Gratitude List #7: Beauty, Nature, and Spirit

Deep Cove, North Vancouver BC

Today's gratitude list:
* the warmth and healing energy of the sun
* sunny weekends to air and freshen laundry
* a women's gathering to create art (write etc.)
* beauty to inspire and create
* a beautiful home and views (photo to left)
* stunning views of trees and water
* tall pine trees (I have an affinity for trees)
* Satsang (spiritual discourse)
* another beautiful home and views
* more tall pine trees and a garden to look at
* seeing the beauty of a Stellar jay flying
* the play and call of Stellar jays
* walks exploring the neighbourhood

Last weekend was also spent in nature in Hope, BC for a spiritual day retreat - see my gratitude post last Sunday and picture below of this woman's front yard. And (my) Spirit knows I desired and needed to get out more, especially in nature!

Photo of Hope garden

There was a connection from last weekend to this weekend in terms of being in nature and partaking of a spiritual event. However, there was also a spiritual thread, a focus, that weaved during mid-week and again today in topic.

In essence, I was being drawn or "called to" these circumstances. Some may call this coincidence as I used to term it years ago or synchronicity as I now refer to this phenomenon of being in the right place at the right time.

What does your gratitude list look like today, this past weekend and/or week? Did you notice any synchronicities?

NaBloPoMo: Make...Paper Trees!

Paper tree I made at a Christmas dinner

Today's NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) question on the theme of 'make' is as follows: "What was the last craft project you attempted?"

Though I'm not generally an artsy-craftsy person, I have from time to time made some crafts with a group of women usually and enjoyed it. Over the years, some of my craft creations included a pine cone wreath, tiny-mouse-head-and-tail-in-walnut-shell Christmas tree decorations, a pendant, and I'm not sure what else. I obviously do not have much or any of these remnants left as reminders, just memory.

The latest craft project that I learned about at a local library was one that excited me greatly. In order to understand why, you need to realize that I love trees. Yes, I even hug them from time to time. And in fact, one of my social media names has "treehugger" in it. ;)

Me hugging a tree

The library project involved making trees out of paper, or rather paper trees primarily made out of old books that the library was discarding. A good use as any!

I discovered that the larger the book, the longer it takes to make them, so the books were sectioned off in chunks of pages. I was drawn to a book in Persian: so elegant and feminine with its curved characters. See the picture below of the first paper tree I made.

Eventually, I ended up making a number of them for a Christmas desk-decorating contest - usually with a theme of trees at least for me - made out of glossy advertising flyers, only to discover there was no contest after all, at least this past year.

Ten trees I created for work and seven for home. And why not? My home theme is trees, including (believe it or not) a tree-patterned shower curtain! Not my ideal perhaps; however, the brown silhouette of the tree matches the fake wood flooring. (I'm glad I don't have tile floor!)

My tree shower curtain

I even made a paper tree for a community Christmas dinner I attended with some acquaintances to add to the decor. They all loved it and one designed a star to top it. ;)

What project, recent or otherwise, have you made that you thoroughly enjoyed? What of its essence did you particularly enjoy?

Smorgasbord Saturday: 4th week of Ultra Blog Challenge

Photo taken from Roberto Kaplan

Finally, here’s a recap of my Ultra Blog Challenge this past week starting from Monday, September 22nd to Friday, September 26th. Except for my guest post on Thursday about misconceptions of India, the themes this week seem to be focused on happiness and gratitude, including for that of trees and autumn.

World Gratitude Day: Part 2 (#MicroblogMonday) features a video of ‘Happy’, an upbeat, fun song that I wanted to share. Thus I tied it in with the theme from yesterday’s post on gratitude. (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/world-gratitude-day-part-2.html)

Tantalizing Tuesday: Tree Days is a short piece about autumn equinox, the first day of autumn, my second-most favourite season. Autumn is a splendorous season, although unfortunately only in season in certain parts of the world. (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/tantalizing-tuesday-tree-days.html)

In Honour of National Tree Day was posted in keeping with the theme of trees from yesterday.where I copied a piece of writing when I was in school. (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/in-honour-of-national-tree-day.html)

"No, I do NOT speak Indian!" is a special post as a blogging companion and friend wrote on the misbeliefs of India which I was surprised many people had. I only have one out of the several she wrote about. ;) (https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4481012230858682867#editor/target=post;postID=7320907518553952528;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=3;src=postname)

Frolicking Fun Friday: Two (2) Awards?! was a writing about two awards I received in one day that came out of the blue. I also shared a number of items about myself that people can read about in order to learn more about me. ;) (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/frolicking-fun-friday-two-2-awards.html)

In Honour of National Tree Day

How can I NOT pay tribute to that which I love: trees! It's National Tree Day after all! I absolutely LOVE trees! Do you? Do you touch them, hug them, talk to them, and even 'bless' them? I do!

