Oh how I needed to read this this morning. I went to bed and woke up with a weariness in my bones at the state of our world. A world where mothers who love their children are nearly frothing at the mouth in defense of another’s woman’s “right” to kill her unborn children. A world where common sense often feels non existent. And I am first to admit I reach for many things to numb and avoid the pain of this world. So I needed this reminder today to slow down and connect. With my little boy and with the earth. We are planting vegetables in raised beds for the first time, and I think today is the perfect day for it. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to your writing every Wednesday. Your words are a gift and I thank you for sharing them.
Thank you so much, Krystal. I think we can all do with some fortification in this nutty world. Enjoy your garden planting, what a wonderful, grounding balm, even better with your little boy.
A fine read. A needed reminder to hold true to one’s core, to stand firm and grounded. Especially now when the world has gone mad. In Late Capitalism, where industry and money have way too much power, the democracies are breaking apart at the seams. It’s a tough show to watch, to experience. But your life recipe, written and shared today, is the only way out.
These words are truly critically important and you are the right person to be writing this. Bravery requires us to be grounded. If we try grand, brave acts but are not grounded we are far more likely to fail or to become hostage to some weakening forces we didn't recognize (hubris). You provide good definitions of grounding here.
Common sense is indeed voiced by radicals, while real food is elitist, women complain about being women, men complain about being men and women accuse them of being toxic. The dystopia rankles. We're fortunate indeed if we reject it out of hand. However the sheer weight of feeling we must fight for our families, communities, or world is exhausting. The struggle hurts.
To slow down, accept truth and allow ourselves to listen to that still, small voice is to ground ourselves.
I work with artists and notice those who reach for too much tight control risk destroying the very beauty of what they originally created. There is a balance and we must find it.
Yes, I think this is such an astute observation. I've seen this, too, where that clenching control can strangle what we are actually trying to protect. And thank you for your kind words, I never used to see being grounded as being especially helpful, but I am most grateful for it now.
Yes, grounding came to me slowly and essentially. Our family needed grounding - to be able to relax, work hard, wake up each morning knowing we’d done good. Work to heal the land, grow food & forests, to make real grounded music. It’s like a patient but firm guiding hand.
Eloquent and honest. So many truths that only those born of a longer pastime could really understand how the paradigm has shifted and longing for what once was while trying to tune out what is. Removing the constants and reverting back to the simple calling to just sit and be outside and appreciate the tiny tokens of God’s simple pleasures to grace us. Trying to make sense of everything that once was, is and will be. Appreciation for the little things and finding peace in the majesty of the little creatures that float by, the wind blowing through the palms and the bee collecting his source. Which brings me back to the moment where I can appreciate and be content for Earth still has it’s most beautiful puzzle pieces amongst all the tragedy that still surrounds us. I choose to tune it out. Keep the tv off, silence the phone and be present for this and now is all we have. Feeling lost and found all at once but appreciating these moments while trying to not be caught in the riptide of the paradigm of the world they are trying to shift towards. I prefer it then and as it is now with the quiet solitude of my yard to grace my body with a light breeze and the sunshine on my face to remind me that these are worth it all.
Beautifully and poignantly said, Felice Ann. What else is there to do that has more meaning than being present to it all for the time we have? I will be outisde, with my face being warmed by the same sun that falls on yours. How wonderful this world is.
Your words and teachings have graced my heart & soul, they keep inviting me to remain present whenever I feel at a loss, get overwhelmed or need to reset. I exit my abode and embrace the sun, and the Blue Jay who collects my lint to help them build their shelter, and am reminded we are all just trying to make sense of it and and not just exist, but deeply yearning that we are all connected to coexist. Or the few that choose so. I grasp and hold tight to knowing all we have is now but give adoration and love for all beings who haves touched my heart in way or another. Each fleeting moment and second, but knowing I can’t hold too tight for where is the joy in that? Balancing both and holding on and letting go at the same time, on repeat. I’ll meet you under the sun tomorrow! You are truly a beam of light in this tough world. Thank you for always showing up with your beautiful words, reminding me that I too feel remnants of your experience even though we are living different story lines we share the same novel. You are cherished. Finding light in the little things.
I love this beautiful essay. I remember when you wrote it on IG. It was so powerful I typed it up & printed it on my wall with the photo of the birds nest. Thank you for sharing the fully layered full essay. You are one of the only people on the internet that makes any sense to me!
Thoreau: “A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.”
Gandhi: "There is more to life than increasing its speed."
