Thank you, Heather, not only for your daily letters but for sharing these calming photographs. One of the best things we can do to improve our mood is to spend even as little as 15 minutes taking a walk in nature. May we all find purpose and meaning in our lives and the well-being that comes with living a life that connects with others in positive ways.
Oh Rowshan, your words with HCR’s glimmers have given me the most perfect moments of this evening. A hearty thank you from me to you! Gratitude to you too, HCR, for this calming moment of grace. :)
Rowshan, your exquisite poem, printed out, would make a perfect companion piece to Heather’s beautiful image on a gallery wall. Keep it up, and maybe there could actually be such an exhibit. (I’m not kidding.) Or just keep delighting us with your poemcraft. Thank you.
So peaceful; the sentiment, hopeful. Would that all hearts were so attuned to art and nature. We would have to take more care with each other if that were so.
Yes, indeed. And take that walk with the phone silenced and with no "ear buds". Listen.... there is a lot to hear, smell and feel. All of which is a perfect background for my brain to review its priorities.
I find my "nature based meditation" in a vegetable garden that abuts conservation forest and field. The milkweeds are welcoming Monarchs and the birds are a symphony. Plenty of time to fight the good fight later. As we farmers say: "Gardening is Therapy. And you get Tomatoes."
Lovely as well Bill. Gardening is such great therapy. I've had to learn to share my cherry tomatoes with the deer these last couple of weeks, a regular thing most years.. I usd to get annoyed; now I have slipped into acceptance and always am delighted to see the exquisitely besutiful mom and young ones. I am grateful they don't like the peppers!
Our community garden has a tall deer fence. Otherwise, it would be a 50 station buffet! And I have had to use hardware cloth fencing within that - bunnies...so many bunnies. And voles...yikes. And then I just caved into the idea that everything must eat. Eventually the coyotes and fox will balance out the little critter population. And 80% of what I grow I give away to family, friends and neighbors. If my sharing is extended to other mammals...so be it. I'll just plant more!
"Metrowest" - west of Boston, east of Worcester, MA. A small town that has secured large tracts of land and put them into conservation or agricultural protection. Also, lots of history. A lovely place not without its problems - like over development and not nearly enough affordable housing. And wicked high taxes to fund one of the best school systems in the nation.
Moved here from Maine to be near and help with grandkids.
Wonderful Bill!. At my home in Massachusetts which abutted conservation land, I grew milkweed along my driveway to attract monarchs, the caterpillars food plant. I photographed the full lifecycle of the monarchs. Even took the chrysalis inside to my dining table to photogragh the new butterflies emerging from the chrysalis and watching the fluid in their fat bodies pump into its expanding wings. In those couple of hours before the adult monarch could fly I would sometime photograph my Papillon dogs with a butterfly sitting on its head. Loved the life cycle of the butterflies with it stages. Eating as a caterpillar, transformation in the chrysalis and drinking, sex, and travel in the adult butterfly stage.
I venture to say, fab Bill, that the nature based meditation, the walk without earbuds, IS fighting the good fight. Connection is the key in all things human.
Turning in myself and fall asleep listening to the fountain outside the bedroom window. With a little luck the owl will roust me up before 5 with his soothing hoo-hoo … ‘night everyone
Silence is definitely deafening. Mine is on a balcony, and I am able to listen to it in the mornings before traffic coming into the city gets too bad or evenings.
Dear Cathy, With appreciation to you for expressing our embrace of nature, the beauty and purpose of life, gratitude to HCR and our deep care for one another. Peace.
Thank you as always for the beautiful peaceful photo pause. And of course, for your insightful letters. Good sleep to all who read the letters and post here. I am going to read for a few minutes and then go to bed and listen to the wind.
