Hognose Snake from Texas – Yeah.. how about that, a snake. In a conversation happening around me, I heard someone say they saw a hognose.. I had no idea, when I said, what is a hognose, that someone would send me a link and a picture(s). OK. I who walk across the road to avoid a small little garter snake, was slightly taken off guard. Not something I would go out of my way to see, or know about.
I’m a city gal, and I tend to live and frequent areas where if there are snakes they are not where I come across them. Plus I live in a climate that doesn’t encourage snakes to be part of the landscapes I visit In reading about this little wonder .. it seems that to some its so cute they have them as a pet. Yeah. that is something wouldn’t come to mind if I saw one near me. It is known to be a bit of a “drama queen” it seems when it is threatened one of its defenses is to play dead.. I’m not going to link you to that video, but it is interesting .. the snake does put on a performance. While its playing dead it is giving off a putrid awful smell to add to the deceit that it is rotting/decaying/dead.
If I am to transform my negative thinking, try to be more positive and open to new ideas/thoughts etc. then taking a moment to read about this little critter is a step in the right direction. I learned that this “animal” has a personality, it thinks (not like we do), it has some kind of intelligence that keeps it going during its lifetime, helps it hunt and survive… Aren’t we, also daily doing our best to adapt and survive.
Express yourself clearly so others can understand you. When you can’t communicate clearly, it can lead to problems. Always express yourself carefully to avoid any misunderstanding.
Perfect Liberty 2022.9
Till soon
Service tomorrow July 10 will be at 10: a.m.
service Monday July 11. Ancestors day, there will be a ceremony at 10: a.m.
A beautiful sunny day, the entrance to the site is still closed to visitors. The trees lie where they have fallen, the exposed roots lay bare for all to see. There is no access to the paths or the outdoor facility. Destruction is everywhere. The birds and wildlife are back to singing and going about their business, but to the human visitor, the paths are littered with fallen trees and branches. Very dangerous.
As I wandered on the outskirts of the debris.. I heard a chain saw. Curious I made my way back to the entrance, where a young woman had backed up her truck and was cutting away the limbs that were within her reach. She explained she was gathering up wood for the winter… some of it was obviously too green, but she said, it will be dry for next winter.
I am not an official of the conservation area, I could only caution her as to the risk she would be taking if she ventured into the woods.. I could understand her wanting to gather up the dead wood, her logic was that as people cleared up and put the fallen branches and tree parts to the curb.. there was so much of it, often it could not all be gathered up in one go. So she was in her own way, helping declutter. (her logic)
Since I myself collect fallen bits and pieces for my wood carving and whittling.. I could do nothing but smile and encourage her to be cautious. Life… is what it is…
Start by thinking “let’s do it” Once you decide to do something and put your whole heart into it, things will start moving forward.
Perfect Liberty 2022.8
Yes there is potential danger we had such a severe storm, and damage in areas is brutal. However, life is what it is and nature will continue to grow and recycle. I am drawn like a moth to a flame. I find comfort in being near and part of what IS. What will be, will be.. No more, no less.
Good morning.. I went back through my files.. to find this picture that Num took some time ago, this rabbit, (ok one like it) gave me a very pleasant visit yesterday. I had come back from my “mindful” walk earlier that I expected to. The mosquitos/biting insects* were just to hungry. Cloudy overcast, off and on drizzle kept the film crew away, so I was totally alone in that stretch of woodlands. I was feeling a tad grumpy I had been viciously attacked during my walk, through my clothes and despite the “keep away” bug sprays and lotions.
Once I took off my rain gear, put away my carving knife and the piece of wood I was working on, I felt watched. Closing the trunk I turned to walk around the car to get in .. and found that I was being watched. At a safe distance sat this young rabbit just watching me. I had seen him/her earlier as I came closer to the parking area.. running in and out of the tall vegetation that lined the path I was on. I was surprised that it didn’t turn tail and run.. it just sat there as if it was wondering what this odd two legged creature was doing..
The birds that had been feeding and going about their morning routine had also taken an interest.. was it because I was alone, there were no other beings around, certainly the film crew was not around, nor were any of the regular “bird watchers” or dog owners .. it was just too damp and muggy. I got in the car, started the car, and watched as the rabbit hopped away when the engine started. For some reason, I turned off the motor and just sat there… he/she reappeared peaking out from the brush. With the motor off, I simply sat there, turned the radio off and just watched to see what would happen.
