Message from the Mountain: Recent Episodes
Michael R. Hathaway
Short reflections on the connection between Nature and Spirituality that can be used positively in the listener's daily life.
Many small towns in New Hampshire have a tradition called “Old Home Week “, established over a hundred years ago to encourage citizens who may have moved away to reconnect. Community connection is a positive way to maintain an old relationship or create a new one.
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There are a couple of clumps of long stalk purple flowers, which I believe are called Anise Hyssop, making their presence known in the gardens at the Center. I love how all the varieties come together to create an inviting landscape for people and insects that gather their pollen. A life filled with varieties can help us grow in our soul’s garden.
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Lori planted three containers of annuals recently at the Center. As the perennial lilies begin to fade, these annuals should flower all the way through the fall and add bright spots of color to the landscape. Some people have a perennial view year after year, while others seem to change. It’s all a part of the garden of life.
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There is a term here in New England called “Yankee Ingenuity” that describes a person’s ability to come up with alternative ways to make things useful. This ability is true all over the world, and we are using it to repurpose old books to fill low places in one of our new trails. Everyone uses it when they find ways to solve problems for the greater good.
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We both give and receive acts of kindness from others. The other day my wife received a bouquet of flowers from a former student of mine. It brought a huge smile to her face. A gift of kindness can be a simple smile or a kind word that makes a difference in a person’s day. When we receive an act of kindness, we can share that love with others.
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Our local historical society’s exhibit this year features collections that its residents have amassed over the years. I have a collection of antique brass instruments there which I have been collecting since I was a teenager. I do have a purpose in mind; to have enough for a band to play music from the late 1800s. If our purpose creates positivity for others, that would be a great way to collect.
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August is the favorite month for many people. The days are still warm and the shorting daylight helps provide cool nights The goldenrod is in full bloom, and each day provides a wonderful opportunity to pause for a moment, take in the beauty that surrounds us and feel gratitude in our hearts and be a conduit for loving energy that can positively touch others’ lives.
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The Hosta plants with their big leaves are an important component to our flower gardens. They have small blue flowers that can easily be overlooked when close to other plants with large flowers. In life one does not have to have a big showy ability to make a contribution to the garden of life. It is the positive intentions that count.
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The red daisy-type flowers growing in the garden at the center add spice to the other varieties flowering there. The more variety of experiences we have in life, the more spice is added to our Soul’s experience.
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I have many cherished finds in my life that fill my heart with gratitude every day, like the single pink bee balm growing in the Orchard from a seed that was transplanted there by birds or the wind. Its seeds now may grow and spread. I cherish people whose positivity helps spread the seeds of love.
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Many of the lupine in the field have now gone to seed. Nature’s investment in the future has begun. The seeds will scatter over the next month, seeking fertile soil to grow new plants next year. Some of the seeds will travel way beyond the field. Every day we have the opportunity to scatter seeds of love and positivity, creating new growth in a world seeking and needing love
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I got very little done on the property during the month of July, leaving the grass growing on the drive and around the cabin looking like a hayfield. Thankfully, my son trailered the riding lawn mower to the Cabin and gave the grass a much needed trim. There are a lot of things in life that can get overgrown when we forget to pay attention to them.
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I have learned that if one believes in doing something for the greater good of others, the process may take several steps. That is the case with many things at the Center including the Peace Garden where our sister nonprofit recently hosted a little concert in the woods.
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There are different opinions on how accurate history really is. Some would like to create a different view to fit their own purposes. Then again, each soul has a rich history. You may feel a connection to place in a different time like the original Olympic games at Olympia.
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There is something majestic and magical about tall trees that reach to the sky. They are filled with energy and memories of the land where they are rooted. One feels a sense of peace within a forest of tall trees; their soul’s energy connected and grounded.
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Now that we are halfway through July, it is time to pause and enjoy nature. Thoughts are beginning to turn toward fall as we begin to create our goals for the changing seasons ahead. It is also good to pause and feel grateful for the time that is still summer.
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The Enchanted Pathway is just below the Labyrinth, and it is full of little figures to stir the imagination of children. It can also help adults recapture the magic of their childhood.
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One of our game cameras captured a photo of a deer listening, its ears straight up, its tail down, paying careful attention to something in the woods. It was ready to run. Stress in people is thought to come from the ancient flight or fight syndrome. Fortunately, we have a special team that goes with us to help relieve stress.
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My sister gave me a heart from the town of Katakolo on our recent cruise. To me it is proof that there is love all over the world, and now I have a reminder that helps me stay connected.
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The birds, insects, and some animals find their nourishment from flowers like the brown-eyed Susan. People find their soul’s nourishment from being in and observing Nature. All we need to do is to take a moment wherever we are and open our minds to the wonders around us.
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There is a wild pink rose currently blooming that has flowered every year for the past thirty years. The first time we saw it was the year my father-in-law died. I believe the rose is a connection to the other side and is a beautiful story of love between father and daughter.
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Now that most of the lupine have gone to seed, the bee balm has taken over the field creating beautiful bouquets. Just as many people missed the moments that the lupines were flowering, they may miss the bee balms. The power of being is NOW as essential part of life.
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Approaching the country of Montenegro as we cruised the Adriatic Sea, I was struck by the way the mountains appeared to reach out of the sea towards the sky. I believe this is where they did push their way upward from the ocean floor. Regardless of the difference in terrain, I found the people there for the most part had a common bond of gratitude and love.
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Edgar Cayce spoke of two types of realities: the manifest and un-manifest. I was reminded of this when I saw a game trail camera photo that caught a grainy shot of a coyote, an animal that we seldom see, but wanders the land in search of food. That reminded me that we all have an unseen force that goes with us, watching over our Soul’s travel.
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We have just returned from another adventure, seeing parts of the world I never expected to see, thanks to the generosity of a family member. My heart is filled with gratitude as I become more aware of souls wherever I go that have hearts filled with love and kindness, helping others on their journeys. Your next adventure could be waiting.
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The ever-blooming yellow lilies have been enhancing the gardens with their sunshine for a few weeks. They are not the typical day lily whose flowers last for only a couple of weeks. I think of positive intentions and acts of kindness that continue to bloom, creating positive sunshine for those that experience them.
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I love to spend a little time gazing at the sky on a sunny day when the clouds look like giant pillows or airships as they drift slowly with the wind. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to let my mind soar with them as I feel waves of gratitude that fill my heart and let me realize that I am not alone in this world.
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Several years ago, several periwinkle vines were planted at the Center at the base of a stone retaining wall. They have multiplied and now create a beautiful green cover accented by blue flowers. I think of positive acts like the vines. When planted, they can positively spread to more and more people.
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I often speak of communicating with Source. I am not sure how to define that. Each person may have a different definition of something that I call positive heart-based love. For me that is the center where my soul was created from divine energy. Others may call that God, Angels, Guides, Spirits, or ego. It is a knowing that I am never alone.
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We have some spots on the ridgeline that give different views of the valley below. We have copies of two sketches done by Thomas Cole during a visit to what was then called the “Great Wilderness” in the early 1800s. He would paint large panoramas and charge people to view them in the city. Now these overlooks can help visitors get a fresh view of their life.
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Several years ago, I purchased a pond kit from a store going out of business and a group of volunteers dug an eight by ten two feet deep hole, lined it, and filled it with water and added some water plants. The frogs managed to find it and lay eggs in it each year. Today it is part of the Ormond Gardens, where visitors can pause, gaze and enjoy the plants and activity in the pond.
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There are several yellow flowering plants in the Ormond garden that bloom at the same time. Each one is a little different and that is what makes the garden interesting. In the garden of life, combinations of people make the soul’s journey interesting for those who are paying attention.
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Nature is a master at creating arrangements, like daisies in front of a gray stone wall. These little scenes in Nature can be easily missed when one is stressed and not aware of the beauty of their surroundings. Positive awareness can also help you realize you are not alone. The signs are waiting for you to discover.
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One of our old trail signs looks like the tree is eating it. Trees do need nourishment, as do all living things. For people, that includes nourishment for the mind as well as the body. Heart-based gratitude can help nourish the soul.
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There is a succulent in the gardens called Hen and Chickens that sends out shoots which plant themselves and in turn send out more shoots, multiplying its size. It reminds me of how positive acts of kindness can send out shoots that can help grow more positive acts of kindness, that keep the original spreading.
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The wet weather caused us to postpone preparation for the Enchanted Pathway for visitors of all ages to enjoy this summer and the fall. Finally, we loaded the back of our side-by-side with pinwheels, statues, figurines, and hanging decorations, and spent the afternoon arranging them. We can do many acts of kindness that are truly a labor of love to benefit others.
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Over thirty years ago my sister dug up one of her pink roses and gave it to me. The place where I planted it become overgrown and my wife wanted more lawn in that area, so I found a shoot, dug it up and planted it in the Ormond Gardens. This year it is full of beautiful pink blooms Acts of kindness can be transplanted and last a long time.
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There are a couple of tall maroon stemmed flowers in the Ormond Gardens with small flowers that put on quite a show in June before many of the other plants begin flowering. I think of the comparison between tall and short or big and little in life. This plant has both. We can often miss the little acts of kindness. As they add up, they grow become more noticeable.
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I am a great fan of watching the birds that come to our feeders and the birds that inhabit the birdhouse on the top of the mountain, especially the bluebirds. I also enjoy watching people, especially those that have an inner light that help brighten the world. There is so much to observe in life.
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When I find a heart sign, I know I am surrounded by love, both on this side of life and the spiritual side of life. I also set my intentions to channel the Source’s love in everything I do. I believe I do not own this love; it is something that anyone can tap into if they choose to do so.
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I am always looking for something different when I hike in Nature, and one day recently I discovered a big egg lying in the middle of the trail. It must have been a couple of inches long, and I wondered where it might have come from. Was it from someone’s lunch or had it fallen out of a nest? If so, it must have been laid by a large bird. Life is full of unexpected finds wherever you go.
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This time of year I often take the short walk from the Cabin to the Lupine field where I pause and gaze out at the landscape. It is a very peaceful place where I know that I am surrounded by love. Each time I visit, I have an intention to carry that peace with me in my heart wherever my Soul’s journey takes me.
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The catmint flowers are in full bloom and help brighten up the Ormond Gardens with several beautiful bouquets. Even though the blossoms are small, collectively they create patches of color. There are people who create positive actions on a small scale that make a beautiful bouquet of love when all added together.
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On a recent scenic railroad trip through Crawford North, I could see the opening that the train would soon be traveling between the mountains. It was discovered over two hundred years ago by early explorers of the mountains. In life when it seems as if we cannot make progress, there is usually an opening that can help us find our way through.
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Like the song. “Red Roses for a Blue Lady”, a red rose can brighten up any day. Actually, most any flower can help bring cheer to oneself and others when received or given as a symbol of love and gratitude. I like to think of each person as a flower that has the potential of spreading positivity.
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Sixty four years ago today, my wife and I started on an incredible adventure that is still unfolding. Our honeymoon took us through the White Mountains to the seashore, two places that really resonate with us. I believe our soul connection was put together by a source that has steered us in ways that spreads a light of love, gratitude and positivity for ourselves and others.
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Queen Ann’s lace is now holding court on the mountainside. The white flower is a good signal that summer has finally arrived. Now is the time to manifest winter dreams into reality and experience life with gratitude for the opportunity to experience this opportunity to spread light and love wherever your adventure takes you.
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We have recently had a lot of rain which softened the soil and weighed down the tree leaves. Add high winds to the mix and some trees may topple. One of them cracked loudly as it fell, landing twenty feet from our house. Fortunately, something was watching over us and reminding us not to crack under the stress of life.
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One of my sisters sent me a photo of a sunrise recently because she knew I would like it. I am inspired every day by Nature. That led to thinking of people who inspire me with their acts of kindness. Right now, there is a great need in the world for much more positivity and each one of us can take part.
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The bellflowers are in full bloom and playing beautiful music for the mind. Nature provides the opportunity for us to combine our senses in positive ways that create special moments filled with gratitude that we can share with others.
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It has been a few days since I have been able to get back up the mountain to enjoy the lupine, and I found them beginning to fade, However, they still fill the field with color. Beauty in nature comes in many stages. The same is true with older people, whose wealth of knowledge and their positive acts of kindness sometimes are overlooked.
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The record-setting rain of last week has created long lasting effects on the road that connects us to communities beyond. I watch an endless parade of repair vehicles passing by as state and local employees work long hours to repair the damage. Sometimes in life, it feels like we are stuck in an endless parade of bad luck. It helps to know that we are not alone. I am grateful.
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Our son spent a good part of the weekend mowing the grass at our house and at the Center. We expanded the lawn area last year and some of that area still has some rocks that are hard to mow over. The day afterwards we saw a deer cleaning up the spot our son couldn’t mow. I think of people that have gone as far as they can on a project and then something steps in to finish it. Their team is always helping.
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Many people have a certain tune that plays in their head whether they want to hear it or not. The same can be true with conversations. Although I do not hear either in my head, I do replay the feelings. Right now, I am experiencing “A Daisy a Day”. If it is something I don’t want to “hear”, my goal is to replace it with something I am grateful for.
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This is Flag Day and will be the host of many celebrations leading up to the 250th anniversary of America on July 4th. Our yellow and blue flags are in bloom in the little frog pond at the Center. I celebrate the freedom to connect with the special team that guides me on my Soul’s path, something that everyone has if they choose to believe.
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The other day my wife heard a clang from the ladders in the late afternoon. I grabbed my camera and just caught a picture of a yearly bear trying to find his own way. Many people are trying to find their way in a confused world. At least we can rely on our Source to help us find the right way.
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As I record this Message, the recent five inches of rain has washed out the road, making it necessary to take an hour’s detour for a drive that normally takes ten minutes. We are, for the moment, stuck in place. It is a reality that many people are currently experiencing in their minds. It is one’s positive belief that we do not travel the earth alone that gets us there at the right time.
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The first yellow day lilies are now open. They bring a smile to my face as I know I will be treated to a succession of different varieties of lilies all the way through the fall, each bloom lasting just one day. When we set our positive intentions day by day, we can create a bloom of happiness for others and ourselves that continues all year long.
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First, I saw a fresh footprint and then the game camera caught a photo of a young male deer, and I knew that one of my childhood favorites stories was alive and well, not only in my heart but on the mountain. Proof comes in many ways; from actual physical evidence to clues that others might dismiss; like finding a heart or seeing a loved one that has passed over in a dream.
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We have black bears here that are a problem when it comes to leaving food, including bird feeders, or garbage where they can get their paws on it. We like to feed the birds, and our feeders are on the second level of the house, so I put out a defense of unstable ladders that tip when they try to climb up. Bare facts in life may mean, looking at truths and how they can fit in a positive way.
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We have a bridal wreath in full bloom that we transplanted from my parents’ home that had been brought there by my great aunt from her family homestead. It is from a different period. Some wish they had lived during that time and perhaps they did, depending on whether you believe the soul has lived during more than one lifetime.
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A good friend sent me a picture he recently took with the lupine in bloom and the mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop. About fifteen years ago we sowed almost two pounds of lupine seeds in the clearing that our forester created, and now we are enjoying the results. Everything you do now is real for the future. It is good to be aware of your actions.
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We have domestic flowers in the flower gardens that last only one year and some flowers we have planted come back year after year. Then there are natural wildflowers that are spread by birds or the wind. I am reminded of acts of kindness that can take root and spread like wildflowers. When one plants the seeds, one may never know where they flower next.
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CREATING A DESIGN. In my opinion Nature is the primary designer on the planet. My goal for the land is to design elements that help enhance what Nature has created. Many of its designs don’t need any enhancement at all. In life I look at how my designs (intentions) help enhance lives, including my own. I believe that is my Soul’s design.
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The small red flowers of the dianthus give me a pleasant greeting as I spend a little time with it in the Ormond Garden. It reminds me of how I feel when I receive a pleasant greeting from people I know or people I don’t. The flower also inspires me to greet others pleasantly. I may never know how much this little act of kindness means and inspires others.
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There is something special about seeing a bluebird. It wasn’t until my son built and put up bluebird houses that we first began to see them. I look for “bluebird experiences” every day in the form of something positive that I can share with others. I love bluebird days.
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There is a white snowball-like shrub at the Center called a viburnum that creates a vibrant energy before most of the other flowers have bloomed. There are vibrant people in life that have a beautiful vibrant positive energy that is connected to everything they do. They make the world more vibrant in the garden of life.
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I don’t know why birds decide to nest on the light by the Center’s door. They tried last year but gave up before laying eggs. I often wonder about the choices people make, including my own. I still make impulse decisions, but I try to set my intentions that my choices are for the greater good, not only for myself, but also for others.
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Our purple iris is in bloom and for some reason I thought of a phrase, “I wish for iris.” Then I thought of the many things I have wished for in my life. Many I didn’t believe were possible, so my heart energy was not in tune with attracting what I was wishing for. I have learned that a wish turns into reality when the energy sent out is from the heart attracting positive results.
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The lupine are just beginning to bloom, and now is the time to take in their beauty, perhaps with photographs or paintings or songs or poems. In a week or so the show will be over for this year. It is easy to miss the opportunities we have in life when something holds us back. For myself, I trust I will be guided to take the right action when it is time.
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Lilacs always seem to take longer to establish than other flowering shrubs. Finally, the one planted near the cabin several years ago has some beautiful white blooms this year. It sometimes takes a while to achieve goals in life. Following positive intentions and staying the course can help to create affirmative results.
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I knew that the season would soon be over, so I hurried up to the Orchard where several lady slippers were holding court in a corner close to the stone wall. Fortunately, I got there in time, and it reminded me of people who I only communicate with occasionally and how when we do connect, they have just been thinking of connecting with me. Time to act.
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Waiting to mow the lawn until June provides us with several flower treats that we would have missed had the grass been cut earlier, like the fragrant lilies of the valley. In life we are often impatient and do not want to wait for results, causing us to miss what could have been something better.
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The little crab apple tree on our lawn is totally covered with fragrant flowers. The fruit is tiny, and many people think the tree is worthless. There are crabby people in life that may be attempting to cover up a vulnerable soft heart. A beautiful caring person may be found inside.
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On this Memorial Day in our country we remember all those that have served in the military to protect democracy. Nature has also paid tribute by creating a heart surrounded by beautiful blue forget-me-not flowers. I also remember with heart-felt gratitude all those that have supported and continue to support freedom.
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A pair of swallows have taken up residence in the bird house at the top of the Lupine Field. It is fun to watch them dipping and diving as they sweep across the opening, collecting insects. Thoughts often take up residence in our minds. Some are wanted and some are not. Setting positive intentions of gratitude to invite positive thoughts.
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It has taken a while for the ground phlox to spread into beautiful pink and blue flowers, but they creep a little more each year. Like the phlox it can take time to develop goals in life. It is often tempting to give up on following our intentions, but if we believe they are for the greater good, in time we will see the results.
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A large section of our lawn has been invaded by fragrant lilies-of-the valley. Years ago, I transplanted a couple of shovels full of both white and pink ones, and now they have spread. I think about positive acts of kindness when one spreads to others.
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One of my magical places is sitting on the bench at the top of the lupine field and looking at the clouds float above the mountains. I feel connected to the vast Cosmos beyond. I have come to realize I have had magical places going back to my childhood. I believe we all have a magical place where we can connect and be open to miracles and guidance in our lives.
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When I opened the outside door, I was greeted by the beautiful fragrance of lilacs in full bloom. There is nothing like that smell, and I have learned to take the time over the next week or so to take a breath of gratitude because I will not experience them again until next year.
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There is a white daffodil blooming in the Ormond Garden at the Center. People tell me they have never seen one of that color. I love diversity in a flower garden as well as life in general. I love when diversity comes together positively in life to enhance the soul’s journey.
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A tiny glossy variegated leaf caught my eye just off the trail to the Lupine Field. It may have had some sort of bloom, but I couldn’t tell. I couldn’t find anything like it in a couple of flower books. It may be something I will recognize from a different angle. Life is like that. There is always something new to discover.
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The lady slippers are poking up through the leaves and beginning take shape. When they have blossomed, we like to count how many we can find. Another favorite thing is to watch people develop their abilities and start to use them positively to bring joy to others. Some bloom right away while others take a little longer to open.
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This part of our state has been experiencing moderate to severe drought. The last few days of rain will go a long way to change that. Dry spells in life often end in a deluge of movement, flooding our brains as we rush to capture it all before another dry spell. It is important to keep a balance between the highs and lows.
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Nature is a master at planting seeds that cover the landscape, including two English Hawthorn trees at the edge of the lupine field. In the late spring they produce white flowers that turn into red berries later in the season. People can plant seeds in the soul’s landscape by positive acts of kindness that can grow and spread.
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When I see violets blossoming, I think of the old phrase, “true blue”. To me that means honesty and sincerity. The violets represent my feelings, and that made me think about true blue people, those who set their intentions for the greater good, not only for the environment, but in all aspects of life. You can represent this higher vibration by helping to change the energy of the world.
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There is a place on the trail to the Lupine Field where the ground is wet, and the water draining across appears to have oil on it (or something that looks like oil). I wonder what is in that water. I wonder about a lot of things as I wander. Perhaps I should pay more attention rather than letting things go unresolved.
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Some of the tulips that were planted last year in the Ormond Gardens have opened, providing little splashes of color while the rest of the perennials still have a ways to go to flower. Life provides us with little splashes of color all year round with things that create heart-felt sharable gratitude that brings joy to all that are aware.
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The strings on the fiddlehead ferns have been tuned to the right pitch by Nature and ready to provide a feast for all. There are so many things in Nature that remind me of other positive elements in our lives. It is a connection that most of us experience every day. I consider it the Nature of our lives.
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On Mother’s Day tiny bluets remind me of the smiles of children being brought up in a loving environment by their guardians, especially their mothers. Tiny smiles can make a big difference in the world.
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A patch of wild strawberry blossoms caught my eye as I wandered about the Orchard. I smiled as I was filled with the expectation of tiny red treats soon to be enjoyed. Of course, wildlife is also expecting the same thing and may eat them before people get to them. Lots of times expectations turn out differently than anticipated. Just maybe, something better is waiting.
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It is so invigorating to be in the heart of the sweetness of spring. The pear tree and plumb tree are in bloom with the lilacs only a week or so away. It is also the time when many people are feeling that energy and desire to finally emerge from winter and join with Nature in discovering life again for the first time.
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With spring underway, I love to wander about the fields and trails on the lookout for wildflowers. Recently, I spotted delicate yellow flowers (I think called “wild oats”) that could easily be missed if I was not paying attention. And that reminded me of positive acts of kindness that happen when no one is noticing. They are like wild kindnesses.
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Finally, the beech trees have lost their old leaves, and new ones are popping out. Spring has taken over. Of course, changes are taking place every day in all aspects of life, some welcome and some not. I believe that people can use more heart-based love to send out positive energy and help change the world for the better.
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The sunset view out my front window is slowly disappearing now that the leaves are beginning to grow. Soon all I will be able to see is the green of the trees. In life some things slowly disappear without our realizing it. I think the key is to always use positive thoughts and actions, being aware of the moment.
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The miniature grape hyacinth caught my eye in a section of the Center’s gardens. It reminded me that beauty comes in all sizes. People often judge beauty by size and miss something small that is just as beautiful. Little acts of kindness that go unnoticed can lead to big impacts on others. There are many different sized flowers in the garden of life.
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Have you ever noticed, on a day with clear blue sky, many jets flying in different directions spreading their exhaust trails until they merge. Then suddenly the sky is filled with a cover of clouds. Conspiracy theorists call these lines chem trails. I don’t know the reason for many things; I just ask my team for the right guidance to help spread heart-based positive energy.
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I don’t exactly remember when I realized the sea was calling me. Perhaps it was the children’s story about a toy sailboat that travelled down a river that ended up in the ocean. However, I know now that I need to visit the coast a few times a year to experience the smells, the sounds and the feeling. I believe everyone has a connection in their soul that leads us to adventures. What is yours?
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My parents gave us forsythia after we built our house nearly 60 years ago, and 30 years later we received more for the Center. A dozen years ago I transplanted several in hopes of screening off the road. Now it is a colorful hedge. Listening to our positive heart-based goals can help us know when to proceed or not.
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As I approached the road to the Orchard, I noticed two deer feeding across from the entrance. One of them was larger than the other and appeared to be expecting. There may be a new fawn as spring progresses. We have a lot of expectations in life, many of them ego driven that never reaching fulfilment. I set my intentions that my expectations come from my heart.
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There is an old song, “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most”. I often think of it when winter does not want to give up, like this year. When life does not live up to my expectations, I know something is guiding me that knows much more than me.
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I can still see the snow-covered peak of Mt. Washington. When he was young, my grandson used to call them “the Ice Age”. Some of the snow could last until August. Time and the weather will tell. We have things that hang on in life far longer than we would like. We need to set our intentions for positive results to help them manifest.
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I have been waiting for a bunch of daffodils to open for what seems like a month. They have been taking their time, and, with the cold weather I can’t say I blame them. We wait for a lot of things in life that take their time to manifest. When they finally do, it is usually the right time.
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Most of our mayflowers have white blossoms, but certain soil conditions produce pink blooms that are my favorites. It is interesting to me to see what people like or dislike, especially relating to colors. For color sensitive people, clothes with certain colors can either brighten up a day or darken it. Being aware might make a difference in your day.
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I chuckled on a recent walk when I came upon an excellent deposit of earring material. There was a time when I would have collected the deer scat for someone to use in earrings. That may sound gross, but the world is full of different approaches. It is how we are able to find ways to understand our differences for positive outcomes.
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I looked out the window and saw a big turkey staring back. I think it was sending a message that he wanted to be fed. I smiled and knew there was plenty of nature’s food waiting for him to find. I was reminded of peoples’ quest for spiritual food to nourish their souls. Nature can provide that also when one takes the time to connect.
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Our granite mountain has a lot of quartz veins flowing through it, mostly buried beneath the surface. Sometimes I will find hidden gems bubbling up. I am reminded that there are a lot of little gems in our lives.
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I have a feeling that are watchful eyes accompanying me in Nature, and I look for signs of these spirits. Then again, it is not just in Nature that I have this feeling. It is on every step of my soul’s path. Some people call them angels or spirit guides or whatever feels right to them. I believe we all have watchful eyes guiding us.
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It is a straight clear path to the Lupine Field, once I get around a turn from the Orchard. Thank you to those that keep the brush trimmed. I am reminded that the path of life sometimes is clear and straight but other times has twists and turns. Knowing that we are being guided on our journey can help clear the way.
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I am very grateful for several places in Nature where I can pause and reflect on the moment, the past or the future and connect with what I call my invisible supportive team that helps me navigate my Soul’s path. I know I am never alone, and I am no different than you. That quiet moment of reflection might make a big difference in your life.
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I have enjoyed watching the pussy willows development this spring from their earliest buds to fuzzy blooms to maturing seeds, and next will be green leaves. Each stage is beautiful. I also enjoy seeing the beauty in people as they mature during the stages of their lives. There is always beauty to be found as we mature in life.
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My eyes caught a splash of bright yellow when I looked out the window at my wife’s little flower garden. It was miniature daffodils, only a couple of inches tall, in full bloom. My heart warmed with gratitude, and I thought of people who are bright spots of positivity, no matter where their day brings them. They can change a life with their kind words, smile or action.
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As I look out the window, I can see a clue as to what was happening here two hundred years ago: the remains of an old pond that held water to run a bark grinding mill for tanning leather. If you believe that your soul has been on earth before, you may find clues to your past karma in likes and dislikes, abilities, and connections to other people.
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I carefully moved into the lupine field trying not to step on any plants and I found the first tiny lupines sprouted. My heart sang with gratitude, and my goal is to enjoy their growth as they carpet the clearing with their beautiful blooms in June. It is good for me to have little positive goals each day and share by positive actions.
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I watched a Morning Cloak butterfly land on a sun warmed spot of leaves on a cool spring day. It seemed to be taking a moment to reenergize itself before its next flight. I have a warm spot in my heart where I collect things that I am grateful which helps sustain the next flight of my soul. The butterfly did that for me.
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When I found a tiny pebble on the carpet that probably came from the bottom of my shoe, I was reminded that love comes in many sizes. It was in the shape of a heart; I compared it to a large heart-shaped boulder. Love is something we experience in many different sizes and forms.
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We have been living here for over fifty years, and the view that brought us here in the first place never gets old. There is something always a little different about it, and for that I am very grateful. Having something that to be grateful for has encouraged me to find other things to be grateful for which in turn leads to acts of positivity.
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The winter’s snow is almost gone. Only a little remains, most of it hiding in the shadows. We had setbacks, but spring is finally taking control. Sometimes it takes us the will to change an unwanted habit as we stay the course until the little remaining finally disappears permanently. Patience and purpose can be key to success.
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I am fascinated by the shapes of the trees in the woods. Some grow straight and tall while others have all types of bends and crooks. They are shaped by their environment. Together they make up the landscape of the forest. The landscape of life is also made up of people with different types of bodies. Some are straight and tall while others have physical limitations. All have gifts to share.
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The finches, both yellow and red, are halfway to their full colors for mating season. I love to see them flitting back and forth to the birdfeeders. People can be affected by the color of clothes they wear. In fact, when someone is caught in a negative mood, changing your clothes may help change your mood.
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If we had thought we had moved on to spring, Nature had other ideas and coated the landscape in white again. I am reminded of the phrases people use to address negative situations like “here we go again.” We can change situations that we perceive as negative by finding something that is positive, like the beauty of the snow!!!!!
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The lilacs now have some tiny green buds on their branches, and I will be watching them closely until they bloom in about a month. As I do not reproduce their smell in my mind, I will spend some time with them when they open. It is good to have something positive to look forward to, knowing that each experience is different.
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I almost always expect that April weather will have lots of twists and turns before it leaves. That is sure true this year, and those expecting a warm spring have been disappointed so far. My expectation in life is that, regardless of the weather, I can find something positive to be grateful for and share it with others.
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The tapping season for the red maples on our front lawn is now over because its flowers are beginning to open. That indicates that nature’s growing season is gearing up for the rest of the spring and summer. In life we can grow all year long, no matter what season.
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Easter is the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection. There are also other religious special days around this time. It is a great time to think that each of us can be a part of resurrecting peace in the world. We can start with positive intentions and heart-felt gratitude for positive changes in our lives and those around us.
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The building known as the Hypnosis Center was built in the mid-1950s for a retirement home. We are the third owners, and recently, while cleaning out a closet, my wife found a fabric-covered rock way in the back. I am reminded that our minds, like the closet, have long forgotten memories that may reappear to be appreciated or resolved.
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I spotted a small beechnut on the ground of a trail recently, still in its outer wrapping. I thought of the big beech trees that bears used to climb in the fall for nourishment, and recently I learned on the news that beech trees can be tapped in the spring like maple trees. There is a lot of knowledge we can tap into every day, some useful and some not.
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Shortly after I recorded my April Fool message, thinking we has seen our first robin, a real one appeared right on cue. I wondered if the robin had heard what I was talking about or was it a pure accident that it appeared when it did. That got me thinking about all the synchronicities in life that seem to appear right on cue. A divine connection?
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April first, a day we used to play tricks on friends and family when we were kids. In looking for signs of spring, we thought we saw our first robin on the lawn just resting in place and not moving. I decided to take a picture and saw through the lens that it was only a leaf. We were fooled by Nature. We fool ourselves all year long when our thoughts are out of focus. That is the time to pause and get a different view.
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The first of our tiny crocuses is opening to the spring sun. I am excited about a little color coming to the blah landscape, and it is a sign that more plants will be in bloom soon. In life people can add a little bit of positive color with kindness in actions and words that may make a big difference in others’ lives.
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I have learned that signs of support and guidance come to me in many shapes and sizes. Many of them would easily be overlooked if I was not paying attention to the moment, like the very small heart shaped rock I recently saw on the trail to the Lupine Field. I am grateful for all the signs I see in walking my soul’s path.
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I can almost hear the fuzzy pussy willow blossoms purring in the spring sun. It is one sign of a change in the season. They remind me to focus on the warm fuzzy side of life each day; the side that is filled with love and gratitude.
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In the fall and spring when the bare ground freezes overnight, ice crystals push up through the earth looking like valuable gems waiting to be collected. To me they are of great value, filling my heart with gratitude for being witness to this act of nature. People often have gifts and talents they hide from others until someone unfreezes them.
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It has been a great maple syrup season with the sap buckets often overflowing before they are emptied. It is amazing how one drop of sap at a time can accumulate to the forty gallons necessary to make a gallon of syrup. I think of one act of kindness as one drop at a time and the accumulated effect they can have.
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I often imagine that I am seeing spirits in the bark of trees or other places in Nature. I choose to look for positive signs or affirmations that I do not go through life alone. I choose to believe I have a whole positive team that accompanies my soul and gives me positive signs in the trees.
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When there is a little snow on the ground, I can see the twists and turns of the brook as it charts its course down the mountain. A couple of hundred years ago the flow was controlled by dams to power a millstone. When the mill was abandoned, the brook created its own course. I think our lives follow their own courses.
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It is interesting to watch the smaller birds like the juncos and chickadees when they come to the feeders. They like places to escape and hide from larger predatory birds. Tightly packed bushes are favorites. It is also interesting how people try to hide from others, like moving from place to place or not sharing their gifts and talents.
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As we approached the orchard, I noticed a bird sitting on top of the new birdhouse, but by the time I got the camera ready, it had flown to a nearby tree. I took a long-distance picture which confirmed that it was a bluebird. It had been my goal to attract them, so my heart sings with gratitude. The Law of Attraction: you receive what you focus on.
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The latest melt erased most of the snow, and then the weather turned cold again. In between the storms of spring, I was able to hike to the cabin and the lupine field with its incredible views. I thought about the positive things we can do in between waiting for something in the future.
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The mud season has begun here in the foothills, and it is time to close the parking areas to protect them from being all rutted up. One year there was a car that got stuck all the way to its frame. It was there for over a month. In life, we find times when we want to avoid physical or mental hazards by closing them off for a while.
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Today I am reminded the old saying, “Hope springs eternal.” It is the first day of spring, although the weather may not seem like it. There is hope that sooner, rather than later, warmer weather will take over. My intention and hope is to wake up every day with gratitude that I can share with others regardless of the season.
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Just when it looks like warmer weather, winter creates a new ice exhibit in the brook. I know it is only temporary as spring is arriving. We often hang on to things longer than we need to, whether a habit or an old wornout sweater.
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Our snow-covered landscape has experienced rapid changes in the last couple of weeks, leaving the ground just about bare, with daffodils and crocus pushing up through the soil. Life can change rapidly, sometimes without warning. Trusting in your team to guide you through your soul’s travels can be a wonderful blessing.
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Today is Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrated by Irish and would-be Irish. I will lift a cup of green tea and perhaps a glass of stout in honor of this Irish saint. I am also celebrating another right of spring in a healthy and positive way with gratitude and love.
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This area of the country has been in a drought since last year that even the snow from winter has not erased. A fresh coating of snow over bare ground that melts into the earth is often called poor man’s fertilizer. It helps prepare the soil for the growing season. When we feel a mental drought, the Cosmos can often enrich our hearts.
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Squirrels are gnawing on the maple tree limbs to enjoy the sweet taste of sap. Sometimes the sap will freeze and form icicles that the birds like to peck at. Nature also gives us great pleasure with its eye candy that we can capture with our cameras and share with others to help make it a good day.
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Again, just when we thought spring had chased winter away, it came back with another coating of snow. Then the forecast calls for heavy rain, so the snow will be soon melted. That might happen several times before spring takes over. It reminds me to take time for the moment as it will be gone in a second.
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Friday the 13th has long been considered an unlucky day by the superstitious. Its origins seem to come from different times and cultures in history, from the Norse gods to the Knights Templars. Personally, I give very little thought to the day as my intentions are to live every day with gratitude and love.
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The recent warm weather has caused a lot of snow to disappear. That does not mean it will not return before the season is over. In life our minds often make things disappear. It is good to know what is real and what isn’t.
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It has taken me a little time to adjust to daylight savings time this year, and that has reminded me that we are always making adjustments to most everything in our lives. We can resist the adjustment or make the best of them for the greater good. I can’t change the time back and there is much to be gained by the change.
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The beech trees are starting to release the end of last year’s growth, just in time for new buds to form. I think of people that tried to change a New Years’ habit but are still hanging on to it. Now is a wonderful time to release the old in our lives as we start readying for new spring growth.
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Finally, serious signs of spring are taking place. The brook is opening to the flow of water coming from the melting snow. I can feel the flow inside myself as I have begun to walk outside, preparing myself for positive future projects that may make a difference to others.
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My intention every day is to wake up thinking of something I am grateful for and to go to sleep at night with the same feeling. During the day I am constantly keeping an eye out for reminders, and a lot of that comes from the adventure I am on, being on call for the Cosmos.
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On this day one of our spring rituals takes place: changing of the clocks, setting them one hour ahead so that we lose an hour of sleep. Soon we will celebrate the spring equinox, and many religious celebrations take place in the spring. The ritual of life has special days all year round helping us find gratitude in our hearts.
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There are a lot of sights in nature that look scary at first, like icicles hanging off the eaves. They look like monster fangs ready to take a bite out of the house. There are many sights that can play tricks on our eyes and minds. Life can be scary in many ways. Paying attention is a good guide.
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Our maple trees are being tapped this year, and I always love to watch the process. The term “sappy” relates to the emotions we experience in life when they flow through us like the sap flows in the trees in the spring. If we are aware of our emotions, we can let them flow through our hearts for positive outcomes.
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It is easy to get into a regular routine. When something threatens to interrupt it, we resist the change. Over time I am beginning to learn to pause my resistance and really consider the best for the greater good.
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I am always watching for signs, and when I saw the frozen heart in the brook with a layer of leaves on its icy bottom, I realized that it was another sign of coming spring weather. We also have signs that guide us through all the seasons of life. We just need to keep watch for them.
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The sun is getting higher in the sky every day, warming the air and the icicles on the edge of the roof which are dripping. The weather could have ups and downs for the next month and a half, but the spring drip has begun, and it is time to let the positive feelings in our hearts flow with gratitude and love.
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March 1 is the first day of meteorological spring. It is a great time to enjoy the last few weeks of the winter season with the increasing daylight and warming temperatures. It is also a great time to focus on the season ahead, starting to take actions on winter dreams. Those that are created in your heart with love are the best.
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It seems as though I have had a lot to keep track of lately. I am watching squirrel tracks leading to the old maple tree where, when the sap is running, they chew on the limbs to sip the sweet liquid. AND this is podcast #6700, the sun is setting at 5:30, and it is the last day of a cold February. I think it is good to keep track of positive progress along our Soul’s journey.
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The bird feeders are all hung about a foot from our windows, giving us wonderful opportunities to observe the birds that come for the food. I can tell without even looking when the woodpeckers are gathering suet because the sound is like a knock at the door. Sometimes knocks at my heart tell me it is time to share positive loving nourishment with others.
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As I looked out the window into the woods, I spotted two bald eagles facing each other on a tree. Looking closer I realized it was two snowcapped burls. I often see things in Nature that are not what I thought. The same thing happens in life. What we originally think about something, may be different than we thought.
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With all the ice and snow that has accumulated on roofs and trees it is very important to keep watch for hazards from above, demonstrated by the large ice chunks by our front door. Had we been standing under them, they could have caused serious injury. It is a good idea to keep heads up in life for any type of decision making.
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The weather forecast was for a blizzard covering a good part of New England, and our local school was cancelled. However, we woke up to a snowless view of the mountains while the southern part of the state got a snowstorm. In life we have choices in how we deal with predictions beyond the weather. Our heartfelt belief can help change our prediction in life for the better.
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Last night the sunset was very red. According to the old saying, “Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night, sailor’s delight,” the morning was supposed to be fair weather. Not so. We are experiencing the tip of a major snowstorm. It just goes to show that not everything in life plays out as expected. Flexibility can help us make the adjustments.
