I am grateful for the soft pitter-patter of rain that breaks a dry spell. Each drop is a gift from the skies that washes away the stress of dryness. We had a drought this spring, and our garden suffered. I had to water daily to keep the vegetables alive. Watering with city water keeps them going, but something is missing. The plants do not look good despite ample water. When the rains finally come, it is such a relief for me and the plants. We are both delighted. They respond with lush new growth. I respond with gratitude and appreciation for the mysterious nature of the qualitatively different water and the ensuing dark green unfurling leaves that emanate health and vigor.
After 2 years of no Monarch caterpillar sightings in my very diverse field of fruit and herbs, we were delighted to see both a Monarch (on some milkweed that we purposely left unweeded) and a Swallowtail caterpillar (on some parsley) within a few minutes of each other. It was like the rain coming after the drought! Such joy!
Such a beautiful post today. We just lost my mom of 95 years and the woman who taught me to love gardening. My family has experienced much joy among this sorrow and your blog reminds us that the natural world is God’s gift for our caretaking and a place to bring us peace and joy. Thank you for a moment of wonder and awe during a time of loss.
Aug 11, 2023·edited Aug 11, 2023Liked by Bill Davison
I needed this today...right first thing in the AM as well...I'm not getting along with my husband's mother...there for my husband and I are arguing unfortunately. I often let the negative news of the planet bring me down but then I quickly get over it. Im having a rough time doing so this wk. I spend a lot of time w/nature. Mother Nature is my home girl to say the least. I'm also weighted down by not being able to catch this younger mallard Male duck who has had fishing line/lure around his leg&foot so tight that he can no longer walk. I rescue waterfowl on the side. It is very rewarding after I successfully do something for one of these "fine gentlemen🦆, or nice lady's🦆". I've been trying to get him for over a wk. My husband usually helps me but since we have been helping our own mothers lately (due to both are not so seasoned widows)...he has been helping his mom or working overtime. So this poor gentleman has had this line around his leg so tight, that I'm nervous it will cut off his circulation sooner than later. I cant tell how deep the lure is either. That will be a complete other battle when we get to it. I can not give up on this young Male bc he is an awesome part of this 3 to 4 dozen mallard empire at my local park. I am praying for this young male mallard, my husband, and his mother and my mother... that we all can heal and or make up very soon. Thank you for the GORGEOUS fledgling robin pic. I absolutely love that. I had the pleasure of co-parenting this past spring, 3 red house finches. That was the most amazing positive part of my entire nesting season. They did lose 3 siblings right off the bat. They all just started falling from the nest bc there were way to many to fit. But 3 made it. The last one to fledge (little Allister PEANUT) was the smallest one. I did not think he'd make it. His 2 sisters were growing wings, he was not, they got pin feathers way way before he did. He made it however, and that day was fledged, I cried. Out of complete excitement &joy. He was, by far, the biggest fighter for being so so tiny. He woke up one morning and I went out to clean the nest...(I cleaned the nest up to 5times daily &the parents took turns feeding them bc of how the nest ended up falling it was impossible for them to clear the poo u. It was way to deep of a nest (they made it in a hanging plant). Lil Allister Peanut climbed out of the deep hanging basket&out on to the ledge of a table all on his own&was calling for his parents. Dad came... lil Allister left, and that was one happy ending. My husband was amazed that they let me co-parent. He was raised an "indoor child"& it wasn't used to seeing things like that ever. Your words are very encouraging and true. God bless 😇you and all of Mother 🐾🌳🐦🦆Nature's beings. She is quite the "mother".
My garden is my sanctuary. It mostly nourishes birds, bees, and butterflies with whom I am honored to share. This past week I saw my first frog in my garden. Very exciting!! Everything you writ about gardening and nature in general is so true.
Beautiful, Bill. A sweet respite from the usual fodder in the inbox... And you're in good company. Here's William Blake on the topic of joy amid sorrow:
This essay was quite lovely, Bill. To borrow a Quaker quote" You speak my mind" I've noticed how much better my plants feel with rain water--I think that there are nutrients there that we've filtered out of drinking water. I have Ross Gay's books, and he's a delight. I need to find them and read them again. Bright Blessings to you my friend! Aunt Carol
Thank you. After spending too much time perusing headlines and commentaries this morning, I felt that a life spent only fighting the evils and sorrows around us, while noble, cannot be the only purpose of life. It wears us down so much. Watching dragonflies at my pond rights that despair. It is a relentless task to find joy. Thank you for pulling me that direction once again.
