Tag Archive for nature

You Otter Try It

The ocean is beautiful! We go once in awhile for a short 45-minute trip there for lunch on the wharf and discussions with the wildlife–birds, sea critters, and people. Recently I was captivated by a young sea otter who relaxed on the pier’s supports while Mom brought him lunch, then snoozed between attempts at exercising his vocal cords. My friend Christine Murphy, who was more than handy with a camera, took the picture below. No matter how tired or stressed I am, it’s amazing how little episodes in nature like this can refresh me, pulling me out of myself and back into this wonderful world I’m such a small part of.

Open Up Your Senses

Summer is here! No school. Vacation. More sunshine and, hopefully, less stress. More outings with the family. It’s an excellent time to be thankful for all we have. Like our senses. They allow us to enjoy life and, if we’re open, experience the God of our belief all around us. The embracing warmth of sunshine. The calming fragrance of Jasmine. The sea’s salty tang on our tongues, reminding us of friendship and brotherhood. The humbling sight of a giant redwood. The call of the crane to freedom. And that feeling we get when we relax in our favorite garden spot and allow our surroundings to envelop us. Nature is a wonderful gift. We should always appreciate it, respect it, and protect it.

Relax with Dakuwaqa’s Garden

During this cyber-shopping/black [name a day] shopping week, are you experiencing stress and frustration?  Take a little time to relax.  Click on this video and enjoy five minutes of underwater spectacle that most of us will never see in person.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/mcbHKAWIk3I

Who Actually Needs Church?

A person may not really need to attend church, but if they attend as a family they’re giving their kids an advantage apart from religion. If not church, then family time for meditation or spent out in nature. Many studies have shown that kids who grow up in families that spent time together in quiet reflection or attended weekly church services were 18% happier in their twenties than their peers who did not have that experience. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, young and teenage children raised with spirituality or religion grow up having better mental health and are less likely to suffer depression and substance abuse. They have better life satisfaction, are more able  to handle adversity, and  they even have fewer sexually transmitted diseases.

I personally know what a difference a little “down time” can make in my otherwise hectic life. Starting my day with quiet reflection seems to make life’s bumps a little smoother, more tolerable. I can understand why experiencing this as a family on a regular basis can be a good start for kids.

Try it. You may very well like it. You’ll like the benefits even more when your kids grow up.

Three Dogs and a Bird–Their Day

Kaya and Sargent, and my African Grey parrot, Max.  Why?  It’s the 12th Annual National Pet Day.  The dogs give me unconditional love, devotion, and protection from solicitors and bad buys who dare even think about coming to my home.  (The bird even barks!) All of them make me laugh  at times when I need it, comfort me in my “down” times, remind me of the  beauty and diversity of Nature, and drive away the loneliness that sometimes creeps into my life. All they ask in return is food, water, and some play-time with their human.

To them–and to all of your pets–I wish a happy National Pet Day.

 

Get Outside NOW!

Being out in nature is good for our minds, bodies, and spirits.  We know that.  But there’s no place close to where I live.

Wrong.  Let the Nature Conservancy tell you where beautiful, soul-refreshing nature preserves are in your area.  Go to Explore Nature in Your  Area, choose your state from the drop-down  menu just above the word “Features” in green, and find the natural wealth in your own backyard.

Then…get outside and enjoy!

Three Dogs and a Bird, On their Day

Today I  give special loving attention to my dog, Riley, my grand-dogs, Kaya and Sargent, and my African Grey parrot, Max.  Why?  It’s the 11th National Pet Day.  The dogs give me unconditional love, devotion, and protection from solicitors and bad buys who dare even think about coming to my home.  All of them make me laugh  at times when I need it, comfort me in my “down” times, remind me of the  beauty and diversity of Nature, and drive away the loneliness that sometimes creep into my life. All they ask in return is food, water, and some play-time with their human.

To them–and to all of your pets–I wish a happy National Pet Day.

 

A Personal “Sensible Saturday”

I call these days “Sensible Saturdays” and normally offer you an idea about how to do things in your everyday life to help our planet.  Obviously, I ‘m concerned about our earthly home.  But I also draw a lot of pleasure and strength from Nature.

I’ve recently suffered a great loss in my life–that’s why the tone in my blogs have been more serious of late, and why I’ve skipped some days from my normal Mon. through Sat. posting.  After the initial grieving, though, I went back to the place from which I draw comfort, Nature, to feel the sun and beating rain, admire my trees and flowers, and even forgive the critters digging up my lawn looking for grubs to eat.

Today, then, I offer you a reminder of the power of nature and something to remember when disruption hits your life.

 

Natural Decor

Decorate your home with nature, not plastic.  Use leaves, pine cones, etc. from your yard; potted plants that will last or become gifts; centerpieces of vegetables and fruits (eat them   later!).Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]

A Natural Solution to the Mid East Dilemma

I heard something on the news yesterday about the Middle East, that it’s heating up so rapidly that eventually humans won’t be able to live there.

Then I thought about the loooooooong, dehumanizing war there over rightful–and God-given–land ownership.

It made me think: politicians and heads of state can’t resolve the issue; I wonder if Nature will.  And, for those who believe in God and that the earth is in His real estate portfolio (both sides do), would that mean that the Big Guy is stepping in to remind the combatants that  they were all once one tribe and that the land doesn’t really belong to either of them?

Just wondering.