Yes, I may be 'crazy' doing that, but that's okay. My inner child is doing that 'cause she adores trees and why should I stop her? She isn't harming them!

Look very closely at the photo below: What do you see? Tell me... ;)

If you guessed a heart shape you were right! I see heart-shaped objects so often, including in nature. (See my blog post dated February 17, 2012: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2012/02/communications-from-my-dead-twin.html).

Here is a story/prose poem(?) I referred to in yesterday's post on autumn that I wrote when I was about 15 or 16, entitled, "Autumn Glory":

The countryside with its rolling hills, fields and pastures are full of colour and beauty as autumn appears. The trees await the moment for their leaves to turn into ripening and artistic colours of brilliant yellows, bright oranges, blazing reds, and deep rust browns. A touch of charm is added to the proud trees making them more lively and dignified. Gentle breezes ripple the leaves showing off their dazzling colours and boasting to the other trees about their dignity.* (I think I meant ‘splendour.’)

I stand bewildered and spellbound as I gaze up at the trees with awe. My spine tingles and I hold my breath as I look up at a tall, sparkling, all-red coloured maple tree. I am thrilled and delighted by this inspiration.

The leaves murmur among themselves, bravely preparing for the coming of winter. Then, as if by magic, the leaves drop onto the ground leaving the trees bare.

I used to like scuffling through the dry leaves as I walk and hearing the crunch of the crisp leaves. Now as I learn the magnificence of nature and the roles in which the trees play, I realize that I shouldn’t disturb the leaves but let them die peacefully.

The melancholy trees moan and mourn for the loss of their leaves as winter approaches. The trees shiver from the cold as they are unprotected. So the trees hibernate instead, until spring blooms again.

This is what autumn is like to me.

Do you love trees? What is your favourite and why?

Part 2: Tribute to Mothers ... and 'mothers'

Soprano: Alexis Jorgenson, Alto: Elly Stornebrink, Pianist: Matt Grinke, Violinist: Brienne Powers, Drummer: Marilyn Mann

How silly of me! I had forgotten that there were two other main reasons for agreeing to sing The Mummer’s Dance by Loreena McKennit on Mother’s Day. Was it just two weekends ago?! (This month is sure flying by!)

As a result of a warm-up during the byoV choir rehearsal where members were sounding notes, i.e., toning and humming, I ended up standing relatively near Alexis. A male choir member commented on the lovely harmony we created which I had also noted – pardon the pun (as they just come out of me spontaneously). Thus, I thought we might sound good together creating a nice harmony - had this in mind - when Alexis asked if anyone from the alto section was interested in singing the chorus of a song as backup.

The other reason I had agreed to singing a duet with her was simply that I love that song, rather the music in the song, at least initially. What I mean is that I actually was not even aware of the words to this song beforehand. It wasn’t until Alexis sent me the link to the video that I could learn the words as I read and heard them. Consequently, I love the song even more and in fact, I consider this my favourite of Loreena’s songs.

This is due to the fact that I love nature, especially springtime and trees.Could I be a 'tree worshipper'? – I love to touch, hug, and ‘bless’ trees (occasionally) as I walk by.

I also love to gaze at the moon and stars and do that as often as I can – I have witnesses! – and love to hear birds singing. And furthermore, I love to dance, though I haven’t around trees, at least not yet! ;)

In her own words, Loreena refers to a book that suggests that “mumming has its roots in the tree-worshipping* of the peoples who inhabited great regions of a forested Europe now long gone.” There’s that word* again! (Hmmm…wonder if they were perhaps Celtic and Pagan?) (http://www.quinlanroad.com/explorethemusic/bookofsecrets.asp?type=notes&id=534)

“Mumming usually involves a group of performers dressing up in masks (sometimes of straw) and clothes bedecked with ribbons or rags, and setting out on a procession to neighbouring homes singing songs and carrying branches of greenery. It’s primarily associated with springtime and fertility, and it has a cast of stock characters, like the Fool, which recurs in some form or another from Morris dancing to the shadow puppet plays of Turkey and Greece and even the morality plays of the Middle Ages.”

“Black Sheep Morris and Mummers” aka “Bowen Island Black Sheep Mummers” (http://www.bowenblacksheep.ca/) are not the only mummers in BC. This troupe dress primarily in black rags with colourful ribbons. They’re quite an interesting lot of musicians/dancers in both their look and sound.

