sister

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Eliza Waters
Eastern Comma Polygonia comma

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)

Recently, I received the call that I knew would come sooner or later from one of my ‘soul’ sisters. The medical team are stopping her chemo, her tumors aren’t responding and hospice has been called. Only a little over a month ago she celebrated her 57th birthday.

Through tears, we spoke of her sadness at leaving her children behind, not being able to see them grow up, graduate and build lives of their own. She is not afraid of death, her greatest pain is the dreams left unfulfilled in a life that cruelly seems too short.

Our conversation was brief as she had to answer another phone call. Standing in the kitchen looking outside at the beautiful spring morning, I wept. Life is like this, I told myself. Time to put on my big girl pants. She will be my first close peer to die and like anything new, the territory takes getting used to.

I stepped onto the deck, took a deep breath and looked at the trees waving in the breeze, listened to birds singing their spring songs; the world all around me in a state of renewal and regeneration, seemingly at odds with what I am facing.

A movement caught my eye and I saw an orange butterfly alight on a quartz stone placed at the edge of the garden bed below me. “Of course,” I thought with a brief smile, “I can count on Spirit to always send me a sign and here it is, a butterfly, the symbol of soul transformation.” Its message was one of comfort, “Things are as they should be, be at peace.”

 

 

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Memorial Day

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Eliza Waters

IMG_9629 I love living in a small town. Events have a very personal feeling and Memorial Day has always been an important observance in my hometown.

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It is a solemn occasion honoring veterans, marked with prayer, speakers, boy and girl scouts reciting famous speeches, bands playing patriotic songs and a parade procession to the cemetery’s war memorial for heartfelt speeches and a gun salute honoring fallen comrades.

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As two trumpets poignantly play and echo Taps, children lay flowers on the graves of men and women who have served in the armed forces. It always saddens me to think of young soldiers sacrificed in their prime and the pain felt by those they left behind. Harder still are the ones who return broken in heart and body.

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Rather than glorifying war, Memorial Day serves to remind us that peace is our utmost goal and that each of us must work to keep peace in our hearts and radiate it out to the rest of the world. We and our future generations depend on it. May you and your loved ones always walk in peace.

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Free Style Writing Challenge

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Eliza Waters

pen in handI was tagged by Sue Vincent at Daily Echo to participate in a free style writing challenge.

I chose to to set the timer for ten minutes (I am not as fast a typist as Sue, so I figured I’d need the longer time! As it is, I ran out of steam almost two minutes before the timer went off.)

My question was: If you could visit, for just one day, in any era and location, past, present or future, where would you go and why?

Albert Bierstadt - Sunrise, Yosemite Valley

Albert Bierstadt – Sunrise, Yosemite Valley

I would go back to pre-colonial America. I would love to see what our land looked like when only the Native Americans possessed it.

I read once that you could travel from the Atlantic coast to the Great Plains under tree cover, except for crossing rivers. I would love to see and experience that! See what birds, animals and plants were native and untouched by invasive species that we are plagued with today.

Yosemite Valley - Bierstadt Albert

Yosemite Valley – Albert Bierstadt

The first eyewitnesses told of great abundance of wildlife. I wonder what that would be like? The air would be so fresh, the rivers, clean and drinkable. Virgin timber, hundreds of years old. Great, massive trees reaching for the sky. What a wonder that must have been.

American bison

American bison

Or head out West and see the sequoias before 90% were cut down. See the Plains teeming with buffalo and antelope. The rivers and streams filled with fish. Pure Eden. Migrating birds filling the skies, flying over for DAYS at a time, in the clean, fresh air – oh, to see that would be so amazing. I dream of earth in its untouched splendor, undisturbed by the hand of man. Buildings, farmed land, roads, industrial blight, all destruction, gone. A fantasy, but it would be amazing to see!

(230 words)

These are the rules, and if anyone would like to participate in this fun, short exercise, please feel free to do so. I get to tag another five bloggers, who have no obligation to join in unless they so choose!

So I shall nominate: Woodland Gnome, Silver in the Barn, Elizabeth de Grazia, Ellen Shriner and Being Margaret.

