It is not always sunny on Sunshine Lane. Last night we noticed Bert’s right wing was not working well. She falls over so often that we think she injured herself, or maybe that is why she was found on the ground in the first place. We went to bed feeling sad. But today she has a little more mobility, so maybe she will heal. She is maturing, each day she does new things. She has been chirping and chipping, climbing, moving all around spastically. She spends most of the time in her house. We don’t want to injure her further, so we are trying not to right her when we find her on her back, she does eventually flip back. She loves however to be out of the cage. She chirps and preens and fluffs and is freaking adorable. Today’s video shows the highs and lows of her daily experiences. Regardless, Ruby and I decided no matter what happens with her, we feel lucky to have been able to extend her life and enjoy her. Tom has not gotten attached.

In other news, Ruby cut my hair. She used the clippers. It looks great considering our various handicaps.

BodyMindSpirit

The waxing moon increases the reflection of light, almost Crescent

Our daily 5-minute meditation.

Meditation

Show up to Love and fear, be open, present, show up to what is. When we meet ourselves at our center, our now, for this moment we are free. Pack a new bag, bring our best, leaving our shadow to be what it is, in peace. The truth need not be cruel. Walk forward in a state of grace, free from the bondage our past and future.

Poem

The moon- expanding, hopes, wishes, adjusting, aligning

“If you want to know your past, look at your present. If you want to know your future, look at your present” -Buddha

Before we get to Whoopsie’s, today Roberto and crew came and cleared a bunch of blackberries, and dug up sod for the raspberry beds and short 2 rows of corn. We went to the garden store for compost and topsoil, then planted a row of raspberries.

Berty had a few whoopsie daisies. She continually face plants or throws herself onto her back. And then there was the time she got her wings caught in the gate of her house. I feel like she is constantly trying to escape us, but isn’t capable. Her right wing is wonky, which might be why she couldn’t fledge. I read that the range of hummingbirds making it from hatching to full feathering is 17% to 59%. Thems not good odds. Fingers crossed she has just not grown into her flying potential.

Pino finally discovered her. She was in her house on the kitchen table when we heard Tom yelling. We ran to find Pino pushing her cage across the table in full tilt kill mode. He does not understand why he cannot have her. Now we keep her in places he can’t get to.

BodyMindSpirit

Our daily 5-minute meditation.

Waxing moon increasing in light moving toward crescent

Meditation

We bring patience as the new is being revealed.
Expanding with the light.
Our dark corners, our shadow wants Love too.

Poem

Slick
Falling into the dark

We had mixed sunshine and rain here today. It is great to have the rain as we have lots of new plants. We made a carrot cake, and soup. But none of that mattered because it continues to be about Bert. Turns out she is great at not doing puzzles or helping with baking. She excels at needing to be fed, which is at least every 30 minutes during waking times, with no more than 2 hours between feedings at night. We ty ty.

Time for TV. But before we tune out, lets tune in…

BodyMindSpirit

Waxing moon increasing in light moving toward crescent.
Our daily 5-minute meditation.

The new moon offers us a fresh start.

Meditation…

What will we take on our journey? What will we leave behind?
We bring our fire, passion, power & wisdom.
We bring all that comes from love.
Gently thank all we are leaving behind, remembering where we came from with gratitude.

Poem

The moon whispers
Kisses the treetops
As we say good night to the day

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V33

Of course, it’s all still about Bert. It was a busy day for us. Bert had a lot of firsts- she took a car ride, got a new house, took a bath, played cards, face planted about 20 times. She also flips over onto her back and is unable to right herself. Sometimes we walk past her and she’s just lying there on her back staring at us.

We brought her to a local pet store who rescues a lot of animals. We got some good advice and a hamster cage that we made a few alterations to for a house. It’s a total upgrade from the dark shoebox. She is still being fed 50 million times a day, and I now remember what it feels like to be a sleep deprived new mother. It’s a good thing she’s cute.
In other good news, Pino has yet to discover Bert.