I couldn’t quite make out what they were when I saw them for the first time about a year or so ago. I would have if I had understood the meaning of Loreena’s song beforehand!

What aspects of nature do you love and how do you express it?

O Christmas Tree, O Just Like Me ...

No matter if you are a human being, an ant or a bee, or even a tree – hey I love to rhyme! – you, we, are all important and each have a role to play here on this earth (no matter how big or small).

A month before Christmas, a neighbour denuded or raped a tree violently (with professional tree cutters) of its beautiful hanging cedar branches. This tree who once held many birds, that sweetly sang, in its arms like a human mother with her baby. In fact, just the weekend prior, I witnessed a number of blue stellar jays fly up to perch beneath its bounteous green, seemingly cradled and caressed.

I LOVE trees, can you tell!? Some of you might consider me a tree worshipper possibly in disguise. Indeed, my twitter name includes ‘treehugger’ with a photo of me hugging a tree which I do from time to time. I used to, for instance, hug ‘Big Doug,’ a tall pine tree amidst others in a forest clearing at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. I’d get a friend to join me in hugging it whenever we went by to visit the grounds, and would do so in her absence when she wasn’t able to join me.

Have you ever wondered something along the lines of: If everything is energy, would this tree (and any tree for that matter) have spirit, i.e., a heart and soul (metaphorically speaking of course!)?

Inanimate objects may not speak with words, but they may ‘whisper.’ I know a person who actually hears trees, what messages they have to share. I consider him a tree whisperer: think horse whisperer. I bet he’s not the only one.

I imagine trees feel perhaps somewhat like animals with non-verbal communication, more powerful than words as we humans know: a plant or flower withers and dies, or not.

When I originally wrote a draft of this posting, my questions were: Will this tree die? What will become of it? Will new growth appear from its many mini-stumps like that which occurs in forests?

Potential growth or not, I had such a strong urge, a deep longing to hug this tree – what was left of it! – to console it, pray over it, and offer it some loving, tender healing touch. I felt though that it was probably too late to do so, and furthermore, I would be trespassing on my neighbour’s property and feared potential consequences. I wish I hadn’t been concerned for me, but more for the tree.

Yes, I admit, fear kept me from sharing my love for this tree, my ‘other’ unspoken neighbour who seemingly didn’t have a voice. Why did I not advocate for it? Fight for its rights to be and to live in one piece. As I write that I also think of the word ‘peace.’

I wrote a poem this summer when I was in a very relaxed and peaceful state entitled, “What I Learn from Trees.” Hmmm, if the computer would allow me to type it with single spacing, then you would see it her; however, it is not cooperating with me now! (And yes, I did check the setting for spacing.)

This tree unfortunately did not make it. Eventually it was brought to its ultimate death in the form of a stump as it was deemed ugly and unbearable to look at. Such a shame, such a loss as it not only served as a shelter and abode for wildlife, but also a protection from the elements for me, not to mention just to simply witness its glorious, natural beauty and earthy scent.

It had served its purpose(s), albeit short-lived.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely were thy branches!

What gifts do trees offer you? And, how are you like a tree?

Home is Where the Heart is

My main issue this month was finding suitable accommodation to house me and all my stuff including furniture which I have plenty of.

I tried everything or seemingly so: looking and posting on Craigs List and Kijiji, emailing my circle of friends and acquaintances – even on a social website – and posting up ads in lower, mid, and upper Lonsdale areas of North Vancouver as I wanted to stay on the North Shore, preferably North Vancouver because that is where my ‘home’ or heart dwells. Also, because of three alternate routes (SeaBus, Second Narrows or Lions Gate Bridge) to get to work rather than one if I lived in West Vancouver.

A major drawback I had was a lack of a vehicle. Sure I’d consider living almost anywhere otherwise, as it seemed that a lot of places in North Vancouver required one as bus accessibility is quite remote (think infrequent, especially the farther out like Deep Cove or the higher up like up the mountain).

I initially had a place as early as Oct. 1st when someone responded to an ad I posted online. It was with a woman same age as I who recently moved into a new townhouse development in Deep Cove with her pets, one of my favourite cats in particular. There was a student living in one of the rooms till the spring.

Even though there seemed to be a connection via email and phone, in person there was an awkwardness the two times I met her one week apart. Perhaps it was some trepidation on both our parts, me for feeling like I would be imposing on her space with all my stuff even though she had plenty of room and storage space. The second Friday I went to see the suite again, took some measurements, and gave her a damage deposit.

However, there was a nagging feeling that persisted throughout Thanksgiving weekend, especially thinking about the possibility of a brisk 5-minute walk through dark woods (from the higher road) or a desolate road (from the lower road) and the latter relatively uphill.

