This is our lane, if you look close you can see the barn off to the right. I walk this lane every morning to go feed the cats. It is 6:30 AM and already getting hot. But the real story this morning is the lane itself. Jim and I would walk this lane together many times. He jokingly would say "I walk Donna and the dogs".Trying to get me in "shape". According to the stress test I guess I am not in too bad a shape. Again I digress. The lane, Jim had crushed concrete (not real environmentally sound I guess) put down, because when it does rain there are some low spots that could mess you up. He wanted a "firm" foundation for our trips in and out. We didn't get the stuff spread real evenly in places as you can see. The cool thing about this is the grass is starting to come back and grow over the thinner parts and in the heavier areas grass is making inroads too. The thing with crushed concrete is they crushed everything with it; nails re-bar, even PVC pipe. So now on my morning walks I find and pick up that wire and nails that comes to the surface and lies in wait for some unsuspecting tire. Oh and mowing is fun. Have to raise the mower a little or you send a shower of rock every where.

So like my lane and life in general. Watch out for the "nails that lay in wait" and stay above the "rocks that can be slung". Be discerning of your thoughts don't sling to many rocks and nails at those unsuspecting.  The path you walk may be challenging, but if done peaceful, high above the rocks the way "it is good". So on this hot hot Saturday, watch out for rocks and rusty wire. ;-)

This is Parker my gaurdian dog. We started him on some injections for arthritis in his back "knees". I got to thinking about it and my dogs could be considered my alter egos. Parker with his arthritis, which I some time have to act up. Luna her thyroid sometimes kind of "psycho" self. Then there is the crumudgeon Owen, and his grouchy out look on things. And Buckshot, fun loving full of life, would like to be more like him more of the time.

I can't remember who I told and who I didn't but I had a stress test this morning. Everything was fine I think will get the final word from the Doc. Was able to do a level above my age group on the test so feel like I am physically ok. So probably stress or maybe the "spirit heart" needs mending. Either way I will have a better weekend knowing that things look ok.

When I can, I try to add a picture to make things more interesting. I know I am a more visual kind of person. I am learning the signatures and essences of animals, hoping they can help me through some things. Came across this for Turtle, which is associated with Mother Earth in many Indigenous belief systems. There is a promise from Turtle that it will "feed my spirit and clothe my heart". We all can read different meaning into to this. From my perspective I see Mother Earth as an ally not an enemy, to be subdued and conquered. With hope that She protects the heart from "envy, jealousy and unconsciousness of others". So my wish for all of us is to protected and grounded by the earth. Hope all have a thrilling Thursday.

These are some wildflowers that were seeded this Spring. Had just about given up that any of the 4 big bags of seed that were sown would come up. But we had some good rain at the right time. And though it is getting hot and humid, we did have a fairly decent Spring weather. So these and several other variety of wildflowers peek up at you as you walk along the lane to the barn. Ideas and creation is a lot like these wildflowers. You sow the ideas, create the thoughts, images and hope they fall on fertile ground. Just when you think that maybe they aren't going to come to fruition, you are surprised by the "blooms". Just imagine if I had mowed along the fence because the "weeds" were taking over I would have destroyed the flowers as well. The lesson here? Hold the belief that your creation will take root and flower, even if it does come up among the weeds.

Got some much needed rain. Took the bees some breakfast, even though hadn't finished all of yesterday's. All the "forager, scouter bees" were sitting huddled on the door step to the hive. They seemed to be waiting for the skies to clear. They maybe waiting for awhile, there is 50% chance of rain again today. Looks like we might get some. "Rainy days and Mondays get me down". That was a Mama's and Papa's song. Don't let things get you down. Happy Monday.

This is a French Druid Triad by Francois Bourillon. So look into the smoke of the smudge and see what you see.
"When you die, only three thing will remain of you, since you will abandon all material things on the threshold of the Otherworld; what you have taught to others, what you have created with you hands, and how much love you have spread. So learn more and more in order to teach wise, long-lasting values. Work more and more to leave to the world things of great beauty. And Love, love, love people around you for the light of love heals everything". Sweet Sunday to all.

How sweet a picture, how vulnerable it seems. What comes to my mind is unconditional love and caring. But this morning had a dream that made me incredibly sad. Not that that is a bad thing, it brought me to review some things in my personal journal. More tears and 3 napkins later I had found entries that helped and brought me back to some balance. The first one being...
Come sit with me for awhile, in this place so alone.
Come sit with me for awhile, before you have to travel on.
We all need to feel a touch, or hear a loving word.
We all need to feel a part, of this new and changing world.

The Sun comes up over Dream Mountain.
The miracle of another day.
I tried to sing a sad song, but had forgotten the words.
So sang a healing song, to take the pain away.
From a Heart place of simplistic song,
One that doesn't always follow the rules.
Working through a dark place to one of renewal.
The words come while walking through a dense cloud of grief.
But the Sun comes up over Dream Mountain,
And a healing song is sung.

And on more recent June 9...
We need to go down to the water.
See what we can see.
Go down to the water.
Feel what we can feel.
All this to say it is OK to feel sad, but at the same time feel love and hope. Work through that sadness to a better place. Persevere and move on through. Friday Love to All.

Artemis, the archaic mistress of animals, probably dates back to Paleolithic times. What I find interesting about her, she is fiercely individualistic and independent. Though she is fierce in her demeanor she is a soothing healer, protector of births, alleviating the suffering of women in childbirth. She is a symbol of female independence. Also she reminds us of the value of solitude and the importance of wild, unprotected places. Another lesson she brings is that those frightening places that bring healing even through fear. There is a difference between loneliness and solitude.

The world energy is moving more toward the feminine, and not the necessarily the "feminists" that have positions of power. The energy I believe is more the feminine energy of Artemis, the energy that perseveres through the pain of childbirth, the energy that nurtures and heals the Earth, the energy the stands up and supports all people all living creatures everywhere; not just those causes that are popular or news worthy.  I can feeeell the energy changing can you?!