...."hear their little birdy toes scritching through the fallen leaves" ..."the cool stuff, the wild, innocent stuff"..."a string of pearls masquerading as words"....and so much more...
We are beginning to experience the full bearing of those in power,
It's all very sad, the battle incessantly upon us, and unnecessary! Albeit dangerous...I think the next two years will pass quickly and we have not lost our way....baa-baa. I'm always heartened by your tale-telling, poetic acumen, and "live" teachings on the world of nature and it's relationship to/with us.
Dear Kathleen, I'm so very grateful for you, for your thoughtful path, that you are 'heartened' by your visits here. And I am grateful for your notes, whenever the spirit moves you to leave one. Like you, I will do my best not to be too weighted down by the heaviness of those momentarily in power. The pendulum swings and overreach and cruelty will almost certainly swell into undeniable levels, but that will shake some out of torpor and the reasons for a more deliberate kindness will stand all the brighter by contrast. Lean in and toward the best, and we shall see beauty, even in the tumult.
I thought of this essay yesterday when I was out walking in the forest and noticed a change in my noticing over time. I started my walk angry and frustrated and not aware of much besides my inner turmoil. I sat in a clearing for at least 15 minutes before I noticed fresh animal organs and a bunny tail less than 10 feet away, probably a mountain lion kill.
I walked for hours before my frustration resolved, and I began to feel that the forest and I were walking together. Then I noticed game trails, light through a decaying stump, and a deer who startled and then stopped to watch me.
My ah-ha moment came when I realized it's not only technology and attachment to busy-ness that keep me/us from noticing. Sometimes it's my/our own inner turmoil. And what a relief it is to let go of the struggle and return to noticing!
I apolpgize, dear Susie, first to you for failing to acknowledge those little French bees and second to myself for missing such a perfect little gift and all the kindness that was packed in with such intention. A belated thank you.
Pensive thoughts for a looming New Year that promises be a roller coaster of concerns. Thoughtful reminders to stop, listen, experience beauty and to be kind…which is a lost word.
Indeed, I suspect we will be asked to navigate many tricky passages in this next year, invitations to become less kind, less generous. "Everyone's doing it." is such a tight little sentence and most persuasive if that's the excuse you've secretly been hoping for.
Noticers are meant to help us with danger too. And to help us discern the differences between what people say and what they do, and who they vote for. It becomes ever clearer, who those are who will not stay true to what they have always claimed to believe... Noticing can be a life or death thing, but it can also shine a light upon moments of absolute poetry. May we find ways to bind up our hearts, to keep them kind for those beings who will not punish kindness... including that one gazing back from the mirror. Namasté, my friend.
Thank you so much for reminding me that the natural world is the very essence of notice- worthy. It's pretty impossible to leave the woods in a "bad mood," isn't it?
Yes! My goodness yessss. I have a draft that hasn’t made it out into the world yet (because the pictures aren’t ready, but the words, they are ready) it’s called ‘Notice’. The first act of creativity. Love this so very much David. I want to drink all the wonder and beauty into my soul, to not let it all drift by unnoticed ✨💛
This offering reminded me of a magnet on my childhood home’s fridge, “The greatest gift we can give one another is rapt attention to one another's existence” A quote by Sue Atchley Ebaugh, I actually have no idea who she is so my next stop is to look her up.
But of course, let’s revise her lovely quote to say, “The greatest gift we can give ALL LIFE is rapt attention to their existence.”
This is so refreshing and heartening to read. I love the idea of the Noticers! When we fail to notice so much of the time we are disconnected from the real stuff of life and living. Thank you
One of the things I like about the months between November and April is that noticing is easier..(In part because I'm not swatting mosquitoes.) But being out early after a snowfall to see the tracks of birds and mammals, and maybe following a fox's prints just to do it; seeing the wasp's nests and oriole nests and squirrel dreys that are usually hidden by leaves; watching the acrobatics of chickadees and cedar waxwings and goldfinches feeding. And crows, always crows, talking, shouting, saying 'red tail!' or, this morning. 'raven!' - the larger corvid just went his dignified way, ignoring his noisy cousins. Fecunditiy is beautiful, but so is winter's unadorned economy.
