I love the line you wrote about vibrant quietness. Also, OM, I was just listening to Lee Harris "Future Human" transmission (it's part of his Portal community) and he was channeling from his guides, the Zs about a lot of what you talked about...how humans are afraid of the unknown...how trees are crystalling, collected to sky and galactic and also guardians here on earth.
Wow, thanks for making it through all my typos in the above! Yes, Lee is Lovely. British, just moved back live in the UK half the year after living in the US a long while. He has a gentle way but is unafraid to tackle the gnarly, yet in a way that allows people the space to process give wherever they are at.
Sep 2, 2023·edited Sep 2, 2023Liked by Jane Ratcliffe
I love the Brits even though I am innately rather direct, more in keeping with my Jewish heritage on my dad's side. Long ago I had a client who wrote me a testimonial in which he described me as brutally unconditionally loving. Lol! I learn from Lee...
I'm grateful for my worm compositing bin. Every time I carry a tin of veg and fruit scraps up and dig it into the "working" side of the cedar box bin, I feel joy. Not only do I dig out lovely "brown gold" every time a side is composted by the hard-working red worms, but I also use the bin in meditation. Instead of emptying my mind, I send my chattering thoughts to the worm bin, knowing they will also be transformed into gold. I got my first bin free when my rural county offered a workshop. The box eventually composted itself here in the Pacific Northwest climate, and I was easily able to order a new one, delivered to my door. The family owned business is called Bugabay Company LLC, and is located on Whidbey Island, WA. They have a video that explains the very simple method. There is no smell, and my local black bears and other creatures haven't even tried to knock it over. I think every household should have one.
Kirie, that's so beautiful: "Instead of emptying my mind, I send my chattering thoughts to the worm bin, knowing they will also be transformed into gold." It reminds me of the Buddhist practice of imagining cleansing your mind as you do the dishes or sweep the floor, et cetera.
My cousins in England have a worm compost and they absolutely love it. It also brings them great joy! Although I'm not sure if theirs composts itself. I will have to find out now. I hadn't heard of these in America, so glad to learn they're here. I'm going to check out Bugabay. Thank you!
I’m grateful for space this week. I just moved cross country (again) and had the grace of a flexible work schedule and the support of family & friends to get me through.
An Eagle pausing in a spruce tree top long enough and close enough for me to gaze a long while, then walk to another room, position a camera on the deck, for some regal images. Beginning to imagine the fun and possibility a Substack will evoke in my creative soul, and discovering people like you and posts like this!
Your newsletter brought me joy...both for its rich imagery but for the passion you have for the things that make you happy. “ I’m grateful for the joy in this quiet, earnest tending” Loved that line...and I’m checking out the goodies you love too. Today, what brought me joy was coffee with my husband on our front porch in the Shenandoah Valley on a break-your-heart beautiful morning...low humidity, comfortable temperature, sunny blue sky with cotton-mountain clouds. All we need is rain!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! Your words mean so much! I do tend to get rather passionate about what I love! Haha. And, my goodness, I can see why that brought you joy! How lovely and perfect. Michigan has had soooooo much rain this year. Hoping some of it makes its way to you!
My heart lifted as I watched the children on our block head off to the first day of school--backpacks, some as big as the child hefting it, full of supplies, squeaky clean new athletic shoes and socks, and laughter as another child joined the march. May they be safe. May this be a year of love of learning. May their teachers be compassionate and open. May all be well.
Oh, Nancy, this is beautiful: both your description of the children and your prayers for their safety. Returning to school is such a mixed bag these days. Hurts my heart. And, yes, the modern day backpacks!! I often wonder what we did with all our books. Or did we not have as many??
You hit on so many of my favorite things in this post, Jane. I'm a crazy gardener with a 3500 square foot organic obsession with fruit trees, berries, a greenhouse, raised vegetable beds, and vast perennial beds. Here in northern New England we are teetering on autumn now with cooler night and the last of the bigger perennials looking happily frowsy. Soon I will pick pears and the late golden raspberries and the last beans. And yes, coconut yogurt is a favorite. Also coconut butter! Can't get enough. Thanks for this post of small treasures.
