Archive for August, 2013
Words
Words are many things. Words are intelligent sounds, or sometimes not. Words name things and people. Words are one way we communicate with each other.
There are words of encouragement, household words, harsh words, curse words, and words of wisdom. There is a play on words, a password, and word crafting. We can have words with, we can break our words, and eat our words. Words can comfort, inspire, and motivate as well as destroy and incite. Words are powerful.
Thankfully, the 2020 elections are almost at an end and with it the onslaught of words flooding the country.
I have chosen the following quotes about words as a focus of meditation for the coming week. I did my best to select three from the many wonderful words I read.
“Better than a thousand hollow words is is one word that brings peace.” ~Buddha
“Speak to yourself like someone you love. Encourage yourself, motivate yourself, and uplift yourself with your words.” ~ATGW
“Your words have power. Speak words that are kind, loving, positive, uplifting, encouraging and life-giving.” ~Unknown
Blessings!
Weeds
In the cool, still, early morning I put on latex gloves, protective clothing and glasses, and a mask. After filling my pump sprayer with Image Brush & Weed Killer, I head out to do battle with one of the most invasive species in the world, acacia mearnsii. I can personally attest to its reputation for spreading fast and being difficult to eradicate.
Native to Australia, there are several hundred species. Acacia has many positive uses and symbolic associations; perfume and wood for furniture and fuel. It figures in Egyptian Osiris and Isis mythology. For Freemasons it represents purity and endurance of the soul. Believing the smoke will keep demons and ghosts away it is used in incense rituals in India, Nepal and China. But to me acacia mearnsii is a weed.
Weeds are unwanted plants. Plants that compete with food plants. A weed is also any plant that grows outside its native habitat. The non-native, very invasive Ludwigia is choking many riparian habitats in Sonoma County. And acacia mearnsii wants to choke the acre we share.
There are good weeds, like Dandelion (unless it has invaded the lawn that is your pride and joy), St. John’s Wort, Burdock and others like them that have food and medicinal value. And then there’s acacia mearnsii and its 99 most invasive relatives.
Although I am having some success, I am certain this weed will out live me. For the moment the battle continues. I feel I am winning if I can just hold the ground I have gained.
Leaves
Not sheets of paper in a book, table extenders, thin strips of gold foil, or metal pieces that are part of a leaf spring, but natures food factories.
Deciduous and Evergreen, all shapes and sizes, leaves provide life-sustaining food and oxygen. The color of leaves give us information. When my dwarf citrus tree leaves have yellow in their edges, they are telling me they need more nutrients. When leaves change color from green to glorious shades of red, yellow and orange, they signal the coming of Autuum.
I raked the first fallen leaves on August 2. I can’t remember an earlier start to my raking season. The next few weeks will challenge me to keep up with the bounty. Indicating the early arrival of fall, the turning leaves remind me to hasten my summer projects and begin preparation for the coming winter.
Reunion
Gorgeous weather, beautiful surroundings, quiet conversations, boisterous laughter, fabulous food , five generations; family reunion.
My maternal Grandparents gathered their family together every summer. No matter how scattered, everyone came. I grew up knowing all my cousins. Over the years there have been stellar reunions, not as often but achieving the same results.
Saturday we came together. Hugging, kissing, crying, laughing; lingering in the soft glow of re-connecting.
We have become a frenetic culture. My sincere hope is that you will be able to set aside some precious time for reunion with those you love.