musings from the mountains: November 2010

Go Outside and Play!

“Go outside and play!” said God.
“I have given you Universes
as fields to run free in!
And here—take this and wrap yourself in it—It’s called:
LOVE
and It will always, always keep you warm.
And stars! The sun and the moon and the stars!
Look upon these often, for they will remind you
of your own light!
And eyes…oh, gaze into the eyes of every Lover.
Gaze into the eyes of every other
for they have given you their Universes
as fields to run free in.
There.
I have given you everything you need.
Now go, go, go outside and play!”

‘Go Outside and Play’ © 2007 Em Claire

Thursday, November 25, 2010

SHE'S BACK!...

The Brown-headed Nuthatch has returned. I'm hoping she is making this little corner of the world her home. I say Welcome.

photo by Sharon

Monday, November 22, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US ALL...

Eighty-nine years ago today, twins Ed and Fred were born. There has always been some question as to which is Ed and which is Fred. Based on the writing at the top(done in my dad's handwriting), Fred is on the left and Ed is on the right. Ed passed away 9/12/01. Fred continues to serve as Mayor of the local Assisted Living facility.

As adults they celebrated birthday #27 with the arrival of a baby girl...me!

So Happy Birthday to us all!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A SURPRISE VISITOR...

My first ever sighting of a Brown-Headed Nut Hatch. Seems they are unique to the southeast, smaller than the common White-Breasted Nut Hatch, and not quite so chatty. Saw her at my feeder about a week ago but havn't seen her since.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get a photo, so I had to borrow one from the 'net...

Thursday, November 4, 2010

A DAY FOR PEACE...

Objective:

Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. Won't you join us?

BlogBlast For Peace is an online community of international bloggers who "blog for peace". The first BlogBlast For Peace was held November 7, 2006. The peace globe posts spread from blog to blog to blog and became an online annual movement with thousands now participating. There are currently 50 countries involved in the project. People from all walks of life, all political and religious affiliations and beliefs lay aside their differences for one day.

It is inspirational. It is empowering. It is moving.

With respect for diversity and individual expression, peace bloggers embrace the essence of community. It has truly become a "revolution of words."

Dona nobis pacem - Latin for "grant us peace" - is displayed on peace globes available on the event coordinator's blog. Bloggers from all over the world write inspiring posts on the subject of peace, all titled with the Latin phrase, and display the globe graphic. BlogBlast For Peace is a way to get involved, a way to have a voice, an opportunity to speak out. If you would like to share in the vision for global peace, please join us. Fly a peace globe, write a post, learn about your neighbor across the continent, on the other side of the world, or even next door. Around a global table of peacemakers....anything is possible.

Thirty-three official wars and conflicts plague our planet. It is time we stand together to promote the cause of peace. On November 4, 2010 we will speak with one voice, one subject, one day.

All it takes is one post.

If words are powerful....then this matters.

Please don't miss it.

AGE OLD WISDOM...

If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
If you can overlook when people take things out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

well...hell...you're probably a dog!
~Author unknown

LIVING THE WISDOM OF THE TAO...

One who would guide a leader of men in the uses of life will warn him against the use of arms for conquest. Weapons often turn upon the wielder.

Where armies settle, nature offers nothing but briars and thorns. After a great battle has been fought, the land is cursed, the crops fail, the earth lies stripped of its Motherhood.

After you have attained your purpose, you must not parade your success, you must not boast of your ability, you must not feel proud; you must rather regret that you had not been able to prevent the war.

You must never think of conquering others by force. Whatever strains with force will soon decay. It is not attued to the Way. Not being attuned to the Way, its end comes all too soon.
~Lao tzu
Tao Te Ching

PRAYER

Lord, make me an instrument of Your
Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow
love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt,faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to
understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we
receive;
It is in pardoning that we are
pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal
light.
St. Francis of
Assisi

(1182-1226)

musings from the mountains