Oooooooh, Mary! How beautiful!! You are living my dream. Michigan is also getting the cooler nights. My best sleep happens around now. I'm so glad you have all this in your life. And, yes, coconut butter is divine!!
I didn't realize that took place in Michigan. If there are cherry orchards, it must be Up North--which is spectacularly beautiful! I was just looking for my next book on Audible, and think I've just discovered it. Thank you!
Oh I’m so happy to read the bird feeding chronicles. This is my joy, also. And yet- the bear has also found my bird feeding helpful. Happy to be amongst nature- that’s my joy.
Hah! I love that! For my dad, it's deer. For me, it's the squirrels--which is why they got their own tree nook. But they still eat from the feeders....and the birds from the nook in the tree. Yes, being in nature is so necessary. As I write this, I wonder how I lived in NYC for twenty-five years!
We have more squirrels and chipmunks scrounging the feeders. I wondered the other day if it’d be possible for the squirrels to form a mutiny. And moving to NYC would definitely create a jarring effect on a nature lovers spirit. Enjoy and thanks for the reminder of joy.
I love the line you wrote about vibrant quietness. Also, OM, I was just listening to Lee Harris "Future Human" transmission (it's part of his Portal community) and he was channeling from his guides, the Zs about a lot of what you talked about...how humans are afraid of the unknown...how trees are crystalling, collected to sky and galactic and also guardians here on earth.
Wow, very cool! I will have to check him out! Thanks!
Wow, thanks for making it through all my typos in the above! Yes, Lee is Lovely. British, just moved back live in the UK half the year after living in the US a long while. He has a gentle way but is unafraid to tackle the gnarly, yet in a way that allows people the space to process give wherever they are at.
Ooooh, I like that combination: gentle yet willing to tackle the gnarly! And since my parents are English, I feel at home with the Brits!
I love the Brits even though I am innately rather direct, more in keeping with my Jewish heritage on my dad's side. Long ago I had a client who wrote me a testimonial in which he described me as brutally unconditionally loving. Lol! I learn from Lee...
I appreciate it too! I consider him a role model to learn from.
I'm grateful for my worm compositing bin. Every time I carry a tin of veg and fruit scraps up and dig it into the "working" side of the cedar box bin, I feel joy. Not only do I dig out lovely "brown gold" every time a side is composted by the hard-working red worms, but I also use the bin in meditation. Instead of emptying my mind, I send my chattering thoughts to the worm bin, knowing they will also be transformed into gold. I got my first bin free when my rural county offered a workshop. The box eventually composted itself here in the Pacific Northwest climate, and I was easily able to order a new one, delivered to my door. The family owned business is called Bugabay Company LLC, and is located on Whidbey Island, WA. They have a video that explains the very simple method. There is no smell, and my local black bears and other creatures haven't even tried to knock it over. I think every household should have one.
Kirie, that's so beautiful: "Instead of emptying my mind, I send my chattering thoughts to the worm bin, knowing they will also be transformed into gold." It reminds me of the Buddhist practice of imagining cleansing your mind as you do the dishes or sweep the floor, et cetera.
My cousins in England have a worm compost and they absolutely love it. It also brings them great joy! Although I'm not sure if theirs composts itself. I will have to find out now. I hadn't heard of these in America, so glad to learn they're here. I'm going to check out Bugabay. Thank you!
I’m grateful for space this week. I just moved cross country (again) and had the grace of a flexible work schedule and the support of family & friends to get me through.
Oh gosh, that's a big move!! So glad you had all that support. I hope you settle in gently and enjoy your new home!
gratitude to spend my week with my amazing volunteer friends here in Lamu
https://www.theflipflopi.com
Wow! Just checked out the website. What amazing work you're doing. Thank you! And glad you're feeling happy there!