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We received six inches of snow overnight and are now getting ready for another storm due tomorrow. I seem to have a lot of “in betweens” where I prepare by setting my intentions as best as I can for my next assignment along my soul’s path.
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Just when we think spring is beginning to gain on winter, another snowstorm has blanketed the region. It is the ups and downs of the season that could last all the way into April. Like the weather, life has ups and downs all year long. When we set our intentions for guidance by our invisible team, the ups and downs are more even.
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It seems as if I am always on a quest for signs that guide me in the direction of my Soul’s purpose; nature signs, seasonal changes, pussy willows with a few tiny white buds ready to burst. It is also possible to feel the energy of the plants that are building up their strength to push through the still frozen soil.
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This has been a great winter for people who love snow sports. Whether on foot, snowshoe, or ski, the trails behind the Center are well worth the climb. Wherever you are in nature, any energy that can fill your heart with gratitude can be passed on to others.
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I am surrounded by the beauty of Nature, but where I sit I can see little light catchers in the windows and other items hand crafted by known and unknown people. Their energy also surrounds me, as well as my own invisible team. I believe it is good for everyone to be surrounded by love in many different forms
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The homemade jelly was good to the last bite. Sometimes people never finish the last bite, saving it for another occasion, and in the meantime it spoils. In life we sometimes do not finish something special because we don’t want it to end. There is a new jelly waiting to be tasted, just as there are new adventures waiting in life.
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The pointed icicle lodged into a snowbank reminded me that Nature wants me to make a point about making points. I think that mindfulness is important. The way a point is made can make a big difference in the way it is accepted. I often use stories to make a point without directly confronting others.
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I really enjoy my coffee, but I realized I was probably drinking too much, and some friends suggested drinking white pine needle tea for positive health results. So, I went out back, away from any pollution, and gathered some pine. I think it is a good change, and making positive changes in our lives is always a good thing.
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Today, Valentine’s Day, there are many hearts in the world that are glowing, including mine, as it reflects on the magical alpine glow of Mt. Chocorua, the mountain that brought us to this area years ago. I am grateful for the views of life we have from these hills and know that wherever you are there is a glow waiting to fill your heart.
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I have a habit that started years ago as an “intention”, pausing for a moment and experiencing the beauty in Nature. I would take a breath, breathing up from the ground and down from the sky, meeting in my heart with gratitude. Now I do this automatically, many times a day for many reasons.
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We are entering a warming spell as the days creep slowly toward spring. Each day when I first open my eyes, I thank Source for a beautiful morning regardless of what the weather is doing. My intention is to see the beauty of life in many different forms. My goal is to experience and share this beauty all year long!!!!!!!!
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My wife created a book “Message from the Mountain 2025” and gave it to me for my birthday. It is filled with all the pictures and messages that were in my podcasts for the year. I will add them to all the other books she has created. To me it shows the work she does daily in editing the podcasts. I am just the channel from Source. You are also a messenger for love!
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Do you ever look at a clock and see the numbers all lined up like 5:55? If so, does it happen frequently? And does it mean anything to you? I choose to see numbers lined up as a sign from my invisible, but very active, loving team sending me positive signs and guidance on my Soul’s path.
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SURROUNDED BY LOVE. I set my intentions to be a channel for the Cosmos’s unconditional love, and when I see signs such as a heart in the snow, in my mind I know that I am surrounded by the love I that intend to channel. It sure makes life interesting to live with the concept that this is a part of my Soul’s path.
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The afternoon sun shone for a few brief moments on a stained-glass dragonfly hanging in the front window. It seemed to come to life. Something seen in the light can give us a different perspective, even for just a brief moment.
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We get a lot of pleasure during the winter watching the birds that come to the feeders for sunflower seeds and suet. In the meantime, the birds are getting important nourishment to help them get through the season. It is a tradeoff. When we do something positive that helps someone else, we often feel warmth in our hearts.
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I am always looking for signs that indicate possibilities. When I imagined a polar bear in a bank of snow across the road, I imagined winter is not done with us yet. The polar bear looked real to me until the sun shifted, and it vanished. Imagination can also be negative, but that is when I turn those thoughts over to my team for positive resolutions.
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There is an old mantra like this: “Every day in every way…”, and then each person sets a goal at the end of the saying. For me that is being on call for the Cosmos or whatever my Souls assignment may be next. It really makes life interesting!
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Now that the sunsets will reach five pm in the next day or so, my nightly ritual of watching for the daylight to increase will ease as I focus on the ever-warming sun, even when the nights still may reach below zero. I find each day to be filled with gratitude and positive intentions to engage with life as the days seem to speed by.
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Winter will be around for several more weeks, and cold-weather-lovers will find joy as they embrace it. Nature has provided a lot of beautiful scenes as well as snow activities. My intention is to find joy in every day, all year long, that I can share in many different ways with others
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We have finally reached the halfway point in astrological winter. There is an old belief that if the ground hog sees its shadow, winter will continue for six weeks. Regardless of how the weather goes, every day is an opportunity to express gratitude, love and good intentions toward others.
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Today, I turned the calendar page to February, a month away from meteorological spring. We are two thirds’ there. Tomorrow, Ground hogs Day, we are halfway to astrological spring. Every day, I am grateful to be able to channel heart love from the Source that keeps life alive every day.
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I check the weather forecast each day, the first thing in the morning, to see what time the sun sets. I have been doing this for years, going back to when my wife could drive home from work at five without using her lights. The time has moved slowly this cold January. I trust that my timing is up to my team.
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We have a five-foot stone grinding wheel with a hole in the middle balancing on a stone wall in front of our home. The snow creates the image of a large bagel or doughnut waiting for some jelly. It reminds me that when life is bland, we can add some positive sweetness to it with positive actions.
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I chuckled when I noticed that a couple of benches behind our garage were all filled with snow. There was no room to sit. It reminded me that often our minds are so filled with thoughts that there is no opportunity to pause and rest and communicate with our source. It is good to take a positive grateful breath and sit for a few moments.
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With a couple of feet of new snow, the best approach for me is to take my time making a path to the car. When I was younger, I would just dive into things without thinking ahead. I hope I have learned to set my intentions that what I am attempting to do is the right way for the right purpose.
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FINDING COMFORT. I like to be comfortable, and I wear an extra layer or two when the weather is freezing outside. I also like comfort food, but now have some food allergies, so my choices are limited. I also like to have a comfortable mind, and that is helped by my belief that something is always with me.
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It’s been a few years since we have had a snowstorm measuring over a foot. We have been watching the weather report as we followed it across the country. It seems as though people spend a good part of their lives waiting for big ones, both positive and negative. For me, I have learned to trust that whatever is in the future, my team ls there to assist me through.
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Most people love to tell stories, especially as they get older, reminiscing about the “good old days”. Then there are story tellers who have a point to their stories to help others look at a situation from a different view without engaging them in a confrontive way. That is when you leave the story you are telling and step into a story of their own.
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Several times a day I find myself with a smile on my face caused by something that crossed my mind. It could be from the past, the present, or a thought of someone else. When you are smiling and others feel the positive energy behind your smile, it may cause them to smile, and who knows where your smile will spread.
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When we first arrived in the valley, we used to drive a road that gave us a breathtaking view of the majestic mountains to the west. We built our home where we had that view. Now, sixty years later, the majestic mountains are still there, even though the valley has changed considerably. It is good to have stability in our hearts, regardless of how our world changes.
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With the recent cold weather our thoughts focused on the memory of the joy of eating fresh baked bread. I used to make it before I became allergic to gluten. Now that there is gluten free flour, it was time to try again. The results were not the same. We find many things different from what we remember. We have changed. It is time to make updates.
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At just the right time, when the sun is coming up, it creates an alpine glow that can spotlight a single mountain. Sometimes people who are not used to being in the spotlight are noticed by others for something either positive or negative. That is the time to let a positive light shine through for the good of others.
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Winter has returned and the snow is adding up again one inch at a time, with a dusting or more each day instead of a big storm. Life changes the same way, a little bit at a time. It all adds up. We can make progress or we can regress if we are not mindful of the little changes. One inch or one moment, life and the weather move on.
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The new coating of white snow has freshened up the landscape. It reminds me of a term called “whitewashing”, when white paint is used to cover up surface flaws to create a fresh clean feeling. People often try to whitewash their lives so other people won’t discover their flaws. Perfection comes from positive heart-based intentions.
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Years ago I saw a commercial on television advertising a cereal that adults may have eaten as a child. The message was, “discovering it again for the first time.” It stuck in my head, reminding me that we can discover life again for the first time every day.
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A lot of snow has melted the last few days. We have reached the half-way point to meteorological spring, and now winter is starting over again. In life we can start all over again every day to keep us in tune with our soul’s purpose, even if it is in just a small way.
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The recent January thaw inspired me to start getting my legs in shape for the warmer weather of spring. I began with a simple walk of fifty laps around the house. Usually, it is people that inspire me with their positive acts of kindness. Inspiration is supported by belief, a reminder of the reason for inspiration, and a daily intention to put the inspiration into action.
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The last few days have been warmer and foggy. It got me thinking about brain fog, a condition sometimes brought about by conflicting information gathering in our minds. Trust in your invisible team to help clear away the fog.
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Now that we are halfway through January and daylight has reached 4:30 PM. I am realizing Ground Hog Day is less than three weeks away. It was the morning shadows I saw out the window that caused me to think about shadows and fear for what hides within them. Fortunately, morning shadows disappear, as do shadows in our hearts with our inner light.
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I have been enjoying the last few days of a January thaw. I can even see where the snow has melted off a pile of rocks, something I will really focus on as spring nears. My goal each morning is to find something in the day to enjoy regardless of the weather. Then I remind myself how grateful I am to have that opportunity.
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The beech limbs are still hanging on to their leaves while most all the other variety of trees let theirs fly in the winds of fall. People have habits that this time of year they would like to change. However, some hang on way beyond their time to go. Knowing it is time and believing in the purpose for letting go can help the transition.
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I have found that when I focus on what I am grateful for, it translates into loving energy in my heart that can send out positive energy to attract other things I am grateful for. I totally believe that gratitude and positive energy can affect our lives.
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When I started doing podcasts, I found myself ending each one saying, “’Tis my prayer that these words are right and good for you whenever you hear them.” Everyone prays differently. It is very personal. I have learned that I do not hold up the world and that I have an incredible team placing acts of kindness that may touch lives now and in the future.
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We had been promised a January thaw for several days by the weather reporters and it has finally happened. It got me thinking about promises made and then what happens. I believe that the “power of the moment when the promise is made” can lead to a positive intention that repeated to oneself daily can become a reality for the greater good.
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Nature has given us a few days above normal temperatures. In life little reprieves can help us find rejuvenation from the pressures we may experience. Perhaps a short vacation can help, even if it is just a day. For me, I can find a short reprieve inside of my heart by focusing on love, peace and gratitude with the help of my team.
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With the cold winter weather I have a lot of time on my hands to gaze out the window and imagine faces created by Nature looking back at me. People that are consumed with fear could believe there is something negative trying to take them over, while others love to play with what they are experiencing. I love to imagine positive signs as a way of connecting to my heart.
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We have been waiting well over a week for the weather to warm enough to thaw out the ice that coats the land. Finally, that wait may be over. In life it seems as though there is always something to be waiting for, either with negative or positive anticipation. Remember that you have a spiritual team standing by to help with the waiting. Heart love is the best energy to attract the positive.
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I had not been up on the mountain to check on the Cabin since the ice storm, over a week ago. I had my 4-wheel drive truck, sand and shovels, but when I got beyond the cemetery, I found the road was blocked with small trees. I had forgotten to bring a saw. So, I backed out and will bring the right tools next time. In life there is always something that could block us. The key is to be positive and flexible.
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The little brook that flows by my window appeared to be frozen solid due to our current cold spell. Then I heard the faint sound of running water under the ice: when life seems to be frozen solid, there is still a flow of positive energy in our hearts to help us stay warm in our pursuit of our life purpose!!!!!
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Now that most of the holiday celebrations are over, it is time to settle into a more normal routine of life. Here in the mountains that means the winter season with all its cold and stormy weather. There are those that embrace the cold and those that head for warmer climes. I watch the increasing sunlight and embrace winter projects with a goal of positivity.
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Now that the celebrations of the New Year have passed, it is on with the new, including a new flannel shirt given to me by my granddaughter. It warms my heart with love and will keep me warm during the upcoming cold winter months. You can begin anew with positive changes in your life if you let yourself believe in the purpose for yourself and others.
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The last day of 2025 was amazing. If we hadn’t had a guest at the Center, we would have had a really big problem. She noticed that a casement window had blown out overnight and the pipes were frozen; later the power went out. During the day everything came to gather and started working again. I know the angels were on duty!!!!!!!!
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The weight of the frozen rain on the tree limbs created a lot of power problems. Just when we thought we were at the end of the storm, we were plunged into a blackout where we went from light to total darkness. Fortunately, we were prepared with candles. In life when we face blackouts, we do have an inner light that can shine through and guide us.
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Probably the most dreaded of winter storms is an ice storm; it rains when the temperature is below freezing and everything turns into a gigantic skating rink. On one of those days it is best to just hunker down and be grateful for those that keep the power on and the roads safe. My heart is filled with gratitude!!!!!!
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I woke up this morning with no voice, just a whisper. I thought about whispering and how people whisper to each other so as not to be overheard. At the same time Nature is always whispering to us, often with positive advice coming out of the Cosmos. All we need to do is tune in and listen.
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We have traditionally gathered together during the holidays for a family celebration. This tradition goes back over many years through the changes of life. This year it will be nine of us as other parts of the family are creating their own traditions. The one constant that doesn’t change is love for each other
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Our house lot was originally marketed as HIGH WINDS AT MADISON. We do get strong winds but not as powerful as on the mountain top where the cabin is located. Recently the snow cover was low enough to let me use my 4-wheel drive truck to reach it, only to be greeted by large snow drifts. I am reminded that when the winds of life create obstacles, look for other routes around them.
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We are now beginning the journey of increasing daylight, starting second by second leading to minute-by-minute daily advances on the way to the summer solstice in June. Sometimes those seconds seem to fly by as do minutes, hours, days, and years. Experience each one with heart-based love.
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On this Christmas morning everyone who was dreaming of a white Christmas here in the mountains sees their dreams become a reality. My next dream is for peace on earth and goodwill toward all people. Love in our hearts can help that dream become a reality!
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This is the day that Christian children have been waiting for: the day before Christmas with only one more sleep to go. I was fortunate to grow up in a loving home, so this day was filled with waiting. The minutes seemed like hours. I know others had different and perhaps sad experiences anticipating a different type of Christmas. We anticipate life every day. For me I believe something is watching over my anticipations.
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While waiting for some more fresh snow, the primary colors in Nature become green and brown. These are here all year but are often covered up by brighter ones. There are people in life like that who are mostly in the background. They are often my teachers as I learn what others may not see in them.
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My wife’s new pewter moose ornament reminds me of the time I went for a walk and encountered a moose ahead of me on the old road. I waited till it went around a bend, but then came face to face with it, the hair standing up on the back of his neck. I went another way. We all have stories waiting to be remembered again.
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The first day of astrological winter dawned cold and lacking much of the snow that had already accumulated during the three weeks of meteorological winter. We have backed into winter again from a brief moment of warmer weather. Sometimes in life something we have been anticipating turns out differently than we had thought it would be. Positive living each day helps pave the way.
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When there is snow on the ground, it is much easier to discover where the wild animals and turkeys have created trails. Some are over the walking trails we have created, and some are their own routes. People have Soul Purpose trails with routes to be discovered with known and unknown guidance.
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One of our apple trees was used this fall by a deer to sharpen its antlers by rubbing them on a limb. It reminds me of how people have sharpening tools for their minds as well as their physical bodies. As I am non-visual, I like to play solitaire on the computer to help me focus and remember. My goal is to apply that awareness to my soul’s journey.
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We are fortunate to have a wonderful relief carving of my father created by Ellsworth Hathaway several years ago. My parents owned the local telephone company, and the story goes that my father used to answer children calling Santa Claus during the season on an old-fashioned telephone next to his chair by the switchboard. One summer a child at the local store heard him laugh and was sure he had discovered the real Santa Claus.
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The holidays give us the opportunity to put up decorations that we have collected over the years, like the Avon Nativity that we purchased one piece at a time. In the meanwhile, we are always adding something to remember in the future. Life is full of daily opportunities to spread love and positivity among others through our own experiences.
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Most everything has a story behind it, waiting to be told. Most will remain unheard, but for those willing to listen, read, watch or dig deeper into the facts, there is always something to be learned. Your story could have positive effects on others and inspire them in their own story.
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Twenty years ago we decorated a small fir tree at the edge of the orchard and placed some fake presents in the wagon. People would come by with their pets and take pictures. Now the tree has grown too large to decorate, though the memories remain, like they were still happening. Now is where we are.
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The old wagon has been resting at the side of the orchard since we purchased the property over thirty years ago. It is my hope to have it restored someday before it rots away. I need help in doing so and have not had the funds to complete the work. It is time to change my thoughts from someday to now. People often do not realize the power of now in their minds.
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The entrance to the Orchard is one of my favorite places to pause for a moment, take a deep breath of heart filled gratitude, and feel a silent connection to the Cosmos, especially when it has a soft cover of fresh snow. You can find a moment of silence anywhere you are by taking a deep breath and going inside yourself.
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The snow-covered cabin waits patiently for spring, filled with dreams for the future inside. The land is quiet, except for the wind and people that may pass by on a hike or ski. It can be hard to wait for time to pass, and yet when we get there, it may seem like a moment. I think the key is to wait patiently with positive expectations.
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During this holiday season and on into January, almost everywhere I look are reminders of both my past and present reasons to celebrate with heart filled gratitude. I realize not everyone feels the same way, but Nature can us a reason to feel connected.
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I have learned to keep watch for affirmations, signs that let me know I am being watched over and guided along my soul’s path. Some of my signs are hearts like the ones I recently saw in the fresh snow; some are wildlife, pennies face up, and synchronicities like a conversation at the right time. Of course, everyone has affirmations if they are on the lookout for them.
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Recently my wife purchased an inexpensive oversized ring full of bling. She also bought a very bright, blinking snowflake to hang in the window to brighten up the holiday season. For me that bling is filled with gratitude, like meeting someone for the first time on their way skiing on the Center’s trails. My heart is often filled with bling!!!!
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As I travel the old road on fresh snow, I wonder if I remember what it was like to travel by horse drawn sleigh or a team of oxen. I think we all have feelings of the past, either pleasant or negative. Are they real or just a fantasy? You can be the judge of what lingers in your soul.
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In any band or group, the first step is to learn how to play together. At first one hears only hears oneself. It takes time to realize that a group is a blend of many different sounds or talents. If all of them are turned on at the same time, it sounds like chaos. They need to pay attention to each other.
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Now that there is snow on the ground the turkeys have one or more birds that keep watch over the flock by roosting high up in a tree where they can spot predators. I am reminded that people have something spiritual watching over them. Enough people have told me there is something big behind me that I believe I am being watched over, and so are you.
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Nature gave us about 9 inches of fresh snow, and the driveway turned to ice after being plowed, and that required us to spend a couple of hours sanding to make it passable. We were greeted with a beautiful sunset to help ease the complications of the day. Nature can give us something every day to help keep us on an even keel.
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We have several varieties of winter birds at our feeders throughout the season. The other day I noticed a different pair of birds that seemed to be a long way from their natural habitat: Carolina wrens, probably blown here by a storm. Unexpected visitors always provide an opportunity to learn something different about life.
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All indications are that we will have a white Christmas here in the mountains of New Hampshire. I am reminded that when we think of something in the future as already happening, we are sending out an energy that is manifesting what we are dreaming of.
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I still believe in Santa Claus, and I have one that has a special place in my heart. It is one my wife made years ago and donated to a church sale. A few years ago, I found it for sale again for 25 cents. I call it a Christmas miracle. Today my belief in Santa is the spirit of giving and not the figure.
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Today is the first day of meteorological winter. Those who haven’t gone south to escape the cold are hunkered down for expected storms ahead while others are embracing the cold. The weather is a part of all our lives, and I choose to be grateful each day for something that warms my heart, and hopefully others’, as I focus toward the first day of spring.
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When I gazed out the window at a tree with two burls growing close to each other, I could see faces: one a profile and the other looking right at me. I wondered if anyone else could see the same thing. I have learned that there are no two people that see the world the same way. That is what makes life so interesting.
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Mount Washington stands proud and tall as it displays its nearly record setting snowfall for the month of November. Our view is different from others’, and it is always changing. There are people that stand tall above others that silently go about doing good. They often see life differently.
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We are fortunate to receive many acts of kindness every day. Often it is someone’s kind supportive word, and the other day a young lady connected to the Center brought her leaf blower and proceeded to spend the day clearing our lawn. Another one has patched the Center’s roof. You can change someone’s life for the better with an act of kindness.
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Thanksgiving is a very special day in this country to celebrate the things we are thankful for, including family and friends. I am thankful for the turkeys that find nourishment on the grounds at the Center. They help prepare the soil for new growth in the spring. We can grow positive thoughts and actions every day by setting our intentions to do so.
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There are some things I just can’t help, like taking pictures of sunsets. It is not what I do with them, as much as seeing them again. It is a positive habit that provides gratitude for my heart. Of course, we all have negative habits too, such as overeating or negative thoughts that keep replaying in our minds. Sunsets can smooth those over for me.
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Now that the leaves are gone, we discovered an old battered and torn hornets’ nest clinging onto a limb several feet above the ground. It hangs there like a ghost from the past. Many people have ghosts from past negative events in their lives that hang on year after year. Moving on may take love, forgiveness and the realization that it is time to let them go.
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As we start the last week of November, we still do not have snow on the ground. We wait and watch one day at a time with the expectation that the holidays will have a coating of white. We also look at life one day at a time, but unlike many who have negative expectations, our goal is for positive days that bring joy into others’ lives.
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When I was grading with the tractor recently, I plowed up 2-inch sheets of loam that had begun to freeze. They looked like blobs of earth. I was reminded that surface appearances in life may be a little different underneath. At least we can set positive goals for finding the best in what we discover.
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The old apple trees in the orchard are slowly dying off. Many of them have a disease called fire blight that is spread by pruning without sterilizing the blade after each cut, so we have left them alone. In life we often surround ourselves with things and thoughts that are time to “prune”. Thinking of what might be positive with the change can help you make decisions.
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There are a lot of stonewalls on the Center’s land, created a couple of hundred years ago when the land was cleared for farming. Since then, after the settlers gave up, the forest has returned, but the walls remain. In late fall and winter, they are easier to follow than in the summer. Sometimes our soul’s path is hard to follow; one step at a time can help you progress.
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There is not a lot of color in this drab part of fall before the snow arrives. I appreciate the periwinkle vines that have spread at the base of a stone wall with their green variegated colors. When life seems drab, your simple positive acts of kindness can add color.
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So far, we have not received any snow more than a couple of traces that have melted. That said, we are constantly vigilant to the weather, knowing it is only a matter of time before the first major snow arrives. We can prepare or not. We can fear it or not. What we think and do can affect our whole being. There is a lot to be vigilant about in life. I prefer to trust in positive outcomes.
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The old tree at the side of the Orchard has been buffeted by the north winds over the years and has grown a coating of fungus on the side, perhaps to protect itself from the weather. People are often affected by the weather of life, and grow their bodies, minds, and outlooks to protect themselves from the environment they live in.
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I looked out over the parking lot at the Center when the volunteers were working on the ski trails and my heart was filled with joy and gratitude. Actually, even just one car in the lot gives me the same feeling as I know someone is finding joy in Nature as I do. Come check it out!!!!!!!!
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I can remember years ago looking forward to driving along a certain birch lined road. I get the same feeling when I am among the white birches on the mountain. I think we all have a positive memory that we recall from time to time. It may be among something in nature or among like-minded people.
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Recently the Granite Back Country Alliance, the organization that created and maintains the ski trails on the Center’s land, partnered with volunteers from the local Timberland Store to do some much needed maintenance work. This teamwork will be appreciated all winter. Actually, we are all a team of light workers spreading love and positivity all over the world.
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I don’t think Winter has made up its mind yet whether it wants to take over from Fall. It has been hinting for the last couple of weeks, sprinkling snow every other day that does not build up a base. My thoughts turn to people who sprinkle acts of kindness wherever they go. It might be a smile, a kind word, or a helping hand. Sprinkling comes in many different forms.
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Now that the leaves are gone, I am discovering things in nature that were hidden in plain sight, like a bird’s nest only a couple of feet from the old road I pass by almost daily. This is also true when we are not focused on what is happening around us in the moment.
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There is always something that needs our attention, like the leaves that the wind blows into the driveway. We haul them away, and the next day the wind fills it up again. In life there is always something - mentally, physically, or spiritually - that vies for our attention every day. Being aware is a part of living.
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On this Veterans Day I am grateful for all those that have helped and continue to help protect the freedom in this country that allows me to gaze out the window at falling snow or walk the trails on the mountain. My goal is to share what I have so that others are free to enjoy Nature. Thank you!!!!!
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We knew it was coming. We had been watching it creep down from the mountains, and then it left a thin coating on our roof. Some people dread its arrival while others look forward to it. Then there are others who just coast through life focused on other things rather than life itself. I choose to discover something unique in each day, with gratitude.
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The Fairy Pathway and surrounding area is now ready for a long winter’s sleep. All the figurines have been gathered up and placed undercover. At the same time, the planning for next summer has begun. It is good in life to never finish so that the next chapter in our lives is already beginning. Sweet dreams!!
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A few years ago a cereal commercial used the phrase “discover it again for the first time” to connect adults with their past. That is the way I felt and continue to feel, now that the leaves are mostly gone and the time has changed, when I am greeted with an alpine glow in the morning. I am a kid again.
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In the middle of the night, I peered out the window and thought it was daybreak. It was really the light of the brightest full moon we have had this year. It mesmerized me as I stared at it through leafless tree branches. I could feel the energy of the moonlight and its power to influence our lives.
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It seems as if every day there is something new to make note of, such as the first frost, the snow on the mountains, and the first alpine glow after the time change and foliage off the trees. Then again, when one becomes aware of the moment, there is always something to discover for the first time every day of the year.
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The wind is now free to blow through barren tree limbs with very little resistance. It stings our faces as we walk the trails. At the same time, we can now see further into the woods for the first time since May. There is a positive and negative side to all seasons; it just depends on how we choose to experience them.
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The temperatures are slowly dropping as the nights get longer. We are definitely making the transition from fall to winter. Actually, every day has transitions in it if we pay attention. I think the secret is to approach every day with love and to know we are not alone in a world of change.
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On a picture prefect first day of November, our son did some trail work and resurrected a birdhouse that had fallen in the Lupine Field, reading it for next spring. Every day has a moment that is picture perfect if we take the time to recognize it.
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Pennies aren’t worth as much as they used to. A lot of people just throw them away. Thoughts can be a lot more valuable than the thinker thinks. Often a thought is never communicated to others. I still like to pick up pennies when I find them as I do when I hear other’s thoughts. They all add up.
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Snow has now covered the top of Mt. Washington. It is just a matter of time before we will be plunged into winter. Some people are excited about enjoying the snow while others see it as a sign to head for warmer climes. We spend a good part of our lives waiting. I think the key is to set your intentions that whatever arrives can be dealt with through heart-based positivity.
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Halloween began as All Hallows Eve, an ancient pagan holiday when souls supposedly entered and left the earth plain. I believe that our mountain has an ancient connection to unknown people who travelled here to celebrate that event. Several things help convince me, including a carving of Oden, formations on the land, and the way the setting sun opens up the center of the earth.
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Even the leaves are taking on a ghostly look as Halloween approaches. There is a lot of mystery connected to this holiday celebrated at the end of October. Whether you believe it or not, it is a time to consider the supernatural and remember experiences over the years that may not be explained.
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I wonder about many things. What is really real? What is time? What is hidden in the clouds? What is the history of my soul? What is my Soul’s purpose? I may never know all the answers, but that is what keeps the wonders alive.
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The high mountains to the north and west were not visible from the Lupine Field. It was snowing. Now it is just a matter of time before winter overtakes us. In life we often have a feeling that it’s just a matter of time before something is going to happen. That is the time to connect with your heart and expect that it will be a positive thing that happens.
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Every time I approach the Lupine Field, it with the anticipation of discovering it again for the first time. I think that is something I have done my entire life. I have learned to start anticipating with the feeling of heart gratitude that something positive is going to happen, and it almost always does.
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The fall foliage is slowly fading away. Soon it will only be a memory that will blend with other foliage memories making it hard to separate them into different years. This is what happens in almost all aspects of our lives. My goal is to appreciate the moment a positive memory is happening so that I can hold the gratitude of the experience in my heart.
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Every time I walk through the exit of the Orchard and start on the trail to the Lupine Field, I never know what I will encounter around the next turn. I might meet someone, see an animal or a bird, or just find something different in the landscape. Actually, I find life to be that way, wherever I am, every day. There is always another adventure, waiting.
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It’s been a while since we have had two rainy days in a week. The timing is good as the ground has recovered some of its lost moisture before the winter snow arrives. There are many things in life that we find again after it has been a while. The question is, “How can we now use them in a positive way?”
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BEAUTY IN A RAINY DAY. A rainy day during peak foliage season really helps the colors pop. A gloomy day becomes much more vibrant with the wet-colored leaves. When life feels gloomy, finding something to be grateful for may brighten up your world a little.
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Recently my son was at the top of the lupine field at sunset and captured some beautiful pictures. It was a moment in time that I would have missed had it not been for his efforts. There are many moments in life we miss because we are focused on other things. My intention is to be aware of moments that warm my heart with gratitude for experiencing them.
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The Barbary may look beautiful, especially in the fall when the branches are filled with red berries. It also has sharp spikes that keep the deer away from munching on it. With nothing to hold it in check, it can take over the landscape. People have invasive thoughts that are hard to clear without the feeling of unconditional love to change the soul’s landscape.
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We often think of fall as having colder nights and shortening days. Yet there is a soft side to the season with its pastel Impressionist moments like small red crabapples with an out-of-focus background. Many people do not like to show their soft sides, feeling the need to protect themselves, but we all have soft sides in our hearts.
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Half of our state is in a severe drought. Outside fires are banned and a lot of wells are going dry. Unfortunately, as far as the weather goes, we are at the mercy of Nature. When it seems as if our minds have dried up with creative ideas, we can at least think of something we are grateful for and trust that our Source will prime our mental pumps with positivity.
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Every year the leaves outside our house and the Mountain are the last to change colors in the fall. We often see the last of the leaf peepers stop and take photos. In life, some people will be the first to change and change too soon while others will resist and change too late because they weren’t paying attention to the climate.
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The lupine Field and the Orchard have been cut and are now ready for a long winter’s sleep. For many of us, the shortened days and colder nights are also creating changes in our habits, like wanting more comfort food and less physical activity. It is easy to change without being aware of how it is affecting our minds and bodies until we approach spring. We can adjust when we are aware.
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I finally got to test out the temporary bench on the meditation spot I have been working on. It started in my mind over the winter, and I physically worked on it this summer and fall. It works and has an amazing feeling. Life is filled with goal setting and assessing the results as we set our intentions to be in tune with our Soul’s purpose.
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Did you ever have one of those days where several loose ends all came together at the same time? That happened to us recently, and to top it all off, nature gave us a beautiful sunset to add to the gratitude in my heart. I know that several Forces were working together to make it possible, and my intention is to have the same experience every day!!! I wish the same for you!
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As I stood in the middle of the orchard admiring the view, I had a feeling of accomplishment and relief that the mowing had been done, and this part of the land was ready for winter. I also knew there was more to be done and finishing this part of my seasonal goal gave me the confidence to move on to my next goal. It is good to celebrate what has been done for a brief moment.
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Recently we met a couple walking back to their vehicle after going for a hike on our land. They told us about a tall pine that had fallen and blocked part of the way, so they brought a hand saw and cut all the limbs to clear the trail again. We want to thank them and all the other hikers that clip, cut and clear the trails for others to enjoy. Acts of kindness do matter! Thank you!
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I learned a long time ago when climbing mountains that if I went too fast, I would have trouble reaching the top. Now I set a big goal that has many small steps before I get there, such as the meditation spot dedicated to Lisa. Now the stonework is about finished, Lori has worked her magic planting some beautiful flowers in front. The result is much more than I could have imagined, step by step.
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Doing some grading behind the Center recently, I found a small piece of what I thought was the tractor in the dirt. It had some green paint and so I just assumed I had broken something. My son identified it as an old fishing reel. How did that wind up there? I may never know. Life is full of mysteries that keep my mind busy.
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People come to the mountains to see the fall foliage and often miss the little visual pleasures, like yellow ferns bathed in sunlight. There are little pleasures to be found in people, like a friendly smile or word when our minds are preoccupied. Offering small positive acts can make a big difference to others.
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My year is divided up into what I call rituals, such as the annual cutting of the Lupine Field and Orchard to prepare them for next spring. It is a spiritual experience, spending time on the lawn tractor driving around in circles. For many, holidays are a part of the rituals of life, providing the opportunity to experience heart felt gratitude.
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As the fall foliage is reaching its peak and the nights are getting longer, the feel of summer is winding down. The cooler and leafless days of autumn are setting in. In life when things seem to be winding down, there is always something else positive to discover, either old or new, if we are open to such discovery.
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The hills are alive with the colors of fall foliage. People flock into nature during the couple of weeks the leaves are at their peak. With heart-felt gratitude it is possible to have this incredible refreshing of our souls any time of the year by intending to find it in many aspects of our lives.
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I usually take a hike on the Center trails from the top of the mountain while others like to make the climb up from the Center’s parking lot. Our goal is to make it possible for everyone to experience nature and the beautiful views. Experiencing Nature, wherever you are, is a wonderful way to rejuvenate your soul.
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I consider myself to be an observer of life. One of my favorite places to do that is up on the mountain where I can hear the distant sounds from the valley below. Here I can reflect on what I have seen and experienced in life and Nature. My intention is to be able to share what I have observed in a positive light.
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There is something about the fall season and travelling country roads that brings me back in time. I imagine what it might have been like to travel them a hundred years ago. I believe we all have places where we can pause for a moment and rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and souls.
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For some reason, the leaves on our trees are some of the last to change, while others across the valley are almost at peak foliage. The calendar has changed to October as the days rush by. An old friend once asked me for some help, and I asked how soon she wanted me. Her reply was, “Hurry slowly”.
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According to the news the beautiful sunset we recently experienced was caused by two hurricanes off the coast of Florida and the Carolinas. We are constantly being affected by weather, but also situations in our lives affect us almost daily. If we pause and connect to our hearts, we can change the effects on our minds.
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A blanket of fog covered the lake when we awoke at the family cottage. The small island close to the foot of the lake seemed to be floating in the water creating a peaceful scene. I sat in a chair and did some reflecting of my own for the past, present and future.
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I do not usually think of birch bark having any red color, but I recently noticed some. I believe it is a time when the old bark is giving way to the new growth of the tree. There are a lot of things that we can miss in life when our mind is not taking in all that is happening around us. My goal is to have curiosity like a child.
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Most of the wildflowers, sometimes called weeds, have gone to seed here on the mountainside. Still, many of their arrangements, before they fly in the wind, are beautiful. I enjoy them all season long. Regardless of their age, people still have beautiful positive thoughts and actions that are worth sharing.
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The fibrous seeds in the milkweed pods are now setting sail in the winds of autumn. Many of them will find fertile soil for new milkweed to grow next spring. Fall is a great time for the goals we have been setting in our minds to fly into positive actions in search of finding the right soil of life to help them continue to grow.
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The landscape here in the mountains has experienced a major drought this summer. Finally, a little payment on that debt has been delivered with some drops of liquid gold. It is very easy in life to become burdened down with many kinds of debt. Just as a single drop of water, one step at a time can bring about relief.
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I was recently given a sturdy portable reclining chair that I could take outside to relax in nature for a few moments. It is a wonderful way to rejuvenate my mind and connect with my Soul. I can also take this experience in my mind anywhere I go and reconnect with the feeling anytime I want.
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The red winterberries have ripened and are waiting to make their full presence known when the fall foliage has disappeared. Then they will stand out against a bleak late autumn landscape. When life seems bleak, there is always something we can find that stands out to brighten things up even if just a little.
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I watched a male turkey trying to herd his flock and from the way he was all frumpled up, it apparently wasn’t going very well. I think of people like that when things aren’t going the way they want them to. I don’t know about turkeys, but people can pause when things are out of proportion, take a breath, and connect with their Source to help them unfrumple.
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We are now officially entering the fall season. The temperatures will soon fall to the freezing point, and the leaves will fall from the trees. I think of the word “fall” as a stumble in life and how we may rise up again using positivity and heart-based love to use the situation as a building block for the future.
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A tiny clump of blue flowers amongst dried brown grass and ferns reminded me that something doesn’t have to be big to stand out in the world. There are people who go about their daily lives with a positive attitude doing small acts of kindness that may overlooked. To me they are as eye catching as the tiny asters.
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The mountains surrounding the valley are well rounded from the mile-high ice that covered the land during the ice age. As the earth warmed, the melting ice rounded the jagged peaks and reshaped the landscape. Well-rounded people have been reshaped by life experiences helping them discover and then share their positive wisdom.
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There is something about the sky that is mesmerizing, especially when the clouds are drifting over the mountains. It is a wonderful time to let my mind drift out into the Cosmos to communicate with and receive inspiration from the Sources that exist to guide everyone that take a few moments to do so.
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When I decided to create a memorial meditation spot just above the Ormond Gardens, it turned out to be a bigger project then I first thought. I did a lot of prep work with the tractor, grading the slope and creating easy access. Now one wall has been built, and the stones have been laid to finish the outline. In life we sometimes try to take actions before we have considered the cause and effect on ourselves and others.
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The old outhouse at the Cabin was there when we took over the property but had never been used for the purpose it was built. We store firewood in it. A lot of things in life are as they appear to be. It is good to be aware.
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A few years ago, I cleaned up a small area that was covered with wood debris. Now the goldenrod has taken hold and is welcomed by insects searching for the last drops of nectar before frost sets in. Of course, there are still invasive plants which would like to take over. The same is true in people’s minds. Positivity helps the mind stay clear of debris.
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I saw the first pumpkin person to welcome in the fall season standing silently outside the local Historical Society. Soon the valley will be invaded with many more outside businesses and private homes. To me, this is what acts of kindness are all about: much needed joy.
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I can see the changes in the leaves taking place every day as Fall takes over the landscape in the mountains. Soon they will be ablaze in color. Change takes place every day year-round when we pay attention to it, especially with heart-based gratitude and anticipation of constant little miracles.
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One of my favorite September perennials are the phlox. Despite the lack of rain, they seem to still be able to bloom. I am grateful for life’s color. Some people live in a colorless world, focused on worry and stress, with nothing to be grateful in their hearts. If they would change their focus, they could find it.
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The beginning of fall marks the beginning of the succulent season. These waxy leaved plants produce small flowers that will stay in bloom until frost. I know people who quietly exist unnoticed until something positive they do brings them to the attention of others. Then they return to their non-flashy but meaningful life.
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- Recently a small group of women went up to the Cabin to dowse for water using pendulums, a bobber, Y rods and L rods. Actually, your fingers can also feel that energy. They all came to a conclusion as to where a spring was located. Dowsing is an ancient art that people can use in other decision making.
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FLAVORING UP THE GARDEN. Most of the lilies in the Ormond Gardens have stopped flowering, but I see that the chives are still in bloom. Chives are also used to add flavor. Life has many flavors that can be experienced through all senses. I think of the warmth of my heart like the warmth of warm biscuits.