Your mission, ladies, should you choose to accept it…

1. Open an blank Document

2. Set a stop watch or your mobile phone timer to 5 or 10 minutes, whichever challenge you prefer.

3. Your topic is at the foot of this post BUT DO NOT SCROLL DOWN TO SEE IT UNTIL YOU ARE READY WITH YOUR TIMER!!!

4. Once you start writing do not stop until the alarm sounds!

5. Do not cheat by going back and correcting spelling and grammar using spell check (it is only meant for you to reflect on your own control of sensible thought flow and for you to reflect on your ability to write with correct spelling and grammar.)

6. You may or may not pay attention to punctuation or capitals.

7. At the end of your post write down ‘No. of words = ____” to give an idea of how much you can write within the time frame.

8. Do not forget to copy paste the entire passage on your blog post with a new topic for your nominees and copy & paste these rules with your nomination (at least five (5) bloggers).

When you have the document and the timer ready to go, scroll down to see your subject…

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If you could meet anyone real or fictional, from the past or present, who would it be and why? What would you talk about?

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Ferns Unfurling

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Eliza Waters
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Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)

The unfurling of fern fiddleheads in spring is one of the things I look forward to every year. To me, each one is a work of art. Above is a lovely reddish-bronze Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) named for its quick demise when touched by frost.

Fiddleheads are perfect examples of a Fibonacci spiral, a mathematical sequence that builds from 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc. Each number is the total of the previous two. The whole Universe can be defined mathematically, the way plants grow, our body works, everything, which I find pretty fascinating. But I digress…IMG_5119 IMG_5120 - Version 2 IMG_5121 Above are several examples of Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana), that start out quite wooly, unfolding into rough, chartreuse clusters of beaded mini-ferns before opening their fronds completely. The name comes from the fertile pinnae that occur about halfway up the stem, which mature and fall off in summer, giving an ‘interrupted’ look to the frond.

IMG_5137Above is an unfurling Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina), a delicate, lovely thing. Have you ever seen such perfection?

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Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana)

Even though there is an evergreen Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) frond from last year in the background of the above photo, the white wooly fiddleheads here are Interrupted Ferns. Below are Christmas Fern fiddleheads, which unfurl symmetrically to form large circular mounds.

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

Lastly, are Cinnamon Fern fiddleheads (Osmunda cinnamomea), also wooly, but with a reddish-brown tinge to them. Some claim the name comes from the fertile fronds that rise up separately in early summer, looking a bit like cinnamon sticks, but technically, it refers to the brown fibers near the base of the plant.

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Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)

Above are our most common woodland ferns, but there are many more that I either didn’t see or missed photographing in the few days when they were emerging. Many make great additions to the garden, preferring shady, moist soil that is rich in humus, like that found in most woodlands.

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Four Seasons

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Eliza Waters
Spring - Bullitt Reservation

Spring – Bullitt Reservation

This weekend we took a ride to Bullitt Reservation to take my fourth and final photos in a series showing the four seasons from the same vantage point. Along with the ground blackberry that kept snagging and scratching my ankles, the black flies were out en force making me hop and yelp the whole way. The insect repellent that I put on earlier in the day had worn off, I guess. Needless to say, we didn’t linger long. I hope you enjoy the latest in the series, I donated a bit of blood to the cause!

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Here are photos of the other seasons with the links to their entire posts. Summer, Fall and Winter.

Summer - Bullitt Reservation

Summer – Bullitt Reservation

Fall - Bullitt Reservation

Fall – Bullitt Reservation

Winter - Bullitt Reservation

Winter – Bullitt Reservation

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Renewed

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Eliza Waters
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

It is such a joy to be outside these days with the birds calling from nearly every tree and bush, I’m thrilled to be alive to witness the renewal of another spring. After this past, bitterly cold winter, these warm, sunny days and blue skies are balm for the soul.

Red-wing Blackbird

Red-wing Blackbird

I hear a redwing blackbird call from the river’s edge and the warblers, who returned a few days ago, sing from the woodland trees. Flashes of yellow, they establish new territories and hunt for insects in the thick brush. I hear and see robins, cardinals and catbirds and I heard my first wood thrush last night, always a highlight to my day when I hear their melodious song.

