All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. —J. R. Tolkien
Box Turtle Markings
When the turtles came of age,
God dipped his finger in liquid gold
and painted ancient symbols
across their carapaces.
This way he would know their names
without seeing their faces
when he returned in spring
To wake them
from their long winter dream
under a bed of forest leaves.
September 23, 2022 and September 27, 2022 - I went to the Saugatuck Dunes twice within a week. The first time was a Friday in between my yoga class and running errands. I hiked with my “big” camera. Fall has arrived here in one fell swoop. It was clear and bright on Friday, but really cool and dry compared to earlier in the week. All trails here lead to the beach eventually, and that was where I lingered, taking pictures of the seagulls fishing - flying, spotting, swerving and diving and then, occasionally, resting. The one in flight is a bit blurry, but the one standing on the ground with his icy eyes is such a beauty.
I returned on Tuesday morning for a run and noticed what looked like a pile of feathers. It turned out to be a dead seagull gradually being buried in sand. In its way beautiful, too, nature taking care of her wild children. I wondered briefly if it could be the same bird with the icy eyes. I hope his spirit is flying somewhere and the fishing is good there.
September 23, 2022 - A feather marking the time with its shadow.
September 23, 2022 - I heard a song that keeps running through my head. It’s called “Hold You Dear” by the Secret Sisters. (here’s a link if you’re interested: https://youtu.be/Nta_A1eano0 ) . Maybe because the season changed so quickly from summer to fall, or because loss has been on my mind for multiple reasons; the lyrics really affected me. The chorus is a promise -
“I will hold you dear,
while my shadow’s long and my eyes are clear.
I know these days will pass away,
so I will hold you dear.”
It may not hit you the same way.;but it opened something up in me that is hard to describe. Ripping through an illusion of having time that I didn’t even know I had . We don’t have time to waste.. Love is the only thing that matters. Giving it without expecting.anything in return. Realizing that eventually I am going to lose everyone I love, and some of them will need me in times of darkness. Even if the only thing I have to offer is my presence, I won’t be stingy. I will put everything down and be there. I won’t let them go without knowing for sure they were loved.
September 24, 2022 - Fallen Monarch
September 24 2022 - Oh I have been trying to get a picture of a monarch for weeks. This is absolutely not the one I wanted. I was hoping to catch one flying. Or sitting on a bit of milkweed. But in the spirit of honoring the fallen; here is a beautiful monarch; lying dead on the pavement. I didn’t remember until later that another monarch has recently fallen - one who has been around for my entire life.
September 27, 2022 - Shifting clouds and wind over the dune grass
September 27, 2022 - My Tuesday run at the dunes. Rain mixed with sun. So beautiful.