Meanwhile, it’s a new moon.

BodyMindSpirit

New Moon:  The dawn of a new cycle, set intentions for the month as the Sun and Moon are in alignment.

Our daily 5-minute meditation.

Meditation

We’re on a Hero’s journey, starting something new. Let’s sit in recognition that we are not simple, and that we benefit when we start from Love. With the dark we feel and hear deeply. Listen.

Poem

Silently present
Welcoming the new

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V32

Life right now on Sunshine Lane is all about Bert, and Ruby who is visiting. But mostly Bert, who gets fed 50 million times a day. Bert’s diet currently consists of sugar water and ground meal worms, with a touch of cricket. Bert is an Anna’s Hummingbird and she really, really wants to fly but still can’t quite do it. She is fragile and tough. We’re all in Love.

Hummingbird facts:

• Their heart rate is more than 1,200 beats per minute.
• They consumes about half of its weight in sugar daily, and the average hummingbird feeds five to eight times per hour. They also eat small insects and spiders.
• Their wings beat between 50 and 200 flaps per second depending on the direction of flight.
• At rest, a hummingbird takes an average of 250 breaths per minute.
• They live 3-12 years.

BodyMindSpirit

So now we’ve come full circle. The Waning Balsamic Moon is New tomorrow.

Our daily 5-minute meditation.

Meditation

There are rich experiences both in both shadow and light. It’s all about actively balancing our existence in the world. Stay aware of the shadow but focus on the light.

Poem

The Sun and I are partners gliding across the Sky at different rates.
Tonight we set at the same time.
Gracefully, we set together.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V31

OMG, Squeal! Baby Hummingbird! Squeal!
Our neighbor brought it over, they found at the base of a 100’ evergreen tree. They know a I’m sucker for babies. Now I’m its mama. I think it was trying to fledge but can’t fly yet. We went to the scene and looked up to see if there was a nest, the closet branch is 25’ up. Returning it isn’t an option, not that we saw a nest. Ruby arrived just after finding her and we’ve been feeding her sugar water nectar all afternoon. Her name is Bert. She wants to fly so badly, but just can’t yet. Every 2 hours Bert needs to be fed. I think I’ll make it through 1 night. Wish us luck.

BodyMindSpirit

Our daily 5-minute meditation. The Waning Balsamic Moon moves toward darkness.

Meditation…

There is nothing to do
release expectations
accept what is
sit, listen, feel, breathe
just be

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V30

This morning we zoomed a few times with lots of family, it was lovely. We also spent time transplanting baby tomatoes and peppers. Some went directly into the ground, others into bigger pots. We lost a few seedlings that were planted too early so we’re being more careful with this next round.

Meditating earlier, Pino was insistent on continual attention. He’s adorable, so it was my pleasure. He purred his thanks.

As mentioned, our attention is the thread of our power. Our personal, emotional and energetic power. What we focus on, where our attention is positioned, determines what has our power. This effects our well-being, our happiness, our sovereignty. Right now, in quarantine, our personal power may feel like its the only thing we have control over. So use it wisely. Yes. it’s work to own our power, it takes continual care and presence of mind. It’s simpler to give it away.

It’s also easy right now to focus on the theater of politics, or the pandemic. We’re told we need to stay informed. But how often? And what benefits does that bring if there is no action to be taken other than to stay home? More likely its sucks our power and keeps us in a state of chaotic angst.

To be clear, we either own our power or give it to something else. We can still acknowledge the craziness all around, without it owning us. Stay sane, stay in your lane.

BodyMindSpirit

Our daily 5-minute meditation. The Waning Balsamic Moon moves toward darkness.

Meditation

With clarity, we feel the power and the glory of our connection to spirit. As we speak from our hearts, we open our minds to the power of the collective Love that is the Universe. Today we touch the Universe.
Hear it sing.

