Karen, so sorry to be late to the gathering. I've been going through a bit of a medically rough patch myself and am now going through my backlog of mails! So sorry also to hear about your periodic lows. Can't be avoided, just endured in my experience. But we do, and life in all its beauty goes on- ever waiting for us to come outside.
Love the photos 😍❤️👍. I don’t have much stress in my life… but looking back over my life… when I was super stressed I always had to be out in nature…(walking at Burr Oaks or at Unity)…and thinking back… as a child I spent a lot of time in the woods exploring and playing …either at my Aunt and Uncles farm or the hills near my house (back in the day when children were allowed the freedom to roam). I guess I am truly a “tree hugger”😂❤️👍🌳🌳
Love the hummingbird! I had the most exquisite experience the other day. I was out in my front yard watering. As I stood in front of my hydrangeas watering, a hummingbird hovered just above the stream of water coming from the hose. It was taking a bath in the tiny droplets that were rising from the stream. I stood frozen, not wanting to scare it away. But there wasn't a need, as that little guy stayed for at least three or four minutes, fluffing and preening. At one point his feathers stood up and the brilliant blue became visible. I felt so blessed! ❤️
I know, it truly was. I actually thought of you, thinking wow, if someone could photograph this it would be amazing. But my job was to continue standing very still and keep that water coming, lol.
Just had a birthday, can't say celebrated, one of those round numbers that is shocking. Weighed down by a friend's cancer, he had excellent health habits. But there is no path except the one ahead so I keep on trucking.
A year ago in August I experienced a sort of Grand Slam of wonderfully supportive treasures. I arrived at Substack through a favorite author, Susan Wittig Albert when she brought her fans along for the ride. Then I happened on to your Life in the Real World Substack and have truly loved every post. Then I found a tiny black kitten one morning in the front yard who as time went on, showed me that he has a real love of classical music! (Of all things?!?!) Classical music is a constant with Cary and me since he arrived. I have it playing on my cable tv almost non-stop and often slow down to listen to certain pieces and think about the people who created such beautiful music. It is quite magical to see the change in Cary when he likes a particular bit of music. It quiets his zoomies and often puts him to sleep after doing a bit of cat yoga! So much to learn here.
Yes! WE love so many pieces and composers! Sometimes I just think about the word compose. To compose oneself. And then to compose music. What a grand thing to do with ones life. Always enjoy your posts Michael.
Your words and photos are the thing that carries me through the day sometimes. Other times, it’s my own finds in nature. Sometimes, it’s a faraway friend sending a funny meme. These are the things getting me to the day. 😊
The goldfinch is in a beautiful pose, ready to launch.
You made my morning again, although the quail families helped add to the happiness. They are doing well and the kids are about 2/3 grown. I don’t think there is time for a second hatch, but they have a lot of little ones this year. I was worried at first because they were late, but they made up for it with volume. None of the covies have less than a dozen babies.
Why Depeche Mode fills my troubled spaces so well:
Realistic lyrics: their songwriter Martin Gore writes about the imperfect
states of human affairs, relationships are imperfect, wants and needs are imperfect.
Their last album Memento Mori, which translates to “Remember you must die” had an
emotionally dark black and white video, shockingly creative but disturbing.
They have been a band since 1980. Seems to me all different personalities who come
together for the music, their purpose in life. Their lead singer is a miracle to be
alive because of drug overdoses. Their last tour was over a year and over 100 shows.
The output of energy for their fans is phenomenal.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is 152 dates and she is an excellent performer but does not speak to me. And many other groups have been together for a long time.
I still can't listen to the Piano Guys because I cry, my late partner's favorite group.
So for now it is Depeche Mode, I listen more carefully and learn more about them.
Knowing there are highly sensitive people in this world who feel strongly, care deeply, suffer & struggle greatly yet find the resilience within to not only survive but thrive. Thank you Karen for having the Courage to be vulnerable and sharing. You are a "gift by example" to more people than you can possibly imagine. Your ripples are far reaching....
Karen, so sorry to be late to the gathering. I've been going through a bit of a medically rough patch myself and am now going through my backlog of mails! So sorry also to hear about your periodic lows. Can't be avoided, just endured in my experience. But we do, and life in all its beauty goes on- ever waiting for us to come outside.
Oh I'm so sorry to hear about the medically rough patch. You're right, we do.
Love the photos 😍❤️👍. I don’t have much stress in my life… but looking back over my life… when I was super stressed I always had to be out in nature…(walking at Burr Oaks or at Unity)…and thinking back… as a child I spent a lot of time in the woods exploring and playing …either at my Aunt and Uncles farm or the hills near my house (back in the day when children were allowed the freedom to roam). I guess I am truly a “tree hugger”😂❤️👍🌳🌳
Thank you Sharon - I love this about you! And I'm glad you don't have too much stress right now!
