Well then, Happy New Year! It always gives me a sense of starting upon a new Journey when the Seasons change, and when the days start to become longer. Although we are having many real Winter moments of snow mixed with rain (we usually get mostly rain here in Oregon), I feel a freshness in my Spirit and am looking forward to each new moment with a spring in my step. I have a strong feeling that this year will bring many new changes around the Earth, and some will not be so good. Yet I am ready to walk forth with courage and am up to the sometimes overwhelming challenges we will need to face, and I shall keep my faith that we can save the wild places and creatures that the creator has placed beside and around us. I wish to explore this planet, and it is my goal to travel to new and beautiful places, enjoying many new adventures.

As I look back I am reminded of how far I have come in the past year, and this serves to encourage me to set new goals. Although I am still young, I am the Matron of my family and my actions serve to create a certain positive energy which flows to all of my family members. This is a great responsibility, yet there are so many teachings yet to evolve, and in these uncertain times we need to all be aware of what is at stake on this planet as a result from our actions. We cannot sit back and let fate just take its course… it is up to each of us to put forth our intentions in a good way and follow through. My warrior spirit guides me to honour and protect those around me, and I can do no less.

Human beings tend to fall into the trap of focusing inward, which is good at times to keep our bodies and spirits in balance, yet we need to focus on the world and happenings around us in order to help create the positive changes which will help us grow and develop as human beings. We all have choices to make as our path unfolds, and sometimes it is vital to take the harder path in order to encourage others to follow suit in honoring this planet and all her gifts. There is much peril and danger unfolding for humans as well as all the living beings that inhabit this world. Keeping our eyes open and our senses aware of the changes around us may spell the difference between life and death, or circumstances which are totally unacceptable to live with.

I will, as always, keep my thoughts and actions positive. In doing so I will be doing my own small part in creating a world in which Life on this planet is worth living. I will be aware of my surroundings and that which I am called forth to do in helping to restore the Balance. There will always be the good and the bad, the Ying and the Yang, as this is what the Balance means. Yet I am hopeful in bringing back the balance on this beautiful Mother Earth, as the balance has become distorted and there is more bad than good at this time. I do not wish to see this planet as only bad to help the Balance elsewhere in the Universe, as this is home to many billions of creatures who need to survive in a good way. We can all do our part if we set our minds and hearts to this task, as honourable stewards of this planet, before it is too late and the Earth decides to take matters fully into her own actions of cleansing.

So today I wish to set forth my intentions of staying alert to the changes around me, and stepping forth on my path with a good heart. I shall honour the true friends I meet as they help to Light my Path. May we each honour the Earth and walk softly on this wondrous and Sacred gift of a planet we have been placed upon to call home for such a short time. May each moment create a new feeling of Love for our fellow beings, and let us walk forth with excitement for just being alive!

Pilamaye,

Teri
~

When you look around you, what do you see? Do you like what you see? It depends upon what your view reveals. Some places on this Earth are still wild and beautiful. And in some places, humans have managed to place their mark in a balanced way, which does not detract from the earth’s beauty. In others, our incredible Mother Earth is being systematically fouled and destroyed. I strive to find the beauty in all things, as surely the creator intended, yet sometimes it is very hard to find that which is disappearing so rapidly.

It is sad, and although I do my best to create positive changes in my own small way, some days I feel just a bit defeated. I know it is important to keep those positive thoughts flowing, so the energy that surrounds us is good, yet it takes so much courage to withstand the darkness in this world. I will continue to nurture, protect, and teach those who connect with my sphere of influence until my dying breath. I am a warrior, after all, and it is what I do.

I would like to share a video which gave me goosebumps, in looking at the different places and beings which make up this planet we call Earth. What do you see?