After 2 years of no Monarch caterpillar sightings in my very diverse field of fruit and herbs, we were delighted to see both a Monarch (on some milkweed that we purposely left unweeded) and a Swallowtail caterpillar (on some parsley) within a few minutes of each other. It was like the rain coming after the drought! Such joy!
Such a beautiful post today. We just lost my mom of 95 years and the woman who taught me to love gardening. My family has experienced much joy among this sorrow and your blog reminds us that the natural world is God’s gift for our caretaking and a place to bring us peace and joy. Thank you for a moment of wonder and awe during a time of loss.
I needed this today...right first thing in the AM as well...I'm not getting along with my husband's mother...there for my husband and I are arguing unfortunately. I often let the negative news of the planet bring me down but then I quickly get over it. Im having a rough time doing so this wk. I spend a lot of time w/nature. Mother Nature is my home girl to say the least. I'm also weighted down by not being able to catch this younger mallard Male duck who has had fishing line/lure around his leg&foot so tight that he can no longer walk. I rescue waterfowl on the side. It is very rewarding after I successfully do something for one of these "fine gentlemen🦆, or nice lady's🦆". I've been trying to get him for over a wk. My husband usually helps me but since we have been helping our own mothers lately (due to both are not so seasoned widows)...he has been helping his mom or working overtime. So this poor gentleman has had this line around his leg so tight, that I'm nervous it will cut off his circulation sooner than later. I cant tell how deep the lure is either. That will be a complete other battle when we get to it. I can not give up on this young Male bc he is an awesome part of this 3 to 4 dozen mallard empire at my local park. I am praying for this young male mallard, my husband, and his mother and my mother... that we all can heal and or make up very soon. Thank you for the GORGEOUS fledgling robin pic. I absolutely love that. I had the pleasure of co-parenting this past spring, 3 red house finches. That was the most amazing positive part of my entire nesting season. They did lose 3 siblings right off the bat. They all just started falling from the nest bc there were way to many to fit. But 3 made it. The last one to fledge (little Allister PEANUT) was the smallest one. I did not think he'd make it. His 2 sisters were growing wings, he was not, they got pin feathers way way before he did. He made it however, and that day was fledged, I cried. Out of complete excitement &joy. He was, by far, the biggest fighter for being so so tiny. He woke up one morning and I went out to clean the nest...(I cleaned the nest up to 5times daily &the parents took turns feeding them bc of how the nest ended up falling it was impossible for them to clear the poo u. It was way to deep of a nest (they made it in a hanging plant). Lil Allister Peanut climbed out of the deep hanging basket&out on to the ledge of a table all on his own&was calling for his parents. Dad came... lil Allister left, and that was one happy ending. My husband was amazed that they let me co-parent. He was raised an "indoor child"& it wasn't used to seeing things like that ever. Your words are very encouraging and true. God bless 😇you and all of Mother 🐾🌳🐦🦆Nature's beings. She is quite the "mother".
Thank you Bill for such an inspiring message to begin my day. I'll look for joy and happiness in small ways this precious day
My garden is my sanctuary. It mostly nourishes birds, bees, and butterflies with whom I am honored to share. This past week I saw my first frog in my garden. Very exciting!! Everything you writ about gardening and nature in general is so true.
This is a wonderful post and I completely agree with the sentiment. Thanks very much for taking the time to write it. 💚
This, once again is a gift...
Your careful attention. The love is obvious. I am most grateful within the calm of your storyteller’s hush...
Beautiful, Bill. A sweet respite from the usual fodder in the inbox... And you're in good company. Here's William Blake on the topic of joy amid sorrow:
Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing for the soul divine;
Under every grief and pine
Runs a joy with silken twine.
It is right it should be so;
We are made for joy and woe;
And when this we rightly know,
Through the world we safely go.
- William Blake, Auguries of Innocence
A reader shared this song with me and I thought this group would appreciate it. The song is funny, beautiful, and profound. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn-wGaM7x5c
This essay was quite lovely, Bill. To borrow a Quaker quote" You speak my mind" I've noticed how much better my plants feel with rain water--I think that there are nutrients there that we've filtered out of drinking water. I have Ross Gay's books, and he's a delight. I need to find them and read them again. Bright Blessings to you my friend! Aunt Carol
Thank you. After spending too much time perusing headlines and commentaries this morning, I felt that a life spent only fighting the evils and sorrows around us, while noble, cannot be the only purpose of life. It wears us down so much. Watching dragonflies at my pond rights that despair. It is a relentless task to find joy. Thank you for pulling me that direction once again.