An Eagle pausing in a spruce tree top long enough and close enough for me to gaze a long while, then walk to another room, position a camera on the deck, for some regal images. Beginning to imagine the fun and possibility a Substack will evoke in my creative soul, and discovering people like you and posts like this!
Oh, that's so beautiful! What an honor! And glad to have you here. Substack can be very fun and nurturing!
Thank you for caring for our fellow Earthlings!
Oh, thanks! They care for me, as well. It sounds like you also care for our beloveds!
Your newsletter brought me joy...both for its rich imagery but for the passion you have for the things that make you happy. “ I’m grateful for the joy in this quiet, earnest tending” Loved that line...and I’m checking out the goodies you love too. Today, what brought me joy was coffee with my husband on our front porch in the Shenandoah Valley on a break-your-heart beautiful morning...low humidity, comfortable temperature, sunny blue sky with cotton-mountain clouds. All we need is rain!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! Your words mean so much! I do tend to get rather passionate about what I love! Haha. And, my goodness, I can see why that brought you joy! How lovely and perfect. Michigan has had soooooo much rain this year. Hoping some of it makes its way to you!
My heart lifted as I watched the children on our block head off to the first day of school--backpacks, some as big as the child hefting it, full of supplies, squeaky clean new athletic shoes and socks, and laughter as another child joined the march. May they be safe. May this be a year of love of learning. May their teachers be compassionate and open. May all be well.
Oh, Nancy, this is beautiful: both your description of the children and your prayers for their safety. Returning to school is such a mixed bag these days. Hurts my heart. And, yes, the modern day backpacks!! I often wonder what we did with all our books. Or did we not have as many??
I just remember carrying them in my arms, but school years are many decades behind me!
Decades for me, as well!
You hit on so many of my favorite things in this post, Jane. I'm a crazy gardener with a 3500 square foot organic obsession with fruit trees, berries, a greenhouse, raised vegetable beds, and vast perennial beds. Here in northern New England we are teetering on autumn now with cooler night and the last of the bigger perennials looking happily frowsy. Soon I will pick pears and the late golden raspberries and the last beans. And yes, coconut yogurt is a favorite. Also coconut butter! Can't get enough. Thanks for this post of small treasures.
Oooooooh, Mary! How beautiful!! You are living my dream. Michigan is also getting the cooler nights. My best sleep happens around now. I'm so glad you have all this in your life. And, yes, coconut butter is divine!!
I'm reading Ann Patchett's Tom Lake at the moment, so I feel I'm living in Michigan among the cherry orchards. Seems like a beautiful place.
I didn't realize that took place in Michigan. If there are cherry orchards, it must be Up North--which is spectacularly beautiful! I was just looking for my next book on Audible, and think I've just discovered it. Thank you!
It’s very good. I love her gentle ways with story building and the weaving of two timelines. Enjoy!
Well, Meryl Streep reads the audio version and I am absolutely captivated. I don't want it to ever ever end. Thank you for the recommendation!
She's worth it--just for her voice alone--but how fun that the story is good too! Double pleasure.
This was astoundingly good writing. Your descriptions of the garden are perfect. Thank you for enlivening in life and then my day.
Oh my goodness, thank you, Fran! Your words really touched my heart!
Oh I’m so happy to read the bird feeding chronicles. This is my joy, also. And yet- the bear has also found my bird feeding helpful. Happy to be amongst nature- that’s my joy.
Hah! I love that! For my dad, it's deer. For me, it's the squirrels--which is why they got their own tree nook. But they still eat from the feeders....and the birds from the nook in the tree. Yes, being in nature is so necessary. As I write this, I wonder how I lived in NYC for twenty-five years!
We have more squirrels and chipmunks scrounging the feeders. I wondered the other day if it’d be possible for the squirrels to form a mutiny. And moving to NYC would definitely create a jarring effect on a nature lovers spirit. Enjoy and thanks for the reminder of joy.
Haha. Yes, I think they could! They are industrious little buggers!
Yes, it certainly does!