LOL I got a taste of what the animals must feel like when humans come around pointing cameras /binoculars etc. at them. The rabbit boldly came up closer to look up and into the car at me.. then ran around so it could see from all sides of the car.. I won’t swear to it, but I think it was being playful, it began to run across the road down into the little gully and around the outer rim of the parking lot, showing its stump and long legs as it ran, pranced and explored the grounds all around the car. Always checking and looking back to see if I was watching. (fyi this is a dead end road that is only used by people who know this area exists)
I am not a person who just sits in my car. but here I was.. just sitting and watching the antics of my little friend who was obviously keeping me company. This took place for a good 15 minutes, till my phone came alive.. and broke the “spell”. I was given a reminder.. that one need not always be “doing something” or “on the move”.. maybe an old dog can be taught “new tricks” or reminded of past lessons that have been put aside or not practiced.
During my walk, even tho’ I was being bitten and bothered by flying dive bombers*… I did notice that my mindful walking has been improving.. I walk slower, quieter and even though I’m whittling, I’m finding a way to be present in a way that blends in with my surroundings. The birds along the way, were not flying away when I approached, they were accepting of my presence. I’m a long way from having the “stillness” and mindfulness that I am wanting.. but progress is being made.
Be cheerful and friendly with those around you. Other people* can sense how you are feeling. So be cheerful
Perfect Liberty 2022. 24
You never know who is watching or paying attention to YOU
just because we don’t see .. doesn’t mean there are no “eyes” on you.
* I had huge big bites/welts on upper arms and neck that itched like crazy (through my layers of clothing!!!
There is a reason the conservation staff have put up “park closed” and danger/caution tape up blocking the entrances to the trails. They are dangerous. You can see the size of the downed trees, you have to be able to climb over or walk around them. AND there are still trees leaning very precariously at an angle, so much so, a tremor or wind could topple them.
See how this tree is leaning, half of the roots have been pulled out of the ground. I am very familiar with this trail, I was very careful making my way around. I did not venture away from the areas where I knew I could easily manouver out of the way of a falling branch/limb.
All was VERY quiet. I did get to have a visit with the duck .. he was alone.. the water was devoid of other birds/ducks, On my way out I met a fellow “wanderer…’ Bev and I had met some time ago, it was nice to catch up. she had been in the parking lot talking with the conservation officer that had come by to replace the “stay out” tape that someone had removed. I had to limbo under it to get out =^_^=.
a quote from the past
We are all here for a purpose. Please reach out and share your beautiful smile today. enjoy the pictures of a paradise dealing with “change’… the birds have begun to sing again, the chipmunks, and squirrels used to visitors are searching for the handouts that are no longer there.. but… time will rebuild.. workers will get to the different trails and the tidy up will happen.. Send positive energy to all the workers who are having to work long hours to repair/clean up and the many hydro /internet problems that still need resolving.
PL Precept # 20 Live maintaining equilibrium between mind and matter.
It’s easier to adapt to something when we find it interesting. No matter how enjoyable a situation is, a slight change in our attitude can make it boring. Let’s face any situation with curiosity and enthusiasm.
Perfect Liberty 2022.10
Welcome to new readers, I would be remiss in not biding you a good day! It is such a warm rush of pleasure when I see that we have new members in our “community”.. When I read today’s calendar I asked myself the question.. “how am I adapting with the many changes that have happened in my life over the month of May.”
May was painful in many ways.. the anniversaries of my Mother’s passing, my husbands passing the major storm that left me without power for a week plus. I felt at times like a rubber ball being bounced over large sharp edged boulders.
if I was one of my warriors – this would be a selfie
Nature will continue to flourish and grow around the warrior … soon he won’t be seen the vegetation will become so dense. Time will work on the fresh wounds and soften the jagged edges. Reality – there is o going back.
Many of you have experienced simliar aches, even if the causes are comletely different – you know what it is to feel sadness that overwhelms. It is important to not overlook or try to diminsh that “fact”… The rebuilding is slow, and I now know can take not days and weeks, but months and maybe even years … to move comfortably into “now”.
Research has shown that there is a reason we love a sad movie. (sad film paradox) They talked and asked questions of hundreds and thousands plus people…. we like to be moved, to feel connected to what it is to be human, to be reminded of our inextricable connection to one another. Their study revealed a highly significant positibve correlation between sadness and enjoyment. This association is sequential. Sadness leads to feeling moved, which in turn leads to enjoyment.
