Sunday, July 10, 2011

An Enchanting Day

Lovely Hosta!
On some days, when Lucky and I are wandering through the garden, something I can only call a state of grace descends.

For no particular reason I can discern, meaning I am not meditating or doing anything other than just being, I feel as if life has expanded. I feel as if my heart is open and filled with love.


Grasses soaking up Sun's rays...
The day takes on a certain bright quality, luminous and much more pronounced...each Plant becomes a shining beacon, each Boulder takes on a distinctive personality, each Tree, each Leaf glimmers with a certain intensity.


My hearing becomes more acute...instead of a cacophony of shrieks, twitters, and calls from all the Bird life, I can differentiate between each one, even finding the Tree from which the Birdsong emerges. The chatter of Squirrels suddenly has some meaning...


A photo from a past garden
I visit Grasshopper, who has taken up residence in the Sweet Grass patch. He looks up at me, rubbing his back legs. I look into his eyes and the connection between us happens very quickly...Grasshoppers do not take much time in communing with humans, before they are off again...doing whatever it is that Grasshoppers do during a long, warm Summer's day.


The warmth of the Sun and the love that is stationed in my heart gives such a shimmer to the day! Lucky and I wander here and there, with Lucky searching out scents that excite him, bringing out the Puppy who still resides within him.


The Begonias are three times this size since this photo was taken.
We find a large, black Spider. She looks as if she is mostly body...I only see her legs when she moves. But she has the largest eyes! She twists and turns, keeping her eyes glued to mine. What a strange experience...it seems I am communicating with her, as she dances on the ledge of the deck.


She is a Spider I would not want to meet in the dark of night, but she is beautiful now, in the shining Sun. Even her black, furry back reflects and glows from Sun's rays. She keeps her eyes on mine, and I can't look away. I feel a further rush of warmth run through my body...did it come from her?


A Poppy about to burst its pod.
We leave Spider to her day and continue on to the Seeded garden bed, which has bounced into life. There has been much Rain here, a very unusual amount for the Cariboo. As a consequence, greenery is much pronounced, although flowering is still spotty. But this little garden bed has Baby's Breath beginning to show her lovely, white blooms tucked here and there. And Poppy is running rampant.


As I bend down to look at the Flowers about to come into bloom, I feel as if a hand has descended and is stroking my hair. I am startled for a moment, until I discover it is the Birch Tree which sits right beside the garden bed.


Finally time to put out the deck furniture! Graham's workshop in the background...
And then, I am even more startled, as the realization hits that this Tree could not stroke my head...how did her branch reach down this far? I am not tall, the branch is far above my head and there is no Wind. How odd...but still, she moves her Leaves back and forth on my head for another moment, before her Branch is once again above me. I feel another surge of what can only be described as receiving doting, deep affection from another...in this case, from a Birch Tree, one of many here.


Lucky, just after his bath and before he was trimmed!
I feel as if the whole place has become enchanted. I stroke a Boulder who has many times grounded me, when I feel scattered and in need. I will sit on him, during those times, and I will immediately feel a strong connection to Earth, calming me instantly.


The Raspberry patch, now full of blooms and the beginnings of Berries
Today, this Boulder, warmed from a Sun bath, looks as if he is smiling. His face, usually wreathed in a runnelled, thoughtful pose, seems to have changed to one of contentment and pleasure. I wonder if the shadows from the bright Sun has anything to do with it...and then, just like that, I accept the change in Boulder's countenance. This day is not one where I try to find what others consider real.


It is mid-morning...not a time when I would ordinarily see any wildlife. And yet, as Lucky and I wander on, completely relaxed, my bones and muscles feeling fluid, Lucky stiffens and growls. I grab his collar, knowing the signs, feeling the presence of another. 


Petunias love the hot, dry climate here
And yes...there ahead of me, working on a fallen nurse Log, is a Bear. He is unbelievably large and old...I know him, he has been here before. He is some distance from me. I know I can reach the door of the Workshop before he can reach me, but strangely, this day I feel no fear, only caution.


Lucky is very alert, watching. As am I...this Bear is big!