Wise, simple words, from a past era. Something to aspire to, as I go about each day, and celebrate each successive year of being here.
I live in gratitude, living at 7,500 ft. in elevation (and having another 7,000 available, if one wants to hike or climb!) to be inspired often by those simple gifts of Nature, from cloudscapes, to raptors, to sunsets and elk walking the town streets at will.
As I squat down With my bear feet on the soil and my bear hands digging to plant , dirt under my fingernails, im a child of nature again , she comforts me and as she brings new life forward so she also brings beautiful hope… Thank you always for your truth and grounding. Hugs precious lady
I must know about this statue--- dare I ask? Is she a half woman, half cow, with a face mask and gloves on? Did this stand before the "pandemic" or is it new? I have so many questions!
Mmmhmmm.. isn't she interesting? She was this huge statue that we came upon when adventuring through southern Germany. I can't remember what town she was in. This was about ten or so years ago now so well before Covid, but an unsettling image that may just be as appropriate today?
Beautifully written. People may be more open to have these conversations now than a few months ago and hopefully some of our relationships can move forward again.
I hope that's the case, Connie. I think as more things bubble to the surface and the cards are shown, more and more people are starting to understand there's more here than the allowable narrative.
My question would be about our new dairy cow! Here is the question: is there a way to cleanse a cow’s gut more quickly than simply having them on fresh pasture?
Background: We bought her from a local dairy and she is certified A2/A2. We have noticed that her diet while at that dairy seems to have messed with her gut health, she was fed hay and fermented silage while in a space with many other cows as you usually find at dairy operations. We have had her for about a month. Since she calves about 2 weeks ago we have her on fresh pasture and her milk has a funny odor and she also has very loose stool.
Oh how I needed to read this this morning. I went to bed and woke up with a weariness in my bones at the state of our world. A world where mothers who love their children are nearly frothing at the mouth in defense of another’s woman’s “right” to kill her unborn children. A world where common sense often feels non existent. And I am first to admit I reach for many things to numb and avoid the pain of this world. So I needed this reminder today to slow down and connect. With my little boy and with the earth. We are planting vegetables in raised beds for the first time, and I think today is the perfect day for it. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to your writing every Wednesday. Your words are a gift and I thank you for sharing them.
Thank you so much, Krystal. I think we can all do with some fortification in this nutty world. Enjoy your garden planting, what a wonderful, grounding balm, even better with your little boy.
A fine read. A needed reminder to hold true to one’s core, to stand firm and grounded. Especially now when the world has gone mad. In Late Capitalism, where industry and money have way too much power, the democracies are breaking apart at the seams. It’s a tough show to watch, to experience. But your life recipe, written and shared today, is the only way out.
Thank you, Louisa. It is tough to be witness to it all, but we're here so that's gotta' mean something. :)
These words are truly critically important and you are the right person to be writing this. Bravery requires us to be grounded. If we try grand, brave acts but are not grounded we are far more likely to fail or to become hostage to some weakening forces we didn't recognize (hubris). You provide good definitions of grounding here.
Common sense is indeed voiced by radicals, while real food is elitist, women complain about being women, men complain about being men and women accuse them of being toxic. The dystopia rankles. We're fortunate indeed if we reject it out of hand. However the sheer weight of feeling we must fight for our families, communities, or world is exhausting. The struggle hurts.
To slow down, accept truth and allow ourselves to listen to that still, small voice is to ground ourselves.
I work with artists and notice those who reach for too much tight control risk destroying the very beauty of what they originally created. There is a balance and we must find it.
Yes, I think this is such an astute observation. I've seen this, too, where that clenching control can strangle what we are actually trying to protect. And thank you for your kind words, I never used to see being grounded as being especially helpful, but I am most grateful for it now.
Yes, grounding came to me slowly and essentially. Our family needed grounding - to be able to relax, work hard, wake up each morning knowing we’d done good. Work to heal the land, grow food & forests, to make real grounded music. It’s like a patient but firm guiding hand.
Eloquent and honest. So many truths that only those born of a longer pastime could really understand how the paradigm has shifted and longing for what once was while trying to tune out what is. Removing the constants and reverting back to the simple calling to just sit and be outside and appreciate the tiny tokens of God’s simple pleasures to grace us. Trying to make sense of everything that once was, is and will be. Appreciation for the little things and finding peace in the majesty of the little creatures that float by, the wind blowing through the palms and the bee collecting his source. Which brings me back to the moment where I can appreciate and be content for Earth still has it’s most beautiful puzzle pieces amongst all the tragedy that still surrounds us. I choose to tune it out. Keep the tv off, silence the phone and be present for this and now is all we have. Feeling lost and found all at once but appreciating these moments while trying to not be caught in the riptide of the paradigm of the world they are trying to shift towards. I prefer it then and as it is now with the quiet solitude of my yard to grace my body with a light breeze and the sunshine on my face to remind me that these are worth it all.
