First. I don’t know what to say – there are so many tragedies playing out right now. The earthquake in Mexico which is gut-wrenching in its devastation, another hurricane barreling down on the Caribbean with Puerto Rico in its sights, and name-calling and taunting on the floor of the United Nations that is taking us to the brink of nuclear war. And once again, they’re trying to take health care away from millions and millions of Americans, including the Medicaid that my nephew depends on.
My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones and homes in Mexico – a country that has generously offered us aid again and again in the face of our tragedies. My heart breaks for everyone, everywhere. We are living with such uncertainty, such constant stress, and it is taking a toll.
I have no wisdom to share. I just wanted to take a moment, a quiet moment, in the midst of pretty pictures.
Prayers.
Moving on.
I mowed yesterday. I raked piles of leaves. And it’s really hot and humid around here for September. It’s going to be 86 degrees tomorrow! Anyway, I was drenched. But I did do something I haven’t had time to do lately. I walked around the property and took some pictures.
Yesterday’s morning glory.
This mushroom/fungi is about the size of two baseballs. It’s on the edge of the lawn near the woods. This shows you how wet it’s been here. I’m letting it stay because I want to see how big it gets!
In the butterfly bush, this beauty.
Around here, autumn brings the most beautiful wildflowers, like this New England Aster.
And these: queen anne’s lace, goldenrod, and more asters. These are surrounding our mailbox at the moment. Nature’s color palette is more beautiful than anything I could come up with.
Today, the repairman is coming to put a new timer in our washer/dryer. Tomorrow, I head into Manhattan for a quick bit of coaching. Saturday? I think I’m going to go to a Miniature Show.
Happy Wednesday.
I too am overwhelmed by all the tragedies in our world. It doesn’t seem to stop lately. I’m sitting here for a few minutes this morning enjoying the golden light that only early Fall brings. I’ll be busy with a meeting and some shopping with Mom today, so a little quiet time is important to start my day. I hope you have a good day and that our world continues to spin despite others best efforts to stop it. Hugs!
I think we all need some quiet time, especially now. Sending you a big hug, my friend. xoxo
Lots of stuff happening …overwhelming at times. The earthquake in Mexico fueled “predictions” of a strong earthquake in the San feancisco Bay Area. The science isn’t there for predicting earthquakes, but that doesn’t stop people from heaping undue stress and worry onto others. We’ve got to remember to take care of each other positively and mindfully.
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Wendy.
Hi, Claudia. At work I’ve started posting mindfulness poems on a chalkboard door for all my colleagues. Poetry can be a true balm in the midst of stormy days. After reading your post today, I thought perhaps you might appreciate this poem by Mahmoud Darwish.
Think of Others
As you prepare your breakfast, think of others
(do not forget the pigeon’s food).
As you conduct your wars, think of others
(do not forget those who seek peace).
As you pay your water bill, think of others
(those who are nursed by clouds).
As you return home, to your home, think of others
(do not forget the people of the camps).
As you sleep and count the stars, think of others
(those who have nowhere to sleep).
As you express yourself in metaphor, think of others
(those who have lost the right to speak).
As you think of others far away, think of yourself
(say: If only I were a candle in the dark).
As individuals we may not be able to control the storms or angry politicians, but each of us can be a candle in the dark. Blessings, my friend.
oops, a couple of misspelled words – not enough coffee yet for fine-tuned editing! :-)
The last four lines should be:
As you express yourself in metaphor, think of others
(those who have lost the right to speak).
As you think of others far away, think of yourself
(say: If only I were a candle in the dark).
I edited the poem for you, Martha. Thank you!
Thank you Martha. Poetry does help. Bless you. xo
Your mushroom makes me think of bread dough rising.
It does! You’re right!
It just never ends, does it? We are bombarded by dreadful news and natural disasters in a daily deluge. A year or two ago, I don’t think we could have fathomed what we now endure as “another day”. I am not embracing what seems to be the new normal.
I hope you have a good Wednesday, and thank you for sharing the pictures with us. There is such beauty in the flowers and the leaves of Fall.