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I stood at the top of the Lupine Field after the rain had ended. The clouds still covered the mountain tops, and my heart was filled with peaceful filled gratitude. I believe, regardless of the weather, that we always have room in our hearts to find peace and gratitude.
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We often take things in life for granted, like a summer with sun and rain. This year we are experiencing a drought, and I am grateful for recent rain. There are many things we take for granted that we should pay more attention to. Gratitude in the now may help one stay in touch.
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As the daylight diminishes a little each day, it creates some beautiful scenes in nature like brown ferns and birch trees. So much happens in each moment that it is hard to take it all in. Our minds are often so full of thoughts that we can pass by the beauty of life, both in nature and in people.
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This year the cool weather in the spring caused the bees to become active after the flowers on the apple tree had passed the time for pollination. Consequently, instead of an “apple a day” the tune in my head is “An Apple a Tree”. Sometimes what we take for granted in life changes. That is the time to get creative.
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I am very grateful that I have a place where I can go away from the world for a little peace and quiet. I might be there for a minute or an hour. It is a place where I can connect with the invisible team that guides me on my Soul’s path. We all have a place like that even if it is just in our mind.
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The summer dry spell has caused a lot of leaves to dry out and on my walk to the Lupine Field every step I take crunches. For many people “crunch time” means an action is needed to move forward. That is the time to reach into our hearts to move forward with positive intentions for the greater good.
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A year ago, the Ormond Gardens at the Center received the donation of a small crab apple tree. It blossomed this spring, and now we have some small crab apples maturing. This act of kindness was an investment that will pay joyful dividends in the future, as can other acts of kindness, wherever you are.
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Queen Anne’s Lace is also known as wild carrots because their roots and flowers have a taste like domestic carrots. That said, I have never tried them and do not recommend them. For me they provide a feast for my eyes and my heart. There are many positive acts of kindness that can fuel my heart.
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Fall is definitely in the air as we enter September. It is a season of change: foliage; shortening daylight; lowering temperatures; and thinking towards the seasons ahead. It is wise to approach our personal changes with positive loving perspective intending for the greater good.
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As the last rays of meteorological summer fade away, the weather is showing hints of fall. It is a time to review the accomplishments of the summer as we establish our fall and winter goals which keep us on path of our Soul’s purpose.
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There is a simple sign in the middle of the Orchard that says “love”. It is a place where people love to walk and often pause to meditate. Someone laid a pet to rest there a few years ago. It was a place they loved to visit. This sign inspires people to think about different meanings of love.
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The day started out expecting another drought plagued August, when about noon the sky opened up and we experienced a deluge of rain and pea-sized hail. It was, in this case, a delightful surprise. When days go in a negative direction, at least, we have our heartfelt connection to help guide us.
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The milkweed seed pods growing in the Orchard are maturing nicely. The butterflies enjoyed their blossoms, and soon the seeds for next year will be scattered about. As people age, their youthful thoughts can mature nicely, especially when they are filtered through their heart’s love.
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I recently staked out the place where I plan to create a special memorial seating area behind the Center. The planning has been going on in my mind for several months and now the stakes are set to guide me where to build the base. Life planning often goes through several steps before we set the stakes for the intended results.
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Leaving the Orchard, there appears to be a hole in the woods. It is actually a section of trail that is shaded by pine trees. My mind automatically starts to enter the hole as it reaches out to connect with my Source waiting for me in the vast Cosmos beyond.
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I often tell people I am always done and never finished. I like to think ahead on potential goals for the land such as creating new hiking trails, as well as personal goals for myself. Many of these future goals may change with time. Thinking is the first step in creating future realities
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All of a sudden, the weather felt like fall, even though summer is not over yet. The days are getting shorter and the evenings cooler. Summer will be back for a short time. In life we like to preview what will take place in our minds before we get there. I like to think of my goals as future flexible concepts.
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The common tansy, also known as golden buttons, is new to the garden this year and has grown to be over six feet tall. It is a big presence, and one would expect it would have big flowers, but they are very small. I think of people that think they are important and have a big ego presence that doesn’t have a lot to offer behind it.
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The last lily to bloom at the Center is often called the resurrection lily. For several years it bloomed outside of the garden and was transplanted more recently in a different place. They can be finicky, and I just discovered two of them in bloom. We resurrect a lot of things in life.
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I like to watch cloud formations, and as I looked up I saw a set of angel wings covering the sky with a definite portal in the middle. This was proof to me that I do not walk this earth alone and I know that each of us has the same connection to those wings.
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As the shadows grow longer each day with the diminishing daylight; there is that special moment before dusk when the Mountain is bathed in a warm quietness. It is easy to enter my heart and soar beyond into the Cosmos, bringing back a wonder for an experience that will linger into the approaching night and beyond.
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The leaves on the mountainside are beginning to change color, indicating that summer is starting to transition into fall. Transitions of many kinds are with us all year long. I thank my invisible team every day for guiding me.
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An evening walk, especially on a pleasant summer evening, is a wonderful way to connect with your inner mind and the Cosmos beyond to feel heart felt love and gratitude. If it is hard to walk, one can always take a breath and take a little break wherever you are.
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The little brook that normally flows down the mountain and is the subject of many podcasts is currently bone dry. Bone dry is an old term that describes conditions of being void of any moisture. Sometimes our minds can dry up of any creative thoughts. Fortunately, we can find some creative moisture in our unconscious by connecting to our heart’s flow.
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I often encounter different symbols which remind me that I do not travel on my Soul’s path alone. A heart symbol is my predominate one. I know I am surrounded with love. I believe we all have these affirmations if we choose to be aware of them.
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Every time I venture up to the Cabin and the top of the mountain, my heart is filled with pure joy. It is a place for me to escape for a few moments and connect with the world of my Soul. A lot of inspiration from my Source comes while I am there. I believe when we have a place in our heart to experience pure joy, we are on our Soul’s path.
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In the process of looking for the perfect drag to improve the trails, we were given a bed spring to tow behind the Cat. It worked for a while until the trail became too rough for it. In life when it becomes a drag, we can reach into our hearts with gratitude and thank our “invisible” team for help lightening the load.
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Many people believe that they can communicate with trees. I like to look for spirit faces in the bark. Some people are just out of reach due to their closed minds until, all of a sudden, something happens that they cannot explain.
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I think we all have moments in our lives we think our thoughts are absolutely brilliant. A little later they may not seem to be so bright. My question to myself is, where did the thoughts come from, my ego or from the Source? If from the Source, I give myself permission to investigate further.
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Recently Lori brought and planted three beautiful additions to the Ormond Gardens that are already contributing color to their new environment. It is the intention that, whether someone visits once or comes often, their energy will make a positive difference.
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Our beautiful mountains have been covered over by smoke coming from Canadian wildfires. A lot of people are having trouble catching their breath. It’s not Canada’s fault but is an example of how something negative can have a far-ranging effect on our environment.
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The steeple brush, a wild pink flowering bushy type flower looks as if should be kept in the kitchen to scrub out narrow neck bottles. It provides all kinds of opportunities for my mind to wander as I escape for a few moments into nature. It is a great way to help clean my mind from the stresses of the world.
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Bigleaf asters are now in bloom and should last all the way to the first frost. I am so grateful to Nature for allowing my heart to be filled with joy, whether I experience it firsthand or see a picture of its beauty. That, of course, is my intention: to find joy that I can share in different ways throughout my day.
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My favorite place to pause and take a breath is when I look at the mountains beyond the Orchard to the West. It never gets old. There are many people who never quiet their minds and forget to breathe, which causes them to feel anxious and stressed. It is good to find that peaceful place in your mind.
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The ferns are maturing, and that means it won’t be long before the transition to autumn will begin. It is time to reflect on the summer while enjoying August as you set your intentions for the fall. There is a lot to celebrate and a lot to plan for on one’s Soul’s path.
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August is one of those months where I begin to sum up the summer and try to escape as much as possible on a warm afternoon, to visit the cabin on top of the mountain. I may not be there long, but I always come back feeling refreshed and in tune with life. We all have a place in our minds to visit all year long.
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I have really enjoyed the Ormond Gardens this year”, and I realize that is still a work in progress with many more additions anticipated. However, “work is a heavy word, and I prefer to use “play” instead. There is something lighter when we think about playing with what we do each day.
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I know that when the goldenrod have begun to bloom that we are entering the golden period of summer, a time to set one’s intentions to enjoy every day, to reflect and begin to plan for autumn and beyond. I set my intentions each day to be a channel for love from the Source.
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The common tansy is a flowering plant that grows up to six feet tall. It is an imposing presence in the Ormond Garden. That is not common to me. Many people seem to live just a common life to those who do not know them. I believe that everyone has a uniqueness about them that may not be noticed.
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A couple of years ago I put some fill around a couple of boulders on the edge of the parking area at the Center. This year there is a clump of tall yellow flowers growing there. When we sow seeds of positivity with purpose, it could produce a clump of others joining in on the goal.
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Lori recently planted the old barrel in Ormond Gardens with some annuals. It reminds me of people that may have stale old views of life, but always have the opportunity to change negative thoughts to revitalize their lives. My intention is to hang out with young people of all ages to stay fresh.
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The blossoms of the double orange lilies signal that it is time to spend a moment, an hour, a day, or a vacation during the height of the summer season. It is good for the mind, body, and spirit and a chance to let nature clear away all the negative thoughts that may have been invading our minds.
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Wouldn’t it be great if we all had a drawer full of zippers to put over our mouths when we were about to say something that might be taken the wrong way? Sometime even with the best of positive intentions, the words just slip out. At least we always have the option of trying to mend the rip.
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When I looked at a small rock surrounded by moss, I saw what appeared to be an image, and I wondered what I was seeing and what others might see. Many times we look for something specific that influences how we see things.
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I have been a fan of daylilies for as long as I can remember. Each blossom lasts a day, and the plant usually only flowers for a week or so. Now there are varieties that bloom longer. I am also a fan of life and set my intentions to be grateful for at least one thing a day, including, whichever lily is in bloom at the moment.
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I recently captured a photo of Derek as he was working in the Ormond Gardens. He is a master of creating a beautiful flow of energy throughout the landscape and he does most of it using just hand tools. Some people are “hands on” and some are “hands off”. Knowing how to find a balance for the best of the greater good seems to be the key.
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The hens and chickens have continued to spread out at the top of a retaining wall at the Center, the big ones sending out tentacles spawning new growth. Positive people shine their light of love which may change lives which in in turn brings more to a movement that just may change the world. The flock is growing.
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We discovered recently that the fairy population on the Mountain is expanding as there is now a second residence established on the old stump close by to the first. It is my hope that there will be positive planning for more housing to suit the needs of both people and Nature.
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I set my intentions to discover something new each day. This summer there seems to be something new each day in the Ormond Gardens, like a different colored cone flower. Being a student of life can help us navigate our Soul’s path.
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I was reminded of summers of my youth as I enjoyed a recent sunset; all I had to do was play in the water or ballfield. The world of today is a lot more complicated, but it is the world we live in. My goal is to bring old fashioned values forward and update them to the present.
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The Echinacea/coneflower was doing its job by supplying nectar for the yellow patterned butterfly who in turn was pollinating the flower, and both gave Ormond Garden visitors a feeling of gratitude. When you live your lives with positivity, you are doing part of your soul’s job.
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One of the transplants in the Ormond Gardens has grown quite tall, so I anticipated large flowers. However, the Lucifer plant has small flowers. Some people appear to have a large presence but may be trying to cover up and hide an inner weakness.
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Sometimes, after wet overnight dew, we see spiderwebs in the grass. Spiderwebs of all types are interesting designs. Air can flow through them and yet they are strong enough to capture the intended prey. People use webbing for its flexible strength. Flexible webs of positivity just might catch some new recruits.
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We have passed the midpoint of July as the days of summer slip by. I am reminded by the different blooming daylilies to pay attention to every day with gratitude as I wander about Nature following the path of my Soul.
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Sometimes positive things happen in life without us knowing exactly how. A few years ago, I noticed a tall blue flower growing in the Lupine Field. I’m not sure how the seeds first got there, but I am grateful, and so are the butterflies. Actually, I set my intentions every day for positive things to just happen.
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There is a weed-type plant in one location at the Center covered with tiny pinkish white flowers attracting butterflies and other insects. I suspect that by its name, “spreading dogbane”; it is now found in many flower gardens. Spreading positivity in the world is a good thing while spreading negativity is not.
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There are several different daisy types of flowers in the Ormond Gardens, including one that has a center the same color as the petals. We often tend to put people into certain categories that dismiss their individual uniqueness. How do you add your uniqueness to the positive garden of life?
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The lavender plants are now blooming. Their smell is a favorite of many people, and when I ask if someone can imagine the smell when they take a deep breath, I watch them become more relaxed. If you can imagine a smell that is positive and relaxing, you can slow your mind down and relax a little more.
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I am always on the lookout for more and different flowers that can be transplanted to the Ormond Gardens to round out the color during the season. I am always on the lookout for the abilities people have that they do not see to help them develop confidence and use them for others.
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Every once in a while, my eyes will catch a bright flash of glitter as I walk the trails on the mountain. It is mica, a thin component of some of the rocks on the land. It is the basis of isinglass, used in the windows of wood and early gas stoves. We have a form of mental isinglass that can help shield and protect our minds from things that can disturb our thinking.
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There is an abundance of milkweed in the Orchard and Lupine Field this year to provide nourishment for the butterflies, bees, and birds. It also provides me food for thought to consider on my Soul’s path.
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The blackberry bush was laden down with green berries, promising a sweet harvest in a few weeks. It is possible that birds may get to them first. A lot of people feel the stress of expectation as they are laden with potential abilities.
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The other day we saw two flashes of red amongst the foliage in the Lupine Field. Upon closer investigation we found wild wood lilies, a rarity here on the mountainside. My mind turned to the joy of finding a talent someone might try to hide because they thought it was nothing special. I know differently.
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When I was greeted by an orange glory flower in the Ormond Gardens, I could not help smiling and told myself it was a glorious day. Actually it is my intention to find something glorious every day and then share what I am feeling with others.
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Some of the transplants in the Ormond Gardens came with more than one variety in a single scoop. One of them looks like a daisy with a different center. I was reminded that we often lump people together as being the same, but with a closer look, it is possible to see that everyone is a little different from each other.
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The brown eyed susans are keeping watch in the Ormond Gardens, greeting all that pass by. I believe that we are all watched over by something that helps us navigate through life. The key is to take the risk of believing you are not alone and are watched over.
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Several years ago we transplanted some hydrangeas from the Historical Society to the Center. I do not know their history before being planted there. We have history in our souls that we may or may not be aware of. That history moves with us wherever we travel on our Soul’s path.
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On this Independence Day in this country, I am grateful for the freedom to take a walk in Nature and sit on the bench at the top of the Lupine Field and reflect on the many things for which I am grateful, including the opportunity to share this special place with others. Positive change can come from the freedom of being able to share love and gratitude.
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I spent quite a bit of time trying to identify the subject flower of today’s podcast and wasn’t successful. Someone will tell me. People often do not realize the talents they have. My goal is to show them so that they can let their abilities grow which create positivity for others.
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The thick leaves on a succulent plant collected little pearls of moisture from the recent rain. I was reminded that every day there are little pearls of wisdom waiting for us to harvest to nourish our Soul. They can come from almost anywhere: a conversation, a book, Nature… All we need to do is be aware.
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The yellow lilies that line the driveway to the parking area at the center, planted last year, are now in full bloom. They make a floral welcome sign, inviting people to visit. A simple smile can be a welcome sign, sharing positivity.
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The delicate astilbe with its small white flowers is different from all the other varieties of plants in the Ormond Gardens. I find that people come in all kinds of varieties, and that is what makes my Soul’s journey so unique. I am grateful for that.
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Now that the first of the orange lilies are blooming, I look forward to driving along the back country roads where many of the old homes are gone but the orange lilies still there take my mind back in time. I believe as we navigate the path of our soul’s purpose there is a Source with us to help blend the past with the present.
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The Rose Campion is enjoying its first summer in the Ormond Gardens as it ushers in the summer season. It is the time for people to absorb mentally, physically, and spiritually the renewing ability of Nature to prepare us for the fall.
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I have been collecting plants for years, and, like the evening primrose now in bloom, I am not sure where they came from. My collection usually has a purpose, and that is to share with others. People collect thoughts that they don’t know where they came from. At least we can weed out the negative ones and replace them with love and gratitude.
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Recently our outside thermometer recorded a temperature of 101 degrees, and I think that may be a new high for us. The weather has been a progression of extremes the last couple of years, as have people’s thoughts. At least we can be aware of our thoughts, and through love and positivity lower the temperature in our minds.
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The stella d’oro daylilies have begun to bloom, and, unlike other daylilies, they will continue to flower all summer. There are people that only do a single act of kindness and then are done, while others continue to create positive acts of kindness all year long.
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The foxglove are now in bloom in the Ormond Gardens. They have the ability to move around each year searching for the best soil to grow in. People have the same ability to plant their thoughts in the best positive environment for them to grow and make a difference in the world.
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A patch of clover in full blossom caught my attention for a few moments and I watched the butterflies and bees going from flower-to-flower harvesting food. My mind felt peaceful as I set my intentions to think of gratitude and love.
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Our wild garden on the lawn is now on its third part of the summer season with the white and blue bell flowers blooming. We will mow after they go to seed. Sometimes our positive thoughts need time and more components before they flower.
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Some people spend a lot of time thinking about how they invest while others are more spontaneous. Most of our investment goes into improving the land for others to enjoy. A great example is the lupine Field. A belief is an investment. It is wise to invest in a good one that stands the test of time.
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Some flowers including Queen Ann’s Lace in the wild and Yarrow in a domestic garden are essentially the same, except yarrow comes in different colors. Some people have wild ideas while others are more conservative. The key is to find a blend for the greater good of all.
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The Milkweed are now in the budding stage, and it won’t be long before the flowers will attract butterflies. It reminds me of the budding stage for our ideas. Some will reach the flowering stage while others will not. It can take courage to give oneself permission to take the risk of succeeding.
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The Ormond Garden is constantly adding new varieties of flowering plants that provide something of interest throughout the season. Positive diversity in life can add a richness of knowledge and understanding to our Soul’s journey.
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There is an old saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I believe people that are willing can learn something new each day when they set their intentions. Recently I learned about catmint. Nature and people are great teachers.
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I am always looking for treasure, but not always the treasure that most people think of. It might be a turkey feather left in the grass or discovering a talent someone else has that goes unrecognized. Life is full of treasures that fill my heart with gratitude. You are a treasure to me!
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The pink dianthus flowers are currently in full bloom in the Ormond Gardens. They bring gratitude and joy to my heart causing me to feel in the pink. My intention is to share my positive feelings in many different ways to others like you.
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Every time I see the sunny face of a daisy, I think of the old song titled “A Daisy a Day”. I am grateful to Nature for giving me the opportunity to share its beautiful smile with others as I continue about my day.
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It is not uncommon to see an asterisk beside a word when reading a book. That often means there is more information available in the publication on the subject being read. We often have asterisks on our thoughts. It is information found in our subconscious minds when we open up to it.
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I like to look all around when I go for a walk in Nature. Recently my heart jumped for joy when I saw a small lichen heart nestled in the grass. Had I not been looking all around I could have missed this important affirmation for me. As I walk along my Soul’s path, I intend to be aware of all aspects of life.
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I have found that daily appreciation of Nature plays a major role in keeping on track with my life and soul purpose. In nature I take deep breaths, slow down my mind, and set my intentions to trust in the guidance that comes to me from my Source.
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In my mind, summer officially begins with the first blossom of my yellow daylily. I know that now I will be greeted with a colorful variety of blooms right through September. We measure life throughout the year by different events and yet each year offers a positive chance to learn and grow.
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It used to be that men were considered stronger than women and better suited for physical tasks. I have seen that change over the years as demonstrated by many of the females involved at the Center. They have taken over many of the tasks I used to be able to do, and I am grateful.
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Every day now there is something new to discover blooming in the flower garden, like the blue and yellow flags. No matter what time of year, there is always something to discover and share with others in a positive way.
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Looking back over my life journey, I have come to believe that nothing happens by coincidence. We are constantly having opportunities to learn, adjust, and make improvements on our soul’s journey. I realize that not everyone feels the same way as each path may be different.
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I have several routines that I intend to follow during the year that help me connect heart-based gratitude and positivity. Right now, I like to spend a little time each day wandering around the Center’s grounds and enjoying the flowers like the rhododendrons. Sometimes our routines get interrupted, and we feel off balance until we find the connection again.
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I have been waiting a year for the lupine to bloom again. This next week I will visit the field as often as I can and am grateful to share it with others. We wait for many things in life, and sometimes they come and go without us noticing them. I have learned to set my intentions to be aware of special moments when they are happening.
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JUNE IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER. June 1st is often considered to be the first day of summer. Nature has come to life and so too has the opportunity to manifest winter dreams. Now is the time to be aware of each day with gratitude, so when fall comes, you won’t wonder where summer went.
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I discovered an old decaying tree stump with Canadian Mayflowers growing in it. Nature had helped find a home for these small wildflowers. People with positive outlooks can usually find a home for their acts of kindness that bring joy to others.
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We had a ladder propped up on the railing to the Center and the other day when it was moved, we discovered a very special surprise growing under where it had been. It was one of our favorite wildflowers only a few feet from the building. Every day can have a special surprise for us when we set our intentions for our next special discovery.
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Our bridal wreath is in bloom. It came from my parents’ home which was brought there by a great aunt from her old homestead. I can imagine an old-fashioned wedding with bridal wreaths decorating the ceremony. There are still old-fashioned values that can create a sense of positivity in our lives.
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Years ago, I moved a small azalea from our house to the Center in a place that I thought was best at the time. Now with the focus on the Ormond Gardens, I feel it best to move it again. Some people change locations many times, often running away from situations that follow them, while others follow their hearts and start fresh again.
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A tiny flash of blue caught my eye as I wandered about the Ormond Gardens. I noted several ground covers that in time will cover the soil with a beautiful blanket. Most people have something about them that is eye catching to me that I want to learn about. Life is all about discovery and sharing.
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I must admit that I am a weather watcher. Every time I try to listen to a forecast my mind drifts on to my inner thoughts. Actually, it is one of my best ways to experience self-hypnosis. So, I prepare for the weather the best I can by keeping an eye on it. I do the same thing with life.
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I had been thinking about how great it would be to have some iris plants in the Ormond Gardens at the Center, and I could hardly believe my eyes when I found one in full bloom. Derek had planted it last fall. Wishes can come true, especially when they come through your heart.
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Over the years we have used different material to make signs to help guide people visiting the land. Now we have found the best ones yet. People have signs guiding them through life if they take the time to recognize and act on them.
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Lilacs blooming on Memorial Day bring back special memories for me from my youth when I marched in the hometown parade carrying a small flag to decorate a veteran’s grave. Afterwards, lilacs would be placed in the lake on the edge of the cemetery, a firing squad would fire three times. and taps would be played. It still lingers in my mind.
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I consider the lady slipper to be nature’s royal flower. There are some people who want to be treated like royalty in a world where they are not. I wonder if they were born with a royal memory from the past. I think one can keep a royal spirit without the expectation to be treated that way in this life.
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When we built our home years ago there were only a few houses on the road. Nature was and still is all around us. We have learned to adapt to the weather and the wild animals. Wherever we live, we also need to adapt to human nature to allow us to be in harmony with our soul’s purpose.
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The viburnum (or snowball bush) at the Center is in full bloom and fits perfectly into a corner of the Ormond Gardens. It reminds me of people that are now putting their life experiences to good use as they honor love and gratitude in their hearts to add to their garden of life.
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Years ago, my sister gave me some not-so-common pink lilies-of-the-valley that have spread into a beautiful patch. I think of people that are not so common and are often misunderstood or bullied. They usually have special abilities once others take the time to know and understand them.
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Several years ago, a friend gave us some flowering water plants for the little frog pond at the Center, and now they have spread to the point that the surface is filled up with blooms. There is no room for any more. Fortunately, even though our hearts may be full of gratitude, there is always room to receive and share with others.
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Last fall we were given a crabapple tree to place in the Ormond Gardens at the Center. It not only survived the harsh winter, but it is also flowering this spring. It has inspired more flowering shrubs such as forsythias and mock orange to be planted on the bank for future beauty.
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The lilies of the valley are in bloom. We now have hundreds of them spread across a portion of our lawn. You could call it a welcome invasion by a small fragrant plant that began with only a few. Kindness can spread as a friendly invasion from a simple beginning to hundreds of people.
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Part of our yard is now a carpet of blue forget-me-nots. They all came from a few plants’ cast-away seeds several years ago. People like you, out of the kindness of your heart, create unforgettable acts that continue to grow as they cast seeds of love each year. Thank you!
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A few years ago I discovered a couple of small flowering trees at the lower edge of the Lupine Field that I believe to be English Hawthorns. I’m not sure how the seeds found a home there, but they are welcome. Many people are looking for homes. Possibly the first step is to find room in one’s soul for a heart filled with love and gratitude. That may lead to manifesting the right place to lay down one’s head.
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Every year there are a few rhodora wild shrubs that produce beautiful pink flowers close to the old cemetery. They are so small that some years I miss seeing them, but not this year. I have no idea how long they have been there. I am reminded of thoughts that grow wild. Some are positive and probably a lot of them are negative. Sometime even plants growing wild need to be pruned back in order to grow other ones.
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Several years ago we planted a few ground phlox, and over time they have spread, slowly creeping along until now when we enjoy a beautiful blanket of blue in May. Acts of kindness, when continued over time, can have the same positive effect on people’s environment.
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A phoebe has decided to build its nest on the light at the freshly painted entrance to the Center. I am not sure if that was a wise decision. I will try not to disrupt it. People often make life decisions from fear or passion without taking the time to decide if it was wise or not. It is good to step back to consider the potential outcome of the choice.
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When the periwinkle vines with their blue flowers were first planted at the base of a stone retaining wall, I thought they were annuals, but they come back and continue to spread every year. We develop habits, both positive and negative, that come back at specific times, every year. We can change the negative ones and embrace the positive ones and share them with others.
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There is only one blue grape hyacinth blooming in the Ormond Gardens this year. I am grateful it is there to provide a balance to other colors. I am grateful for all the people that have the courage to be the only ones to make a positive change in the life of someone else.
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An act of kindness does not have to be large to have a big impact. The tiny white bluets at the Center caught my attention recently. Soon they will disappear, and larger flowers will take over. Right now, they have a big impact of gratitude on me.
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Most people love the sound of gently flowing water, whether in a water fountain or a mountain stream. The little brook that passes by my window has many mini waterfalls that give me a sense of peace. For you, it might be rain, or music or even the sounds of children playing. May you find the sounds that give you peace.
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I am always looking for images on the bark of trees and other places in nature and in life itself, such as heart signs and numbers. Positive images help confirm for me that I am being watched over by something that is there to guide me on my Soul’s path. Everyone does.
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There is not much left of the old tree, part of which still stands in the forest, only a shell from what it was. I wonder about the stories it could tell, knowing they will stay silent forever. I think of the stories people hold inside which could inspire others if they take the risk of letting them out. It is time.
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Last fall Derek planted a lot of tulip bulbs that are now getting ready to give the Ormond Gardens at the Center some much appreciated early spring color. Acts of kindness by someone is an investment in the future.
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The weather has been soggy lately and my focus went to the white blossoms on the old plum tree. It brightened my day just like people who shine their inner lights with love and positivity.
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One of the birdhouses in the Lupine Field is now occupied. We can see a swallow poking its head out the hole to let other birds know that the house is not available. We often fill our minds with negative thoughts that occupy our full attention. However, we can change the landscape of our minds to consider what is taking up all the space and then change it to something more positive.
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The transition from spring to summer is now happening so quickly that it is literally taking place right before my eyes. If my mind was focused on stress, I could miss what Nature is doing. In life, if we drift out of the moment, we can miss a lot of important guidance taking place for our Souls.
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When I went to the Center on the first day of May, I found a basket full of goodies waiting for me outside the door, and right nearby was a beautiful bouquet of May flowers from Nature. My heart was filled with love and joy from this act of kindness. Just caring for each other can spread this joy every day!
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I think most of us either have or perhaps carry a small, polished stone created by a tumbling machine. Nature has them on the coast where the ocean waves meeting the shore cause rocks to tumble as the water recedes. The sound, as well as the feel of the rocks, can polish our minds, washing away some of our daily stress.
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The first day of May, despite the cold April, lupines are right on schedule for their incredible show of color in June. In life it is easy to feel we are not on schedule with the positive life changes that we intended. Yet, looking back, we can often understand that we are on schedule with our Soul’s Purpose.
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I not only have several favorite benches on the mountainside, but in most every place I go, especially the oceanside, I can drift away with the breeze and the smells. Actually I have a place in my mind where I can also go to help me connect with gratitude and love. We all can, if we choose.
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THE DAFFODIL PHASE. Finally, the daffodils and jonquils are in full bloom, and they are like little patches of sun throughout the yard. I know Spring is finally waking up, as are many people, ready to positively reengage after the long winter. Enjoy with gratitude and love.
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Heart-based love can be offered to oneself and others in a non-judgmental way. If ego driven, it can be used to attempt to control others. We always have a choice of how we use love. We can set our good intentions to do that.
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The ledge on the southern side of the Mountain has a drop-off that goes straight down for 50 to 75 feet. The view near the edge gives me a different perspective on my surroundings and on my life, the opportunity to connect with the great beyond.
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Long before we became stewards of the land someone created a small stone table on a high place. I don’t know rather it is 200 years old or a 1000 or why it was created. Loggers knocked it off years ago. When we create things, our positive intentions may be misinterpreted by others. Perfection is often the intention.
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A perfect picture frame for a work of art can really enhance the artist’s intentions. When I take a photo, I often like to have Nature decide on the frame. When we set our intentions to do the best we can, it becomes another person’s opportunity to see what we see.
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The White Mountains are experiencing a housing crunch for both people and Nature as the land is constantly being developed. My son recently helped out the birds by adding some more houses, and that gives pleasure to the people who hike the land and watch the birds.
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My wife planted some miniature daffodils a couple of years ago that are in bloom, reflecting the sunshine in the sky. I am grateful to experience the wonder of nature as I set my intentions to reflect the love in my heart in different ways all year long.
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I discovered the first mayflowers of the season up on the Mountainside on a lovely spring morning. My heart filled with gratitude for the beauty Nature provides, and I realize I have the opportunity to spread this gratitude with heart love by words and acts of kindness.
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Our Mountain is composed of granite with a high quartz content that is energized, according to many people that hike the trails. When you combine it with the loving energy of the Cosmos, one experiences a force field that creates a positive presence in the world around you. When you focus on it, you can experience this anywhere any time.
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Today much of the world celebrates Easter; other religions have their own special days. It is a time when perhaps the world can take a step back and rediscover love and peace and set their egos aside. Each of us has a positive role to play.
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Now that the snow is just about all gone, I have been rediscovering nature again. One special spot is a bench located just off the trail. It is a place to rest or meditate. Rediscovering nature is a way to rediscover all aspects of life again no matter what time of year it is.
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The daffodils are beginning to bud as they come to life again after the winter. I also feel the energy of springtime as I start to focus on bringing my winter dreams to manifest. Regardless of our physical conditions, we all have a dream that we can focus Springtime Energy on for oneself and for others.
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I am always looking for future projects, and one I have been thinking about for a while is creating a hiking or cross-country ski trail out of a logging road where the last tree cut took place. To make that a physical reality, I plan to start a few feet at a time. It has already started in my mind.
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I am constantly on the lookout for affirmations in my life that indicate I am on the right track of my soul’s purpose. The other day Nature gave me a powerful affirmation that spring is finally here when I discovered the first crocus of the year poking up through the leaves. Affirmations come to us in many different ways.
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There have been many times in my life where I have held my breath, anticipating something, worrying I would jinx it if I thought it would really happen. Lately it has been the weather, hoping warmer temperatures were really here, and after a weekend of rain and snow, I am not sure. In most life situations, I just rely on the Source to work things out for the best.
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Now that the snow has melted around the old pine tree home for the fairies, I can see how they are well taken care of by unknown hikers who visit. They are constantly bringing little gifts. Acts of kindness in the world are often done by anonymous people, but their energy of love will continue to affect others in the future.
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original music by Michael R. Hathaway
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original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
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original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
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original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
Support the show
original music by Michael R. Hathaway
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original music by Michael R. Hathaway
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The small grey junco found a good place to spend several minutes resting and perhaps warming up on a cold morning. It reminded me of all the good places I have found to rest, my mind and my body. All I need to do is take a deep breath, feel gratitude, and drift away for a few moments to return rejuvenated.
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As I enjoy a spring walk on the old road, it feels like being transported back in time a couple of hundred years when the land was cleared, and the stone walls were built. I believe we all have places from the past that we feel connected to, both pleasant and unpleasant. Our souls contain memories that we may not be able to explain.
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When I go up the road to the Orchard, I enter the incredible energy of my magic world. Here all Time comes together, and the fears of the past and future are healed, knowing that I am not alone. We all have magical worlds, maybe in our minds, where we are not alone and are loved by the Source.
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As we approach the midpoint of April I have been anticipating warmer weather. Instead, winter returned. I chose to focus on its beauty. When things don’t work out the way we expect in life, I look for something beautiful in the situation.
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When a mature tree is uprooted by the wind or snow or machinery, it is fascinating to discover what the roots have covered up. History is filled with finds from overgrown roots. People have fascinating finds hidden in their roots that may enlighten others if shared.
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The oak trees dropped a lot of acorns last fall and winter. Now they are food for wildlife and seed for future oak trees. If the land was cleared, there would be no trees to regenerate the land. If there were no acts of kindness, there would be no love in the future.
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As much as I want winter to be over, it’s not over until the last of the snow has fallen, and that could be a month or more away. In life there are many things that we wish were over but have not ended yet. My goal is to find something positive every day, like lengthening daylight bringing summer closer.
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BLUEBIRDS. After we had created the Lupine Field, it was suggested we include bird houses for bluebirds in our forestry plan. Our son built and installed some, and the bluebirds came. Just as we prepare and share the land for wildlife, when we do acts of kindness for people, we are incorporating forestry principles for all life.
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Recently I was able to visit the field of my dreams for the first time this spring. I thought back to when the field was just woods and the different processes it has been through. Soon it will become a beautiful Lupine Field where I still dream of a positive future. As long as my intentions are for the greater good, I know these dreams are already a reality for the future.
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The time has come to close the upper trail parking lot for mud season. It seems like this event is getting longer each year with the ups and downs of the weather. In life there are more ups and downs. Just as we make adjustments to the mud season, we can make adjustments in life.
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Years ago, we salvaged some ramps from portable classrooms at the local school and eventually used one of them to make a bridge over the drainage “ditch” that goes through the Ormond Gardens to keep the spring runoff away from the Center’s foundation. We have a lot of thoughts in our minds, some that may be repurposed for current positive actions.
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A small flock of turkeys held a meeting on the front lawn as the winds of March still linger. Just like life, the seasons have a lot of ups and downs. When we get more snow, the turkeys come back for feed and then disappear again, like some people who disappear and then come back again.
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I wonder if April is going to fool us into thinking spring has really arrived, or will winter come back again? I also wonder if we fool ourselves about our life purpose. Are we fooling our ego that strives for recognition, or are we following our soul’s purpose of positive acts of kindness to others?
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The last few days of March have been wet snow turning to icy rain creating a very slippery slope on the driveway. It was wise to just stay put. I think of the times in life when we are tempted to venture onto slippery slopes, but our intuition tells us not to. Intuition is something to include in our journey of life.
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As I was admiring some birch trees, I saw a mossy heart on the bark of one of them. To me, a heart shape is a sign that I am not alone. I believe we all get signs that appear in different forms, and yours may be totally different from mine. It is your choice to connect with them or not.
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The birch trees along our driveway appear to have a lot of red in their bark. We have white, yellow, and grey birches, and the red birch will change color to white as the new bark matures. It reminds me of people who are changing for the better, but to others may appear different as they connect with their true selves.
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Recently, someone spotted a very unique, textured stone in the parking lot. They paused, picked it up, and brought it into the Center. It was a special moment that could easily have been missed. Awareness helps us appreciate special moments all the time.
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It seems my life is the story of working on something until I can’t do it any better at that moment, so I am always done and never finished. That is the story of winter this year. Just when we think it is over, it comes back. At least in life, we can set things aside and perhaps go back to them later.
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Just as the winter season was about over, we got hit with a snowstorm dropping six inches of new powder on the mountainside. At the same time, despite the inconvenience, there is a silver lining to this, often called “poor man’s fertilizer”. The earth needs more moisture. Life has a lot of unwanted situations that just may have silver linings to them.
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I have noticed that in the winter male yellow finches look nearly the same as the females. Now they are beginning to change color into their brilliant yellow, just in time for the mating season. In life, many people live a colorless existence without heart-based compassion. This is a wonderful time of year to regain the colors of life, discovering them again for the first time.
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When I find pussy willow buds in the early spring, I get a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart that warmer days are on the way. Warm fuzzy feelings happen daily for me whenever I experience something positive that touches my heart.
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As we approach the spring growing season most of the trees appear ready to produce new leaf buds. The lone exception here in the mountains is the beech trees that are the last to release their old leaves. A lot of people have old habits that hang on beyond their time. This is a wonderful time of the year to release them.
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I recently spotted the first robin of the spring on our front lawn. It is the completion of another seasonal ritual for me, and my heart is so grateful for its return. There are so many moments in life when nature or people can fill our hearts with positivity, providing hope for the seasons ahead.
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I often carry a camera with me when I am outside to have ready in case something captures my attention. It is my way of pausing and taking in the moment. At the same time, I take a breath and feel gratitude in my heart. In the rush of life, it is easy to miss these precious moments.
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Finally, the calendar says Spring. It was a long winter for me, and now, even though we may have more snow, the worst of the cold is behind us. Sometimes life seems to move so slowly and sometimes it moves rapidly. For me the goal is to find something I am grateful for, no matter what the pace.
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The little brook that flows by my windows is now filled with the melting snows of winter and is rushing onward towards the great ocean beyond. I can imagine the experiences a drop of water is having on its journey. I am reminded that each of our souls is on a journey to gain life experiences until we are ready to join the Source of all.
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Another sign of spring is the chipmunk sticking its head up in the center of our millstone and chipping away. The warmer weather is chipping away at the snow cover and people always have the opportunity to chip away at accomplishments rather than taking on too much at once. Little accomplishments lead to bigger ones.
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It being St. Patrick’s Day, I was on the lookout for Leprechaun footprints in the green moss and their pot of gold, but the snow was still hiding them. However, I realized there was gold in the beautiful sunsets I see and with positive words I hear. When it is time, the leprechauns will appear.
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The sun is nearly at its halfway point in its northward movement. At this time it is aligned with our leaded glass window’s sun created for us by a gifted artist. It is time to feel the wonderful energy of spring as it refreshes our souls for our journey towards summer.
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I had heard on the news that there was going to be a full moon eclipse in the middle of the night, and I woke up at the right time and attempted to take some photos. Although they were all blurry, I was able to witness this fascinating event. There is a saying, “If you snooze, you lose.” We have a choice of snoozing through life or participating in it.
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I keep watch of the changes taking place on the mountainside as spring continues its march through March. Melting is now evident under the larger trees. I am also watching the changes in people who are realizing they may have a positive purpose to their lives, spreading love and support for others. I call them light workers.
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The energy forces of nature are ramping up the flow. The water in the brook is increasing, and from under the ground all the plants are beginning to start their spring push. I feel this energy, and my winter dreams are now pushing their way to reality.
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As mating time for turkeys approaches, it is an interesting study to watch mature males vie for King of the Hill. In life people that are ego driven often want to be the one who controls others. Like with the turkeys, the kings are usually dethroned. When we learn to focus on positivity, the ego disappears, and life flows evenly.