Heather. It’s been an utterly exhausting series of days, weeks. disturbing revelations, shocks and tremendous anxiety. “Disturbing” is an insufficient adjective. As the patriot you clearly are simultaneously the dutiful Historian recording dispassionately, and considering that you are probably subjected to possibly threats and harassment for recording truth of this bizarre political event; please know that you are not alone. We are thankful for you. Your forthright perspective soothes as well as informs. Please take care of yourself. Know that we who follow you are truly thankful as well as concerned for you. Bless you. Linda Sanford Wirt from Minnesota.
Got all excited that I was getting two columns in one day…a bit disappointed. But, truth is…you DO deserve a rest and hopefully a great night’s sleep. We all have such respect for what you have done and continue to do for our country. Thank you, Heather, for all you do for us. Enjoy some carefree time in your beautiful state. I’ll be there again in August to escape Texas. Respectfully, Sarah Scott
What wonderful news, Gailee! Thanks for sharing the positive update. It is so encouraging that the district judge discerned that the charges against Matteson were bogus even before hearing the testimony for the defense. As one reads on further down the article, however, it is disheartening to perceive the magnitude of the organized depravity water protectors face in Aitkin County and the state of Minnesota, where public law enforcement is now being pimped by Enbridge. That this multinational corporation has established a $8.6 million escrow account to “reimburse” local law enforcement agencies for their costs of protecting Enbridge’s Line 3, and that the “Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office received $355,394 in one lump-sum payment March 1 of this year for wages, personal protective equipment, etc.” is deplorable and alarming. Are Minnesota law enforcement agencies neglecting the “public” they were hired to protect? You cannot serve two masters!
Our congressperson Jack Bergman, for Northern Michigan and the U.P. is bought & paid for by Enbridge, to keep Line 5 going, lying just off the bottom of Lake Michigan where it joins with Lake Huron, atop struts - Whoops. What did that ship anchor just hit? Support Dr. Bob Lorinser for Congress! Thanks
no my dear , you deserve a good nights sleep >Sleep Well ! I hope you'll talk to us next week again , I'll look forward to it. Thanks so much Heather Cox Richardson
Thank you, Heather, not only for your daily letters but for sharing these calming photographs. One of the best things we can do to improve our mood is to spend even as little as 15 minutes taking a walk in nature. May we all find purpose and meaning in our lives and the well-being that comes with living a life that connects with others in positive ways.
I’m with you all the way, Cathy, including my deepest thanks to Heather.
“Twilight”
The moon has risen
in a dusking sky —
it is the time of
in-betweenness,
a twilight of the liminal.
The azure blues and grays
of sea and sky lull
the slumberous threshold
of consciousness
into cradles of rest.
Glimmers of moonlight
on the moored sailboat
and atop the hushed abode
give a luster of reverie
to this scenic scape.
If I had one wish
it would be
that this vista of
beauty might soften
the heart of my country.
Oh Rowshan, your words with HCR’s glimmers have given me the most perfect moments of this evening. A hearty thank you from me to you! Gratitude to you too, HCR, for this calming moment of grace. :)
Delighted that you enjoyed my words, Cary! Thank you!
Thank you Cary for uplifting words.
Such a fitting wish for right now- “soften the heart of my country”-let us all keep that in our thoughts today. Thank you Rowshan.
Thank you, Paula.
So lovely, Roshan, especially the last sentence, " . . . might soften the heart of my country."
Thank you, Sandra!
Thank you so much, Sandra.
Your welcome!
Rowshan, your exquisite poem, printed out, would make a perfect companion piece to Heather’s beautiful image on a gallery wall. Keep it up, and maybe there could actually be such an exhibit. (I’m not kidding.) Or just keep delighting us with your poemcraft. Thank you.
What a fine idea!… or a little book!
Lovely thoughts, Mim! Thanks so much.
Rowshan. Your poem is a message of “grace” encapsulated.
So shimmery like the water in the picture lit by dusk and the full moon.
Unita, Sister. 🗽
UNITA, my sister, and thank you!
Amen, Rowshan!
Thank you, Lynell!
So peaceful; the sentiment, hopeful. Would that all hearts were so attuned to art and nature. We would have to take more care with each other if that were so.