I have had a rough few days, experiencing a terrible migraine which lasted nearly 2.5 days. Of course one of my most lucid thoughts during this dark period was.. how grateful I would feel just to look at the beauty which surrounds us in nature, and give thanks for my life. Such misery seems to make me that much more thankful for all of my blessings, no matter how small they may seem. I take nothing for granted, and count myself very lucky to walk in good health. If I must suffer the occasional terrible pain to remind me of just how lucky I am, then so be it. I will never forget that pain, and will treasure the moments I am free from it.

Yet again I am searching for beautiful and wondrous places on this Earth to share as I venture forth on my quest. I rediscovered a site dedicated to the Beauty and Art that can be found on this planet and beyond. I would like to take this moment to share a couple of images which caught my eye, as they are simply wondrous. These “fire rainbows” are true natural phenomenons that do occur through very special and rare circumstances. Although they appear mystical, they truly are real, and are actually scientifically documented. How I would love to witness such a fantastic and lovely occurance in person!

If you would like to learn more, and view some more of these incredible fire rainbows, I would be happy to direct you to Beauty of Earth.. ArtsOnEarth.com, as I must give credit for this wondrous find, where it is due. You will be glad to visit such a site full of the Art this Earth provides, free of charge, in all that is beautiful in nature as the Creator intended. Enjoy!

Summer in Oregon was quite unusual this year. Although I love all seasons, I truly feel this summer was not a true summer as I remember in past years. Not only did it hail in June, just the week before that it soared up to nearly 100 degrees! Then we proceeded to jump between seasons all summer long. Although we did experience several heat waves, which lasted a few days here and there, I must admit to noticing the confusion in my garden. My plants and flowers, although healthy, were not as profuse as previous summers.

Nevertheless, my daughter S and I enjoyed many precious moments amongst the green and colourful space we created. In this we have succeeded in creating our own healthy, personal environment. This is where we would escape to when we just wanted to enjoy peaceful moments, either reading, sharing a meal, beading, playing games, studying and completing homeschool assignments, practicing Qigong (a healing art for inner health and vitality), sharing stories and Dreams, or simply sitting quietly enjoying a lovely sunset. As always, we invited nature’s fairy creatures to visit our garden, so the energy was very sweet. Truly our garden is a place to find peace and tranquility in a life full of unsettling challenges.

We all need a quiet place in which to find our inner peace, and help us to focus on the important things in life. Too many things occur which serve to unsettle us, and bring anxiety and stress, which can lead to dis-ease and illness. It is so important to create or find our own space in which to absorb positive energy, while releasing negative energy, sending it to where it will disperse safely into the universe without harming others. This is a good time to remember our blessings, dwelling upon that which is good in our lives. We can then set goals and visualize all we wish to manifest in the now, as well as the future. It does no good to dwell upon the past, so why waste precious time? All there ever is, is now, so let’s just make the best of it!

Gardening Tip

Have you got a great natural gardening tip to share? I do! I would like to share a tip I learned from my grandmother many years ago. Try adding gelatin to your plant water. I usually add 1/2 tsp to a half gallon container or 1 tsp to a gallon container of water. I like to water with this delightful treat twice a month… your plants will simply love it!

What I find most interesting on this planet is the natural scenery. For some reason I am fascinated with the beauty I find all around me in nature. Perhaps this is why I find it so distressing to see such wanton disrespect for the natural world. When I travel through the forest and river paths I am filled with such wonder and a certain exhilaration. To think of the scope of brilliance and imagination that went into creating this earth is absolutely amazing. The science in nature is abundantly brilliant! I just wish to capture each breathtaking scene to the smallest detail. First with my eyes and my senses, then with my camera to share with others, and to remind myself at a later time of my finest moments traveling along the Earthly paths.

One of my dreams is to visit the homelands of my ancestors… Ireland. I want to visit the green Isle and really see it from the locals point of view. Tourists may visit key attractions, but I am an explorer by heart, and wish to adventure ‘off the beaten path’, so to speak. I believe I would have to actually live there for a few years to see for myself what wonders the lands hold in store for me, and to even come close to satisfying my curiosity. Ireland is a land full of mystery, as well as a rich culture and history. I know for certain that I will attain my dream of visiting the mysterious places of my ancestors in this lifetime, and I am very excited to hold this dream close to my heart.

