51 Comments

Karen, you are a gift. I hope the joy you bring brings you joy.

And omg, my pilot brain nearly popped at those aerodynamic shots of the Caspian tern turning and burning!

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Thank you Switter

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Your photos are amazing! The text, too. May I draw some of what you posted? Such inspiration!!!

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Thank you and yes! I’d love to see what you draw.

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What beautiful pictures!

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Thank you Liz

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Oh, Karen, I just love this one. Serendipitous events are so amazing to me. Can't wait to see photos of your garden!

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Thank you Sue!

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I always anticipate your posts. This was no exception. I love seeing birds in ways I never have time or opportunity to see them. I also enjoy how you document the march of seasons. Thank you for dedication, Karen.

Hey, I saw my first roughed grouse male this week in full love mode, which I find whimsical and even cute. These little guys parading around to woo their lady loves, in this case she was a few yards down the road, are a beautiful part of the great wheel of life.

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Thank you - and that's so awesome!

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Wow!!!! Amazing you got a helper just when you needed it!!! And she gets her dress👏👍❤️😍. The terns are beautiful ❤️👍

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Thank you Aunt Sharon!

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The Caspian tern was truly saying: It's my turn. Your garden helper appearing the way she did is pure intention looking like magic. I did not get my perennials transplanted out of my vegetable beds so now on to plan B. Most of my peonies have buds which would not have happened with a transplant. Have chives on the cusp of blooming as well as perennial geranium. And lots of strawberries in bloom.

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I love this! Thank you Sharon.

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I love this! I do want to see a pic of your garden though as well!

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Thanks Susi! I almost ran out and took one yesterday but honestly it's not very impressive yet with just tiny plants!

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I would love to see the "tinys" and then watch them grow! If you feel so moved.......

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I'll try to remember to take a photo this week. :)

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LOVE this today!!! The Caspian tern photos are AMAZING (all the photos are!)!!!! Xoxox

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Thank you Roxy!

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Karen, absolutely among your very best posts! I was head-over-heels with the series of Caspian tern photos! I mean really!! 50-inch wingspan - like when my arms are almost fully out-stretched!?! Love, love, love all of those shots! Mesmerizing ...... And then you touched my heart with all of the beauty of the rest of your post. I would say your 'Try Easier' is working! Let it shine! ✨

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Thank you Sandy! Good that you like the tern because more are coming on Tuesday, lol. I Leo them SO MUCH.

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A wonderful reminder of Mother Nature’s and helping humans gifts to the world we live in. Photos were captivating and gorgeous. Thank you.

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Thank you Deborah

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Lovely! Lately my inner mantra has been, "Less efforting." I apply this to things that need to be done- that I want to do- tasks I might enjoy if I could just not "go at" them (which is kind of my default setting! :) Even as I am doing something I find myself muttering "less efforting," and that makes me pause, take a breath, slow down and actually enjoy the task at hand. Sometimes that means I need to break a task down into smaller pieces to be done over a series of days because it is much easier to do things with "less efforting" if I am not trying to get 'er done. One of the gifts of aging really. Thanks for the reminder that one of the ways to do "less efforting," is to be open to receiving help.

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Thank you Oriah. Yes! "Less efforting." Indeed. I've also started using "soften, soothe, and allow" when I feel myself stiffen up or start working too hard at something. It's a phrase I learned from mindful self compassion work. It turns out I have to do this a LOT of times a day because it's my default setting too. And yes, yes, yes to asking for and receiving help!

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What a wonderful thing to read this morning, how just standing around and watching might bring the gifts you need, how starting to write might bring the words that make sense. Thank you. I'm heartened and inspired. But maybe I'll just sit and wait awhile, and watch.

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Thank you Nancy - yes, maybe just sit, watch and wait!

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and those terns! magnificent!

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Wonderful!

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Thank you David

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Love it. Try easier. And love how your gardening lady appeared just when you needed her. For the last two years I haven't had enough energy for the garden but this year I am finally getting to it. I have to do it just for an hour each day. I have two more beds to clear and then I can plant some pretty things.

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Cali, it was Jerome's voice I heard saying, "ask for help"! I'm so excited for you that you are being able to do some gardening! I love how good you are at managing your energy - and I know it's been SO HARD.

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Keep showing up ❤️Love what you do! May your Sunday be the most beautiful ❤️ I wrote this piece for you ❤️ https://open.substack.com/pub/makepurethyheart/p/sunday-insight-57c?r=1zorpg&utm_medium=ios

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Thank you Paolo - I need to go read this!

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