I recognize myself here. I share the very early memories of aliveness all around me. I would, as a child, lie in the grass for ages to watch & listen. I loved all the bugs, the clovers. I marveled at the sway of trees, the flight of birds and formations of clouds. To be very quiet and solo, to know an energy came into my heart. And I hope today I send this “luminous” thread of energy to trees, insects, birds and the deep hummus I fold into my garden.
I love humans, for companionship, and I certainly miss community, as of late. Yet there is, for me, this abundance of life always buzzing in my senses and soul, equal in value and due our respect. (Note: I am guilty of flushing a stink bug here and there.)
Much to contemplate and I will, thank you!
For now I will go outside, check on the bluebirds, and harvest some French breakfast radishes! Be grateful. I may not lie down in the grass (tics!) yet will marvel at the abundance and diversity of our buzz of living earth🕊️
I love this, Judy. You are such a beautiful writer. The clovers! One of my favourite things. I tried to grow three kinds together once and had no luck, believe it or not. Red clover is my favourite. Stick bugs survive here, too. I have taken them outside though when they are particularly obnoxious with their dive bombing. 😅 Sending love. And many thanks.
Your exploration of the "cost" that comes with seeing the world through such a tender lens is so beautifully articulated. "There is a weight that comes with seeing the world this way, a tenderness that doesn’t allow me to look away." This really hit home for me. I've often felt that same burden, the sheer overwhelmingness of feeling so much when it seems others can navigate life's harsher realities with more ease. It's almost like having an extra sensory organ, one that picks up on the vibrations of every life, every subtle shift in the "luminous web." While it can be exhausting, as you so wisely point out, it's also the source of a profound connection. It’s a messy, beautiful gift, isn't it? One that makes us feel incredibly human.
Unfortunately my household is split. No matter how frightening, I don’t kill anything. They are all put under glass and taken outside. My husband and Bella (the cat)?..cold blooded bug killers. What can you do?!
There was a summer when our area was invaded by cicadas. It wasn’t too bad in my immediate vicinity, but one morning a lifeless one was on my doorstep. I picked it up , removed one of its wings and sent it to you to add to your little bowl of things to draw. It was the first time I ever examined one up close… how complicated!-their scary bodies, their WINGS! -seem to be rooted in their heart …and their WINGS!-what an intricate web-so thin-so beautiful! Everything here is miraculously made. If his short life was so insignificant, why is he filled with so much artistic detail?
Every now and then a very small thing will brush against my world, a teeny tiny bug, a bird, a baby squirrel and I will always affectionately ask out loud two questions: “Who are you? and Where is your mother?” Sometimes they pause and look as if they heard me. I love that!
Cats and husbands. Cold-blooded bug killers. I have kids that are...but they are not allowed to when here. 😅 I will say my influence has softened them over time and every now and then I hear of a bug being taken outside. 🙃 I was so grateful for that wing! I marvel at this, too. Consider the luna moth...one of the most graceful and beautiful living things I know and it lives for less than a week. And it has no mouth! A week they are given, to grace the earth with beauty, reproduce, and die. SO much to be in awe of. Thank you for your beautiful words ✨🩵🌿
Growing up on a farm with livestock (that never died of old age) and taught a version of Christianity that emphasised all life on earth was simply to benefit humans, it took me a while to fully appreciate that we are no more and no less that an intertwined symbiotic part of a single living system. Coming across James Lovelock's Gaia theory explained and explored in Stephan Harding's book 'Animate Earth' was a turning point. Thank you Kateri for writing about it all so beautifully here.
About a decade ago I wrote feature stories for a magazine, where I visited small farms and interviewed the families and farmers. I learned so much, and I have so much respect for the serious and hard work of farming. I saw people who truly cared for the animals they raised but had a different kind of viewpoint than I had. Some were more based on reciprocity than others. It matters to me that we can all arrive at our own way of seeing and experiencing these things, but it's so important to at least examine it carefully within ourselves. I don't want to judge another's way of seeing, but it can very much clarify my own. You know what I mean? I need to read Animate Earth for sure. Have you read The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram? Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Erica.
I'm so pleased to read this Katerie. I think its brilliant to honour every single 'being' regardless of how I might sometimes fear them too. I bury lost squirrels, rabbits, birds and even geckos! I was bitten twice by a spider this week as I unwittingly swept its cobwebs away but that serves me right as they are really sore now. They were his / her webs, not mine to sweep away. I'll think twice next time!
You have brought a smile to my heart.
I recognize myself here. I share the very early memories of aliveness all around me. I would, as a child, lie in the grass for ages to watch & listen. I loved all the bugs, the clovers. I marveled at the sway of trees, the flight of birds and formations of clouds. To be very quiet and solo, to know an energy came into my heart. And I hope today I send this “luminous” thread of energy to trees, insects, birds and the deep hummus I fold into my garden.