Yes, we would, Carole. Thank you for your insights.
Perfect words for the perfect images, always. Amazing
Many thanks, Jeri!
Amen🌞
So beautiful. Wonderful. Thank you! I believe I may have found “my people!”
That’s wonderful, Linda!
Good one, Rowshan.
Thank you, Pam.
Perfect words for a moment of peace. Thank you.
My thanks, Corinne.
Thank you for this lovely poem. ❤️
Thank you, Shenny!
Yes, indeed. And take that walk with the phone silenced and with no "ear buds". Listen.... there is a lot to hear, smell and feel. All of which is a perfect background for my brain to review its priorities.
I find my "nature based meditation" in a vegetable garden that abuts conservation forest and field. The milkweeds are welcoming Monarchs and the birds are a symphony. Plenty of time to fight the good fight later. As we farmers say: "Gardening is Therapy. And you get Tomatoes."
Lovely as well Bill. Gardening is such great therapy. I've had to learn to share my cherry tomatoes with the deer these last couple of weeks, a regular thing most years.. I usd to get annoyed; now I have slipped into acceptance and always am delighted to see the exquisitely besutiful mom and young ones. I am grateful they don't like the peppers!
Our community garden has a tall deer fence. Otherwise, it would be a 50 station buffet! And I have had to use hardware cloth fencing within that - bunnies...so many bunnies. And voles...yikes. And then I just caved into the idea that everything must eat. Eventually the coyotes and fox will balance out the little critter population. And 80% of what I grow I give away to family, friends and neighbors. If my sharing is extended to other mammals...so be it. I'll just plant more!
Cool, Bill. Where do you live, if I may ask and you can say.
"Metrowest" - west of Boston, east of Worcester, MA. A small town that has secured large tracts of land and put them into conservation or agricultural protection. Also, lots of history. A lovely place not without its problems - like over development and not nearly enough affordable housing. And wicked high taxes to fund one of the best school systems in the nation.
Moved here from Maine to be near and help with grandkids.
Thanks, Bill. I'm in admiration of those who preserve the land and make it healthy and productive -- maybe that stems from my Iowa roots. : )
Blessings on you too for helping with your grandkids. I know what that's like. But they sure bring joy, don't they!
My home in MA was in Sudbury with the zipcode 01776 next to Concord.
Wonderful Bill!. At my home in Massachusetts which abutted conservation land, I grew milkweed along my driveway to attract monarchs, the caterpillars food plant. I photographed the full lifecycle of the monarchs. Even took the chrysalis inside to my dining table to photogragh the new butterflies emerging from the chrysalis and watching the fluid in their fat bodies pump into its expanding wings. In those couple of hours before the adult monarch could fly I would sometime photograph my Papillon dogs with a butterfly sitting on its head. Loved the life cycle of the butterflies with it stages. Eating as a caterpillar, transformation in the chrysalis and drinking, sex, and travel in the adult butterfly stage.
I venture to say, fab Bill, that the nature based meditation, the walk without earbuds, IS fighting the good fight. Connection is the key in all things human.
Unita! 🗽
Amen to tomatoes. Envy anyone growing them. May they continue.
Turning in myself and fall asleep listening to the fountain outside the bedroom window. With a little luck the owl will roust me up before 5 with his soothing hoo-hoo … ‘night everyone
can't 💕Love this vision. I also have a fountain that truly soothes. Sweet dreams. (I'm just now up.)
I have a “water feature” outside my porch built by the former owner. Sometimes the waterfalls are a little loud, but the silence instead is deafening.
Silence is definitely deafening. Mine is on a balcony, and I am able to listen to it in the mornings before traffic coming into the city gets too bad or evenings.
Thank you for your lovely and hopeful post.
Dear Cathy, With appreciation to you for expressing our embrace of nature, the beauty and purpose of life, gratitude to HCR and our deep care for one another. Peace.
When possible, time in a small boat is wonderful.
