Dreaming in 2024
December 31, 2023
I suppose I should have something poetic or profound to say in wrapping up the year, but all I’ve got is it’s been exhausting! I’ve been struggling with stress and imbalance in my mind and body and though I’ve made progress at times the last couple months have been challenging. I am very grateful for amazing friends and family that have supported me so lovingly during this time.
When I think about 2024, my focus is easy - I want to focus on what will nourish and nurture my mind, body, and spirit as much as possible. I want to find equilibrium and lower my baseline stress so I’m better able to handle the challenges that come my way. I want to learn resiliency from nature and bring it into my being. I want to learn how to nourish and nurture others in ways that are sustainable.
I wish the same for all beings, that we find a way to nourish and nurture our fellow humans and the non-human beings of the world and that we find ourselves nourished and nurtured by those around us.
What are you dreaming into 2024?
Ok, well that wraps up the essay so now what? Lol. How about a quick walk through the year with unposted photos from each month! In reverse chronology too, because you know, why not? I’ve been asked before why I don’t make calendars and it’s because I can never pick just 12 photos - but here I go trying anyway. Not necessarily “favorites”, but these are what jump out at me as I scroll through the hundreds of unposted photos from this year.
December has been a lean month, but I can always count on the robins! I love that robins form large roosts here in the winter!
For November, I finally got the video of the starlings at sunset done! (I mentioned the experience here.) I held onto this photo for a month so I could post it with the video, and then realized it was redundant but I love it so you are getting both! :)
You might notice in the video that it’s not just starlings, there are actually a lot of robins too! Finished video below, and there is a longer version here.
For October it has to be the Franklin’s gulls who came in such abundant numbers!
For September I choose the beautiful egrets. They didn’t stay long but I sure enjoyed their company while they were here.
For August I choose this amazing snowberry clearwing moth (aka hummingbird moth) in the lavender.
But see, this is why I can never choose one because I will also never forget the juvenile Mississippi kite that stopped by!
So many choices for July too, but I choose this juvenile green heron. I love greenies so much and I don’t see them nearly as often as I used to - especially the youngsters!
June is all about swallows…and baby birds…and parents feeding babies. How do I choose?
The yellow chat was a bird I had never photographed before and I really got to know this bird in May this year!
April is about shorebirds. Their visits there year were few both in spring and fall but I enjoyed every minute I got to spend with them.
I’ve chosen all birds so I guess I should choose a sunrise at least once! In March I tend to appreciate the sunrises a lot because it’s typically one of the least colorful months here.
January and February are usually full of lovely ice sculptures but the way this winter is going who knows? So I am going to deeply appreciate this lovely ice work from February last year. I think it looks like a sleeping buffalo.
The ice usually brings sightings of winter ducks in January and February too. When the coves and small ponds freeze they become more visible. Again, who knows for this year? I love the mergansers so much and they are only here in winter.
It’s impossible to describe the year in a few photos. As I put this together and scrolled through hundreds of unposted photos what I felt was deep gratitude. Yes, the year was challenging personally, but nature was always there for me. Always ready to lift me back up and show me the way. Every year I say a prayer that my time in nature will continue the next year. Nothing is a given and I am utterly grateful for every sunrise, every bird that crossed my path, every mile walked with the trees.
Dear friends, thank you for walking through this year with me. Thank you for your support, your comments, and your love. May 2024 bring nourishment and nurturing for all of us.
I just want to mention one more time the course my friend and extraordinary writer and teacher Janisse Ray is offering via her Substack in 2024. I’m looking forward to it myself! If you want to participate, you can find the information here:
As I was scrolling down through the photos, I came to the cutline about "shorebirds." Then I looked at the picture, and before I read the next cutline, I said to myself, "Those are Karen's beloved avocets!" A year ago, I wouldn't have known that! But you have taught me so much about birds and nature in general, and it has all been pure gift! Blessings for a New Year as we continue to "walk in beauty" in this amazing world together.
1. Thank you for a year of beauty and inspiration, concluded with your photos here. 2. Nurturing and nourishment is a great motto. I will remember that. 3. I hope your challenges lessen and smooth out in 2024, Karen. Hearing that you've been struggling just makes all the wonder and beauty you share here even more precious. Thank you again, and may you be well in bodymindspirit this coming year.