I love humans, for companionship, and I certainly miss community, as of late. Yet there is, for me, this abundance of life always buzzing in my senses and soul, equal in value and due our respect. (Note: I am guilty of flushing a stink bug here and there.)
Much to contemplate and I will, thank you!
For now I will go outside, check on the bluebirds, and harvest some French breakfast radishes! Be grateful. I may not lie down in the grass (tics!) yet will marvel at the abundance and diversity of our buzz of living earth🕊️
I love this, Judy. You are such a beautiful writer. The clovers! One of my favourite things. I tried to grow three kinds together once and had no luck, believe it or not. Red clover is my favourite. Stick bugs survive here, too. I have taken them outside though when they are particularly obnoxious with their dive bombing. 😅 Sending love. And many thanks.
Such a beautiful reflection on life and our interdependence Kateri.
Thank you 🥰✨
Your exploration of the "cost" that comes with seeing the world through such a tender lens is so beautifully articulated. "There is a weight that comes with seeing the world this way, a tenderness that doesn’t allow me to look away." This really hit home for me. I've often felt that same burden, the sheer overwhelmingness of feeling so much when it seems others can navigate life's harsher realities with more ease. It's almost like having an extra sensory organ, one that picks up on the vibrations of every life, every subtle shift in the "luminous web." While it can be exhausting, as you so wisely point out, it's also the source of a profound connection. It’s a messy, beautiful gift, isn't it? One that makes us feel incredibly human.
I’m grateful for it. But I have not always been. Now, I feel very at ease with it. Glad you are a kindred spirit. Thank you Alex 🫶🏼
Unfortunately my household is split. No matter how frightening, I don’t kill anything. They are all put under glass and taken outside. My husband and Bella (the cat)?..cold blooded bug killers. What can you do?!
There was a summer when our area was invaded by cicadas. It wasn’t too bad in my immediate vicinity, but one morning a lifeless one was on my doorstep. I picked it up , removed one of its wings and sent it to you to add to your little bowl of things to draw. It was the first time I ever examined one up close… how complicated!-their scary bodies, their WINGS! -seem to be rooted in their heart …and their WINGS!-what an intricate web-so thin-so beautiful! Everything here is miraculously made. If his short life was so insignificant, why is he filled with so much artistic detail?
Every now and then a very small thing will brush against my world, a teeny tiny bug, a bird, a baby squirrel and I will always affectionately ask out loud two questions: “Who are you? and Where is your mother?” Sometimes they pause and look as if they heard me. I love that!
Cats and husbands. Cold-blooded bug killers. I have kids that are...but they are not allowed to when here. 😅 I will say my influence has softened them over time and every now and then I hear of a bug being taken outside. 🙃 I was so grateful for that wing! I marvel at this, too. Consider the luna moth...one of the most graceful and beautiful living things I know and it lives for less than a week. And it has no mouth! A week they are given, to grace the earth with beauty, reproduce, and die. SO much to be in awe of. Thank you for your beautiful words ✨🩵🌿
Growing up on a farm with livestock (that never died of old age) and taught a version of Christianity that emphasised all life on earth was simply to benefit humans, it took me a while to fully appreciate that we are no more and no less that an intertwined symbiotic part of a single living system. Coming across James Lovelock's Gaia theory explained and explored in Stephan Harding's book 'Animate Earth' was a turning point. Thank you Kateri for writing about it all so beautifully here.
About a decade ago I wrote feature stories for a magazine, where I visited small farms and interviewed the families and farmers. I learned so much, and I have so much respect for the serious and hard work of farming. I saw people who truly cared for the animals they raised but had a different kind of viewpoint than I had. Some were more based on reciprocity than others. It matters to me that we can all arrive at our own way of seeing and experiencing these things, but it's so important to at least examine it carefully within ourselves. I don't want to judge another's way of seeing, but it can very much clarify my own. You know what I mean? I need to read Animate Earth for sure. Have you read The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram? Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Erica.
The world is alive.
Live, let live, protect live beings.
Die well when it’s time.
I love your poetic reflections. Thank you, Marisol. ✨
I'm so pleased to read this Katerie. I think its brilliant to honour every single 'being' regardless of how I might sometimes fear them too. I bury lost squirrels, rabbits, birds and even geckos! I was bitten twice by a spider this week as I unwittingly swept its cobwebs away but that serves me right as they are really sore now. They were his / her webs, not mine to sweep away. I'll think twice next time!
Have you ever read Mary Oliver's essay about the spider? Seek it out ✨ Thank you, Sally
I love this. Alive
✨
Tears are falling for Mrs Moore’s little mouse, as well as all the children who had to witness such cruelty
It was a hard moment for a little girl. I can still see it so clearly. Thank you, Brownie.
Your beautiful words invoke & stir long ago feelings & memories lost in the complications of one's Life...
🫶🏼✨