ARE HUMANS THE ONLY SPECIES TO CREATE ART?

In the following link, yours truly weighs in on this topic. Of course, I’m biased!—http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=516185912780&oid=152481524316&ref=share

 

GOODNESS, DID I LIKE THIS!

I suspect this child speaks for many of us. Such grace in one so young. I hope she becomes president someday: http://current.com/items/90981878_the-girl-who-silenced-the-world-for-5-minutes.htm

 

GRIEF AND GRATITUDE, LEAVES AND RAIN

Leaves are falling now in a deluge. In the windless days, they dip down like feathers shaken off from some great, molting firebird. The forest floor is a fantastical mosaic of flame colors as autumn burns away the greens of summer in an inferno of golden, red, and orange. I’ve been wondering whether I could gather the leaves inside and decoupage them onto my kitchen counter, and marvel at them each day, all year long.

 

A PROPOSITION

My good friend Genviev had a great idea the other day, so I’m passing it on to you for your input. This may be a way for all of us to participate in generating more income in these challenging times. See what you think!

The Spirit Wolf Press Proposition

In light of the financial and economic difficulties so many of us have
been facing lately, Susan and I have been discussing the idea of
offering each interested member of the community gathered on her
site the possibility of becoming an official distributor of our Spirit Wolf
Press collections.

Distributors would be able to generate high profit margins on every
card they sell.  This system would allow those interested to distribute
the collections directly in their area and generate profit margins
equaling those traditionally allocated to commercial distributors.  Our
intention is to enable each of us to regain control over our individual
financial stability, while reaching for our dreams, supporting each
other by sharing the fruits of our labor and working together to
promote the respect and protection of animal spirits and their sacred
habitats.

 

“PATIENCE”—CARTER SPEAKS

My wise man of the woods...

Carter has an unusual way of expressing himself, which I find delightful and provokative. He is a quiet man who thinks a lot. I was telling him pretty much what I posted to all of you last time in my autumn reflection. He wandered downstairs to his computer, and wrote this for me, and I liked it and thought I would share it with you. So, here it is, unedited: Carter speaks!

“Patience. The idea arose in our morning conversation today. Waiting, I think is another word for it. Word’s thesaurus gives “endurance, staying power, tolerance, lack of complaint, persistence, fortitude, serenity” as alternative words.  But none of them capture, for me, the feeling of patience. But, I think tolerant, serene persistence does. Carlos Castaneda’s Juan Metus had much to say about waiting and patience. For don Juan the key was impeccable intent. Impeccability and intent were prevalent in all of his teachings the core of which is “Personal Power”.

 

AUTUMN HARVEST

Ready for Winter

Last night, I took a flashlight out to the pond and gazed into the waters and around the limestone borders. Thanks to our nifty filter, the water is as clear as chardonnay. Two sets of eyes shone in the night: my larger frogs, Green Lips and Green Head (original names, huh?) lurked beneath the overhanging stone shelves, eager for some bugs to come their way.

In this colder weather, the bugs are increasingly scarce—good for me, bad for the frogs. I have been wanting to write about the glory of this new, fresh, fall season for weeks now. I think it was back in early September that I got my first whiff of the season, blown in from somewhere, that fleeting tang in the air that smells like a fermentation of all that was summer.

 

A NEW BOOK CIRCLE

I’m feeling the need for a new book circle. The leaves are falling, the air is getting crisp, and there are days now that are whispering, “Stay inside with some tea today…”

The book I am proposing is one that truly changed my life, my perspective, and my relationship with the natural world. Honest. There are few books out there that have really transformed me, and this is one of them. If you read it, you can’t help but be inspired and transformed (for the better), too.

Our new circle would last seven weeks, beginning November 1st. We’ll read two chapters a week (they are short), and post comments at our own convenience, weekly.

The name of the book is “Reconnecting with Nature,” by Michael Cohen. And it does that—reconnects you in a way I can’t explain, but am humbled by, and in awe of.