Grief does not obey your plans, or our wishes. Grief will do whatever it wants to you, whenever it wants to. In that regard, Grief.. had a lot in common with love.
Elizabeth Gilbert
Tomorrow the 11th. is Ancestors Day, service will be at 10: a.m. if you are able to attend we will see you there, if you cannot attend, please take time to share a silent moment with us from wherever you are.
I still have ths Dr. Hook song, Storms never last do they darling playing in my head, it just won’t go away. As I took my camera for its morning stroll it had been lying neglected for days on my work table, it happily let me play with different settings, I wasn’t really trying to do anything in particular, nor did I see anyrhing that had me intrigued.
Hello -is it me you’re looking for (Lionel Ritchie)
The best timing is when you notice. When you notice something, it is God sending you a message. Act right away so you don’t miss good timing.
Have a prayerful mind to love yourself and others. Open up your heart fully when praying to God. It will help you sort out our feelings.
Perfect Liberty 2022.31
The power came back on for me after being off for 7 full days plus. That was the beginning. Yes it was a great relief to have power back in my house. But something had changed, not only in the structure of the house, but in my “head”… my body had only aged 7 days… but the stress and anxiety of the many hours spent in a “kind of limbo” had yet to reveal itself.
Yesterday I did what I routinely do, I headed for the woodlands. I met an entomologist who is working on a research project on biting insects.. in particular yesterday he was going to tend his tents of horse and deer flies at the research station some two miles + down one of the gated areas at one of the conservation areas that I frequent.
deer flyhorse fly
He graciously allowed me to drive with him to the research station (he was concerned and wanted to make sure I knew I would have a long walk back) I assured him I knew the distance and had done it before. For me it meant I only had to walk back,. not the distance to get there and then back. I knew it was going to be a hot muggy day…. this area is an old road, some of it is old pavement, the rest of it is overgrown dirt road Actually all of it is overgrown, the area has a gate that is kept locked with only authorized vehicle and personnel having keys.
What I have found intersting is that a fallen tree is no longer just a damanged tree, I have walked the area for a long time now, I know the trees, when I see them hurt and injured, I “feel” it. As I walked back after being shown his project, and had a brief intro into the research he is doing, I headed back, taking my time … I don’t often walk down this far during the heavy mosquito season. He did show me what he uses to ward off the little critters, he lathered the product liberally all over his neck face and head. They were in great abundance out in that field… My “Off” worked for me, but I was covered from head to toe, long sleeves, long pants, hood/ hat, gloves… as I walked the sun smiled down on me… letting the full force of the heat/humidity add to my ambiance.
No skeetos bothered me, even when the discomfort of the heat finally got to me and I took off the gloves, then the hood, then the hat.. thankfully a playful breeze dropped by to give me a bit of a break. It was draining. there were birds cheering me along, I even saw a hawk, he swooped by across my path, startled me.. he appeared out of nowhere and then vanished just as quickly.
I have a lot of angst to sort through. My thoughts/feelings are jumbled and I am bordering* on being exhausted. My wonderful long time friend who helped keep the generator going during the power .. outage.. when we talked last night.. said he too was feeling the “imbalance” in his life. He didn’t loose power … but spent his time driving back and forth to my place trying to keep my fridge cold to save my insulin. The generator we had was old and sounded loud, it was loud… how he sat working it for days on end it beyond me.. he was a real trouper.
He had to manouver past the fallen trees, accidents, (traffic lights were out in so many places) plus he had his family to worry about, (they had come in contact with covid) No one really got to sail through this disaster without being affected.
Another friend send me this picture.. I do not know what the words say… does anyone out there know?
Enough for now. I have another delivery to make for the food bank. If you are in an area that is dealing with the aftermath of this last storm… please… if you can help….. it would be greatly appreciated.
Blue Jay watching over a huge stash of peanuts that someone came and dumped in the area. He wasn’t alone, there was a couple of doves, lots of chippys, a couple of squirrels, a cow bird and blackbirds that flew away as I came closer.
Wordless Wednesday..
beauty short lived.
Everyday is a new day.. . PL Precept # 1 Life is Art
TAOIST Life is Art (Perfect Liberty precept #1)
contact info.- via blogs
--- there are two energies, Yin and Yang = ONE
---to have balance we must live each moment
of our lives.. with Makoto (sincerity)
The only constant in life is change. I am grounded in the reality of Living.
This is true, in all worlds. RL or virtual. I am me and only me.