Beautifully and poignantly said, Felice Ann. What else is there to do that has more meaning than being present to it all for the time we have? I will be outisde, with my face being warmed by the same sun that falls on yours. How wonderful this world is.
Your words and teachings have graced my heart & soul, they keep inviting me to remain present whenever I feel at a loss, get overwhelmed or need to reset. I exit my abode and embrace the sun, and the Blue Jay who collects my lint to help them build their shelter, and am reminded we are all just trying to make sense of it and and not just exist, but deeply yearning that we are all connected to coexist. Or the few that choose so. I grasp and hold tight to knowing all we have is now but give adoration and love for all beings who haves touched my heart in way or another. Each fleeting moment and second, but knowing I can’t hold too tight for where is the joy in that? Balancing both and holding on and letting go at the same time, on repeat. I’ll meet you under the sun tomorrow! You are truly a beam of light in this tough world. Thank you for always showing up with your beautiful words, reminding me that I too feel remnants of your experience even though we are living different story lines we share the same novel. You are cherished. Finding light in the little things.
I love this beautiful essay. I remember when you wrote it on IG. It was so powerful I typed it up & printed it on my wall with the photo of the birds nest. Thank you for sharing the fully layered full essay. You are one of the only people on the internet that makes any sense to me!
Thank you, Christina. What an honour.
We're also the "gateway town" to Rocky Mt. Nat'l. Park, so there's lots more critters around - it is spectacular!!
Amen...or is it A-women or A-person nowadays?! I'm going to share your poignant and timely words with my masculine husband!
haha definitely still Amen for all with a single thinking brain cell :)
Thank you, as always, Tara!
Two of my favorite humans said this...
Thoreau: “A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.”
Gandhi: "There is more to life than increasing its speed."
Wise, simple words, from a past era. Something to aspire to, as I go about each day, and celebrate each successive year of being here.
I live in gratitude, living at 7,500 ft. in elevation (and having another 7,000 available, if one wants to hike or climb!) to be inspired often by those simple gifts of Nature, from cloudscapes, to raptors, to sunsets and elk walking the town streets at will.
Have a Blessed day!
Beautiful quotes and oh how I would love for an elk to walk by me on the road. I've had moose in a front yard, that's a thing worth seeing too :)
As I squat down With my bear feet on the soil and my bear hands digging to plant , dirt under my fingernails, im a child of nature again , she comforts me and as she brings new life forward so she also brings beautiful hope… Thank you always for your truth and grounding. Hugs precious lady
Beautiful! xox
You are capable of articulating so many of my jumbled thoughts. Thank you Tara.
Thank you, that's a fine compliment.
Beautiful. So inspired. Wado (Thank you).
I must know about this statue--- dare I ask? Is she a half woman, half cow, with a face mask and gloves on? Did this stand before the "pandemic" or is it new? I have so many questions!
Mmmhmmm.. isn't she interesting? She was this huge statue that we came upon when adventuring through southern Germany. I can't remember what town she was in. This was about ten or so years ago now so well before Covid, but an unsettling image that may just be as appropriate today?
Wow, that is quite unsettling, especially given the timing....Things keep getting (what did Alice say?)-- curiouser and curiouser!!!
Wonderful essay Tara. Thank you for this today. Courage, dear heart.
Thank you, Lauren.
Beautifully written truth.
Thank you, Natalie.
Beautifully written. People may be more open to have these conversations now than a few months ago and hopefully some of our relationships can move forward again.
I hope that's the case, Connie. I think as more things bubble to the surface and the cards are shown, more and more people are starting to understand there's more here than the allowable narrative.
Shivers and cheering!! I feel full after your words…
Exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻
Thank you, Charissa.
My question would be about our new dairy cow! Here is the question: is there a way to cleanse a cow’s gut more quickly than simply having them on fresh pasture?
Background: We bought her from a local dairy and she is certified A2/A2. We have noticed that her diet while at that dairy seems to have messed with her gut health, she was fed hay and fermented silage while in a space with many other cows as you usually find at dairy operations. We have had her for about a month. Since she calves about 2 weeks ago we have her on fresh pasture and her milk has a funny odor and she also has very loose stool.