❤️😍👍
Love the hummingbird! I had the most exquisite experience the other day. I was out in my front yard watering. As I stood in front of my hydrangeas watering, a hummingbird hovered just above the stream of water coming from the hose. It was taking a bath in the tiny droplets that were rising from the stream. I stood frozen, not wanting to scare it away. But there wasn't a need, as that little guy stayed for at least three or four minutes, fluffing and preening. At one point his feathers stood up and the brilliant blue became visible. I felt so blessed! ❤️
That's AMAZING!!! Wow!
I know, it truly was. I actually thought of you, thinking wow, if someone could photograph this it would be amazing. But my job was to continue standing very still and keep that water coming, lol.
Beauty is to be celebrated and you do that so well. Thank you!
Thank you Linda
Gorgeous, delicate photography. And I love the avocet flyby! I'm looking forward to seeing them again. Thank you!
Thank you Jeffrey
Beautiful narrative, thank you.
Thank you Jim
Such beautiful words and photos Karen, thank you, it’s always good to have a reminder to appreciate the little magic moments that pass us by
Thank you Amaranta
Depeche Mode: last tour, last venue, Germany, where they have a strong fan base, April 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq3ZmLfhQwA&t=7126s
Just had a birthday, can't say celebrated, one of those round numbers that is shocking. Weighed down by a friend's cancer, he had excellent health habits. But there is no path except the one ahead so I keep on trucking.
Indeed. Always worth a little celebrating even delayed!
The little everyday miracles, of which there are so many. <3
Yes there are Susi!
A year ago in August I experienced a sort of Grand Slam of wonderfully supportive treasures. I arrived at Substack through a favorite author, Susan Wittig Albert when she brought her fans along for the ride. Then I happened on to your Life in the Real World Substack and have truly loved every post. Then I found a tiny black kitten one morning in the front yard who as time went on, showed me that he has a real love of classical music! (Of all things?!?!) Classical music is a constant with Cary and me since he arrived. I have it playing on my cable tv almost non-stop and often slow down to listen to certain pieces and think about the people who created such beautiful music. It is quite magical to see the change in Cary when he likes a particular bit of music. It quiets his zoomies and often puts him to sleep after doing a bit of cat yoga! So much to learn here.
Beethoven. Opus 110! Bach, the Chaconne! Vaughan Williams, The Lark Ascending!
Yes! WE love so many pieces and composers! Sometimes I just think about the word compose. To compose oneself. And then to compose music. What a grand thing to do with ones life. Always enjoy your posts Michael.
I love all of this so much! Thank you for sharing Sandy!
Your words and photos are the thing that carries me through the day sometimes. Other times, it’s my own finds in nature. Sometimes, it’s a faraway friend sending a funny meme. These are the things getting me to the day. 😊
Thank you Dawn. I'm trying to be thoughtful of sending little messages to friends more often just because.
The goldfinch is in a beautiful pose, ready to launch.
You made my morning again, although the quail families helped add to the happiness. They are doing well and the kids are about 2/3 grown. I don’t think there is time for a second hatch, but they have a lot of little ones this year. I was worried at first because they were late, but they made up for it with volume. None of the covies have less than a dozen babies.
Thank you Switter! That's awesome about the quails!
Quail completely charm me. They are so serious but clownish at the same time. My spirit birds would be quail and meadowlarks if I had to choose.
Beautiful
Thank you Paolo
Meditating with one or more of your photos
Myself being out in nature
Praying for myself and others, some friends dealing with cancer
Hugging myself
Talking to loved ones who have passed on
Listening to a Wayne Dyer lecture
and last but not least listening to a Depeche Mode concert on YouTube. Play one and fall asleep to it.
From comments think many of their fans have the experience of listening to them at difficult points in their life to get thru.
Thank you for sharing all of these! Now I'm trying to remember Depeche Mode music and I might have to go look it up.
Why Depeche Mode fills my troubled spaces so well:
Realistic lyrics: their songwriter Martin Gore writes about the imperfect
states of human affairs, relationships are imperfect, wants and needs are imperfect.
Their last album Memento Mori, which translates to “Remember you must die” had an
emotionally dark black and white video, shockingly creative but disturbing.
They have been a band since 1980. Seems to me all different personalities who come
together for the music, their purpose in life. Their lead singer is a miracle to be
alive because of drug overdoses. Their last tour was over a year and over 100 shows.
The output of energy for their fans is phenomenal.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is 152 dates and she is an excellent performer but does not speak to me. And many other groups have been together for a long time.
I still can't listen to the Piano Guys because I cry, my late partner's favorite group.
So for now it is Depeche Mode, I listen more carefully and learn more about them.
Really amazing variety of birds, wildlife, plants, and scenery from Nature, Karen.
Thank you Neil!
Knowing there are highly sensitive people in this world who feel strongly, care deeply, suffer & struggle greatly yet find the resilience within to not only survive but thrive. Thank you Karen for having the Courage to be vulnerable and sharing. You are a "gift by example" to more people than you can possibly imagine. Your ripples are far reaching....
Thank you Clark