Poem

Back to a sliver
an opening to the Universe
climb in

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V29

Today We Napped

It felt like a holiday waking up to rain. Crazy as it may sound living in the Northwest where its wet a lot. We’ve been spending a lot of time outside attending to the property and the rain felt like an excuse to stay in. I chopped a little wood, made a fire and cozied up on the couch with a book. The sun came out and I did a good job of ignoring it.

BodyMindSpirit

Our daily 5-minute meditation. Waning Moon is Balsamic.

Preamble

We are intrepid travelers, chased by shadows. Release any ideals that keeps us in the past.

Meditation

Look at the bounty we bring forward.
In all things great and small we see the beauty of the divine expression.
Gratitude, always.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V28

It was a bit gray today, partially due to a new discovery. Remember those beautiful straight poplar sticks I lovingly cut and stacked for future creative use? Well, they’ve all developed unexpected growth. Apparently, I cut them a little too late in the season. I’m not sure what to do with them now other than make very tall budded arrangements.

Speaking of unexpected growths. I am reminded of the cinematic, yet sexist, masterpiece “Dude, Where’s My Car”. Sexists and hilarious. In one scene, Dude and Sweet encounter female aliens. Dude says “Guys…” and an alien responds, “We are not Guys…We are Hot chicks”. I had been thinking about unexpected growths and ticks. Ticks rhymes with Chicks, and Dude where’s my car was a natural segue …

Many of you know, I am part tick. For those unfamiliar with my tickness, I’ll try to be brief. On a trip to see the little family in Lisbon a few years ago, we ventured into the Portuguese countryside. Where unbeknownst to me, a tick become intimate with my torso. Some days later I found it while showering. At first, I thought it was an enflamed mole or growth. Then it moved. The CDC website said, pull it out. So I did. The body came out, but the legs stayed fully engaged. I went to a clinic, they worked on removing the appendages until they decided they were doing more harm than good. They crossed themselves and me, then sent me on my way, with antibiotics. For a year or so, Limbs the tick (of course I named it), was visible. Although over time, Limbs slowly faded into me. Thus, making me part tick. Slick trick tick; more rhymes.

Now if I could only remember why I wanted to tell this story… Oh yes, when the Kids were younger, Fridays were pizza movie nights. Comedies are important, especially now. Watch something truly mind vacationing. If Dude, Where’s My Car? doesn’t appeal perhaps Galaxy Quest.

BodyMindSpirit

Our daily 5-minute meditation. The waning moon moves from Last Quarter towards Balsamic.

Meditation…

The dark pushes.
The window is shutting. It’s OK to leave old ways behind.
Don’t dwell, embrace what you have with gratitude.
Balance from Love.

The Sunshine Observer: SO… V27

We have new recruits for the Sunshine Lane garden party. The only edibles are 3 golden raspberries. The other 40 are different kinds of beautiful. We planted 6 pots and the rest went into the ground. Again, a lot of work.

In other news… OK people, I have been having crazy insightful dreams lately. And they’re so good, they must be shared.  Because I can’t remember a dang thing upon waking, last night I decided to write them down during the night as they came to me. Ready? Cause I need a little help, this is what I wrote down…

Distancing -masks- growing.
Womb for rent. Never a dull moment.
Worlds- each functions separately.
At noon, the radio plays the latest.

I kid you not (see photo). Ideas anybody? As I have no idea. Womb for rent?

BodyMindSpirit

Our daily 5-minute meditation. Waning moon moves from Last Quarter towards Balsamic.

As a reminder, the following statements are taken from meditation notes over this past year. Each aligns with this specific phase of the moon. Hopefully more cogent than my dreams…

Preamble Poem

We go into the heavy thick darkness that weighs us down, that suffers.
Sit with it, don’t criticize.
Allow it to exist, to be.
Through allowing we release its grip.
It won’t be controlled, or it will control us.
Ease comes from seeing all is not light. See its ugliness. Hear it howling.
It too wants Love. Unconditional Love.

Meditation

Listen, forgive, release, let go, Love.