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The March weather here in the mountains is like riding a roller-coaster. Sometimes it is winter and sometimes it is spring. Life has a lot of mood swings, too. I have found if we can keep the ups and the lows moderate, we have more to draw upon for creative positivity.
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ONE MORE TRY. The forecast for several days of warmer weather may indicate Nature’s last attempt to create ice sculptures in the brook, or perhaps in the days ahead there may be one more try before Spring takes over. In life, we sometimes get to the point of giving something one more try before we give up and, by some miracle, we wind up succeeding.
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I have been waiting since the shortest day of the year for the time change to add an hour in the evening. Then again, every day is a day when we can seize the moment, regardless of daylight. We have the choice to be aware and the ability to set our intentions for positive actions.
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As I stared out the window on a foggy dreary day, I glimpsed a heart in the snow. I thought of people that live with foggy minds who often miss positive signs that can guide them along their soul’s path. Fortunately, I realized the heart was there at that moment for me. We all have signs, regardless of the fog that can surround us.
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I looked out a window in the middle of a rainstorm, and to my amazement saw a severed icy hand trying to hold its grip on winter. To me, it was the indication that nature is moving on into spring. It is also a wonderful time to consider moving on from old habits that have had a grip on us by adding more positivity to our lives.
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A pair of ravens perched on a limb outside my window, probably looking for some food. Ravens are interesting birds and make many different vocal sounds as they communicate with each other. I believe that people have watchful eyes looking out for them. I know I am never alone, and neither are you.
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It is amazing how much technology has changed over the years. When I was young, I learned to use a compass to help me navigate in the woods. Now there is GPS. There are a lot of navigation aids to help us travel on our soul’s path, but I believe the real technology, intuition, was already imbedded in us before we were born.
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The sun shining on the tree cast a long shadow on the white snow. It made the tree appear very tall. After I survived being hit by a car several years ago, people with the gift of sight tell me there is something behind me that is very tall. Although I may never see my shadow, I know that it is there to help spread positive energy and love. You have one too.
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Now that the days are getting longer and the sun is higher in the sky, the snow and ice are beginning to melt. I keep watch for signs of open water in the small brook running down the mountain outside my window. It is a time to prepare to act on your winter dreams and plans.
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When we look at a tree from a distance, all we see is the general shape. When we get closeup, we can see all the different components that make up the whole. The same thing is true in life. If we observe it from a distance, we are not aware of all the complexities there are that make up the whole. Both views give us a better perspective.
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Today is the first day of meteorological spring and the lions of winter roared overnight. As the sun gets higher in the sky and the days get longer, I now can focus on the days ahead that lead the way to spring adventures. There is a lot to be thankful for.
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Just as we were experiencing several spring-like days, more snow arrived. That is just the ups and downs of the season when spring and winter collide. Life is the same way. I find focusing on something that I am grateful for helps diminish the ups and downs.
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The woodpeckers are hard at work getting nourishment out of insect riddled trees from dawn to dusk. I seldom see them unless I am in the woods, but I see the results after their work is done. I know hardworking people that I never see at their projects until they are finished, and they often benefit others.
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My son took out our 60-year-old bathtub and left it on the ground outside. We offered to give it away for free, but no one was interested until now when it was buried in the snow and filled with ice. This week a father and son dug it up and plan to have it completely restored. It was a buried treasure to them. I think of all the creative treasures that you have buried in your mind. It is time to dig them up.
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On a winter morning drive, we decided to stop by the beach at the end of our town’s beautiful lake which has a peaceful view of the mountains. Several people were walking their dogs or playing in the snow. I was reminded that no matter the time of year, there are nearby places where we can rejuvenate our souls.
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We have a lot of feathered friends that keep us company in the winter, and in return we keep feeders and suet available. Our goal is to apply what we experience in Nature with our human friends through kind words and the sharing of positive podcasts.
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Several weeks ago I lost one of my favorite gloves, and I searched all over for it. The other day I noticed that the entryway was very cold and wondered if the heat pipe had frozen. When I checked it out, I found my glove. I had trusted my Source that all would work out for the greater good.
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I watched a pair of snowboarders prepare for an adventure on the Hypnosis Glade back country ski trails. They were ready to climb the mountain and slide down among the trees. I set my intentions each day for positive adventures that might brighten someone else’s life.
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I heard the familiar sound of a pileated woodpecker aggressively working on a tree in search of food. I think of people searching for spiritual food who have a large pile of material that just doesn’t fit their needs. Still, the search is what defines the right nourishment for you.
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A flock of turkeys hung around all day, but they disappeared at dusk. Then, my wife looked up from her desk and there they were, high up in the trees roosting for the night. I thought of people who have to find a place to roost almost every night.
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The gale force winds over the last few days have been creating hazardous conditions for walking in the woods due to hanging limbs or whole trees ready to fall. Walking the trails of life requires us to always be aware of the hazards around us.
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It was a bleak day filled with sleet and snow. It was not a day to venture out. But then a beautiful male cardinal appeared - a bright spot that was a mood changer. There is always a bright spot when we set our intentions to see them, regardless of what the day is like.
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With another eight inches of snow, I think of arm wrestling; when you gave up, you would say, “Uncle!” Now when I wrestle the snow, I have to be patient, take a break and keep on keeping on.
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There is an energy at the time of a full moon that has an effect on ocean tides, weather, people and animals. For centuries there have been stories and legends that relate to the full of the moon. Different people are affected differently, many not realizing why.
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Lately, I have been amazed to look out the windows and see turkeys roosting on lofty perches high above the snow. Some are resting and others are keeping watch for predators. People often do the same thing in their minds, watching life and planning their next move.
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Valentine’s Day is a special day in the year where everyone is given the opportunity to express love for others, nature, and for peace in the whole world. Imagine what it would be like if, every day, people set their intentions to spread love rather than fear or hate.
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DOING OUR PART. We enjoy providing cracked corn for a flock of up to fifty wild turkeys that come by a couple of times a day. With the snow making it hard for them to find food, what we and our neighbors do makes a difference. We can also make a difference using kind and encouraging acts for people.
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The titmouse was sitting on the edge of the feeder gazing in the window. I smiled and wondered who was watching whom. I wonder about a lot of things as I watch the world from the mountains and believe that a greater power is keeping watch over me.
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I recently received a beautiful gift from my wife of a printed volume of last year’s “Message from the Mountain”. Chronicling events in one’s environment is a wonderful way of preserving information that can have positive lasting effects for years to come.
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Overnight another snowstorm blanketed the area with six inches of powder. The snow is really piling up, making it difficult to clear away. In life, our things and thoughts can pile up, and unless we clear them away from time to time, we get stuck. Spring is coming to clear the snow.
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The winds have been really blowing across the mountains with an icy blast creating designs in the snow. The designs are an inspiration for creating works of art. We have the freedom in our minds to let the winds of creativity design many things of wonder to share.
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My wife has a basket full of scrap material that would normally be thrown away, but she decided to design a scrap pattern and make a sample square. We have dreams that we often throw away rather than redesign them to become reality.
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Living in snow country, it is important to have a good foundation under your vehicle that can be reliable in all kinds of weather. For us it is studded winter tires. In life, a good belief foundation is essential to help guide me, no matter what the season.
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I never know where a heart sign will appear, but every time one does, I see it as a sign that my Source is sending me love. All of us, whether we realize it or not, receive signs of love.
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Today is a day I have been waiting for all winter long. It is the day when the sun doesn’t set until 5 pm. Winter may be around for a while longer, but I am thinking about playing in the springtime. Every day, no matter what time of year, can have something special in it.
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The outhouse that rests near the cabin was built for that purpose before we purchased the property but was never finished. We moved it to a better resting place and filled it with wood. Many things in life are not what they look like. It is good to be aware.
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I paused at the edge of the orchard on an overcast day and became aware that there was not a sound to be heard. I felt a connection to the great Cosmos. Wherever you are, a moment of gratitude can silence the world around you and connect you to your Source.
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Finally, today is Groundhogs Day, halfway through astrological winter. Here in the mountains the ground is deep asleep. It is also time to start allowing your winter dreams to become springtime realities as the sun begins to warm the earth and your heart.
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With the lack of snow this year I have been able to set a groove to follow driving up to the Orchard. With more snow the groove will disappear, and I will need to wait until spring. When we are in the groove of life, things flow until we get off track. The trick is to find it again.
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A couple of years ago we had a small wood end heater installed in our unfinished cabin to provide a little warmth and to heat some water in the spring and fall. I think of people who have loving warmth in their hearts waiting to share it with others or animals.
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The day can be clear or cloudy and, suddenly, an intense snow squall happens, creating a whiteout where it is impossible to see just a few feet ahead. It often lasts only a few minutes. We can have moments of confusion in our lives like a whiteout. There is shelter in our hearts until the storm passes.
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The cold winter winds blowing over the mountains can create big snowdrifts on unsheltered trails. It can make for an interesting hike. There are people who drift along in life without direction. Fortunately, we can set little goals to help keep us out of the drifts.
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Ever since we became guardians of a very special piece of property, we have considered and developed a lot of its potential to make a difference in other peoples’ lives. I also love to see the potential each person has to make a positive difference in the world.
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The tall pine stands magnificently alone against the setting sun. It reminds me of people that stand tall and, often silently, alone in doing their good deeds. Often, others have no idea this is taking place near them. Many of you are like the tall pine.
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As many of you know, I am always on the lookout for hearts. To me they are signs of love. As I was watching the wild male turkeys outside my window, I noticed heart-shaped marks on top of their heads. It made me smile as I thought how unique that is.
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**I recently heard on the news that magnetic north is shifting twenty miles a year. That has an effect on compasses and GPS devices as they now read locations differently. Life shifts in many ways, and fortunately we have divine guidance within that can steer us on the right path.
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The game camera captured a coyote walking in a straight line, and I thought of wild animals that move differently than dogs who move in a zig-zag fashion. People that walk a straight path in life may miss what is happening around them at the moment. They sometimes forget there is a guide with them.
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We are currently living in a frozen world here in the foothills, with temperatures running below zero in the mornings. The little brook has frozen over. I think of people who feel frozen in life when they can’t seem to take a step forward. That is the time to turn on the guidance that flows through their hearts.
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Nature has many different textures, like the bark on birch trees. I compare Nature to life and consider all the different textures that I experience every day through all my senses. I have learned that when I experience negative textures, I can pause and find a positive one in my heart.
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One of our game cameras captured four deer out for a stroll after the fall hunting season. Our land is actually an animal safety zone, and I hope the deer know it. People are on a stroll through life and those that know rely on the sources that go with them to guide them safely.
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With a snowstorm coming overnight, we decided to take one more walk before it arrived. We checked the trail cameras and the cabin and retreated home. When we prepare as best as we can for life changes before they take place, it can make a positive difference.
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The bench at the top of the Lupine field was silently waiting patiently for hikers to pause for a rest. It was a little cold for me on that winter afternoon as I knew spring would eventually arrive. People are naturally impatient until they learn to take a breath and trust that life progresses with the right timing.
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Everyone and everything have a story to tell, whether it’s a tree standing silently in the woods or a person of any age. Many stories will never be shared, but others will help me remember some of my own, long forgotten.
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The afternoon sunshine on the snow-covered holly bush created a beautiful design and I reached for my camera to capture a picture. That moment reminded me that there is a design to each of our lives if we choose to follow it.
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We are now halfway through meteorological winter, a very important point for me, as I watch the daylight grow day by day. We have many halfway points in life, and we have the choice of how we approach each one, either with fear or gratitude and excitement.
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We live about halfway up a magic Mountain with a rich history, much of it still unknown. It is here where I learned to be a channel for the words that fill the podcast each day. Each of you has the same ability in your own way of connecting.
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In mid-January I do not expect to be able to drive up to the Cabin, but this year I was able to easily get there due to lack of snow. Of course, my truck has four-wheel drive and studded snow tires. Driving though life may not be always easy, but we have something beyond us to always carry us through.
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A light dusting of snow has covered the foothills with a fresh white surface that is not enough to help skiing yet can cover up slippery spots that make walking hazardous. I am reminded of gifted people who do not recognize that their abilities can make a difference for others. They try to cover them up.
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TIME TO TAKE A HIKE – Many people take a hike in Nature to escape the stresses of life. It is a great way to see things differently and get a different outlook on a situation. “Take a hike” is also a reminder to walk away from confrontations that could produce negative outcomes.
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The turkeys have created a quilt design in the snow with their tracks. When the snow is fresh, we can keep track of them. It seems as though it is easy to lose track of our lives when we are lost in our minds. Our heart’s gratitude can help us stay in tune with our soul’s purpose.
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There is a cold wind whistling by my window as I record this podcast. It is a day to prepare for any adventures outside. At the same time there is a warm heat source of love and gratitude in my heart that prepares me mentally for my internal day.
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As I gaze out at the nearly bare mountainside, it has the look of spring, but I know it is only mid-January, and Winter still has plenty of snow in it. Looks can be deceiving, and many times what looks good is not in line with our life purpose.
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I stood on the shore of the lake looking across the frozen water to the mountain on the other side on a cold winter day. Actually, I was on top of the mountain and the lake was the snow-covered ground in the orchard. Our lives are filled with illusions. It is good to know what is really real.
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To many people the winter season with its drab landscape looks very bleak. When I step into nature, I gaze out into the cold and let my mind drift. There is always something to look at that connects with life in general.
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Every day since the winter solstice, the sunsets have been moving northward, and the daylight is now over ten minutes longer. We are also moving on from 2024 with new goals for 2025. Nature is in tune with all of mankind.
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I am always on the lookout for signs of Nature such as a heart shaped rock. I see positive words and acts of kindness from others that result in feelings of gratitude and often change a negative mood into a positive one. We do have a choice as to how we look at life.
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It was time to erect a new sign at the Center to go with the freshly painted building and the growing Ormond Gardens, and it was designed by my wife and put in place by two of our female members. The world is changing, and women play much more important roles.
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If all the rain we have had recently been snow, we would now have at least a couple of feet on the ground here in the mountains. Instead, the backcountry ski trails at the Center need more snow. Life is often measured in a matter of inches, and the reality is to make the most of it the way it is.
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My intention as I begin this new year is to breathe in heart-based love that I may channel to experience positivity, not only in my life, but for others as well. It creates a day full of magic and miracles of all sizes.
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So far, this has been an up and down winter. Just when we begin to establish a snow pack, the weather turns warm and much of it melts. This has been at least the fourth time we have started over again. In life’s ups and downs, each time we start over again, it is always different.
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On this last day of 2024, many people set resolutions that often fail in a matter of weeks. Setting an intention daily through heart-based love may provide more flexibility in achieving one’s goal.
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The land we live on has many secrets from the past. Many we may never know. Our souls have many secrets buried in them. Some we will discover and some we may not during this lifetime.
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I set my intentions to discover something magical in the world each day, such as snow looking like marshmallows that cling to the apple trees. It helps life flow a little easier when I can find something unique to focus on.
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Our flock of thirty wild turkeys seems to have taken up residence between our place and the neighbor’s. They come by several times daily and often take naps after they have eaten. We have thoughts in our minds that take up residence. My goal is to gratefully ask the negative ones to leave.
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In the summer, it is only a five-minute drive to the Cabin on top of the Mountain. It is so near and yet, with the winter snow, it is far away as I do not hike well on uneven ground. In life, there are things that are so near, and yet seem far away. They may be closer than you think, if you continue to believe.
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Many people seek to escape the complexities of modern life and live in the back country as it used to be some time ago. Old-fashioned values are great to have, but the world is constantly changing. It is how we combine the old and the new that can make a positive difference in life.
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Today, here in the foothills of the White Mountains, the old song, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, has come true. It will be a miracle if another carol’s lyrics are real: “peace on earth, good will to man.” I believe in miracles.
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The day before Christmas and Hanukkah is a day of anticipation for children of all ages waiting for the dawn of the next day. They go to bed with visions of candy canes in their head. I still have that feeling with the hope that mankind can find a way to fill their hearts with love.
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Winter has, for the moment anyways, reached out with its icy fingers and taken hold of the season. I find warmth in my heart from all the acts of love and kindness that take place during the holiday season, and my wish and prayer is that they will continue throughout the year.
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Today the sun begins its six-month journey to the longest day of the year. At first it moves very slowly, only a few seconds at a time. It is a great time of year to set our intentions for positive changes in our lives. It only takes a few seconds. Over time those seconds make a difference.
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The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. Now, second by second, we start our journey towards the longest day in six months. It is time to begin to make positive changes in our lives that will help us prepare for the warm sun of spring and summer.
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With a recent coating of white snow we now have a realistic hope of having white holidays here in the foothills of the White Mountains. “Hope springs eternal” is an old saying that when we live with hope, we may be manifesting something positive for ourselves and others.
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My eyes caught a glimpse of what I thought was a leaf floating out of the sky and landing close to a lilac bush. As I got closer, I saw it was a tiny bird’s nest wreath celebrating the holidays. I wondered if it was just synchronicity or by grand design.
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Just when I thought Winter had chased Fall away, Fall came back and melted much of the snow with rain and warm temperatures. In life, our expectations may not be realized because of other circumstances. We can flow with life with love and gratitude in our hearts.
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Nature has begun slowly laying the groundwork for its ice sculpture exhibit in the brook: one drop of frozen water at a time. In life we lay the groundwork for positive change by setting an intention that we practice over and over again until success is obtained.
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In the winter we often throw out some cracked corn on the snow for the turkeys to find for nourishment when their food is scarce. It is also important for us to find, not only physical nourishment, but nourishment for the mind and soul.
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Before the snow came, we hung a wreath on the Cabin door, knowing we would not have a chance to visit it much in the winter. It is there for passersby and the wildlife to enjoy. We don’t have to be present for others to benefit from acts of kindness and love.
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The little brook that flows down the mountainside dried out in the long drought, but recent rain got it flowing again. Nature decorated its banks with a dusting of white adding to the celebration. It teaches me that in life when the creative flow has stopped, it will return again.
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Winter was off to a fast start this year, even though we are still in astrological fall. Then came 2-3 inches of rain, washing away half of the snow. Life has a lot of ups and downs to it, but if we are supported by love over the long run, it averages out.
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Tiny water drops formed on the tips of a tree branch glistened in the morning light like magical crystal balls. Then again, Nature is filled with magic for those that take the time to notice. Actually, there is magic in all aspects of life.
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I love to tell the story of how one of my favorite holiday decorations came back home. It is a Santa my wife made and sold several years ago. I always wanted to have one, and at a sale, there it was for twenty-five cents. Positive thoughts can produce results.
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Some trees develop burls or growths, perhaps caused by a wound of some sort years ago. They may look unique to most people, but they are worthless unless you can harvest them and turn them into something, like a bowl. Most everything in life has some sort of possibility if we look at it differently.
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I am basically a plant-based eater, and recently my wife was out for the day and I was left to find a frozen dinner for lunch. There in the middle of the frost was a heart. You never know where you will get the next sign proving you are not alone in your journey.
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To be honest most of the holiday decorations we display are for ourselves. The lights come on at dark, turn off after we go to bed and come on to greet us in the early morning. At the same time many people tell us how much they enjoy them. We all have an inner light that we can spread all year round.
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The small stained-glass wreath with two candles in the center connected as one flame may confirm or challenge one’s beliefs. There is a concept that when our souls first were conceived, we were both male and female and eventually divided into two physical beings.
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Music is very important in our family life and always has been. Regardless of your religion, music plays a major part in the holidays as well as all aspects of life. It can calm your soul and ignite your energy.
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The male cardinal appeared to be enjoying his food as he looked in the window. At the same time, he was providing a feast of gratitude for us for his choosing our feeder. There are many feasts for our hearts when we set our intentions to experience the spiritual food of love and acts of kindness.
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The woodpeckers love the log suet holder. It was fascinating to watch through a hole and see a bird pecking away on the other side. It reminded me that there are two ways to view life, from the outside and from the inside. Having two views helps you get the best perspective.
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The nights are now at the darkest of the entire year and we place festive lights in the windows. They not only cheer up the night but greet us in the morning. Our goal is to brighten our days and that of others, just as others are shining their inner lights and making a difference.
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Now that the snow has covered the landscape and, especially, the mountains across the valley, the morning pink alpine glows are brilliant, Add to that the glow of people enjoying the holiday season, and both the days and nights are glowing. Imagine this all year.
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Today, December first, we turn the calendar page to four months of fun or four months of dread, depending on your expectations of snow. It is an individual choice, as it is every day, on how one views life, with gratitude or fear. I choose to be grateful.
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Winter arrived and spread over nine inches of snow on the foothills. It is now time to be mindful of every step we take as we go about our daily routines - in the same way that we are mindful of spreading positivity in all our actions, both mentally and physically.
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As the first big snowstorm loomed on the horizon there were still some last-minute things to do before it arrived. Our son set some new bird house poles in the orchard. Mindfulness in life helps us and our team prepare for both the known and unknown ahead.
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Forty years ago this Thanksgiving we were in New York City to watch our son Brian march with 99 other high school musicians in the McDonald’s All-American Band. Music still plays a special role in his life. We can build on positive memories, realizing that we are in a constantly changing world.
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In this country a turkey is usually the main attraction for a Thanksgiving feast. The other day we hosted thirty wild turkeys for a feast on our front lawn. When people invite others to share a meal, there is a special warmth that can last for a long time.
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The tall oak stands alone against the November sky, ready to bear the brunt of the harsh winds of winter. I admire people who have positive beliefs who stand alone against a flow of negativity. They can change the climate of life for others.
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We used to decorate a small spruce tree in the orchard and put wrapped packages in the old wagon near it to celebrate the holidays. Time has moved on, and the tree is too big now. We still celebrate, but in a different way, creating new traditions.
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There is an old legend here in the valley: When Mount Chocorua has its first snow, we will be covered with it within two weeks. We live in a world of predictions; some we fear and some we look forward to. Positiveness can help soften the ones we fear.
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Ever since my childhood days I have loved the sound of rain on the roof. The latest sound of rain is particularly welcome as we have been in a drought for almost three months. It is nourishing my mind as well as Nature. We all have positive experiences we can relive from time to time.
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Some of the hiking trails had become a little hard to follow with new undergrowth where cutting had taken place, so my wife bought and placed new metal arrows for visitors to confirm they were on the right path. In life we get confirmations of following our Soul’s path.
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I am amazed how woodpeckers know that what seems to me a perfectly healthy tree is being eaten away on the inside by ants. The woodpeckers drill large holes in it to get at them. Negative thoughts can eat away at a person’s health from their insides, but they can find help to curb the infestation.
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At first glance the November landscape here in the mountains appears to be very barren. If we look closer there is still much to focus on. Life can appear the same way if we don’t pay attention to all the opportunities we have for doing something positive.
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The fairies must be enjoying their new sanctuary at the base of the old pine tree. I recently discovered that they had invited several deer into their safety zone. Whoever assists them brings a smile to my face, the exact purpose of my podcasts.
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We find a lot of enjoyment in sharing our special piece of NH landscape with hikers and skiers. We have four ski trails maintained by the Granite Back County Alliance. Actually, everyone has something to share. It doesn’t have to be grand. A kind word or smile can change a life.
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There is a tiny tree, only a few inches tall, that I am told was a giant that nature shrunk over time but still flourishes on the mountain side. People play different roles in the journey of their Soul. Some big and some small, but all are very important.
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The top of the Mountain has very little topsoil and the trees that grow there do not have deep roots. They grow sideways attempting to support the trees. Some people have shallow support systems that lead to failure, but there is always a deeper spiritual soil to support them.
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I could see the snow on Mt. Washington as I sat on the bench at the Lupine Field, but there was no breeze blowing cold air. It was so peaceful. On the way back to the truck I saw a small heart in the soil. Arriving home, we learned that a dear friend we talked with the day before was finally at peace.
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The evening sky said it all. Its cold stare indicated that night temperatures were dropping to below freezing. I thought about turning up the heat but realized that our hearts, when we experience gratitude and love, can stay warm regardless of how cold the weather gets.
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The mountain appeared dark and moody when I captured its photo. I thought of people who look like that when they are in a negative mood. Perhaps a positive word will help them change. Sunshine will help change the mood of the mountain.
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I often take a front row seat at Nature’s show. It is never the same, and always healing for my mind, body, spirit, emotions and my soul. Anywhere you find Nature, no matter the season, you can do the same thing.
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At the moment you would never know there is a small seasonal brook that flows by my window. It is totally dry and filled with leaves. Sooner or later, it will flow again. People have dry spells in their lives where their creative flow ceases. With patience and trust the flow will start again.
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I have done many heart podcasts over the years, but I count on seeing hearts in Nature and other places. I consider them signs and reminders of the belief that our hearts expend 60 times more electromagnetic energy than our brains. Couple our thoughts with gratitude and love, and look for miracles.
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The stump that has been housing the fairies on the mountain top is rotting away, so my wife decided to move the items left for them to the base of a large pine tree close by. Overnight the fairies came and redecorated. There are a lot of fairies in life whose unseen acts of kindness make a difference.
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There is an old cemetery on our land in the back of the property where the original settlers were buried almost 200 years ago. Our goal is to honor voices from the past. We are all following the paths of those that have gone before us.
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My heart has a warm glow in it created by my gratitude for the beautiful alpine glows across the valley that I can see through the trees, now that they have lost their leaves. As the nights get longer, I appreciate the positive glows of nature and the people around me.
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I look at the massive stone walls surrounding part of the Orchard and wonder what stories are hidden in them. I wonder about the history of earth and its true history. I wonder about our souls’ history and what we have yet to learn.
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Now that the time has changed and the leaves have dropped, I can again follow the path of the sunsets as they move west across the horizon until the winter solstice. I am as grateful for this opportunity as I am to observe human light workers shine their lights across the horizon of life.
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One of our birch trees has a severe bend probably caused from previous winter storms, After the leaves fell, I noticed a bird’s nest built right on the bend in a precarious position. I think of people who make precarious decisions without thinking them through.www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
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Today we lose an hour of daylight in the evening as the nights in the Northern Hemisphere grow longer, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they are getting shorter. For me, I like to surround myself with light this time of year, both externally and internally.
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One of my escape routines this summer and fall is to take the local paper in the afternoon and drive up to the unfurnished cabin and sit under a solar light bulb and look for positive articles. A moment of escape is a great way to rejuvenate and be in tune with one’s soul.
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The calendar page has turned again, although the weather is still much warmer than usual. We now carry a snow-ice scraper in the car preparing for sudden changes, but we are also enjoying Nature giving us more warm weather. There can be a reason to celebrate every day if we choose.
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I wanted to see how Nature was celebrating Halloween this year, and my answer came when I discovered a leaf dressed up in a scary costume. I often receive answers to my questions from Nature.
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Barberries are an invasive shrub that can grow wild and take over a landscape, choking out more desirable growth. Deer do not like to feed on it because of its barbs. People can be overrun by invasive negative thoughts. By recognizing what is happening, we can replace them with positivity.
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The temperature has now dropped to below freezing for the first time this fall and the gardens and nature’s growing season has gone to sleep. It is time to warm up our soul’s heart-felt gratitude for the beauty that still exists around us that we may have missed during the summer.
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It is only in recent years that we have seen cardinals coming to our feeders. Now we have a pair nesting nearby, and I can never resist taking a photo. They are a positive sign to me, a reminder that I am not alone.
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Due to the lack of rain, the woods and trails are covered with dry leaves that have fallen from the trees. Just about every step we take creates a loud crunch. The crunch is on in life as we hurry to get ready for winter and determine our soul’s path over the next few months.
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I love to see Nature in action. She collects the falling leaves and reuses them to decorate the evergreen trees for Halloween. I think of ways that people can reuse their stuff as well as their thoughts for positive results.
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A good way to refocus your mind is to first un-focus it. One way is to set your intentions for guidance to come to you and gaze at the clouds, taking a deep breath, and let your eyes go out of focus. Continue to breathe up from the ground and down from the sky with gratitude in your heart and focus on positivity.
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The more improvements we make to the land, the more maintenance is required to keep ahead of Nature. We are on constant vigilance in our effort to be aware of what project to work on next. In Life, it is very important to be on constant vigilance to keep our soul nourished.
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With the Ormond Gardens expanding it was time for a makeover of the Center, both outside and inside with new paint and a new bathroom. There is a post-covid movement taking place all over the world with people making over their lives to find more meaning.
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The day after I mowed the Orchard, our son finished up by mowing the Lupine Field. I was still stiff and lame from the day before and probably would have postponed the mowing, but it was important to finish the job. It is easy to give up in life, but that is the time to keep going.
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I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get the Orchard and Lupine Field mowed this fall after my Swisher mower broke down. I remember my favorite story as a child, “The little Engine that Could”, and decided to try my lawn tractor. It did the job!!! There is a lesson in this.
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I realized as I looked across the valley that the fall foliage was as good as it gets. I felt a wave of gratitude washing over me and settling in my heart. My goal is to have many life experiences every day in all conditions that are as good as it gets.
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The foliage is fading quickly and soon we will just be left to the memories of fall. Many will capture the beauty with a photo to help them remember. Others that do not pause to experience special moments in life will find them harder to recall as time goes on.
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The land at the Center is designated as a wildlife safety zone, and I wonder if the male turkeys that grub on our lawn realize that. In my mind, when people come together in a positive and peaceful manner to discuss differences in opinions, it is a safe zone, free from prejudices.
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The wind blew down a lot of dead and weak trees and limbs this past week, so we cut up the debris and lined the sides of the paths with them. In life we have many things, from physical to mental, that can be repurposed as we change and grow.
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Years ago I learned that if I stopped to rest when climbing a mountain, it was hard to start again, so I just went one step at a time until I reached the summit. Sometimes in life the big goal seems insurmountable. One little goal at a time helps us reach the big one.
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Now that the foliage is passing its peak, the leaves are falling from the trees and covering the ground. It is a “crunchy” time of year. October weather has many different moods. In life, our positive hearts can help us navigate through all the changes as we crunch the leaves.
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My son loves to visit the Mountain to experience a moment of Zen, and then he often posts a photo of the view. To me a moment of Zen is the opportunity to experience a relaxed state when the intuitive mind is active. My state of Zen is in Nature.
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When my grandson was young, we took a fall walk to the Lupine Field and he pointed wide-eyed across the valley to snow-covered Mt. Washington and said, “I can see the ice age.” I saw it the other day and knew that winter is on its way. Life has many changes to it.
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Recently I spotted a woodpecker on the old maple outside our window. I had never seen that variety in over fifty years of living here. I believe it is a red bellied woodpecker. Every day I set my intentions to discover life again as I never know what the next mystery might be.
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I recently transplanted some wild asters from the Lupine Field to the Ormond Gardens at the Center. I thought of how this Nation has accepted millions of transplants over the years who have helped build it in many positive ways.
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The fall foliage colors are changing day by day here in the mountains, and it won’t be long before the leaves will be gone from the trees. It is often hard to achieve big goals in life because they seem so overwhelming. The secret is to create small day by day positive goals leading to a larger one.
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Besides a violent side with strong storms that reshape the landscape, Nature has a loving side like the small red heart-shaped leaf that caused me to pause and smile. That beautiful moment filled my heart with gratitude to share.
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As a joke, I placed an old mailbox near the Cabin, knowing the mail is not delivered there. I think of people that spend their time waiting for something they wanted to be manifested, often giving up before the delivery is made. The Source has its own delivery schedule.
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As Halloween approaches, the gremlins are making their presence known. I am now finding just “skin and bone” leaf skeletons in the woods. Nature is closing its growing season. Some people, like the leaves, seem to have lost their purpose. Fortunately, they can grow again in any season.
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Another reason I celebrate the fall is the red berries on the holly-like winter bushes that brighten up the landscape. Actually, I look for something positive to celebrate every day of the year. My intention is to share that gratitude with others.
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I must admit: I wonder a lot, especially about the yet unsolved mysteries of life; such as bigfoot, ghosts, spirits, and Nature’s grand design for life. I wondered, when I spotted a leaf that looked like it had an image of an upright figure, if it was impression of something more.
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Many people consider Nature’s biggest show of the year to be fall foliage. Some people just like to watch shows while others like to be in them. I like to watch the colors of fall spread from my windows and by going for a walk in Nature.
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I don’t know if you have ever been for a walk in the woods when the oak trees are releasing acorns, but they often sound like rocks being thrown. In life we often feel like we want to wear a hard hat to protect ourselves from negativity.
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I look forward to experiencing October from the bench at the top edge of the Lupine Field. People have told us for years it is one of the most special places they have ever visited. I believe each of us has a special place to visit in person or in our minds all year long.
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While most of the flowering plants are beginning to peter out from a productive summer, there are asters in the Lupine Field in full bloom. Our minds are now brimming with the flowering of new ideas and goals for the winter and the spring beyond.
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We are approaching fall foliage season. It has been slowly developing over the past month, but in some places the landscape is still mostly green. Nature has its own time schedule as is true many times in life where changes may be rapid or seem like they take forever.
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We recently had some more flowers added to the Ormond Gardens. We knew they were coming and had planned a place for them. I am inspired by people who always have room on their busy plates to help others. They touch many lives with their unselfish acts of kindness.
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I recently spotted a good-sized hole in a bank of dirt. I am not sure what animal made it or its purpose. Perhaps it was an escape tunnel or a den. I think of people and healthy places to escape for a few moments as I have on the Mountain. It could be a book, music or a visit to Nature.
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With everything that is currently taking place in the world these days it seems as if everyone is sitting on pins and needles. It comes down to trusting in one’s Source to guide them for the best positive results as they take the next step down their soul’s path.
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The old wagon rests in the Orchard, hunkered down in just about the same place as we found it when we bought the land. The goal is to someday restore it. That may or may not happen. We all have projects that are hunkered down in our minds. They may or may not happen.
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I find the milkweeds a fascinating plant that helps sustain the life of butterflies in the fields on the mountainside. I think of people that help sustain acts of kindness from planting the seeds and watching others spread them as they help promote positivity.
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Before the trees release most of their leaves, there is an opportunity to appreciate the artistic work of Nature in those that have found their way to earth. It is easy to miss individuals when they are in large groups unless we choose a single person to focus on.
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I recently discovered a small eggshell on the trail. I was surprised to find it in September, rather than in the summer. It reminded me of people who look as if they had lost their inner spirit. A simple greeting or positive word to them may help them recapture what they have lost.
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I sat in the unfinished cabin, looking out through the open door, at the fall foliage. I was reminded of people that spend most of their lives inside of themselves observing the world. I smiled and went outside through the open door to experience the beautiful weather.
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The bright red miniature fruit on our crab apple tree is too small for humans, but the birds will feast on them even after they have begun to ferment. The result is tipsy birds. There is so much in nature that is a feast for our souls. All we need to do is take the time to digest them in our hearts.
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The night was warm and clear as a small group of us gathered in the orchard for a full moon meditation and to witness an eclipse taking place at the same time. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Actually, when we are aware, we can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience every day.
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We have had very little rain here in the mountains so far for the month. The little brook that has run all summer is now bone dry. People can find themselves in droughts where it seems as though they can’t make any progress in life. Setting positive intentions each day for the next opportunity can help the flow begin again.
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I believe that everyone has a magic world, either a specific location or an image in their mind where they can visit and communicate with their Source, feel love and gratitude in their hearts, and set positive intentions that will manifest in time.
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The Center recently had a flowering crab apple tree donated to the Ormond Gardens. Its location has changed the garden landscape, expanding its beauty to another level. An act of kindness can literally change the landscape of peoples’ lives.
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I recently walked from the Orchard over to the Lupine Field and spent a few moments sitting on a bench taking in the surrounding beauty. I returned to my life in the valley grateful and knowing I had just experienced something special. A few positive moments a day can change us.
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I do not usually think of lilies-of-the-valley having color other than green leaves this time of year, but they actually produce bright red seed pods. One of my great joys is discovering the unexpected in all aspects of life. Today I celebrate the beauty of these seeds.
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I love to snack, but I have learned that there are snacks that are perfect for me and those that are not. The deer have found the perfect snack in Hosta plants at the Center. We share with them. Our minds also like to snack on thoughts. Some are healthy and some are not.
To hear this podcast recording, go to:
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As the summer flowers begin to fade, a collection of plants, such as stonecrop, are making their presence known. I so enjoy watching the changes taking place. Unfortunately, there are people that do not take the time to appreciate the beauty they are surrounded with. Joy is good.
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Recently, my wife scattered a pound of lupine seeds throughout the Orchard with the goal of enhancing what Nature is already doing. The future flowers will be good for the wildlife as well as bringing joy to human visitors. We go forward hand in hand with Nature.
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There are still more flowers being transplanted into the Ormond Gardens as we enter the second week of September. We have some more Brown Eyed Susans adding color, but the real investment is in next year. Kind acts are investments in the future.
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We recently bought a covered bridge to span an old stump so the fairies would have a safe way across. I think of streams in the mountains that do not have bridges that require some creative thinking to cross. Sometimes in life we are meant to be on the side we are on.
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Recently I visited the Mountain on a perfect fall day. I enjoyed my time there and thought about perfect days. Just because it was perfect to me, it might not be perfect to others. Every day has moments of perfection if we choose to experience them with heartfelt gratitude.
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Nature has gotten out its fall paint brushes and is busy decorating the landscape. People are also decorating with fall motifs inside and outside their homes. It is okay to bring positive pleasure into your life that is based on heart love. Others also get a benefit from this.
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It was a great summer of growing for the birch trees. Now their bark has begun to split and peel away, making room for new skin to form. People are going through changes and peeling away old beliefs, making room in their expanding minds.
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The tiny yellow flowers, easily overlooked and often considered a weed, grow silently on the garden floor. At the same time, they provide a balance to the larger flashy flowers. In life, there are special people that exist as the “salt of the earth”, bringing a balance in other lives.
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The clusters of small white roundish flowers growing in an area of the orchard caught my eye. The wildflower book identifies them as Pearly Everlasting. It reminded me that the energy in each of our actions lasts a long time. It is wise to set positive intentions.
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Earlier in the season, Derek transplanted a lot of flowers, and one of them has really made itself known, growing to over four feet tall with bright yellow flowers. It is, I believe, a helianthus, a woodland sunflower. Some people have a big presence and others are less showy but still make a difference.
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All the pieces of the small boulder, before it had been fractured, were still in order as if waiting to be glued back together. People can be fractured physically or mentally. Fortunately, we can make adjustments as we assemble the pieces again with heart love.
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I know we are constantly being watched as we walk in the woods by animals and birds and insects, but did you know there are plants that are keeping an eye on you, too, like the white baneberry. There are also spirits that watch us if you choose to believe.
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Today is the first day of meteorological fall. There are hints of the change of seasons, but overall, one day feels like summer and the next one may be colder. We can experience the seasons of life with a more even element of heart-based gratitude and love.
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I love walking under the canopy of mature trees. Where the trails are open to the sun, there is a lot more work to keep the new growth cleared. In life, we can walk under the protection of our Source and grow spiritually at the same time.
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I saw a clump of tall white tall flowers in the Lupine Field and made my way closer to investigate. From there I saw a purple cone flower for the first time this year. It reminded me that I can discover life again for the first time every day.
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I often believe that I am getting positive messages from Spirit affirming that I am in tune with my soul’s purpose, such as hearts of all sizes appearing at just the right time. I believe we all get messages for guidance in one form or another. The goal is to be on the lookout for them.
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This has been an enjoyable summer for me discovering the transplanted flowers in the Ormond gardens that are now starting to bloom, including several chive plants. I always enjoy meeting people that have been transplanted into our lives and discovering their gifts.
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I spotted some movement on the side of the road ahead as we drove up to the Orchard. I pulled over, grabbed my camera, and a mother turkey and her half-grown chicks strolled into full view. I have learned, you never know what you will see in the walk of life. My goal is to be prepared.
