I am grateful that I have the luxury to read your words. Grateful that I have eyes through which to enjoy your beautiful photographs. Thank you again for a wonderful issue. It is a bit eerie to see the stealth bomber followed by nature. The juxtaposition makes me wonder.
"There’s a gap between what I think I can do and what I really can do." This is such a frustrating way to live, even with deep practices of gratitude and patience. I've only had sciatica twice, both times when I was pregnant, and it was horrible how it felt like a magic button ready to pull out any ability to function "normally," even to stand up. I hope it shifts for you soon.
And it's wonderful you have milkweed around! I used to nurture that as much as possible in our old yard in New York, and got some seeds to experiment with planting it here in northwest Montana. It always surprises me when people try to evict it from their gardens. The number of monarchs we watched cocoon and hatch on those ...
Yes to that magic button, whew. As to the milkweed, if I had a bucket full of seeds I'd be holding it until the rains come and sprinkling them all over the area they mowed this summer down by the pond!
As always, your photos are amazing. We have a small lake by the house (pond) that I visit often as well. I marvel at your knowledge of the names of the birds and wildlife surrounding you. While I know my little buddies by sight, I'm clueless of their names.
What am I grateful for? The use of my hands, and a strong body. Years ago when my daughter was in preschool, she came home with slap cheek, which has a latin name that I've long since forgotten. It's a childhood disease, and it's possible as an adult to contract it, which I did. It does strange things in some adults, and I was one of those lucky ones, ha! My symptoms mimicked rheumatoid arthritis, pain in the joints, swelling, fatigue, etc. My fingers were swollen and sore to the point that it was hard to button my pants or squeeze a shampoo bottle. And I had a young daughter and a baby boy to care for. My doctor promised me that my symptoms would dissipate with time, but he couldn't predict when. I was so grateful to hear that I would heal. It took the better part of a year, but with continued progress each month. I came away from the experience with such an appreciation for my hands, and all that they allow me to do. Cleaning a sink without pain became a joy. And thirty years later I haven't forgotten the lesson. Wishing you continued progress!! 💟
Thank you Sue! If it gives you hope, I didn't know ANY of the birds 10 years ago. I'm glad you healed AND the lessons stayed. Yes, that's what I want. Both.
I’ve been ill too and year on year getting better though it doesn’t always feel like it in the moment so I can relate to so much of what you share here. Nature is such a healer💚
Ahhh I’m so glad yours is week over week, still sounds pretty debilitating though and like you’re learning to tune into your body and it’s needs which I think is important for us all xxx
I'm so happy to hear you are improving day by day...light at the end of the tunnel. Beautiful photos and thank you Karen. I'm grateful for a warm cup of coffee, my pen and notebook, and the miles I got to run today with a friend.
So good to hear that you’re starting to feel better! That stealth bomber picture was unexpected and very cool. My favorites were the frog and the butterfly at the top, but all of these were so great. The variety from big to small, from manmade back to nature all in one post. Wonderful. I’m grateful for the small park next door to my house where I walk my dog every morning. He loves it, too!
Thanks Winston! The frog is actually my favorite because I have tried forever to see those little frogs (I hear them all the time) and this was the first time I saw one! I love that you have a small park close!
Janisse, thank you for this question and for the kind words! Both for caring and because it pointed out to me that I keep writing as if all readers have been here all along. In reality, over half of my current subscribers were not here in mid-July when this sciatica first developed! I will be more conscious of this going forward.
So yes, sciatica, which first flared up in mid-July. I had no idea it could be so painful! I made so much progress in the first 6 weeks but then I re-injured those muscles Labor Day weekend and caused the pain to go off the chart again. So now here we are again, 3 weeks in and slowly improving. I haven't been able to sit for 9 weeks, but at least standing, walking and laying down are pretty reasonable again. I hope I can sit by the time your writing course starts in October, but if not I will manage with my standing and laying down options.
As my tendonitis continues to abate, it is indeed gratitude for the small gains and simple pleasures that is, as Br. David Stendl-Rast would say, the only logical response. Each small doing and discovery is pure gift. I've forwarded this post to a friend who is recovering from hip replacement surgery and experiencing, like you, the daily learning process of patience vs overdoing. Continued prayers for everyone's full recovery. P.S. Congrats on the good night's sleep! The best! :-)
I am grateful that I have the luxury to read your words. Grateful that I have eyes through which to enjoy your beautiful photographs. Thank you again for a wonderful issue. It is a bit eerie to see the stealth bomber followed by nature. The juxtaposition makes me wonder.
Thank you Christian. It’s definitely a weird world we live in. Some of the things that go on in the park make me feel that way too.
"There’s a gap between what I think I can do and what I really can do." This is such a frustrating way to live, even with deep practices of gratitude and patience. I've only had sciatica twice, both times when I was pregnant, and it was horrible how it felt like a magic button ready to pull out any ability to function "normally," even to stand up. I hope it shifts for you soon.