Another photo from another time
He turns his head and once again, I feel that certain warmth rush through my body when his eyes meet mine. He grunts, seems to consider continuing on with tearing at the Log, and then turns, slowly meandering along on his way, melting into the deeper Forest.


Lucky is beside himself, now. The Bear is gone, leaving no trace. I find myself missing his huge bulwark of a body...I find myself thinking of the stuffed Bear which once comforted me as a wee child.


Rose shines in the Sun
I let Lucky go. I know he will go no further than the Log; Lucky has changed much since Nate died. He listens well; he no longer chases any wildlife, preferring instead to stay by my side. But the smells from the Bear are too good for Lucky to resist...


Ferns in my former garden at the Coast
I continue to be in awe. Quite suddenly, the thought comes that I want the whole World to experience this unbelievably fascinating entrancing day. I feel a strong urge to send Reiki blessings to the Universe, to everyone and every insect, every animal, bird and fish.


And so, while Lucky 'hunts', I do.

25 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing these sublime mments. I have goosebumps; and a smile. Must be the blessings. Thanks.

    -Lisa

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  2. What a bloody marvellous day!I've been feeling good myself over the past 24hours so maybe YOU reached out and brushed my hair :)) It's times like that everything feels very much worth it and you know no-one can buy that kind of happiness too. Hugs xxx

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  3. What a beautiful, uplifting post. Your words breathed fresh appreciation for nature into me.

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  4. This is awe-inspiring. Thank you for sharing these moments.
    I've felt this way before but it has been a long time.

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  5. Marion, what you have described gives me shivers because I have felt this before...and I have not had the words to decribe it. A total wholeness with *Nature*, all Animals an Plants..and a powerful connection to LIFE and the WORLD. WOW! It is really powerful, isn't it? I always KNEW that what I felt was REAL...but....having someone as eloquent as YOU has reinforced it to me. What a magnificent day for You, for Lucky, for the Bear, the Spider and all concerned parties!!!!!

    Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  6. Wow, what an inspiring post. Thanks!

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  7. summer is a magical, amazing time. i think even more so now that i have seen 65 of them. for they come after the barren branches of winter and it all seems so miraculous, the greening of the land.

    the BEAR! Wow. scary and beautiful.

    and Lucky is a sweetheart.

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  8. Rottrover,

    It truly was a goosebumpy type of day! I accepted all of it after awhile...strange things are happening these days. xx

    All Consuming,

    For some inexplicable reason, you came to mind when Lucky and I saw the bear. I know you would have loved seeing it! xx

    Linda@VS,

    I'm so glad...you need to get out of those closets you've been cleaning, hahaha!! xx

    Linda,

    Oh Linda! I'm so sorry it's been a long time since you've felt this way...wish I could help! Blessings...xx

    Robin,

    It was a magnificent day. One in which awareness of the natural world was at an all-time high. And I find days like this occur more and more often...it's terrific! xx

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  9. Livia Indica,

    Thanks so much for your kind words, Livia. Thank YOU for reading it! xx

    Sukipoet,

    Suki, that just might be the reason. The more summers one lives through, the more one notices the magic. When I was young, I was more interested in bringing up my family then in mooning about during the day! But I can remember having days like this as a very young child...xx

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  10. I love days like these! I have always said that Nature is my church. Thanks so much for taking us along beside you to share the magic of your day.
    I'm so glad Bear decided to move along, and Lucky decided not to chase ;)

    xo
    Lo♥

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  11. Marion, What a beautiful post. I know that grace you speak of and it is magic. What a wonderful place you live!
    Kisses to Lucky.
    xoxo

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  12. I recognize these feelings you describe in this beautiful entry. And also, when I'm out in my flower garden, I listen and look for fairies and elves. Haven't heard or seen any, but like to believe they're there.

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  13. You are open to life . . . I think that may be meditation without the bent knees, the clasped hand with upward-pointed fingers, the closed eyes, the mat under, and all of that other unnecessary nonsense!


    Beauty surrounds you and is in you.