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The amount of rain we have had this summer has contributed to mushroom growth. I recently discovered a tiny splash of red color on the ground created by small mushrooms. They were unique, just as people who color life in ways that can be easily missed.
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We recently erected a small sign at the Center, “Ormond Gardens”, as a way to officially recognize the work Derek has done. A lot of people are hesitant to be recognized for the positive “work” they are doing as part of their soul’s purpose. It is okay to own it.
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One of the recent transplants into the Ormond Gardens has begun to blossom. It is called a common tansy, and it will bloom next year all summer. To me it is not common at all, but special. There are many “common” people who are actually very special.
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I have a friend who legally changed her name to Sunshine, and she sets her intentions to sprinkle sunshine everywhere she goes. Her vehicle is covered with positive sayings and symbols. When we set our intentions to reflect love, we are all rays of that same sunshine.
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The wild blueberry leaves have changed to their fall color. They may not be noticed in areas where they share the landscape with taller vegetation unless one pays attention to what is under their feet. We often miss life changes because we are not focused on the now.
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I always seem to be in search of answers. Recently I photographed a plant on the edge of the trail, but I can’t identify it. I searched my wildflower books and the internet and still haven’t found it. I am also still on a quest to find my life purpose. The quest keeps my mind active.
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As I made the turn onto the old dirt road, I noticed a single pink/red flower growing wild between the rocks. There used to be flowers planted there, but the roadside has been totally rearranged. It reminded me of positive acts planted from seeds years ago that are still flowering in different places.
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At a convention recently a friend had a pocket full of hearts that she was giving out to others. I smiled and accepted one to add to my collection. I believe a heart-based moment helps to raise the energy of love and positivity in the world, and this is a good example.
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There is a small painted rock nestled on top of the old stump at the top of the Lupine field, left there by someone as a gift for the fairies. Some people believe in their hearts that fairies are not figments of our imagination but are real. Are you a believer?
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I am constantly amazed at the unique shapes that Nature creates, like the mushroom I discovered recently that looked like a flower. I am also constantly amazed at the uniqueness of people. Life shapes them in ways that, used positively, can shape others’ lives for the better.
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The Canadian wildfires are having a visual effect on the mountain views here in New Hampshire. We have been living in a haze for days. A lot of people are living in a haze, either caused by themselves or others. At least we have the option of listening to our hearts and using love and gratitude to get a different view.
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Thanks to the vibrant yellow golden rod, we are now in the golden days of August as September looms on the horizon. It is time to feel grateful for positive adventures of summer and to heal negative ones.
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The resurrection lilies are now blooming. They are a different type of lily, with no leaves on their stocks and beautiful blue flowers. They are usually one of the last lilies of the season. I love to meet people that are like these lilies, late bloomers with solid roots.
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The small apples in the orchard are maturing nicely. I am not sure how edible they will be, but I enjoy watching them turn red. People have been developing different abilities over the summer that are maturing nicely and are ready to share as the season progresses.
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The milkweed pods are just about full size and drying. Soon they will be ready to release their fiber seeds for next year. Their flowers feed the insects, including butterflies. I think of people who have allowed the seeds in their minds to form. Some of them will be released and others may not.
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We have had a lot of hazy days this summer, due to humid weather and fires out west. A lot of people have been having mind haze where decision making is not easy. To clear the mind, take a moment and connect with your heart to consult with your team.
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This time of year I keep my eyes open to discover different blooms in the Lupine Field, and there, all by itself, was a pink aster. Maybe the wind or birds helped sow it. It was a pleasant surprise, like special people who are different, and have a positive quality of life to share.
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I haven’t had the energy this summer to clear the constantly advancing vegetation from the trail leading to the top of the Lupine Field. We can still find our way, and I know that it will soon be time to mow the field and the trail; also time to clear the way for the seasons ahead in other aspects of life.
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The blackberry fruit is changing from red to a delicious black, indicating that it will be time to harvest soon. Blackberry bushes have very sharp prickers waiting to snag your clothes or flesh. Taking the risk can be worthwhile as is taking risks to succeed in other situations in life.
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The sky was completely covered in clouds except for a round hole above my head. I imagined soaring through the opening and out beyond the Universe into the vast Cosmos beyond. For a few special moments I felt the peace and love waiting for the world to discover.
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As August rolls along, the tall phlox are flowering. This year the pink ones, thanks to an abundance of rain, are especially brilliant. I am reminded of people as they mature. There is a point in their life when it is time to share the knowledge they have gained through their maturity.
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Now that lupine season has finished, the field itself has more flower shows to enjoy. Currently, ragged robin is in full bloom. When we have completed a major event in life, there can a void unless we have goals beyond it. We can fill our down time with acts of kindness.
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Many of us rarely have the chance to take large vacation/getaway trips. The goal is to escape the pressures of daily life. I have found that short local getaways are the secret to staying in touch with my heart. Just a moment of silence or a local picnic in Nature can rejuvenate my soul.
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Towards the end of July and the first of August, one of my favorite daylilies begins to flower. It is the orange double lily. My heart fills with warmth and gratitude when they greet me. My goal is to use that positivity as the day progresses and spread it to others.
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We originally sowed about two pounds of lupine seed when we planted the field on top of the Mountain. Then nature took over with a new crop of mature seeds. Many people spread the seeds of positivity, hoping the Nature of life will continue to spread them.
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I noticed some hosta flowers forming a straight line in front of pink phlox. I thought of people called lineal thinkers (like in mathematics where you need to prove how you got the answer). There are others who just “know” the answers and are often called wrong. It is okay to know.
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For years we have had a hawk escort us as we drive the old road to the cabin. This year we think a new generation is doing it. I believe that a new generation of humans is being born with so much more than those before them. They just “know”.
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There is an old saying, “If you snooze, you lose.” In other words, it is important to pay attention to what is happening and take the appropriate actions when it is time. We picked enough blueberries for three muffins just before the birds got them. They were good!!!!!!
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I love a good cup of coffee in the morning. Part of my daily ritual is grinding the beans. The other day the container holding the beans fell out of the cupboard and spilled all over. It could have ruined the day. I paused, took a breath, cleaned up the mess and enjoyed my cup of coffee.
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I am so grateful for all those who give of their time to create a positive environment at the Center for visitors to enjoy. There has been a lot of progress this year at the Ormond Gardens with many transplants. There is always something wherever you are that can use your help.
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The birds, insects, and some animals find their nourishment from flowers like the brown-eyed Susan. People find their soul’s nourishment from being in and observing Nature. All we need to do is to take a moment wherever we are and open our minds to the wonders around us.
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The pickling pears are half ripe and waiting to be paired up with someone that wants to harvest them. We don’t want them, so usually it is the animals that will enjoy the fruit. People have abilities or products that could use some help pairing with someone to find positive benefits for others.
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The Enchanted Pathway is just below the Labyrinth, and it is full of little figures to stir the imagination of children. It can also help adults recapture the magic of their childhood.
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People have been coming here to the mountains for over 150 years to escape the heat in the cities during the summer. It is an opportunity to rejuvenate their souls as they prepare for the changing season ahead.
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There is a three-foot-tall unassuming wildflower I see along the trails in bloom this time of year called pink steeplebrush. It reminds me of people that go about their lives almost hidden from others, who make special contributions to the nature of life.
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To me the sumac blossoms are one of the first hints that summer is beginning to slowly make a transition into the fall. The cool nights after a heat wave also do the same. When we are aware of each day, we are also aware of all the changes in life that are constantly happening.
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There are a couple of high bush blueberries close to the Cabin that have some maturing fruit. The hope is that we harvest some muffins soon unless the birds get to them first. There are people currently creating a crop of positivity with the hope that it will help create a caring future.
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For many years I have always wanted to have enough varieties of daylilies to create a parade of blooms all summer long, and now that is happening. Many people dream or hope for things that never happen because they shut off the energy of attraction by focusing on why it will not happen.
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As I have mentioned many times before, my wife has a special “garden” outside her office window. It is filled with low maintenance garden sculptures. She has allergies and this is her way to enjoy Nature. We do not have to work hard at everything in life to enjoy it.
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There is a tradition in New England and perhaps other places where people decorate their lawn with pink flamingos. Part of the fun is decorating a friend’s yard when they are not home. It is good to have whimsical elements in our lives, something to help us smile.
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Milton Erickson told a patient once to go out and count the shades of green in grass. I assume the person was stuck in just one view of life. The lesson is that life itself has many different shades, and no one sees it the same way.
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Ten years ago I dug up some hydrangeas from the grounds of the local historical society when the building was moved. Now I am enjoying beautiful white blooms. It can take time to establish transplants whether in nature or in positive ideas and actions.
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A lot of people, including myself, look to the sky for information that might give them guidance in life. There is a term called cloud scrying, where one lets their eyes go out of focus so their unconscious mind can come into focus with information from their Source.
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The pink spirea, a shrub we have had for fifty years, keeps spreading, and now we have three of them established at the Center. If you prune the blooms after they have gone by, they will come back. “In the pink”, is a very positive phrase we can apply in life all year long.
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Thirty years ago my father-in-law passed away, and that summer a small wild rose started to grow outside our window. We believe it was a gift from the Other Side. I also believe other people get signs of love from the Other Side when they pay attention to them.
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The hens and chickens continue to expand their presence each year in the gardens at the Center. I think of people who set about intending to do positive acts of kindness each day and how these acts expand and are taken up by others who expand them again.
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One of the goals of the Ormond Gardens at the Center is to plant flowers that attract insects, butterflies and moths, and that is exactly what is beginning to happen. The concept of the Law of Attraction is that the energy in thoughts and actions bring back to you what you send out.
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The lighthouse perched on a rock outcropping at the entrance to the harbor has been guiding sailors safely for many years. I am reminded of people who are beacons of light that help guide others in their travels or their souls.
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Looking down from the 9th floor of the ship docked in Bermuda, we noticed the water had a very unique design to it. If the pattern could be duplicated, it might make for some interesting clothing. I think of people with unique designs that enhance the fabric of life.
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We have dragon fly reminders both inside and outside our house. Several years ago, Penny was in an auto accident where her car was bumped over a bank and into the water. As she waited in a truck for me to get there, a dragon fly accompanied her and wouldn’t leave her side.
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The single mock orange shrub does not have the dense number of flowers as the double, but the aroma is just as nice. It spreads easily and can take over the landscape if not paid attention to it. Still, it has its place in the landscape as different types of people do in life.
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One flower book describes orange day lilies as the bane of the garden. The author considered them too common to rank high enough on the flower scale to be included. I, on the other hand, love to see them line country roads, often growing wild. I think they are brilliant.
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July 4th is a day of celebration in this country marked by parades, fireworks, picnics, strawberry shortcake and watermelon, to name a few. It is the time for each of us to commit to sewing these seeds of freedom to the coming generations.
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There is another yellow color blending into the garden palate. I am not sure how it got there, but it is very welcome and comes back year after year. I am reminded of people that somehow connect to others and just blend into the palate of life.
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The tall slender, delicate astilbe is a flower that is much more resilient than it looks like and provides a wonderful balance for a flower garden. There are people who appear to be delicate but are much stronger in life than others give them credit for being.
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I don’t think I have ever seen a chipmunk stop and rest for very long. They are constantly on the move. There are people who never pause very long either, going from one project to another as they may have several going at once. The object is to go at a pace that is right and good for you.
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Over fifty years ago my parents gave us a collection of shrubs and trees that were advertised on the back cover of Parade Magazine. We still have a few of them surviving today, including a double mock orange. Investing positively in the future can pay off.
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Derek has spent a couple of weeks here shaping the gardens at the Center and adding plants, including ever bearing yellow lilies that bloom all summer. I love to see the Ormond Gardens expand, just as I love to see people planting new positive ideas to benefit others.
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I am in the habit of calling the harebells, coneflowers. They seed themselves wherever the wind takes them. I am reminded of people that sow the seeds of positivity that take root in the fertile hearts of others.
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I am not sure what the name of this plant’s name is, but there are several of them growing at the Center and on the Mountain that are feeding a lot of insects. I am reminded that positive acts of kindness, no matter what their size, feed a lot of souls.
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I am always looking for discoveries in Nature as I walk the trails. I have been observing some clumps of small white flowers on the new growth of some type of wild tree or bush, like a dogwood. These discoveries help me appreciate discoveries I make in all aspects of my life.
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We have a few bright little clumps of flowers that are called fire witches. I can imagine the fairies dancing around the blossoms on a starry night. I am grateful for all the color in the gardens that help me appreciate all the color in life.
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The hills are alive with pollinator plants like pink and white clover providing nourishment for insects, birds, and animals that, in return, cross pollinate other plants and trees, creating a vibrant landscape that brings great pleasure to all that take the time to pause for a moment and be grateful.
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Today is Penny and my 62nd wedding anniversary. We practice retrogression, getting younger each year. This year she wrote and published “A Timeline of Madison NH” for the historical society; I played a lot of music and will soon record podcast #6100. What is retirement?
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Now that the forget-me-nots have finished flowering, the second phase of the wild lawn has taken over with harebells and foxgloves in full bloom. These wildflowers choose where they want to be, like a lot of late blooming people. We appreciate them.
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This is the first full day of summer according to the calendar, but in my mind, it has been summer since the first of June. It is time to let the dreams and plans of the winter materialize into a positive reality as one rejuvenates the soul for the seasons ahead.
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The white harebells are now in full bloom. I love the fact that they, like other wildflowers, choose their own locations, although they can also be transplanted. Many people also choose where they want to bloom.
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With all the new plants going into the gardens at the Center, I sometimes don’t get the label right, as was the case with cat mint that I mislabeled as lavender. There is always something new to learn in life as I continue my quest for knowledge.
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I keep coming back to the subject of love, often inspired by hearts that appear in unexpected places, like the middle of the driveway. My intention is to be a channel for the love that comes from the core of all creation, and I am grateful for that opportunity.
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There is a group of wild asters that flower around an apple tree in the orchard. I look forward to their annual appearance as I do for many different events in my life that occur year after year that help spread positivity and love. I am grateful for the asters.
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I am very fortunate. I celebrate Fathers’ Day, as well as grandfathers’ day, and my wife, as well as my past life children from my soul family, all year long. I realize this is not the same for every father, and my intention is to apply the love I feel each day to others.
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I believe the foxglove is a very intelligent flower. It chooses where it wants to raise its litter on our land, maybe in a remote corner of the parking lot. I think of intelligent people who quietly go about spreading their seeds of positivity in the fertile minds of people.
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The lavender plants are in full bloom. They are a favorite for many people with their fragrant smell and many uses. People are clumps of talents that can benefit others when they take the time to share.
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The daisies are in bloom, and this old-fashioned flower was used in a game of love, love me not, when removing the petals. The last petal held the answer. When offering love, it is the other person who pulls the petals to decide.
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I remember when I was much younger, I used to play a card game called Hearts. Today I am on a quest to discover heart symbols that I connect with gratitude to my heart as a reminder of love that I set my intentions to channel from the infinite wisdom of the Cosmos.
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There is a wildflower with a tall leafless stalk that seems to just appear on unmowed lawns and fields in June. The flower books identify it as “yellow hawkweed”. From a distance it looks like buttercups. There are people who stand tall for positivity and often appear when it is needed.
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The first year the lupine bloomed I counted 12 plants. Now at their prime, there are several hundred blooms as they continue to spread each year. Positive actions, when one’s intentions are at their best, can spread among others just like the lupine.
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A variegated hosta has more beauty in its leaves than in its flowers. In fact, the leaves look like a giant flower by themselves. We often see surface beauty in a person but can miss their inner beauty unless we look for it.
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The first daylilies of the season are now shining in the sun. They signal a parade of colors that will last the whole summer, each bloom a reason to be grateful. That gratitude can then be shared with friends and strangers.
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Recently we had two Sri Lankan monks visit the Center spreading peace and love throughout the country. I took them to see the Lupines, and they did an impromptu blessing of the Mountain. That blessing is now shared with all who visit.
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My eyes caught a small splash of red, and upon investigating more closely I saw a wild columbine in bloom, the first of the season. I paused for a moment, taking in this small flower that could easily be overlooked, and thought of the many such pleasures that can change one’s life.
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Yellow flags are now flowering in the little frog pond while the blue flags are blooming close by. Summer weather is upon us, and it is a great time to pause for a moment and be grateful for Nature’s gifts to us. That moment can make a big difference in our day as well as those that cross our paths.
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Years ago my wife’s father made her mother a three-legged bench to hold some of her potted plants. It eventually was handed through the family until I squared it off and my son added a fourth leg. Now it is ready for the future. It is good to update our lives with old positive values.
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For nearly two hundred years, artists have been coming to the mountains to interpret Nature and take their renderings back TO show others. Each artist creates a little differently. In life there is an art to blending other interpretations with their own.
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Our bridal wreath is in bloom. I transplanted it over fifty years ago from my parents’ home where it had originally been brought from my great aunt’s. “Thrifting” is popular now.
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Several years ago my sister gave me some pink lilies-of-the-valley that have the same fragrant flowers as the white variety. Nature provides so many different varieties for us to observe and enjoy, just as all aspects of life do when we choose to examine different views.
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The moment is here, and the show is beginning to start. We have been anticipating it since I cut the Lupine Field last fall. They are now beginning to bloom. If we don’t pause and appreciate, we could miss the show. The current moments are so important in life.
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The giant iris are standing tall in the flower garden. Often, I will stake them up to keep them from toppling in the wind. With my assistance they continue to remain upright while they flower. People that stand tall can also be toppled by themselves or others unless they are propped up by their faith.
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We have a shrub at the Center, whose name I have forgotten, that has grown over years and produces beautiful round ball-shaped flowers with a fragrant smell. I am reminded of the beautiful souls on earth that I may see once or often that have remained nameless to me.
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We have a shrub at the Center, whose name I have forgotten, that has grown over years and produces beautiful round ball-shaped flowers with a fragrant smell. I am reminded of the beautiful souls on earth that I may see once or often that have remained nameless to me.
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Some time ago I planted some lilies of the valley in front of the house, and they have invaded the landscape. It is an invasion we cherish. I am reminded that when we do small positive acts of kindness, they have the potential of spreading through receptive souls.
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Some time ago I planted some lilies of the valley in front of the house, and they have invaded the landscape. It is an invasion we cherish. I am reminded that when we do small positive acts of kindness, they have the potential of spreading through receptive souls.
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I have a lot of early memories of my father coming home from the service and Memorial Day parades when he and my sister and I marched to the cemetery, along with others, to decorate the graves of veterans. I hope we honor those who have served for years to come.
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I have a lot of early memories of my father coming home from the service and Memorial Day parades when he and my sister and I marched to the cemetery, along with others, to decorate the graves of veterans. I hope we honor those who have served for years to come.
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The rhododendrons have started to bloom as we continue our spring journey of finding flowering shrubs all season. My intention is to share my gratitude for Nature’s beauty in positive actions every day
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I recently attended a beauty contest sponsored by Nature. There were 25 lady slippers vying for the most beautiful. I couldn’t choose a winner. Then again, in life I don’t necessarily judge beauty by outward appearance. I know a lot of beautiful souls, like you, that are all winners.
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The small crabapple tree in our yard is loaded with blossoms, standing out and capturing our attention over the other apple trees. Its fruit, however, is very tiny and only consumed by the birds.
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Over the years I have noticed that when we work the soil, old plants start to grow again. This was the case when the ground behind the Center was reworked. In life, it is possible to rediscover elements that have been long forgotten.
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Several years ago we planted some colorful ground phlox over a large rock beside our drive. The plants have spread and are eye catching this time of year. There are many ways to add color to one’s life, especially when it involves spreading love, joy, gratitude and positive acts.
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I have learned over the years that some people can use special smells to help them pause and clear their minds. For me, one of the smells is lilacs. As I do not remember smells in my mind, it is important for me to pause and sense them when they are in bloom.
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There are a couple of kinds of flowers in the little Frog Pond, and right now the delicate white ones are putting on a show. As the Ormond gardens expand, these components will blend together. Life is a blend of different components. It is up to us to create a positive blend.
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A good portion of the front “lawn” is now covered with beautiful forget-me-nots. They have spread over the years from just a couple of plants. Now, I anticipate their yearly flowering. Each year is different as are many unforgettable events in our lives.
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The old pear tree is loaded once again with fragrant white blossoms. It is that time of year when nature is in full production mode. It is also a great time to pause each day and take in the smells and beauty in front of you and hold it in your heart with gratitude.
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We often think of the term “mother lode” as meaning a very valuable treasure. Derek filled our car with a mother lode of plants given to us by friends who were trimming their garden. The goal is to share the beauty as they grow with others who visit the Center. We have much to share in life.
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As I photographed pear blossoms, I glanced at a nearby apple tree, and saw a small patch of blue. Curious, I looked from a different angle and saw it was an indigo bunting. I had been waiting to see one and may not see it again this year, but now I know it still comes. The same with one’s belief: just knowing is enough.
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I am constantly looking for signs that I am on the right path for my soul’s purpose, and recently a stone heart appeared in the walkway behind the Center going to a portion of the Ormond Gardens. I know that signs are here in different ways for all of us.
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With all the stressors in the world people are searching more and more to find both inner and outer peace. Recently my wife and son erected the screen house by the Cabin on top of the Mountain, a very special peaceful place. Many people find it wherever they are.
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There is nothing like being outside in Nature, but sometimes Nature brings us beautiful surprises right outside our windows, as was the case of a beautiful scarlet tanager posing on a sunlit branch. It can be good to leave our confines to greet Nature face to face.
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Mothers Day is always special. This year my wife is celebrating it enjoying the tulips that she planted last fall, a gift last Mothers Day from our granddaughter. The love we feel in our hearts for mothers can be expressed all year long to everyone.
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The season is changing rapidly now. Every day there is something new to discover in Nature, including the first strawberry blossoms. Life is also very busy this time of year. It is always good to pause and connect with your soul for a few moments every day.
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I watched a hawk perched on a limb outside one of our windows, surveying the landscape where there has been chipmunk activity recently. Often people forget to step back and survey the landscape of their lives, being caught up in their dramas where it is hard to see the whole picture.
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After the recent storms, it is important to keep your head up while walking in Nature. There are a lot of broken limbs ready to fall without notice, especially when walking amongst the trees. It is good to keep one’s head up in life as each moment may influence the future.
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Finally, the temperature here in the foothills reached 70 degrees, and my wife, daughter and I decided to take a walk in Nature. We wandered about the Orchard and trails. It was very peaceful and rejuvenating. You might find the same in a city park or by the ocean.
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People often wished they had a crystal ball to help them see the future or resolve situations from their past. We all experience life-changing events, positive and negative, large and small. Our lives have been changed by others, and we have hopefully changed others’ lives in a positive way.
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We cleaned the old nests out of the birdhouses in the Lupine Field a few weeks ago and now we have a new renter settled in, even though the house has a little lean to it. It is fun to watch the swallows and bluebirds compete. It is a great time to get out and observe nature wherever you are.
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As I record this message, I am grateful for the container of mayflowers on the kitchen windowsill. The smell is one of my favorites, and I find myself leaning over the sink often to experience it. You see, I will not experience this wonderful aroma after it is gone until next year.
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Derek has already spent several days here preparing the gardens and grounds for more planting and expansion. I marvel at his work, and I know his acts of kindness are and will provide peace and pleasure to those that visit. We all have a purpose.
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When I was a kid, the month of May meant May baskets. A time to catch a friend unaware and “hang” a basket full of candy, and when everyone was caught, they all would eat the treats. On May 1st, when I left the Center, there was a special May basket waiting. What a feeling of love!
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Most people have repaired some sort of walls in their life, whether in their home or their yard. I watched two women carry supplies to the top of a tall sea wall and climb down a ladder to repair the erosion at the bottom caused by storms. People often put walls around themselves that constantly need repair.
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I am grateful for finding a well-placed bench, on the Center’s land or wherever we go. A bench is a place to pause and rest and take a moment to communicate with one’s Source. I am refreshed there.
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We had been waiting all winter for our weekend trip to the ocean. I left the shade partly open the first night and I awoke at 5 am to a red glow. It only lasted a couple of minutes, but the energy sustained me the whole day. It was worth the trip.
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We have an old stump at the top of the Lupine Field that is decorated with items for the fairies, and there is one at the Center covered with small rocks. People love to decorate places, as well as themselves, often with the goal of bringing happiness for a moment to others.
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We are now in what I call the yellow phase of spring. The daffodils and forsythia are in full bloom. As they fade, other colors will take over, along with blackflies. Life has many different phases and each teaches us how to stay in tune with our soul’s purpose.
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When the pussy willow blossoms go to seed, they look very different from their earlier fuzzy blooms, but they are still beautiful. Older people are often thought to be past their prime, but they have beautiful wisdom to share.
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It has taken a while, but I finally discovered a bunch of full-size daffodils in bloom that were on the sunny side of a stone wall and not the bunch I had been waiting to flower. Each moment that gives us something to discover in life.
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As a young child, my mother used to make me checkerberry tea, especially if I wasn’t feeling well. I used to love to pick the tasty berries that grew near our house. We have checkerberries growing on the mountain, and love comes flooding back when I see them.
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It looks like we are not going to be hit by another major snowstorm. It is time to start repairing the land for the summer. My son used our tractor to grade and smooth the parking lot at the Center. There is always something to repair in life all year long.
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We have found the first small mayflowers of the season. As they mature, I will pick a handful and place them in a glass of water on the windowsill in the kitchen where I can pause and take in their delicate smell. Doing this, my heart fills with gratitude for another day of reflecting love.
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On a recent visit to the Lupine Field, I spotted tiny lupine plants starting their journey to producing beautiful flowers in June. No matter what time of year, if we search with gratitude, we usually find something to provide us with a glimmer of hope.
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Here in the foothills of the White Mountains it is not uncommon to experience several seasons at the same time. From the Lupine Field I can see where winter still lives on. I am grateful we are free of it for the most part. Gratitude is a good way to look at all seasons of life.
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I heard a bell ringing as I wandered around my yard. I paused a moment and listened as my heart filled with love. It was the bell in the Peace Garden at the Center, not far away. I thought to myself about the major need for peace bell ringers all over the world at this moment.
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With the improving weather and loss of snow, we woke up the Cats and did a little grounds work while having fun cruising around. We can think of work as something heavy or we can play while we are getting some work done, while moving at a pace that is right and good for us.
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When I start my day with the intention of finding something I am grateful for, such as the miniature daffodils in full bloom, my heart fills with a love that helps sustain me. A moment like that could even possibly change your life for the better.
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The little frog pond waits silently for the green frogs to lay their eggs that float like a cloud on the water. There is so much to discover at this time of year, and all year long. There is always something to cause my heart to sing.
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FINDING THE EVIDENCE – Nature provides a lot of evidence for us that is proof of activity taking place that we may never notice, such as a porcupine eating the bark off a tree. Life provides evidence to those that pay attention for guidance on their walk of life.
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I am constantly looking for heart signs that indicate to me that I am being supported by incredible guidance from unseen forces which are there for all of us. Lately, I take far more pictures of hearts than I can use in podcasts. I am surrounded by and intend to channel that love for others.
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The water is rushing outside my window on its way down the mountain to the ocean. It is a spring wakeup call and a reminder to all of us that it is time to manifest the goals we set during the winter, giving us a fresh view of life.
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The signs that spring is finally taking control are growing each day from warmer weather to the small red flowers on the maple trees. We are also receiving signs that it is time to implement those winter dreams into manifested realities.
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The daffodils survived the last snow again and are ready to try once more to bloom. There are people who believe in what they want to accomplish and keep trying until they finally succeed. Nature has a lot to teach us.
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As I checked on the latest recovery of the daffodils, I found two crocus blooming in an old, neglected section of the flower garden that I had not touched in a few years. My heart filled with joy, and I thought of people that are late bloomers. They are a joy to me.
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I saw a perfect outline of a snowshoe hair in a left-over patch of snow and I knew it was its last romp of the season before it turned to grass. I love the way Nature gives me the opportunity to romp along with the hare as changes in the season are ushered in.
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It was a crystal-clear day and we drove some two and a half hours to our son's home to view the total eclipse of the sun. We watched and took photos as best we could. It was interesting to hear the whole town cheering when totality was achieved. It was a beautiful day.
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Today many of us will witness an event we have never seen before in our lifetime, a total eclipse of the sun under favorable conditions. Then again, there are events every day that we may never have experienced before. My goal is to cherish moments that may make a positive difference to others.
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For the first time that I can remember, in over 6000 podcasts that I have done, I have no voice today. I thought I would share an excerpt from a recording I did several years ago which captures the sounds of the waves moving the jasper stone on Jasper Beach in Machiasport, Maine. Sometimes silence speaks volumes.
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The last couple of days have been an adventure with two 12-hour power outages with only 4 hours in between. I think of all the people that often feel snowed under by life events. I just thanked my Source and sure enough the power came back as I had trusted it would.
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The forecast was for an intense early April snowstorm. I prepared by moving the tractor in position to clear away the piles left by the snowplow. I did not plan for the power to go off for 12 hours causing our inside temperature to drop. Who is the fool here, me or the weather?
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The morning dawned with a clear view of the mountains, and it looked like it was going to be good weather, but I could see red in the sky towards the rising sun, and the TV and internet were warning of an approaching storm. The warning signs were clear for those paying attention.
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Many people have trouble finding peace of mind, body, and soul. They hold their worries in their heart, and they forget to relax as their mind becomes tense like their bodies. You might think of something you are grateful for and a peaceful place from your past to visit in your mind, and just breathe.
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Rarely do our daffodils have a chance to grow and flower without being beaten down by bad weather. I often tell people that it is not easy being human. We often keep our feelings secret in our hearts, so others do not try to beat us down.
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The hills are becoming alive with birds and animals looking for mates to raise families as the spring progresses. Male turkeys are strutting their stuff, and male finches are changing colors. Humans are seeking to pair what is in their hearts with positive outcomes.
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Easter is a time for the Christian community to come together to celebrate the resurrection. There are also other holy celebrations taking place this time of year for different beliefs. It is a time for all of earth’s creatures to come together and resurrect a peaceful world.
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Eighteen years ago, I attended a workshop on podcasting, something new to me at the time. Today is my 6000th podcast inspired by Nature, especially on the Mountain. The goal was and is to let the Source channel something positive through me for others. You do the same, one day at a time.
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On the day that our sister non-profit is having the Willie Harris Jazz/Blues Jam, I am thinking of all the people that have made a difference in my life and other’s. We do not need to have a big concert to pay them tribute. A word of thanks, a note, or some kind of public mention goes a long way.
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This month, and most of the winter, the sun has only shone about twenty-five percent of the time. A lot of people depend on the sunlight to feel happy. Doing something positive for others, with gratitude, can help create sunshine in your heart.
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As I watched our massive snowstorm out the window, at two different times I saw hearts form and disappear. To me that was a sign from my spirit guides that they were watching over us. We all have that guidance, whether you call it God, angels, or something else.
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During the recent snowstorm, we noticed that there were several different bird varieties eating at the same time on the feeder. I thought of how great it would be if all the different nationalities in the world could come together with respect for each other.
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Two days ago we had zero inches of snow on the ground. Now we have 28. So much for spring. Many people had to change their plans. Here in the foothills the weather often interrupts plans. Then again so does life in general. This snow will not last long. Life will resume again.
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It is interesting to me that when we have a snowy day, the birds will show up to feed. I believe they feel safer under the cover of the storm where predators cannot see them. A lot of people like to try new adventures under cover at first, where they feel safer.
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I thought when the calendar changed, it would be spring. Nature has other plans with the biggest snowstorm of the season. We often make plans that are interrupted, causing confusion, making it hard to set our goals. There is an old saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute; it will change.”
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Recently I discovered evidence of wildlife here that would have remained unseen except for tracks and pictures on our game cameras. A set of well-defined tracks in the fresh coating of snow appear to be a fisher cat. We also have an unseen team that watches over us.
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The calendar now says spring, but nature is being very fickle this year and keeps going back and forth between seasons. At the same time a lot of people are finding life very fickle also. It is a time to listen to your heart.
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The wet conditions improved enough for us to park at the bottom of the road to the Orchard and to hike up to check on the Cabin to see how winter had affected the land. The positive energy was incredible, and part of my goal is to share that energy with others.
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A week ago Nature deposited a half foot of snow on the mountainside and, just like a trick I used to do in a hypnosis show, with the snap of a finger, it all disappeared. Nature might snap its fingers again and it will reappear. Things often reappear in life.
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This is the day that a great many people have been waiting a half year for. It is the day when meteorological and astrological springs come together giving true hope that winter plans will now become reality. Nature and people are waking up after a long winter of physical and mental sleep.
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Today, St. Patrick’s Day, many people wear green to honor their Irish heritage, and Nature has its own green that dresses up rocks and trees. Every culture in the world has something to celebrate, and today it is Irish green that brings smiles to faces of all ages.
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We don’t get a lot of guests for lunch as my social world is much different than my parents’ was, so the other day I smiled when I saw hoof prints leading to the ivy bush right outside of the Center. I guess we do have guests for lunch after all.
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We decided not to plow the snow during the last storm because of the soft ground. However, it was necessary to drive back and forth with the truck to break up the frozen snow. It created an interesting design. In life, changing tactics can create new designs of success.
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Now that the recent snow has turned the landscape outside our windows white again, Nature is starting the melt all over. In life, as I am non-visual, I often have to start all over again on a project. Each time that happens I have the opportunity to make corrections.
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I had to smile as I went to open a window and noticed a paint chip on the sill in the shape of a heart. I was reminded that, in life, when we chip away at our worries, turning them over to our Belief, the artist chips away the excess to reveal what they already see.
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The forecast for an above normal temperature spring caught us off guard when a snowstorm dumped another 4 to 6 inches on our practically bare ground. It was not what we were looking for, but Nature was actually enriching the soil. Life is full of often unappreciated enrichments.
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Finally, after a year of anticipation; watching the tapping of the maple trees, the collecting of the sap and receiving the golden syrup, I felt pure joy and appreciations as I took a bite of hot blueberry pancakes. Joy is something we can feel both when we give and when we receive.
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I find that when the weather forecast comes on, I slip into a light trance and miss what is being said. Of course, the forecasters want to keep us in suspense, so we stay tuned. There are often two sides to a news story. It is good to know all the facts in a forecast to help us decide.
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The great debate is on again this year in our country as well as other countries in the world. Do we want to have daylight savings time or not? Tomorrow we change to it again. It appears life is full of debates all year long as to what is best for us or for our egos.
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The other day we received two bottles of fresh maple syrup, the result of our friend's hard work tapping the trees, collecting the sap, and boiling it down. It is good to have small success goals along the way to the big goal. It is a way to measure the results step by step.
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Every year about this time I can feel the energy of the plants below the frozen ground start their push to find daylight. It can cause my skin to prickle or my legs to feel tight. Our souls are also feeling the push to connect with the next stage of its purpose.
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We are in the middle of spring runoff on the mountainside and our little brook is roaring past on its way to the valley below. I love its sound and inspiration to set my intentions for a day filled with positive adventures and miracles as I wander about following my soul’s purpose.
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As the brook roars down the mountainside and the temperature is above normal, I noticed the lilac buds were bright green. I wondered if it was really Spring or is Nature just fooling us. We try to fool ourselves when our ego gets in the way of our purpose.
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I do love to watch the maples being tapped the “old-fashioned way” with metal buckets hanging on the trees. There are some upgrades like a battery powered drill. I think of the old-fashioned way of communicating in person. It is different today, but we can use the integrity of the old ways.
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Another good indication that spring is on the way is the turning red of the maple sprouts and young limbs that give the landscape a little color. Soon there will be buds, and then the green leaves will follow. Nature, as well as people, is sensing the change in the seasons of life.
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– I recently took a moment and enjoyed watching a chipmunk catching some sun. Just as people are waking up their minds for spring projects, so is wildlife. All are filled with positive possibilities.
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As March approached the first day of meteorological spring, the lions roared loudly, but this year the lambs came in with a powerful peaceful energy that just may win the month. Imagine heart-based love winning over the fear and anger in the world.
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This is a Leap Year in which the world adds a February 29th every four years with an occasional exception. It turns out that a year is approximately 365.25 days long. Imagine if the whole world embraced peace and love the same way as it does time.
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The old pine across the road showed its dark silhouette against the red evening sky. It was a gratitude moment for me, taking my mind away from my day’s focus for a few moments. After the brief pause, I continued, feeling refreshed.
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After a year’s absence, our maple trees are being tapped again. Over the next few weeks, we will watch Mark collect sap to boil down to tasty maple syrup. Just like the maples, our souls have opened up to the nourishing flow of positive energy for us to share with others.
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We have noticed, driving the back roads of ME and NH, that deer are on the move, coming out of the woods in late afternoon and early evening to graze in the fields where the snow is melting. I have also noticed that people are on the move, searching for spiritual nourishment.
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Everyone loves a bargain, and once in a while Nature gives me a two-for-one special when I find a subject for a podcast. When I looked at the photo of the wild rose trellis, I saw a small face, which I thought might be a message from spirit. I like to believe that something is watching over us.
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The sunflower trellis that holds up a wild rose in the summer, acts to help keep track of the snow depth in the winter. I will watch this daily over the next month or so until the snow has finally disappeared. This is a great time to activate positive spring goals and measure your progress.
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I have a pussy willow bush near the entrance to the Center and I recently found that its buds were swollen and about ready to pop open with their fluffy white blossoms. We have spring goals that are about ready to pop into positive actions.
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There are a lot of things to keep track of in Nature this time of year as well as in Life. Keeping track is a good way to stay current. It is as easy to get caught in bad weather as it is easy to lose track of health or finances.
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When I was a child, I would look for patches of bare ground this time of year, starting with big trees whose limbs kept winter snow from piling up close to their trunks. Then it would snow again, just as in life when we think things are in the clear.
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I have noticed lately, even though we are in a heart month, that more and more people are posting heart pictures that they find in nature to show love, gratitude, and positivity. I believe it is the beginning of a movement.
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As the sun continues to add minutes to the day each time it sets, I am also noticing that the setting point is moving further to the north along the horizon. This affects our lives and our daily positive intentions, as we progress towards spring.
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My thoughts have often been different than others’. It may be because of the way my mind processes, but I have learned to accept my own process and positive purpose, and trust that if I am right, the unknown elements that exist around me are real.
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Our up and down round and round weather continues with a little snow before the next warm spell arrives. Of course, life is doing the same thing, with all its ups and downs and round and round decision making.
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Our up and down round and round weather continues with a little snow before the next warm spell arrives. Of course, life is doing the same thing, with all its ups and downs and round and round decision making.
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The evening sky was filled with drama as the sun settled behind the mountains across the valley. The light pinks gave way to foreboding clouds as darkness began to descend, reminding me of the different moods that people experience. Inner heart love is a ray of sunshine.
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Valentines Day is a day of love with an incredible amount of money being spent on cards, candy, flowers, and dinners. I can imagine how that energy of love being celebrated every day, without the expense, could help change the world.
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This winter has been one of the muddiest I think I have ever seen. It seems as though we have been freezing and thawing since November, and just when you think it may be spring, it changes again. My goal is to approach each day, regardless of the weather, with love.
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Today’s Podcast is the story about an ice fisherman and his search for the perfect fishing spot. It is a story that probably most of you have heard in one form or another. The subliminal message is that there is more than one view to life: a big picture and a little picture.
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My wife creates for me a book of the previous year’s podcasts and gives it to me on my birthday each year. I really love to hold the results in my hands. In this age of electronics, it is easy to miss the physical connections, not only between people, but in Nature.
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A flash of red on the bird feeder just outside the window caught my eye, and I grabbed a camera and carefully got a little closer. Then I saw a female cardinal on the brace above the feeder. The pair together was a rarity and a special treat. I knew I had been given a special sign.