Trout lily (Erythronium americanum)

Trout lily (Erythronium americanum)

Along the woodland paths, the dog-tooth violets/adder’s tongues/trout lilies (Erythronium americanum) bloom. Their many common names refer to features like the fang-like shape of the bulb and the brown and gray-green mottled foliage.

Another wildflower currently blossoming are red trilliums/wake robins/stinking Benjamins (Trillium erectum).

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

The latter common name refers to their unpleasant scent, which attracts carrion flies that pollinate them. ‘Trillium’ suggests the three petals and leaves of this common woodland native. Their rich, red color is a sight to behold.

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

With the warm weather we’ve been having, the leaves are unfurling almost overnight. The long vistas we enjoyed over winter are about to disappear for the next six months as the leaves extend to exploit every bit of sunlight. The woods will become hushed, shady retreats once again. I look forward to hearing the whispering of the wind as it gently tosses the leaves, a sighing sound that holds peace for me.

Musical accompaniment

Musical accompaniment

The waterfall adds its quiet rushing to the music of our yard. The spring melt, which always swells its flow, has finished and it is not as noisy as it was. The stream and river are  a blessing, attracting wildlife to our land.

Pastels in Sunlight

Pastels in Sunlight

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Striped Squill (Puschkinia libanotica)

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Tulipa biflora

Clean laundry flaps on the clothesline, nature’s free drying service that offers the freshest of scents. Nearby, violets and self-sowed spring bulbs dot the lawn. With no chemicals to knock them down, our lawn is alive with color and scent. Monocultures are not healthy for us or the land, and I find them rather disturbing and boring when I see them. Nature’s way works best for me.

I love this time of year, as the whole of the warm season lies ahead of me. Months of open windows, breathing the fresh air, with days spent outside in sunlight and under shady trees, drinking in all the abundance that nature generously offers. What a blessing!

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Silent Sunday

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Eliza Waters
Bachelors: Sleeping mallard drakes and lone Canada goose

Bachelors: Sleeping mallard drakes and lone Canada goose

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Carolina Spring

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Eliza Waters
Pink Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Pink Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Here are some of the photos I took on my recent trip to the Carolinas. Since the only thing blooming in my yard when I left was snowdrops, it was like leapfrogging six weeks ahead into full spring.

Dogwood trees (Cornus florida)

Dogwood trees (Cornus florida)

It was wonderful to see all the beautiful blooming trees and shrubs. All of these photos were taken on the campus of Furman University in Greenville, SC.

I was pleased to see that most of the landscaping used native plants. There also was a large kitchen garden, but not much was growing at that point.

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Fountains, Furman University photo: C.M.King

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Iris cristata

IMG_4874 There was a large pond around which we walked, taking in the park-like beauty while enjoying the mild day. A swan, regally paddling in the goldfish pond, looked for handouts.

IMG_4873Robins, mockingbirds and Carolina wrens called from the trees. Families with children, bicyclists and joggers also were out enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

 

Bank of Azaleas

Bank of Azaleas

Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina)

Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina)

Azalea

Azalea

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wisteria floribunda

Wisteria floribunda

 

 

 

 

It’s a beautiful campus, open to visitors the year round and a great place to idle away a lazy Sunday afternoon.

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Pink & white azaleas

 

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Bobcat

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Eliza Waters
Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) photo: J.Masson

My neighbor called today to let me know that our resident bear has returned from hibernation, larger than ever, visiting their compost pile and bird feeders last night. As they usually get the first visit, it’s nice of them to give me a heads-up to protect my own feeders. Their yard is very popular with wildlife and they get many more visitors than we do, perhaps because we have a dog or that their smorgasbord of feeders is enough for one-stop dining.

In conversing, I learned that the handsome bobcat I posted about the other day has been hunting squirrels off their feeders all winter. They kindly shared the above photo of this beautiful visitor calmly sitting on their deck! Check out that face and those huge paws!