A friend called me and proceeded to tell me that I didn’t sound very happy about moving (which I attributed to stress and fatigue, though I realized she was right on afterthought). Another person mentioned ‘safety’ and my mind went on red alert again. Again, thinking about the dark woods and I’m usually quite a brave person. Though walking through dark woods at age 16 many moons ago perhaps is different from doing so in these times.

Then a miracle occurred on Thanksgiving Day. I received a call from a woman whose name I recognized (but didn’t question her) about a place approximately 10 blocks south and a few blocks east of where I lived. She had recently moved into a home and was looking for a tenant to share living space with her and her son who has an intellectual disability.

Only because I had someone visit me with a car did I consider taking a look, particularly since I lost (or so I thought at the time) my bus pass and it was a wet, cold, and dark evening. On top of that, I had a bit of a sore throat.

As soon as I saw the blue home from the outside it felt like an oasis with the house and garden partially tucked in the neighbourhood in a slight curve on the road. There was instant recognition as soon as she opened the door. I had met her a number of years ago at a networking and/or workshop event(s).

I liked this woman immediately when I met her then and still do. She is an older, very creative and intuitive woman. I thought I would get along well with her and her son splendidly too. Her son was extremely sweet and kind offering me slippers as refuge from the cold floor and he was an artist to boot!

Her home was very colourful with bright painted walls and her son’s artwork. Even her kitchen was a nice blue-grey tone and there were one or two glass stained windows as well. There was even a gas fireplace.

I knew immediately when I saw the upper room that was painted a light blue that this was it! Spacious, bright, with big windows and French doors overlooking the porch and garden at back facing west and south which I preferred.

Interestingly enough she didn’t have a couch and there would be enough space to house my furniture, which was ideal. Furthermore, she hadn’t had phone/internet connection yet and I knew I could provide her with a wonderfully priced package as I had with a certain provider.

I told her ‘Yes!’ as all the walls including the chalkboard wall in her kitchen – ideal for writing poetry and songs on my end – seemed to be screaming so. She suggested we both ‘sleep on it’ and I did but knew I didn’t need to.

The next day I accidentally dialled the woman in Deep Cove to tell her that I didn’t feel right about her place, didn’t feel safe, too far, need a car (that rhymes but is true) and then phoned this other woman. Well, when I did so, I was told the news that her daughter was going to be moving back. I felt devastated as other than the single-paned windows, I loved her home and felt I would be happy there.

I missed choir rehearsal that evening and generally never do unless I’m sick. Singing can be a great distracter at times, but this time I felt I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. Usually if I can’t sing or dance, I’m either sick or depressed.

Then house #3…three being my number in life so it seems. This one came spontaneously as I phoned her in response to an ad I saw online. After awhile the ads and numbers all seem to blur as I sometimes would call the same # about a different ad or even the same one!

Though she described the place to me by phone she kept persisting that I see it. I didn’t think I would because it was a studio (bachelor) and I preferred a 1 bedroom or even a 1 bedroom plus den or 2-bedroom suite! (Remember? To house all my furniture and stuff!)

Well I decided to go see it with a friend along with another suite. One was basement level and did not have any view at all as the windows faced towards the other home or concrete wall and was too high up. An immediate ‘no’ came up for me.

Then I saw her house. As soon as I saw the beautiful red maple or Japanese tree and pine tree at front and other trees surrounding her home, garden, and neighbours, I felt ‘this was it’ (intuitively) and told my friend. It seemed like an oasis much like where I was living then as I entered the front gate with various trees greeting me.

Then when I saw the trees all around at the back lining the green, weedless yard and heard the water below, I fell in love with it even more. The suite itself was intriguing. Big double-paned windows allowing a lot of natural light to come in to a large room with a fireplace. The kitchen area and bathroom were on the other side of the main room.

The place had character as well as potential. I sensed that it could be an extremely creative place or rather, the ability to tap into my creativity. I was imagining what furniture would go where when she asked me if I would like to keep the piano, rather store it for someone for awhile. It is a beautiful wood-grained piano (not sure what kind) and a cushioned bench. I love wood not to mention trees as well...go figure!

I was ecstatic when I decided to forego my bed for this beautiful piece of furniture if I can call it that. Not only did I want to relearn the piano, I preferred to play on one too. All the keys are present with real touch (of finger pressure) and real sound too.

Wow! Was I lucky or what?!

Long story short...almost didn’t happen but I was glad to heed this woman’s intuition (as she later informed me) and me keeping in tune with my intuition as well.