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With all the stresses of the world and the opening up of almost everyone’s intuition, people are finding that their sleep patterns may have changed. For me, when I am awake at night, I focus on something I am grateful for. Sounds of Nature are helpful for many. My goal is to forget that I am awake.
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I have seen heart signs in about every place I could imagine. The other day I spilled some water from the coffee pot, and I smiled when I saw a heart had formed on the counter. Skeptics would say it was by accident, but I believe it was a sign that I am not alone.
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We have many types of roads here in New Hampshire like most other places in the world. Sometimes it’s fun to take the back roads to be closer to Nature and a less stressful drive. We have found it is always good to be prepared for any kind of road we travel in life.
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Finely, the sun is now setting past 5:00 PM, something I have been waiting and watching for since the shortest day of the year. We are now on our way towards longer days. Every day of the year I intend to focus on the inner light that people have that brighten each other’s days, not just at 5.
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We found a small broken stone that was probably from a truckload of rocks that we got to line the sides of our driveway. When it is in position to reflect light, it really shines. In the shade, it is dark. It showed me that life and people have different sides if we take the time to notice.
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It has been a while since the sun has spent a full day with us. It certainly is a bright spot during this time of cloudy weather. The sun just may brighten up a lot of peoples’ days, and they may just go on to do something positive that may be a bright spot in someone else’s day.
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About the only color left in the landscape in February, besides the greens of the evergreens, are the brown beech leaves that continue to hang on their branches. As the weather warms, our thoughts of winter will give way to the more colorful thoughts of spring.
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According to the legend of Ground Hog Day, if it sees its shadow when leaving its den, there will be six more weeks of winter. Regardless, we are now halfway to spring and it shows every day with the increasing daylight. It is time to plan for the season ahead, filled with hope.
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Today is the time to pause for a moment, take a deep breath, exhale slowly and turn the calendar page to February. We have made it through a long month, and now is a great time to reset and embrace the slowly approaching spring.
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The recent snow, a heavy and wet, plastered the landscape with white, including the sides of the trees facing the storm. I thought of how thoughts can be plastered in our minds, not wanting to let go. Fortunately, we can melt away the negative ones with thoughts of love in our hearts.
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I am always on the lookout for affirmations that let me know I am on the right path for my soul’s purpose. They often come in the form of a heart, that to me means heart-based love, a very powerful loving energy. I am not alone in getting affirmations; everyone has them.
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A flock of turkeys passed by a couple of days ago, something we have not seen much of this winter. They are making adaptions to their living conditions, something that humans also do as their environment constantly changes.
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I recently watched my wife combining two containers of molasses. It was cold, and it flowed very slowly, reminding me of the old saying, “slower than cold molasses”. Fortunately, we all have a warm loving heart to help us move at our best pace in life.
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I was greeted on a recent morning by the sun shining on frozen droplets of water on the trees. It was a magical, sparkling start to the day and the same way I feel inside when I set my intentions to inhale love and exhale positivity everywhere I go.
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I thought we had experienced all the different types of winter storms this year when we were hit with an ice storm leaving the driveway a skating rink. Actually, we knew we would be sanded. There is always something unexpected in life.
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Finally, the water in the little brook that flows by the house froze enough to create some icy designs that I was able to capture in a few photos before the warm day melted them. Each day can have some special designs that can quickly disappear. Making note of them can bring a smile to my face and heart.
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Many of us have a daily routine, taking vitamins to enhance our health. You might consider inhaling a daily dose of heart-filled love energy to sustain you, knowing that it is always there whenever you want to experience it.
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One of the first things I do after setting my intentions with gratitude is to check the weather forecast to see what the predictions are for the day and beyond. Then I prepare with what I expect I will need, and also for the unexpected.
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There are so many different ways we view life. Some of us have the ability to visualize in our minds and can see themselves involved in activities. Some can experience them like they are actually doing them, and others may do both or neither. It helps to know.
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This has not been a normal winter. In fact, it may be a record setter. Many winter activities are just getting started, including waiting for the ice to freeze on the lakes. When I think of it, our lives are not as normal as we think they are. There is always something out of the norm.
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Often when we talk about tracks in the snow, it is about wildlife that move about in the winter, but this focus is on tracks that skiers leave on the Center’s Hypnosis Glade Trails. It is heartwarming to know others are experiencing the beautiful energy of the land.
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We are now more than halfway through meteorological winter, and I am noticing a difference in the ever-expanding daylight. I think of the concepts of time. Is it all happening at once? Are there worm holes we can travel through? I know as we get older, time speeds up.
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The most recent snow was light and fluffy, not like the storms before. The large millstone resting on the stone wall reminds me of a giant bagel waiting for a coating of peanut butter to create a giant fluffernutter, a favorite from my childhood. I smiled and enjoyed the snow.
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Winter is not easy here in the foothills. There are a lot of extra costs, some planned for, and some not, creating stress. I have set my intentions to find something each day to be grateful for, and the other day someone that I would not think of as being grateful used that very word.
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A couple of weeks ago the ground was brown. Now, with storm after storm, the snow is beginning to pile up, creating a problem for snow removal. People seem to have life stresses piling up on them like the snow on the ground. It is important to have a good positive inner stress removal program.
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The last couple of snowstorms have turned into rain events leaving a real mess for those that plow the wet heavy aftermath. The rain also leaves an interesting effect on the uneven surface of the remaining snow. I think of people who have been buffeted by the effects of life.
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It seems as if everything in Nature is topsy-turvy. It is hard to tell what season we are in. Maybe you have noticed: it is not only Nature that is topsy-turvy. All of life seems to be experiencing it. At least we have the guidance of our hearts.
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The water is running down the mountainside in the brook on its way to the ocean. The warm weather continues to keep, normally frozen, water open. Life has a flow to it, sometimes moving rapidly and sometimes moving slowly. The calm waters of life are in our hearts.
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The recent foot of snow, followed by an inch or two of rain and warm temperatures, turned the landscape to mush. It reminded me of certain fine chopped foods with an excess of moisture. Some are very tasty. Life has a lot of mush, some likeable, some not.
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Now that we are about three weeks away from the shortest day of the year, I am beginning to see and anticipate the expanding daylight. It is a January ritual for me. Sometimes we do not see the positive changes we make in our lives until a little time has passed.
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The weather forecast on the news said that there would be a red sky as daylight began which would indicate a big storm coming soon. The sky did turn red, and we planned our day with inclement weather in mind. Life has a lot of warning signs. My goal is to include them in my planning.
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We are back to a winter wonderland of white, at least for a few days. The weather and life seem to be going through a lot of changes. People often find their plans subject to change. The goal is to stay true to positive intentions.
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Finally, two months into the season, it appears as if the snow drought has ended, and outdoor enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief. It seems as if we spend a good part of our lives waiting for something, sometime worrying about life situations. Realizing you are not alone can be a comfort.
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Recently, browsing the Internet, I stumbled on a beautiful leaded glass dragon fly, and seeing that it was local, I arranged to purchase it. A few years ago, my wife was rescued from an accident where she wound up in the water. A dragon fly waited with her.
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There is a birch tree at the edge of the orchard that is bent over to the point where it will never grow straight again. Each year the elements cause it to bend more. I am inspired by its spirit and think of people dealing with the elements of life.
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With the weather turning colder, the ground, which is still very moist from all the recent rain, is beginning to freeze. Ice crystals are pushing their way to the surface, and they crunch when I step on them, adding a new adventure.
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As I have mentioned before, during this time when Nature presents a bleak landscape, my attention is drawn to elements that catch my eye, like a couple of leaves still hanging on the bark of a tree. In times when there are a lot of people competing for the spotlight, I am drawn to those that others may miss.
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It was fun enjoying the different decorations we collected to help us celebrate the holidays, but our collecting actually goes on all year round. One way we do it is to find magnets that we can display to bring back positive memories of our travels.
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As we wait for the ground to be covered in snow, I look for a little bit of color in Nature to brighten the day; today I find the greens of moss growing on rocks to be grateful for. I believe there is something each day that can color our hearts with love.
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Today we have a blank slate in front of us. It is a new year, and, yes, there are situations which carry over from last year, but, by following our hearts with gratitude for the opportunities in front of us, we can bring about positive changes.
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On this last day of 2023, many people will be making New Year’s resolutions that will more than likely last for just a short period of time. I prefer to establish a morning routine using heart-based gratitude to set my intentions for reaching my goals, not only for me but for the greater good of others.
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We are fogged in again here in the mountains and I am reminded of times, both staying on the seacoast and sailing with a friend, where we could see just a few feet ahead. Now there is new technology to help guide us, and we always have our internal guidance when our brain seems fogged in.
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The recent rainy weather reminds me of when I was a child, pressing my face against the window on a rainy day, wishing it would go away. I still feel like that in inclement weather today, except now I know enough to set my intentions for there to be always something positive shining in my heart.
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Over the holidays my wife wished that we had a small Christmas tree to put on a side table. So, the day after Christmas she found exactly what she was looking for on sale. It is never too late to begin a new tradition any time of year.
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I recently noticed some apples hanging on to a tree in the orchard well beyond harvest time. I also noted that the beech leaves were still hanging on while other varieties had dropped their leaves a while ago. I thought of habits people have that have long since served their purpose but still hang on.
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The varieties of animals that pass onto our land include predators on the hunt for their next meal. They can take a toll on other animals such as rabbits, partridges, and even turkeys. It would be nice if people did not act as predators towards others but work together for the greater good.
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Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas, another sacred day, or something entirely different this time of year, our wish for you is, ”Peace on Earth, Good Will towards Man”.
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A couple of weeks ago, it looked like we were going to have a white Christmas, but then Nature washed the snow away, and it will be a brown one instead. Still, we have memories of past white ones and can now dream of the next one. Dreams can come true.
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Memories come flooding back to me of all the times I have searched for the perfect Christmas tree. As a young child it was on the frozen bog near our home, to the trees my parents used to send in the mail was I was in Boston. Now they remain in Nature.
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Just before the recent rain washed the snow away, we checked our game cameras to see if any wildlife were moving on the land. It is exciting to see the number of deer that use some of the same trails as people do. It is a good lesson in harmony.
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For me this is a double celebration, being able to do my 5900th podcast on the day of the winter solstice, the time when daylight will now expand every day for the next six months. Then again, there is something to celebrate every day.
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My intention each day is to wake up feeling gratitude, including just another day to discover something new. My focus of gratitude today is on the beautiful handmade view of the mountains that is displayed behind our nativity.
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All thoughts of a White Christmas have been washed away by a large warm windy Northeaster that raised havoc in our area. The weather here can change in a moment, as it can in life. I choose to focus on being grateful for something.
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As we approach the shortest day of the year, I find great joy in waking up to the warm glow of holiday lights shining in our windows. My heart is filled with gratitude for the magic that surrounds me. What a great way to start the day.
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When we built our home here, we had a commanding view of the mountain range across the valley. Over time trees have grown, blocking out what we used to have. Fortunately, a painting my wife did for our first Christmas helps me remember. Life is always changing our perspectives.
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When we first moved to New Hampshire, we would often drive around, and we fell in love with one specific view of Mt. Chocorua. Then we bought land with a similar view. Several years ago, around the holidays, a friend found a painting done by my great uncle of the mountain. Unbelievable.
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I have enjoyed sharing stories with photos of remembrances from the holidays that would go unseen to people that never visit, such as a window with hanging ornaments. I am reminded that we all have unseen abilities we often hide from others.
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We have a carved wooden bust of my father, and during the holidays we place a Santa hat on his head. Years ago, Father used to answer calls to Santa from children in town and one summer a child heard him laugh and looked at him wide-eyed, declaring, “You are Santa!”
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We were left with a mountain of snow blocking our parking after the last storm. My wife shoveled enough space to unload the groceries. Now in the spirit of a distant relative who spent years, night after night, moving a mountain, I move a mountain of snow.
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Once we are old enough to have experiences that create memories, we often seek to re-experience these events at similar times in our future. The older we get, the more nostalgia we have, especially during the holidays. We are re-experiencing a beautiful ceramic nativity, discovering it again for the first time.
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Another one of our holiday favorites is a live poinsettia plant put where we can appreciate its beauty during the season and beyond. Our positive thoughts are also alive and growing way beyond the holidays.
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Nature is joining in the celebration of the holidays by adding her own sparkle to all the lights. She has formed tiny ice crystals on the frozen snow that sparkle in the sun like diamonds. Life has so much sparkle to take in all year round from people and Nature.
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We have had several days of picture-perfect weather. The snow has remained on the trees creating a magical world. I am sure pictures will remind us for years to come. However, living in a fairy tale is not always exactly as it seems. Still, over the years, memories change.
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Another holiday decoration that has a special meaning to me is a leaded glass wreath with two candles in the middle with their flames connected together. I am reminded of my connections to Edgar Cayce and his secretary: twin flames that produced a volume of work that is still helping people.
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One of my favorite holiday welcome signs is a wreath outside a door. To me it indicates a warm welcome inside. People with internal heart-based lights have a welcome sign attracting others to share in their positive loving energy, something the world needs now.
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There are ten round colorful globes lined up in a row along the top of the balcony and at night their reflection in the windows make them look like many more. I am reminded that when positive like-minded people shine their inner lights together, it is powerful.
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Nature did its part to decorate the landscape overnight with a new eight-inch coating of snow. It is just what was needed to create a magical winter wonderland in time for the holiday season for the child in all of us.
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Some thirty years ago, my wife designed, made, and sold some character dolls, including a few Santas. Several years later, one appeared at a summer church yard sale for twenty-five cents. It now brightens my Decembers. I am grateful.
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The star that hangs in our large window is now filled with light during the holiday season. To me it is a symbol of peace, love, and the opportunity for the world to come together for the greater good of all.
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For me, December sunsets and sunrises really stand out in the stark landscape of the season. I am reminded that the starkness of life always has something that shines brightly in the background.
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Today we turn the calendar page to the last month of the year, December. It is usually the signal to hunker down for months of cold weather ahead. I plan, as I do all year, to find something each day to be grateful for, regardless of the weather.
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I learned on our recent tour of 9 tropical islands about the diversity of Nature. One island had boa constrictors, another alligator, another monkeys, and another iguana. Nature and life seem to mimic each other.
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It was interesting to see how the islands of the Caribbean are attempting to deal with the rising sea by using very large concrete castings to help block the damage caused by powerful storms. Much of the lowlands were created by fill. Stay tuned for the results.
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Years ago when the local school playground was dismantled due to new construction, we moved a giant xylophone to the Center. It waits silently for kids of all ages to play a tune on its one octave scale. I love things that bring the kid out of people who think that they are adults.
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I have a twenty-plus-year-old tractor that stands ready and waiting in case it is needed to move big snowbanks in the winter and grade the landscape in the summer. In life I believe that I have a whole team behind me ready and waiting to assist me on my soul’s journey.
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If one has ever been in a room where the walls are made of knotty pine, it is easy to feel that faces are looking at you. Some people even feel as if the walls are alive and sending messages. It is good to be aware of reality when staring at the wall.
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I am always searching for treasure on the Mountain. It would be nice to find precious metals, crystals, and other gemstones, but I also focus on finding hearts. Hearts are a treasure for my heart. It has a value worth much more as an indication that I am supported by the riches of the Cosmos.
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The tiny hemlock caught my eye. It was only a few inches tall. I thought of the length of time it takes a tree to mature. Investing in future forests takes a lot of patience, but as the tree grows, its value increases. That is good for the environment and for our souls.
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This is the day that our country celebrates Thanksgiving. Other counties have set aside different dates to pause and observe a time to be grateful. I like to think that I celebrate Thanksgiving every day of the year through heartfelt gratitude. I am thankful for many things.
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The rhododendrons are all budded and ready to produce beautiful blossoms in the spring. It is just nature’s part in preparing, just as people have been getting ready for winter. Now it is time to begin to think about next spring. It is always good to have something positive in your future goals.
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When we first acquired the property, we found a small overgrown area that had been quarried a couple of hundred years ago, and when cleaning it up, we discovered a wonderful little seating area that has since hosted a wedding and an Eagle Scout ceremony. Just another special place.
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I paused to appreciate the beauty of the old log teeming with new life. I thought of old outdated thoughts and realized that many of them may be hosting new ideas. There is still a lot of value in old ways.
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For several years now the Center has had the privilege of providing space for the Granite Back Country Alliance to establish and maintain four ski trails down the Mountain. I love to see the parking lot full on a winter day. I know the energy of the land is working its magic.
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Nature has its paint brush out again and has created white pinecones to decorate the landscape. Besides being works of art, they carry seeds to plant the next generations of trees. They may also wind up as decorations for a holiday wreath.
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When I was growing up, I would visit my grandparents in the next town who lived in an older with an outhouse in the Barn which was as cold in the winter as outside. I have a lot of memories from my visits. We all have stories of when we were young.
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When my grandson was little, he loved watching a movie about The Ice Age, and one day I took him over to the top of the Lupine Field when Mt. Washington was covered with snow. He pointed and said excitedly, “I see the Ice Age.” Most of us have a fond memory as a kid.
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We have a couple of red berry bushes on the property probably planted by the birds. Their shiny green leaves last late into fall, and the berries last into the holiday season and make good decorations for green wreathes. They are also good for bringing smiles to my face.
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There are places on the land where the drill marks still remain from quarrying granite for foundations and walls a couple of hundred years ago. The settlers used star drills to gouge holes in the stone and then wait over the winter for ice to expand. This old way can still work with patience.
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The Center’s property lines go right over the top of Chamberlain Ledge, and we have some pretty severe drop-offs on the back side. It is not easy to climb down, requiring a zigzag descent. Getting from point A to B in life can be a journey filled with surprises.
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Scrying is a psychic way of receiving information by staring at an object and letting your eyes go out of focus. Some people use crystal balls, tea leaves or gazing at the clouds. Everyone has a type of intuitive ability, and you may fine scrying one of yours.
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It is interesting how old land deeds defined the boundaries. They often used trees that have long since disappeared. Today GPS devices can make it easier to find and stay within the lines. People have boundaries as to how much they want others to intrude. It is good to establish them.
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The mountainside is littered with pieces of granite in places where the settlers split large pieces to use for foundations and walls for cemeteries. The unusable pieces were just left, and I find a use out of many of them. We all have parts and pieces waiting to be used.
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On a recent walk I spotted an oak leaf on the trail and saw a small stone heart close by. I smiled and felt gratitude for always finding affirmations that I am surrounded with love.
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A couple of years ago, when we had logging done to the land, skidder trails were created to haul the trees to a central place for processing. Now we have an opportunity to use them to create new trails and improve old trails. In life it is possible to find better ways to achieve your goals.
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There are places in the old road that are worn down to bedrock from use and plowing. In fact, there are places on the mountain that must look like the way they were after the ice age. In life, when thoughts of success have worn away, we always have options of trying a new and different idea.
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The hemlock tree growing in the very thin topsoil covering the ledge at Stone Cutter’s Rest is literally hanging on by its roots trying to survive the storms that pass through the area. Fortunately for us, we have deep roots connecting to our belief and our soul.
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The time has changed back to Eastern Standard Time. That means it will be getting dark an hour earlier all winter. The body wants to slow down and eat and sleep more. It is the feeling of wanting to hibernate. Our light source becomes the inner light of our heart.
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Here in the foothills and mountains of New Hampshire, November and part of December means hunting season for deer. When we opened the Center’s trails for hiking, we also created a wildlife safety area without hunting for people to experience Nature safely.
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In late afternoon we took a picture of the ledge across the valley at a time when the sun shined a spotlight on it. I wondered what stories the ledge could tell of times when ancient shamans traveled through its portal to the vast Cosmos beyond.
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Now that most of the leaves have fallen off the
trees, they have covered the places where we walk in the woods and there is a crunching sound with every step.
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The pumpkin people are at work throughout the Valley, including our local rescue squad, and I recently watched two of them as they attempted to rescue a pumpkin cat stuck in a tree. Human people often rescue others who may be stuck in sad moods with a smile or a kind word.
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I recently discovered the outline of a witch’s hat etched in a granite ledge on top of the Mountain. I wondered if it was an impression created centuries ago when shamans opened a portal for souls to pass back and forth into other dimensions. It is a special place.
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The full moon, a couple of days before Halloween, showed intently through the trees in the early morning. It gave off a mysterious feeling as our minds thought of spirits that might inhabit the Mountain and wondered what stories they might be hiding from the past.
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There is a cut off tree on the side of the old dirt road, leaving two stubs several feet above the ground. There is new growth covering the tops of the stubs. The tree is not giving up like many people that have been through dramatic changes, and it still has a purpose.
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A single leaf colored by Nature may not stand out in the vast forest, but after much of the fall foliage has faded away, it stands out for those aware to appreciate. There are many people who go unnoticed because they are not “flashy” but make powerful impacts on lives.
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When I saw a dark line of dead wildflowers/weeds lining the side of the gravel road, I thought of the popular band, The Grateful Dead, and their fans called “dead heads”. Nature provides so many opportunities to let our minds wander and relate to other parts of our lives.
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There is a cold wind blowing from the snow-covered peaks that is turning the remaining leaves inside out. It is a sign that the first snow will soon be here. We also have intuitive signs of the future that we often dismiss.
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I am not very technical. I learn slowly and think from one point to the next one. When I have learned that step, I go on. I know very little about my cell phone and recently got a small older digital camera to try. It worked so well that I took my first selfie. Every day a new adventure is waiting.
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As the red leaves fade, the bright yellow ones still on the trees take over the color of the landscape. It is like being in sunshine even on a rainy day. Many people are influenced by color as evidenced in what they wear. Life has a lot of color in it.
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We have special places on the mountain where we and others enjoy spending a little time, like the picnic table on top of Chamberlain Ledge. It is good for the soul to have these special places. It could be a park bench or a rock on the shore of the ocean.
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As fall has finally reached its peak here, the view out my window is filled with colorful leaves. The show that I have been waiting for will now fade in a few days revealing the next one. Having a window to observe nature provides a special way to contemplate life.
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There is something about seeing the first snow of the season covering the top of Mt. Washington. It stirs the inner child in me and turns my thoughts to when the white stuff will cover the ground here in the valley. It rejuvenates my soul.
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As we approach the last two months of waning light, the sun’s angle has dramatically changed. Sunset lights the lower landscape and leaves the mountains dark. As we adjust to the season, we also adjust to the seasons of life.
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Derek is here for a few days working on the gardens at the Center. His tool of choice is his trusty hoe. Watching him in action is like going back to another time when there were no modern powered tools to make it easier. There is nothing like old fashioned integrity. We all are gardeners of life.
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While we were looking for places to exercise after hip surgery, we found a local shopping center called Settlers Crossing, and on starting our walk, we came upon an unexpected meditative area complete with a labyrinth surrounded by benches. It is so needed.
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This time of year, as the leaves are fading, I become very aware of the vibrant green moss that brings color to the landscape. It reminds me of a soft carpet, and actually we do have a green carpet in our house that reminds us of the outdoors.
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Many people have a favorite gemstone or crystal that they carry with them because it gives them energy, sometimes to connect to higher sources like the Cosmic mind. We live on a mountain that consists of granite embedded with quartz, and people feel its high peaceful energy.
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I am so fortunate and grateful to live in a vast exhibit where Nature’s artisans are constantly at work creating beautiful things that may last a few moments or a few years. I wonder how many human attendees walk by without noticing what I have been privileged to see.
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I saw something I had not seen before on a trail I had walked hundreds of times. There, a few feet into the woods, was the shape of a big bird. It was actually an old stump, but at that time it became alive in my mind. Nature often gives us a different angles to life.
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I recently participated in a fall ritual that we hold each October here on the mountainside when I or other members of the family drive the field mower back and forth cutting the Lupine Field and the Orchard. It signals changes to come. Life is full of rituals.
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There are a lot of trees in the forest that have been misshapen by the elements of Nature and yet they continue to survive despite all they have endured. Many people have been misshaped by the elements of life that still make major contributions.
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While gazing at the sky, I saw a cloud sandwich, two long white clouds with a filling of blue. Some people might be reminded of eating and think of their favorite sandwiches while other might wonder what was hidden behind the clouds. Nature can stimulate our imaginations.
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We have not had a frost in the foothills yet, and the growing season for some flowers, both domestic and wild, as well as some types of mushrooms, continues, creating great working temperatures as we prepare for the first frost. It’s all in one’s mindset.
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The leaves are just about at full color as the season progresses. The stores are already decorated for Christmas, and in the winter, they will be filled with summer clothes. If we spend all our time anticipating, we miss the beauty of life in that moment.
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I often look to Nature to give me signs from the Cosmos that I am on the right track. We finally have begun doing long overdue trail improvement on the mountain and my wife has been working with hand tools to create a beautiful path. There at the beginning was a tiny heart. Approval given.
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Now that the goldenrod has gone to seed, I can see a patch of milkweed in the Lupine Field getting ready to release their own seeds to spread the nourishment next year for wildlife and for the eyes of those that come to Nature to nourish their minds.
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It has been over a year since I have been able to do much work on the trails and several are overgrown, so my wife started out with hand clippers to open one of them up again. Each day she clears away a little more. I am reminded that big accomplishments in life often come from small steps.
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Finally, the wait for fall color is over, and each day, the landscape is changing here in the foothills. Now is the time to pause and take in Nature’s spectacle. We often wait in life for miracles to happen, and when they do, we often do not take the time to fully appreciate them.
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This summer and fall we have been subject to a constant smoky haze caused by western Canadian wildfires. It has impacted our beautiful views of the White Mountains and has been an allergy irritant for a lot of people. Brain haze can mentally impact our views of life.
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The fishermen returned from the sea with their catches and came ashore in their dinghies, tying them up, side by side, ready for the next day. It reminded me of how, after a busy day, we can pause to rest our minds by “tying” up to our positive beliefs in the safe port of our minds.
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I have taken many pictures over the years that I think would make great puzzles, including rocks on the shore of the ocean. Life is full of puzzles, from board games to crime investigations, to trying to figure out the meaning of life.
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The fall foliage is right on schedule as we reach the first day of October. It is time to put worries aside as to whether the leaves will be as beautiful as years past and enjoy the splendor of the present. Overall, life does have a flexible schedule.
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As the last day of September arrives, it is a good time to take in the beauty that still remains from summer as we prepare to take in the beauty of autumn. It is a wonderful time to reflect on everything that we are grateful for in the past, moment, and future.
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Small bright red berries with shiny green leaves caught my eye as I walked along the trail. My mind instantly flashed back to my early childhood when my mother would make me checkerberry tea, a mixture of extract and hot water. Nature is full of memories.
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At first glance we thought there was a small set of false teeth resting in the grass at the top of the Lupine Field. I wondered if they belonged to an older fairy. It was actually a mushroom, but it gave my mind a chance to play outside the box.
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The tops of the white pine trees are loaded with pinecones that will soon cover the landscape with seeds, and some of their seeds will take root to grow the next generation. When we cast the seeds of positive intentions, the goal is to have as many as possible take root.
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Over the years I have accidentally planted invasive vines on the property, including bittersweet. My intention was for something beautiful, but they took over and choked out other beautiful growth. Sometimes we let invasive thoughts take over, although our intentions were good.
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As I walked along the edge of the Lupine Field looking for something to photograph, I found a pleasant surprise. It was a lupine flower in bloom almost three months late, after the rest went to seed. Had I not been looking, I would not have found it.
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Our pear tree is dropping its fruit, covering the ground with succulent treats for the wildlife. The pears are the small variety, better for pickling than eating, so we really aren’t missing anything. It is good to share things that others might like to have.
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This is the time of year when most of the wildflowers have gone to seed, but their beauty continues on, thanks to Nature’s grand design. Older people, often overlooked by younger generations, are full of knowledge and stories that add beauty to everyone’s life.
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The first day of fall is a point in the year that people either look forward to or dread. This year the foliage seems to be developing slowly as the temperature is still above average. It is a time when people are re-evaluating their goals. One step at a time can bring positive outcomes.
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As I begin my half mile walk down the old dirt road I know there may be a new adventure around every turn, and I have had many over the years. I also have come to believe that there may be an adventure waiting around every bend in the walk of life.
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A splash of pink caught my eye as I stood at the top of the lupine field admiring the view. It was one remaining pink aster and my wife got close to it and discovered it was covered with butterflies. The aster was nourishing them as well as my soul.
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The non-profit that partners with the Center recently held a fair that brought together crafters, musicians and nature lovers, many for the first time in some years. The positive energy was very special as many there were discovering life again for the first time.
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I believe that I am not walking my soul’s path alone and that there are whole teams on both sides of reality watching over me as well as guiding me. Whenever I see a heart, it is an affirmation.
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A thin, almost invisible, thread caught my eye as it shined briefly in the sun. It was the work of a spider connecting one tree to another. I marveled at its engineering ability and thought of people attempting to weave a thin thread in their lives. Belief and positive intentions help strengthen it.
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I noticed recently that part of our driveway was littered with acorn shells, and I knew that the chipmunks were harvesting the meat and stockpiling it for the upcoming winter. People can stockpile gratitude in their hearts for when it is needed by practicing it every day.
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There is a very large rock resting silently in the woods of Madison NH that is, in fact, the largest glacial erratic in North America that is in one piece. The glacier deposited it here. The power of belief is also awesome when practiced daily.
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This time of year many people are sharing the abundance of the growing season with others, like thinning a flower garden. Abundance comes in many ways, like a piece of land where people can connect with Nature, or a skill that can help others, or even a welcoming smile.
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Over the years I have walked in many kinds of weather, from hot and humid to cold and icy, and even in rain and snow. Walking is part of my wellness; I experience it at a pace that varies in speed, but I am always aware of the Nature around me.
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Currently, as we walk the old gravel road, my attention is drawn to roadside bouquets of small late season flowers that will soon be swallowed up by colorful autumn leaves. It is good to remember people who disappear when drowned out by others with strong egos.
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It has been nearly sixteen years now that I have been doing a daily podcast on Nature and Life. In pausing and reflecting for a moment, I am so grateful for all Nature has taught me and continues to do so on my quest to understand my soul’s purpose.
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The Norway pines are different than the white pines that often grow side by side here in the foothills. The Norway pines send out a lot of tiny limbs from their trunks. People grow differently from each other as they adapt to their environments. Each one is unique in their own way.
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The game camera often catches glimpses of wildlife that live on or pass through the property that we may never encounter in person. It is an unseen reality. We experience the same when we let our mind connect with the unseen that exists around us and is real.
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The clouds at sunset caught my attention and I decided to capture some images. As I examined them, my eyes went out of focus as I searched for intuitive information. This very old hypnotic technique is called scrying when we connect with our unconscious mind and beyond.
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I noticed the blueberry bushes’ leaves beginning to change color from their summer greens to fall reds. Nature is at it again, daily adding small splashes of color as autumn approaches. Small positive intentions and actions, practiced daily, add up to big changes.
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On our hiking trails, we have benches placed along the way where there are views or rocks or ledges where hikers can pause and rest. On our soul’s journey, our Sources provide spots internally and externally where we can rest for a moment.
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DIGGING INTO THE HILL – Most of the hiking we do on the Center trails is either up or down hill with just a small portion on flat ground. I learned a long time ago that if I stopped to rest on the way up, it would be hard to start again. I don’t look at the top, just dig in and keep moving, just like all of life.
To hear this podcast recording, go to:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2037649
or http://www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
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A walk or a hike is much more interesting when there are bends in the trail ahead. It adds a sense of mystery to the adventure. A lot of people pay psychics money to find out what is around the bends in their lives. We have guides and angels to help as we move forward.
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Nature does such an incredible job of putting together both small and large artistic arrangements for me to pause and appreciate on my walks, no matter what time of year it is. When we focus on the negatives in life, we can miss the parts that the Cosmos nicely arranges for us.
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We often go for a walk with an agenda, looking for something specific, depending on where we are and the time of year it is. If it is some place new, we look for ideas we can incorporate into our trails. Theme walks are good for the soul.
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The ground on the mountainside is uneven, and it's sometimes hard to stay balanced when walking. I take a cane with me. Another place we walk is the Ossipee Pine Barrens. It has a mile long handicap trail on flat even ground. I walk faster there. Life is often about staying balanced when things are uneven.
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As I walked around the grounds of the Center just before our weekly metaphysical meeting, I discovered another small stone heart. After the meeting, I received an email from a friend, a former member of our group, saying that she lost everything in the FL hurricane. The stone heart reminded me of the connections we have with others. Prayers sent.
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Today is our last opportunity to celebrate meteorological summer. When the calendar changes to September, we begin to gear up for fall. It is time to take stock of where you are in life and plan how you intend to positively progress forward.
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The sun’s rays filtering through the clouds looked like a portal into the Cosmos. There has been a lot of interest in "worm holes" recently and perhaps we are getting close to an understanding.
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Now that we are almost to September, I am noticing little changes taking place on the mountainside starting with a few leaves at a time. During the next month each day will see more taking place. Those that are not aware will miss what’s taking place and perhaps, also within themselves.
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The small vine with pink flowers may look harmless, but it is a very invasive wildflower that we noticed at the lower edge of the Lupine Field a few years ago; it was slowly progressing towards the lupine. We made a trail along the edge to cut its progress off. People can get bound up in life in many different ways.
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The Native American Pipes are ready to celebrate the change of seasons. This unique shaped fungus is always a fun discovery for me. I can imagine tiny fairies dancing around them. I am also reminded of unique positive people that others celebrate being in their presence.
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From the top of the Lupine Field we can look down on a small body of water named Davis Pond. Interestingly enough, Davis is my wife’s maiden name. Even though there may be no kin relationship, there is a synchronicity that is true for most of us wherever we go. Everything is connected.
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Several years ago we were given two hibiscus plants that do not look as if they survived the winter until they begin to grow in July. By late August their brilliant flowers open wide. I think of brilliant people who do not think of themselves as brilliant but are willing to share.
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There is a nature walk in Madison through the Pine Barrens. When I was enjoying a stroll there, I noticed a section of trees that seemed to be tangled up and all out of order. I wondered what weather event caused this. People can find themselves in tangles, but they can work their way out with patience.
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Now that we are in the last few days of August, the Lupine Field has turned to yellow as the golden rod has reached its peak. It is time to begin to prepare for fall. It may be going back to school or starting a new project or changing a habit. Change is in the air.
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All the recent rain has helped create a productive mushroom growing season. I do not know enough about wild mushrooms to harvest them, but I know many people look forward to seeing them appear. We have thoughts that grow like mushrooms. Some are productive. Some are dangerous.
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The wind blowing across the valley from Mount Washington turned the leaves on the maples inside out. It was a different look than we are accustomed to when visiting the Lupine Field. In the winter this wind will drift the snow outside the Cabin. In life, things sometimes turn inside out. It is a matter of patience.
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I love to see the variety of colors that always seem to vary each year when the phlox bloom in August and September. They remind me of the uniqueness in each person that helps create varieties of positive intentions in life.
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The few yarrow plants we have are now in full bloom. They are slender with fern type leaves and small blossoms that are easy to miss against the backdrop of larger vegetation. Yet they are special, just as there are many people who are missed in the background of their lives.
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This has not been the best of years to walk and play on the grounds at the Center due to the abnormal amount of rain we have had, but the Fairy Pathway is ready for children of all ages to visit. It is good to let the child in our minds come out to play.
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We like to think that the Center and its land is welcome to families of all ages. I see constant evidence of that by those that hike the trails, visit the Peace Garden, or walk the Labyrinth and Grace Trail. Nature’s animal families are also welcome. We are all one big family.
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Another indication that fall is getting closer is the blossoms on the sumac trees. Their leaves will be some of the first to turn brilliant red soon after the swamp maples turn. The sumac is fast growing and can easily take over a vacant field, almost like unwanted ideas can take over our minds.
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The old plum tree has never provided us with much fruit. They usually disappear just before they are ready to pick, thanks to the birds. Still, the blossoms smell really nice in the spring. It is just another one of attempts at having a fruit orchard. Still, it’s nice to enjoy.
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Years ago we planted two pear trees, one with standard size fruit and the other with smaller pickling pears. We have never really harvested either one. The big pears are scabby, and we don’t know what to do with the smaller ones. The same happens in life when we have abilities that we don’t know what to do with.
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The goldenrod is now becoming the star of the Lupine Field, creating a segway into the fall season. It will remain in bloom until we cut the field in late September-October. It is also the time of year people enjoy the harvest season as they reflect and plan for next year.
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The person who built the Center some eighty years ago also created a flat stone walkway-path from the front door to the stone stairs leading to his garden. Over time Nature covered the stones up, until Derek found them again. A lot of things in life get covered up over time.
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I remember the puzzling question when I was young as to whether the hen or the egg came first. I think of that when I see our hens and chickens in bloom. Besides thinking about the future, Nature often reminds us of things from our past.
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I love to find tiny matchsticks growing in places where they could easily be overlooked by the casual hiker. Some of my earliest memories are of my grandmother gathering some, along with varieties of moss, to make a terrarium. She brought nature inside and into my heart.
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Another special treat in August is when the phlox begin to blossom. This tall flower easily regenerates itself when it scatters its seeds, often in places that fall victim to a lawn mower in the coming year. There are late blooming people who do make a positive difference when sharing their abilities.
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There is a patch of brown eyed susans flourishing on the very edge of some exposed granite near the top of the Lupine Field. The thin layer of topsoil has weathered away, but the flowers are holding fast. People often are at their best when living on the edge.
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Somewhere along the line we discovered echinacea, also known as cone flower, growing in the Lupine Field. We are not sure how it got there but are pleased at having them part of the mix. Life has a lot of interesting mixes to it.
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We sat on the bench at the top of the Lupine Field and watched the rain clouds drift across the valley. As we headed back to the Cabin, drops of water began falling on us. Fortunately, it passed soon, and I was reminded of how quickly things in life can change.
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After the lupine have gone to seed, another beautiful flower, the ragged robin, takes over the show. I’m not sure how it took root here, but it is very welcome. When we pay attention to the present in life, we discover a lot of beauty.
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It seems as if we wait all year to experience a perfect summer day when the temperature and humidity are just right and the sky is filled with beautiful floating clouds. Often when that day gets here, we are too busy to notice, and afterwards, we begin the wait again.
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There is at least one apple in the old orchard that looks like it has great potential to be combined with others in the fall as part of the ingredients for an apple pie. In life we have projects and ideas that have good potential for the future if we persevere.
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As we begin our journey through August, many of the varieties of day lilies have finished flowering and so I was delighted to discover a different color just beginning to bloom. In life, just when we think there is nothing new to discover, we find there is much left to find.
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The rainy weather seems to have been good for the wild blueberries growing on the mountain. They are great in muffins, pies, and just plain by the handful. It is a treat not only for the stomach, but for the mind. It is time to enjoy.
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I can think of a lot of food items that double my pleasure when I am eating them, like extra whipped cream or chocolate syrup. We have a double orange lily that doubles my pleasure when looking at them, and I can hold the pleasure in my heart so I can experience it again.
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Recently we spent a couple of days at the family cabin on a lake in Maine, built by my parents over sixty years ago. Now in a trust, it is with a feeling of gratitude that we watch our children and grandchildren create their own memories to revisit in the future.
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The goldenrod have begun to bloom, hinting of the fall season to come. By September the landscape will be ablaze with these bright yellow flowers. Right now there are other flowering plants to focus on before the goldenrod have their turn.
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Up on the mountainside the sounds of the valley drift away, and yet in the silence the voice in our mind is still creating a dialogue with itself. You may be able to hear it better in Nature than in the hustle and bustle of life, but it is still there wherever you go. Think positive.
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Small yellow wildflowers grow in a large patch that looks like a sea of yellow floating on the surface of the Orchard. It is amazing the effect that one small blossom combined with others like them can have on the landscape. Positive actions can do the same in life.
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The grasses in the Orchard and Lupine Field have matured and are ready to go to seed, insuring that a healthy crop will come back again next year. We are constantly spreading and sowing positive actions to help insure they will encourage others to do the same.
