From my journal of positive aspects–focusing on what has sustained me throughout the year 2020–perfect vision, and what a vision descended upon us!
The last day of December is warm–64F. I’m ready for the trail which I run everyday, and I’m thinking about food. The gardens produced abundantly this year and kept us nourished: squash, squash leaves, squash flowers, potatoes, green beans, mustard greens, mushrooms, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, arugula, kale, okra, then fruit trees–figs, pears, cherries, and lots of berries–black, blue, and wineberries. I couldn’t be more thankful.
Deer got so used to seeing me that they stopped moving away from my yard or trail when I’d appear. So I took their pictures in different poses. I have about 300 deer pictures. Their trust warmed my heart and reset my world.
Two little ones were born in my backyard and that gave me a lot of joy. In spite of what was going on in the human world–COVID-19, riots, then presidential elections–the deer world was at peace and thriving. Couldn’t care less and got busy increasing their population, which perhaps led them to start eating my cherry tomatoes including the leaves. There I was thinking of Trophic Cascade, how else to explain their altered food choice? I was torn between introducing myself as a predator and eating a deer or two (for a balanced ecosystem that would not strain the primary producers) or to simply plant more tomatoes.
In Spring and through Summer, an Eastern rat snake took up residence in my exterior wall. It was a marvel to watch it come out each day to sunbathe and feed. One time, I was on my back porch soaking up the sun when I heard a pitter-patter pat behind me. So gentle I did not even turn around. When it persisted, I glanced back and there was Missy (I named her) claiming my porch for herself. What to do? I moved to the front of the house while she wove her body around the rails. That’s how we coexisted for months (Missy at the back, Midi at the front porch), until winter separated us. I wonder if she thinks about me while I think of her.
Some of my writing bore fruit–poetry and nonfiction. My beloved thinks it had to do with Missy’s charm–fertility, productivity, creativity, transmutation, rebirth, healing…
Full moon(s). In the past, I’ve enjoyed taking pictures of sunsets and sunrise in various locations.
This year, perhaps because I postponed all travel, I found myself observing the moon, trying to get good shots–this is hard to do with a cellphone–and writing poems that have to do with wolves howling into the moon. It’s a calming experience.
Still, I have about 600 sunsets taken this year. I added a new interest–photographing clouds!
Also, praying mantis–it’s awesome to watch this creature catching and consuming prey.
This bear cub struts around my house and then checks out the compost. Big lesson–don’t put pineapple peels in the compost or you’ll be reconstructing a new one.
Whenever I see a turkey on the porch, I know it’s dropping me some feathers. Very generous.
May 2021 be good to us.
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