Thank you Laura! Yes, I really love that phrase; but I didn't pick it up here. I feel as if I've known it forever. My very-non-French partner has used it for a long time too.
Thank you very much, too, for the recommendation. Yes, very helpful.
Gorgeous post and love the note about the community mind -- the extraordinary attunement of the starlings to each other. I have a theory that such tending to one another is in all consciousness but in most of the world humans have lost it or buried it deeply in our fragmenting of all life.
Such beautiful images that touch the heart! Also, I adore the phrase "entre chien et loup" - I had never heard it before, even though I've spoken French for 40 years. Is it a regional saying where you live? It's a delightful way to express that time of day!
Beautiful post, thanks for sharing! I so wish we had murmurations here! The largest starling flocks I've seen around us so far are a few dozens at a time, very lovely to watch, but nothing like what you described. I can imagine the wonderful sound of all those wings overhead, so delightful. And what a beautiful personal connection with your little bird rescue. It's terrible when our homes get in their way like that, but what a feeling to have a dazed little sweetie trust you like that. We have had a very-few bird strikes at our window, and each one has been an opportunity to comfort a little one who gazes at us with such trust until they are recovered and on their way again. It's really something, and I like the way that you expressed how it seems to fill all the purpose of our lives in that moment 💕
Your knowledge of tiny detail is awe inspiring Roselle, so much so I am wondering how I miss so much. Imposter syndrome is flashing in neon lights in my head... I’m trying to ignore it but damn, after reading this the off switch seems to be broken.
Oh but Susie! We all have different strengths, don't we? I am sure I'd miss masses that you spot! And your own writing is so full of vitality.
But there is something for me about training in Zen (being present) and being a poet (noticing small details and teaching others to in my courses) that I suppose I've practised over decades.
Anyway, it's an excuse to stop and stare in what is otherwise, if I'm not careful, a ridiculously over-full life - all I say I want is simplicity, but can I achieve that?? Not at all. But thank you.
I have a sneaky feeling ‘a simple life’ is a little like hiking to the top of a mountain to enjoy a beautiful view, we exhaust ourselves trying to reach the summit and by the time we do, we are too exhausted to appreciate the panorama... it certainly feels like that here. A simple life is far from simple in the real sense of the term, I’m sure you’d agree... But, there is much fun and feeling of achievements along the way too. X
"...a moment that is not enough, but is also all I have to offset against the almost inconceivable scale of the tragedies and distress that currently rock the world."
Yes. Oh, yes! THOSE moments...thank you, as SO often, for putting into words what I know in my deep heart, but had not articulated
Such beauty Roselle that you take us to. Your attentiveness to the wild is humbling. I also loved what you said about 'community mind', it made me sit up. Your words nudge me towards a greater good, as if you tell me it is waiting. I can only thank you for this reminder, for letting me reach out and touch some wild unknown from where i am. Your encounter with the little blue tit ; 'its narrow little pewter feet' touched my heart. How wise your words are about ... 'all i have to offset..' Yes, I can only say thank you. Jo
How bizarre….yesterday I saved the life of a blue tit as well! It propelled itself into a veranda window at its usual speed of light and clunked onto the patio, one wing straight up. It was minus 3 and I knew it would die if left in that temperature, even if had only stunned itself. Its eyes were open, beak closed, hyperventilating. I wasn’t sure of the extent of its damage. I grabbed my trusty rescue box, lined with a fluffy towel and set it down just inside the veranda door with the door open. It took a long time, well over an hour. But it survived and flew off happily, probably with a headache. And I thought to myself, it’s these small moments that matter in the world of huge horrors we inhabit. It grounded me and settled my aching soul, if briefly. Every morning (and afternoon in this cold) the food they so trustingly take make me feel worthwhile.
That's all really moving, Pauline. And yes, how strange. I think we probably are all attuned to each other at a deep subliminal level, aren't we, as Jan suggested?
And it IS a small something we can do, feeding wild birds in deep winter...
Greetings Roselle, Such a lovely post about birds. I am a bird lover and do write about them on occasion as well. I look forward to reading more from you.
I should also note that I've recommended your Substack on mine, so that may be where some of your subscribers are coming from. I recommend Substacks that I enjoy reading, because I figure that if I like them, other people probably will, too.
Thank you Laura! Yes, I really love that phrase; but I didn't pick it up here. I feel as if I've known it forever. My very-non-French partner has used it for a long time too.
Thank you very much, too, for the recommendation. Yes, very helpful.
Gorgeous post and love the note about the community mind -- the extraordinary attunement of the starlings to each other. I have a theory that such tending to one another is in all consciousness but in most of the world humans have lost it or buried it deeply in our fragmenting of all life.