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I recently discovered another day lily in a different color. It is redder than the others, and, as always, I am excited when I discover something new in life, whether it is in Nature or discovering talents in people I had not known before.
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One Hosta plant in blossom does not make a big impact in the garden, but several plants blooming together create a beautiful bouquet. One action combined with like actions can make a big impact.
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Hostas have big leaves leading to big expectations by people not familiar with them that they would produce big flowers. They happen to be very small. Sometimes big ideas with expectations produce small results.
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A different color day lily provides me a variety of the same plant all summer long. Life is full of varieties, and I sometimes look at that as the same thing, only differently.
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The meteorological summer is halfway over and, as always, passing too fast. Keeping watch of day lilies as they bloom helps me focus on each day with the appreciation of the beauty surrounding me. It is so easy to miss these moments, and midsummer yellow lilies help.
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We have many different kinds of bugs (insects) that find their way to the mountain. Some are good for the plants and trees while others are not. Some exist below the surface, such as termites. We also think of bugged as having information secretly collected on us. Interesting how a word can be taken so differently.
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Back in May we purchased and erected a new screened gazebo for summer picnics at the Cabin. So far it has been a summer of waiting for the weather to cooperate. Then again, I consider resistance as something that is working for us rather than against us. I will wait and see.
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The forecast was for torrential rain, and we watched it turn our gentle brook ugly and listened on our scanner to emergency calls about roads being washed out. In a flash our environment changed, but we were prepared.
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Now the pink lilies are in bloom, adding another color to the garden at the Center. I am surrounded with beauty, both from Nature and people who bring beauty to my life.
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Derek recently spent a day and a half weeding and cleaning up his flower garden at the Center. My wife and I drove by just after nine in the morning expecting to see him working. Instead, there was a deer in his place. He didn’t see the deer, but we showed him the tracks. People doing good deeds are often not seen.
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We stood beside the small frog pond at the Center admiring flowers when we heard a loud croak, and then another one from a different location. Following the sound, I searched for the frog. It was hidden in plain sight. Many people hide their abilities in plain sight.
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I have found it takes a while for transplanted shrubs and trees to reestablish their root systems before they start to really grow. The hydrangeas at the Center took about five years. When people move or start something new, it can take some time to establish their roots again.
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I love the different variety of daylilies in the gardens that provide color from June to September. When one runs out of flowers, another one begins. Then there is one variety that flowers all summer. There are people that have staying power and there are those that give up easily.
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Another flower in bloom is the white astilbes. Their delicate appearance makes it easy for them to be overlooked by larger and bolder flowers. There are people who have a lot to say while others are quiet, but when they do speak, a few words make a big difference.
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Years ago I planted a slender shrub with pink blossoms that, when trimmed, keeps flowering all summer. They have also reseeded themselves, jumping the stone wall. I think of people who go about their lives doing good things that could use some encouragement to do more.
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When Derek began to plan the gardens at the Center, he saw it in his mind. He brought some lilies from his own garden. Now they are beginning to bloom. The future began with the planning. It is an interesting concept to believe that the past, present, and future are one.
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When we had the Lupine Field created, the forester also included a healthy planting of clover to provide feed for the animals and nectar for the insects. That move has brought us many moments of joy over the years since. Nature and man can live in harmony.
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Recently when we were walking over to the Lupine Field, we discovered a small mud puddle filled with tiny bubbles. I had never seen that type of thing before. I realize that there is always something new to discover in the Nature of Life.
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My wife is very goal orientated. She is always active and often at her computer or her sewing machine, and when we walk the trails, she carries a hand pruner to snip branches that grow in the way. As for me, I am never done and always finished. She does make a big difference.
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People are often labeled creatures of habit when they repeat certain things on a steady basis. These habits can be positive, like exercise or meditating, or destructive, such as smoking. We have a single turkey that often shows up at the same time in the afternoon.
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The little flower garden at the Cabin has gone wild over the past few years, but it still has a few domestic plants hanging on. We are slowly introducing new ones to fit in with the still remaining ones. You may have thoughts with positive intentions that still remain in your heart.
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Today we celebrate our forefather’s decision to create the great American democratic experiment that is still evolving today. People celebrate with barbeques and fireworks. Many have come to the White Mountains to find peace in Nature.
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Years ago I remember reading an expert gardener’s opinion of orange day lilies. He felt they did not deserve to be planted in a flower garden. Personally, I love to see this common flower growing along the roads, and I know a common person has special gifts.
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Milkweed is now in bloom, and the butterflies and bees will be milking its nectar. I am reminded of an old phrase, “Milking it for the most”, that relates to how we try to get the most out of something. I used to study things I wanted to do until I had done my best.
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With all the rainy days this past month, the landscape is very lush, and sometimes I think of it as the jungle of the north. I am also reminded of how people view the landscape of life. For some it is dry and barren without positive intentions, while others experience a lush existence.
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One of my favorite forms of music is the blues. It is the basis for rhythm and blues and early rock and roll. The music from the blue bellflowers may be silent to most, but their mind music plays on. Nature and music flow well together.
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I had noticed that our hosta plants were missing this year and recently discovered one of the reasons why. There in the middle of the afternoon was a deer munching its way across the lawn to the flowers. I was reminded that our intentions were to share not only with people, but wildlife too.
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I remember an old song that was very popular when it first came out called, “A Daisy a Day”. Daisies make me smile, whether in the wild or in a flower garden. Some people also make me smile because they bring happiness to others.
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Nature is providing tiny sweet strawberries for the birds and animals that enjoy feasting on them as well as humans who have the ability to bend down and the patience to pick them, but people will have their own domestic strawberries to enjoy soon.
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The past few weeks we have enjoyed watching the blue birds and swallows as they created nests and raised their young in the bird houses in the Lupine Field. All are gone except one last swallow that the parents keep coming back to feed. People can be the same way.
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One of my favorite summer flowers is now in bloom: foxgloves. These tall slender plants are a special treat for my eyes and for the insects that enjoy their nectar. Nature provides a lot of sweet nectar for the heart for those that are aware.
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Several different bear wander through the woods on the Mountain, including mothers and cubs, yearlings on their own for the first time and the big boys. We usually do not see them. Some people wander through our lives that we pay no attention to.
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The tall slender white bell flowers are in bloom and playing a beautiful silent tune that people can only hear in their minds. I am reminded of people that go about their lives silently doing positive acts that benefit others.
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Derek, our master gardener, has returned for five days of handwork with his magic hoe. His plan is really beginning to take shape. I am so grateful for his willingness to share his abilities as he is developing a peaceful positive environment for visitors to the Center.
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When we first bought our mountain property, our logger discovered a formation that reminded him of Vikings. We had the area around it protected and discovered that it had a center stone divider lined up with the setting sun of the summer solstice.
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Queen Anne’s Lace is now in bloom in the Lupine Field and joined by buttercups, daisies and clover as we transition from the fading lupine into full summer mode. I will be discovering these beauties again for the first time. There is always something new to discover in life.
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Standing on the top edge of the Lupine Field, I can watch the weather rolling across the mountain peaks. It may come my way or pass me by. We may not be able to influence the weather, but we can influence people when we are aware of their moods. Positive words can make a difference.
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The early yellow daylilies are open, and they are a welcome sight. Now there will be a steady parade of different lily varieties throughout the summer and early fall. I look forward to each one as my heart is constantly filled with gratitude for Nature’s beauty.
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TENDING THEIR FAMILY – The swallow couple were tending to their family shortly after my son had secured the bird house which was in peril of falling off its perch. We have noted that the young did survive. I think of people that tend their families, whether they are biological, soul, or community families.
To hear this podcast recording, go to:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2037649
or http://www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
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There is a special stump at the edge of the Lupine Field where the fairies play, and every time we pass by it, there seems to be something new. I love to find the results of the fairies, no matter what their ages. After all, I am still a kid in my mind.
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Today is Flag Day in this country, and to me it symbolizes freedom. Nature is also flying its flags, both yellow and blue, and I am so grateful that I am free to observe these beautiful creations. Nature gives us the freedom to celebrate what our country’s flag stands for.
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I watched and photographed a butterfly as it drank sweet nectar from the wild asters in the Orchard. We didn’t plant the flowers. All we did, and do, is cut the grass in the fall. We may never know who is touched by random acts of kindness that we do, like helping a butterfly.
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The columbines are blooming in the gardens at the Center, and before long the wild variety will be appearing on the Mountainside. They come in a variety of colors that create a beautiful blend. The same is true for people. It is this variety that helps us grow together.
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There are little apples forming on the trees in the Orchard. I have hope for an apple pie in the fall. This is the time of year when young people are graduating from colleges, high schools, and even nursery schools. They are my hope for a better world filled with love in the future.
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The rhododendrons are beginning to fade, their brilliant blooms having served as a prelude to the summer season. I look for something in Nature every day to be grateful about, and when I find it, my heart fills. It helps make the day flow more positively.
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This is the time for anyone in this area to see the beautiful lupines in bloom against the mountain backdrop across the valley. If not, one can find something beautiful in their own area or take a few moments to look at some pictures of Nature. Now is the time every day.
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On the way back from my first hike to the Lupine Field I watched the trail ahead for the best footing, and a heart sign appeared. My heart filled with gratitude knowing that I was receiving an affirmation that I was on the right path. We all have affirmations if we pay attention.
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One of the apple trees in the orchard is surrounded by a blanket of wild asters that bloom this time of year. I always enjoy how nature creates different unique designs and patterns. Each person is a unique design of the Cosmos. When others benefit, so does the individual.
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Last fall one of our birdhouses in the Lupine Field fell over and broke. Our son built and installed a new one and it has a bluebird tenant. Perhaps bird houses can somehow remind and inspire people to help find housing for humans that need a home too.
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Recently I was given permission by my physical therapist to attempt the hike from the Orchard to the Lupine Field, something I had really looked forward to doing. So, with two hiking poles I made it over and back. We all have big and little goals in life to accomplish.
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About seventeen years ago. I became aware that the energy on the mountain was an inspiration for messages from nature. I still rely on that channel to provide the positive words that flow through me relating nature to life.
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The lupines have begun to bloom in the field at the top of the mountain. It won’t be long now until these beautiful flowers will create a landscape with the White Mountains as the backdrop that is worthy of painting. In fact we have two paintings from there that give us joy all year long.
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June is considered to be the prime month for weddings, and our old-fashioned bridal wreath is in full bloom. Our lives are filled with traditions all year long, and Nature has a big part in providing positive seasonal contributions.
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The wild strawberry's tiny white blossoms have taken over parts of the fields around the cabin and in the Orchard. There is nothing like the taste of a wild strawberry, but it takes patience to pick enough for a shortcake. Perhaps a little more patience in life creates more sweetness.
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As we turned onto the old dirt road leading to the Orchard, we encountered a beautiful female deer standing in the middle of it. It paused as it entered the woods and I spoke a few words to it and snapped a photo. I believe that we were receiving a sign from the Other Side.
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The flowers have been spectacular so far this year, and now the Iris are the center of my attention. I am constantly amazed at the intricate designs Nature creates, and that includes the design that goes into each one of our souls’ purpose.
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It is Memorial Day in America, a day to pause and give thanks to all the veterans who have served and to those that gave their lives to protect our freedom. I have fond memories of marching in a parade to the cemetery where I placed a flag on my great uncle’s grave.
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There is a movement of homeowners who have lawns that they do not mow them until June. We honor that this year as I am not ready to ride the lawnmower yet. Sometimes we overwork our thoughts or creations to the point where the original concept has been lost.
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Over the winter the old birch at the edge of what-used-to-be-an-old-garden fell over, and it will still be another month before I can move it with the tractor due to my hip surgery, so my wife decided to pull it out of the way with our side-by-side. Flexible thinking can be resourceful.
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The lady slippers are dancing in the wind on the mountainside. We love to search for these delicate blooms when they are on display. It is also the time of year when people are beginning to take action on their winter dreams as the dance of life continues.
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This is an excellent time of the year to establish a habit of pausing for a moment and taking in Nature's spectacular show, whether it is the smells, the colors, the sounds, or tastes. Being grateful while you pause helps you set your intentions for the day.
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I recently watched a spring ritual play out on our front lawn. A male turkey was strutting his stuff the best he could with several tail feathers missing, try to attract a single female. I wonder if they were misfits in the world of turkeys. I was reminded of people that find their way together.
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The ferns that grow in the orchard are ready to unfurl their leaves, creating a sea of green. Many people harvest the fiddleheads before they open to enjoy one of Nature’s delicacies. There are people that, like the ferns, are ready to unfurl their gifts for others to benefit.
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Humans are not the only ones currently looking for places to live. Much of nature is doing the same thing. We recently discovered a mud bird house built on the side of our non-workable outhouse by the Cabin. I guess the lesson is to choose wisely where you live.
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Since the beginning, man has constantly tried to create tools that would be more efficient and make life easier. Recently, I was supplied with a “grabber” after my hip operation. We have an old wooden one, and one day I had to use it to pick up the new one.
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I have spent a lot of time in my life waiting for something to happen, only to find that when it does, it can be sudden and without a big flash of excitement. This happened recently when I suddenly realized the leaves that I had been waiting for each day had appeared. Miracles are that way.
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It all began when we first bought the Center property and found old flower gardens. I saved as much as I could, and then Martha Douglass added to them. Now it is Derek who continues to develop the Garden of my dreams. We all have dreams that can develop over time.
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The lilacs are in full bloom. It is one of my favorite times of the year. Just the smell of lilacs takes me on a journey in my mind to Memorial Day parades when my father joined other veterans who squeezed into their uniforms to march to the lake to decorate the graves of the fallen.
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Here in the foothills our senses are alive, especially this time of year. If you have allergies, it may not be a pleasant time, but if smell is important to you, it is like living in a bouquet. There is always something positive to discover in Nature.
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After a long spring of waiting for the weather to be dry enough so we could drive to the orchard, I am now able to return to the peace and quiet where the remaining trees are now almost in full bloom. Nature has many places where our hearts can escape.
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SEEING BLUE MAKES ME HAPPY – For many people, seeing blue is related to feeling sad. I am thinking of the blue ground phlox that spread their cheeriness on the landscape this time of year. Actually, not everyone interprets color the same. The same is true of all in life.
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This time of year I look forward to being reminded of when we transplanted some beautiful blue forget-me-nots that have flourished and spread over time. Just another reminder that when we plant things in the soil, they often continue to spread joy to others year after year.
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Several years ago, as an afterthought I transplanted a couple of small trowels full of tiny bluettes to the Center and they continue to come back every year. I am reminded that it is often not just the big splashy acts of positivity that continue to grow, but the small ones as well.
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Our fifty-plus year-old pear trees are blooming again with white flowers, attracting the bees. They will eventually bear fruit that will mainly go uneaten except by critters. Sometimes it takes a while when we plant positive actions for them to grow to maturity.
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The beautiful tiny and delicate primroses are now open and celebrating the May weather. I look for these special flowers each year and, with heart felt gratitude, I take in their colorful blooms and breathe out heart-based love.
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The way we go about setting our intentions in life can have a major effect on others. Recently we have been having some beautiful views of the sun, caused by forest fires in the west of Canada. Life is a series of causes and effects. The key is how we respond to them.
Five days ago I had hip surgery, and it was a little more complicated than expected. I am getting better every day and am discovering life again for the first time. It is not the same as it was, and I expect it will be even richer and more filled with love than before.
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When the temperature reached 70 degrees last May, I sat on a bench on the mountain taking in the beauty of Nature. My heart was filled with gratitude for that special experience, and I set my intentions to remember and share that love in positive actions. This year I haven't been able to sit on the bench yet, but I will soon and am looking forward to it.
I was amazed after a few days away to find how much the landscape had turned green. The valley looked vibrant from my view on the mountain. Everything looks fresh. It is also a wonderful time to turn your fresh ideas into reality. It is the season of growing changes.
Finally the forecasters are calling for return of the sun for the next few days. Its warmth will be very welcome. Still, in all the rainy cloudy weather we have had, there were many times when my heart was positively warmed with the same warmth as the sun.
The recent heavy rains have saturated the mountains and valleys with so much moisture that the land cannot hold any more. Consequently, there have been some major washouts on the roads. This has held true since the early settlers arrived. It is good to be flexible in life.
My intention is to always be aware of heart signs that I believe materialize at just the right time in my life, showing me that I am not alone on my soul’s journey. So it was that a heart sign on the bark of a birch tree was there for me at just the right time.
The maple leaves have been slowly getting ready to burst open. All that’s needed is a warm sunny day, and it will begin to look like summer. I believe that will happen soon, just as I believe that positive intentions will manifest when the time is right.
With the recent deluge of rain, the water flowing down the mountainside is creating a powerful force that the settlers used to run mills, like the bark mill located on our property. I think of the power of human positive intentions that, when flowing together, can change the world.
Today, on the first day of May, I am reminded of the Star Wars saying, “May the Force be with you.” Cayce believed there was a non-judgmental Force in the Cosmos where our souls were created. It is very powerful and always with you.
Now that the leaves are beginning to sprout, the male finches are showing their mating colors. In the winter they blend in with the drab landscape, helping to protect them from predators. People often try to hide their abilities rather than taking the risk to brightening others’ lives.
The other day we spotted a wayward daffodil blooming at the base of a tree by the brook. We must have dug the bulb up when we were doing cleanup sometime in the past. I call this type of surprise a miracle, appearing to me at just the right time.
The lupine are coming up on the mountainside and I look forward to visiting them when they bloom a month or so from now. I wasn’t sure if that was going to be possible, but with a new hip next week, I have something to look forward to in Nature.
Just when the growing season seems ready to pop open, we get hit with a couple of weeks of cool rainy weather. The bright spot is the forsythia with their yellow flowers. I think of people that brighten up the landscape of drab lives with their positive inner lights.
I have sweet memories of mayflowers from my childhood. My mother had a favorite patch. We have a lot of mayflowers on the mountainside. I think of people that have positive energy that set the tone for the future like our mayflowers.
There is a new bird house in the Lupine Field replacing an old one that succumbed to the winter weather. I think of human dwelling places. We may have one or many in our lifetimes, but the home in our heart connecting us to our souls is always there.
It is with heartfelt gratitude that I have watched master gardener Derek reshape the landscape around the Center. I think of all the people in the world that are reshaping the landscape of their lives as they listen to their hearts for guidance.
When I drove over to the Center to admire the work on the gardens recently, the first thing I saw when I opened the car door was a small stone heart and I knew it was a special sign from my team on the other side, filled with heartwarming love.
Thirty plus years ago when we purchased land on the Mountain, we had a forestry plan created for a logging operation to thin out the trees. The logger, Roy Ames, who passed recently, discovered a formation that reminded him of the Vikings. The mystery continues.
In life it is often the biggest and flashiest people or objects that capture the attention of others, but Nature gave me a wonderful example of mini-daffodils growing in Penny’s Garden. They have all the flash and power of their bigger relatives. Small acts of positivity are very powerful.
The sunsets and sunrises we have enjoyed since last fall are beginning to disappear. They are not going any place, but the leaves on the trees outside the windows will soon block the view. In life we do not have a warning when situations change. Your positive intentions can help your flexibility.
The right tool can make a big difference on how a project moves along as recently was amplified by my wife as she used a Bob Cat to make easy work of moving debris off the lawn. I can only imagine how the settlers would have felt if today’s modern tools were available then.
I always look forward to the clumps of bright yellow daffodils when they bloom in the spring. They brighten the landscape. I am reminded of souls that brighten the landscape of life all year long. You light the way for others to discover the beauty in life.
On their first walk up on the Mountain this spring, my wife and family members discovered a large patch of clear ledge where a pine tree had been toppled over the winter. The bones of the ridge line were revealed all the way back to the ice age. Our soul has many layers to it.
The buds are swelling and ready to pop on the trees, bushes and shrubs. I am enjoying watching the greens of the lilac buds and can’t wait until their fragrant flowers open wide to the sun. There is excitement here of the promise of the future.
Today is a very special day. It is my wife’s birthday, and I want to pay tribute to this very special woman, something I recognized in her when I first looked into her eyes back in high school. I am so grateful she is in my life. May this be a day filled with love and joy.
Finally, after a week of above average warm temperatures, I think I can safely say that winter is in full retreat. I have learned to be cautious of that feeling, however, having been surprised in the past when I was overconfident. Still, I am fairly sure, and grateful, for what lies ahead.
We often think of seeing red as being angry at someone or something, but in this case, I am celebrating the red buds on the maple trees. It is another indication that spring is ready to burst wide open. In life we have the ability to change negative colors into positive ones.
As spring begins a major warm up, I am finding signs of new growth every day. Then again, I look for signs every day of the year that give me an indication that I am being guided along my Soul’s path, I believe we all have them, if we pay attention.
Finally, it looks like spring is turning the corner this week, ushering in hints of the summer season ahead. I have been waiting for this to happen for a while now. It seems we wait a lot in our lives for something to finally turn a corner to what is hoped to be a clear road ahead.
When you have the opportunity, on a beautiful clear spring day, to stand where you can see for a distance, the view can have the beneficial effect of giving you a bigger perspective on life, helping clear your mind.
A simple pure white Easter lily is a symbol for me on this holy Christian day for peace, love, and tolerance. Imagine for a moment what it would be like if a vast majority of the population on earth intended to live with these standards.
Over many years of experience I have learned to trust that the warm weather of spring will arrive. Children build trust in adults that they will be guided, and sometimes that does not work out well. Broken trust is hard to rebuild. I have learned to trust and believe that something is there to guide me.
Even though the spring temperatures have not been as warm as forecasted, the buds are forming on the trees and ready to bust. The same thing is happening in life. There are changes in the air whether we are ready for them or not. I am trusting there is a lot of loving energy about to burst open.
I have never been a very patient person, especially before I understood my own thought processes. I was unable to do things as others did them. April has not produced as warm weather as was forecasted, and many things seem to be on hold, maybe for a reason.
Recently we saw a blue bird on our suet feeder. This is the first time as far as I can remember that we have experienced that. We have them on top of the Mountain, and they compete with the swallows to nest in the birdhouses in the Lupine field. We are blessed.
I sometimes think of our journey in life as walking down a winding road. Looking back, we can see the twist and turns of our experiences and use them to help us set our course in the future.
For the past several years, my daily intention is to reflect the love of the Cosmos in everything I do. It is not easy to be perfect at this, but it is what I intend. I have learned to realize that part of the process is to be aware of smiles that these types of actions bring to others. That helps me smile.
It is interesting to me where people choose to live. We are fortunate to live in a place that we love, but that is not the same for everyone. There are place we love to visit time and time again. I have come to believe that our real home is deep inside ourselves.
As the words to an old song say, “April Showers Bring May Flowers”, it rings in my head as we change the calendar and our outlook to an optimistic belief that we are really in a transition to warmer weather and the summer ahead. My intention is to be optimistic every day of the year.
Finally, the last day of March has arrived, and I, like so many others, are looking forward to the adventures of April and discovering again, for the first time, the landscape that has been hidden by snow all winter long. It is a time for discovery.
This time of year there are a lot of things to keep track of in nature as I impatiently wait for spring to melt the snows of winter. I can see progress each day now. This spring and summer will bring a lot of reunions for people who have been keeping track of each other from a distance.
I have been thinking about songs about spring lately, including, “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most”. People often have to change their plans this time of year due to changing weather. How flexible we are makes a difference all year.
As we enter the last days of March, many people are now turning their attention to the beginning of baseball season; beginners through the professional teams. They hope that this will be the year. Personally, I like to substitute the word intention for hope.
Just because the calendar says Spring, it does not mean that we will have no more snow like we experienced recently. However, the temperature is warmer, and the snow often melts the same day, creating moisture for the soil, something positive in a negative situation.
As the end of maple tapping season closes, my thoughts about tapping in reach out into the Cosmos and the life force energy that flows through the very essence of our souls. I am not sure that I can truly define what it is, but I am learning that it is there when I let myself tap into its loving flow.
It is not often when we have a plain old rainy day, especially in between seasons, as we did recently. My thoughts went back to my childhood and what we did to keep ourselves occupied. The same is still true. I was grateful for this chance to explore.
My intention every day is to look for moments when I can experience heart felt gratitude. Those moments may be a second, a minute, or longer. Having done this for a while, when something is negative, I automatically look for something I can be grateful for.
Ever since I was a very young child, when I listened to a story about a toy sailing ship released in a stream and its journey to the ocean, I have been fascinated by open flowing water in the spring. I find something every day that helps my mind travel.
I can feel the excitement in the air as people and Nature celebrate spring. Now is the time to implement the goals that were developed over the winter as we move forward with flexibility, making changes as needed for the greater good of our intentions.
I know a lot of people enjoy feeding squirrels along with the birds, but we do not like them climbing the house to get to the food. Red pepper in the seed will help discourage them. All of us often have unwelcome thoughts. Focusing on positive thoughts and actions helps me focus on love.
Finally, the first day of spring, filled with warmth and the promise of Nature producing daily discoveries as winder fades away. It is a time to begin to implement the dreams and plans of the past few months and allow them to manifest themselves in ways that light the way for others still searching.
I have been waiting now for three months to say we have reached the last day of winter. The lambs of March seem to be winning the battle, and, for the time being, warm weather is winning out. I love to find something each day to be grateful for.
I am seeing signs of spring, such as bare ground showing up under the limbs of a fir tree, after a few days of temperatures reaching the 40s. I love to have little focus points during every season that help engage me with life and nature.
Even through there are not many indoor activities taking place at the Center this winter, there is a lot of action by Back Country skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and hikers who climb the mountain to enjoy the view and get a fresh perspective of life.
I wonder if we are having another false start to spring as the days have warmed again and the recent foot of snow is melting. I think of the many times I have started out with an intention, and something delayed my progress and I started over again. I know something is guiding me the right way.
With all the craziness that is going on in the world right now, I have found it very beneficial to approach life with a sense of humor. I try to find something that I can focus on that helps me through my daily routines. We are all finding ways to cope, and humor can help.
Spring has just not been the same this year with several false starts; now that maple sap season has begun, the trees on our land, for some reason, were not tapped this year, something I always look forward to. I will find another source of spring sweetness.
My goal each day is to celebrate something I am grateful for. Today it is the warm sun I feel on my face in March. It brings a smile to my lips and creates a song in my heart. I wonder how many people go through life without ever finding something to be grateful for.
Have you noticed how confused the world currently is? Perhaps you feel a little confused about your thoughts. Actually, the Covid effect is being experience by a good part of the world and also in nature where the weather can’t make up its mind on the seasons. Be patient.
A few years ago I purchased just the frame of a small storage building from a local hardware store. I put it behind the Center to remind me of my intention to build something bigger. That something is bigger but may look different in the current future.
A scrap of food on the floor in the shape of a heart has the same love power to me as a giant heart shape in the sky. Little actions of positivity have the same power as big actions. Our intentions do make a difference in lives.
Lately, it appears to me that I am surrounded by positive signs like hearts and number sequences. I consider them to be an affirmation from Nature and my Source that there are a lot of positive advances for the greater good coming soon.
Being nonvisual, it is not easy for me to describe what an internal gratitude glow looks like until I saw a beautiful alpine glow turning pink the mountain ranges that we see out our windows. That was what I feel like, and I am so grateful to Nature for showing me.
There is a lot of energy around the time of a full moon that may have an effect on the thinking of sensitive adults and children. Many people do not even know they are being influenced by it. Knowing that this is happening can help us harness it positively.
Now that we have experienced the biggest snowstorm of the season, I believe we are now making the transition to spring. Daylight savings and astrological spring will soon be here and the sun grows warmer every day. It is time to make plans for the months ahead.
This time of year the last of the leaves that have been hanging on the trees all winter long will soon be released by Nature for the new growth coming in the spring. It is also a great time to release the old unwanted habits we have had hanging on for a while. Time for the new growth.
One of the benefits of being snowbound for a day was enjoying the wonderful banana bread my wife baked, from the smell of it cooking, to the taste of a warm slice, to the good feeling in my stomach while and after eating. It is good for the soul.
The weather pattern has been going in stretches, sometimes unsettled. Storm after storm keeps us glued to the weather reports as we attempt to know what to expect next. When life goes through unsettled stretches, we do have a calm place deep inside ourselves.
With all the recent snow storms, my mind drifts back to 1969, just after we built our home in Madison, when it snowed for four days, accumulating to four feet. That was a record. Life is filled with big ones. Our positive approach to them can make a difference.
March 1 is considered by the meteorological community as their first day of spring. I like that idea even though winter is currently in charge. It gave me something to look forward all through February. For me, it is good to have little goals that are easily achieved in life.
On the last day of February, I can already hear the lions of March roaring and gnashing their teeth, keeping spring at bay. The forecast is for unsettled weather. With a positive attitude we can always find something positive in life.
The weather forecaster predicted there was a storm pattern developing over the next week with several snowstorms of various sizes. I thought of how we develop life patterns, creating expectations of future outcomes. Unlike the weather, we can change our life patterns.
The woodpeckers love to peck away at the suet feeder just outside my window. It is a piece of tree limb with large holes in it that my son fills with the suet. Life has many enriching adventures knocking at the window of our minds if we pay attention.
It is easy to focus on the harsh side of winter with its cold and stormy weather, but there is also a soft side, especially as Spring approaches when fresh snow covers the banks of streams and lakes creating a contrast between the snow and open water. Life has a soft side.
So much for spring in February. The Groundhog was right. Winter is still with us. That is just the way life is here in the foothills. Just when you get used to a certain way of life, it can quickly change. Changes are something we can depend on happening.
This winter season we have experienced spring in every month and then winter starts over again. The again, it seems as though life has been like that the last few years as we find ourselves starting over several times. Each time we do, we have more experience from the last time.
The weather, for me, reflects life in many ways, as the sharp contrasts between light and dark that I observed in a recent sunset. Life is full of contrasts when we live under the influence of our ego. It is the willingness to believe that there is something connected to us from beyond that helps us stay even.
Experiencing Nature is a great way to pause and breathe in some fresh air, something many of us forget to do when we are consumed with distracting thoughts. We can also use the experience in Nature to help us get a breath of fresh air wherever we are by remembering it.
When I used to do hypnosis stage shows, I had a skit where I would freeze someone’s ability to see what was happening until I unfroze them. The brook is doing the same thing, freezing and unfreezing. People often freeze old beliefs in their minds and don’t know how to unfreeze them.
There is something about looking out the front window on a clear winter day, just as the sun rises, and being welcomed by a pink glow on the mountains across the valley. I am always inspired. I wonder what inspires each of us along our soul’s path.
It seems as though everything in live is on Confuse Control and we spend a lot of time sorting it all out to make sense. Even my wife and my cell phones are confused, and she gets calls on her phone on my number. Fortunately, our spiritual teams have a way of sorting it out.
I was never very good at playing with a yo yo when I was a child. I couldn’t make it go up and down or do tricks as my friends could. Today it is the ups and downs of the weather that is often known as the yo yo effect. Life right now is also going through ups and downs for people.
I find the Law of Attraction fascinating with the concept that our thoughts are energy attracting to us what we focus on whether we want it or not. Recently I had a physical checkup and my wife was disappointed that more tests were not done. Thanks to an accident, I had all the tests I needed.
There is a lot of interest lately in Artificial Intelligence and how it is going to impact our lives, but actually I am thinking of Akashic Intelligence housed in a library in the Cosmos. Here we have, through our mind’s computer, access to all the knowledge in every soul.
I wonder what the world would be like if everyone celebrated each day as if it were Valentine's Day? That is, with the intention of looking at and experiencing life through a heart-based energy of gratitude and love. That is my intention.
This winter the weather has been crazy here in the mountains. We have already had at least two mud seasons as the temperatures have experienced highs and lows. At least we have stability within ourselves when we are guided by the Cosmos.
Our lives often revolve around statistics and out of those facts become records for the most, the hottest, the coldest, the longest, or even the shortest. We constantly monitor facts to look for an indicator of when a record might be broken. We have records of our past lives in our soul.
I have tried to keep up with a lot of trends in my life from clothes to haircuts to foods. There are people that research future trends to stay ahead of the curve. There are trends in Nature like preserving green spaces. Inside of ourselves we have an intuition that guides us.
Since I have discovered the heart power in gratitude, I am more conscious of finding something to celebrate every day. It might be something to do with Nature or just feeling good about other peoples’ accomplishments.
The weather seems to be coming at us in clusters this winter. It is several storms in a row or several clear and warmer days in a row. The weather reminds me of life and how it seems as if there are times when nothing goes right and times when nothing goes wrong.
As I looked out the window in the dead of winter, I paused for a moment and thought about the joy in all of this, with winter chores staring me in the face. Then I remembered the joy of watching a skier slide down the Mountain from out our back window.
It is interesting how different people look at the same piece of land. Some are always looking for property they can develop and make a profit, while others consider the same property for wildlife and preservation. I think it depends on if we live life from the heart or the brain.
The brook goes through several different stages when freezing over. At one point Nature creates an icy lace, weaving together drops of water as they freeze. I am often reminded how there is something of beauty to be grateful for every day.
I looked out the window at the frozen brook, and there staring back at me was a face in the ice. I knew Nature was keeping watch over me, my family, and my house. My question is, "What messages are Nature sending to pass on to us?" Nice to believe we are not alone.
It wasn’t just another sunset. It took place at 5 pm, another benchmark I look forward to as we continue through winter. Each day now I will watch the sun get higher in the sky as daylight continues to grow. It would be a long winter if I did not have a series of goals to reach.
As we begin the trek through February, I find myself hunkered down with a hip not ready to enjoy nature hikes. My experiences come by looking out the windows, reading of others’ experiences, and short drives. At the same time, my mind is making plans for spring.
Groundhogs Day means that we are now half way to spring. Only six weeks left. Each day I will celebrate a little more day light and a sun that is getting warmer and warmer as it climbs higher in the sky. Now is the time to dream of spring.
Finally we are turning the calendar page from January to February. It is a shorter month with much in it to celebrate, including Ground Hogs Day and Valentines Day. It is a wonderful time to turn the page on old negative habits as we focus on being halfway to spring.
I listened to the tractor purr as it sprang to life with my son in the driver’s seat. The frozen snow was cleared away in short time. I think of how long it would have taken to shovel it. It is possible to blend old fashioned integrity and new tools to help us find a productive path in life.
Finally the birds have returned to our feeders after we removed them last summer when they became prey to a hungry bear. It took a few weeks for them to find their way back. Nature provides many different opportunities to enjoy and be grateful for winter.
My intention is to find something every day that I am grateful for, and when I had the opportunity to play a concert with gifted family members in front of a full positive audience, it was just part of my daily routine. It can be habit forming.
I looked out the window and saw my tractor covered with snow, waiting for a driver to help clear it. As much as I wanted to be in that seat, I knew while my hip heals it was time to be grateful for others to step up. It is good to watch out for each other.
When I photograph Nature through my special round glass ball, I am seeing a world that is upside down. That is exactly the way many people are seeing and experiencing their world. Things have changed, but we have the ability to adjust.
It is almost impossible to find level ground in Nature unless the spot has been manipulated by man. Even the slightest variation can throw my hip off. A lot of nature trails have board walks or graded paths. Life balance can be affected by how we respond to our daily experiences.
The beast arrived as predicted, spreading chaos throughout the state with deep snow and many power outages. A lot of work to cleanup is required and yet the beautiful alpine glow with the fresh snow somehow made it all worthwhile. Life has a lot of beauty along with its challenges.
Most of the year we are able to carry out a fairly normal daily routine here in the foothills, but in the winter our routines usually change as we become mindful of snow conditions. We can easily get into a negative routine in life when we lose track of positivity and gratitude.
AVERAGING IT OUT – We were below the normal snow fall average for this time of year, but, with recent storms, that is changing. The verdict for the year will not be in until April. Life is full of ups and downs that usually average out. The key is trust and patience for the totals to be calculated.
To hear this podcast recording, go to:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2037649
or http://www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-mountain
The recent snowstorm has created a winter wonderland here in the mountains. Nature has provided scenes that are inspirations for pictures, postcards, and descriptions that could wind up in a song. It is not all perfect. We can admire or dismiss what we see.
Now that winter has taken over, many people are studying seed catalogues and travel brochures or using the internet to make plans for the upcoming seasons. It is a time to dream and then take action. The same applies to thinking about the next step along our soul’s path.
Now that we are two thirds of the way through January the wait for a nice fluffy snow fall is over. For snow enthusiasts it has been a long wait. Life is also filled with anticipation and often, when the miracle of the wait materializes, it comes without fanfare.
It seems like this winter we have been playing a waiting game watching for the next major snowstorm. Sometimes they come as predicted and sometimes they slide by us. We are also playing a waiting game as to when we can get back into the flow of life. All in good time.
Lately it seems as if there are many days when the forecast calls for intermittent weather. One needs to be prepared for both snow and sunny weather at the same time. Life also seems to have many days filled with stops and starts. The secret is to be prepared.
The winter landscape is constantly changing as the snow cover is affected by weather conditions. Rain on snow can create a puddle that makes an indentation called a pillow affect. Fresh snow of several inches can smooth the surface again. Positive belief can do the same in life.
I noticed as the setting sun turned the sky red that it did the same to the snow-covered landscape. It only lasted for a few moments before night began to overtake the sun. It was an illusion, something we experience in different ways along the path of our soul. Reality is not always what we think it is.
Nature has been providing spectacular sunrises and sunsets lately for people that take the time to pay attention. It is a wonderful way to finish up a busy day as you pause for a few minutes and feel gratitude in your heart and let your life slow down.
This winter is sure full of ups and downs. We get some snow followed by rain and much of it melts making some people disappointed and others happy. Life has a lot of ups and downs. At least we can take control of these by our attitude. Not so with the weather.
Just about the only leaves left hanging onto the trees by mid-January are from the beech trees. It will take the new buds in the spring to dislodge them. Old paradigms hold on to us until we begin to grow and realize the old thoughts and actions that governed us no longer fit.
The bird feeders are back up for the first time since a hungry bear climbed the side of our house last summer. We are waiting for the birds to discover them. It seems as if we spend a good part of our lives waiting. I have come to the conclusion that when it is time, it is the right time.
When I looked out the window recently on a cold morning and saw two ice boats sailing on the little brook, my mind wanted to join them on a great adventure into the unknown waters on their way to the great ocean. Our minds often go on adventures, some filled with excitement and some with fear.
Now that the holidays have passed and we are a third of the way into January, here in the mountains the people and the wildlife are settling into winter. People settle into life in many different ways, including accepting situations that just don’t fit which they don’t need to accept.
A recent storm broke off several large tree limbs that landed on the edge of the driveway. My son dragged then onto the lawn where they will probably wait until spring before my hip is repaired and our truck is repaired. There are times in life when it is okay to wait.
No matter what time of year, I wake up in the morning to marvel at a beautiful world that Nature provides daily. In life, we always have the opportunity find beauty even in the middle of a barren landscape.
January’s barren landscape is slowly being covered with a light dusting of fresh snow one flake at a time. Sometimes life moves slowly and sometimes it meets a deluge of events making it hard to keep up, just like being in a blizzard.
Over the years my wife has created several updates to the trail map we print and put on our trail heads and website. The map changes each time we change the trails. Creating a life map often requires updating.
The disappearing snowpack has led to a barren landscape this January, but we know the weather can change in a moment. When life feels like a barren landscape, it is good to remember that positive intentions and thoughts can lead to positive changes.
The cold winds of winter can discourage us from visiting the Lupine Field and the Orchard. A photo does not have the same feeling as visiting those places in person. It is possible to change one’s outlook on life by experiencing it through a different sense.
With the recent thaw, the snowpack has been significantly reduced on the mountain causing a pause on the skiing but making it easy to explore Nature on foot. My wife took advantage of that to take some photos. Conditions can change rapidly, like on our walks in life.