The cost of the circle will be $30, which includes two conference calls with the whole group. If you are interested, write to me, or leave a comment at the end of this post. We need a group of at least 10 to make this a going concern. If we get a nice-sized group, I’ll email you all the particulars, including where and how to send payment. Come on! Time for some good reading and sharing with a good group of kindred spirits!

 

Crash: A Cipmunk’s Tale

Crash: the Rainbow Warrior

I’m no masochist, but I get very disturbed when an adult chipmunk makes no effort to sink those long, corn-colored teeth into my fingers when I put my hand around them. This sorry fellow not only made no effort to bite—he made no effort to move, either.

A week ago, while watering plants out front, I noticed Darter the cat paying too much attention to a small rotten piece of wood on grass. Must be a frog or toad, I told myself gently pushing her aside to peek under the old branch. It took me a second or so to realize I was not looking into frog eyes, but into the glassy, tranced-out face of a chipmunk.

 

MYSTERY AND MIRACLES: THE POWER OF LOVE

Weeks ago, Genviev wrote me the following story about a journey of death and rebirth she took with her dog, Zahn. You may remember my post about Genviev, her webite, and the photos of Zahn, her Spirit Wolf.

When I received her story, I wrote back and asked if I could share it with you all. Genviev responded that she needed to give my request some thought. She had considerable fears of being rejected for the story I am about to post for you, and I am humbled and honored that she chose to come forward and say “yes, let your readers know this.” I told Genviev that these were words that our community would treasure and find healing in. Thank you Genviev, for your faith. Here is your story:

 

BUTTON’S GREAT ADVENTURE

Do you remember Button and Squeaky, the two infant house mouse babies I found some weeks ago, squeaking in my garage?  Well, it’s about time I continued their story:

After some days of futzing with an infant feeding syringe that I had to look through a magnifying glass to use correctly (that is, without drowning the mouse babies), Button, Squeaky, and I settled into a fairly harmonious routine. I would wake once in the middle of the night to feed them. During the day, they fed every three hours.

 

I NEED YOUR HELP!

Dear friends: My time has been eaten up this summer trying to redo my website so that my blog and it are “one” and in harmony. It is a frustrating process. I think I have a draft of the thing working. I would be eternally in your debt if you could go to my website (www.susanchernakmcelroy.com) and see if it looks okay or if it is messed up with the photos or the words. Also, I need to know if you can connect to my blog their (a copy of this blog here…) You can post your comments about what you find here.

I  have many stories to tell. (a new chicken family, a baby mourning dove in residence, and my mouse tales, plus new pond goodies!) Just got to get my virtual world in harmony!

 

ANIMAL SPIRITS

Okay, kindred spirits—you asked, and this is the best way I can think to craft this. As a “forum” of sorts, I am creating new categories here on the blog for you to comment in. I’m making my first one for “For Animal Lovers-Comment Here,” and starting with this beautiful message from Jeff. Just jump with your animal/spirit stories under any post in that category. I’ll be making categories for pond lovers, garden lovers, and any other category you suggest to me that you would enjoy.

Up dates on Button’s great adventure coming soon! Now, here is Jeff. Enjoy…

“Susan.

Had to tell you an interesting story.

At my parent’s home (my Mom died in April) I was on a few weeks off and sat reading on the porch.  One day a chicadee comes on the railing 2 feet from me and stares at me and takes off.  Next day the same.   I said “is that you Ma?”, LOL!  as the souls of the dead are traditionally carried on the wings of birds.  one day I wasn’t there the usual time and I looked out and the bird was on my chair.  Next day I was gone all day and came home to find a gift on the porch- the chickadee’s feeder.  On a friday it came again, stared and took off.  The time was 7:35pm- Mom died on a friday at 7:30pm.  Cool!  I am grateful.

Well- in addition to my fish and canary i now have 2 love birds and have been offered a dog- Shiba Imu- so I’ll have to check it out.

Hope you are well.