Yes, that makes complete sense to me, Jan. Thank you.
Been thinking about you with your daughter leaving for her home. I'll write over the next day or three.
Such beautiful images that touch the heart! Also, I adore the phrase "entre chien et loup" - I had never heard it before, even though I've spoken French for 40 years. Is it a regional saying where you live? It's a delightful way to express that time of day!
Superb, merci
Judy, thank you! Looking forward to reading yours.
Let me know what you think! :)
Beautiful post, thanks for sharing! I so wish we had murmurations here! The largest starling flocks I've seen around us so far are a few dozens at a time, very lovely to watch, but nothing like what you described. I can imagine the wonderful sound of all those wings overhead, so delightful. And what a beautiful personal connection with your little bird rescue. It's terrible when our homes get in their way like that, but what a feeling to have a dazed little sweetie trust you like that. We have had a very-few bird strikes at our window, and each one has been an opportunity to comfort a little one who gazes at us with such trust until they are recovered and on their way again. It's really something, and I like the way that you expressed how it seems to fill all the purpose of our lives in that moment 💕
It really IS something, this encounter with Other, isn't it? Glad you share my sense, Sydney.
Your knowledge of tiny detail is awe inspiring Roselle, so much so I am wondering how I miss so much. Imposter syndrome is flashing in neon lights in my head... I’m trying to ignore it but damn, after reading this the off switch seems to be broken.
A truly beautiful and heartfelt writing... x
Oh but Susie! We all have different strengths, don't we? I am sure I'd miss masses that you spot! And your own writing is so full of vitality.
But there is something for me about training in Zen (being present) and being a poet (noticing small details and teaching others to in my courses) that I suppose I've practised over decades.
Anyway, it's an excuse to stop and stare in what is otherwise, if I'm not careful, a ridiculously over-full life - all I say I want is simplicity, but can I achieve that?? Not at all. But thank you.
I have a sneaky feeling ‘a simple life’ is a little like hiking to the top of a mountain to enjoy a beautiful view, we exhaust ourselves trying to reach the summit and by the time we do, we are too exhausted to appreciate the panorama... it certainly feels like that here. A simple life is far from simple in the real sense of the term, I’m sure you’d agree... But, there is much fun and feeling of achievements along the way too. X
Oh yes! That is exactly how it is, Susie! (in my experience anyway). That's an image I'll remember, and helpful. Thank you.
"...a moment that is not enough, but is also all I have to offset against the almost inconceivable scale of the tragedies and distress that currently rock the world."
Yes. Oh, yes! THOSE moments...thank you, as SO often, for putting into words what I know in my deep heart, but had not articulated
Janey, that comment means a lot. Thank you.
Such beauty Roselle that you take us to. Your attentiveness to the wild is humbling. I also loved what you said about 'community mind', it made me sit up. Your words nudge me towards a greater good, as if you tell me it is waiting. I can only thank you for this reminder, for letting me reach out and touch some wild unknown from where i am. Your encounter with the little blue tit ; 'its narrow little pewter feet' touched my heart. How wise your words are about ... 'all i have to offset..' Yes, I can only say thank you. Jo
Dearest Jo - you always offer me such support and encouragement. Thank you. With love
How bizarre….yesterday I saved the life of a blue tit as well! It propelled itself into a veranda window at its usual speed of light and clunked onto the patio, one wing straight up. It was minus 3 and I knew it would die if left in that temperature, even if had only stunned itself. Its eyes were open, beak closed, hyperventilating. I wasn’t sure of the extent of its damage. I grabbed my trusty rescue box, lined with a fluffy towel and set it down just inside the veranda door with the door open. It took a long time, well over an hour. But it survived and flew off happily, probably with a headache. And I thought to myself, it’s these small moments that matter in the world of huge horrors we inhabit. It grounded me and settled my aching soul, if briefly. Every morning (and afternoon in this cold) the food they so trustingly take make me feel worthwhile.
That's all really moving, Pauline. And yes, how strange. I think we probably are all attuned to each other at a deep subliminal level, aren't we, as Jan suggested?
And it IS a small something we can do, feeding wild birds in deep winter...
Greetings Roselle, Such a lovely post about birds. I am a bird lover and do write about them on occasion as well. I look forward to reading more from you.
Oh hello Pamela - thank you. I'll head over and have a look.
Please do! Excited to have found you.
I should also note that I've recommended your Substack on mine, so that may be where some of your subscribers are coming from. I recommend Substacks that I enjoy reading, because I figure that if I like them, other people probably will, too.
Hello Laura - thank you and thank you! I don't know how my reply went elsewhere, but it did.