From heavy snow and high winds the foothills are now enjoying a January thaw. It won’t be long before the weather changes again and it is nice to see nature clearing snow from our roofs. Winter requires patience as does all of life.
Happy New Year! It is a time to make resolutions for the future. Often, a resolution does not work as it is a battle between your conscious and unconscious minds. Setting a daily intention with gratitude is a much more loving way.
Many people review the year on this last day of 2022. I prefer to look forward with a feeling that things will greatly improve as we set our intentions for the betterment of the world environment and for mankind.
I woke up to a rose-colored world outside our windows as the sun was slowly rising. I paused a moment and reflected on the beauty I saw and thought how some people expect that their “rose colored world” is only temporary. For me, what I saw set the tone for a beautiful day.
So far this winter my hip has not allowed me to participate in going out into Nature, so for the most part I have become more of an observer. I look out my windows and watch the news reports on the ups and downs of the weather. Yet, thanks to the internet, I can become involved.
I have watched the little brook’s water flow gradually freeze in the cold weather to a point where there are places now that are covered by a thin layer of ice. I think of people who seem to be frozen in place that still have an unconscious flow of positive energy.
Winter has been baring its teeth the last couple of weeks and interrupting a lot of peoples’ plans. Life gives us the chance to plan for the unplanned, creating intentions of flexibility as situations do constantly change. Having a sense of trust and belief can help you navigate.
The last two major storms we have experienced here in the mountains demonstrate the unleashed power of Nature for changing the landscape, such as the widening of the little brook. Imagine if people combined their energy to unleash positive intentions.
Today when many people celebrate Christmas and others celebrate other sacred holidays during this season, my wish is that each of you connects with the portion of your heart that provides a direct line to the loving energy of the Cosmos to fill your soul with peace.
I feel the magic of the holidays as the child inside of me springs to life. The lights bring warmth to the dark nights and my heart is filled with gratitude at the number of people who set aside the stress of their busy lives in the spirit of good will and peace.
A couple of days after the big snowstorm, when most of the snow had fallen off the trees, I noticed some that clung to the side of a fir tree and could make out the form of as angel placed there by Nature. To me that was a beautiful sign that I was not alone as I walk my soul’s path.
And so, on this first full day of winter, the sun begins its journey again, each day adding precious seconds to the length of the previous one, for the next six months. It is a great time for people to make positive changes in their lives. Actually, we can begin again every day.
The winter solstice has finally arrived. It is a day to celebrate the beginning of the renewal of daylight. It is a time to set your positive intentions for a new year filled with love and tolerance as the world discovers and rekindles the spiritual light that burns inside of all of us.
Many years ago we located our house so that we had a clear view of the mountains across the valley. Over the years, the pines across the road have grown to block the view. Still, the rich winter alpine glows brighten my mornings with the promise of a positive day.
I woke up to a beautiful sunlit morning the day after the devastating storm had passed, and everything seem right with the world despite the aftermath it caused. I paused and focused on Nature and set my intentions to experience a positive day.
We recently experienced what many would call a Perfect Storm. All the elements of Nature came together to create a rare weather event. A couple feet of heavy wet snow caused an enormous amount of broken tree limbs that caused a widespread power outage. Back to normal...
When I was a child, I looked forward to snow days when school would be cancelled. I did the same when I was teaching. Now, a snow day, when we are stuck in the house, provides an opportunity to discover things that otherwise I would have been too busy to notice.
This is the time of year, during the holidays, when many people attempt to relive a perfect memory of their childhood, only to be disappointed that things have changed. The secret may be to intend that each experience has something in it that is perfect, like the vegetarian vegan gluten free pie my wife made.
It is the season of anticipation, whether an approaching snowstorm or family and community celebrations. There are a lot of people who anticipate all the things that can go wrong, not that go right. I am anticipating nature’s ice sculpture exhibit in our small brook.
The temperature has been below freezing lately and the ground is becoming rock solid. When the earth freezes before a lot of snow, it takes the melt of the springtime longer to be absorbed into the ground. The landscape of life often plays out in the same way.
In a recent podcast I spoke of waiting for a coating of white, and, just like that, overnight came a dusting of snow making the world look that much more festive. Patience is one of the keys to staying on course with one’s life purpose.
There is a type of therapy that helps people identify their strengths and use them to create change. My wife recently wanted to create a new decoration to hang in a window, so she used a lot of different parts and pieces she already had. The result was a beautiful “new” wreath.
As the holidays draw closer, people are beginning to wonder if we will have snow by then. The brown landscape is brightened by evergreens and red berries. Regardless of whether we have snow or not, the real meaning is found in our hearts wrapped in love.
A short cruise along the Belize River gave me the opportunity to observe wildlife that we do not have in the foothills of the White Mountains. It is good for me to see life from different angles and places.
The rays of sunlight shining through the dark clouds and onto the ocean reminded me of all the people that have an inner light in them that shines through whatever the circumstances taking place in their lives. You are a ray of spiritual sunlight.
On our recent Caribbean trip we took a river tour of a tropical landscape which included some interesting birds. Around the same time, I saw a tropical bird cloud in the sky. I marveled at the uniqueness of Nature and how it relates to all of life.
I find a lot of inspiration from the images I see in the clouds. The shapes are constantly moving and changing. I recently spied one that looked like a fluffy dog, an animal that many people enjoy and turn to for unconditional love.
There are so many things to be grateful for. It is possible to be grateful for the same thing over and over again as each time we consider it, there is always something different. There are no two sunsets the same. We can always find something to be grateful for.
The last few years we have not seen or heard as many barred owls as in the past. They had a hard winter, and then, with our timber cut, their environment changed, so it was special when one recently perched on a branch outside our windows. To me, it was another sign from Nature.
The day before we left on our 2-week Caribbean cruise, we drove up to the Cabin to check on the land. On the way back home, we saw a beautiful deer in the middle of the day during hunting season. To me it was a beautiful send off, reminding me that Nature would look forward to our return.
After a couple of weeks escaping the cold weather of New Hampshire on a warm Caribbean cruise, I am grateful to be home again. Home is not just a physical place; it is a spot in my heat that connects me to my soul’s journey.
It seems to me as if the clouds in the sky have been changing over the past years. Perhaps it’s just my awareness of them and it is me that has changed rather than the clouds. Either way, it is now normal for me to see what I did not see before.
It is the season. Holiday lights brighten the night, and even nature is getting into the act. I snapped a picture of a festive seasonal pine ball created by the forces of nature. It is a time for gratitude, love and random acts of kindness. It can be that season all year long.
Usually the messages come from nature. This one came differently; it pushed its way to the top of my mind. “You have a very important role to play here on earth at this time. Regardless of your current life situation, if you pay attention, you will be shown the way.”
Stones can have many images etched into their surfaces. It all depends on the shadows cast by the sun as to how they appear. Your mind may also change the images in your head. Images in the mind are like images in stone. They can be changed when you change your perception of them.
I feel at peace when I look out across the hazy mountains and cloud filled sky. That is why many people come here, to find peace. There is peace here, but the real peace comes from deep inside. It is your sacred connection to your soul purpose.
As I examined my photo I found that the sunlight streaming across the mountains created a trail of orbs. Was it dust on the lens or souls coming or going? Each of us may have a different interpretation, just as in many other aspects of life.
The November skies are pink in the morning and pink in the evening, influenced by the rising and setting of the sun. “In the pink” is an old saying that means everything is okay. The pink in the sky reminds me that everything is okay when we stay in sync with the Universe.
The mountains to the west were totally obscured by the thick mist covering the landscape. People who had never walked the land before might not even realize mountains were there. When looking for answers in our minds, a journey into the unknown mind often provides insights.
Today, a day of Thanksgiving, I woke full - full of gratitude for the opportunities to learn from nature that the Universe has provided. Then again, my goal is to wake up full of gratitude and life every day. It helps nourish the soul.
A patch of white caught my eye as I gazed into the dull November forest landscape. It wasn’t snow, but an old tree, covered with white growths. When your life seems like this kind of landscape, what catches your attention that may lead you to your next discovery on your soul’s path?
The decaying wood in the center of the old log created a beautiful mosaic, a visual feast of different colors of brown. Everywhere there are mosaics in nature as well as in every aspect of our lives. All you need to do is observe.
Nature provides something to marvel at every time I take the time to observe what surrounds me. Actually, life does too if we investigate each day with a sense of mystery.
The tiny heart-shaped green leaves that were almost hidden reminded me of how grateful I am to have the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature. The leaves also reminded me of the power of our hearts when we experience gratitude and love.
As the trees grow up in old clear-cuts it is easier to define the edges of the trails that wander through them towards their destinations. As we wander the trails of life towards our goals, the Universe helps define our purpose.
Corner Posts help define the boundaries of the Center. In life, corner posts (signs from the Universe) can be a good indicator that we are following in line with our life’s purpose.
Long after the flower has faded it still is a thing of beauty to my eyes. Beauty runs more than skin deep. The real beauty is in the heart and soul.
Today I celebrate the 5500th podcast of “MESSAGE FROM THE MOUNTAIN”. It started when I realized that the Mountain had positive things to say relating to Nature and Life. Each day I just trust that my “second head” will channel the right words for those that are listening.
There is a small three-inch-tall tree that this time of year appears to be decorated with holiday candles. I have been told that before the Ice Age this same species of tree used to be several hundred feet tall. There are people who seem to disappear into the landscape of life who still have bright positive lights.
It won’t be long before the bear will be hibernating for the winter. It has gained a lot of weight in preparation for a long sleep. People often fatten up in the fall. Unfortunately, come spring they will carry the weight of the winter while the bear loses his.
We have several sets of maps for visitors to follow at the Center. There is a map for the trails, a map for the Grace Trail, and a map for the ski trails. There is a belief that each soul has a map for them to follow during each incarnation on earth. That one is not written down, but it is there.
The view is different this time of year than in the summer. The leafless tree limbs create a drab landscape as I look out our windows. I am reminded of when someone has trouble finding their creative spark. The leaves will return in the spring and creativity can return with the next inspiration.
There is a mock orange shrub next to a stone wall that my wife keeps cutting back every couple of years, but it grows back thicker than before. Small birds use it for protection when coming to the feeder for food. When the leaves are gone, we can see them hiding there.
As November continues to progress, the mornings are becoming colder and there is nothing like hot fresh muffins and a cup of coffee to help me start my day with gratitude. There is always something, no matter what time of year, to fill my heart with gratitude.
I have been using the same microphone to record nearly 5500 “Messages from the Mountain”, as well as hundreds of hypnosis recordings for over fifteen years. It captures the words sent to me by a Cosmic channel through what I call my second head. The words come from space and return there.
A couple of our small cedar trees we transplanted from a friend’s house several years ago have slowly grown to be five to seven feet tall. However, they were attacked by turkeys last winter and we thought they would die, but they live on.
There is a tall tree growing outside our windows that has two large burls growing out of it. Burls are often transformed into works of art when they are harvested and turned into decorative bowls. Just as these potential bowls, so do people have potential that is still growing.
Long after the flower has faded it still is a thing of beauty to my eyes. Beauty runs more than skin deep. The real beauty is in the heart and soul.
Today we return to standard time, bringing darkness earlier in the day while making the morning sunrises one hour earlier. There is so much thought about time. Is all time happening at the same time or do we drift between the past, future and present?
This time of year small red blueberry leaves stand out on the drab landscape of November. They will shine until covered by winter snow. On the landscape of life, once the “showy” people have moved on, others who were lost in the glitter now shine.
I noticed a beautiful chaga mushroom growing at the base of a small birch tree at the edge of the Orchard. They are prized by some and brewed into a tea. Nature has many healthy plants that can be harvested all season long.
The winds of November are blowing strongly, gathering momentum, and sweeping down across the valley. The oak and beech leaves rustle as they resist the attempts to set them free.
Even though the weather’s warmth is still holding, the November landscape is now mostly barren of fall colors. Still there is a lot of beauty to find when we visit Nature. Life has a lot of beauty even when it appears to be barren.
On this first day of November the large tree at the edge of the Orchard, barren of its leaves, looks a little hung over from Nature’s celebration the night before. Still, that’s exactly what I expect to see in Nature as we now prepare for the winter months ahead.
While trick or treaters of all ages are celebrating Halloween, the Norse god Odin presides on the Mountain over the open portal where souls travel out of and into the earth’s plane. It is a night filled with ancient mystery and ceremony.
A few weeks ago I discovered a haunted milkweed patch. I saw several ghosts that were waiting for the wind to set them free. Now, with Halloween fast approaching, the spirits have joined the landscape making up the Mountain.
Nature has been busy decorating for the season of Halloween covering some of the evergreen trees with falling leaves from the maples. She creates a festive feeling as the days move into November and the approach of winter.
The view out my window next to my computer is basically one color as the falling leaves cover the ground with a golden brown glow. People often live in a world with monotone thoughts where it is hard to get more than one view of life. Life has many tones.
Here in the mountains people usually look for the Grand View, but there is so much to be seen right on the ground beneath their feet, like raindrops on a maple leaf. Life has lots of details that are easy to miss when we only look at the big picture.
Every so often I have the chance to play a private jam session with some very gifted musicians. It is a learning experience for me. Actually, I think that life itself is like a jam session where we share ideas with both gifted people and those that think they are gifted.
I just happened to glance out the window at just the right time and discovered a brilliant red sky as the sun was setting. I captured it with my camera and thought of the brilliant moments in life that often happen without notice and wonder how many we pass by.
The colors of fall are fading fast. Soon the landscape will be influenced by a leafless backdrop of November grays. Our memories of the past few weeks will also fade into our unconscious minds. Some memories are hard to change that may not fit our lives anymore.
We have finally finished cutting this year’s growth in the Lupine Field and the Orchard, and the land is prepared for a long winter’s sleep. In the meantime, this year’s seeds will fall into the soil to begin to sprout in the spring. It is time for winter projects.
Recently I saw a large flock of male turkeys grubbing for food on the lawn. I thought of how we distribute spiritual nourishment through positive acts of kindness. Each act has the potential of giving hope to an unlimited number of people, feeding their spirits.
There are people that can travel in their minds out into the Cosmos to worlds beyond, but for me, every time I travel down the old Class Six road and up to the Cabin and Orchard, I am entering another world and time period, right here on earth.
The falling leaves have created a beautiful carpet on the ground, adding to the afterglow of fall. Eventually, these leaves will decompose, creating new nutrients for the soil and promoting new growth for the future. The whole world is experiencing potential soul growth.
There is still plenty of fall color to experience even though the foliage is now past its peak. Acts of kindness that have long since been forgotten by others can carry an afterglow that encourages us to continue to spread positivity.
Recently my grandson mowed the Orchard for the first time. He now becomes the third generation to care for the land. This next generation are the ones that are the future of the whole world. They are the caretakers that will, I believe, bring love back to the earth.
I captured a photo from the distance, of a friend on his first visit to the Mountain, spending a few quiet moments establishing a bond with Nature. There are special places all over the world to do the same thing. All it takes is a few moments and awareness.
I am fortunate that my windows look out into Nature. Over the years I have seen a lot of wildlife. Even if I don’t get outside to experience Nature in person, my window provides an opening for my mind to soar into the Cosmos.
I stood at the top of the mountain and watched a low flying puffy cloud drifting in my direction. It looked like it wanted a hug, and I hugged it in my mind. A lot of people use the concept of escaping to a soft nonjudgmental cloud during times when a hug is needed.
I spotted a green orb in a Lupine Field photo and was reminded of the magic in Nature. That is not saying the orb is magic, but it is to many people. The real magic for me is the opportunity to see the magic in all of life when I spend time in Nature.
At the end of an excellent musical performance, the audience often claps until the performers play another short selection. Nature’s fall foliage show was so good that I wanted to experience an encore, so I found another picture to share. Why not encore positive memories and share them?
We are experiencing the peak of fall colors here in the Valley and on the mountain sides. It has been a spectacular show with many tourists as well as locals attending. Some will be disappointed for different reasons. Every event is different, and each has something unique to remember.
The falling leaves are drifting by our windows as nature’s fall show is winding down. Soon the ground will be covered. The falling leaves remind me of the times when I woke in the middle of the night to have my mind full of ideas drifting by. They cover the floor of my mind, waiting.
I recently received a very special gift from a friend in Florida who crafted a needlepoint painting of a woodland scene leading to a tall mountain peak. I believe she tapped into the Mountain before the ice age when it acted as a portal to the Cosmos.
Nature often provides me with images relative to life situations, and recently I noticed a ghost peaking at me. I grabbed the camera to capture the scene. It is, after all, October, and Halloween will soon be here.
There is a difference between wandering through a colorful fall landscape and standing on top of the Lupine Field where I can see the waves of color as they flow across the hillsides. In life, when we immerse ourselves, we often do not get the whole perspective.
As I walk on the trail just above the Lupine Field, I am reminded that if I was not able to look from side to side, I would have missed the magnificent views nature had provided me. People often are in such a rush that they often miss out on the beauty of the journey.
Nature is putting on one of its grandest shows of the year, right on schedule for the crowds of leaf peepers descending on the Valley. Up on the Mountain, all the commotion below does not disturb the peace I feel as I take in the incredible beauty that surrounds me.
The leaves are beginning to fall, and every day there is a better view of the setting sun across the valley. I wonder where in the vast Cosmos we really came from and where we may travel to in the future.
My hens and chicken have grown into a well-rounded flock. Of course, these are just plants, and not live birds, but they still represent how thoughts and actions can spread. I like to think that older humans help guide the young and the young are the future of the world.
We harvested the apples from the orchard. The whole crop filled one small mixing bowl that yielded a tasty apple crisp. Harvests come in many ways; from enjoying crops to doing something that feels good, to accomplishing positive acts that benefit others.
There are stone walls on the Center’s land built for different purposes with different construction styles. Some I think of as spirit walls, built with small openings for spirits to pass through. People build mental walls around themselves that often do not have ways for their fears to escape.
As October arrives, I am greeted with splashes of brilliance. Red leaves bathed in sunlight command my attention. I think of people that show flashes of brilliance in their lives that can fade away like the leaves when in conflict with ego.
As I traveled around the edge of the Lupine Field on a late September afternoon, I caught a glimpse of a patch of beautiful blue flowers surrounded by those that had gone to seed. I thought of late blooming people who find the energy to let their abilities bloom.
I have been watching the changes from the top of the Lupine Field spreading across the valley, and now I can see them here on the Mountain. It won’t be long before we are immersed in the bright colors of fall. It is a time to create future memories of a special time of year.
There are some very prolific variegated vines growing at the Center that have spread over the years from just a few plants. I have transplanted several the last few years that grow elsewhere. I think of people who plant positive actions and watch them grow and spread.
My hens and chicken have grown into a well-rounded flock. Of course, these are just plants, and not live birds, but they still represent how thoughts and actions can spread. I like to think that older humans help guide the young and the young are the future of the world.
I watched some butterflies flitting across the Lupine Field gathering sweet nectar for their long journey to warmer climates for the winter. I wondered how they and the birds know how to find their way. I wondered how souls know how to follow their sacred assignments in each lifetime.
September is such an interesting month as summer and fall come together. The days are still warm enough to sit on a bench in the Lupine Field and enjoy the clouds floating above my head. It is a time to enjoy the harvest and gather supplies mentally and physically for what lies ahead.
The leaves are turning color and the pumpkins and mums are decorating the fall landscape. There are also red berries that will last beyond the fading leaves. Each person has their own uniqueness that helps color up the landscape of life all year round.
I saw what some would call a weed and others a wildflower with its seed clumps looking like cotton balls. As we sat in the Lupine Field, we watched the seeds floating on the wind like mini helicopters looking for fertile ground. I thought of ideas that take flight looking for a place to grow.
The first day of astrological fall: the temperatures are falling, and soon the leaves will be falling, and then the snow will be falling. People will be out “falling”, celebrating the beauty that the season brings. Some people will go south in fear of winter. We can change our thoughts, not the weather.
I noticed a spade lying next to a newly transplanted flower and I thought about the importance of having the right tool for a job. This applies to more than physical work. It is important to have the right communication tools in life for both yourself, and others.
A couple of years ago we transplanted several different flowering plants. Recently I discovered a stonecrop in bloom that is also growing there. I am reminded that when we do acts of kindness, they may spread to others unbeknownst to us.
Have you ever studied the shades of green in grass? The green you see is not just one shade of green; there are many. This is true in just about every color in Nature. It is also true in every moment in life. It is the complex blends that make this experience here on earth unique.
My friend and ex-student just spent another five days working on the grounds at the Reflection Center. He decided a bridge would look good in a corner, and we moved an old ramp to complete the idea. He was King of the Bridge, a feeling we all get when completing a project.
I have been cleaning a space behind the Center for future plantings. It is not the first time it has been cleared, and the soil is rich from past use. When people start over, they often have a firm foundation to build upon.
I set my intentions each day to channel love from the Cosmos in everything I do. Of course, the perfection is in the intention, not always the result. Every so often that love comes back from Nature when a heart appears.
Ever wonder what is really in the air we breathe? There could be pollution from manufacturing, vehicle exhaust, dust, pollen, and even chem trails. They have an effect on our health. Hopefully in the near future we will help the air become cleaner again.
I have really enjoyed the beauty of nature this month. My goal is to discover a bouquet a day. The bouquet is not restricted to flowers. It could even be a person who has taken the risk of sharing positivity.
I noticed a woodchuck sitting on our stone grinding wheel used nearly 200 years ago to grind bark for tanning hides to make leather. I wonder how often I have missed wildlife so close to our house.
Every so often, we walk over to the Lupine Field from the Cabin to watch the sun setting behind the mountains across the valley. It would be a great place to have a house, but if we were there every day, we might become too used to something special.
The ledge across the valley lives a quiet existence except for twice a year, October 30th and May 1st when it opens its portal into the earth and beyond. Ancient shamans gathered to help souls travel – it makes a great story, to believe or not.
While checking some of the plantings we had placed at the entrance to the road to the Cabin, I noticed a yellow bloom from a plant we had not set there. It was a beautiful September surprise. I look for positive surprises in life every day, and there is usually one waiting.
I first see it in the lowlands when the swamp maples turn red. I can watch it from the Mountain as it spreads across the valley and the foothills. It is Nature’s spectacular fall foliage show. All we need to do is to take it in wherever we are.
I relate the magic of milkweed to the magic of people. Milkweed has a milky substance that flows through it in the summer with flower clusters that attract butterflies and form a seed pod in the fall. There are people that create magical deeds that sow the seeds of happiness.
Two days of gentle rain is just what the land here in the foothills needed. Much of the country has received too much moisture, but here it is welcome. People search for soul nourishment in many places, including connecting to their Source.
The apples in the orchard, what there are of them, are almost ready for harvest. It would be nice to get enough for a pie. I think of people who are almost ready, but never take the risk of taking the final steps and of others that never feel done and are always looking to improve.
The seasons are beginning to transition from late summer to early fall and I have noticed that many people are also making life transitions, regardless of their age. They are listening to their hearts and considering what in life has meaning to them.
From dawn to dusk, the welcome sign is always out at the Center for people to explore the beauty of Nature. No matter where you are, if you can find a patch of green grass or blue sky, your mind is welcome to soar into the Cosmos and come back refreshed.
I recently noticed a large bird’s nest on top of a brace holding the metal chimney against the Cabin. I never saw it during when the young were being raised. Nature adapts to the environment. Let us hope the family of man adjusts to Nature’s needs.
Recently I discovered some small wildflowers growing in the middle of “Stone Cutters’ Rest”, a quarrying site nearly 200 years old, not the most favorable environment. I think of people who have grown in the least likely nurturing environments that somehow persevered.
Today is the first day of meteorological fall. Soon one of the most spectacular fall foliage shows in the world will be under way. It is a great time to reconnect to the earth and realize that every day, no matter where you are, Nature always puts on an amazing show.
With my telescopic camera lens, I can get a closeup view of Davis Pond down in the valley. When seen by the naked eye, it is much smaller. We have the option in our minds to get two views of life, close up in it or from a distance.
Living in the foothills to the White Mountains, we can see their imposing outlines from the top of our mountain. The settlers looked for notches, breaks between mountains, to find their way to the other side. Life often seems like it is filled with barriers, but there are openings.
As many of you know, I am always on the lookout for heart signs. To me, it is proof that I am surrounded by the love of the Cosmos, which is channeled through me. That love is unconditional and is far different from the love our egos send out with conditions.
A friend gave us a very special gift created by Nature. It is a piece of shale with a baked on piece of lichen. The gift warmed my heart, as do people who allow their special abilities to be shared.
Every day now I am seeing more hints that a change of seasons is coming. Looking out the window at sunset and into a window of green leaves, it looks like fall across the valley. Many of you are getting strong hints of changes coming in many aspects of your life.
The recent rains have saturated the land enough so that our little brook, which has been dry for most of the summer, now has a trickle of water in it. People are also returning to the flow of life after more than two years of the pandemic.
I recently found a yarrow plant in bloom growing on the edge of the driveway where I was just getting ready to cover the dirt with stone. I had not seen a yarrow plant there in several years. What I thought was lost has been found again. People are now discovering lost abilities.
I wasn’t sure if the tall phlox that usually bloom in August and September were going to survive this year due the prolonged dry spell. Their stalks and leaves looked all shriveled up, and then came the rain. I am reminded of people that feel that their gifts have dried up, only to revive them
Every year in the beginning of spring and into the early summer, I wonder if the hibiscus with its beautiful red blooms with flower again. It is into August before the wait is over. People sometimes are late bloomers while others wonder if they will ever share their special abilities.
I may not be able to see the world across the valley, but I can journey out into the Cosmos and connect with core of all being and its incredible loving energy. Even if you never visit in person the view I have, it is always there for you wherever you are.
I could see the approaching rain as it came towards us from across the valley and soon I could feel drops of water falling from the sky. Sometimes in life storms disrupt our plans, but often there is a reason beyond our intentions that result in unique experiences.
There are hints that the seasons will soon be changing from summer into fall. The nights are longer and cooler and the unmowed fields are turning brown. People are experiencing change, some rapidly and some slowly. It is the season.
When we first moved to New Hampshire, we would drive down the road where our home is now located and marvel at the view of Mount Chocorua. Now we are fortunate to be steward of a small mountain with a beautiful view of the very same special mountain. We are home!!!
The Mountain is a solid core of granite and quartz charged with energy that fuels the ley lines that connect to a vortex on the summit. This energy connects to special points all over the earth and beyond. People are filled with an energy that connects to their cores.
The sumacs’ fuzzy blossoms are now in bloom. They are trees that look somewhat out of place here in New Hampshire. I know a lot of people who feel out of place as their intuitive abilities are misunderstood by those around them.
Nature is already making plans for next year. She is drying seeds and casting them with the wind, looking for fertile soil for them to take root next year. We often plant seeds of positivity that float on the winds of the Cosmos, looking to take root in the fertile minds of others.
The Ragged Robins are getting ready to cast their seeds into the wind as the lupines have already done. It is the ritual of the season. There is always something growing and something going. Sadly, many people will never notice.
Now that the lupine and ragged robin have gone to seed, there is still a lot to see in the field at the top of the mountain. There is plenty of nourishment left for the birds and insects and butterflies as well for our minds, bodies, and soul.
There is a mountain breaking the horizon line, looking slightly west from the top of the Lupine Field, that appears to have mystical powers perhaps connecting to an ancient history. There is energy around it where strange lights appear and GPS’s reverse themselves.
We didn’t really sample the wild raspberries when they were in season because we were too busy with other things to take the time to pick them. It is often the way that when lives get complicated, the gifts of Nature slip by. It is time to reconnect the pleasures of life.
Summer afternoon rainstorms can be brief and powerful, sweeping across the valley and mountains and then gone. Often the sun returns to shine through the raindrops still on the leaves. There could be an accompanying rainbow. Life is renewed.
Our fifty-year-old pear trees are laden with fruit, and yet the big pears are scabby and the little pears are too small to do anything with but cook them up for syrup. Still, we really enjoy watching them grow, and the wildlife attracted to them.
The lawn should be cut again, but the earth is still tender from earlier summer rains. It is now covered with hay and some beautiful brown eyed susans. I like the wild lawn.
Today is podcast #5400, sort of a milestone for me. I started in 2006, and now in 2022 I still reach to Nature and the Cosmos for guidance each day with the intention of sharing what “my second head” shares with me. We all reach some sort of milestone every day.
Hot days and cool nights create a morning mist in the valleys that hint of the season to come. It is a great time to start the day appreciating all the positive things that take place, often going unnoticed.
As the August days begin to slip by, life often gets busy, and it can be hard to pause and find joy in each day. Flowers are a good way to bring us back to the moment, giving us the opportunity to feel gratitude in our hearts, so take a deep breath and experience a moment of joy.
Recently the Hathaway-Bennett family band made a rare public appearance when it debuted two gifted fourth generation members, Madison LaForce on voice and Josh Adams on guitar. You could see how proud our oldest member was as he watched the youngest play.
The August flowers in the Lupine Field are now beginning to bloom. The blue, ragged robin and the golden rod, as well as brown eyed susans, all contribute to a beautiful wildflower garden. No matter what the season, there is always something beautiful waiting.
I think back to pre-air-conditioning days when people used to build screened porches onto their houses so they could spend summer evenings out in the air free from bugs. It was a time when one could hear the crickets sing. Now, people are building porches again.
I was recently sent a photo of me playing a concert on a beautiful evening at the edge of a lake. That was a happy event. Not only did I enjoy playing, but it was in front of a live group of people who also appeared happy. For me it is the interaction of energy.
Now that the calendar page has turned to August, if one is going to enjoy summer, it’s time to start. People who have been thinking of change are now realizing it is time to start on those life changes that their hearts have been hinting at.
Over fifty years ago my parents gave us a package of shrubs and trees that were advertised on the back cover of Parade Magazine. Three still survive, including spirea, a plant with small pink blossoms that when it is pruned continues to grow new flowers. People’s abilities can dry up if left alone.
I recently took photos of the lilies that I planted couple of months ago. I noticed a face peeking out of one of the blossoms. My wife said it was a rabbit, and sure enough I saw it. I love it when Nature shows us animal spirits.
Sometimes the goals we have set for ourselves in life seem out of reach, and it is tempting to give up. If your goal still rings true in your heart, remember that each step you take along your path will get you there or to a place even better. Trust and believe.
The hostas are an interesting plant with large green leaves and small flowers on tall stems. At first glance the flowers go unnoticed. Often people with abilities can go unnoticed because they are not as “flashy” as others. Just stand tall and believe in your gifts.
With the summer heat reaching all-time highs, many people are retreating to air-conditioned places or cool spots in Nature, especially in the afternoons. I am reminded of the lazy afternoons as a child that I spent at the lake or hanging out on the front porch. Sometimes it is good to be lazy.
The mid-summer day lilies are adding their light colors to the buffet of flower blooms. I consider people like flowers, who bloom when they share their abilities with heart based love for others that they may or not know. Like flowers, they bloom whenever it is time.
A heat wave is three days or more in a row of 90 degree or more weather. It is a time to limit outdoor activities, to stay as cool as possible, and keep hydrated. It is easy to forget when we are absorbed in life. It all comes back to setting intentions to be mindful of the moment.
Every time I take a photo, I strive for perfection. Rarely does that photo turn out perfect, at least in my eyes. Perfection in life is hard to obtain, and I have come to realize that real perfection is one’s intention to do something perfectly.
JUST BEFORE NIGHTFALL- Just before nightfall, when the setting sun has disappeared behind the mountains, it creates a backlight setting, silhouetting the landscape. As darkness envelopes it, we are filled with anticipation of the approaching night and the next day.
My favorite lily of the moment is a peach colored day lily. What I love about having a variety of lilies is that they do not all bloom at the same time. I am reminded of favorite flavors of ice cream. We have one favorite until we find another favorite.
As the parade of beautiful summer flowers continues, I am excited to discover the first of the phlox flowering. One of the keys to life is to feeling excitement and joy every day as you make marvelous discoveries.
It was a rainy evening when we heard a big crash that shook the house. Looking out the window we saw an old dead birch tree lying on the ground, a casualty of the weather. It was a reminder to always be aware of potentially dangerous conditions in all of life.
A viewer asked me the other day what it looked like when I looked back in the other direction from the seat by the orchard. It is a view of the entrance to the Cabin and the road approaching it and the Orchard. We do have choices in life, to look back, or look forward to the future.
The double orange lilies are beginning to bloom, and I am reminded of all the acts of kindness done for others that serve to give us pleasure as well as the recipient of the act. It is a great feeling.
THE EVENING SUN SHINING THROUGH THE GRASS – We sat on a bench at the top of the Lupine Field watching the setting sunshine through the tall grass. The scene sparkled as the grass danced in the breeze. We found ourselves absorbed in Nature.
I am so grateful to have many different seats in Nature where I can pause, rest my body and my thoughts for a few moments and take in the splendor that surrounds me. The other day it was a view of the orchard and mountains beyond. We all have places to pause and reflect.
Looking for the best way to move our “stone mountain”, I thought of the settlers and how they cleared the land by making sleds called scoots to be pulled by oxen or horses. We used plastic sleds to solve the problem.
The other day we received a special package in the mail from a friend that loves to visit the land. She had been working on a cross-stitch deer for over a year, and the timing was perfect. It was another sign that I am not alone on my soul’s path. I am grateful.
The big truckload of stone we recently had delivered looks like a mountain as it waits to line our driveway. I am reminded of a distant relative, Edgar Welch, who literally moved a mountain, working nights, year after year. Persistence is the key.
In the spring of 1993 we had some drainage work done by the local high school vocational department. The next spring my wife’s father passed and that summer a wild rose sprang up where the work was done. It still blooms each year. It is a special rose for a special person.
I now have red day lilies flowering at the Center. Each different color is special and each bloom lasts for a day. It reminds me of the power of the moment and how, when we not aware of that, we miss a lot in life, whether flowers or special moments with people.
Eyes are full of stories, some happy and some sad. I learn a lot about people by watching their eyes. There are also beautiful eyes in Nature, including brown eyed susans. When you open your mind, you can hear their stories also. Life is full of stories.
Seven years ago we transplanted a dozen hydrangea bushes to the Center from another place where they were in the way of progress. It took some time for the plants to begin to mature. The waiting is over. Sometimes positive acts take time to mature and flower.
At the top of Kyle’s trail, you can step out into the wide open scenic vista at the top of the Lupine Field. I am reminded that each of us has the ability to step through an opening and into their unconscious mind to tap into something beyond.
Thanks to the acquisitions of two special landscapes painted by Mary Bastoni, we are now able to enjoy the lupines all year round. Paintings or photos are wonderful ways to refresh one’s memory of Nature’s healing beauty.
The milkweed is blooming in the Orchard and Lupine Field. The small flowers develop in a round cluster providing space for butterflies to land and bees to collect the nectar. In the fall the seed pods will release their seeds on the wind, just as people seed positive acts.
There is something about the moist salt air of the ocean that provides just the right environment for roses to flourish with a beauty hard to achieve inland. People can be affected by the right environment, internally and externally, that brings out their abilities.
The American flag unfurled and flying free is a beautiful symbol of the freedoms we currently enjoy in this country, and today we celebrate all those that came before us with infinite wisdom who created the fabric through which the flag continues to fly.
We paused from our walk on the edge of the harbor to watch a large boat under sail. It traveled across the bay and eventually dropped its sails close to where we were. It reminded me of how people set sail every day on the waters of life.
We love to visit and photograph lighthouses, as we recently did on the coast of Maine. The Bass Harbor Light is a unique one tucked away above the ocean with a stunning view. Some people are like lighthouses who shine their spiritual lights to help others.
I have been waiting for the first of the orange day lilies to open and now they have. I often use Nature as a way of keeping track of the seasons. There is always something new to discover all year long as we walk the path of our soul.
One of my favorite walking meditations is through Nature’s beautiful wild floral arrangements like the crown vetch blooming in the middle of pink clover. There are also many beautiful arrangements in our lives that appear along the path of our soul.
There is a glacial erratic known as the Balance Rock on the shoreline of Bar Harbor ME that was deposited by the last Ice Age. I am reminded that it is our belief which gives us balance when life seems to be on a precarious perch.
The Fairy complex nestled around an old stump on the edge of the Lupine Field has recently received some new additions. I’m not sure who keeps an eye on the fairies, but I am so grateful that others recognize the magic there.
When I see wild bouquets of daises shining brightly in the Lupine Field, I am reminded of the song “A Daisy a Day”. My heart sings along with their beautiful dance in the summer breeze. There are so many flowers to be grateful for this time of year.
Now that summer has finally arrived, the ever-changing views from the mountain are always delightful. I believe that each of us has special places to visit to regroup, whether in person, from our memories or from our imaginations.
There is a big dead pine on the side of one of our new trails created by last fall’s logging; it is missing about half of its trunk. It is perched in a very precarious position, ready to fall at any time. I am reminded that we all face many precarious positions in life.
We have some perennial herbs growing in the flower garden by the Cabin that were planted before we took ownership. Maybe this year we will harvest some. There is nothing like fresh herbs to enhance a meal. There are a lot of things that can enhance our lives.
Today is a very special day. It is our 60th wedding anniversary. In honor of this special lady that married me, I am including a recording of a song I wrote for our 25th anniversary and rerecorded for our 50th by our children and grandchildren.
SWEET TREATS – The wild strawberries are now yielding their sweet treats, often hidden in the tall grass. The birds, chipmunks, and squirrels are enjoying feasting on them. I used to, but it is a long way down to the ground, so I look for other treats that are better options.
Recently a friend cleaned the labyrinth of winter leaves and debris, and it is ready for all those that walk it this summer and fall to contemplate, meditate, and reenergize. It is a great place for kids to follow or run its path. There is always a labyrinth in your mind.
Now that the forget-me-nots have finished their show, the tall slender cone flowers have taken over. I look forward to this part of the season, and, when it is over, I will more than likely mow the area. There is always something in the wild lawn to discover.
This has been the year for bears. We have been visited by a mother and yearlings, a mother and a small cub, yearlings set free to be on their own and the big boy looking for food. With wildlife one needs to be mindful and enjoy at a safe distance.
We have different colored columbine on the land. Some grow in the flower gardens and some naturally grow up on the mountain. Each plant seeks to attract pollinators to insure the next generation. People are like flowers, each one unique, born with a purpose.
Standing on top of a mountain can give someone a different perspective of life. It is a moment when you can consider the past, present, and future without the intrusion of a busy world below. Then when you descend, you may see things differently.
I noticed some moss growing on the side of a trail that looked as if it was some sort of sponge and water absorbent. I’m not sure if I‘ve seen that variety before. It was just another oddity of Nature. At least it was odd to me, but perhaps normal to others.
One of my favorite early summer flowers is the yellow day lily. Their cheery blooms are a welcome sight indicating that summer is really here. It seems as if I spend a good part of my day in waking meditation, filled with gratitude, appreciating the flowers.
The June day was perfect for a brief meditation at the top of the Lupine Field with a background of flowers, Davis Pond and the mountains beyond. Some meditators can recall perfectly the experience, while others just connect to a higher power.
I have many pairs of gloves: work gloves that protect my hands, and cold weather gloves that keep them warm, but it seems like they are never quite the perfect fit. However, then there are the wildflowers, like foxglove, always a perfect fit for my eyes.
On a recent walk along the shore of the ocean, I spotted a driftwood seat that I assumed was washed up by the tide. It waited there for someone to occupy it until it set sail again. There are always treasures to find along our walk of life.
A black spot in the grass at the top of the Lupine Field caught my eye. And, upon investigation, I found a shiny black feather probably left there by a raven. I felt it was a sign from Nature that our positive intention for the land was appreciated.
June is finally busting out all over. The flowers, including beautiful blue flags, create a landscape pallet that is a feast for the eyes. It is a time to be grateful and to pass your gratitude on to others with positive acts of kindness.