Dear, dear Marian, you have a way of bringing the tastiest dishes to these potlucks. You’ve pulled me into this feast of images with such a deft hand… I thank you for that.
Ahhhh, I thank you, my friend... busy-ess has been my constant companion lately... creative pressures... so this is lovely... inviting...
I totes love the sentiment of your last paragraph---all the little noticings that matter most...
I think I'll throw on coat & cap and wander out to the west garden, say hi to the big maple... listen for bird chatter, and maybe "...hear their little birdy toes scritching through the fallen leaves..."
"I think I'll throw on coat & cap and wander out to the west garden, say hi to the big maple... listen for bird chatter, and maybe "...hear their little birdy toes scritching through the fallen leaves..."
Having met that big maple, once and knowing something of the valley you and Philly live in, I am transported by this string of pearls masquerading as words to a wide valley with crisp air, snowy mountains in the distance and magic all around. Thank you for inviting these eyes along.
“butt meat” , looking him straight in the eyes, I repeated ‘my offense’ of these two words used together in a sentence. Then asked the dog if he could say it three times in a row without smiling, he couldn’t . We both burst out laughing. How kind of you to share yourself,
we noticed.
Joy received!
Wishing it all right back to you ; May you crack a big smile, pass one on to family, friends, and birds.
I’ve been wondering lately if I’m easily fascinated by the ordinary, or if I just ‘notice’ that a lot of things are actually extraordinary...
I just reread this, it’s even better the second time around🧚
The absolute kindness of this note has found me on a day when it means the world. Thank you, Danyce.
...."hear their little birdy toes scritching through the fallen leaves" ..."the cool stuff, the wild, innocent stuff"..."a string of pearls masquerading as words"....and so much more...
We are beginning to experience the full bearing of those in power,
It's all very sad, the battle incessantly upon us, and unnecessary! Albeit dangerous...I think the next two years will pass quickly and we have not lost our way....baa-baa. I'm always heartened by your tale-telling, poetic acumen, and "live" teachings on the world of nature and it's relationship to/with us.
Dear Kathleen, I'm so very grateful for you, for your thoughtful path, that you are 'heartened' by your visits here. And I am grateful for your notes, whenever the spirit moves you to leave one. Like you, I will do my best not to be too weighted down by the heaviness of those momentarily in power. The pendulum swings and overreach and cruelty will almost certainly swell into undeniable levels, but that will shake some out of torpor and the reasons for a more deliberate kindness will stand all the brighter by contrast. Lean in and toward the best, and we shall see beauty, even in the tumult.
Thank you, David, thank you. Because of your words I will be dialing up my 'noticer self'— a New Year gift to myself.
I bow to you, Nancy and wish you untold riches as your noticer gains strength and a voice you trust, more and more.
I thought of this essay yesterday when I was out walking in the forest and noticed a change in my noticing over time. I started my walk angry and frustrated and not aware of much besides my inner turmoil. I sat in a clearing for at least 15 minutes before I noticed fresh animal organs and a bunny tail less than 10 feet away, probably a mountain lion kill.
I walked for hours before my frustration resolved, and I began to feel that the forest and I were walking together. Then I noticed game trails, light through a decaying stump, and a deer who startled and then stopped to watch me.
My ah-ha moment came when I realized it's not only technology and attachment to busy-ness that keep me/us from noticing. Sometimes it's my/our own inner turmoil. And what a relief it is to let go of the struggle and return to noticing!
OK, Sarah… just Wow.
This with morning coffee is bliss.
My dear friend, Christmas madness has side swiped me, I am terribly behind but believe, here my words are unnecessary... you know I know.
I sent you some little French bees huddled in their own pollen from France - Namaste 🐝
I apolpgize, dear Susie, first to you for failing to acknowledge those little French bees and second to myself for missing such a perfect little gift and all the kindness that was packed in with such intention. A belated thank you.
Thankful that we are made of the same energy ✨🥳
Pensive thoughts for a looming New Year that promises be a roller coaster of concerns. Thoughtful reminders to stop, listen, experience beauty and to be kind…which is a lost word.
Indeed, I suspect we will be asked to navigate many tricky passages in this next year, invitations to become less kind, less generous. "Everyone's doing it." is such a tight little sentence and most persuasive if that's the excuse you've secretly been hoping for.
