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Sunshinegirl1217's avatar

A beautiful read Kathleen, thank you. Day before yesterday I looked out my third floor window and saw a robin sitting on a branch looking right at me. He tarried a moment then flew away. My heart gladdened. Ah, Spring!

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

What a lovely moment, isn't it amazing what a bird can do, getting right in to our heart like that? Appreciate the comment, Sunshinegirl! (love the handle)

Yes, here comes Spring!! 🕊🌿🌷

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Sunshinegirl1217's avatar

Indeed it is, the birds are singing as I type. Nature is glorious. You're welcome and thank you.

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Janet's avatar

Today one of the 2 robins that come to my deck returned. They have learned a behavior that they fly strait up (like a leap) and poke the suet cage hanging there that allows bits of suet to drop to the deck floor where they eat it. The starling mob is messy and drops more. The ground is still frozen so worms are not plentiful. They have learned where food is. I’m so cheered by this. There is a poem in there somewhere. I won’t see them later as it warms. ❤️❤️❤️

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Sunshinegirl1217's avatar

Thank you for sharing your experience, it made my heart smile. You told the story so well I could easily envision it in my mind's eye.

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Janet's avatar

Thank you. We will always find a way to be fed—no matter what we crave.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

I agree.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Well, that read pretty close to a poem, Janet. Lovely. Thank you.❤️

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jacob silverman's avatar

This worked well for me. I have started to think I will stop using Substack. All I saw today for the first half an hour was political stuff, some "for" some "against." But as I said your post today worked well for me.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Well glad for that. Thanks, Jacob.

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Feb 21, 2024
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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Speaking of crazy stuff, Will, I'm nearly half through your post. Well, wow. Castaneda comes to mind. What a tale and you tell it well. Will comment once I'm finished.

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Tereza Coraggio's avatar

So beautiful, Kathleen. I love the yellow house turning apricot (great visual word) in the dawn light. I'm a fan of dawn myself and basking in the newborn sun with my eyes closed.

But it's the deeper message of your post that really speaks to me. Are we superior to others? Can we judge them? It's the question that seeps into everything I post and every message I write. Your story is such a heartfelt affirmation of the big YES to seeing other people as just like us.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Thank you, Tereza.

Nice image of you receiving morning light. "dawn myself" is how I read it first. :-)

Not shockingly you were in my thoughts during that bit! :-)

It is the insanity we are shaking loose from.

Speaking of which this link of a song from a commenter made me thinking of shaking loose this crazy fog-like dream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2dkp2jMWRU

Maybe you dance like this guy in your dance classes?

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Tereza Coraggio's avatar

OMG, my new crush! But I can't decide if it's Xavier Rudd for the words that made me tear up or Tyrel Dulvarie for the shirtless dancing. I wish I danced like that, especially the backwards barrel roll. Maybe Mary does in her Improvidance. Such a great name, eh?

And yes, I forgot to mention the most moving thing about your post, that belief that we're breaking free. This song will be going through my head all day.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

I know. And yes, and yes!

"Improvidance" is a gem.

I'm going to re-listen to it myself.

I really do believe we are.💕

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

This video transfixed me. I don't have adequate words to describe how perfect it is.

I do dance like that, but without the backwards barrel roll! Anyone can dance like that, if they allow themselves to let go...

Thanks, you two, for the gem.

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Tereza Coraggio's avatar

Now I gotta go watch it again. I had a Xavier Rudd binge while I was painting my stairway to Oz yesterday. The video with the skateboard gal is also great fun: https://youtu.be/mcDWBckYN18?si=c9jT6JSVj96W3uQA.

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Love the skateboard gal.

Wait, what? You don't get to just breeze past "painting my stairway to Oz." Explain, please!

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Tereza Coraggio's avatar

She took the bait! I call my AirBnB the Art House, which gives me lots of license. I'm painting this old narrow staircase in all metallics. I'm going to try to get it done by Sunday so I can record there before I go back ;-)

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

I'm glad you are saying that. I wondered if it was me.

I hope I get to see you dance someday, Mary. :-)

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kathie hopler's avatar

Thank you im nervous for yhe results today on Julian Assanges torture for truth telling🙏🔥❤️‍🔥 I needed the reminder of an appreciator of saying “good morning “ thanks to the light. Miraculous ❤️‍🔥peeks then jumps boldly up. Thank god they get that gift in gaza & Yemen (the world over for the most part )& the stars ect. The egalitarian blessing from god🤷‍♀️The universe ? I try to never miss another its a large part why i bother to wake another day in this complicated iteration. I miss the sea at dawn & dusk but that’s another tale . The images are lovely i especially enjoyed the rainbow tsunami

Van Gogh inspired? Are these your work? They are also lovely ☮️id say enjoy the day but i can see youve got that bit down ✌️🙃

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Yes, same on Julian. I imagine the swell of prayers for him just keeps growing.

