June 18, 2021

Story 47: Stinging Nettles

At the far end of our own brick walled garden was a wooden gate that opened to a large churchyard. A network of narrow paths wound their way through rows of ancient graves, whose stones had, in some places fallen down and cracked, overgrown by ivy. Large Chestnut trees lent our street its name, and cast their deep shadows.

Stinging Nettles is a story about living in England, playing hide and seek in the graveyard, and about the good women who circled the wagon.

Coming Soon: Field Guide, Day 1 & 2

On a moonless, starless night, one of the only signs of an nearing dawn is whether I can see a hand in front of my face. The other indicator that day is within reach is the beginning of a reel of sounds unrolling. Some clever trick of unseen light, a simple click, releases today’s spool of sound: the mechanism springs to life, and sends its signal to the player piano.

Day 1 of Field guide is about signs and signals, and Field Guide Day 2 is about symbols.

December 18, 2020

Story 20: On Balance

Yesterday, weeks after that first day of the deer hunt, on a snow covered path along a line of now bare trees, I saw a large Barred owl, perched high, still, waiting, watching for its small furry prey. And then, quite suddenly, it lifted and waved its powerful wings, and dove towards the frozen earth.

“On Balance” is about expectations, uncertainty and hope. (See Links 16 & 17)

Meditation 11: Night Sky

We seem to seldom give ourselves the opportunity to experience our minds without the noise and clutter of our busy lives. Like a night sky polluted by city lights, we might, through the haze, only recognize and attend to the brightest and loudest experiences. But In the wilderness the stars are more clear, less distorted. Mindful meditation is a practice to begin to notice and better understand and experience the moments of our lives, the sights, sounds, sensations and thoughts.

Coming Soon: Milkweed

One might think that the show is over once the flowers of the Milkweed have flashed their beauty, and the leaves have fed the hairy black and orange caterpillar; but no, the best is yet to come.

This story is about Milkweed and a silver tour bus.