For now, I will indulge in viewing the stunning countryside through the eyes of a friend, and brilliant photographer, Jordan Clemments. The images in this post are courtesy of Jordan from his website at Irishviews.com.

Today I would like to share those moments which take my breath away, as posted at my sweet new blog Lavender ‘N Chocolate. To me, Life on this earth is a total virtual experience, as I believe our Spirits truly dwell in another existence and this is just a small part of our education and what we take with us is entirely up to us…

Some days we are especially reminded of what is most important to us in this earthly Life. Seeing the headlines reporting on the deadly storms bombarding the coastlines and islands in their paths makes me want to hold my loved ones close and thank the goddess for all our blessings. Keeping our family and friends in our hearts, thoughts and deeds are the most important aspects of living. We are rich in many ways, which have nothing to do with money, clothes and fancy cars. My little S presents the greatest of challenges in parenthood, yet she brings such Joy to my heart. She can try my patience to the very limits (and I am a VERY patient person most days), yet she has a special gift of Wisdom in which mere glimpses are emerging.

She gifted me a tiny plaque for my birthday which now has a place of honor on my desk to remind me of why my little ones are so very important to me. It says…

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away”

This is true in so many ways! It amazes me to watch my family grow, and develop into fine human beings. As the matriarch of this family, I stand in a place of honor. From babyhood to adulthood, I have experienced many ups and downs, yet the good far surpasses the bad. I have raised my children without a partner, yet I feel so accomplished when I see the goodness and values I am instilling within my children and their children as well. There is no greater reward than knowing these beings will carry on all that is good inside me to future generations.

As Family and Nature represent that which is dearest to me, I chose the picture above to show clearly that which takes my breath away. To watch my little one growing into a beautiful young Lady, inside and out, takes my breath away. When my little S looks at me with her big brown eyes and says ‘I Love You Mama’, her words enter my heart and take my breath away. What more can a Lady ask for?

Essence of Mother Earth

*Note – Please do not copy without the express permision from the Author.

We have experienced a very strange Spring here in Oregon. Just last week, as odd as it seems, we had some truly strong hailstorms which actually covered the ground solid and instantly soaked those caught in the freakiness of it. Luckily we were indoors when it did occur, yet could see some unfortunate folks scrambling for shelter, totally unprepared.

Well, even though it had started to warm up just enough to turn our heat completely off, it took us by suprise to pop on up to 98.5 degrees in no time at all. Usually we get some wonderfully perfect days just above or below 80 degrees this time of year and it is such a lovely time to walk through our sweet little town to the river, enjoying all the Spring blossoms. What a shock to simply wish to drive to the river and cool off. Unfortunately the river was quite swift, and higher than we have ever seen it. The instant meltoff was creating quite the flow, which made it too dangerous to do much more than stick our feet in and experience the coolness of the rivers edge. Actually I felt it was quite beautiful and exciting just to be near one of Natures wondrous life-givers, as rivers are so very special. The energy and power was simply amazing to behold!

Needless to say, we did walk a little, my daughter, grandson and I. We brought our sweet little chihuahua, Canela and walked along the river to enjoy the freshness brought on by the spring run-off. We are quite happy to prepare for a very warm Summer, and will have the air conditioner installed as soon as possible. We love to camp, swim and explore, so we are truly looking forward to our outdoor fun! Meanwhile, I thank Mother Nature for the warning and for giving us a little taste of Sunshine.

You would measure time, the measureless and the immeasurable. You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons. Yet the timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness and knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.

That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.

Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless? And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being and moving not from love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds.

Is not time even as love is? Undivided and paceless? But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons and let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.

Enjoy that in time which has been given to you.