Feather Photo by Jim Ruppel 2017
It’s incredible to see this beautiful delicate feather just lying on the ground, especially when I learn it’s only slightly larger than my pinky nail. Hubby noticed it, though, when walking in our backyard, and captured it in this photo. It’s magic — just the fact, something so tiny and delicate could have been overlooked. But, what isn’t in life?
Who’s to say how long it has been there, unnoticed, or how long it will remain. We may have walked past it a hundred times, could have crushed it under our shoes or the wind may blow it away.
That’s the thing. I wonder what else I haven’t noticed. What have I missed mainly because I haven’t taken the time to look and listen?
~~~~~
Little Summer Poem Touching The Subject Of Faith
by Mary Oliver
Every summer
I listen and look
under the sun’s brass and even
into the moonlight, but I can’t hear
anything, I can’t see anything —
not the pale roots digging down, nor the green
stalks muscling up,
nor the leaves
deepening their damp pleats,
nor the tassels making,
nor the shucks, nor the cobs.
And still,
every day,
the leafy fields
grow taller and thicker —
green gowns lofting up in the night,
showered with silk.
And so, every summer,
I fail as a witness, seeing nothing —
I am deaf too
to the tick of the leaves,
the tapping of downwardness from the banyan feet —
all of it
happening
beyond any seeable proof, or hearable hum.
And, therefore, let the immeasurable come.
Let the unknowable touch the buckle of my spine.
Let the wind turn in the trees,
and the mystery hidden in the dirt
swing through the air.
How could I look at anything in this world
and tremble, and grip my hands over my heart?
What should I fear?
One morning
in the leafy green ocean
the honeycomb of the corn’s beautiful body
is sure to be there.
(Courtesy of Famous Poets and Poems)
~~~~~
It makes me think of how my life is unfolding. So far, it’s been a slow year, in our home, while enjoying my meanderings up here in my mountains. Though it’s been awhile since I last posted, there’s nothing much to report. But, I wanted to catch up and let you all know I’m still here . . . alive and kicking.
I’ve been watching events around me and in the world, somehow through different eyes. My heart has been heavy, at times, and yet full learning to see the magic in all of it. I’ve taken time to observe the process in the good and not so good times, realizing nothing really ever stays the same. Life is always changing in us and all around — ever shifting and moving.
And, ah yes, I did enjoy one of those mini-milestones in a senior moment this summer for my birthday. I’ve been looking for the magic this year, since I first noted it was going to be a year full of 7’s for me — this year being 2017, my birth day is 27, birth year 47 and turned 70. My grandson is even 17 most of this year until October.
Yet, the magic is not where I thought. It turns out some of it was in a little magic dust with hubby preparing one of my favorite restaurant-dinner dishes on my birthday. He even baked my favorite cake that I always loved back in my childhood days at my grandmother’s, making it special.
Life takes us on twists and turns and I get caught up in it on occasion or simply never notice the little miracles that appear at my feet. I’m taken back at times, as I pause and find myself in awe at the wonder of it all.
There is magic around me in the little things and subtle shifts, when I join in the dance and notice. I can plow along and never perceive what’s happening around me, playing invisible or even insignificant. But, just like a tiny feather laying on the ground everything has value and a purpose.
Thank you for continuing to be out there and support me. I enjoy your visits and I’m humbled when you stop by to read and share your thoughts at my kitchen table. You’re my treasure.
Pat at the ‘ol kitchen table
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Pat Ruppel
Beautifully expressed and of course the poetry fits so well. Congrats on the milestone and I love the slideshow. Caring in action indeed.
With my new lifestyle on the road it is the small and simple which I appreciate as well as the grand vistas. Yet always I get reminded in ways to look deeper.
Thank you, Eremophila. I’m glad you enjoyed the read and the little things in life. Makes living so much worthwhile. Happy to see you’re back home again. Hope you’ve had some fun and interesting travels. 🙂
Well Pat I’m home again yet still homeless. I know my heart is in this land but solutions to the situation remains hidden so I continue to travel seeking..,
Well, at least you’re fortunate to have the opportunity to seek via traveling, Eremophila. I know it’s probably a hard way to go but must feel so blessed with what you see and experience along the way. Best of luck in your search and hope you’ll find what you’re looking for, my friend. Take care. 🙂
There are so many magical thing in the world if only we take the time to notice them
So true, Joanne — I agree. Thank you. 🙂
Many congratulations on your big birthday Pat, that cake looks absolutely delicious! So true that such a tiny thing as a feather can bring us up short and remind us of what’s happening all around when we pay attention.
Thank you, Andrea. It was a good day and, you’re right, those tiny things remind us how connected we are to everything. Life and God’s creations count no matter what they are. Thank you for the read and for sharing. Hugs xxoo
Glad you had a happy and memorable birthday Pat. It’s funny how childhood favourites in the way of food evoke warm and gentle feelings and yet your feather moment was an unexpected one to treasure too 🙂
Thank you, Diana. It was happy and memorable and it is the little things that invoke the warmth and gentle feelings of childhood. I’m loving it. Hugs xxoo
Happy birthday, Pat! You are blessed with love, that dinner shows just how much. I love your feather and feel the same way when I spot something small in nature. Just this week we spotted the first praying mantis in the garden. I was taught you won’t find praying mantis unless you have a healthy ecosystem on your property. So when we spotted this one it confirmed everything I’ve done here has been beneficial for nature.
How is your leg treating you? Hope you are back up and doing well. It’s horrible to miss a lovely summer due to injury.
Ah, no doubt there should be many more praying mantis’s in your garden, Lois. I know with all the love and effort you put into it the ecosystem has to be over the top, my friend.
Thank you for the warm birthday wishes and love you send my way. I am truly blessed and feel grateful every day. I don’t have a lovely garden like you; but, warm feelings come to me in the birds that flock to my feeder, monsoon rains that have quenched the dry ground, wildlife that visit and the hummers buzzing around the flowers and feeders frantically getting ready for the hint of the season nearing an end.
My ankle is back to normal (prayers of thanks for that) and I’m able to get around like I used to. Last summer was the pits being stuck in the house with a walker. Makes me stop to smell the roses even more. I’m so enjoying this summer. Thank you for asking and stopping by to visit. Love and hugs xxoo
How wonderful that you are back to normal and your ankle isn’t giving you any more problems.
I too enjoy all the gifts of nature. When I first moved here I had very few birds but now more and more are arriving and snakes, frogs and others show up more every year.
Yeah, I’m back to normal, Lois, and I try not to take it lightly nor for granted. I don’t know how you do it. You must have the patience of a saint and enduring grit and fervor to match. Must be a fire that comes from within that gives you the desire to push on to be an advocate for us and the will to live a loving, creative and productive life. 🙂
I believe that for me I always knew this day could come and made sure to be active and do everything I wanted while I could walk. I have my days of frustration but temper them by reminding myself I walked 40 years longer than the doctors ever thought I would. I’ve had a good life and while it’s still good now I have a few more challenges, that’s all.
However you’ve been preparing, Lois, you’re definitely a role model in my eyes. Maybe being put in certain situations gives us the means to do what we need to do in our lives. We all have challenges — seems like some have more than others — and it appears you’ve met those challenges well, my friend.
I have my family to thank. They made sure I put all my efforts into doing things myself before asking for help. Of course later I was called stubborn by the same family members. 🙂
Haha — can’t win getting that approval. It was important to have that guidance and support from the start. Set the tone for your whole life, Lois. Look at how great it has served you all these years, my friend. There’s your magic. Love and hugs xxoo ❤️