Songs of joy that warm the heart!!

I got to know these beautiful little birds (Chic ca dee's)when I was given the gift of a bird feeder. I had never had a bird feeder before and couldn't wait to choose the feed and put it up and see who it would attract. I chose feed that would attract small birds because I figured the bigger birds could take care of themselves. What a joy when they showed up at the feeder and settled in to enjoy their food. I loved hearing their gentle song and watching them dance with one another as they took their places at the feeder. I never imagined it could be so much fun to just watch and listen...! I also had a few good laughs when these intelligent little birds out witted the larger birds and often the squirrels when they tried to take over the feeder. Each year the Chic ca dee's faithfully returned knowing there would be food to nurish them. So much joy and song given in response to the simple act of nurishing members of our family. If you have never had a bird feeder.. give it a try and enjoy, watch and listen!!

Less...can be a gift of LOVE!

What a weekend..A great Super Bowl Game and now Big snow possibilities..time to stay put with a good book! Also time to go through my "stuff" and choose that which I really want and that which I can pass on. After seeing the video on line "The Story of Stuff" I do not want to be contributing to land fills..The fewer land fills we have the better for Mother Earth. What if I had to live near a land fill? It's easier to think about them in the abstract until I realize that our brothers and sisters live near them and are affected by the gases they put forth. So how do I do less.. believe it or not I found a very positive way for me..Choose what I need .. and make sure that what I choose I really LOVE. I take the time to find what really appeals to me and then every time I wear it I'm happy. How many of us have "stuff" in our closets that we bought on the spur of the moment cause we wanted it.. and have probably only worn it once! Now I choose what I love and I am very happy with what I have. This applies to any purchase not just clothes. I don't need to have lots..but what I have I love, wear and use on a regular basis. If I'm not using it and its in good condition, I like the term gently worn, I give it away. For me as well, I'd rather pay a little more and have what I purchase last longer. I remember buying an outfit that I really loved but after the first wash it literally fell apart. Soo now I am more careful about where I shop as well as what I shop for. I enjoy wearing things I love..and doing so tends to help me be more aware of the gift of being ME! So less does not have to be painful.. just mindful.

Simple yet Powerful and Beautiful..

I was just thinking about the words "Mother Earth" and was lovingly jolted to see and realize that the First initial in each of the Words spelled ME... I think that Mother Earth wants us to know that we are intimately related.. what do you think?

All or Nothing is a pain in the neck!!

Hello and welcome.. this week has had me swinging between "doing more" for Mother Earth and feeling that I'm "not doing enough"!! This was triggered when I was made aware that, with all my words about love of Mother Earth, I wasn't even recycling paper! I was using to much plastic and using too much water....! This spiral of not doing was a royal pain in the neck, as I know in my head I can not do everything, but my ego says "Yes you must if you really mean what you say. The fear is, if I can not do everything, will I give in to the worst case scenario and do absolutely nothing!!! What I realized; and I have to say I am aware of my doing it.. not happy with it, but aware; my choices are not limited to "all or nothing". That's a limit I place on myself and I get stuck there. Soooo I begin again, with the choice to do what I can as best I can WITHOUT GUILT! I chose to recycle the paper that comes into my home, mail, adds and catalogue's; and the paper that I use in my home, computer papers of all kinds, cardboard and envelopes. We hear often, "take one step at a time", yet, in our culture one step is not enough and far to slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww! However, for me.. One step at a time makes a lot of sense and slow allows for a fuller awareness of what I am doing. It makes sense.. now I have to choose to be aware and Act. and in addition, I will do it with Joy.. Make it fun.. and try not to take myself so seriously!

Objects no longer...

WELCOME..I never realized I viewed myself as object until I struggled with trying to name who I am. Instead of addressing myself as person, I was seeing myself through roles, duties and actions. I am a teacher, I am a twin, I am an Aunt, friend, sponsor, writer, photographer etc. All good..Yes.. but not who I am in essence.. the person.. Have you ever heard yourself say either within or out loud, "Am I only valued for what I do?" I had focused for so long on my "doing" I had totally neglected my "Being". I am a human being named Assunta.. Ah hello Assunta.. I want to get to know you better and appreciate you for YOU!!! I wonder if Mother Earth would like to pose to us the very same question. Am I only valued for what I do? Give.. meat, fish, water, soil, minerals, plants, oil, stone...for the needs of all humans.. Give Give Give.. What About Me?? All that Mother Earth Gives..Why are these gifts not valued for themselves? As they are? Are we willing to get to know the more of a "TREE" than toilet paper, fire wood and building material? All of us want to be known, loved and appreciated for who and what we are... Let us choose to see our family of Life as objects no longer..

And you???

How has Nature Amazed you?

Rediscovering the beauty of Detail, Texture and Light..

Welcome...and thank you for coming! Rediscovering the beauty of detail, texture and light came with "playing with my camera" when taking pictures. On my deck I had a barrel with Geraniums blooming and I decided to zoom in on the flowers and petals! What incredible beauty I found.. the detail of lines and leaves showed each and every petal to be as unique and individual as human beings are unique and individual! Wow.. As for texture.. well, I love the beach and we have a beautiful beach here called "Surfers Beach". I love to go and just sit in my car with a cup of coffee and look at the sand, waves, and surfers as thy enjoy each other. Well, in the late afternoon on one summer day, with no surfers present, I took a picture that I hoped would capture the shadows on the sand and the dancing light on the water! When the film was developed I got an additional surprise, in that the sand had a color and texture that I really had not noticed before. Sand was sand.. Right! I usually didn't even see "texture" in my pictures but this beach photo made me aware in a gentle but concrete way of the gift that texture brings. The sand was more "real" and had a beauty of its own...So often I find that when I take photos, I always get more than I expect!! Talk about shedding new light on the gifts of Earth that we take for granted... and speaking of light.. my home gets the late afternoon sun and I have become more and more amazed at the "golden tone" the light has as it streams through the slider windows and blinds, and dances delightfully on the walls, carpet and furniture!! This always puts a smile on my face. Detail, Light and Texture who would ever think that they were such hidden treasures. Enjoy your day and I hope you too will rediscover the beauty of detail, texture and light..!!!