And it's wonderful you have milkweed around! I used to nurture that as much as possible in our old yard in New York, and got some seeds to experiment with planting it here in northwest Montana. It always surprises me when people try to evict it from their gardens. The number of monarchs we watched cocoon and hatch on those ...
Yes to that magic button, whew. As to the milkweed, if I had a bucket full of seeds I'd be holding it until the rains come and sprinkling them all over the area they mowed this summer down by the pond!
As always, your photos are amazing. We have a small lake by the house (pond) that I visit often as well. I marvel at your knowledge of the names of the birds and wildlife surrounding you. While I know my little buddies by sight, I'm clueless of their names.
What am I grateful for? The use of my hands, and a strong body. Years ago when my daughter was in preschool, she came home with slap cheek, which has a latin name that I've long since forgotten. It's a childhood disease, and it's possible as an adult to contract it, which I did. It does strange things in some adults, and I was one of those lucky ones, ha! My symptoms mimicked rheumatoid arthritis, pain in the joints, swelling, fatigue, etc. My fingers were swollen and sore to the point that it was hard to button my pants or squeeze a shampoo bottle. And I had a young daughter and a baby boy to care for. My doctor promised me that my symptoms would dissipate with time, but he couldn't predict when. I was so grateful to hear that I would heal. It took the better part of a year, but with continued progress each month. I came away from the experience with such an appreciation for my hands, and all that they allow me to do. Cleaning a sink without pain became a joy. And thirty years later I haven't forgotten the lesson. Wishing you continued progress!! 💟
Thank you Sue! If it gives you hope, I didn't know ANY of the birds 10 years ago. I'm glad you healed AND the lessons stayed. Yes, that's what I want. Both.
That's good to hear. In time hopefully I will learn their names. Wishing you BOTH!!!!!
Glad you are improving ❤️😍🙏
I’m grateful for quiet neighbors
I’m grateful for the feral cat we “rescued” that keeps me company now that I’m living in an apartment
Thank you Aunt Sharon! I'm grateful you have quiet neighbors and the darling cat!
A British naturalist who wrote The Darkness Is Light Enough had severe back pain, but could walk, and this led her outdoors at night.
Mmmm, I love to walk outdoors in the early morning - but this is currently keeping me from that! So hopefully soon.
I’ve been ill too and year on year getting better though it doesn’t always feel like it in the moment so I can relate to so much of what you share here. Nature is such a healer💚
Amber, I'm so sorry you are having to work through long illness. "Year on year" helps me put perspective on "week over week". Lots of love to you!
Ahhh I’m so glad yours is week over week, still sounds pretty debilitating though and like you’re learning to tune into your body and it’s needs which I think is important for us all xxx
I'm so happy to hear you are improving day by day...light at the end of the tunnel. Beautiful photos and thank you Karen. I'm grateful for a warm cup of coffee, my pen and notebook, and the miles I got to run today with a friend.
Thank you! Love those wonderful things!
So good to hear that you’re starting to feel better! That stealth bomber picture was unexpected and very cool. My favorites were the frog and the butterfly at the top, but all of these were so great. The variety from big to small, from manmade back to nature all in one post. Wonderful. I’m grateful for the small park next door to my house where I walk my dog every morning. He loves it, too!
Thanks Winston! The frog is actually my favorite because I have tried forever to see those little frogs (I hear them all the time) and this was the first time I saw one! I love that you have a small park close!
Karen, I came onboard more recently and I don’t know the cause of your physical challenges. How can I learn this? Thank you for the glorious photos.
Janisse, thank you for this question and for the kind words! Both for caring and because it pointed out to me that I keep writing as if all readers have been here all along. In reality, over half of my current subscribers were not here in mid-July when this sciatica first developed! I will be more conscious of this going forward.
So yes, sciatica, which first flared up in mid-July. I had no idea it could be so painful! I made so much progress in the first 6 weeks but then I re-injured those muscles Labor Day weekend and caused the pain to go off the chart again. So now here we are again, 3 weeks in and slowly improving. I haven't been able to sit for 9 weeks, but at least standing, walking and laying down are pretty reasonable again. I hope I can sit by the time your writing course starts in October, but if not I will manage with my standing and laying down options.
As my tendonitis continues to abate, it is indeed gratitude for the small gains and simple pleasures that is, as Br. David Stendl-Rast would say, the only logical response. Each small doing and discovery is pure gift. I've forwarded this post to a friend who is recovering from hip replacement surgery and experiencing, like you, the daily learning process of patience vs overdoing. Continued prayers for everyone's full recovery. P.S. Congrats on the good night's sleep! The best! :-)
Thank you! I'm grateful that I'm at least curious enough to want to learn from it too. I suppose that's right, it is the only logical response!
It’s the wise ones who stay open to receive the hidden blessings. And you, my dear, are most wise! ❤️
Awww, thanks. I keep remembering that wisdom doesn't FEEL wise just like courage doesn't FEEL brave.
Thank you