Gift from Nature

 My introduction to Japanese Forest  Bathing had its ups and downs. Our Guide for the day arranged an  interesting walk through Mosley Woods in Newburyport. I never walked into the woods of this park before today. This park must be a favorite of all the neighborhood dogs. Herds of dogs, arrived and  their owners unleashed them. The dogs were all friends and came in all sizes and shapes. 

We waited on a picnic table that was opposite the children's' swings, and climbing dinosaurs' sculptures, and we faced the Merrimack River and the RT 95 bridge. Lola our guide arrived and gave us the history of Japanese Forest Bathing .

She slowly walked down a rather well used trail then went straight down by the river. heel to toe, each step deliberate, and quietly. No talking was allowed. We were to absorb the special medicinal properties of these trees. It was unfortunate that the traffic sound from the bridge muted the silence. The hum of traffic was loud and very hard to ignore. We walked up hills, down hills, past ponds, and streams. I was very glad that I brought a walking stick. 

As I walked, I had to watch the ground for tree roots and large stone to avoid falling. I found a oak tree puff ball which I put into my side pocket. Next came a very small green and yellow leaf, then some lichen and some tree bark. I was going to add these treasures to a very small birds nest that I found at Spencer Little Farm. The picture is above. It is filled with horse and donkey hair. The farm has many sheep, chickens, one retired race horse, one old donkey, many goats, and huge old pigs. I plan to add some of these items to my "hobbit home that my husband presented to me a few years ago on my birthday. It needs a few touch up items.

After our walk, Lola, served us lemon tea and gave us tiny bottles of essence of trees. 

I prefer to Forest bath in my back yard. We are lucky to share our stone wall with 500 acres of forest that can never be built on. We have lots of deer, racoon, and other curious animals who come to visit. 

I sit on my favorite chair on the deck and slowly breathe in the forest, baby birds are around, including hummingbirds, and chickadees. It is very pleasant sitting here. Being at one with nature. I love where I live. No highway noise, some cars, a few motor bikes, lots of boys in latex, and an hourly train.

I am so lucky that I am here. It is beautiful, mostly quiet, and so very private.  

Back in the Quite Zone

 Home again. Stressed out in the outer world of family, sickness, and stupidity. 

Breathe in and out...slowly, close the eyes, let the light shine.

One would think that flying thru clouds would open one' s mind. Seeing nature from high above the earth. I would think that it would give my mind the clarity of wisdom. 

Instead, it takes to places of sadness, illness, loneliness, greed and emptiness.  

Airports of my youth were a gateway to the wonders of the world. Step on the stairs and up to the skies you go. You wake up to new worlds, people, and wonders.

The "modern" airport is more of a people mover. Line after line, following the maze, take your shoes off, walk through glitter shopping malls, and waiting and waiting till the silver plane takes you back to the clouds and to new or old destinations.

I am tired, I traveled and found sadness, sickness, and sorrow. I came home to an empty feeling.

Each morning I take my coffee cup and sit on my back deck. I watch the baby birds, mother birds, quiet birds, loud mouth birds, acrobat birds, and birds of all sizes and colors.

I breathe in and out and I am so glad I am home to the quiet. 

Sciatic Pain in my left toe to my left back....ouch

 

I was quietly reading in bed last night. The Blue Thread. Enjoying the book alot. I decided to get up and wash up for bed. As I lifted myself up, I felt enormous pain from my sciatic back from my toes to my head. I tried to stand up, but each time, I placed my left foot on the the floor, the pain come back and came back stronger. Glenn was in the bathroom at the time, and I was screaming in the bedroom. Some how I managed to get into the bathroom, and take the two Tylenol and cup of water. My entire body was sweating and heat was  pouring off my body. Then I felt nauseous and push Glenn away from the toilet. I was sure that I was going to throw up. How I got down on the floor, I really don't know. The feeling passed and I was helped up slowly to my feet by Glenn. Walking was still a problem. I decided to walk sideways with my right side and drag my left leg. It worked and soon I was in bed arranging pillow to wait for the pain  relax. I finally slept. I woke up and talked to Glenn. He said at one point, he considered calling an ambulance. I guess we both were pretty scared. This sciatic pain was the most severe one I have ever had. 

Since my two knee replacements, I have had some sciatic pain. Since the right knee I have had about four of five incidents . 

I have been told that the space between my L5 and L6 has been narrowing due to arthritis. But, it has never been so much pain.

I pretty much took the next day off to finish my book, watch our hummingbirds, and all the other baby birds in our yard. I had a bad stomach ache all day. So, I ate alot of sugared ginger and I think that helped.

I am afraid to call the Pain Clinic. Last time, he kept training smaller needles into my spine. On needle made me scream and jump. Moving is not a good thing. I really don't want to be knocked out to have this procedure.   I have to take some time out to think what I need to do. 

Miracles of Summer Time Memories

 

My summer sun hat is complete with a thousand French Knots done as my activity during the dark and lonely days of the Pandemic. 

Rarely seen Ghost Moth rests on our house every a long matting session.

Paris was swell but Newbury is home.

 Home. Home. Now we are home. No fancy lights, fancy foods, and  fancy people.

Back Home. I can wear my oldest jeans with a torn t-shire and I am styling here.

Casual, and I don't mean business casual. I mean dressing for comfort, gardening, working with your hands and not styling. 

Home, back yard noise birds, occasional train whistling a pass deer, and prop planes flying overhead from Plum Island Airport. 

Trees are my neighbors, trees are my soul mates, and trees all around my yard. Each years the oaks gain more height and more stature in the tree world. The trees have grown in the 30 plus years that we have lived here. Each years a little more full sun is taken away from our plants. Each year we buy more shad resistant plants.

But home is good. Home is safe, quiet most times, and where I can be myself.

 

The French live to Eat and I Agree.

 Best ever hot fudge sunday in Honfleur Crepe Restaurant. The French do food so well. They never rush through their food. They appreciate the presentation, the smell, the texture, and the taste. Ah, they have honored food as a god given right and a thing of beauty.

In France, the would never ask you if you are finished with your meal in a restaurant. They would leave you alone with your empty expresso cub for hours. You end your meal at your own pace. Only when you ask for a check,   your server knows that you are ready to leave on your own terms. How civilized is that.

Don't rush your food, your service, sit back and savoir each and every bite, every taste to the fullest.

The World is Going Topy Turvey

 I do not recognize the news anymore. The World has gone utterly crazy. War in Europe. Killings, raping's, and mass destruction of civilization.

First Covid   and now this mess. I wish I was back in the 50s. Duck and Cover and survive a nucellar attack.

How did we get into this mess and more importantly how do we get out of this mess.

I fight off tears while watching the International News. I can't sleep. 

Is there no love in the world anymore. Are the crazy people ruling for their countries out of their minds?

I think they are.

Reading Lennon's Tomb during this experience gives me a wee bit of insight. But, being a peaceful person this whole experience is killing me. It is breaking me down. I meditate, I listen to music, I breathe fresh air. Nothing helps. 

I am very sad and despondent.