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  14. Marion, thank you for sharing your enchanting day here!
    I must say this was truly an enchanting post!
    Thank you for adding to my day!
    Your photos are wonderful!

    Oh, your comment about your grandson liking my Robin poem made me very glad!
    Thank you!

    Margie xx

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  15. good morning..... :^)

    this knowledge, this ability to commune and communicate, to see a smile on a rock, to wonder if a tree wishes to brush against your head, to lock eyes with a spider, to "see" what is and isn't visable: i've been wondering why this part of life is not taught and nutured and developed at the very earliest age. who and why did level of understanding get struck from the senses of humankind?

    i had to laugh at some of this, marion. you are so CONNECTED! i see trees dance and birds hug but i have never made direct contact with a spider or a rock. now i will go forth.

    however you've come to live and you do, it's a good thing for the universe. so so so glad to be your friend


    kj

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  16. studio lolo,

    Lucky has found his elderly side and unless I'm with him or he is inside the fence, he won't chase anything (so far)! But once I went to look at the log, he went with me, kept me in sight as he sniffed and sniffed and sniffed.

    He no longer has Nate as competition and back-up, and as a result, he has settled down into what can only be described as a very well trained dog...only I can assure you for most of his life, he wasn't!! xx

    Annie Coe,

    Lucky sends his kisses right back at ya!! xx

    Kate,

    The fairies ARE there! We have woodland fairies here...they seem sturdier, not quite so delicate, and are more inclined to wear earth colours. They seem very sensible and more practical as well...xx

    Goatman,

    This is the nicest compliment I have ever received, thank you so much. I love meditation and use it often, but that walking about with open heart beats it by a mile, for me. One never knows who or what may show up, in a walking 'meditation'. xx

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  17. Margie,

    Your poem was wonderful and full of the essence of Spring. The Robin has always fascinated me...on the Coast he sometimes stayed all year and was quite common. Here I find a pair has nested in the forest, but only a pair. Rarely do I ever see more than one at a time. I miss the flocks we experienced on the coast...xx

    kj,

    Here, I've been told some of the old ways are taught in the nursery schools and kindergarten, but it's not been my experience elsewhere. Perhaps we'll go back to listening, seeing, hearing really well, and will learn to practice awareness, in the fullness of time.

    I live in a very spiritual area and I am so grateful for the opportunity to live in the middle of a forest that teems with animals and birds. There is always something to see! xx

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  18. There is nothing more exhilarating than being at one with nature, Marion! Too often we travel as separate entities cut off from the wonders of all that surrounds us. Although there is joy to be found in such awakenings, the bear that shares the environment can be viewing things differently and calls for an approach of respect and caution. :)

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  19. Just reading this makes me feel calm and connected. I like the way you relate to the trees and rocks and wildlife. My daughter and i call those moments of grace you describe as "happy moments" and are delighted when they descend, always without warning and always welcomed!

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  20. What a wonderful amble through your garden with you! That sensation of being a part of the natural world, welcomed and savored...it's a gift. Thank you for sharing it with me today.

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  21. What a wonderful post - I have had those sublime moments a few times....not often enough - but it's lovely to read your words describing the feeling.

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  22. mmmm.... what a dreamy place you live in marion. a bear? the only bear i know are teddy bears :D
    thank you for the reminder that home is here and now. and not somewhere in faraway places. i get distracted sometimes, and always get some kick to remind me that i am "home" already.

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  23. Having such days as this wrap themselves around you makes your eyes want to puddle over with happiness don't they. Smiles to you*!*

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  24. Hi, Marion,

    A Sufi writer, Reshad Feild, says that we need to get out in nature so that the trees, birds, animals, and plants can observe us as we pass by. In this context, your enchanting day was a chance for the other living beings outside to have the pleasure of your company.

    I want to thank you for your support of Stubblejumpers Cafe. I also love your list of blogs that you read, and have found some treasures here.

    Blessings,
    Julie (otherwise known as Brainie)

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  25. What a lovely post. I see photos of your summer and remember your winter. If I lived in such cold and snow, I would treasure summer all the more, but I would also feel a greater dread of its passing.

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