Thought you might like this from my Celtic prayer book

“I mantle myself in the covering of creatures:

stillness of owl, perception of eagle, humility of wren, speed of horse, strength of bear, courtesy of deer, repose of serpent, silence of mouse, courage of salmon. Nine creatures about me to clothe and protect me, on the ways that I walk.”

from-CELTIC DEVOTIONAL by Caitlin Matthews

peace,

Jeff

 

SPIRIT WOLF

I’d like to introduce you to my friend Genviev, and her companion, the Spirit Wolf. Genviev and I have been in contact for several years, during which she sent me a stunning photo of her hand placed against the Spirit Wolf’s hand. Genviev has now crafted, with the help of Zahn, the Spirit Wolf, a new publishing site where she offers some lovely cards and photos that are so wonderful for musing upon. I’m enclosing her letter to me from Spirit Wolf, and adding them to our community, and our links:

 

SMALL TREASURES—A MOUSE’S JOURNEY

It sounded like a bird chirping. At least that was my first reaction to the squeaking noise that had Darter so intrigued in the garage. She was circling a small metal shelving unit full of Carter’s tools, her feline whiskers flexing in great concentration. I narrowed down the direction of the sound to the right hand corner of the second shelf, and stuck my hand back behind a small, greasy box full of bolts or something, and touched something warm and squirming.

 

DENISE’S LOLA (SUCH A BEAUTY!)

From Denise: “Quick shot of my beloved beast Lola, out for our morning walk…pretty sure she is looking for “chippies!”  Rescued at 4 weeks 8 1/2 years ago, her mother pure Sharpie and father pure Pitt Bull.  The owners of the Sharpie wanted to breed and show when  their female hooked up with another show dog/Pitt Bull-daddy!   At about 4-weeks  2 miles into the Northern woods in an old abandoned car the owners of the Sharpie dumped the puppies?!

 

DENISE’S MINI-POND!

“A giant Good Morning to you and yours!

This is my small home-made pond…it comes inside in the winter and has tall flowering plants, 2 small fish and an occasional frog not too mention the birds!  Your pond is wonderful, thanks for sharing.

I do not know how to put this on your blog site so forgive me for sending it to your personal address.  

 

Ghost Dog

From our friend Kerry:

“Hi Susan:

Occasionally I have wished that there was a way on your blog to start a random thread of connection. Do you know what I mean? A spot to go and see what animal subject is being discussed. The eagle pair sighting, the new grand-dog, dragonflies, the dead dog on the side of the road….

Yesterday I was driving south on the Alaska Highway when out of the corner of my eye as I passed, I glimpsed the smooth side of a white dog lying on its back, headfirst into the ditch, one paw raised in rigor mortis into the air. My stomach lurched.

I really had to get where I was going, but my mind was racing. What can I do?!

 

POND DREAMS

In the beginning, when all the leaves were raked away...

You may have been wondering about my absence here at the blog lately. It’s all the pond’s fault. I’ve been captive to this project for many months now, and it’s just such glorious fun creating this thing that I have a very hard time talking myself into coming indoors to eat, blog, cook, pay bills, whatever. Nothing seems quite as compelling to me as moving big stones around, slopping in muddy water, and wrestling with pond liner.

 

I HAD FAITH…

Faith and Me

…At least, I believe it was Faith in the kennel I carried into the woods. She had changed so much. They all had. A mere two pounds each when I handed them back to Susan months ago, they were five times that size now. Sorting out my three raccoon cubs from the tribe of eight we were to release that day on the border of state forest lands was no easy task, yet by the time the six of us conga-lined into the woods with our kennels (and crabby passengers) at our sides, I believed I had identified Faith, Earnest, and Frank from the other masked bandits.

 

DO YOU REMEMBER FAITH, FRANK, AND EARNEST?

Carter and coons

Sunday is the day! This coming Sunday, I am overjoyed to be a part of the raccoon release party that includes my three “children,” bold Frank, little Faith, and loud Earnest. Their clan includes a total of young eight raccoons, who will be released together in acres of safe woods, running water, and welcoming landowners. Of course, I’ll tell you all about it. Send good wishes their way!