You are fabulous, Cathy. So glad I have connected with you through this forum.
Unita. 🗽
Yes, Christine! Unita! 🗽
We the People, All of Us this time!
¡Nosotros la gente, todos nosotros esta vez
¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!
The people united shall never be defeated!
Thank you as always for the beautiful peaceful photo pause. And of course, for your insightful letters. Good sleep to all who read the letters and post here. I am going to read for a few minutes and then go to bed and listen to the wind.
You said it!!!
Been a busy week.
Rest well! We love you.💜
💙💙💙💙💙
Heather. It’s been an utterly exhausting series of days, weeks. disturbing revelations, shocks and tremendous anxiety. “Disturbing” is an insufficient adjective. As the patriot you clearly are simultaneously the dutiful Historian recording dispassionately, and considering that you are probably subjected to possibly threats and harassment for recording truth of this bizarre political event; please know that you are not alone. We are thankful for you. Your forthright perspective soothes as well as informs. Please take care of yourself. Know that we who follow you are truly thankful as well as concerned for you. Bless you. Linda Sanford Wirt from Minnesota.
💙💙💙💙
Got all excited that I was getting two columns in one day…a bit disappointed. But, truth is…you DO deserve a rest and hopefully a great night’s sleep. We all have such respect for what you have done and continue to do for our country. Thank you, Heather, for all you do for us. Enjoy some carefree time in your beautiful state. I’ll be there again in August to escape Texas. Respectfully, Sarah Scott
I just wanted to share with everyone the results of the trial of Shanai Matteson
https://healingmnstories.wordpress.com/2022/07/15/water-protector-beats-bogus-charge-case-raises-questions-about-biased-law-enforcement
💙💙💙💙
What wonderful news, Gailee! Thanks for sharing the positive update. It is so encouraging that the district judge discerned that the charges against Matteson were bogus even before hearing the testimony for the defense. As one reads on further down the article, however, it is disheartening to perceive the magnitude of the organized depravity water protectors face in Aitkin County and the state of Minnesota, where public law enforcement is now being pimped by Enbridge. That this multinational corporation has established a $8.6 million escrow account to “reimburse” local law enforcement agencies for their costs of protecting Enbridge’s Line 3, and that the “Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office received $355,394 in one lump-sum payment March 1 of this year for wages, personal protective equipment, etc.” is deplorable and alarming. Are Minnesota law enforcement agencies neglecting the “public” they were hired to protect? You cannot serve two masters!
Our congressperson Jack Bergman, for Northern Michigan and the U.P. is bought & paid for by Enbridge, to keep Line 5 going, lying just off the bottom of Lake Michigan where it joins with Lake Huron, atop struts - Whoops. What did that ship anchor just hit? Support Dr. Bob Lorinser for Congress! Thanks
https://www.votedrbob.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5s6WBhA4EiwACGncZbDtYauZJWeFUFYpI0hjYZink6WCF0bcEEv7eqrnVGPwdpUfgTz5KBoCx1IQAvD_BwE
I will repost your link on Twitter . I'm no longer on FB. 💙
Will do!
💙💙💙💙💙
There must be a way to grow public awareness of Enbridge. This company reminds me of Nestlé and others.
Yes, Nestlé, the United Fruit Company, Michelin, Mobil…
Protects the money
Sleep well, dear Heather
Rest well. Recharge and rejuvenate!
Beautiful moon, and nice ketch!
Sleep well, everyone!
Here’s to restful sleep!
It is always reassuring when you press pause and rest your beautiful mind. And who, pray tell, is the photographer?
Since she doesn't give attribution, I assume she is the photographer.
Beautiful, peaceful. Thank you.
Keeponkeepingon ... you're doing an incredible service for your country👏❗
no my dear , you deserve a good nights sleep >Sleep Well ! I hope you'll talk to us next week again , I'll look forward to it. Thanks so much Heather Cox Richardson
Rest well. Thank you for the gifts you share with us all.
Peace.