Nature's Ornaments

"It is our quiet time.

We do not speak, because the voices are within us.

It is our quiet time.

We do not walk, because the earth is all within us.

It is our quiet time.

 We do not dance, because the music has lifted us 

to a place where the spirit is.

It is our quiet time. 

We rest with all of nature.

We wake when the seven sisters wake.

We greet them in the sky over the opening of the kiva.”

            NANCY WOODS

Although I am not a fan of persimmons to eat, I am ever so pleased by these "nature's ornaments" adorning bare trees. They are as beautiful, perhaps more so, than any holiday ornaments created by humans. Walking about our neighborhood one notices these trees with her stunning luscious orange ornaments. How could one not?

Winter Solstice greetings to each of you wondrous BEings as we negotiate, once again burgeoning COVID-19 cases. The culprit this time is the highly contagious Omicron variant of the virus. 

We all are asking how to celebrate the holidays in the safest way possible. I hear of so many cancelling previously made plans to fly for gathering with distant family members and friends, and questioning when will each and every one of us be free to resume our once previously familiar lives. From my perspective I am highly doubtful that will happen any time soon, if ever. 

Sporting events as well as other events happening in big spaces are either having the number of attendees radically decreased or events halted altogether. The Warriors, my very favorite basketball team ever, recently sent home their top players to avoid a possible detainment in Canada related to COVID. WHEW! The entire team is now back together in San Francisco. They are ready to play in their own Arena for two games before hitting the road again. 

The predictions are that the virus will hang around well into 2024. 

Me . . . I think each of us individually might as well figure out how to live as safely as possible with this virus. And now "at this quiet time" go inward for rest. ZOOM for family and friend connections if one want to BE with others. If one is with others, wear double masks and social distance. Where have we heard this before?

And perhaps the singularly most valuable tool is frequently engaging in a whole hearted belly