Noticers are meant to help us with danger too. And to help us discern the differences between what people say and what they do, and who they vote for. It becomes ever clearer, who those are who will not stay true to what they have always claimed to believe... Noticing can be a life or death thing, but it can also shine a light upon moments of absolute poetry. May we find ways to bind up our hearts, to keep them kind for those beings who will not punish kindness... including that one gazing back from the mirror. Namasté, my friend.
Awe, well said. We are in this together, the good, bad and the ugly. May we embrace beauty.
Thank you so much for reminding me that the natural world is the very essence of notice- worthy. It's pretty impossible to leave the woods in a "bad mood," isn't it?
It's pretty much impossible...
Thanks Marilyn.
Yes! My goodness yessss. I have a draft that hasn’t made it out into the world yet (because the pictures aren’t ready, but the words, they are ready) it’s called ‘Notice’. The first act of creativity. Love this so very much David. I want to drink all the wonder and beauty into my soul, to not let it all drift by unnoticed ✨💛
I thank you dear Emily and look forward to your 'Notice' with eager anticipation.
This offering reminded me of a magnet on my childhood home’s fridge, “The greatest gift we can give one another is rapt attention to one another's existence” A quote by Sue Atchley Ebaugh, I actually have no idea who she is so my next stop is to look her up.
But of course, let’s revise her lovely quote to say, “The greatest gift we can give ALL LIFE is rapt attention to their existence.”
"The greatest gift we can give one another is rapt attention to one another's existence”
Sue Atchley Ebaugh
I'm saving this one, my friend. Have come back to it at least a half dozen times to read it again, already. Thank you, once again.
Haha, no doubt some of the circling back was due to all my typos! Fixed in case you were scratching your head.
This is so refreshing and heartening to read. I love the idea of the Noticers! When we fail to notice so much of the time we are disconnected from the real stuff of life and living. Thank you
What a sweet note, Sarah. And what a cool Substack name. Write Wild Sarah! Boss!
One of the things I like about the months between November and April is that noticing is easier..(In part because I'm not swatting mosquitoes.) But being out early after a snowfall to see the tracks of birds and mammals, and maybe following a fox's prints just to do it; seeing the wasp's nests and oriole nests and squirrel dreys that are usually hidden by leaves; watching the acrobatics of chickadees and cedar waxwings and goldfinches feeding. And crows, always crows, talking, shouting, saying 'red tail!' or, this morning. 'raven!' - the larger corvid just went his dignified way, ignoring his noisy cousins. Fecunditiy is beautiful, but so is winter's unadorned economy.
Dear, dear Marian, you have a way of bringing the tastiest dishes to these potlucks. You’ve pulled me into this feast of images with such a deft hand… I thank you for that.
Thank you, but they're just a few appetizers to the master chef's feast.
Ahhhh, I thank you, my friend... busy-ess has been my constant companion lately... creative pressures... so this is lovely... inviting...
I totes love the sentiment of your last paragraph---all the little noticings that matter most...
I think I'll throw on coat & cap and wander out to the west garden, say hi to the big maple... listen for bird chatter, and maybe "...hear their little birdy toes scritching through the fallen leaves..."
"I think I'll throw on coat & cap and wander out to the west garden, say hi to the big maple... listen for bird chatter, and maybe "...hear their little birdy toes scritching through the fallen leaves..."
Having met that big maple, once and knowing something of the valley you and Philly live in, I am transported by this string of pearls masquerading as words to a wide valley with crisp air, snowy mountains in the distance and magic all around. Thank you for inviting these eyes along.
“butt meat” , looking him straight in the eyes, I repeated ‘my offense’ of these two words used together in a sentence. Then asked the dog if he could say it three times in a row without smiling, he couldn’t . We both burst out laughing. How kind of you to share yourself,
we noticed.
Joy received!
Wishing it all right back to you ; May you crack a big smile, pass one on to family, friends, and birds.
The very best to you this holiday, David.
Thank you for all of it, always.
I do so adore you, Lor.
And now I'm giggling as well.
Thank you.
Love this! I made a short film about exactly this topic recently. Phones have shredded our ability to notice: https://www.urbannaturediary.com/p/living-being
Exquisite.
"To notice is to resist."