Dear Diary, The other day I saw 5 bluebirds. Kathleen Devanney's Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Started with just one who sped past me, flashing that otherworldly blue and stopped me in my tracks. I watched it land on a wire and stared up at it, telepathically sending it a message to please fly some more.
Ahhh....I totally get being connected to 'place'. I have strong ties to our place that we built. A place of logs that were from Yellowstone...some even with burn marks still on them from the 88 fire. (house is from standing dead, we didn't use green logs) As I stake my claim, I have visitors and regulars that I watch for each year...the Phoebes, the Orioles...Bluebirds are really rare and for the state bird of Idaho, you think they would be easy to find. Nature goes on naturing and it makes me positive that it knows something we obviously don't because it has endured and continues on while we fret and harumph. I look forward to the signs each season that all is well despite what the news could be saying. When the birds are silent I wonder what is wrong. Just simple connection at a most primal level and it gives comfort.
More and more, I find myself seeking out work like yours, which always makes it to the top of my list. Experts got us into this mess, the poets and ranters will get us out. I am sure of this. I do love a good rant!
In the midst of this silent yet deadly war we are living, where so few are even aware it is happening, I'll take walk in the woods with your images and words any day. My heart needs the nourishment from such images to keep up with the onslaught of denial systems the likes of which I couldn't have fathomed only a few short years ago. My armor is truth, swung daily not needing to protect friends or foe, it's tiring. So a break like this is welcomed and brings me right outside my own door to notice more the beauty I live with. Thank you!
A wonderful reminder, Kathleen, to embrace what we have forgotten. We got lost in this playground, as you call it, mistaking it for reality, forgetting that it is play, a stage act, a self-important blip in history, meanwhile the nurturing spirit abides, patiently waiting for us to move toward enlightenment.
I remember, a few years back now, seeing a bunch of articles about "forest bathing" and thinking: "It's great that people are getting out into the forest, but something is wrong here..." What's wrong, of course, is that nature shouldn't be viewed as a temporary escape from a stressful industrialized hell, it is *where we belong*, and dealing with the industrialized hell should be the temporary situation, and then only when absolutely necessary!
Soooo beautiful Kathleen. Simply being that joy. Being that delight, urges us all by way of our quantum human connection to feel that nature-true essence. Realizing that we are the Sky, not the clouds passing by. Bicycling along my favorite path I am frequently greeted by a cluster of gold finches and occasionally an up close and personal encounter with a red tailed hawk. Refreshing. Re-fresh-ing.
I’m so glad you can seize the moment of calm (oxymoron?) and just be and appreciate. In this maelstrom of a world, it’s these times that keep us sane. Yeah okay, maybe fortify us to fight on but also a chance to remove the armour and breathe.
It’s little nuggets of “nice” like yours that make my inbox smile - and me too. Thank you!
Nothing wrong with love for life. We do not know how long each of us have. Live your best life. Help others at the same time. No good is ever wasted. Put a smile on your face and in your heart. Love birds and all animals. Love ourselves out of suffering.
Oh my, this is just lovely and you really are a kindred Nature Spirit! And, anytime I see the word "Magic" mentioned, I swoon! I am presently trying to help the birds find their way to a little feeder attacked to one of my windows. I dream of them eating out of my hand. I dream of befriending a Crow. I feel fairly certain this doesn't seem at all odd to you! :)
" Nature is not an escape from the world. Netflix is. Nature is more like a nurturing mother, a great big manifest Spirit that can fit us all in its lap, soothe the worries, comfort the sadness and make it all okay" Amen to that.
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing my post, Kathleen. 💚💚
What a glorious photo of bluebirds! No wonder (correction, all wonder) the phrase is 'bluebird of happiness.'
Ahhh....I totally get being connected to 'place'. I have strong ties to our place that we built. A place of logs that were from Yellowstone...some even with burn marks still on them from the 88 fire. (house is from standing dead, we didn't use green logs) As I stake my claim, I have visitors and regulars that I watch for each year...the Phoebes, the Orioles...Bluebirds are really rare and for the state bird of Idaho, you think they would be easy to find. Nature goes on naturing and it makes me positive that it knows something we obviously don't because it has endured and continues on while we fret and harumph. I look forward to the signs each season that all is well despite what the news could be saying. When the birds are silent I wonder what is wrong. Just simple connection at a most primal level and it gives comfort.
YOUR STACK
HER STACK
Such bliss. Thank you x
More and more, I find myself seeking out work like yours, which always makes it to the top of my list. Experts got us into this mess, the poets and ranters will get us out. I am sure of this. I do love a good rant!
In the midst of this silent yet deadly war we are living, where so few are even aware it is happening, I'll take walk in the woods with your images and words any day. My heart needs the nourishment from such images to keep up with the onslaught of denial systems the likes of which I couldn't have fathomed only a few short years ago. My armor is truth, swung daily not needing to protect friends or foe, it's tiring. So a break like this is welcomed and brings me right outside my own door to notice more the beauty I live with. Thank you!
Well, good morning!! ☀️
A wonderful reminder, Kathleen, to embrace what we have forgotten. We got lost in this playground, as you call it, mistaking it for reality, forgetting that it is play, a stage act, a self-important blip in history, meanwhile the nurturing spirit abides, patiently waiting for us to move toward enlightenment.
I remember, a few years back now, seeing a bunch of articles about "forest bathing" and thinking: "It's great that people are getting out into the forest, but something is wrong here..." What's wrong, of course, is that nature shouldn't be viewed as a temporary escape from a stressful industrialized hell, it is *where we belong*, and dealing with the industrialized hell should be the temporary situation, and then only when absolutely necessary!
Soooo beautiful Kathleen. Simply being that joy. Being that delight, urges us all by way of our quantum human connection to feel that nature-true essence. Realizing that we are the Sky, not the clouds passing by. Bicycling along my favorite path I am frequently greeted by a cluster of gold finches and occasionally an up close and personal encounter with a red tailed hawk. Refreshing. Re-fresh-ing.
I’m so glad you can seize the moment of calm (oxymoron?) and just be and appreciate. In this maelstrom of a world, it’s these times that keep us sane. Yeah okay, maybe fortify us to fight on but also a chance to remove the armour and breathe.
It’s little nuggets of “nice” like yours that make my inbox smile - and me too. Thank you!
Nothing wrong with love for life. We do not know how long each of us have. Live your best life. Help others at the same time. No good is ever wasted. Put a smile on your face and in your heart. Love birds and all animals. Love ourselves out of suffering.
Beautiful!
Gracias.
By all means use it "Re-fresh-ing". Best
Oh my, this is just lovely and you really are a kindred Nature Spirit! And, anytime I see the word "Magic" mentioned, I swoon! I am presently trying to help the birds find their way to a little feeder attacked to one of my windows. I dream of them eating out of my hand. I dream of befriending a Crow. I feel fairly certain this doesn't seem at all odd to you! :)
" Nature is not an escape from the world. Netflix is. Nature is more like a nurturing mother, a great big manifest Spirit that can fit us all in its lap, soothe the worries, comfort the sadness and make it all okay" Amen to that.
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing my post, Kathleen. 💚💚
I am 71 and have never seen a live bluebird here in Ontario. I wonder if I ever will.
Oh my, a "blush of bluebirds." That phrase alone made me sigh with contentment.
Your gorgeous, much-needed piece reminds me of Wendell Berry's masterpiece:
"The Peace of Wild Things"
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Thank you, Kathleen, I really needed this, coming back to the basics. You did a beautiful job.
It's important to be reminded that "We really do have everything we need."
"Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow; why, then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow,
Why, oh why can't I?"
IT'S A GOOD THING!