Nature bestows its gifts freely - another lesson we humans could learn from.

Thanks, and no, while Van Gogh is an ongoing favorite - of course - and so likely influences my picks, they are not mine. Perhaps someday I'll get to that?

Appreciate the comment kathie and best wishes to you.

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Eccentrik's avatar

We're being pitted against each other along all conceivable divides

It's artificial, and frankly, part of what I believe to be a greater 'transhumanist' agenda

but not an agenda to reach some glorious next stage of human evolution; rather, one to erase that which makes us intrinsically unique.

Is this 'conspiracy theory' or are we just seeing the chessboard and its players?

https://eccentrik.substack.com/p/transhumanism-is-the-extermination

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Completely agree, Eccentrik. Oldest and I would imagine, most repeatable part of the playbook - D&C.

I just took a quick look at your linked post - yes fully agree. Transhuman agenda to replace human beings. Likely farther along then we know or want to know.

I've subscribed and look forward to checking out more of your work.

The more we humans recall and remember our humanity, the quicker those agendas fall.

Best.

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Amanda Galeotti's avatar

What lovely words! I really resonated with what hours said about the tsunami of change…that’s exactly what it is.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Appreciate the comment, Amanda - though not sure who 'hours' is?

Best.

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Philip Cope's avatar

Beautiful posting Kathleen! Both visual and literary. Great story telling. You took me right into your neighborhood. I began asking myself "how would my neighborhood do in such a dire development?" Thought provoking. Thank you. Philip

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Thanks, Philip.

Let's hope we don't find out... :-)

Best.

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kitten seeking answers's avatar

I love the bright peachy pink sunrise colors… contrasting to the sunset vibrant cherry, orangey grape juice… in the summer we have a bird that chirps up a storm a few minutes before dusk.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Oh, me too. A good way to start the day, and bird chirps before dusk, a good way to end it. Best.

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Fraulein Zen's avatar

Yes, it's so strange. I toddle giddily along, then BAM something hits me from a social media page. My neighbor put up a post about the shootings in KS, how sad that these people can get guns, then ended with as long as they're out there, why not aim towards (ugly description of presidential candidate)? Then added Let it be so. I took him to task, but he doubled down and said he'd thought long and hard about it before posting, but would be glad to explain to me. Um, no. I'm sorry, you can't explain encouraging assassination to me. Nice try. We now discuss our gardens. But I guess forewarned is forearmed, in some respect. I had to detox for a day, a nice bath with some wine helped. ;)

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

A bath and some wine is a fine remedy.

It's so twisted out there, it's easy enough for us to get twisted too I guess. Nature helps.

Glad you can talk gardens. :-) Thanks for comment, Fraulein Zen. Best.

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Fraulein Zen's avatar

Nature does help. And your substack directs me back there when I get too caught up in the weird stuff in the nonexistent ether. Thank you!

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Thank you!

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SadieJay's avatar

Beautiful and heartening. Always. The pics are lovely and so are your words. The Doom and Gloom mob is large and everywhere...Right or left, I don't care where one stands, we are humans. Earth dwellers who have everything put here with us for our use. Nature is a gift and not to be thrown away. I saw ONE Mockingbird the other day and just stood on the street staring at her and listening to the sweet song. It is a gift. ♥ Just like you.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Your comments always slide right into my heart. Your insights dead-on. Thank you, Sadie Jay.❤️

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Sue Cartwright's avatar

So insightful and heartfelt, thank you, Kathleen. It immediately brought to mind the famous Cheyenne Native American proverb: 'Do not judge your neighbour until you walk two moons in his moccasins.' We would all appreciate such understanding at various times in our lives and given, it is perhaps one of the most precious gifts we can give to another human soul.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Thank you, Sue.

It's so true - the proverb. It's always there the choice to judge or relinquish judgement. Our whole world has been set up to keep us divided, so the hidden hand can keep doing its thing.

There is a difference between discernment and judgment but it's not often clear. I think, maybe, I'm getting a little better at it lately. Discernment (you're advancing a dangerous idea) still allows for good will (I do hope you see that soon.) It still allows for compassion.

Yes, a precious gift. Appreciate the comment. Best.