According to this website, which was filled with a lot of information about the species, bobcat diet consists of 75-90% rabbits, followed by smaller rodents like squirrels. In winter, when their primary food can become scarce, bobcats have been known to kill adult deer, revealing their power and hunting skill.

Males are larger than females by a third (average range is 15 to 35 pounds), so it is hard to determine sex without closer inspection (not likely). Breeding season is late winter with 1-4 kits being born two months later. It is possible that this is the female I saw at our river two summers ago with a little fuzzball of a kit by her side. If she is pregnant or nursing, that could account for why she is being seen more often, needing to increase her calorie consumption. One can only speculate.

Bobcats rarely interact with humans, secretively traveling out of sight around the hours of dawn and dusk. Their contribution to the keeping rodent populations in check is helpful in balancing ecosystems. Conservation, decline of hunting/trapping and regrowth of the forest in our area has contributed to a rebounding of their population. Good news all around!

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Blog Tour

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Eliza Waters

blog-tourStorm, at stormiesteele.com has asked me to join in The Blog Tour Award, in which I am happy to participate.

Storm, a published author, offers posts that are spiritual and uplifting, encouraging us to reach deeply within to connect to our inner voice, our true soul connection to Spirit.

1. The 3 nominees that I’ve chosen:

cropped-angel-sittingTrini at Love Notes from Angels ~ Beautiful poems and photos that touch the heart and lift the spirit

cropped-taperoo-on-25-april-2014-14-00-0181Rebecca at Twenty-one Words ~ Fellow nature lover with fascinating posts from Australia

shoshone_lake_moonrise_1_blogMike at Nature Has No Boss ~ Exquisite nature photography of the American West and a few other places, too

Although there are many, many other bloggers/writers/photographers whose work I admire, I’ve chosen three for this Blog Tour.

2. Rules are below.
I would like to propose the dates: One Time: Monday Post April 27 or May 4, 2015 (Please feel free to vary the date.)

Accepting this award, here are the rules :

3. Rules:
1. Pass the tour on to up to four other bloggers.
2. Give them the rules and a specific Monday to post.
3. Answer four questions about your creative process that lets other bloggers and visitors know what inspires you to do what you do.

Q1. WHAT I’M I WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT ?
Q2. HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN MY GENRE?
Q3. WHY DO I WRITE OR CREATE WHAT I DO ?
Q4. HOW DOES MY WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK ?

4. Compose a one-time post on a specific Monday (date given from your nominator).

I’ve chosen April 20th for this 1 time post. Thanks again Storm!

Katsura blossoms

Q1. WHAT I’M I WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

Being a gardener, I’m clearing away debris from winter and trying to stay ahead of the curve so the gardens are all set for summer.

Q2. HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN MY GENRE?

IMG_0586My gardening style is informal and I have decreased the area of lawn by half over the past decade in favor of wild field habitat. While nature might look “messy” to some, this experiment has yielded a healthier ecosystem. I think of my yard as a painter’s studio and I am working on many canvases simultaneously.

Q3. WHY DO I WRITE OR CREATE WHAT I DO ?

April12 029I have always loved nature and gardening came early in my life. Some of my earliest memories are picking and arranging flowers. Ten plus years ago I became interested in writing as a way to teach others about gardening and lately it has moved towards helping others understand how they affect the natural world and the importance of using native plants to support the greater ecosystem in which we live. We are all connected!

Q4. HOW DOES MY WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK ?

IMG_9792In my garden beds, each a separate canvas, I use texture and color like I would paint to create beauty. I use plants I love and want to see in my garden. I don’t have a formula, just a feel for what pleases me. Most times it works, when it doesn’t, I consider it a learning opportunity. There are no mistakes in the garden, it is generally simple to do over. My only regrets are Asian invasive species that I planted in ignorance and am now stuck with: Houttuynia and rhizomatous Bamboo. Never plant these!

For my posts, I often take walks with my camera and write from the photos I capture. I see so much beauty all around me, I love to share it with folks in the blogosphere.

IMG_0168Thanks again to Storm for this opportunity and hope you visit her site as well as my nominees, all who have wonderful posts to offer. Enjoy!

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