Bombarded is the perfect word. Like you, I can’t and won’t embrace the new normal.
Thanks Chris.
I am beginning to wonder if there is ever going to be good news again. I have severely cut back on my news reading. It is all the same and very distressing.
When I first saw the mushroom I thought it must be a very large bird that laid that egg.
Autumn wild flowers almost seem more beautiful than those of summer. Maybe, because they are giving one last shot at beauty before the snows of winter.
Maybe that’s why. They sure give us a splash of color, Trudy!
Yesterday seemed to be a never-ending day of bad news. The earthquake in Mexico…an impending horrific hurricane descending upon Puerto Rico…and then I was mildly mortified by the words of 45 to the U.N.!! It all made me want to crawl in a hole. So I thank you for that delightful picture of your mushroom…and the cute caterpillar….they made me smile. Keep ’em coming! ;)
I was more than mildly mortified, Donna! I would say ‘unbelievable’ but, unfortunately, it’s not.
I’ll do my best to provide some nice photos!
Wanted you to know I agree with your post. Just trying to find ways to help. I love your yard!
Thank you, Rose! Yes, we all need to help and be there for each other. Good for you.
Ah, far too long since we’ve heard from you of miniatures, so do go and share; please; I could use a dose of sanity in the form of fantasy!
I’ve not been in the mood for minis for a long time. I’m just now starting to get the ‘itch’ again. I think I need an escape!
Yes, a lot of tragedy in this world lately (including our government). On another note I did the same thing and walked around my yard my rose bush is overflowing and makes me sooo happy, we also have a ton of crazy mushrooms some interesting and then some not so much as I have four dogs and they eat lots of grass so the ingesting of mushrooms can be dangerous (way too many to scoop up unfortunately). Then we have peaches growing from our neighbors yard and dropping into ours…they also are neat to see, but also bring animals into our fenced yard. Was chasing a garter snake it seems like all morning and finally gave up….if the dogs catch it can’t say I didn’t try;-) All we can do is pray for mankind and hope it gets better:-)
Love that you have free peaches dropping into your yard, Michele! How delightful!
Oh by the way I have those caterpillars all over my yard…I believe they are not the good kind. Doing a lot of damage to the leaves.
I think most caterpillars do damage to leaves, don’t they? Ah well, I just let them be. They need food, too!
I’m depressed too, Claudia. Life since the election has definitely had a “Twilight Zone” filter over it, hasn’t it? There’s been precious little good news lately especially. I’ve read that people are worried that “The Resistance” is getting tired – and that’s completely understandable when you stop to think about how much we’ve had to push against since 45 took office. I personally get frustrated when I hear about people who’ve just stopped watching or reading the news because of its nearly-constant downer content. But we CAN’T let ourselves feel that way – and we certainly can’t hide our heads in the sand. Many Germans [and all Jews] struggled against Hitler for more than 12 years [at least officially]. Our own colonial soldiers [only 3% of our population at that time, by the way] fought the Redcoats for 7 years. We won’t even talk about the Hundred Years War [LOL]. We just need to know & accept that this fight may take a while [and certainly longer than we want it to]. We might have to rage against a dozen more of these ludicrous Repeal & Replace attempts!! But we know we are on the side of Right & we know the results will be SO worth it. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy & few things that are easy are very worthwhile. Peace.
PS – my imagination compels me to ask: Are you sure that mushroom IS a mushroom, and not an alien pod or something? Never seen anything like it! There’s a very Invasion-of-the-Body-Snatchers vibe to it. Sleep with one eye open, my friend. 😉
#Resist
Yes. It’s okay to take a short break. But then we have to dive right back in!
It’s a mushroom. But it’s friggin’ huge!!!! I’ll try to take a picture with something next to it to give you an idea of the size! xo
Prayers for Mexico.
Marilyn
Yes, prayers.
A miniature show!…what fun!
I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never been to one.
Loved your photos which were a bright spot in all the other sad news. That mushroom is big enough to carve! Is it edible?
I don’t know. And I’m not going to taste it!