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Sue Cartwright's avatar

You are more than welcome, it is so important we remind ourselves of these things. It can be a very difficult thing to do sometimes - hence the power of such lessons as they are presented to us.

Discernment is interesting. For me, it's a bit like a safety barrier that says, it's okay to look at this with an enquiring mind, and to endeavour to understand what's going on from the other person's point of view. As such we become enriched by that understanding and reminded that this is what is all about rather than fast forwarding to judgement that steals an opportunity to love from our very soul.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

That's a good way of explaining it I think.

We can surely see many things happening, being done by 'good' people that are not right. Discernment is required. There is no moral equivalency when genocide is happening for instance, or mandates are being pushed for experimental jabs, or any number of things. Good people going along and advancing things that are clearly not right needs to be called out. At the same time, they've been captured by a very sophisticated apparatus of propaganda and technology. So, we don't judge them, but we do need to call out what's wrong. IMO.

Can get so tricky.

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Sue Cartwright's avatar

I so agree, my word, the things they are doing and the things they have done. The latest on The High Wire this week with a guy in a pony tail 'crying' about his discovery of a 'virus' with the potential to decimate our entire population if given a chance. A friend of mine put me right on this that most of it is hot air and pure scare mongering that we need to put into perspective. While it is SO important to bring it to light and call them out, we mustn't let them trigger us. As you say, tricky as hell but all the while making us stronger and joining us together to find our new way.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Amen, Sue. I remain optimistic, so many clear eyed people who refuse to be consumed by fear. Not on the other side yet but we're getting closer.❤️

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Sue Cartwright's avatar

I believe we are, optimism is key, we are all alchemists in this regard, magicians one and all!

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

It's been cold(er) here, and I haven't done my regular morning beach meditation... but I did this morning, because I felt starved for Nature. Then I come home and read this vibrant piece of loveliness and truth. My day couldn't start in a more hopeful, life-affirming, earth-affirming way. Thank you, Kathleen.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Thank you Mary. Sounds like a great start to the day. Best.

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Philip Cope's avatar

I am holding that expectation! I am extending my connections around my neighborhood and into the Natural I see through my windows. I am also holding the feelings of "All is Well", as it truly is in the Loooong term. Drinking in the beauty of this day!

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Good plan and good reminder. :-)

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Philip Mollica's avatar

Interesting how ideologies separate us.

Ideas = words = our judgment of right and wrong = control.

They're all just differences.

Control brings diminishing returns because we don't make others' choices.

A recipe for unhappiness.

Birds don't judge.

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Well said, Philip.

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ExcessDeathsAU's avatar

Kathleen this is such a fabulous essay.

Smart people with bad front yards often have VERY nice backyards.

I have never been broken into and the kids (the 'youths') like me. The smug rich assholes are not going to make it. They will be hit first during the collapse. FWIW I recently took note of who had these signs: https://www.yes23.com.au/yard_signs_for_yes

People are really, really stupid.

Edit: for context, we had a constitutional referendum to give Aboriginal people more rights in the constitution than other races. It failed. People who voted 'yes' wanted this change.

It would have led to this sort of thing everywhere: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13089399/Western-Australian-property-Rainbow-serpent-bridge.html

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

lol, excess. In fact - they do have a nice backyard (son in law moved in, Joe died.) And a still pretty ignored front.

I'm not surprised by that crazy story; this has been a very successful tactic, the legislative changes done without our noticing.

It all does have to stop - one way or the other - it will.

Even intelligent people are 'stupid' which is to say, clueless. I can't know how much is driven by fear (crazy moment to wake up) how much by the cocktail of poison + programming, or if something else is in play. (I think other factors are in play.)

More will come out of it. More will break free.

Honestly at this stage I feel for them - a steep learning curve ahead.

Always appreciate when you comment. Very best.

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ExcessDeathsAU's avatar

>I think other factors are in play

So. Do. I.

Keep writing. We need you more than ever xxxxxx

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Barbara Sinclair's avatar

I imagine there's been division for ions but boy-oh-boy it seems so obvious now. I loved this, Kathleen (especially the sweet ending) and how the wisdom we can learn from Nature is unending. I believe we're on our way to unraveling the judgment and division. At least I hope so.

I used to dream of living in a yellow house... XO

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Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

I so know you understand the ability of nature to undo, unravel and heal us.

"I believe we're on our way to unraveling the judgment and division. At least I hope so."

Same here! ❤️

Hey, if it goes on the market - I'll let you know!! :-)

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